Love and duty clash in the third Wallflower of West Lane novel

     Historical romance author A. S. Fenichel is back with the third book in the ​Wallflowers of West Lane series! In Capturing the Earl, we see Mercy try to navigate love as well as the societal pressures of Regency London as she tries to reach her own happily ever after.
     After the demise of her friend's disastrous marriage, Mercedes Parsons isn't about to let the widowed Wallflower of West Lane, Lady Aurora Radcliff, undertake another perilous trip to the altar. At least, not before the bridegroom-to-be is thoroughly investigated. If only Mercy could stop her uncharacteristic daydreaming about Wesley Renshaw's charm, his intellect, his dashing good looks. After all, the earl has already set his sights on her best friend! She must keep her wits about her and avoid giving into temptation. Wesley is both irritated and intrigued by the machinations of Mercy—He cannot let her cleverness and beauty distract him. He needs to marry her friend, Aurora, so he can reclaim his family's ancestral home. A wrong he has hoped to right his entire life. Besides, who is penniless spinster Mercedes Parsons to decide whom he can and cannot marry? Yet while he admires her unwavering loyalty to her friends, he decides it's high time the misguided woman had a dose of her own medicine. Two can play at this spying game. But they are both embarked on a dangerous charade. And it won’t be merely Mercy's reputation at risk—or her heart on the line—as Wesley comes to the inescapable conclusion that he has found the right woman at exactly the wrong time.
     If you’re looking for a historical romance series to sweep you off your feet then this is the series for you! The Wallflowers of West Lane never cease to make me smile  and their friendship is so resilient, just as each girl is in her own way. 
     I loved Mercy and Wesley’s romance, even if it does take a bit for them to actually accept their feelings for one another. Wesley’s stubbornness in thinking he must marry Aurora is a bit frustrating, but everything finds a way to work itself out, as all great romances do. So if you don’t mind a bit of a slow burn, then this romance is definitely worth waiting for. Additionally, Mercy’s connection to music and the way it’s intermixed with her and Wesley’s romance is so interesting to read about and really transports readers to Regency London!
     We get to see series favorites like Nick, Rhys, and Geb Arafa, but also get a deeper look at some of the older characters like Mercy’s aunt and Rhys and Aurora’s mother. All of these characters intermingling brings the story together yet also allows for Mercy and Wesley to shine through. This book took a bit deeper of a dive into status and duty to your family name while also emphasizing a great love story.
     Overall, this is a well written novel that shows that love can overcome duty and societal standards. While I don’t know if there will be a fourth Wallflowers of West Lane book, I look forward to seeing what Fenichel will write next!

*I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington Books in exchange for my honest opinion.

---