Reviewed by Heather C
Title: Saving Crofton Hall
Author: Rebecca Cohen
Series: Stately Passions #1
Heroes: Benjamin Redbourn/Ashley Niven
Genre: MM Contemporary Romance
Length: 240 Pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: November 24, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner Press and Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: Benjamin Redbourn, Earl of Crofton, has no intention of giving up his beloved ancestral home without a fight. Faced with his mother’s gambling debts, forgery, and the possibility of foreclosure by the bank, Ben vows to make Crofton Hall pay for herself. But opening an Elizabethan manor house to the public isn’t a one man job. With time running out, Ben needs help—and fast.
Ashley Niven has experience managing events, and he also loves history. Being in charge of opening Crofton Hall is a dream come true. As he works with Ben to prepare the house as a venue for lavish weddings and receptions, Ashley finds himself drawn not just to the charm of the house but to the dashing Earl of Crofton. Even if Ashley can look past Ben’s playboy reputation, he fears an affair could prove too much of a distraction.
But Crofton Hall has many secrets, and something hidden for over four hundred years is about to change all their lives.
Review:
Once upon a time, there was a lonely Earl of Crofton, the 16th Lord Crofton to be exact. Anyway, back to the tale. After having his heart broken, he flitted from bed to bed, never taking the same lover. Then one day, after his mother had gambled away the family fortune, the bank threatens to take his home. With the hopes of saving Crofton Hall, The Earl seeks to hire an event planner to help open his home to the public. This is the story of Benjamin Redbourn, the 16th Lord Crofton, and Ashley Niven, his employee that was impossible to resist.
So I don’t read as many contemporary romances as I used to, but I recently read the three books of the historical Crofton Chronicles series (The Actor and the Earl, Duty to the Crown and Forever Hold His Peace)…when I found out a spin-off series was being written at Crofton and started with one of Anthony’s descendants, well, I HAD TO READ IT!
A few things to know:
It was a bit disorienting for me being brought back to the 21st Century after spending so much time in the early 1600s! I was missing Anthony and Sebastian terribly, but was ecstatic to discover that the memory of them has not been forgotten. In fact, I expect more will be learned about the couple in the future.
It was VERY British, but I think I’ve read enough of this type in my time that I didn’t struggle much with the language. Plus, there is a handy glossary at the end of the story, which was hilariously written by Benjamin Redbourn himself and gives detailed examples of each term.
It did take me a bit to get into Ben and Ashley’s story. I don’t know if it is because it’s a contemporary or because it got a little tedious with all the “planning” details…maybe I was just longing for more Anthony and Sebastian. But once I realized that Ben and Ashley were going to FIGHT the attraction they had for each other, then I was hooked. There’s nothing I love more than a slow burn romance with tons of sexual tension! And the “wooing” was very sweet and romantic!
My only disappointment in this story is that I simply wanted MORE of Ben and Ashley…I didn’t want it to end when it did and feel that there were a few things left unresolved. They HAVE more story to tell!!!!!! I was sad to learn that the other books in this series are planned out to introduce new couples, but I’m still hopeful I will get to see the “events” that I want, only Ben and Ashley will be side characters instead of the main couple. I will certainly be reading the next “Crofton” story…
I said earlier that Saving Crofton Hall is sort of a spin-off from the Crofton Chronicles series, but it can easily be read on it’s on by those who aren’t fans of historical romances. I just suspect that some of the nostalgia would be lost on an unfamiliar reader.
Overall Impression: I Really Liked It
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair and honest review.*
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