About the Book:
Title: Empowered by the Earl
Author: Alexa Aston
Series: Second Sons of London #3
Page Length: 246
Publication Date: May 24, 2022
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing
Synopsis: A self-assured earl who doesn’t like rules. A poised beauty mature beyond her years. Neither thinks they want or need love . . .
Major Owen Hasbury returns from the Napoleonic Wars as the new Earl of Danbury. He’s ready to enjoy life and make love to as many women as he can before settling down and siring an heir. His attitude irks his two closest friends, men who have come into recent titles and made love matches.
Louisa Goulding has a reputation as a bit of a bluestocking. She has served as her father’s hostess since her mother’s death years ago and has been an active part of the meetings in their home with her father’s War Office colleagues, giving her little time for social events. With the war over, Louisa wants to fully participate in the Season and finally live a life for herself, finding a husband who will give her children.
At the insistence of mutual friends, Louisa and Owen meet. She calls him out as a rake, telling him she won’t waste any time on him. But her beauty and intelligence intrigue Owen. He becomes friends with Louisa, even teaching her how to kiss, finally realizing the perfect woman is right before him.
Can Owen convince Louisa that he has changed—or will he lose her to another lord at the house party they attend together?
Find the answer in bestselling author Alexa Aston’s Empowered by the Earl, the third book in Second Sons of London.
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My Review:
Empowered by the Earl is a lovely historical romance about friendship, healing, and love. After the death of his brother, Major Owen Hasbury inherits the earldom and must leave military service and return home. Determined to enjoy his freedom, Owen has no intention of marrying. Louisa Golding has taken care of her father’s household for years and now wants to marry and run her own. She knows Owen is not the one for her. He is a rake, and she wants to settle down. So, Owen agrees to help Louisa find a suitable match at an upcoming house party if she helps him keep the eligible women at bay. However, neither can deny their growing attraction to each other.
This is a great addition to the Second Sons of London. I wanted to learn more about Louisa ever since she was introduced in previous books in the series. She is intelligent and interesting, and she has the best group of friends. Owen is also part of this strong group of friends, many of whom were the focus of the first two books. They are loyal, supportive, and encouraging, and I love the found family vibes you get from them. This group always has each other’s backs, even when they don’t agree. I thought this was especially highlighted in this book, as Owen has some difficulty adjusting to his new life and is often at odds with his friends and their wives.
Both protagonists go on emotional journeys in the story, and I like how they both learned more about themselves over the course of the book. Louisa seems to grow more confident and self-assured, and Owen begins to find his place in this new situation he’s been thrust into. I think their friendship and feelings for each other help both characters understand more about themselves, their desires, and others.
Louisa and Owen have a wonderful friends-to-lovers romance. At first glance, they seem like opposites, especially in regard to their relationship goals, and though they are attracted to each other, they know it will never work. Their relationship starts off pretty rocky, but when Owen is tasked with giving Louisa riding lessons, and they spend more time together, they really get to know each other, and a friendship develops. I like how they slowly get to know and appreciate each other before their relationship grows into something more. And, as Owen watches other men at a house party try to woo Louisa, he begins to realize that his feelings are more than friendly. Their chemistry throughout the story is fantastic, and I really enjoyed their banter, teasing, and interesting conversations.
Several more second sons remain in this close-knit group of men, and I can’t wait to read their stories. Thanks so much to Dragonblade Publishing, NetGalley, and the author for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Rating:
Favorite Parts:
- The romance.
- The found family/friendships.
Recommendations:
I would recommend Empowered by the Earl to readers of historical romance.
Delighted that you enjoyed Owen and Louisa together!
They’re fabulous!