Title: The Earl’s Inconvenient Houseguest
(The Very Village Scandal Book 1)
Author: Virginia Heath
Published: February 2022
Genre: Historical Romance, Harlequin Historical, Regency, Mills & Boon Historical, Enemies-to-Lovers

Blurb:

The Earl she loved to hate

…until she stayed in his mansion!

Sophie Gilbert has thwarted the standoffish new earl’s plans to sell his country estate and the quaint village that forms part of it. But when disaster strikes and he offers her refuge, she must reconsider everything about this vexing, determined man. After the heartbreak in her past, it’s a revelation to feel her pulse racing and her body yearning for his touch… 

From Harlequin: Your romantic escape to the past.

A Very Village Scandal Where love can be found at every turn

My Review:

Miss Heath has brought a story far from the life of London ton! Rafe, a new Earl of Hockley, is resolutely determined to sell the inherited country estate so that he can live further from the society with his brother. However, the strong outspoken Sophie cannot let that happen as there will be so many villagers evicted from the Whittleston-on-the-Water village including her dear aunt.

This book was refreshingly different from what I had expected. I was taken into how the villagers jointly march for the justice of their residences, how cleverly Sophie prevents the buyers from visiting the estate and how defiant she is towards Rafe with its sarcasm and banter yet beneath its controversial march, there are so many painful secrets that made me want to turn the pages over and over. When Sophie is in dire of predicament, Rafe kindly offers his residence for Sophie and her aunt to stay and eventually the undeniable secrets, Rafe’s brother’s condition and their sexual attraction emerge.

Not only does The Earl’s Inconvenient Houseguest have truly compelling characters among the villagers but also a challenge prejudice about disabled person and love. If you want a refreshing and entertaining read, this is for you as I also love it! Thank you, Virginia Heath, for this ARC which I voluntary reviewed

Rate: 5 of 5

About the author

When Virginia Heath was a little girl, it took her ages to fall asleep, so she made up stories in her head to help pass the time while she was staring at the ceiling. As she got older, the stories became more complicated – sometimes taking weeks to get to the happy ending. One day, she decided to embrace the insomnia and start writing them down. Twenty books and two Romantic Novel of the Year Award nominations later, and it still takes her forever to fall asleep. Follow her at https://www.virginiaheathromance.com/ or her facebook page Virginia Heath.