About the Book:

Title: The Earl’s Hideaway, No Ladies Allowed
Series: A Romance of Rank #2
Author: Esther Hatch
Release Date: December 30th, 2022
Genre: Historical Romantic Comedy

If there is one woman Samson Rutherford, Earl of Riverton, can’t abide, it is his meddling sister. He has spent his whole life being a pawn in her plans and tricks, but when one of her schemes leaves him embarrassed in front of an old friend, he has finally had enough. He cannot beat her at her games, or even say no to her, his only option to save his sanity and pride is to run away–and fortunately, his solicitor knows just the place…

Catherine Wallace wasn’t born to be a governess, but with her family’s fall from grace, she has become one. A good one. However, when the chance arises to stay at her uncle’s home so she can care for his horticulture project while he is absent, she jumps at the chance. Leaving her position, she plans to gather her sisters together so they can be a family again–even if it is only for a little while.

But the last thing Catherine expected to find upon her arrival was her childhood friend. Samson has sequestered himself at the cottage and claims to have been invited to watch over her uncle’s business while he is away. However, Catherine insists that’s what she’s been asked to do. The quiet retreat is what they both need, but they cannot stay there together…

Not unless they can manage the horticulture project together and somehow keep their living conditions secret, that is. Because the last thing Catherine wants is for Samson to be forced into marriage like he has been forced into everything else since childhood.

Luckily for Samson, that happens to be a risk he is willing to take.

Book Review:

The highly anticipated next story in the Romance of Rank series, The Earl’s Hideaway, No Ladies Allowed is a fun regency rom-com to start the year off with! Samson Rutherford, Earl of Riverton has spent his entire life being an unwilling participant in his meddling sister’s plans and tricks. When her latest scheme leaves him embarrassed in front of an old friend, he has had enough. Samson cannot beat her or even say no to her, so he runs away. Thankfully, his solicitor knows just the place. Catherine Wallance is a good governess, even if she wasn’t born to be one. However, the chance to stay at her uncle’s home and to care for his horticulture project in his absence, is too good to pass. Leaving her position, she plans to gather her sisters together so they can be a family again, even for a little while. But finding her childhood friend, Samson, who claims that he has been invited to watch her uncle’s business, at the cottage is a surprise. They both need a retreat, but can they stay there together? 

What a fun story! I was so excited to read this, because I enjoyed the first story so much. This book centers around Catherine and Samson. I really enjoyed Catherine’s POV. She felt very relatable and practical, even if she was holding onto some hurts from their childhood. She felt the weight of her family’s fall from grace and the weight of her strained relationship with Samson. She cared for him, but there was a lot in their way. I really enjoyed seeing her with her sisters, it was really cute. Samson was quite funny! I definitely felt for him as he struggled with his sister, she certainly had a strong personality! But he was pretty dramatic himself and I appreciated his sense of humor. It was sweet to watch him try to find his place with Catherine again.

Overall, I thought that the story was sweet and lighthearted. It was nice to have the characters know each other beforehand, because their story did progress pretty quickly. It was so lovely to see all the characters from Manor for Sale, and from a different perspective. I enjoyed going back to this world.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.