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eg_m's review against another edition
3.0
The relationship between the two main characters is well done and believable, the few steamy moments a natural flow from the story. Unfortunately, the end was just too 'all is well that ends well'.
Spoiler
The leader of the bullies learns the error of his ways and everyone becomes friends. It was more than a little cloying.sarah_moynihan's review against another edition
5.0
The subject of constant ridicule during his time in Oxford for things out of his control, Ash has worked hard in order to graduate early and distance himself from his tormentors. Since leaving Oxford he has trained himself both body and mind in pugilism, becoming stronger and gaining better control over the verbal and physical ticks stemming from his disease.
Now that he is an earl and working to live up to the expectations of his title, he determines he should accept the invitation to a houseparty at Thornhill, the estate of one of his childhood tormentors. Having expected these men to have matured and changed over the interveening years, they quickly prove otherwise and seeing no reason to stay longer, he returns home.
The bright spot of his visit was in seeing his childhood friend, Bianca, again. Discovering he has left the party, she later pays him a visit at his own home and together they plan the St. Stephen's Day party after her brother refuses to host it. Seeing one another again, attraction blossoms and the chance at a future together grows. When bullies and disaster strike at once nearly destroying their plans, it will take a hero to set things to rights.
___________________________
The Red Hot Earl is the first book in Darcy Burke's Love is All Around trilogy. I came across the third book in the series, Joy to the Earl, first when I found it on NetGalley and after reading it and enjoying I decided to go back and grab a copy of the prior two books in the series. And in saying that I must add that I enjoyed this book more.
Each book in this series is a retelling of a beloved holiday story and this one is a reimagining of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Ash, as with Rudolph's nose, has some physcial trait that sets him apart from his peers and due to their immaturity, is relentlessly belittled and harrassed by them. The taunting and cruelty doesn't cease until a disaster befalls them and only Ash is able to save the day.
My heart really went out to Ash, that he had to endure so much bullying as a young man. That those same boys would be so immature so many years later, that they would disrespect him like that and treat him poorly. People can be so cruel.
Bianca and Ash seemed such opposites at times. Their connection stemming from their childhood, I was simply charmed by them. Ash possessed so much forgiveness, which I respected in him. I probably would have been able to forgive and let the past go, but not to the extent of willingly continuing to have those people in my life. That really impresssed me on his part.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the trilogy, The Gift of the Marquess, and learning more about Poppy.
I would recommend this series to those looking for some sweet historical stories this holiday season.
Now that he is an earl and working to live up to the expectations of his title, he determines he should accept the invitation to a houseparty at Thornhill, the estate of one of his childhood tormentors. Having expected these men to have matured and changed over the interveening years, they quickly prove otherwise and seeing no reason to stay longer, he returns home.
The bright spot of his visit was in seeing his childhood friend, Bianca, again. Discovering he has left the party, she later pays him a visit at his own home and together they plan the St. Stephen's Day party after her brother refuses to host it. Seeing one another again, attraction blossoms and the chance at a future together grows. When bullies and disaster strike at once nearly destroying their plans, it will take a hero to set things to rights.
___________________________
The Red Hot Earl is the first book in Darcy Burke's Love is All Around trilogy. I came across the third book in the series, Joy to the Earl, first when I found it on NetGalley and after reading it and enjoying I decided to go back and grab a copy of the prior two books in the series. And in saying that I must add that I enjoyed this book more.
Each book in this series is a retelling of a beloved holiday story and this one is a reimagining of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Ash, as with Rudolph's nose, has some physcial trait that sets him apart from his peers and due to their immaturity, is relentlessly belittled and harrassed by them. The taunting and cruelty doesn't cease until a disaster befalls them and only Ash is able to save the day.
My heart really went out to Ash, that he had to endure so much bullying as a young man. That those same boys would be so immature so many years later, that they would disrespect him like that and treat him poorly. People can be so cruel.
Bianca and Ash seemed such opposites at times. Their connection stemming from their childhood, I was simply charmed by them. Ash possessed so much forgiveness, which I respected in him. I probably would have been able to forgive and let the past go, but not to the extent of willingly continuing to have those people in my life. That really impresssed me on his part.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the trilogy, The Gift of the Marquess, and learning more about Poppy.
