I always love when two headstrong people, who both are opposed to love, are put in proximity of the other. Defying the Earl is such a romance and Erica Ridley does a lovely job of bringing this ward/guardian romance to love in such a sweet and charming way. Ridley has a way with crafting a grumpy/protective hero who is easy to fall in love with. Ridley's writing is beautiful, clear and engaging. This novel clips along at a pace that keeps you turning page after page. Defying the Earl has the strength of a clear story, a sweet and sensual romance, and two people who find their perfect match. These indie historical romances from Erica Ridley are the perfect quick reads if you are looking to easily fall into a story, they are perfect ways to discover and explore Erica Ridley's style, and I would highly recommend this and the other novels in this series as a clear and charming example of a well written historical romance.

Another classic Erica Ridley book. Lots of skipping required in this one. Definitely open door romance. Overall the story was fine. A very fast read.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Defying the Earl is a grump/sunshine _ ward/guardian story about the rule loving Titus and the determined to make my own way, Matilda. They each have their own quirks with definite ideas about how to live their lives. Matilda's need for a guardian until she is 21 (3 weeks away) and Titus having to take Matilda's guardianship is a frustrating situation for both of them. Both characters are well written! Titus has layers to his personality and Erica allows us to discover them as Matilda gently helps him step away from his regimented life. Matilda truly respects his self-imposed boundaries but still doesn't give up on him.

I really appreciate the fact that there wasn't a huge age gap between them. I like the guardian/ ward trope but when the age span is so large, it becomes a bit cringy to me. Titus and Matilda are both in their twenties, so their attraction is perfectly normal.

I did feel that the book was short for a novel and the length created a more rushed romance. However, that didn't interfere with my enjoyment of Titus and Matilda's road to love.

Defying the Earl is a story that deftly highlights the different ways people handle hardships and their resulting grief. It is a fun read and I know I will continue reading future books by Erica Ridley.

I received an Advanced Readers Copy and my review is given voluntarily and is based on my reading experience.

Although I don’t usually enjoy stories with little to no steam, I make an exception for Ms. Ridley because her stories ALWAYS make me smile! Her descriptions of scenery and character emotions truly come alive in my mind’s eye. And even with only one physical scene, I KNOW how strongly Matilda and Gilbourne feel about each other and how painful it is for him to deny their connection. I’ve always enjoyed the guardian-ward trope because of the forced proximity but with forced proximity! They never stand a chance! Lol! Also, the comparison in Matilda and Gilbourne’s tragic pasts, and the way the each handled their own tragedy, was very well done and very relatable. Ms. Ridley NEVER disappoints!

After losing her parents, Matilda Dodd is so close to her 21st birthday and her inheritance, but she still must have a guardian until then. Enter the stoic and frozen Titus Noble, the Earl of Gilbourne. He doesn't want a ward, and doesn't want to fall in love either. I love the trope of an unsuspecting ward/guardian and this one is no exception. Ridley does a lovely job of creating moments of anticipation while also revealing why the relationship can't happen. This grumpy/sunshine opposites attract is a quick fun read with banter, smoldering, and some spice in the bedroom. The pacing is nice and while I always knew we'd get the HEA, it was still fun to read, providing me with many feels. And exactly what I need to read after a stressful day.

I love a hero who everyone believes is a stoic, emotionless jerk (including himself), but is actually a gigantic softie. This book has made me a sucker for the guardian/ward trope, a dynamic I've struggled with in the past for its inherent power imbalance. Eric Ridley is always a delight.

I have come to love books by Erica Ridley. She is one of my go to authors and the story of Titus and Matilda is no exception. This book will bring the reader into the story and you won't want to put it down until you have turned the last page.

This one just didn't do it for me. There was an overarching kind of 'ew' feeling in the background given that Matilda was Titus' ward. Granted, she was of age, so it wasn't inappropriate in that way. The matchmaking festival was a strange backdrop, too - I found myself wanting to go research if those were actually a thing rather than keep reading. It was a light, easy read, and sufficed for some romance brain candy, just wasn't in some ways my cup of tea.

I devoured this in one sitting.
Many thanks to WedMotion and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest feedback.

*3.5 stars*

This was a typical, easy to read Erica Ridley historical romance. It's novella length, which Erica Ridley seems to love to write, and an enjoyable afternoon read.

I think the plot was interesting, but there were a number of questions I had after finishing the story, including the feuding family details which needed more info to make sense. I also think the story suffered a bit from it's length because I feel like the romance was only partially developed. I wanted more chemistry between the two MCs because they didn't feel like they were close to the love stage.

Easy to read and enjoy, but with some distracting flaws, I enjoyed this story as I do all of Erica Ridley's work.

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

goodreads|instagram

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Titus meets Matilda by kissing her behind a plant at a matchmaking festival to then later realize she is his new ward. Now he’s saddled with trying to marry her off and has to go out in society to do so. Which he hates.

