First Earl I see Tonight

Written by Anna Bennett

Narrated by Beverley A. Crick

A charming, delightful new regency romance series from author on the rise, Anna Bennett! She needed a husband of convenience. She got her one true love instead.Miss Fiona Hartley's huge dowry should have ensured that finding a husband would be quick. True, she's a tad older than the average debutante, and spends too much time sketching brutally honest character portraits. She desperately needs a husband so she can access her dowry, lest the man blackmailing her reveals a secret that would ruin her family. So desperate in fact, that she's willing to do the unthinkable-propose marriage to the most surly, irritable gentleman in town.As a matter of principle, David Gray, the Earl of Somerdale, avoids two types of women: those who are obviously desperate, and those who are stark-raving mad. And it soundly appears Miss Fiona Hartley is both. Yet David can't help but be drawn to her, and gives her a test-if she can spend one week in his dilapidated estate-the same one that caused his previous fiancee to jilt him-then he'll consider her proposal. But as the week goes on, Fiona's refreshing wit finds a way into his heart. What started out as a marriage of convenience has turned into love...but will Fiona have him for the rest of her days?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 30, 2018
• ISBN: 9781980011934

Anna Bennett

Anna Bennett is Convenor of the University of Newcastle’s adult enabling program, which is open entry and enables people to qualify for entry into various degree programs across Australia. Dr. Bennett has a PhD in Sociology and applies sociological theory and concepts to better understand social and educational phenomena. She utilises mixed-methods, works in multi-disciplinary teams and is involved in a range of research projects about complex issues. In particular, Dr. Bennett draws on Foucauldian methodology.

Reviews for First Earl I see Tonight

[humouress · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

{First of 3 (Debutante Diaries series): romance} (2018)Fiona Hartley is an heiress whose father’s fortune comes from trade. She has received a blackmail letter concerning her adopted sister’s heritage and decides that her best course of action is to get a penniless peer to marry her within two weeks so that she can access her dowry and pay the blackmailer without letting her family know in case they get upset. The usual fare for this genre so I was ready to suspend disbelief in spite of anachronisms and ... um ... unladylike behaviour but when the blackmailer was revealed the plot took a right-angle turn into ... let’s say implausible. It didn’t work for me. 2 stars

[kbranfield-837433 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The first installment in the Debutante Diaries series, First Earl I See Tonight by Anna Bennett is a fun and heartwarming historical romance.

Miss Fiona Hartley is a feisty, spirited young woman who is devoted to her family. She is also a gifted artist but her pictures do not provide her any income. When a blackmailer threatens to reveal salacious information about her sister, Lily, Fiona decides a marriage of convenience is the solution to  her problem.  She has selected David Gray, the Earl of Ravenport, as her intended bridegroom.

David might hold a title, but he is cash poor. The recent end of his engagement has soured him on marriage, so he is not exactly amenable to Fiona's daring proposition. Fiona is unwilling to take no for an answer so he invites her, along with her family and friends, to his ramshackle country estate. With his beloved grandmother and his best friend George Kirby by his side, David is hopeful the tumbledown estate will convince Fiona to give up on her marriage plans.

Fiona and David are a surprisingly well-matched couple. Both care deeply about their respective families and they will do anything to make them happy. David and Fiona are equally stubborn once they have made a decision. However, David is unexpectedly charmed by Fiona and he eagerly plans outings for them. Fiona already holds Gray in high regard and as she spends more time in his company, her feelings for him begin to deepen.  The couple share a sizzling hot attraction that proves impossible to resist. But will David agree to marry Fiona before their week in the country comes to an end?

Peppered with witty banter, First Earl I See Tonight is a humorous romance that is also rather steamy. Fiona and David are appealing protagonists whose shortcomings and strengths are relatable.  The secondary characters are equally well-drawn and quite likable. The conflict that arises between Fiona and David is somewhat predictable but it is resolved fairly quickly.  Anna Bennett brings this delightful novel to a sweet and sigh-worthy conclusion. The Debutante Diaries series is off to a wonderful beginning that will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next release. 

