The Shadow Earl

By: Stella Riley

Narrated by: Alex Wyndham

Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

At the end of his Grand Tour, somewhere between Athens and Constantinople, Christian Selwyn, the young Earl of Hazelmere, vanished—seemingly without trace.

Time passes. In London, his uncle and cousin move into his home, while his unofficial fiancée, Sophia, is left desolate and in limbo.

Finally, his friends–loyal and close as brothers–set out to search in person, determined to find him and bring him home.

Christian’s startling re-appearance at a grand ball hosted by his uncle takes society by storm, fueling endless speculation. Where has he been during these three missing years? What happened to him? And more importantly, how did it happen?

Only one thing is clear. The earl who left England five years ago has returned a changed man. A man with secrets....

©2023 Stella Riley (P)2023 Stella Riley

Excellent

Stella Riley does it again! “The Shadow Earl” is another great audiobook and when Alex Wyndham is the narrator, I will listen!

Good story!

This is my first Stella Riley novel, and it won’t be my last. Hopefully she’s written more concerning some of the secondary characters.

Amazing story

This is my go to author and narrator when I need an emotional boost. I like a bit of mystery and intrigue but really want the HEA. I was a bit surprised thinking this one might take a darker turn but was surprised when we found out what really happened in captivity. It also brought to light that what is very traumatic and devastating to us may be perceived differently by others. She didn't less his feelings or emotions from the trauma but had his support system step up and be understanding. Great job Stella. Can't wait for the next book.

Stella & Alex

Charming story. The writing and narration superb once again in this new series. I enjoyed that it connects with previous characters.

How well the book was narrated.

Liked it all. The characters were well described and I could picture them all as if in a movie.

Clean love story set in 18th century England.

Stella Riley never fails to deliver excellence and this is no exception. It is written in the “Rockford” style and the characters from her other books made a cameo appearance.
Alex Wyndham does a great job narrating this book.
I highly recommend this book.

GOBBLED IT UO IN A DAY - AN EXCELLENT LISTEN

STELLA RILEY HAS DELIVERED ANOTHER DEEP AND DELICIOUS STORY INVOLVING A YOUNG EARL, CHRISTIAN, SOPHIA THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE , A GROUP OF CLOSE MALE FRIENDS AND A TRAITOROUS RELATIVE, BASIL.

CHRISTIAN HAS BEEN A HAPPY, EASY GOING AND CARING INDIVIDUAL BUT DUE TO AN ABUSIVE SITUATION HE HAS ESCAPED, HE HARDLY KNOWS HIMSELF AND IS COMPLETELY BOTTLED UP INSIDE AND FEELS LITTLE OR NO EMOTION, FOR THREE YEARS HE WAS IMPRISONED BY A TURKISH NOBLE AND TOTALLY DEMORALIZED . I PARTICULARLY LIKE THAT IT IS THE MALE CHARACTER THAT IS DEALING WITH THE EMOTIONAL STATE CAUSED BY THIS IMPRISONMENT. HE FINDS HIMSELF A STRANGER, BITTER, TOUCHY, UNABLE TO FACE PEOPLE AND INCAPABLE OF RETURNING SOPHIA’S LOVE. HE LITERALLY HAS REGULAR PANIC ATTACKS, BUT HIS STALWART FRIENDS, BENEDICT, DANIEL, ANTHONY AND GERALD, WHO ACTUALLY RESCUED HIM ARE NOW COMMITTED TO HELPING HIM THROUGH THE MINEFIELD THAT IS HIS RETURN TO LIFE AND HIGH SOCIETY. SOPHIA ALSO IS THERE TO HELP HIM THROUGH THIS DARK TIME, DEEPLY IN LOVE BUT ALLOWING HIM THE FREEDOM TO STEP AWAY IF HE NEEDS.

SOPHIA IS A KIND AND ALTOGETHER LOVELY YOUNG LADY AND UNFAILING IN HER RESOLVE TO RESTORE KIT. HER FAMILY LIFE IS SOMEWHAT DIFFICULT, WITH AN OVERBEARING MOTHER, A DYING FATHER, A WASPISH AND JEALOUS SISTER WHO CONSTANTLY COMPLAINS AND HAS NO EMPATHY AND THEN THE OTHER LOVE OF HER LIFE, HER LITTLE SISTER JULIA. JENNY WHO IS A DEAF MUTE, ISOLATED FROM MOST OF THE WORLD AND HELD BACK BY HER MOTHER AND HER DISABILITY. SOPHIA, ALONE HAS LEARNED SIGN LANGUAGE AND SHE IS JULIA’S WHOLE SUPPORT SYSTEM IN THE HOME. IRONICALLY JULIA, WHO HAS REAL PROBLEMS, IS A SUNNY AND UNCOMPLAINING 17 YEAR OLD, ACCEPTING OF THE HAND SHE HAS BEEN DEALT.

