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The Actor And The Earl (2012)

by Rebecca Cohen(Favorite Author)

3.52 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

1623801508 (ISBN13: 9781623801502)

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

Dreamspinner Press

series

The Crofton Chronicles

review 1: I don't read historical novels. I just don't I especially don't read historical romance. So why did I sit down and read this book in two sittings (damn the need for sleep)?The story itself is simple, if fresh and quite unique. Anthony, the Earl of Crofton needs to marry into a family who is overtly loyal to Queen Elizabeth. He arranges a marriage with Bronwyn Hewel. Unfortunately Bronwyn runs off with a stable hand just before the wedding.Sebastian Hewel is an actor in a Shakespearean troupe. As it is considered unlucky for women to take the stage, and as Sebastian is relatively new, he plays only female roles. Thus he is adept at pretending to be a woman, which is no mean feat when considering the amount of clothing women are required to wear at these times.It suits both ... moreparties, that Sebastian take on the role of his twin sister and marry the Earl. Of course they then fall in love and have a series of adventures, as lovers do,There is nothing particularly remarkable about the story, but the way it is written is definitely cause for celebration. The story is told in a very straightforward way and gives you a glimpse into the lives of a poor actor and a super rich Earl, in Victorian London, without overloading you with information or trying to teach you anything.We learn a lot about women's dress because we struggle with it alongside poor Sebastian, and we learn a lot about a woman's role in society because Sebastian is forced to learn pdq and again we struggle to get to grips with it alongside him. There are some beautiful historical details and a very delicate hand in painting pictures of day to day life, even down to the books they read and the games they played. There must have been a lot of research as the book is full of little authentic details, such as a doll being called a poppet, ladies taking ale with their breakfast, and eels having so many bones they have to be picked from the palate. Of course the bigger authentic details are astounding as well.It's amazing there's room for sex scenes but my goodness there are. I never realized how erotic it was to have to strip off so many clothes. The sex is hot but not gratuitous and fits in perfectly with the tone and pace of the story.Whilst I can't, in all honesty, say this is at the top of my favourites list, this is only because I have read some pretty amazing books and it is saying a lot that it has made its way onto the list very comfortably. I would recommend this book without qualms to both those who love, and those who generally hate historical romance.
review 2: this book is definitely different as it explores the ideas and themes of cross dressage in the theatre during the time of Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeths the 1st rein. Twins Bronwyn and Sebastian Hewl are identical twins so when Bronwyn runs away to marry another man Sebastian steps up to pay the role of his life as Lord Croftons wife. this story entertains and I love how it weaves Shakespeare's comedies into the plot Much Ado and As You Like It also with Sebastian and Browyn a bit of twelve night. Enjoyable read for anyone who enjoys a different twist on the historical romance less

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