Adorable, character-driven, and lovely. Ash is super hot; Bianca was delightful. My only complaint with Darcy Burke is that I wish she would write fewer novellas and wrote more actual novel length novels, because these tiny appetizers make me wistful for me.

Also, I want Chilton's story.

A fast moving, sweet (as always) regency romance with less drama than your usual regency romances. There are no blackmails or kidnapping, the story focusing more on the couple than any other mystery. The characters were like-able and I really want to see what happened to the brother to be uptight. As I already have the book about Poppy I can read it soon. I am looking forward to it as Poppy is already married to how the story actually goes.

A charming, well written Historical romance novella set in the English countryside in the early 1800's. Ash is a new Earl, due to several deaths in the family and at a house party he is reacquainted with his old childhood friend Bianca. Their romance is slow burn at the start and quickly flares into an intense and steamy attraction. I liked the H/h, the side characters and the back story which is set before Christmas. A very entertaining story that made me smile and I recommend it to all romance lovers. I will also be reading the next book in this series by this talented author. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest opinion. 3.5 stars.

Quick and easy read. Darcy Burke delivers another good historical story that caught my interest right from the start and held it until the end. Be sure to check this one out.

A good read for the lead up to Christmas. A tormented duke who is saved by a strong and feisty young lady. A heartwarming storyline and romance.

THE RED HOT EARL is the first story of Darcy Burke’s new series, Love Is All Around. It’s a quick read with characters (main and secondary) that face unusual challenges in life. I confess I am very curious as to what changed Bianca’s brother into the unfeeling cad he seems to be today. But that is another story, I’m sure, to come.

Most of what you need to know before picking this one up can be found in the Cover Description. Bianca and Ash work so well together, and if I found her, at times, a bit annoying that’s a personal observation. But together they worked and that is really all that matters. I suspect that Ash had what today would be diagnosed as Tourette syndrome, and I’m intrigued that he was able to deal with that through his boxing career. The romance is quick and intense, the season celebrations were charming, and now I’m so curious as to “why” on some things that I’ll be following this series until the end.

I had fun, and that’s the whole point. If you enjoy a misfit romance, seeing the underdog come up on top and get the girl, then you’ll love THE RED HOT EARL.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Red Hot Earl, by Darcy Burke, is available at booksellers on 9-24-19. Book 1 in the Love Is All Around trilogy, it sets the stage for our dysfunctional family. There's Calder, the new duke, Poppy, older sister who's sad who knows why, and our heroine Bianca (Bee). She's an upbeat, loyal, optimistic lady, a nice balance to her beau. Our hero is Ashton "Ash" Rutledge, new Earl of Buckleigh. He and Bee are childhood friends who've met up again all these years later. Ash suffers from a disease that sounds much like Tourette's Syndrome. He's been bullied by almost everyone all his life. It's taken years but he worked and worked to find way to control his symptoms. He's brave for not retiring to the country to hide away. His journey is most interesting. Bee, in her happy way, never noticed anything amiss with Ash, acceptance is everything. The story moves them along by way of the upcoming holiday and a snow storm. I just love that trope.

The story is supposed to be loosely based on Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer. Loosely is right, it's hard to see until you're done. My biggest problem with Red Hot Earl was the school bullies. All grown up now, they're still emotionally 12 years old. School pranks instead of grown men nastiness? They also changed their tune too quickly and easily for me to find it believable.

Research into St. Stephen's Day proved interesting. He was the first Christian martyr, in AD36, still celebrated today. His feast is usually celebrated on Dec 26th, also Boxing Day. Ms Burke taught me a new tidbit of information. Thank you.

I'm not sure how Ms Burke is going to pull Calder, the duke, into a story that redeems him. He's awful. I am interested in what the heck is wrong with sister Poppy. She doesn't share a dang morsel of information & it's killing me. Hurry and put me out of my misery.

#NetGalley #DarcyBurke #RedHotEarl #LoveisAllAround #HistoricalRomance

I loved this book. It was short, but sweet. The couple on the cover even looks like how the characters might have.
Y'all, this is a good story where the underdog wins. There are the usual haters, of course. And these are a mean group of guys. The heroine is sweet, but not a pushover. They're a perfect match.
Now what's up with her brother?

For a novella, this was cute enough. I liked the inclusion of a hero who wasn't perfect and the outspoken heroine was also fun to read. I don't understand why the brother and sister of the protagonist were written quite so unlikeable. Overall, I prefer other books by Ms. Burke to this one.

NetGalley provided me this manuscript for a fair review.

Lady Bianca Stafford (Bee) and Ashton Rutledge, the newly minted Earl of Buckleigh, haven’t seen each other since she was a child and he went away to school. They meet and become reacquainted at Thornaby’s house party. It is Ash’s first foray into society since inheriting the title. Bee is looking for help for the annual St. Stephen’s Day celebration for the villagers. It doesn’t take long to see that their friendship could become so much more. Things do not go entirely well at the party. When an unpleasant incident causes Ash to leave, Bee follows. A few days later, she goes to his estate to ask him to host the village celebration. Thanks to a snowstorm, they start a brief and happy courtship. Smooth sailing from there out? No. There is a contrary brother, a bad joke turned tragic, and a lot of excitement for them once the snowstorm passes. How will all of this work out for Ash and Bee?