KIT CONTINUES TO STRUGGLE AND SOPHIA’S MOTHER IS PRESSURING THEM TO MARRY, A FURTHER STRESS TO HIS ALREADY OVERWHELMED STATE. BASIL AND HIS FATHER OCCUPIED KIT’S HOUSE AND SPENT VAST SUMS DURING HIS ABSENCE. BASIL IS CONSUMED WITH JEALOUSY AND HATRED AND HE STARTS TO DROP GOSSIP IN THE “right ears” TO FURTHER DAMAGE KIT’S REPUTATION AND STABILITY. WE FIND OUT SHORTLY, THAT BASIL ACTUALLY ENGINEERED THE KIDNAPPING AND WANTED HIM DEAD. KIT’S FIRST DECISION IS TO KICK BASIL AND HIS FATHER OUT OF HIS HOME FURTHER ENRAGING BASIL AND HIS FATHER AND THE TWO REFUSE TO GO. THIS LEADS TO AN UGLY CONFRONTATION INVOLVING BAILIFFS.

WHAT IS MOST INTERESTING IS GOING THROUGH THE EMOTIONAL JOURNEY KIT MUST ENDURE- HE IS STILL LOCKED INSIDE, HAS FITS OF RAGE WHICH HORRIFY HIM AND HAS NIGHTMARES WHICH HAUNT HIM, . HE IS ASHAMED AND HUMILIATED AND HAS LITTLE TO NO PERSPECTIVE. GRADUALLY HE LETS SOPHIA IN, TELLING HER MORE AND LEARNING TO TRUST HER AGAIN. DUE TO A DEATH, THEY MARRY QUIETLY AND THIS INTIMACY LEADS TO FURTHER HEALING . FROM THE BEGINNING HE HAS FELT THE NEED FOR JUSTICE (WHICH HE REALIZES IS MOSTLY REVENGE). HE KNOWS BASIL BETRAYED HIM , BUT WITH NO EVIDENCE HE NEEDS BASIL TO CONFESS. HIS FRIENDS AND HE ALONG WITH SOPHIA, HATCH A PLAN TO CATCH BASIL OUT AND MAKE HIM CONFESS WHICH SUCCEEDS.

THE LESSON KIT LEARNS, I THINK, IS THAT REVENGE IS NOT AS SATISFYING AS HE HOPED, BUT JUSTICE IS NECESSARY FOR THE GREATER GOOD . IN THE END HE JUST WANTS THE SITUATION DEALT WITH AND AT AN END SO HE CAN GO ON WITH HIS LIFE.

KIT AND SOPHIA ARE A LOVELY COUPLE AND WE SEE BOTH OF THEM BLOSSOM AS THEY GROW CLOSER. SOPHIA LEARNS TO DEAL WITH HER MOTHER AND GAINS CONFIDENCE AND DIGNITY, BECOMING A TRUE COUNTESS.

THE EMOTIONAL DEPTH OF THIS NOVEL AND WONDERFUL CHARACTERS, MAKE IT A MUST READ FOR ANY WHO LOVE HISTORICAL FICTION AT ITS ABSOLUTE BEST. AS ALWAYS, ALEX WYDHAM DOES A STELLAR JOB, INHABITING EACH OF THE UNIQUE CHARACTERS AND MAKING THEM SPRING OFF THE PAGE . HE AND STELLA ARE AN AMAZING TEAM AND UNLIKE MANY AUTHORS, STELLA AND ALEX WORK CLOSELY TOGETHER TO BRING THE BEST EXPERIENCE POSSIBLE. STELLA’S CHARACTERS ARE NOT CARICATURES AND ARE A DELIGHT TO READ AND FOR ME, THE AUDIO EXPERIENCE IS OUTSTANDING.

EXCELLENT

Superbly written and narrated story of true love that endures even a lengthy separation, physical and emotional hardships survived and overcome, loyal friends who are always steadfast, and, of course, a slimy villain! It's always a great pleasure to listen to the SUPREMELY talented Alex Wyndham, who not only brings alive the large cast of young men but also the gentle heroine, her nasty mother, her spiteful sister, and her sweet, cheerful youngest sister who is deaf and "signs" (a very nice addition to the story).

The healing power of love

This delightful Georgian romance is a spinoff from the author's previous Rockliffe and Brandon Brothers series. It features mainly new characters, but many characters from the previous books appear in supporting roles of various degree. The story itself shows the healing power of love: the hero, Christian, returns from a long absence in a state that might be called PTSD, and the lady of his heart has been bullied by her selfish family members while faithfully awaiting him in spite of the growing probability that he is gone forever. However, the loyal bond between the hero and his friends and the strong and constant love between him and the heroine Sophie gradually leads to an emotional healing. Meanwhile, Christian and Sophie also work on helping her deaf sister and the hero and his friends are on a quest of justice. The darker threads of the abuse suffered by Christian and his PTSD are balanced by the lighthearted banter among friends, the open and honest communication between hero and heroine and their romantic moments so that overall, this is a heartwarming and entertaining read. As always, Stella Riley is completely at home in the world of the Georgian aristocracy, describing the details of their life with a deft and yet light hand. The narrator, Alex Wyndham, does an outstanding job in the vocal portrait of the various characters, the conveying of complex emotions: the gut-wrenching memories of the hero's captivity and his doubts whether he is still worthy of being loved, and the heartwarming thread of love and loyalty and understanding that shine between the protagonist couple and the group of friends. I have always enjoyed listening to Alex Wyndham's voice and this experience measures up to the high expectations his past masterly narrations built up. I heartily recommend this book to historical romance fans.

My favorite from Stella so far

I enjoyed this book thoroughly. The storyline was interesting and characters well done.
Narrator is superb.