The Earl's Hideaway, No Ladies Allowed

A Romance of Rank, Book 2

By: Esther Hatch

Narrated by: Noah Wall

Length: 9 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2022 Esther Hatch (P)2023 Esther Hatch

So sweet and fun!!

I have LOVED every Esther Hatch book that she has written from her novels to her novellas ❤️❤️❤️
I have them all in my personal library! And plan to buy this one to own in book form also☺️
Could not wait for this story and enjoyed every minute of it!
Well done Esther 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

Fun Historical RomCom with heart and laughs

📚✏️📖POP QUIZ📖✏️📚
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Question - Have you read any of @authorestherhatch books?
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Question - Have you listened to any of Esther’s audiobooks?
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If ANY of your answers to these questions is no then you have some homework my friend!
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If you answered no to the second question- remedy ASAP!
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Esther’s books especially her Romance of Rank series is a breath of fresh air historicals set in Victorian England with LOL moments, grinning cheek to cheek and sweet sighs at HEA.
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I just finished the audiobook and it is hands down SO GOOD! 🙌🏼 Noah Wall’s narration was perfect! I hadn’t recognized her name but I knew her voice and she does fantastic with any narration she does but with Esther’s witty banter it’s a slice of heaven.
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The quiz seemed fitting as Catherine is a governess. Plus Samson and Catherine seem to have a hard time leaving the school room 😉 #iykyk This has forced proximity, second chance romance, different class, secret identity, unrequited love, and a sweet closed door romance.
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Get your hands (and ears) onto these books!
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Thank you @authorestherhatch for the alc. These are my own thoughts and opinions.

Fun and romantic!

I really enjoyed this audiobook version of The Earl’s Hideaway, No Ladies Allowed. In fact, I think I loved the story even more listening to it. The narrator did a great job with both POVs and was easy to listen to and understand. I enjoyed the plot and the swoony kisses. The ending was wonderful and romantic. Definitely a fun Victorian romcom, I recommend this!

Enjoyable

Samson and Catherine dance around their feelings for each other lacking trust in their own feelings and in each other’s. This ubiquitous prolonging tactic makes for a formulaic storyline with predictable tension arch’s that go nowhere. The book is saved by the characters who demonstrate uniqueness more interesting than the story. The romance is tepid with too much past conflicts hinted at but without details providing tension and anticipation. Having said all that and the unnecessary length, I still enjoyed the book. I would recommend this book to readers/listeners who like mild character driven storylines. If readers/listeners want romance and an unpredictable storyline skip this book and spend your credit elsewhere. Narrator was capable.

if you like good men, you'll love this hero

me and hubby listened to this on a roadtrip and everytime we would stop and get back in the car he'd ask me to keep playing it. this book is so good that even though he's not a fan of the genre he enjoyed it also

he especially enjoyed the character of Samson and thought the plot twist at the end was really well written and he didn't see it coming.

I had already read the ebook but hadn't heard the narration. Noah Wall as always is wonderful.

what can I say about this story? my favorite from Esther Hatch and she has some really good books.

I could understand both Samson and Catherine and where they were coming from. I really enjoyed seeing the twin relationship between and Samson and Drew. I thought it was a really strong part of the book.

we were both laughing outloud several times and thoroughly enjoyed the whole story. this is one I will most likely listen to again

loved this book!

Esther did an amazing job with a story and Noah made it come to life with her reading, I really do love all of Esther's books!

Cute

Samson is the only boy with sisters. He wants to escape from them, especially his twin sister, so he goes off into hiding. The problem is that his childhood friend end up at the same cottage. It’s scandalous, but they end up staying together, albeit in two separate rooms with the maid who lives there.

There are a lot of funny things that happen in this situation, but there’s a lot of hurt from the past. This is when you would think that if people would just talk to one another it solves lot of problems. There’s also the fact that they are very competitive, and they each try to run each other off the property. I think one of the funniest scenes in the book is when Sam is swimming in the pond.

Okay but not for me

If you like light, feel-good stories geared for a younger audience, you’ll enjoy this. I liked the previous book better. I’m not a fan of stories that include children or their antics, especially young adults doing childish things in eye-rolling ways. Suspend belief, and hang in there while the initial drawn-out context is being set up. Once the story progresses to the real plot, it gets more interesting. However, even then, some scenes are overly long and simple, which mires the plot. The premise is fun. But the execution could use finesse and nuance—it’s very straightforward, wordy, and linear. I’ve liked some of Esther Hatch’s other books for light listening, so will still give more a try.