Genre: Contemporary, A Little Historical
LGBTQ+ Category: Bi, Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
How he’d kept his cool, Ben will never know, but learning he owes the bank £5million thanks to his mother’s gambling debts means he must act fast if he doesn’t want to lose his beloved family home.
To save Crofton Hall, Ben Redbourn, the 16th Earl of Crofton, is going to need all his charm, lots of hard work, and not a small amount of luck. But he can’t do it alone, Ben needs help—and he needs it now. Enter Ashley Niven, events manager extraordinaire, and best friend of Ben’s little sister. Ashley might once have been a dweeby teenager, but he’s grown up nicely and Ben needs to remember he’s the boss, and that means keeping his hands to himself.
But Crofton Hall has many untold stories, and she’s hiding a secret dating back four hundred years to the 1st Earl of Crofton, Anthony Redbourn, which might just change all their lives.
Benjamin Redbourn is the modern-day descendant of Anthony Redbourn, the 1st Earl of Crofton from the mm historical romance series The Crofton Chronicles.
Previously published, this second edition has been re-edited for release.
The Review
Benjamin Redbourn is the 16th Earl of Crofton. At the age of thirty, he’s the man of the house, with the passing of his father. Ben is out on the town in New York City, sowing his oats and adding to his already notable reputation – because of an ex-boyfriend, Ben had taken a wrong turn in life.
A call from his sister Catlin has him heading home to England. Crofton Hall Ben’s true home, and regardless of where he roams, he always returns. He heads to the west wing where the family resides, but he’s stunned with what he finds. Elena Rebourn, Lady Crofton and Ben’s mother, has put the family estate in turmoil. She’s has to pay her gambling debts with many of the family’s expensive antiques, and they are in jeopardy of loosing Crofton Hall, the family home.
Ben is not going down without a fight. He takes steps to keep Crofton from being sold, and even puts up his own finances to make it happen. But it’s not that easy – the bank is adamant that they open Crofton Hall to the public.
Not knowing the importance of an event manager, Ben gets lucky. Catlin has a best friend who just happens to have all the expertise that’s needed for the job.
Ashley Niven has worked hard at a castle for four years, and suddenly finds he will be out of a job. His apartment is falling apart, and he has nothing left to lose. When his best friend Catlin gives him a call about the events manager position, he heads to Crofton Hall. He accepts the job, and has to get the place up and running as one of the most prestigious places for a variety of events.
All the work involved is an eye opener for Ben. He has a lot to learn, regardless of being charming, snarky and the boss. Ashley finds himself reprimanding Ben on the etiquettes of this new venture.
As Ben and Ashley grow closer, there are doubts, misunderstandings and family issues that they will both have to deal with.
Cohen wowed me once again with this novel. The story has everything: family drama, tarnished reputations, self-doubts, and even a bit of action and adventure. It’s also, hilarious at times, like when Ben has to speak in front of the UFO spotters, or meet Clive Meling at the Women’s Institute event.
Most of all, Cohen brings the world of Shakespeare to the page with the beautiful, romantic letters of Sebastian Hewel and Anthony Redbourn, the first Earl. The British flavor of Cohen’s world comes through perfectly – be sure to check out the “Glossary of British Terms.”
Along with the shinning couple of Ashley and Ben come a host of entertaining characters.
Bens family includes Mother Elena, brother Harry and of course sister Catlin. Ashleys family has a handful too – his mother, Josie and Father, Niall, who has a shady past. There’s Mrs. Weathers, who is always feeding everyone, and Billins, who never bats an eye at all the goings on! And someone that we’re bound to hear from again, Professor Madeline Timmory.
Rebecca Cohen entertained me thoroughly with the “Reagalous” series, and now she’s hooked me with the “Modern Crofton Hall” series. Now I’m tempted to read “The Crofton Chronicles” and the “Earl of Crofton” series as well. There’s more to come with the “Modern Crofton Hall” series with the second novel Making History at Crofton Hall. I can’t wait!
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
