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Jemma Frost is a genius at creating emotionally complex characters within a hauntingly beautiful romance. Owen Lennox, the future Earl Of Trent, and Lily Taylor, a professor’s daughter, have a fiery, intense relationship as young adults. Lily does what she feels to be right and breaks Owen’s heart while simultaneously ruining her life. Years later, the couple is thrown together again, and the chaotic, sensual attraction ignites again.
Lily has become one of my favorite heroines of the year! Lily is impulsive, bold, and argumentative. Lily has suffered tremendous emotional trauma in her past and has become a shadow of who she was. This vibrant, charismatic girl has become a dismally pragmatic fatalist. She suffers physically through terrible migraines. Lily lashes out at those she loves. Lily is not the diminutive, sweet wallflower I read about so often; she is a multifaceted woman unsure of her maternal capabilities she is facing with an unplanned pregnancy.
Owen’s character is perfection! Owen is a loving, caring man who is responsible and trustworthy. Heartbroken by Lily’s betrayal, Owen finds himself years later attached to this angry, mercurial woman who is carrying his child. Owen is sweet, understanding, and patient towards Lily, even when he doesn’t completely trust her with his heart.
The plot was messy and gritty. The couple faces the aftermath of a past betrayal and the stress of a surprise pregnancy. Lily’s reaction to her pregnancy is confusion and terror. Both Owen and Lily harbor major trust issues and past heartbreak. The sensual scenes were exquisite! I didn’t want them to end! The physicality and passion between Owen and Lily were pure fire. The beginning prologue sets the story up perfectly. The two epilogues were beautifully crafted. The storyline was honest and genuine, confronting emotions we would usually avoid.
I loved this romantic journey of two broken, imperfect people. Owen and Lily learn to trust and love slowly and sweetly. Lily’s love letters were heartwarming, and Owen’s water scene with Lily was breathtaking. The individual scenes in each chapter painted vivid, organic pictures full of tragic beauty. An Earl Like Any Other is the second book in The Garden Girls series. The previous prequel and first novel were excellent, and Owen and Lily’s romance raised that bar. Jemma Frost has created heart-wrenching beauty. The imperfections of the characters are what made this book a heartbreakingly gorgeous read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book through the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Release Date: June 23, 2022
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