Girls Before Earls by Anna Bennett is the first book in the Rogues to Lovers series by Anna Bennett. It was a sweet romance 
that started the series off successfully. The pacing was perfect, the plot was developed, and there were a few twists that kept the reader intrigued. The author did deviate from the time frame of the book in a few areas such as the line between classes and some of the girl’s freedoms they were given. However without these deviations, the storyline would not have been as solid.
“..proper behavior never takes a holiday..”
Hazel Lively’s quick mind and love of books helped her get accepted as a charity student to Miss Haywinkles’ School for Girls when she was orphaned at the age of nine. After several years of dreaming, she moves to Bellehaven Bay where she opens Bellhaven Academy, a school for girls. She hopes that wealthy families spending the summer in town will enroll their daughters in her school, but she needs to establish the school’s reputation first. Enrolling more girls who can afford tuition will allow her to help less fortunate students. As soon as she meets Kitty, Blade’s niece, she sees herself as a child, someone not wanted. She agrees to accept Kitty as a student with one condition, Blade must visit his niece every other week.
The Earl of Bladenton “Blade” had many regrets and felt guilty for never reconciling with his brother before he died. Becoming guardian to Kitty, his niece, had him frustrated because she kept getting kicked out of girl schools and kept interfering with his plans of marriage. He had found the perfect candidate in Lady Penelope who would never expect any emotions, she only wanted financial security and independence. He needed Kitty in school and away from London, so he was desperate when he took her to Bellhaven Academy and gave in to Hazel’s demands. As the relationship between him and Kitty grew so does his attraction to Hazel which has him rethinking his plans for marriage. She reminded him of a time when he was less cynical and wanted to belong to a family.
The book was fast-paced but full of humor and wonderful characters. I loved meeting the girls from the school and seeing their plans for Hazel and Blade succeed. The main characters were likable, but I did get frustrated with Hazel and her indecisiveness. She tells Blade they had no future and he tried to fight for her, but she pushes him toward Penelope only to change her mind afterward. I loved seeing Blade grow and become closer to his niece and realize he wanted a family and love in his future. This was a wonderful book and I recommend reading it. I look forward to the next book in the series and hope to see some of the characters again.
Book Info:
Publication: December 28, 2021 | St. Martin’s Paperbacks | Rogues to Lovers #1
WHAT A GIRL WANTS
To survive her difficult childhood, Miss Hazel Lively relied on two things:a tough outer shell and a love of books. Now, at the age of twenty-eight, she’s finally realized her life-long dream of opening a school for girls. She’s hoping that the wealthy families who flock to the shore for the summer will entrust their daughters to Bellehaven Academy―and help pay the way for less fortunate students. All Hazel must do is maintain a flawless reputation and raise a good deal of money. It’s a foolproof plan…till a sinfully handsome earl strides into her office.
WHAT AN EARL NEEDS
Gabriel Beckett, Earl of Bladenton, has had a monstrous headache since the day his teenaged niece became his ward. She’s been expelled from two London boarding schools and is doing her damnedest to scare off his potential fiancée. But Blade has a plan of his own―enroll his niece at Bellehaven Academy, where she’ll be out of town and out of his hair. He just needs to convince the buttoned-up headmistress with the soulful brown eyes to take on his niece.
LEAD TO AN IRRESISTIBLE DEAL
When Blade makes a generous offer to the school, it’s impossible for Hazel to refuse. But she has one non-negotiable condition: the earl must visit his niece every other week. Soon, Blade discovers there’s much more to Hazel than meticulous lesson plans. In moonlit seaside coves and candlelit ballrooms, their sparring leads to flirtation…and something altogether deeper. But the passion that flares between them poses a threat to Hazel’s school and Blade’s battered heart. They say a good thing can’t last forever, but true love? Well, it just might…
