Customer Reviews

Sex and the Single Earl

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I agree completely w/ Teresa - this book was interesting from a historical perspective, and the romance was compelling. Most regency-era books, though I enjoy them, ignore or at best gloss over the realities of the time period. Vanessa Kelly's book gives us a peek into what would become crises in the UK and the US - child labor, enslavement, and the economic disruptions caused by war and the Industrial Revolution. Not so different from today, in many ways, when human trafficking is taking place in greater numbers than ever, ever before and global economic crises are looming...

But back to the romance...the end was implausible for me, but I was engaged by the Earl's dawning, in a duh-this-is-a-real-guy-way (I prefer true love like that over "lust-that-looks-like-reality"), love for Sophie. And I was caught by Sophie's dilemma - her deep love for the Earl, yet her deep commitment to doing what she knew was right -regardless of Society's consequences.

Absolutely worth the read, and it's not a serious book like I may have made it sound (it's late and I need to put my kids to bed) - fun, sexy, interesting, hard to put down... I'm looking forward to reading more from Vanessa Kelly.

The regency-romance genre has strong rules for the proper behavior of ladies, and Sophie Stanton, the female lead of Sex and the Single Earl has no intention of following them. The title of the book, as well as all the descriptions on the front and back cover imply that we're really going to get modern mores in regency dress. That bugs some readers, but I don't mind it - I enjoy a writer like Amanda Quick, who creates modern, independent women in historical guise. The book is well written, though the characters are rather 1-dimensional, and Vanessa Kelly seems to have a pretty good grasp on the historical period. That would probably have led to a 4-star review, but I didn't buy the relationship between the leads.

The "tension" in this book revolves around the pressure everyone around Sophie - especially Simon St. James, her love interest - places on her to conform. The irony is that Sophie ultimately almost always does conform, and Simon, who is presented as the most priggish, reputation-obsessed character, actually seduces her repeatedly in a blatant disregard for his society's values. The contradictions inherent in this behavior for both lead characters does bug me, especially since no one seems to notice how inconsistent their behavior is. So that would have resulted in probably 3 stars, but I had to bring it down to 2 because of the ending.

Romance is supposed to be far-fetched, but it shouldn't be stupid, and alpha males are appealing, but not if they're abusive. When Sophie races off to save a lower-class girl from being auctioned off at a brothel (her one act of non-conformity!) and ends up being beaten and an inch from being raped and killed by the girl's father, she should not also have been subjected to threats by her fiance before he even gets her out of the brothel, nor should he have pressed rough sex on her the next day. I don't know what the appeal is of an innocent girl who is pushed into torrid sex and then emotionally abused by her lover, but I really didn't like it. And if Sophie had truly been non-conformist, she would have kicked Simon's a-- to the curb (I guess I should have been warned by the description of Sophie on the back cover as "ungovernable and flighty" - so belittling!).

I was surprised by some of the negative reviews of this book, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It had a good plot, memorable characters, and held my interest till the very end. Ms. Kelly, I look forward to your next book! I'm actually hoping Becky gets her own story. :-)

I agree with alot of things the other reviewers said- the heroine didn't have much of a back bone and was a big pushover much of the time, and the hero was a bit bossy. Despite this, I couldn't put it down either. Another thing- (and this might make me sound like a big "horn dog"!) I was surprised by the unexpectedly steamy sex scenes. You don't come across that too often. I will definetely read her next one!

Sophie Stanton fell in love with Simon St. James when she was a young girl. Time hasn't changed her affections, but she does wish that Simon, now the Earl of Trask, would stop lecturing her on how to behave! After all, it isn't Sophie's fault trouble seems to find her. Yet trouble isn't the only thing pursing Sophie these days. It almost seems like Simon is courting her. But why the sudden interest? Even as she falls under Simon's seductive spell, Sophie knows the man she loves is keeping something from her. Does he truly want her or is there something else he's after?

Vanessa Kelly sweeps readers away to Regency era Bath in the charming Sex and the Single Earl. What captured my interest about Sex and the Single Earl was how Ms. Kelly weaved the realities of 1815 England in with Sophie and Simon's romantic caper. As for the protagonists themselves, Sophie is a likeable, caring, though somewhat impulsive heroine. While others may over-lecture her, Sophie does tend to rush into situations, albeit with the best of intentions. Simon, on the other hand, needed a good whack upside the head at times. He's after some coal-rich land that is a part of Sophie's dowry, and though he cares for her, definitely needed to learn his lesson about what it is that means the most in life. Simon and Sophie don't create all the obstacles in their relationship; Simon's former mistress is definitely a manipulative, rhymes-with-witch character that Ms. Kelly makes suitably villainous without ever going over the top.

Sex and the Single Earl is the first book I've read of Ms. Kelly's and I can definitely say it won't be the last. While Sex and the Single Earl is a standalone novel, I believe characters from Ms. Kelly's Mastering the Marquess appear and I can't wait to read that book. All in all, even though I wanted to smack Simon at times, I thoroughly enjoyed Sex and the Single Earl and I can't wait to see what Ms. Kelly comes up with next!

Shayna

Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

In 1815 the Earl, Simon St. James knows he must marry; the only woman who interests him is intelligent Sophie Stanton. It does not hurt that the obstinate strong willed female, who opposes child labor, owns land with an abundance of coal; something Simon needs for his project.

Sophie loves Simon and hopes to get him one day to reciprocate. However, her activism against the use of child labor places her at odds with the man she loves. As they argue, fuss and fight, they agree to a marriage of convenience as they debate principles. Each knows the intelligence and passion of their disagreement heats up the bedroom as much as the den.

The key to this delightfully fresh Regency romance is the background of the industrial revolution as the lead couple inconveniently is on opposite sides of the debate. The main couple is a wonderful pairing as each has strong arguments supporting their hypothesis. Vanessa Kelly captures the essence of the era below the typical elegant hedonism of the Ton as her lead duet (and others) takes sides on complex societal issues like child labor.

Harriet Klausner

Loved the cover, loved the book, loved it all!

A terrific read with wonderful characters. A delightful and - dare I say - smart story.

Expect a great plot with superior, historic background and just the right amount of sexy sex.

Kelly is hands down one of the best Regency Romance writers on the market today... I am so glad I took a chance on this author!

Simon St. James, fifth Earl of Trask has known Sophie all his life and now he wants her land. He treats her as child and she drives him crazy..fun to read. Sophie has loved Simon forever but they have some really hurdles in there way...She wants him to love her, she wants to save 2 children who are being abused and she wants his mistress out of the picture. Simon does not grasp how important these conditions are - so the book is about Simon coming to terms with respecting Sophie and his own emotions.

Looking forward to The Mammoth Book of Regency Romance being release July 27th and CaddyGirls that she wrote with her husband until the name V.K. Sykes due out July 2010 (it's digital maybe I will find it on Kindle???)

A wonderful follow up to Mastering the Marquess, SATSE mixes the authentic regency detail of a trad with the sensuality of a historical. As with all romance, Simon and Sophie have to work through some issues to get to their HEA, but it's great to watch them--Simon especially--grow as a characters. Recommended to those who enjoy "best friend's little sister", "friends to lovers" and "marriage of convenience" stories.

Sex and the Single Earl was great--not only were Trask and Sophie great characters and great fun to hang out with, but I learned a lot more about the dark underbelly of Regency England. The scene in the workhouse will stay with you for a long time.