The Earl Next Door

I loved reading Adeline and Lyon’s amazing story in The Earl Next Door by Amelia Grey, book one in her First Comes Love series. When Adeline, Dowager Countess of Wake, learns of her husband’s accidental death she finally feels free. She was the victim of spousal abuse; not physical but definitely emotional. Now, Adeline can do what she wants, go where she wants, and be as she pleases. Best of all, she does not need or want to remarry anyone. With the assistance of two other widows, Adeline opens a school to teach reading, writing, and sewing to girls of families who also loss a working parent in the accident. This school will be located on the property where she is now living. Imagine what the neighbors might think as they see delivery after delivery to the school. Unfortunately, one concerned neighbor forces the future Marquis of Markworth, Lyon Lyonwood her next door neighbor, to question the young Countess as well as scandalously mistaken her identity. Lyon refuses to be like his father by marrying in name only while have numerous mistresses laying in wait for him. He wants a wife who can love him and his life; be the one and only woman in his life. As he soon learns, the spirited and self-reliant Adeline is his perfect match but she is not interested in marriage. She yearns for his touch, his kiss, his . . ., but is only willing to be his lover, not his wife. Lyon uses all the passion and tools he has at hand hoping to convince Adeline to marry him. Ms. Grey wrote a charming, clever, entertaining and amusing story that is not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with humorous escapades, amusing banter, sexual chemistry and endearing characters giving Adeline and Lyon a chance to obtain all each desires. I highly recommend The Earl Next Door to other readers. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

What a fun, delightful story. Adeline, the Dowager Countess of Wake, is widow at only 22 years old and is finally free from her husband's demanding rule. He treated her poorly because after 2 years of marriage she still hadn't provided him with an heir.....even his mistress has been able to do that! While Adeline was retrieving her husband's personal items that were found from the sunken ship, Salty Dove that he was on, she met two other young widows, Julia and Brina. Together they decided they were going to open a school for females whose families didn't have the money to teach them things like reading and writing and they would start by inviting girls who lost a family member on the Salty Dove. While getting ready to open the new school, a man shows up at Adeline's house, forcing his way into her house and happens upon her in an uncompromising position. Lord Lyonwood, the Marquis of Marksworth immediately thinks that Adeline is a lady of the night based on how she is dressed. Quickly, he realizes his mistake but is instantly smitten with Adeline. This starts their fun journey of getting to know each other. Lyon would love nothing more than to court Adeline because she is the first woman to have captured his attention but Adeline is not interested in getting married again. She'd be glad to be his lover though!!!! Lyon has never had females turn him down before and is now more determined than ever to make Adeline his. These two characters went on such a fun journey together to get to their happy ending. I loved both Adeline and Lyon! I really enjoyed all the supporting characters too! This was a wonderful start to this new series and I look forward to reading more stores in it.

Three widows who lost their husbands when their ship went down in a storm decide to start a boarding school for the daughters and sisters of the ship’s crew lost in the same tragedy. The girls will learn to read and write and gain the skills to find employment as seamstresses. When Lord Lyon, The Earl Next Door, returns to town he is led to believe the house next door (the school) is being set up as an exclusive ___brothel. Furious, he marches into the house to demand said brothel be closed, and encounters Adeline, Dowager Countess of Wake, who is not a madam, but the founder of the school. Sparks fly and fly… The Duke Next Door is book one in the First Comes Love Series. It is an entertaining story filled with humor. The characters are great. The hero and heroine spar beautifully from the beginning, both confident and snarky. Adeline is bold, strong, feisty, caring. Lyon starts angry and works his way to confused and provides laugh-out-loud moments along the way. He is in fact absolutely loveable - honorable, patient, and protective. There are no big villains, just a nosy neighbor with a spyglass. The story is straightforward and moves along quickly, an enjoyable read. I recommend this one and look forward to the rest of the series. I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.