How to Train Your Earl by Amelia Grey is the third book in the First Comes Love Series. Each book can be read as 
a stand-alone, but I feel like they are improved by reading books in order. The series is based on three widows who lost their husbands on the ship, Salty Dove. We were introduced to the three widows in the first book, and this is Briana’s story. The women started the Seafarer’s School for Girls, a boarding school for the daughters and sisters of the ship’s crew. The school taught the girls to read, write, and learn the skills of a seamstress.
Zane Browning found himself in a precarious situation at a masked ball in Paris and was rescued by an unknown woman. A few months later he finds himself the new Earl of Blacknight after a tragic accident kills his uncle and his cousin. He had a reputation for his scandalous ways and wagers and his family was worried he would not take his responsibilities seriously. His uncles take it upon themselves to assist him with learning the estate and were nudging him to find a respectable wife. When he recognizes his unknown lady, who had stayed in his thoughts after helping him, he knew he wanted her for his wife. He just needed a way to get her attention and what better way than making a bet at White’s that he would marry her before the season ends. He wasn’t expecting her to have conditions or to make them public at a ball.
Brina Feld is known and admired among Society as the perfect widow. Years after her husband dies, she is still devoted to his memory and spends her time helping others. She had no intentions of ever marrying or risking her heart again, but Zane’s wager causes her life and plans to fall into disorder. Frustrated with him, she agrees to allow him to court her while she tries to turn him into a proper gentleman. She agrees to marry him at the end of the season if he can refrain from swearing, alcohol of all kinds, all gambling and wagers, and women. She has no expectations of him meeting her conditions so has no fear of having to marry him.
This has been a great series with an interesting theme and charming characters. The ending of this book was surprising, and I love the twist Brina creates at the last ball of the season. Zane was so charming, and I found myself cheering him on as he slowly wins Brina over. The conditions she set were a challenge for him, but he honored them even when no one was around. He grew from being a charismatic man with no responsibilities to an earl that was dependable. Although this was not my favorite book in the series, it was still a wonderful book to read.
Book Info:
Publication: April 27, 2021 | St. Martin’s Press | First Comes Love #3
A roguish earl must fight using his honor and not his sword to win his lady’s hand in How To Train Your Earl, the third book in the First Comes Love trilogy from bestseller Amelia Grey.
Brina Feld has settled into a life devoted to helping others since the sinking of the Salty Dove left her widowed. She has no need for a man in her contented life. But when the notorious and handsome Lord Blacknight returns and awakens her desires, her peace and serenity vanish. If she agrees to an alliance with him, she knows she will have to battle her heart to keep from being snared under his spell.
Zane, the Earl of Blacknight, was never supposed to inherit the earldom, so he didn’t much care to lead a respectable life before then. Fistfights, card games, and drinking are the order of the day. Now he’s determined to change his rakish ways and he knows the proper lady who can help him. There’s just one problem: He’s already bet he’ll win her hand before the Season is over. With her resolve to out-scheme him, how can he show her that his love is true?
