The reason to keep them from just being happily together already was quite weak. But I decided to just play along like it made sense, and still ended up enjoying the rest of the book above average, so I'm giving it 4 stars anyway. Childhood sweethearts, second chance, wounded soldier, female business owner, and Beauty and the Beast tropes. I think the hero is an especially memorable character, but both leads were likable, and I was happy for them to be together in the end. It wasn't quite as strong as the first book in the series, in my opinion, but I'm very interested to see where the series goes from here.

I received an advance copy for reviewing purposes, these are my honest opinions. ( )

Widow Rules continue!

Marriage of convenience trope given an interesting twist. Childhood friends reunite under strained circumstances. Constance Lysander had married a scoundrel who committed not bigamy but trigamy. Pregnant Constance needs a husband and friend Jonathan, Earl of Sykeston, agrees to marry her to legitimise her child. A decorated sharpshooter in the Napoleonic wars, Jonathan was badly injured and is very much a recluse. Alongside that he’s been unjustly accused, at this stage by the rumour mill, of action unbecoming a gentleman, very much against the military’s rules of conduct.
Jonathan is loathe to marry but this is the friend he’s loved forever.
Constance operates a ship building company and has her own worries. Neither is able to confide in the other. Unbeknownst to each they’re facing a common enemy, and that plays havoc with the restoration of their relationship. Their coming together, hard won, has the hermit leaching out of Jonathan, but is their love going to be strong enough to face another enemy closing in on their hard won life together?
A predictable but pleasant read.

A St Martin’s Press ARC via NetGalley ( )

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Rules for Engaging the Earl is the second book in Janna MacGregor's delightful new series, The Widow Rules. It would be best to read the first book in the series before reading this one. Constance Lysander needs a husband; her first husband died suddenly, leaving her with child and unsure if her marriage was legal in the first place as he had two other wives.
Her childhood best friend Jonathon Easton, Earl of Sykeston, agrees to become her husband. Severely injured in the war and bedevilled by threats and rumours, Jonathon plans this to be a marriage of convenience only. Constance, of course, has other ideas and blows into his life like a fresh breeze making him wish he could offer her all the love she deserves. I enjoyed this story very much and recommend reading it. Love, friendship, a nasty villain, a hint of mystery and a hard-won HEA make this story one you won't want to put down. Steam Level: Medium. Publishing Date April 26, 2022. #StMartinsPress #StMartinsPaperbacks #RulesForEngagingTheEarl #JannaMacGregor #historicalromance #historicalromancereader #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #romancereader #bookreviewer #NetGalley ( )

Rules for Engaging the Earl by Janna MacGregor
The Widow Rules #2

Second chance romance that sees injured war veteran and his childhood friend married…and then a whole lot of hurdles are put in their path to overcome.

What I liked:
* Jonathan: marksman, inured in the war, childhood friend of Constance, in physical pain, emotionally distant, libeled, and there for Constance if not there for himself.
* Constance: business woman, widow of a bigamist, mother to Aurelia, friend to the two other wives of her deceased husband, hoping that she and Jonathan will have a “real” marriage
* The part the collection of essays and book of knots played in the romance
* Ginger: Jonathan’s dog…wily beast and good friend…eats at the dinner table with the people
* Aurelia: Constance’s daughter, charmer, unlocks some of Jonathan’s heart
* North: butler and good friend to Jonathan although a bit of a meddler
* Seeing the other people in the series
* The way Jonathan finally came out of his funk and dealt with issues that needed to be dealt with
* That the bad guy was found and dealt with

What I didn’t like:
* The bad guy and what he had gotten away with for too long
* Having to wait for the next book in the series

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Paperbacks for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars ( )

The second book in The Widow Rules series is even better than the first, especially if like the second-chance romance. Constance and Jonathan were undeclared childhood sweethearts who would have been married had circumstances not transpired against them. Instead, she was swept off her feet by a rogue who made her one of his three wives. As it turns out, she was the only one who was pregnant and in need of a legitimate husband to avoid having her child born illegitmate so, in her hour of need, she calls on her friend who immediately rides to her rescue.

Still fighting off the pains of war, both mental and physical, Jonathan believes he has nothing to offer the only woman he has ever loved and refuses to consider otherwise. He is willing to marry her, however, even when she learns that she was the one legitimate wife and the urgency of their marriage has passed. The wedding ceremony does not begin their happily ever after. In fact, it is the beginning of their struggle as Jonathan’s thoughts of uselessness continue to weigh him down while Constance wants nothing more than to offer her love.

With the help of interfering staff and friends, the two are finally brought together and begin to fight their way towards a love that lasts. The story reveals the ravages of war, the constancy of true friendship, and the benefits of meddling by those who truly care. The story is sweet and passionate filled with humor and hope despite the turmoil the characters face. It’s a must-read and can be enjoyed even without having read the first book in the series, although I highly recommend that one as well. ( )