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theeclecticreview's review against another edition
5.0
Happy Publication Day to Ms. Virginia Heath for her wonderfully charming and funny Regency romance Redeeming the Reclusive Earl. This is my fifth Virginia Heath book and I have to say it is one of my favorites. She truly knows how to combine interesting historical facts with superb characters and wildly hilarious situations with witty banter.
Maxmillian Aldersley, Earl of Rivenhall, prefers his privacy due to both his internal and external scars from a horrific and sorrowful past. The last thing he wants to do is deal with his odd spinster neighbor, Ms. Euphemia “Effie” Nithercott, who prefers digging in the mud for ancient artifacts on his land rather than doing whatever else normal women do. She was the bane of his existence. He just wants to waller in his grief and self-pity. However, this incredibly intelligent, blunt, exasperating, spirited, and beguiling anomaly of a woman makes him feel off-kilter.
Effie Nithercott deserves to be honored in the field of archaeology, but The Society of Antiquaries of London refuses to even read her papers because she is a woman. A very intelligent woman who can recite anything she reads and intimidates every man who shows an interest in her. So at the ripe old age of 29, Effie resigns herself to live alone in her home, Hill House, with no relatives to speak of and hunting for artifacts in her neighbor’s land, to his chagrin. Her neighbor is Lord Rivenhall, a rude and brooding man who is contradicting at best. One minute he is telling her to stay away, and the next he is helping her dig holes at the site. Why doesn’t she loathe this man? She enjoys his company, and he doesn’t mind all of her questions. He only wants to be friends, but she wants something more.
I absolutely love Effie’s forthrightness and bluntness which is what Max needs to get out of his moods and self-pity. Her quirks are such a sweet part of her such as being so consumed with a task, she forgets small things such as putting on two different colored earrings or wearing two different types of boots. And Max’s hilarious nicknames for Effie are contagious beginning as insults (Miss Nodcock and Miss Nincompoop) to being playful and used to fit the occasion (Miss Nosy and Miss No-common-sense-whatsoever).
The friends-to-lovers plot is one of my favorites and Ms. Heath does it so well with her extraordinary way of grabbing this reader from the beginning and finishing the book at 2 in the morning. You will laugh, cry, and cheer for these two lonely people who choose to love each other for just who they are. Recommend highly!
Thank you to Ms. Heath for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
Maxmillian Aldersley, Earl of Rivenhall, prefers his privacy due to both his internal and external scars from a horrific and sorrowful past. The last thing he wants to do is deal with his odd spinster neighbor, Ms. Euphemia “Effie” Nithercott, who prefers digging in the mud for ancient artifacts on his land rather than doing whatever else normal women do. She was the bane of his existence. He just wants to waller in his grief and self-pity. However, this incredibly intelligent, blunt, exasperating, spirited, and beguiling anomaly of a woman makes him feel off-kilter.
Effie Nithercott deserves to be honored in the field of archaeology, but The Society of Antiquaries of London refuses to even read her papers because she is a woman. A very intelligent woman who can recite anything she reads and intimidates every man who shows an interest in her. So at the ripe old age of 29, Effie resigns herself to live alone in her home, Hill House, with no relatives to speak of and hunting for artifacts in her neighbor’s land, to his chagrin. Her neighbor is Lord Rivenhall, a rude and brooding man who is contradicting at best. One minute he is telling her to stay away, and the next he is helping her dig holes at the site. Why doesn’t she loathe this man? She enjoys his company, and he doesn’t mind all of her questions. He only wants to be friends, but she wants something more.
I absolutely love Effie’s forthrightness and bluntness which is what Max needs to get out of his moods and self-pity. Her quirks are such a sweet part of her such as being so consumed with a task, she forgets small things such as putting on two different colored earrings or wearing two different types of boots. And Max’s hilarious nicknames for Effie are contagious beginning as insults (Miss Nodcock and Miss Nincompoop) to being playful and used to fit the occasion (Miss Nosy and Miss No-common-sense-whatsoever).
The friends-to-lovers plot is one of my favorites and Ms. Heath does it so well with her extraordinary way of grabbing this reader from the beginning and finishing the book at 2 in the morning. You will laugh, cry, and cheer for these two lonely people who choose to love each other for just who they are. Recommend highly!
