The Earl of Buckleigh was once an untitled misfit, tormented at Oxford. Now, he’s overcome his challenges and is eager for the future, especially when his oldest and dearest friend, Bianca, needs help to save the annual holiday party. Ash has a plan to rescue the event, but when the bullies from his youth are up to their old tricks, he must risk everything to put the past behind him and find true love.
Furious when her brother refuses to host the St. Stephen’s Day party, Lady Bianca Stafford is committed to giving the villagers their celebration. In Ash, she sees salvation for their local tradition, and perhaps a future she never expected. But her brother has other plans for her—a Season and marriage, and not to Ash. When disaster strikes, everything she cares about is threatened and it will take a miracle—or a hero—to save the day.
The Red Hot Earl is inspired by the song and story, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Review:
A cute, fairly fluffy holiday romance!
The Red Hot Earl introduces readers to the world of the Love is All Around holiday novellas with Bee and Ash’s story. It’s loosely based on the story of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (honestly, I hesitated whether to mention that, since I was overly distracted at the start trying to figure out how) but is mostly a childhood friends-to-lovers story between two people who aren’t overly fond of society but are terribly fond of each other.
There aren’t any huge revelations here (other than bullies often have their own personal issues that cause them to lash out, and some of them manage to eventually grow up) but it is a sweet, optimistic story about two likable characters who deserve their HEA.
At this point, though, I’m mostly interested in seeing how Ms. Burke is going to make Bee’s brother into a sympathetic character for book 3–he’s not leaving us with a good impression here, that’s for sure!
Rating: 3 1/2 stars / B-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book