I Love the Earl

Fantastic...I want more!!!

Review by Valerie:

Caroline Linden, why isn't this book longer? I want more!!! This is a new ebook being offered by HarperCollins digital line, Avon Impulse. Did I mention I felt it was too short for me because I absolutely and totally loved it?! Also, there are many references to Pride and Prejudice that you will catch if you are a fan too which only endeared the story to me even more.

This book had it all: the chemistry you want between characters, a historical setting, a romance that builds. Sigh. I loved the banter between the characters. It had me laughing out loud over and over. Margaret is not the quiet socialite her chaperone wants her to be and by the time she meets Rhys, she's had enough. She curtly tells him where he can go and put himself if he thinks he has any chance at all with her. Hysterical. I loved this scene!

As time goes on (and it goes by too quickly), he continues to court her in the most unusual way, totally getting her attention, which is his plan. She doubts that he is really attracted to her, which her brother also suspects. While the ending is somewhat predictable, the road to getting there is not! I so look forward to reading other books by this author and will be crossing my fingers that she makes them four times as long so I can selfishly escape for a few hours longer into her world.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Cute Read

If a reader is in the mood for a delightful and uplifting romance that warms the heart and brings a smile to their face, then I Love the Earl is going to deliver what they're looking for.

I liked the way the author laid the groundwork for the story. I understood where Margaret was coming from and how she had to settle for her lot in life. What I appreciated was how the heroine never lost her sense of self, her humor, or feelings of self-worth. She adjusted, accepted and yet deep inside, she still had her dreams. The lack of her dreams coming true did not turn her into a bitter young woman, but I credit that to the healthy relationship with her brother, Francis. But even big, doting older brothers aren't perfect as I found out later in the book.

A person who is not comfortable or accepting of his lot in life is Rhys, the sixth Earl of Dowling. Poor guy had a string of rotten luck and it's put him in an untenable situation with truly only one option open to save himself. I like that he didn't take the cowards way out, or this would have been a really short story. As it is, Rhys decides to marry the money. I quirked a smile at his confidence because he believed that it would be so easy to do. Nothing good comes easily and the hero found that out in short order, much to my delight.

The scene when Margaret cuts the hero to the quick is pivotal and fun. Right then a reader knows the game is afoot and they'll notice a nice uptake in the pace of the plot, dialogue and conflict. It becomes smooth, quick and engaging. When the hero decides he's going to seductively woo the heroine, I would place bets that not many women could resist such a ploy. It's sweet, sensual and teasing. But it's not perfect because, let's face it, he's a guy used to getting his own way and dealing with limp airheaded females, so, he has some adjusting to do. There is nothing weak, insipid or brainless about Maggie. And I loved that Rhys was delighted by that fact. The way he smiles when before he had nothing to smile about touched me. Those were sweet moments.

Watching both of them fall in love and seeing what differences attracted each of them to the other was fun. Seeing Rhys stand up to Maggie's brother was a great scene. If I could shine a spotlight on a moment that screams romance, that was it. Gentle humor was another component of I Love the Earl and the author used it effectively, especially when the hero and heroine constantly got interrupted. It caused a few snickers on my end.

I liked this story and I'm pleasantly curious about what was going on with Maggie's brother because I could tell something was. Although entertaining, this book isn't one that will haunt me and inspire an obsession to read any and all books on Ms. Linden's backlist It has however, put this author on my 'worth keeping an eye out for' reading list and should I see a book of hers in a store or library, I'll certainly pick it up. Who knows, maybe the next one will flip on my obsession switch and Ms. Linden could find herself with a new fan-girl. As it is, she has my deep appreciation for writing a story that truly was heartfelt and loving.

Read the Full Review at the Long and Short of It Romance Reviews

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Wonderful romance

Margaret de Lacey has accepted her modest life as a spinster after realizing she is handsome and not terribly beautiful with no huge dowry to help tempt a man from all the other bevy of beauties. When her brother unexpectedly inherits the dukedom of Durham, both of their lives are drastically changed. Her brother, Francis, settles the huge sum of forty thousand pounds for her dowry with the hopes of Margaret finally finding her own happiness. Naturally, all the broke, down on their luck, titled gentleman start calling on her but Margaret only wants to marry for love, for herself, not for money.

Rhys Corwen, Earl of Dowling, is one such man very much down on his luck. His father gambled away his fortune and now his home in literally falling down around him and after a bad flood involving his sheep, he is just steps from ruination. His delightful friend, Clyve, helpfully provides a list of wealthy ladies and together they set out to met these ladies and see if any will do as a bride. Margarets name is the highest on the list, of course, with her huge dowry and when he finally makes her acquaintance, well that encounter will have you laughing for sure! Rhys quickly realizes that Margaret isn't a beautiful, biddable girl, rather she is a woman of passion and spirit with a sharp, bold wit about her. And he knows she is the one he wants...forever.

Margaret wants nothing to do with money hungry gentleman but she just can't shake Rhys from her mind. Rhys keeps showing up at events that Margaret is at and always finding a chance to talk to her for a moment and when they finally sneak off into a garden for a moment, they have one of my favorite moments.

"How many kisses?" he murmured.
"Just one will do" ...
"How long a kiss?" He brushed his lips against the corner of her mouth.
"How long do you need" She swayed against him...
"To kiss you properly?" He smiled. "A lifetime Maggie." Sigh!

For my first Caroline Linden story, this was an excellent start. It is just a wonderful romance about Rhys and Maggie (as he calls her). There are some good supporting characters in his friend Clyve, and Maggies new friend Clarissa. There was a small hiccup at the end of the book involving Francis and Rhys but I was very happy with the way that played out. It really brought a big smile to my face and made my heart sigh a bit. My only small complaint is, as it always seems to be with novellas, is I wanted a bit more. I would have liked to have seem a bit more of Rhys and Maggies courtship and some more snappy encounters. Overall though, this is a wonderful romance novella. Enjoyable characters, main and secondary, great dialogue and some heat help move this story from start to finish very well. I know I have very happy to have the start of Ms Lindens new trilogy (of which this story is a prequel for) ready to go! I hope to see more of this great couple and how the secret of Francis changes his sons' lives! 4 solid stars

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

honest

This is a refreshing love story. The girl loves the guy from the start. He loves her from the start. No beating around the bush. The end. It is a funny story. It is a true love story i loved it!!

Suddenly an heiress.

Fortune hunters beware - this heiress knows the ropes because she wasn't always rich. This is an enjoyable read about Margaret de Lacey, the heiress and her attempt to avoid titled fortune hunters.

Good read

I truly enjoyed this book. I true love story

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great Read

I really enjoyed this eBook as I have so many other of Caroline Linden's books. She is a very talented author and I look forward to reading more books by her in the future.

Way tooo short!

Read this in about 3 hrs....uhmm...

Lovely story

I enjoyed this story very much.

Great author

All of her books have been very intertaining.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.