I would recommend this series to those looking for some sweet historical stories this holiday season.
jillmlong's review against another edition
4.0
This was a sweet novella inspired by the song Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. I liked Ash and Bianca. The romance was nicely portrayed. I look forward to the next book in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.
sassysmutlover's review against another edition
5.0
What an amazing start to a new series! Darcy did an amazing job using the story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer as inspiration. These two are a perfect match because they see each other for who they are and always have. Even though they were old friends their romance was a whirlwind that neither one saw coming. It was a refreshing change to read characters like them that didn’t worry about things like others did.
I loved the snowball fight scene and how it all ended in the end and can’t wait for the next one.
Bianca is feisty and doesn’t hold back when she speaks her mind. I loved how she told people off and also calmed Ash when he needed it. She didn’t care about his challenges and realized he was what she wanted.
Ash has worked hard to put the past behind him, but it’s not completely gone. I loved how he didn’t treat her differently and remembered things about her from years ago. He was quiet until someone dared to treat her wrong.
Copy provided for an honest and voluntary review
I loved the snowball fight scene and how it all ended in the end and can’t wait for the next one.
Bianca is feisty and doesn’t hold back when she speaks her mind. I loved how she told people off and also calmed Ash when he needed it. She didn’t care about his challenges and realized he was what she wanted.
Ash has worked hard to put the past behind him, but it’s not completely gone. I loved how he didn’t treat her differently and remembered things about her from years ago. He was quiet until someone dared to treat her wrong.
Copy provided for an honest and voluntary review
whitney0498's review against another edition
5.0
I have been provided with a copy of The Red Hot Earl by the author for an impartial review. This is the first book in the brand-new Love is All Around series and this was just a great way to start off a new series. I just really had a great time reading this story. I just fell in love with these new characters and I just didn’t want the story to end. It was just such an quick and easy read. I can’t wait to see what’s next with this series.
freemajo's review against another edition
4.0
“Would the woman you are now actually want to be rescued?” She stopped and pivoted toward him.
“No.” She stared up at him. “How could you know that?”
He hadn’t, but he’d guessed. She’d always been confident, almost reckless, even. And she seemed as outspoken and fearless as ever. “It made sense that you grew into a someone who can take care of herself.”
She looked at him with unflinching pride. “Thank you.”
“No.” She stared up at him. “How could you know that?”
He hadn’t, but he’d guessed. She’d always been confident, almost reckless, even. And she seemed as outspoken and fearless as ever. “It made sense that you grew into a someone who can take care of herself.”
She looked at him with unflinching pride. “Thank you.”
megatza's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
plottrysts's review against another edition
4.0
If you're looking for low-angst childhood-friends-to-lovers snowed in together right before Christmas, this is the novella for you.
Q: Did we decide to read this Christmas novella solely because it is a Regency romance based on the 1939 Christmas carol Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer?
A: Yes, yes we did.
Q: What did we think of it?
A: Look, if the above description interests you, we think this is about as good as it gets!
Ash (obviously the hottest HistRom hero name) has unexpectedly inherited his cousin's title. Unfortunately he's got to deal with all of his childhood bullies. Cause listen up, Ash may be a hot red-headed barrister-cum-boxer-cum-earl, but he also has Tourette syndrome. We love an unconventional hero, and we definitely get one in Ash.
22-word summaries:
Laine:
Q: Did we decide to read this Christmas novella solely because it is a Regency romance based on the 1939 Christmas carol Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer?
A: Yes, yes we did.
Q: What did we think of it?
A: Look, if the above description interests you, we think this is about as good as it gets!
Ash (obviously the hottest HistRom hero name) has unexpectedly inherited his cousin's title. Unfortunately he's got to deal with all of his childhood bullies. Cause listen up, Ash may be a hot red-headed barrister-cum-boxer-cum-earl, but he also has Tourette syndrome. We love an unconventional hero, and we definitely get one in Ash.
22-word summaries:
Laine:
ela_35's review against another edition
I didn’t really like Bianca so it made it hard to like this book. Even though she wanted St. Stephen’s Day to happen for good reasons, I didn’t like how she acted because she seemed a bit spoilt and like everything should happen just because she wants it to.
Also, in the book Ash has red hair and the man on the cover definitely does not. It’s a small complaint but the fact that Ash has red hair is relevant to the story because he was made fun of because of it.
I still want to try the next book in this series because the writing wasn’t bad, I just didn’t really like Bianca and I think that Poppy’s character will be different.
kimmiereadsalot's review against another edition
4.0
Free on Apple Books.
Cute. Enjoyable novella. Recommend.
Cute. Enjoyable novella. Recommend.