Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Holiday (Canadian Boyfriend) makes the playfully anachronistic tone clear from the very first line of this fun Regency series opener: "What happens on Earls Trip, stays on Earls Trip. Usually." Archibald "Archie" Fielding-Burton, the Earl of Harcourt, is stoked for his annual two-week vacation with his best bros, Simon Courteney, the Earl of Marsden, and Edward Astley, Viscount Featherfinch. En route to Scotland, Archie receives a desperate message from family friend Sir Albert Morgan. Sir Albert's daughter, Clementine, whom Archie hasn't seen in many years but remembers fondly and who recently ended her engagement to the odious Theodore Bull, is chasing after her impulsive sister Olive, who has eloped to Scotland with Theodore. "Please Archibald," Sir Albert writes, "save my girls." Now the men have a mission. After rescuing the women and bringing them to a friend's vacant castle, however, the trio's sacred male-bonding time is impinged upon. Though Archie asks the women to keep their distance, he can't resist joining Clementine for bouts of late-night stargazing. When she asks him to show her that intimacy can be better than what she had experienced with Theodore, Archie realizes that agreeing to her request will forever change their relationship. Humor abounds and the pages turn at a brisk clip. It's a delightful romp. Agent: Courtney Miller-Callihan, Handspun Literary. (May)
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Review by Library Journal Review
Holiday, best known for contemporary romances like Canadian Boyfriend, turns to Regencies with this first book in an expected series. The hook is three friends, all earls or in line to become earls, who take an annual trip dedicated to relaxation, favorite pursuits, and their devotion to and support for one another. This year their trip is knocked off course when a family friend asks Archibald Fielding-Burton, the Earl of Harcourt, to help save his imperiled daughters Olive and Clementine. Olive has run away with a bounder, and Clem, having been engaged to that same bounder, is hot on her heels. Archie and his buddies Simon and Effie change course and save the women, quickly setting things to rights. All's well that ends well, but now Archie is back in the company of childhood friend Clem, and it turns out there is a lot more at stake on this trip-gone-awry than Clem's and Olive's reputations. VERDICT Powered by feelings and friendships, rather than plot or pacing, Holiday's latest deftly sets up a series that shows potential.--Neal Wyatt
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A trip for three noblemen goes awry when they're unexpectedly joined by two women. Known for her contemporary romances, Holiday travels back to Regency England for this new series following two earls and a viscount--Archie, an outdoorsy hunter; bookish Simon; and Effie, a sensitive poet--who keep their friendship strong by vacationing together each year. Although they've made a rule that he's not allowed to hunt during the trip, Archibald Fielding-Burton, the Earl of Harcourt, is still looking forward to the respite from his ailing mother. Then, as they're in a carriage traveling toward Cumbria, they're overtaken by a messenger carrying a note from an old family friend begging Archie to rescue his daughters from scandal and ruin--the younger one, Olive, is eloping, and the older one, Clementine, is trying to stop her. Suddenly, the Earls Trip has been invaded by women. Clementine Morgan is still the wild, nature-loving girl Archie remembers from years past, but his feelings toward her are different now. Clem has no intention of ever marrying, but her friendship with Archie is so natural that she feels comfortable asking him to teach her about carnal pleasure. Despite their enjoyment of each other, when the trip's end draws near, Archie and Clem must try to figure out what their future could be. With most of the story taking place in the secluded castle where the group is staying, the focus is more on interpersonal relationships than historical detail. The examination of friendships, familial bonds, and, of course, romantic relationships drives the tale, and it works because the characters are so charming and complex. There's plenty of humor sprinkled in, keeping the tone light and fun. A breezy and amusing love story that showcases the importance of friendship. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
