Review: The Earl with the Secret Past by Janice Preston

Print Length: 388 pages

Publisher: Harlequin Historical (July 1, 2020)

From Goodreads.com:  An unexpected inheritance

An explosive reunionHardworking architect Adam Monroe’s world is shaken when he inherits an earldom! Thrust into the ton, he bumps into widow Kitty Fenton—his lost love. Years before, he refused to elope with Kitty to save her from ruin, and was heartbroken when she married soon after he left. Perhaps fate has given him a chance to discover the truth—after all, beneath the hurt, the sparks of attraction are as strong as ever… 

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My Rating: 3 stars out of 5

There was so much potential in this story that I feel just was never realized. Also, I can already tell that I'm going to be in the minority with my opinions on this one. However, I just couldn't stay interested in this story for long periods of time. I had to keep putting it down and going off to do other things (or as much as I hate to say it reading it before bed so that I could fall asleep easier). The problem wasn't with the writing by any means, the author had a strong writing style, it was just that this one seemed to drag on and go over the same ground until it became predictably tedious. 

I get it. Adam and Kitty were once in love, but he couldn't marry her then because he didn't know he was actually the son of an Earl. He broke her heart and now, fifteen years later, she has obvious and understandable trust issues when it comes to him (to the point where the first several of their interactions paint her with an almost waspish personality). Plus she has a secret that she has been carrying that she feels will impact any possible future with him. But instead of letting him make up his own mind, she makes it up for him. 

Now I know, a lot of historical novels have this same basic story-line, but I think one of the things missing from this one was Adam actually trying to woo Kitty, and to win her over by proving he's not the man he was fifteen years ago. Time and again he tells himself that is what he is going to do, but then he gets sidetracked by kissing her. Or wanting to kiss her, or every other thing under the sun so that I don't feel we ever actually got to the woo-ing part. There was definitely chemistry between them, and some playful banter when they weren't sniping at each other, but the "love" between them didn't feel real. 

As I said above, I'm most likely going to be in the minority with my feelings on this one. However, I would definitely read more from this author.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

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                      The Earl with the Secret Past is available from Amazon.com