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webbsusa's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars (rounded up to 4). I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book, as it’s written by a new-to-me author. However, I love a book with a spy hero or heroine, and I love a book with a hero or heroine who is a scholar or a writer. This book gave me a spy and a writer, so it hit all my buttons. I was also drawn to the cover and title.
I liked the main characters and their romance, but I wanted more of their backstory. I would have loved some richly detailed flashback scenes to show us the extent of the characters’ history and regard for each other. I felt like the author tried to play it both ways at times—the characters had a history that was either very meaningful or not that impactful, depending on what the plot needed at the moment.
I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I liked the main characters and their romance, but I wanted more of their backstory. I would have loved some richly detailed flashback scenes to show us the extent of the characters’ history and regard for each other. I felt like the author tried to play it both ways at times—the characters had a history that was either very meaningful or not that impactful, depending on what the plot needed at the moment.
I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
lynguy1's review against another edition
3.0
WHO’S THAT EARL by Susanna Craig is the first book in the Love and Let Spy historical romance series and the first book that I have read by this author. The story is largely set in Scotland. At seventeen, Jane Quayle met a young British army officer, Thomas Sutherland and had a short romance. However, he was called away to duty and she was soon cast out of her family home by her parents. Seven years have now passed and they happen to meet again.
Susanna and Thomas were both characters that you could root for. They had some depth, flaws and virtues, but not quite as much as I wanted. Their motivations seemed believable, but the secondary characters lacked the depth that would have further enhanced the story. The author did a great job of creating a setting at and around Dunnock Castle. However, the mystery part of the story was easily solved. There just wasn’t enough tension or intrigue to make this novel a page turner for me. There are a couple of steamier scenes in the last half of the book.
Overall, this was an enjoyable historical romance that fell short on the history and intrigue that I was expecting. However, the interaction between the main characters was entertaining. Other readers have enjoyed this more than I did.
I won a digital copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. Thanks go to Goodreads, Lyrical Press and Susanna Craig for the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
Susanna and Thomas were both characters that you could root for. They had some depth, flaws and virtues, but not quite as much as I wanted. Their motivations seemed believable, but the secondary characters lacked the depth that would have further enhanced the story. The author did a great job of creating a setting at and around Dunnock Castle. However, the mystery part of the story was easily solved. There just wasn’t enough tension or intrigue to make this novel a page turner for me. There are a couple of steamier scenes in the last half of the book.
Overall, this was an enjoyable historical romance that fell short on the history and intrigue that I was expecting. However, the interaction between the main characters was entertaining. Other readers have enjoyed this more than I did.
I won a digital copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. Thanks go to Goodreads, Lyrical Press and Susanna Craig for the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
shawniebooks's review
4.0
Rounded up to 4 for this fun bit of fluff I buddy read with girlfriends. Half star also for the great title that I sing in my head. :) Saving other comments for our meet.
books_and_chocolate's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
„Einen Earl küsst man nicht“ von Susanna Craig ist ein fesselndes Historienroman, der mich mit starken Charakteren und einer spannenden Handlung überzeugt hat. Ich mochte es, dass die Hauptfiguren unabhängig selbständig gehandelt haben. Sie waren sympathisch und gut ausgearbeitet. Die Spannung bleibt durchweg hoch und wird geschickt über das gesamte Buch hinweg aufrechterhalten. Die zeitliche Epoche ist authentisch dargestellt und fügt sich harmonisch in die Geschichte ein.
Nicht gefallen haben mir Cover und Titel des Buches. Ich hätte niemals zu dem Buch gegriffen, wenn ich nicht das englische Cover gesehen hätte. Das englische Cover bietet hier eine moderne und passendere Alternative. Dennoch überzeugt der Roman mit einem flüssigen Schreibstil und einer gelungenen Übersetzung aus dem Englischen. Insgesamt ein lesenswertes Werk, das Vorfreude auf den nächsten Teil weckt. Ich vergebe 4 Sterne und empfehle das Buch auf jeden Fall weiter.
Nicht gefallen haben mir Cover und Titel des Buches. Ich hätte niemals zu dem Buch gegriffen, wenn ich nicht das englische Cover gesehen hätte. Das englische Cover bietet hier eine moderne und passendere Alternative. Dennoch überzeugt der Roman mit einem flüssigen Schreibstil und einer gelungenen Übersetzung aus dem Englischen. Insgesamt ein lesenswertes Werk, das Vorfreude auf den nächsten Teil weckt. Ich vergebe 4 Sterne und empfehle das Buch auf jeden Fall weiter.
laura_cs's review against another edition
5.0
I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A castle in the Scottish highlands. A reclusive author. A common-born British spy turned noble. And the woman he left behind seven years ago...