Thank you to Ms. Heath for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
norwayellesea's review against another edition
4.0
Max Aldersley, Earl of Rivenhall wants to live a quiet life and most importantly, alone. After surviving a horrific accident, leaving him physically scarred, he's withdrawn from society after giving up his career at sea. Instead, he's found refuge at the estate he's inherited from his uncle Richard. Unfortunately, much to his irritation, he finds out a neighbour is trespassing his land. Even worse, she's female.
Euphemia "Effie" Nithercott is passionate about what she believes in, and it's a lot! Highly intelligent, she spends her days excavating a site on Earl of Rivenhall's estate. That's until the new earl forbids her to continue her work. Frustrated by the new owner's lack of understanding, Effie won't take no for an answer. Infuriatingly, neither will back down from their opinion, but as time passes and the two spend more time together, each begins to understand the other's point of view.
I did foresee how the narrative would evolve, however, the author skilfully keeps readers enthralled with Effie and Max's relationship as it unfolds. It highlights the personal struggles the protagonists are suffering but as time passes, after many irritating conversations, both finally find common ground and mutual respect. It began as a battle of wills but thankfully ends in a meaningful and unexpected relationship. The dialogue clearly accentuates the frustration and determination of both perfectly. It's full of humour, compassion and empathy.
Encased in a well-thought-out plot, full of fascinating information and detail, Redeeming the Reluctant Earl is another fabulous novel by one of my favourite authors.
***arc generously received courtesy of Harlequin Historical via Rachel's Random Resources***
Euphemia "Effie" Nithercott is passionate about what she believes in, and it's a lot! Highly intelligent, she spends her days excavating a site on Earl of Rivenhall's estate. That's until the new earl forbids her to continue her work. Frustrated by the new owner's lack of understanding, Effie won't take no for an answer. Infuriatingly, neither will back down from their opinion, but as time passes and the two spend more time together, each begins to understand the other's point of view.
I did foresee how the narrative would evolve, however, the author skilfully keeps readers enthralled with Effie and Max's relationship as it unfolds. It highlights the personal struggles the protagonists are suffering but as time passes, after many irritating conversations, both finally find common ground and mutual respect. It began as a battle of wills but thankfully ends in a meaningful and unexpected relationship. The dialogue clearly accentuates the frustration and determination of both perfectly. It's full of humour, compassion and empathy.
Encased in a well-thought-out plot, full of fascinating information and detail, Redeeming the Reluctant Earl is another fabulous novel by one of my favourite authors.
***arc generously received courtesy of Harlequin Historical via Rachel's Random Resources***
hnatola's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ccgwalt's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 (B-) Rounded up because the writing is good.
Redeeming the Reclusive Earl is proving a difficult book for me to rate and review. It's a good book that didn't quite work for me, but laying out the reasons why seems like overkill. This is the first book I've read by Virginia Heath and I enjoyed her writing. I also liked both the lead characters and enjoyed the light humor in the book. So as I lay out the reasons for it not quite working, I don't want to seem overly critical. All-in-all this is a good book and I don't want to take the handful of little niggles and make them more than they are.
My little niggles:
The biggest off note of the story for me with the abrupt tone changes between a story of a tortured hero with PTSD, and the light-hearted, sometimes almost (never completely) farcical humor. Max is severely scarred from burns and internally scarred by the reaction of his former fiancee and others to his looks. He's angry, depressed, and, if Effie is to be believed, "wallowing in self-pity." Effie is a lonely antiquarian with an eidetic (photographic) memory for facts and an absentminded professor air about her. We switch between Max trying to shut the world out, and Effie crashing through his barriers with an abstracted air mixed with an unbelievable amount of self-confidence that she's right. (That part bothered me.) The mix of an angry, hurting Max and an absentminded elf wearing mismatched boots hit a wrong note with me at times.
Combined with the uneven tone, there were barely fleshed out secondary characters and a somewhat predictable plot, leaving this book too easy to put down and forget about.
Redeeming the Reclusive Earl is proving a difficult book for me to rate and review. It's a good book that didn't quite work for me, but laying out the reasons why seems like overkill. This is the first book I've read by Virginia Heath and I enjoyed her writing. I also liked both the lead characters and enjoyed the light humor in the book. So as I lay out the reasons for it not quite working, I don't want to seem overly critical. All-in-all this is a good book and I don't want to take the handful of little niggles and make them more than they are.
