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The Untamed Earl (Playful Brides, 5) Mass Market Paperback – May 3, 2016
Bestselling author Valerie Bowman sets the stage in Regency England for her Playful Brides series, where couples' misadventures on the way to the altar are witty, romantic romps based on some of the world's most beloved plays. The fifth volume, The Untamed Earl, is inspired by William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew.
AN INDECENT PROPOSAL
Lady Alexandra Hobbs, the daughter of the Duke of Huntley, has intended to marry Lord Owen Monroe since she first glimpsed him from the window of her bedchamber, back when she was just a girl. But the duke has already chosen Alex’s infamously spoiled elder sister, Lavinia, for Owen. And now there’s no turning back.
Owen has spent most of his bachelor years drinking, gambling, and skirt-chasing. He won’t see another pound from his parents, however, until he’s engaged to Lavinia. Desperate, he accepts an offer from her innocent and spirited―and absolutely beautiful―sister Alex: She will turn him into a perfectly tamed suitor, and show him how to woo the shrew. But when Alex’s true motives come to light, will their bargain lead to recriminations―or to a romance that defies everyone’s expectations?
Award-winning author Valerie Bowman once again delivers romance and wit in The Untamed Earl!
- Print length304 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherSt. Martin's Paperbacks
- Publication dateMay 3, 2016
- Dimensions4.25 x 0.79 x 6.89 inches
- ISBN-101250072581
- ISBN-13978-1250072580
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"Charming" - Publishers Weekly
"Bowman delights with a humorous tale that could come straight out of a Shakespearean play. The charming characters are well developed, their cock-eyed motivations are clear and the plot moves quickly, wrapping readers in an enchanting romance." - RT Book Reviews
“Another exciting and wicked addition to The Playful Brides series.” ―The Reading Wench
“Valerie Bowman’s stories sparkle with humor and her characters are absolutely adorable. The Untamed Earl is an engaging and romantic love story.” ― Fresh Fiction
About the Author
Valerie Bowman is an award-winning author who writes Regency-set historical romance novels aka Racy Regency Romps! Since her debut in 2012, Valerie's books have received starred reviews from Publisher's Weekly, Booklist, and Kirkus. She's been an RT Reviewers' Choice nominee for Best First Historical Romance and Best Historical Romance Love and Laughter. Two of her books have been nominated for the Kirkus Prize for fiction and New York Times bestselling author Lisa Kleypas calls them, "Too delightful to miss!"
Valerie has a B.A. in English Language and Literature with a minor in history from Smith College. By day, she is a technical editor at a computer software company. By night, she combines her love of writing, history, and romance to craft stories about people falling in love.
Originally from Rantoul, Illinois, Valerie lives in Jacksonville, Florida with her family including her two rascally dogs. When she's not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or vacillating between watching crazy reality TV or PBS.
Product details
- Publisher : St. Martin's Paperbacks (May 3, 2016)
- Language : English
- Mass Market Paperback : 304 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1250072581
- ISBN-13 : 978-1250072580
- Item Weight : 5.1 ounces
- Dimensions : 4.25 x 0.79 x 6.89 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #3,030,324 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #32,976 in Regency Romances
- #132,633 in American Literature (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Valerie Bowman is an award-winning historical romance author who writes racy Regency romps! Her debut novel was published in 2012. Since then, her books have received starred reviews from Publisher's Weekly, Booklist, and Kirkus. She's been an RT Reviewers' Choice nominee for Best First Historical Romance and Best Historical Romance Love and Laughter. Two of her books have been nominated for the Kirkus Prize for fiction.
Valerie grew up in Illinois with six sisters (she's number seven) and a huge supply of historical romance novels. After a cold and snowy stint earning a degree in English Language and Literature with a minor in history at Smith College, she moved to Florida the first chance she got. Valerie now lives in Jacksonville with her family including her two rascally dogs. When she's not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or vacillating between watching crazy reality TV and PBS.
Visit Valerie on the web at www.ValerieBowmanBooks.com
Instagram: @ValerieGBowman
Twitter: @ValerieGBowman
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/ValerieBowmanAuthor
Sign up for her newsletter at www.ValerieBowmanBooks.com or go here: https://valeriebowmanbooks.com/newsletter/
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FINAL DECISION: My favorite of the series, THE UNTAMED EARL benefits from a sweet romance between two people who are overlooked, underestimated and unappreciated by others but find something special in one another.
THE STORY: At fifteen, Lady Alexandra Hobbs feel in love with a “knight in shining armor” who saved her brother and his friend. The object of her affections is Lord Owen Monroe, a rake who leads a life of drink, gambling and women. Three years later, Alex discovers that her father, the duke, has chosen Owen to marry Alex’s older sister who happens to be a genuine shrew. Owen has to marry because his father will cut off his allowance if he does not convince the duke’s eldest daughter to accept his match. Alex wants to sabotage Owen’s courtship so she offers to groom him into the man Alex’s sister will want to marry while intending exactly the opposite.
OPINION: I loved the couple in this book. Two people who are overlooked, misunderstood and underappreciated by their families find something special in one another. Alex has always been placed second to her older sister. What she wants doesn’t matter in the face of her older sister’s wants. Alex makes a break when she becomes determined to sabotage the engagement of her sister to the man that Alex has wanted since she was fifteen. Through the story and the romance, Alex discovers that she matters and what she wants matters. Owen has also been misunderstood by his father. Because his father does not think much of him, Owen has tried to live up to his poor reputation. In his heart, however, Owen is a good man which Alex recognizes quickly and thus sets her heart toward this “hero” rake. When Owen agrees to marry Alex’s sister, he does so because his father threatens to cut off his allowance, but also because it gives him an opportunity to finally satisfy his father. The need for parental acceptance is strong with Owen even as he denies that desire. For Owen, his journey is being his own man without the desire to satisfy or thwart his father.
In a plot that at times is funny, at times frustrating and at times horrifying, I loved how Alex and Owen find acceptance, strength and purpose in their relationship.
WORTH MENTIONING: The story has a passing feeling of being inspired by Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew even though there are not really strong parallels. The shrewish older sister that must be married first, mixed up romances and some comedy gives this a Shrewish feel without being derivative.
CONNECTED BOOKS: THE UNTAMED EARL is the fifth book in the Playful Brides series. It can be read as a standalone although other characters from the series appear.
STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in order to provide a review. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.
Dad should have had their butts kicked.