Lady Meets Earl
Series: Love on Holiday #2
Author: Christy Carlyle
Published November 29th 2022 by Avon Books

Goodreads Synopsis
USA Today bestselling author Christy Carlyle sweeps readers away on an all-new romantic holiday to the wilds of Scotland where a young woman discovers her vacation home is unexpectedly owned by a strange, devastatingly handsome earl.

After a lifetime of living for her friends, family, even strangers, Lady Lucy Westmont knows something must change or she’ll lose herself forever. An invitation to visit her free-spirited and scandalous aunt in the wild Scottish countryside is the perfect opportunity to discover how to live the life she wants.

James Pembroke just learned that not only is he the new Earl of Rossbury, he’s also inherited his late uncle’s debts and a manor house deep in Scotland. Already owing money to an unsavory man because of a business deal that went awry, he has no choice but to travel to Scotland to sell the manor. On his way, he finds himself sharing a train car with a rather pretty but wild young woman.

When Lucy manages to make it to her aunt’s home, she discovers her aunt is missing and the incredibly rude man who shared her train car is claiming that he owns the house instead. Nevertheless, Lucy is determined to have a true holiday, even if she is accompanied by the man who has upended her plans—and her heart.
Goodreads

Review
In the adventure of her lifetime, Lady Lucy Westmont starts to live life for herself. Heading to the Scottish countryside to spend time with her carefree aunt, Lucy meets a handsome stranger on the train, who she can't help thinking about. James Pembroke may have been estranged from his father's family, but he's just discovered that he has inherited his uncle's title and is the new Earl of Rossbury. However, the title comes with debt, and the only usable property is deep in the Scottish Highlands. Between his uncle's debts and his own, James is at risk of losing everything, and he needs to sell off the Scottish manor house to stay afloat. So when he arrives and discovers that his uncle's former mistress is Lucy's aunt, and she's gone missing, they need to work together to come to an arrangement to allow Cassandra to stay in her beloved home, and save James.

I really enjoyed the first book, and though these aren't companion books per se, the holiday aspect in them all is such a fun idea. Lucy was a fantastic heroine. She cared so much for her friends and family, but never really took any time for herself. So when her Aunt Cassandra invites her to Scotland, she jumps at the chance. Lucy knows she wants a love match, and the last three seasons have been lacklustre to say the least. Maybe an adventure will be the making of her, and allow her the chance to focus on herself. Her and James had instant chemistry, though they both fought it. Neither expected to even want to marry anytime soon, and there were definite barriers to their romance, but they overcame them by working together. A lovely historical romance, from an author quickly becoming one of my favourites!

Dates Read:
September 5-9 2023

Rating
4 Stars