Matilda has plans for her inheritance and does not want anyone telling her who she should marry, especially not her new guardian. She throws herself into society, who doesn’t really want anything to do with her.

With skips in timelines and a lack of connection between the two main characters this felt like a rushed novella plot.

I appreciate the author and NetGalley giving me an opportunity to read the ARC for my honest review.

I love Erica Ridley's work DESPERATELY but this was just rather meh for me. It was a nice guardian/ward romance between a reclusive Earl and his sunshine ward. It was fine, just not enough of Erica Ridley's humor and charm for me.

Thank you to netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

I read book one in this series and knew that having Erica Ridley as the author, this one would kit disappoint. I am always a little concerned when multiple authors are building a series but this one isn’t disappointing so far!

Thank you Netgalley and WebMotion for the ARC!

- I loved this one so much!! The pining! The tension!
- I really enjoyed seeing how much the characters grew to knew each other. The scenes with the spider phobia were so incredibly sweet to read!
- while being a novella, it felt like there was so much character development! Sometimes novellas can feel a little too rushed or missing important character info, but this one felt like a perfect length!
- Erica Ridley knows how to write some incredible dual POV relationships!

While I missed the window for downloading this one I was able to get it through my library and read it. I really love Erica Ridley and how strong her characters are.

THank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review.

Regency Romance…This book was unexpected. I thought it was going to be a quick fluff book but was surprised to find myself getting vested into the characters. Grumpy Titus has been ‘forced by his aunt” to make sunshine Matilda for 3 weeks until she reaches her majority of 21. Neither realizing that they are being set up by their mutual relative, Aunt Stapleton. Matilda longs for independence as a heiress and enjoy life. Titus hides behind his grumpiness. Both suffer from a past of loneliness which touches your heart as each one handles their past differently. Having past baggage, Titus doesn’t want to have anything to do with love and its trappings and struggles to keep Matilda at a distance. As they find themselves in each other’s company more and more a friendship blooms. I like how they each complement each other and defend each other without realizing it. I like this author because you can feel the pain of both Titus and Matilda. It can be read as a standalone but is book 4 in the series Lords in Love. I would recommend this book because it was heartfelt and you will finish it with a smile on your face and lightness in your heart.

**I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review and all opinions are my own.

This was one of my favorite regency novels by Miss Ridley! I really enjoyed the tension between the hero and the heroine. I might need to go back and check out the rest of the books in the series.

I received this book from NetGalley. Opinions are my own.

It started with a kiss behind a palm frond! I loved the interaction between these seemingly different characters. Their underlying phobias and the facades they put on make them inextricably drawn to one another, without them realizing it. Amusing in parts, this is a really lovely romance.

Titus Noble, the fifth Earl of Gilbourne, loathes going to anything that would make him go out whether it be in public, a Society ball or even something simple like a country ball. Of course, he did promise his godmother to come to the Marrywell ball. Titus did agree to be there for five minutes just so he could meet his ward, Miss Matilda Dodd. Titus thinks he be able to control this girl without any problems, because he follows rules and is the epitome of controlling things. Matilda meets a handsome guy hiding behind a potted fern who she can’t help but kiss. When Matilda learns it is the ever-harsh rule abiding Titus, he decides to help Matilda especially with her kissing strange men even though it was him that she kissed. Titus unfortunately enjoyed the kiss even though it broke one of his rules still he plans to find Matilda someone that would be perfect to get her out of his hair. The longer Matilda stays she disrupts Titus’s perfect world and even kisses him a lot more which she knows he likes it too. Matilda has already found the perfect man to marry and it’s Titus, now all she has to do is convince him to keep her forever.
What a comical Regency historical romance that is just so much fun to read! The story is pretty familiar ward and guardian romance but set in a historical timeline so that did make it a bit different. The book moved easily and was a pretty fast read too. I couldn’t help but laugh at the crazy antics of Matilda and just loved her spirit! Even with some hardship that both characters seem to have in their history that was just glossed over briefly the story never got hung up on the tragedies that both protagonists seem to have suffered. I would have liked to read about that a little though just to make the ever-sunny happy Matilda who acted a lot younger than what age she was supposed to be. Titus, the gloomy unbending hero didn’t seem like a very nice person even though he was more an action person than talking about his feelings. So, it was really hard to like him especially with all the rules he kept making up. Still, he wasn’t such a bad guy either. I loved his staff though and hope they find their happily ever after's too. So hopefully Ms. Erica Ridley will write more on the staff because I will read them. Then again, I still enjoy all of her stories and yes, I’ll definitely read more!

This fun, fast paced story will make anyone smile!

I love the main characters in this, but Matilda especially. She sweet, quirky, and the perfect partner for Titus. As always, Erica Ridley’s writing is excellent.
This is another installation in the adorable Lords in Love series, which I’ve been enjoying so much! Each novella can be read as a standalone but they are a lot of fun to read together.


Star Rating: 3/5
Tropes: Guardian and ward, forced proximity, sunshine grumpy

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.