My little niggles:
The biggest off note of the story for me with the abrupt tone changes between a story of a tortured hero with PTSD, and the light-hearted, sometimes almost (never completely) farcical humor. Max is severely scarred from burns and internally scarred by the reaction of his former fiancee and others to his looks. He's angry, depressed, and, if Effie is to be believed, "wallowing in self-pity." Effie is a lonely antiquarian with an eidetic (photographic) memory for facts and an absentminded professor air about her. We switch between Max trying to shut the world out, and Effie crashing through his barriers with an abstracted air mixed with an unbelievable amount of self-confidence that she's right. (That part bothered me.) The mix of an angry, hurting Max and an absentminded elf wearing mismatched boots hit a wrong note with me at times.
Combined with the uneven tone, there were barely fleshed out secondary characters and a somewhat predictable plot, leaving this book too easy to put down and forget about.
secretromancereader's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
vjekae's review against another edition
4.0
This book definitely deserves the high rating. Its been a really heart warming read.
We have the brooding reclusive Earl and meddlesome Miss who thwarts his attempts at seclusion.
I would classify it as a friends to lovers trope and its really well done.
The heroine is refreshingly straight forward and slightly atypical, and the Earl is everything you want him to be, moody yet kind, determined yet understanding.
We have the brooding reclusive Earl and meddlesome Miss who thwarts his attempts at seclusion.
I would classify it as a friends to lovers trope and its really well done.
The heroine is refreshingly straight forward and slightly atypical, and the Earl is everything you want him to be, moody yet kind, determined yet understanding.
jessbookishlife's review against another edition
5.0
To those that know me, it won’t be a surprise to see me say that I loved this book. First of all, the author is one of my favorite authors in the genre. Second, I have read other novels of hers. Third, it’s a Historical Romance! What did you expect?!
Following Max Aldersley and Effie Nithercott (amazing names, by the way) in this love adventure was such a delight. Two brilliantly crafted characters that we got to see grow and fall in love. An Earl and an archaeologist… I would have never imagine this couple together, but it worked so well.
Max has some problems, some demons that he has to overcome. Effie is different from other people, and honestly I loved her because of that. Every single moment they were together was an absolute enjoyment for me to read. The relationship and the characters’ development happened in a good pace, it wasn’t an instant thing, and the flow of the storytelling, it all took me on a journey that allowed me to connect more with Max and Effie.
I won’t enter into particular aspects of the plot, so you guys can go read the book and uncover all the information, drama and exciting moments without any spoilers, but I have to say, it was just what I needed to read. The kind of story that grabbed my attention from page one.
Overall, I believe Virginia Heath just delivered another fantastic novel. She has never disappoint my addicted-to-historical-romances mind, and I’m always amazed at the ideas she comes up with. That been said, of course I recommend this novel! I would be crazy if I didn’t.
[I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Virginia Heath for the eCopy of this book and for allowing me to join in the fun and being a part of the blog tour with my honest review of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.]
Following Max Aldersley and Effie Nithercott (amazing names, by the way) in this love adventure was such a delight. Two brilliantly crafted characters that we got to see grow and fall in love. An Earl and an archaeologist… I would have never imagine this couple together, but it worked so well.
Max has some problems, some demons that he has to overcome. Effie is different from other people, and honestly I loved her because of that. Every single moment they were together was an absolute enjoyment for me to read. The relationship and the characters’ development happened in a good pace, it wasn’t an instant thing, and the flow of the storytelling, it all took me on a journey that allowed me to connect more with Max and Effie.
I won’t enter into particular aspects of the plot, so you guys can go read the book and uncover all the information, drama and exciting moments without any spoilers, but I have to say, it was just what I needed to read. The kind of story that grabbed my attention from page one.
Overall, I believe Virginia Heath just delivered another fantastic novel. She has never disappoint my addicted-to-historical-romances mind, and I’m always amazed at the ideas she comes up with. That been said, of course I recommend this novel! I would be crazy if I didn’t.
[I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Virginia Heath for the eCopy of this book and for allowing me to join in the fun and being a part of the blog tour with my honest review of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.]
bookrambler's review against another edition
3.0
a scarred hero who wants to remain in isolation and is hella grumpy. our heroine is the opposite in most ways; although she's alone but not by choice, she's also an antiquarian/archeologist, an optimist.
fans of beauty and the beast and historical romances will definitely enjoy this. I had some problems with the hero's ex-fiancee and felt that the subplot wasn't quite resolved but besides that, I quite enjoyed this book!
fans of beauty and the beast and historical romances will definitely enjoy this. I had some problems with the hero's ex-fiancee and felt that the subplot wasn't quite resolved but besides that, I quite enjoyed this book!
xlynt's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0