Thomas Sutherland has spent the last seven years living in the West Indies as a spy for the British in the war against Napoleon. Suddenly, two words from his superior officer send him back to British soil: Homeward, Magnus. Through an odd twist of fate (courtesy of his mother's family line), Thomas is now the Earl Magnus with a castle in the Highlands of Scotland adjacent to the village of Balisag where he spent his boyhood summers. But Thomas isn't an Earl. Not really. He's a soldier and spy for His Majesty first and foremost. He knows nothing about managing an estate and caring for tenants. Surely, there is someone else better for the job? Well, first order of business: go to Dunnock Castle and speak to the reclusive author who rents the place.
Jane Quayle has a secret. She is Robin Ratliff, the author of insanely popular gothic novels. Pretending to work for the author as a widow has done well for her, protecting her from society and granting her independence. For the last seven years, she has lived in the Highlands in Dunnock Castle, giving her plenty of inspiration for her dark tales. But when letters start to arrive for Ratliff that are more than just the usual criticisms of her work, and threaten death, she starts to feel uneasy. Nevertheless, her charade has served her well, and she should be safe. Which gives her plenty of time to devote to not only her novel, but the arrival of someone she never thought she'd see again save in her dreams: Thomas Sutherland, who claims to be there to investigate the poison pen letters sent to Ratliff. And asked for by Ratliff.
Clearly, Jane knows better. Not that she's going to say anything...
Both Thomas and Jane have reasons to keep their true identities secret from each other, though the sparks they felt for each other seven years prior have grown once more into large, passionate flames. As more poison pen letters arrive, will they be able to keep up pretenses--or deny their feelings once more?
This wonderful first in a new series, "Who's That Earl" is a story of a second chance at love set in the picturesque Scottish Highlands, with mystery, action, and passion. Gorgeously written, with an amazing cast of characters, "Who's That Earl" is a phenomenal Regency-era romance that is perfect for fans of Jane Austen who want a bit more Highlander in their romance...
A castle in the Scottish highlands. A reclusive author. A common-born British spy turned noble. And the woman he left behind seven years ago...
Thomas Sutherland has spent the last seven years living in the West Indies as a spy for the British in the war against Napoleon. Suddenly, two words from his superior officer send him back to British soil: Homeward, Magnus. Through an odd twist of fate (courtesy of his mother's family line), Thomas is now the Earl Magnus with a castle in the Highlands of Scotland adjacent to the village of Balisag where he spent his boyhood summers. But Thomas isn't an Earl. Not really. He's a soldier and spy for His Majesty first and foremost. He knows nothing about managing an estate and caring for tenants. Surely, there is someone else better for the job? Well, first order of business: go to Dunnock Castle and speak to the reclusive author who rents the place.
Jane Quayle has a secret. She is Robin Ratliff, the author of insanely popular gothic novels. Pretending to work for the author as a widow has done well for her, protecting her from society and granting her independence. For the last seven years, she has lived in the Highlands in Dunnock Castle, giving her plenty of inspiration for her dark tales. But when letters start to arrive for Ratliff that are more than just the usual criticisms of her work, and threaten death, she starts to feel uneasy. Nevertheless, her charade has served her well, and she should be safe. Which gives her plenty of time to devote to not only her novel, but the arrival of someone she never thought she'd see again save in her dreams: Thomas Sutherland, who claims to be there to investigate the poison pen letters sent to Ratliff. And asked for by Ratliff.
Clearly, Jane knows better. Not that she's going to say anything...
Both Thomas and Jane have reasons to keep their true identities secret from each other, though the sparks they felt for each other seven years prior have grown once more into large, passionate flames. As more poison pen letters arrive, will they be able to keep up pretenses--or deny their feelings once more?
This wonderful first in a new series, "Who's That Earl" is a story of a second chance at love set in the picturesque Scottish Highlands, with mystery, action, and passion. Gorgeously written, with an amazing cast of characters, "Who's That Earl" is a phenomenal Regency-era romance that is perfect for fans of Jane Austen who want a bit more Highlander in their romance...
luciearan's review against another edition
3.0
Lehce průměrná historická romance. Tak nějak jsem od této knihy, čekala trochu víc. Odlehlý hrad na skotské Vysočině, spisovatelka gotických románů, vydávající se za muže, nový Hrabě, který býval špionem u výzvědné služby a tajemné ohrožení - to vše se zdá jako dokonalý základ neskutečně poutavého příběhu, plného napětí. Bohužel celkový potenciál zůstává naprosto nevyužitý. Z knihy se tak stává příběh, který se sice poměrně dobře čte, vyloženě nenudí, ale čtenáře nijak neohromí.
beckyrendon's review
4.0
What a diversion!
Susanna Craig is new to me and I wish I found her sooner. WHO'S THAT EARL is a fun and entertaining tale. A second chance romance with a sweet and (scandalous at the time) independent woman.
