Good Earls Don't Lie by Michelle Willingham
Publication Date: September 27, 2016
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Amazon Link: HERE
Received From: Netgalley (in exchange for an honest review)


Summary (from Amazon):
Lady Rose Thornton never expected to find a half-naked man in her garden. The handsome Irishman claims to be the Earl of Ashton, but was Iain Donovan truly robbed by thieves? Or is he merely an impoverished stranger lying to her?

After losing everything in the potato famine, Iain is searching for a wife whose dowry will save his estate. The beautiful and charming Lady Rose, unable to walk because of an illness that stole her strength, agrees to help him find a wife, but only if he will help her learn to take her first steps.

As their friendship takes root and blossoms into something more, secrets about Iain's birthright threaten the growing feelings between them. He has no right to love a woman like Rose, who deserves a better life than he can give her. Rose believes that there is more to Iain than a broken past, and she brings light to his shadows.

Within the walls of a secret garden, sometimes miracles happen...

Review:
After losing her ability to walk after eating bad potatoes, Rose tries to regain her strength so she can walk on her own again. But while attempting to do so in the garden, she comes across a half-naked man. Iain lost his clothes and horse to thieves, which isn't a good start to his time in England. He, as the new Earl of Ashton, came to England looking for a rich bride in order to save his estate and those who depend on it, and Rose agrees to help after hearing his predicament. But as they spend more time together, their friendship turns into something more, but can they give into their desires or is it better to go separate ways?

I really liked the idea of Rose not being able to walk, because it was interesting seeing her try to overcome her disability. I also liked that Rose and Iain began as friends and it took some time to develop romantic feelings toward each other. But I think that's where the book fell flat for me, because I didn't feel the chemistry between Rose and Iain, which was disappointing. Therefore, it was hard to root for the couple since I couldn't see them together in a romantic sense. The characters also made too many excuses as to why they couldn't be together, which was a little frustrating. I thought they could have easily sorted out their differences instead of yearning for each other from afar.

Overall, although Good Earls Don't Lie was well written, I was disappointed by the lack of chemistry between Rose and Iain.

Rating: