REVIEW: Forever Your Earl by Eva Leigh

In Forever Your Earl (The Wicked Quills of London #1) by Eva Leigh, Daniel Balfour, the Earl of Ashford, is searching for a way to throw journalists, especially those at The Hawk’s Eye, off his trail while he continues his hunt for a dear friend who may be in mortal danger. Ashford offers Eleanor Hawke, the intelligent and beautiful owner of the scandal rag, the chance of a lifetime: to shadow him on his notorious outings. But one evening with Eleanor might be all it takes for him to fall for the charming, outspoken woman.

“Careful,” he growled, “or one impertinent journalist might feel the wrath of my appendages.”
“You wouldn’t kick a lady,” she insisted.
“I don’t see one standing here.”
She flashed him a gesture so obscene, so unexpected, that he couldn’t help but laugh.

Being given the opportunity to see firsthand how the earl and his peers truly behave outside of polite company is something Eleanor cannot refuse. Even if Ashford loves to rile her up with his cynical comments. But she soon comes to realize that the earl hides a caring heart and tender soul behind the bravado. While Eleanor is thrilled to find a connection with such a good man, she knows there is no future between a journalist and an earl. Can true love carry them through? Or is it just a fool’s game?

“A month ago, I’d have laughed myself dizzy if someone had told me that I’d lose my heart to a libertine aristo.”
“Have you?” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Lost, indeed. Never to be found again.”

Forever Your Earl was a wonderful start to The Wicked Quills of London series by Eva Leigh. This had just about everything a Regency fan could ask for along with a nice amount of desire and scandal thrown in to keep things interesting.

I have to start off by saying that the banter between Eleanor and Ashford was some of the most sharp-witted, well-written dialogue I have had the pleasure of reading in quite some time. Eva Leigh did a fantastic job pouring our hero and heroine’s intelligence (and stubbornness) into their conversations. What fun those scenes were! Definitely be on the lookout for them.

Both Ashford and Eleanor were likable characters right away for me. I loved that they were inspired by each other even though they had vast differences of opinion and station in life. Eleanor was such a powerhouse of a woman, running her own newspaper on her merit alone. She still managed to be feminine, though, and cared deeply for her friends and employees. Eleanor’s explanation that she wanted to provide entertainment for people who had enough troubles in their daily lives, by giving them lively stories, really struck a chord with me. What a nice way to give back to fellow Londoners after what she had endured in her own past.

And Ashford. *sigh* He’s the kind of rake I love reading about. He basically was struggling to find his place in life. To find what he was passionate about. In the meantime he, well, raised hell. Ashford had a heart of solid gold. I appreciated that he wasn’t so spoiled that he treated commoners poorly or rudely like some heroes are portrayed. When it came to Ashford’s lust/feelings for Eleanor? Perfection. Just the right balance between mischief and utter devotion for our nobleman in love.

I am so excited to see where this promising new series takes us in the future. A Regency fan can only hope the repartee remains as clever and the storylines stay as captivating as we had with Forever Your Earl.

Book Info:

Publication: September 29th 2015 | by Avon | The Wicked Quills of London #1

Eva Leigh’s irresistible new series introduces the Wicked Quills of London: a group of bold, brilliant female writers whose spirited allure is beyond seductive…

Eleanor Hawke loves a good scandal. And readers of her successful gossip rag live for the exploits of her favorite subject: Daniel Balfour, the notorious Earl of Ashford. So when the earl himself marches into her office and invites her to experience his illicit pursuits firsthand, Eleanor is stunned. Gambling hells, phaeton races, masquerades . . . What more could a scandal writer want than a secret look into the life of this devilishly handsome rake?

Daniel has secrets, and if The Hawk’s Eye gets wind of them, a man’s life could be at stake. And what better way to distract a gossip than by feeding her the scandal she desperately craves? But Daniel never expected the sharp mind and biting wit of the beautiful writer, and their desire for each other threatens even his best-laid plans.

But when Eleanor learns the truth of his deception, Daniel will do anything to prove a romance between a commoner and an earl could really last forever.