What Ales the Earl

I just knew from the title and the play on words this might be a fun read. I was not disappointed in the least. Penelope Barnes makes her home with her young daughter at the Puddledon Manor's Benevolent Home for fallen ladies. She went there years ago to make a life for herself and put behind her affair with Harry Graham before he went off to war. She also became part of the ladies operating their own alehouse and brewery. Harry is now back in England and contemplating his own marriage when he makes a visit to Little Puddledon and comes in contact with Penelope again. He makes assumptions when he sees her daughter and does not realize at first it is his own. This second chance at love tale has a little of it all. Secrets, snappy banter and a chance at love that is so heartwarming. Do not miss this first book in the Widow's Brew series.

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 summer of love 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, for whom she would do anything even marry a boring country vicar. Harry went off to fight for the Crown unaware that his delightful interlude with his childhood friend Pen 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’s asked by his friend the Duke of Grainger to explore Little Puddledon, he jumps at the chance. I enjoyed the book & liked the premis of the Home but I did have issues with Harry, his attitude to Pen annoyed me & I for one would have left him high & dry, he did however redeem himself in the end after an hilarious scene at the cottage. Pen had to grow up when she found out she was pregnant & had to leave home, she’s forged a life for herself & Harriet. The characters are well developed & the pace of the story was good. This is the start of a new series & I look forward to some of the other residents having their stories My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read