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You Never Forget Your First Earl

This is book 5 (possibly the last?) in Quinn’s Worthington series. I reviewed the first one, Three Weeks to Wed, and I have to say, this was an improvement on a lot of the issues that Three Weeks (…since you looked at me, cocked your head to the side and said…. Sorry.) had.

Geoffrey, the Earl of Harrington has a diplomatic post waiting for him on the eve of the battle of Waterloo, buuuuuut he needs a wife in order to take the post. So when his first choice of bride is taken (in a previous book), he decides on Elizabeth Turley. Elizabeth is mostly fine with this, because she does LIKE Geoffrey, but she also wants to have a love match. And she’s concerned that Geoff only picked her because she was one of the last ladies standing at the end of the season, and she’s got a bunch of the skills needed to be a diplomat’s wife.

Most of the conflict comes from Geoff’s checklist type approach to finding a wife, and Elizabeth being frustrated by that approach. There’s a bunch of potential complications that never arise: “I have the special license! Put it somewhere safe!” And it’s still in the safe place in the morning. Like, don’t introduce these possibilities and not actually… do anything with it. It’s better than previous books, but still not great.

Elizabeth is a super competent person who approaches big challenges with a very determined air. She’s gonna fix things. She’s not that great about talking about her relationship with Geoffrey (and quite frankly the advice she gets from others is terrible). Geoffrey is fine. I’m not totally sure what might make him a good diplomat, but he has a good partner for his job, so I guess he’ll be fine.

Beyond that, there isn’t much conflict between them, and they work things out pretty easily. Quinn writes fluffy, uncomplicated romance with no-angst, so if you really need a no-angst read, this is a good call.

– Redheadedgirl

Within the Worthingtons’ extended family circle, laughter and romance rule, and a young lady never settles for less than true love…

With her three good friends all recently married, Elizabeth Turley is ready for some husband-hunting of her own. One gentleman in particular sparks her interest. Geoffrey, Earl of Harrington is tall, handsome, and dashing. He’s also just a bit too sure of himself. But Elizabeth has observed enough about the rules of attraction to pique the earl’s attention. Yet once she has it, the discovery of a troubling secret taints her future happiness.

Lord Harrington must marry or lose a prestigious position in Brussels, and pretty, well-connected Elizabeth fits his needs admirably. But could it be that he has underestimated his bride? She doesn’t bat an eye in the face of the danger they encounter overseas. She’s strong-willed, intelligent, and more enticing each day—yet also more indifferent to him. Now Geoffrey faces his greatest challenge: to woo and win his own wife, or risk losing her for good.