First Earl I See Tonight
A Debutante Diaries Novel
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4.2 • 128 Ratings
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
Once upon a time three young ladies vowed to record their first London seasons…and to fill in the gaps of their finishing school educations. Thus began The Debutante Diaries—and London will never be the same…
“Fans of Regency romance authors Eloisa James, Tessa Dare, and Mary Jo Putney will go wild.”—Booklist
An heiress with a daring proposal. An earl who’s determined to resist her. And a love that just might be written in the stars, in First Earl I See Tonight by Anna Bennett.
Recently jilted by his fiancée, David Gray, Earl of Ravenport is not in the market for a wife. Even if Gray didn’t have his hands full renovating his crumbling country house, it would take more than a bold marriage proposal from a headstrong young beauty to thaw his frozen heart. Gray is confident that spending a week at his ramshackle estate will change her mind about marriage, but every passionate moment he spends with her tempts him to change his…
A talented artist, Miss Fiona Hartley desperately needs her dowry money to pay off a blackmailer set on ruining her sister. The handsome earl seems a sensible choice for a husband…if only she can convince him that romance will play no part. But marrying in name only may prove difficult for Fiona. Gray can’t help but be dazzled by her genuine warmth. Yet as their feelings deepen, Fiona’s deadline looms. Will her secrets destroy them, or is true love their final destiny?
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
We love a heroine who doesn’t wait to be rescued, so thank you, Anna Bennett! The first book in her Debutante Diaries series introduces us to Fiona Hartley, who is anything but a typical damsel in distress. When a blackmailer threatens to ruin her sister, Fiona decides to secure a husband who can protect them both. She targets David Gray, the earl of Ravenport, who’s shocked to be on the receiving end of Fiona’s marriage proposal, but undeniably drawn to her. A crumbling estate, mysterious letters, and a villain hiding among friends add a dash of intrigue to this tantalizing Regency adventure.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
A kind, funny heroine is the perfect match for a stoic, brooding hero in Bennett's delightful first Debutante Diaries Regency romance. David Gray, Earl of Ravenport, needs funds to restore his family's manor. In order to pay off a blackmailer and save her family, the vivacious Miss Fiona Hartley needs to marry within a fortnight so she can gain access to her dowry. This would be a match made in monetary heaven if the recently jilted Ravenport weren't so dead set against marriage. His reluctance doesn't stop Fiona from proposing. At first, Ravenport is shocked, but the more time he spends with her, the more his mind and heart adapt to the idea of spending his life with her. Surrounded by spirited, loving family members and a host of witty friends, the duo tries to make the most of their situation, but their dreams of wedded bliss are threatened by the blackmailer's unrelenting schemes, and Ravenport must convince Fiona to trust him enough to put her family's reputation in his hands. This sexy, clever historical suspense will bring smiles to its readers and garner Bennett (the Wayward Wallflowers series) a host of new fans.
Customer Reviews
See AllFun read
Enjoyed it very much!
Be ready to pull an all nighter.
Just wanted to read a few minutes before bed, but it's now 2am and I'm wide awake and writing my first book review. Amazingly written, so romantic and witty characters that kept me in suspense until the end. Can't wait to read more!
Interesting Premise that Didn’t Fully Deliver
First Earl I See Tonight is my first read by Anna Bennett. I received this arc from the publisher via NetGalley for my honest review.
The story starts off with an interesting premise. A heiress, who’s family earned their wealth, is being blackmailed with a secret about her sister. The only way she can payoff the blackmailer is to propose marriage to an English earl who’s in desperate need of money.
I enjoy a woman who takes the less conventional path and goes after what she wants. I also enjoy a man who is devoted to his family and only wants what’s best for them. However, to read this story, you need to just go with the flow and not ask too many questions.
The first half of the book was ok, but by the time I figured out who the blackmailer was, I was over it. The reasoning behind the blackmail, the way they figured out the secret and the hero’s dealing with the blackmailer were all disappointing.