Ash Rutledge is a fantastic hero. His strength of character shows in the way he worked to control the tics and outbursts that made him the target of bullies in school. He had not expected to gain the title, but was working to become a barrister. He has staunch allies in Bee and his mother. Bee is feisty and stubborn. She is also kind hearted and caring. She never noticed Ash’s idiosyncrasies when they were younger. He was her friend and she liked him. Bee loves and is concerned for her siblings. Her sister Poppy is sad, and her brother Caulder, the current Duke, is angry. Red Hot Earl is quick, cute, exciting, and a bit spicy. It is an enjoyable beginning to a series that promises the Stafford siblings will learn that Love is All Around.

Rudolph would be proud of Ash.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

I absolutely ADORE a hero like Ash that’s just a little different and not completely perfect in every way like a lot of romance heroes tend to be. I applaud Darcy Burke for having the balls to bring such a hero to life!! My only possible complaint was that since this was a novella, it felt a little rushed at times. Still well worth the read!!

Nicely written, enjoyable, and heartwarming story that demonstrates it's never too late to change, even though it seems impossible for some people to change. Great read leading up to the Christmas season. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

I loved reading Ash and Bianca's story. They were a couple that just "fit". I love her determination to continue the traditions of the area and Ash's forgiveness of those who have done him wrong. A book no reader will be disappointed in.

Rating: 3.5 sweet stars rounded down to 3 stars

This is the first in a planned trilogy of Holiday novellas by Darcy Burke. The second and third installments are set to be published in October and November 2019. This is a Regency romance set in the English countryside. It is a loose retelling of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and is utterly delightful in its light and cheery tone.

It was a pleasant break from some of the heavier books I’ve been reading lately. The heroine, Bianca and her childhood friend, Ash meet again at a local house party. Ash has been tormented by the house party host and his friends since childhood. Ash suffers from what appears to be Tourette’s syndrome, and that made him a target for taunting and pranks. When the behavior continues at the house party, Bianca is appalled and tries to help Ash. The story takes off from there.

Bianca and Ash are likeable and believable characters. I enjoyed getting to know them better. I don’t know how accurate the story is as far as what women were allowed to do in the 1800’s, but Bianca’s actions up the romance nicely. Sometimes all you want is to read a fun romance. I rarely give out 5 stars for a romance. They just don’t shake my world to that extent. So a 3.5 rating from me indicates a book worthy of spending time reading when you have a romantic itch to scratch. I am looking forward to seeking out the next two books in the series upon their publication.

‘Thank-You’ to NetGalley; the publisher, Darcy Burke Publishing and the author, Darcy Burke for providing a free e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Red Hot Earl was a delightful read. We follow the story of two friends who find true love with each other. They both have obstacles to overcome, but especially Ash. His disability has made his life difficult, especially when he was in school and was bullied by his classmates. Luckily he found a way to live a better life. I loved Ash. He has a heart of gold. Bianca was a sweet girl too. They were both great together and I loved how they both stood up for each other.

*Review posted on Goodreads

The Red Hot Earl is book one in Darcy Burke’s new series Love Is All Around. I thought this was a magnificent story. Ashton Rutledge is a flawed hero who was bullied as a child. Those scars have left him struggling to conquer not just those who bullied him but to conquer himself. I thought Burke handled Ashton’s “handicap” with sensitivity and wisdom. I loved having a touchable, relatable hero. Bianca Stafford is not the typical Regency miss. She is bold and witty and quite determined to have things her way. There were moments when I didn’t much like Bianca and then she would do something magnificent - like defend Ash and I found myself admiring her. There are several steamy scenes in this book. Overall, a fabulous read. I am looking forward to reading this series. I was given a copy of this book.

I always enjoy reading a Darcy Burke book.
I'm never disappointed.
Lady Bianca Stafford is angry because her brother refuses to host the St. Stephen's Day Party, a tradition their family has hosted for many years. Attending a house party on a neighboring estate, Bianca thinks she may find a solution to her problem. Once there, she sees her childhood friend Ash, now the Earl of Buckleigh. As they spend time together, they realize their bond has never broken. This first book in a holiday trilogy was a true pleasure to read with a very delightful heroine who spoke her mind and the Earl who loved her for it.

An exquisite and delightful tale with excellent and strong characters, like Bianca and Ash. These two are a force to be reckoned with, determine and steadfast in their goals. Bianca, being the strong woman she is, decides her path and allowed nothing and no one to get in her way. She knew what she wanted and who. A titillating clean and exciting read.

What a great easy read! Bianca is a force of nature-independent, capable in many things, including shooting! She is out of sorts with her brother who has recently become the Duke. He has decided not to host the St. Stephens festival this year. Bianca is horrified since their family has hosted it for years. Her brother also wants to marry her off quickly and with a season in
London. Bianca is uninterested in both attending a house party, Bianca renews her acquaintance with her childhood friend, Ash. They discover an easy camaraderie still exists. Ash is now an earl who has taken control of his life and his affliction that seems like Tourette’s syndrome. But his old classmates continue to tease him and torment him.
Bianca and Ash find their HEA but not without some devastating problems.

4 stars

I enjoyed this story and think it is a good introduction to the new series. I am already intrigued with Bianca's brother. I think I missed out on many of the links to the Rudolph the Reindeer story and this didn't diminish my liking for the plot. Ash is a good hero and though Bianca is fiesty and supportive I didn't warm to her as much. I'm glad one of the bullies had a damascene change of heart. The love scenes were suitable steamy :)


I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.