Oh me, oh my...how I do LOVE a good Historical Romance, and my experience with this author's work remains the same. You can dive right into the story, get to know the characters and their "charms", me captivated by the events unfolding, all while holding your breath as to whether they will or won't see the potentially fabulous duo they could be!

Effie was such a treat! A woman who know her own mind, takes the things seen as drawbacks to others and embraces them, while not shying away from what she wants, what she desires, what she needs. Mr. Grouchy Ear is the new man about Rivenhall and a grousier man you've never met. However, if you look a little closer, you'll see that he wears his pain on his sleeve. He carries his guilt like a well loved friend...but this friend left its mark on him in ways he never wished, and can never escape...or can he? It seems a certain precocious woman unafraid to speak her mind has gotten beneath his skin and despite his best efforts, he's been unable to forget her. *sighs* It's not a love at first meet romance, but that unusual meet cute definitely lays the groundwork for something more, whether they like it or not!


**ebook received for review; opinions are my own ( )

I really enjoyed this story. It had all the trademark warmth, humour and compassion I have come to expect in Virginia Heath's novels. I especially liked Effie's unusual character. Her tremendous brain and her driving sense of purpose cover up her loneliness and sorrow at realising that she does not fit into society's expectations of a women living in Regency England and that she is unlikely to find a partner in life who will not be put off by her intelligence. Max was a fantastic counterpoint to Effie. Tragically wounded and disfigured during the American war, he has been treated badly by his father and former fiancee and has now come to his ancestral home to brood and struggle through the depths of depression and despair his recent experiences have caused.

The moment Max and Effie meet, the world starts to change for both of them. Little by little they are each forced to see the world from the other's point of view and from there, attraction, understanding and compassion grow. I loved their whole process of falling in love. I also loved the way Max gradually came to accept himself and begin to look outwards to redemption and resumption of life because of Effie's understanding and unsentimental encouragement. A gorgeous story that I will enjoy again and again. ( )

Max Aldersley, Earl of Rivendell ;pst everything and is left scarred by a fire. He is determined to be a reculse and to hide away in his estate. However Effie Nithercott comes into his life when he finds her doing some archaeology on his land/ She's not going to accept his grumpy attempts to get her to to go away and not follow her dreams of research and archaeology. Slowly but surely her persistence and abilty to take him as he is breaks through his reticence and takes her into his life, opening his shell and eventually his heart.
I liked Effie, she knows the rules and works within them but also understands that things are complicated and that there are things that must be done to get what she wants. She is a bit modern but I eally enjoyed her. She felt quite real and fun and I'd like to have her as a friend. I'm not sure about him at first but his unfolding was good to watch. I look forward to reading more by this author. ( )

Redeeming the Reclusive Earl is the fourth book by Virginia Heath that I have read and it might be my favorite of hers so far.

When they first meet Max finds Effie digging on his property. She was granted permission by his late uncle years ago to dig up artifacts and she has been working on unearthing an archaeological site on the land that Max has now inherited. Archaeology is her passion. Eventually Effie wins him over and Max even starts helping her dig. A friendship forms between the two and soon romance begins to blossom.

Max and Effie are somewhat misfits and are both like-able characters. He was wounded badly at war when he was a Naval officer and has burn scars running down one side of his face towards his chest. Effie is quirky and very intelligent which she believes is off-putting to others, especially to men. She has a knack for recalling everything she reads and she can speak several different languages. Each thinks they will never find love.

Also in the mix is Max’s older sister Eleanor who becomes easy friends with Effie when she comes to visit. Part of the story-line revolves around Effie wanting to have her archaeological writings published but being a woman prevents her from being taken seriously. Max tries to help her with this issue.

I loved the chemistry between these two and how they became easy friends while bringing each other out of their shells. Max loves Effie for her mind and he believes she deserves recognition for her hard work. The romance was sweet and I enjoyed watching them get together. Much of the story-line is also about leaving the past behind and realizing you deserve to move onto better things. It’s all about second chances. As usual Virginia Heath pens a highly readable, entertaining and well researched historical romance with a couple you root for.

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Disclaimer: This review is my honest opinion. I did not receive any kind of compensation for reading and reviewing this book. I am under no obligation to write a positive review. I received my free review copy of Redeeming the Reclusive Earl by Virginia Heath from Rachel’s Random Resources in exchange for my honest thoughts. ( )

There is nothing here that hasn't been done before (scarred hero, clever antiquarian heroine, meddling sister), but this was delightful. It was well-written and light-hearted, and the characters were likeable and actually talked to one another. ( )