Girls Before Earls: A Rogues to Lovers Novel (Rogues To Lovers, 1) Mass Market Paperback – December 28, 2021

Absolutely charming and fun from start to finish. I love Anna Bennett’s books and their female-positive themes. Another terrific book.

There's a lot to enjoy about this book and it's a solid series opener, but I did end up giving this four stars, even despite how much I love Anna Bennett. I do believe book 2 is better, namely with the chemistry between H/h. Still, we've got a mash-up of good tropes here: prim and proper headmistress at an all girls school, tortured hero, single father(ish), and opposites attract. A great combination indeed, if not for the 'I can't give my heart to you because I've been hurt before' premise. Admittedly, it's not my favorite trope, mostly because it's a mental hang-up that someone should be over long before entering into a courtship, but even in this instance, it still made for a compelling story between two people that seemed unlikely to change. My only regret about this was that Blade and Hazel spent a little *too* much time trying deny themselves of what they really wanted, and a little too much time dancing around the inevitable. As a couple, they are well-suited for each other, even despite their initial denial otherwise. They can relate to each other on many levels, as they both have past wounds that need healing and personal growth to achieve. Hazel's ability to adapt in any environment is remarkable and a testament to her character. As we see in most books like these, Hazel is ultimately able to work wonders with Kitty, Blade's ward. Kitty's transformation is satisfying, and seeing her form such strong bonds with the other girls is applause-worthy, much in the same way that Hazel's courage and tenacity are. Overall, this book is not a slow burn by any means, but if you enjoy a very low-angst story with mutual mental anguish on both sides and a dash of spice, give this a try.

Enjoyed Girls Before Earls. Loved Ms. Hazel Lively's dedication to her Bellehaven Academy for girls. Even though she put the girls and Bellehaven before her love life to Gabriel Beckett, Earl of Bladenton, in the beginning of their relationship. She was able to find satisfaction in having both. Enjoyable book by Anna Bennett.

Liked MMC and FMC, the side characters were good as well . cute and light romance ,cute.HEA a bit predictable

Witty, heartfelt and emotional, Anna Bennett’s Girls Before Earls is historical romance gold!Having endured the unimaginable loss of her parents at a tender age, Hazel Lively had found great solace in books after a formidable headmistress had taken her under her wing and given her a place at her school. Hazel had flourished under her teachers’ tutelage and vowed to one day have a school of her own. After a great deal of sacrifices, Hazel’s dream had finally come true having opened her own academy for young ladies in the coastal town of Bellehaven Bay. Unfortunately, Hazel had soon realized that one cannot run a school on dedication and a passion for learning and literature alone. With the school losing money and the number of enrollments at an all time low, Hazel is afraid that her cherished dream will come to a devastating end – until Gabriel Beckett, Earl of Bladenton, strides through her door and begs her to take his niece off his hands!Experience had taught Blade that affairs of the heart were strictly not for him. Having had his heart completely and utterly crushed, Blade has decided on a marriage of convenience. His life is complicated enough as it is and the last thing he wants is to be saddled with a hellion for a niece who has been expelled from every single school in London. Blade is at the end of his tether and Bellehaven Academy is his very last resort – so why is the headmistress Hazel Lively giving him such a hard time and refusing to take on his niece despite of the vast sums of money he is throwing her way?When Hazel finally relents, her agreement hinges on one startling condition: every fortnight Blade has to come to the school to spend time with his ward. Blade had thought that he could leave his niece at Bellehaven Academy and barely see her from one term to the next, but as he is absolutely desperate, he finds himself with no other choice but to agree to Hazel’s demands. However, little did Blade realise that his niece’s new school will not only help to bring him closer to his ward, but it will also help to bring down the defenses he had built around his heart.The more time Blade spends in Bellehaven Bay, the more he finds himself falling in love with Hazel – and it seems that the redoubtable headmistress reciprocates his feelings for her. As their attraction to one another intensifies, Blade and Hazel find themselves torn between duty and desire. Will they allow their fears and responsibilities to get in the way of their future? Or will their love manage to triumph against all the obstacles standing in their way?Anna Bennett’s Girls Before Earls is historical romance at its enchanting best. I absolutely adored this poignant, uplifting and spellbinding romantic tale that sparkles with plenty of charm, wit and humor.Hazel and Blade are two fantastic characters I fell in love with from the moment they first appeared on the page. Hazel was a strong, resilient and kind-hearted heroine readers will root for and Blade was a dashing, honorable and gorgeous hero I couldn’t help but swoon over.Anna Bennett is such a gifted writer and with Girls Before Earls, she has written a stellar historical romance that belongs on everybody’s keeper shelf!I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Miss Hazel Lively runs a school for girls giving them the education and opportunities she believes all girls deserve no matter their circumstances. Gabriel Beckett, Earl of Bladenton, enrolls his niece Kitty in the school. Hazel and Blade knock heads at first but slowly the walls come down and the passions flare up. Sweet but missing the clever banter I like when reading historical romances.