One Good Earl Deserves a Lover

One Good Earl Deserves a Lover (2013) Sarah MacLean

Set in England in 1831.

Cross is the fourth partner in The Fallen Angel, the one who keeps the books and all but lives in the gaming hell. He also has a past from which he attempted to escape but has been unable to forgive himself.

Philippa Marbury loves botany and horticulture and anatomy. She loves to learn and as such is seen as odd by most of the ton. Given that, she accepted the proposal from Lord Castleton, because he is a kind man, despite being–not so bright.

I really love Castleton.

You’re brilliant and have a passion for animals and strange flowers, and you were always more interested in the crops that rotated on my estate than in the trappings of my town house. I’d never met a woman like you. But, even as I knew you were smarter than I, even as I knew that you knew that you were smarter than I . . . you never showed it. You’ve never given me any reason to believe you thought me simple. You always went out of your way to remind me of the things we had in common.

I’m glad he isn’t abandoned at the end of the book, although I think his finding love was a little bit too … neat. He deserved his HEA–but I wish it hadn’t been quite so tidy.

Cross is a much better hero than Bourne. He is a gentleman, and despite his reputation as a terrible rake, is a good man. He isn’t seeking revenge, and doesn’t want to hurt anyone–especially Philippa Marbury.

Phillipa is a fabulous heroine–she’s a geek, and doesn’t really care what anyone else thinks about it, although she appreciates what Penelope has tried to do (and done) for her.

“Marriage is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly.”

He blinked.

“That is from the ceremony,” she explained.

It was, without a doubt, the only time someone had quoted the Book of Common Prayer in his office. Possibly, in the entire building. Ever.

I really really love the scene between Phillipa and Sally.

“Men are uncomplicated, generally,” Sally said, all too sage.

“They’re beasts when they want to be.”

“Brute ones!”

“Ah, so you understand.”

Pippa tilted her head to one side. “I’ve read about them.”

Sally nodded. “Erotic texts?”

“The Book of Common Prayer. But perhaps you have an erotic text you could recommend?”

But mostly I adore Phillipa.

“Hmm.” She did not seem to believe him. “You do not frequent prostitutes?”

“I do not.”

“I am not entirely certain that I support the profession.”

“No?” Thank God. He would not put it past Pippa to simply pronounce a newfound desire to explore all aspects of the world’s oldest profession.

“No.” She shook her head. “I am concerned that the ladies are ill-treated.”

There isn’t quite as much science as I’d wish, but that’s because there’s a lot of boinking. But it’s still marvelous.
Rating: 8.5/10

Published by Avon

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