Margaret de Lacey has accepted her unmarried state with dignity, if not delight. She had no suitors when she was young and starry-eyed, though regrettably poor, and it’s unlikely any man will court her now that she’s older, wiser, and still just as penniless. Until, that is, her brother unexpectedly inherits the dukedom of Durham and settles an enormous dowry on her, making her the most eligible heiress in town.
No gentleman in London is more in need of a wealthy bride than Rhys Corwen, Earl of Dowling. He contrives an introduction to Margaret because of her dowry, but she swiftly sets him right: no fortune hunter will win her heart or her hand. Far from put off, Rhys is intrigued. Interested. Entranced. And soon the only thing he needs more than Margaret’s fortune…is her love.
Review:
I’m not a huge novella person. They often feel rushed, and if they’re any good I want more pages, darn it.
I Love the Earl somehow hits a sweet spot. It’s the perfect length for the story it covers, and I didn’t find myself wishing for a subplot. Would I enjoy it expanded out to a full-length novel? You bet. But it’s not necessary.
Let’s call that the first thing good. Here’s the rest:
- There’s no Big Misunderstanding, and all the characters respect each other. The plot doesn’t hinge on someone being stupid or doing something rash. It’s refreshing.
- The hero and heroine have a couple of conversations that boil down to, “Hey, this is what it would mean to be married to me. Are you okay with that?” Positive relationship modeling, yea!
- It’s a comfort read. I read a good chunk while enjoying a lazy morning in bed – heaven.
The not-so-good:
- Being so short the character development is a little lacking, but it’s still a nice setup for the series.
I’m finding Linden to be a go-to author when I need a warm literary hug… with the way the world has been going lately I may be running back into her arms soon. ~sweatdrop~
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