[mickyfine · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Fiona Hartley has never been a typical debutante and when she receives a blackmail note that requires immediate access to her dowry, Fiona flouts all the rules and writes a proposal letter to the Earl of Ravenport. Having been recently jilted, Ravenport has no interest in another engagement and invites Fiona and her small circle to his crumbling estate to scare her off. Instead, the proximity has Ravenport reconsidering and Fiona considering that what she proposed as a marriage of convenience might just be a love match after all.A very cute romance, Anna Bennett establishes strong characters with believable back stories. While the blackmail storyline was a bit predictable and the final conflict suffered from the common romance issue of characters just not communicating and making problems worse but I found the book compelling enough I walked home from the train while reading at the same time to finish the last chunk of the novel. I'll definitely be trying the rest of the series and exploring Bennett's other works.

[eyes92c · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Debutante a-wooing goes!The jilted Earl of Ravenport, David Gray doesn't want a wife, he wants to renovate his deteriorating country home for his beloved grandmother.Heiress Miss Fiona Hartley doesn't want to marry but it's the only way she can think of to pay off a blackmailer who threatens to expose information about her sister Lily. When Fiona approaches Gray with a proposition to meet both their needs he's taken aback and decides a house party at his crumbling estate will send Fiona running in the opposite direction. Fiona's monetary conditions do rather make Gray blink. He didn't count on her desperation, nor her artist's eye to see his home differently. Neither did he count on the rising attraction between them to play a part.I loved the courage and tenacity of Fiona. Gray as the tragic disillusioned Earl was fine but his Grandmother was just gorgeous. The plot resolution was well done although the ending seemed hurried. Fiona's friend Sophie appears to have a talent for decoration ideas. The tattered ballroom is transformed under her guidance using wild flowers and greenery. I suspect her story will have much to offer. I'm looking forward to it. And then there's sister Lily!A charming start to a new series themed around these three young woman and their agreement to keep diaries about their time as debutantes.A NetGalley ARC

[cathygeha · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

First Earl I See Tonight by Anna BennettDebutante Diaries #1Blackmail is a dirty business and Fiona Hartley needs a way to pay off the blackmailer to keep her family happily as it is. Her decision to access her inheritance through marriage sees her writing a wedding proposal to a man she believes might be interested in her money little knowing that what she expects and what will happen will be quite different. David Gray, Earl of Ravenport, thinks that Fiona is mad at first but does meet and talk to her. The two grow closer to one another at a house party on his crumbling estate but there is always the blackmailer lurking in the background to cause turmoil in Fiona’s mind…and life. My thoughts: *Well written if somewhat predictable*Storyline highly unlikely*Liked the characters*Enjoyed the interactions between Gray and Fiona*Some will find this book highly entertaining while others will want more substanceThank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.3-4 Stars

[tarenn_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The First Earl I See Tonight by Anna Bennett is a Regency Historical Romance. Book 1 in the "Debutante Diaries", and it promises to be an exciting new series. Featuring, David Gray, Earl of Ravenport and Miss Fiona Hartley. Fiona is a talented artist being blackmailed, she must save her sister and family secret from scandal.  Gray has had a difficult childhood,  was just jilted by his fiance and his estate is need of finances to restore it to its formal glory.  Gray wants do this for his beloved grandmother, whose losing her eyesight. A bit slow at first but picks up, about the third chapter.  To me it was a bit confusing at times, some things just didn't come together for me, especially for the Regency era, but with that said it was an enjoyable and satisfying read. A few surprises along the way. The characters are charming. The plot was interesting but some things just did not fit well, to me. I enjoy a good romance, with  some mystery, suspense, and a HEA, which THE FIRST EARL I SEE TONIGHT does have. When, it all came together it was a bit of a let down, to me, it felt a bit rushed at the end  just before the finale.  Please, don't get me wrong,  this is an interesting, and  enjoyable read. I enjoyed watching Gray and Fiona's attraction grow into love and their HEA."I voluntarily received a complimentary copy, however,  these are my honest opinions. I was in no way required nor compensated to write a review."#NetGalley,#TheFirstEarlISeeTonightRating: 4Heat rating:MildReviewer: AprilR