Lobe and Let Spy seems like it's going be a fun set of adventures with spies dropping everywhere. Poor men, never even knew what hit them, except of course Mr. Sutherland.
Susanna Craig is new to me and I wish I found her sooner. WHO'S THAT EARL is a fun and entertaining tale. A second chance romance with a sweet and (scandalous at the time) independent woman.
Lobe and Let Spy seems like it's going be a fun set of adventures with spies dropping everywhere. Poor men, never even knew what hit them, except of course Mr. Sutherland.
sarah_moynihan's review
4.0
'Miss Jane Quayle excels at invention. How else could the sheltered daughter of an English gentleman create lurid gothic novels so infamous someone wants their author silenced forever? Fortunately, Jane has taken steps to protect herself, first by assuming a pen name, and second, by taking up residence at remote Dunnock Castle, surrounded by rugged scenery that might have been ripped from the pages of one of her books. Her true identity remains a secret, until one dark and stormy night...
After years of spying for the British army, Thomas Sutherland doubts the Highlands will ever feel like home again. Nevertheless, thanks to a quirk of Scottish inheritance law, he's now the Earl of Magnus, complete with a crumbling castle currently inhabited by a notorious novelist. When the writer turns out to be the woman Thomas once wooed, suspicions rise even as mutual sparks reignite. As danger closes in, can Jane and Thomas overcome their pasts to forge a future together?'
___________________________________
4.5 stars, rounded down to 4 stars.
Who's That Earl is the first book in Susanna Craig's new Love and Let Spy series and is a historical romance.
Despite finding the book to be a little slow to start while the characters and their current circumstances are introduced, I really enjoyed reading this book. It a great start to a new series that I will be looking forward to reading more of.
At the start of the book, I felt largely ambivalent to Thomas' character as I found him to a bit gruff and aloof, as he was meant to be due to his time serving in isolation on an island. I wasn't sure that I would find him to be likable enough to follow through the entirety of the book. But despite his unwillingness to be there, he really started to grow on me once he made his way into Scotland to explore he reversal of fortunes.
I really like Jane's independent nature, even if it was largely born out of unfortunate circumstances. This isn't the first book I've read with the heroine a beloved author writing under a male nom de plume, but I loved the ruise that Jane devized in order to allow her to write in plain sight, yet still enjoy the fruit of her labors and to bask in others' adoration of her work, all without any the wiser. Jane is a talented storyteller both within both her books and her own life, which earned her the both strength and independence.
I loved the characters and especilly the twists and spots of dangert hich they encountered over the course of the story. The next book of the series is lightly introduced in the epilogue of this book and I am entruiged by what we know of the premise and will be looking out for the next book.
_____
I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for sharing an eARC of Who's That Earl by Susanna Craig. This is my honest review.
After years of spying for the British army, Thomas Sutherland doubts the Highlands will ever feel like home again. Nevertheless, thanks to a quirk of Scottish inheritance law, he's now the Earl of Magnus, complete with a crumbling castle currently inhabited by a notorious novelist. When the writer turns out to be the woman Thomas once wooed, suspicions rise even as mutual sparks reignite. As danger closes in, can Jane and Thomas overcome their pasts to forge a future together?'
___________________________________
4.5 stars, rounded down to 4 stars.
Who's That Earl is the first book in Susanna Craig's new Love and Let Spy series and is a historical romance.
Despite finding the book to be a little slow to start while the characters and their current circumstances are introduced, I really enjoyed reading this book. It a great start to a new series that I will be looking forward to reading more of.
At the start of the book, I felt largely ambivalent to Thomas' character as I found him to a bit gruff and aloof, as he was meant to be due to his time serving in isolation on an island. I wasn't sure that I would find him to be likable enough to follow through the entirety of the book. But despite his unwillingness to be there, he really started to grow on me once he made his way into Scotland to explore he reversal of fortunes.
I really like Jane's independent nature, even if it was largely born out of unfortunate circumstances. This isn't the first book I've read with the heroine a beloved author writing under a male nom de plume, but I loved the ruise that Jane devized in order to allow her to write in plain sight, yet still enjoy the fruit of her labors and to bask in others' adoration of her work, all without any the wiser. Jane is a talented storyteller both within both her books and her own life, which earned her the both strength and independence.
I loved the characters and especilly the twists and spots of dangert hich they encountered over the course of the story. The next book of the series is lightly introduced in the epilogue of this book and I am entruiged by what we know of the premise and will be looking out for the next book.
_____
I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for sharing an eARC of Who's That Earl by Susanna Craig. This is my honest review.
jillmlong's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book. The characters were very likable. Jane is a very strong heroine with many facets to her character. At times I wished that Jane and Thomas would express their true feelings to each other instead of keeping everything in, however the ending made it worth the wait.