I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Red Hot Earl, by Darcy Burke, is available at booksellers on 9-24-19. Book 1 in the Love Is All Around trilogy, it sets the stage for our dysfunctional family. There's Calder, the new duke, Poppy, older sister who's sad who knows why, and our heroine Bianca (Bee). She's an upbeat, loyal, optimistic lady, a nice balance to her beau. Our hero is Ashton "Ash" Rutledge, new Earl of Buckleigh. He and Bee are childhood friends who've met up again all these years later. Ash suffers from a disease that sounds much like Tourette's Syndrome. He's been bullied by almost everyone all his life. It's taken years but he worked and worked to find way to control his symptoms. He's brave for not retiring to the country to hide away. His journey is most interesting. Bee, in her happy way, never noticed anything amiss with Ash, acceptance is everything. The story moves them along by way of the upcoming holiday and a snow storm. I just love that trope.

The story is supposed to be loosely based on Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer. Loosely is right, it's hard to see until you're done. My biggest problem with Red Hot Earl was the school bullies. All grown up now, they're still emotionally 12 years old. School pranks instead of grown men nastiness? They also changed their tune too quickly and easily for me to find it believable.

Research into St. Stephen's Day proved interesting. He was the first Christian martyr, in AD36, still celebrated today. His feast is usually celebrated on Dec 26th, also Boxing Day. Ms Burke taught me a new tidbit of information. Thank you.

I'm not sure how Ms Burke is going to pull Calder, the duke, into a story that redeems him. He's awful. I am interested in what the heck is wrong with sister Poppy. She doesn't share a dang morsel of information & it's killing me. Hurry and put me out of my misery.

#NetGalley #DarcyBurke #RedHotEarl #LoveisAllAround #HistoricalRomance