[janjanfreeman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In order to protect her family, Fiona must do something unconventional: propose to an Earl.  Not just any Earl, but the angry and recently single from an engagement Earl Ravenport.  Also, their marriage needs to happen in a matter of weeks in order to save her family.  Who would possibly say no to that?This book was fantastic! It had romance, humor, adventure and an especially heartless villain.  It also tested loyalties among the characters as well as how far one is willing to go for the ones they love. Easy and fun to read with the narratives alternating between Fiona and Gray.  It was especially hard to put down around the 75-80% mark where all of the tiny details sprinkled along the way turned into a storm (literally) of chaos where I just kept saying "no no no no no no".  This was the part of the book that I think was the best! Favorite character was Earl ("Gray") Ravenport because the author was able to slowly reveal his warm, funny, and charming personality.   Initially he comes across as defensive and distant (often described in the book as "cold") but through interactions with his grandmother and Fiona he finally warms up.  Furthermore, I enjoyed the use of the Fortress in disrepair like Gray was after his broken engagement to Lady Helena.  Yet with his grandmother as his main motivation and Fiona's help he was able to get a lot of progress on restoring it, and himself.  It reminded me a little bit of Beauty and the Beast, without the animated furniture, in that Belle's love for Beast was able to restore the castle (and Beast) to it's original beauty.Lastly, I really appreciated the use of the relationship between Fiona and her sister Lily, as well as the relationship with Gray and his grandmother.  I am fortunate enough to be very close with my sister, just as Fiona and Lily are close.  I am also fortunate to be very close with my grandmother whom is well-loved by everyone she meets, just like Gray's grandmother.  I hope the next book in the series is about Fiona's sister, Lily, as it seemed to have set up a conflict that could continue for her that I would like to see resolved.  I would recommend this book for adult readers who enjoy romance, especially regency romance, the strong bonds of sisterhood, and the restorative power of love.On the other hand, I would not recommend this book for readers who may be offended or triggered by the following: graphic violence, foul language, suicide, blackmail, betrayal, gambling, prostitution, and sexually explicit scenarios.  Please note: an electronic ARC of this book was generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley for free in exchange for an honest review.

[dpappas_25 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It may seem odd to read a romance novel when you are a bit frustrated with love but this was just the book that I needed. This follows Gray and Fiona, both of whom have secrets they want to protect. Once Fiona is blackmailed by someone vowing to release a secret about her sister that could destroy her whole family she writes to Gray proposing that they marry. Using her dowry money to pay the blackmailer off is the only solution she can think of and Gray is the perfect man to propose to in her eyes. She figures they both can benefit from the marriage.I really loved both Gray and Fiona. I feel like it's been a while since I really loved the main characters in a romance novel and really cared about their journeys. The chemistry between them was great and I loved that they grew from a weird friendship to an actual relationship. I was a bit annoyed when it was revealed who the blackmailer was as I knew it would tear them apart but I enjoyed where they ended up at the end.Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the galley.

[nelispelusa · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) This was an enjoyable book. We meet Fiona who is being blackmailed on who her sister really is, and she does not want that to hurt her sister who she truly loves. Since she has a large dowry she sees this as the only solution for her to pay the black mailer however he only gives her two weeks. So in these two weeks she has to find someone and convince them to marry her and the only person she can think of is The Earl of Davenport (Grey). Fiona doesn't really know Grey, but he assisted her in a rather embarrassing situation before so she reaches out to him. Grey is cold hearted and has also recently been jilted by his fiance who drops him after she sees his hom "The Fortress" because it is falling apart and he is broke but doing his damndest to fix for his grandmother whom he loves. So I gave you the bones to the story and how they go about everything is enjoyable. We have lies, secrets, betrayal and humor, and the whole time you are rooting for Grey and Fiona...I hope we get stories on Lily and Sophia..Enjoy!