What Ales the Earl

Widow’s Brew Series, Book 1

By: Sally MacKenzie

Narrated by: Justine Eyre

Length: 9 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Scandal does not define the "fallen" ladies of Puddledon Manor's Benevolent Home. Instead, it's a recipe for an intoxicating new future as the women combine their talents - to operate their own brewery and alehouse....

When Penelope Barnes arrived at the Home with her young daughter, she discovered a knack for horticulture - and for cultivating the hops needed to produce a superlative pint. She put her scandalous affair with Harry Graham firmly in the past, along with the wrenching pain she felt when he went off to war. After all, she'd always known a farmer's daughter had no future with an earl's son. Now, she has the pleasant memory of their passion, and she has little Harriet....

Harry went off to fight for the Crown unaware his delightful interlude with his childhood friend had permanent consequences. Now, he's back in England, catapulted into the title by his brother's untimely death. He sorely misses his former life of unfettered adventure, so when he has reason to explore Little Puddledon, he jumps at the chance. But what he finds there is something - and someone - he never knew he'd lost, and a once-forbidden love whose time has come, if only he can persuade Pen he's home to stay....

Contains mature themes.

©2018 Sally MacKenzie (P)2018 Tantor

Disappointed!

Story was ok however, way to many thoughts and not enough conversation...The ending was disappointing and flat! Loved the narrator!

Average storyline

The narrator is fantastic, as she is in all novels. The story was a little shallow without much intrigue.

Good enough

I found this book to be interesting because of the resignment the couple adopted to the rules of society. That is very different than other Regency books that usually about at least one of the couple trying to buck society rules. There were many sweet moments. I didn't particularly like the sex scene... but the flashbacks to their teen sexual exploitation was quite funny at times.
WONDERFUL Narrator!!

Enjoyed both the story and narration.

I was impressed with the strength of the single mother who has made a way for her daughter and herself. I also enjoyed the hero’s journey from what life has to be to what life can be.

Slow moving story

Not any kick to the story at all. Rather boring. The main characters don’t seem to function well together. I felt like parts of the story was left untold.

Not at all regency

Modern language and customs spoil this pulp regency story. It would make a better book if set in contemporary times.

Not bad

Not an ideal story for the historical period. The heroin having sex and getting pregnant at a young age when she is suppose to save herself for her husband. I will never understand why females would do that, during that era, when the most valuable thing they have is their reputation.

Rekindled love

It was nice the new Earl ran into the love of his youth and they married. But the whole thing a bit absurd as he’d planned on a marriage of convenience without any thought of this former love interest. It really seemed like he made a better choice than what he had planned on rather than a reunion of soulmates.

Story a bit tedious

Just okay. I liked the idea of the story so I stuck with it, but it droned on. I kept skipping ahead to avoid the long, long drivel that had nothing to do with anything nor did it advance the story. Justine Eyre did a good job with mediocre material.