Rating: 4.5
Gabriel “Blade” Beckett, Earl of Bladenton, searches for
another finishing school to accept his rebellious niece. He needs her away from
London for the summer, so he can properly court a potential bride without any
problems. Blade offers a generous donation to Miss Lively’s school if she will
take on his niece. The woman agrees, only if he will visit the girl every other
week. Blade cannot resist tempting the button-upped headmistress to
improperness. Can Hazel teach Blade to love again? Will her love heal his
wounded heart?
Miss Hazel Lively is the headmistress of a seaside
finishing school for girls. She hopes to attract wealthier clientele to her
fledgling enterprise. Hazel agrees to take on a rebellious teenage girl but
under one condition: the girl’s guardian must visit every other week. She fights
her growing attraction to the charismatic earl with each visit. However, he
cannot give Hazel the one thing she truly wants. When her school’s livelihood
is at risk, she has no choice but to turn to Blade for help. Will Hazel choose
her school over Blade? Can she truly give him up?
Blade is such a sweetheart! He is a man who has been hurt
and betrayed in the past. Blade refuses to expose himself to any form of love
to protect himself. I like how Blade uses his charm and influence to help Hazel
and his school. He could have turned a blind eye to her predicament. What I
adore the most about Blade is his open mindedness. He does not share his peer’s
views on a woman’s place. Blade never tried to curtail his niece’s interests
and pursuits.
I adore Hazel! She presents a tough exterior to the
world. This is her defense mechanism to protect her compassionate heart and
nature. I like how Hazel empathizes with Kitty. Being an orphan herself, she
understands why the girl behaves as she does. Hazel also wants to give Kitty
what she desperately needs. What I love the most about Hazel is her dedication
to her students. She encourages them to pursue their interests. Hazel also
believes all girls, nobles and commoners alike, deserve a good and proper
education.
GIRLS BEFORE EARLS is the first book in Anna Bennett’s
new historical romance series, ROGUES TO LOVERS. I really enjoyed the author’s
novella in the KISSING UNDER THE MISTLETOE anthology, so I decided to try out
one of her full-length novels. It did not disappoint. I soon found myself
immersed in the characters and the plot.
GIRLS BEFORE EARLS is a charming tale of two people who
are afraid to love, learning to open their hearts to each other. I will be
keeping an eye out for the next installment. I cannot wait to see who is next!
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