The Earl Takes All

By: Lorraine Heath

Narrated by: Helen Lloyd

Length: 11 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's Summary

One summer night, Edward Alcott gives in to temptation and kisses Lady Julia Kenney in a dark garden. However, the passion she stirs within him is best left in the shadows as she weds his twin, the earl of Greyling. But when tragedy strikes, to honor the vow he makes to his dying brother, Edward must pretend to be Greyling until the countess delivers her babe.

After her husband returns from a two-month sojourn, Julia finds him changed. Bolder, more daring, and more wicked - even if he does limit their encounters to kisses. With each passing day, she falls more deeply in love.

For Edward the embers of desire sparked on that long-ago night are quickly rekindled. He yearns to be her husband in truth. But if she discovers his ruse, she will despise him - and English law prevents him from marrying his brother's widow. Yet he must dare to risk everything and reveal his secrets if he is to truly take all.

©2016 Jan Nowasky (P)2016 HarperCollins Publishers

I almost gave up on this book...

Any additional comments?

After finishing the previous book in the series, I read the synopsis to this story and grimaced. I realized it was another story filled with secrets that would cause un-needed angst and pain. When I first started this book, I was irate by Julia and Edward and the secret. I felt that Julia was needy and Edward an idiot. Although I wasn't daft enough to think that Julia really believed the rouse. I was one chapter away from stopping it but then the weirdest thing happened, the sh*t hit the fan and didn't dominate the remainder of the story and the character of Edward really came to life. I finally saw the real Edward that Lorraine Heath had been showing us since the previous book .

So many situations and comments about Edward (or from him) made so much sense now (him trying to help Ash with Minerva, him talking to Albert about Ash's financial problems, wanting to solve them for him). I was delighted. Julia took a short sojourn onto harpy lane but found herself back on the right lane after a while. I must say- I enjoyed watching these two develop a love that had been brewing for years... One knew it with all their being while another knew it but fought it. Edward was so giving, so thoughtful. He's nothing like what you see on the surface, you have to pay attention to the small nuances. Then there's Albert, the brother who knew more than one thought he did was great too. What a giving man he was even in death.

Two brothers who gave in the name of love. This book was amazing. My irritation all for nothing.

Thank you Lorraine Heath for the fantastic story.

I also realized Helen Loyd sounds better @ 1.1 speed. She sounds old and whiny at normal speed. The narration played a huge role in my rating of the previous book.

Unexpected twists

When you read a romance, you know it'll all work out somehow, but in this one, the HOW of working it out is a series of surprises. What talent and hard work went into building the plot!! I thoroughly enjoyed listening.

Satisfying, Emotional Tale

I love the intense, sometimes heart wrenching, emotions in Lorraine Heath's books. Although I could predict a lot of what would happen in this story, I didn't know how it would happen, and I relished hearing the story unfold. Helen Lloyd's narration suits perfectly. I really enjoy visiting with familiar characters from other Heath books, and I can't wait for the next in this series!

Well developed story and hero

Most people love the story of a forbidden romance. Heath tantalizes us with how she's going to create a happily ever after and she delivers. I like the emphasis on how Julia loves Albert and Edward - in different ways - never diminishing either love. The character development of Edward is superb.

The Widow and Her Husband's Twin

Helen Lloyd did an excellent job narrating The Earl Takes All. She's got a great voice and is easy to listen to. Story wise The Earl Takes all hit a lot of buttons for me, specifically the twin aspect. I really liked that our heroine had a nice happy marriage to her late husband. I also liked how the hero tried to stay away from them in order to not insert himself where he didn't belong. Some of the best parts of this book was when she was pregnant and unawares, also the kiss in the rose garden. After she became aware it felt forced. It's too bad that he couldn't have kept her in the dark (which I grant you is not part of the usual romance conversation, but it would've been a bit like enjoying your prince and having your beast too if she hadn't found out and that would've been hot).

This is a tough one to rate

From almost the beginning the situation in this book made me uncomfortable. I've never been a fan of twins switching places. I almost gave up on it but I kept on. It turned out better than I thought although I can't say I really liked it.

I wasn't happy that one of the Hellions was killed off. One of the things I enjoy in series like this is the continuing characters and having one die in book 2 was tough. I understand that it's good for a book to draw out an emotional response, or three or four, but they also serve as escapism and there are enough sad things in the real world. Just my two cents.

The narration was good.

Loved it!

I am not usually in the habit of buying audiobooks. Didn't particularly like the narrator, but the story is beautiful and full of love. You get to know Edward and understand him better. The epilogue is definitely one of the best parts.

GREAT

Loved it. Very well written and performed. Characters are well written and performed simply GREAT.

Couldn't finish it

Meh. Not as good as I had hoped. The story wasn't great and the narration was kind of droning.

My fav yet but LH

What a sweet book. Yes there is romance, however, this time the sweetness factor kept me engaged until the end.