Review: I Love the Earl – Caroline Linden (NOR Review)

Author: Caroline Linden Publisher: Avon Impulse Tags: Historical Romance

A NIGHT OWL REVIEWS BOOK REVIEW
Reviewed by: Shannschoice

In this prequel, we get to meet the de Lacey family. They will be integral to Caroline Linden’s new series coming this fall.

Margaret de Lacey was happy with her life as a thirty year old spinster. She knew she had no prospects of finding a husband (what with her very small dowry and being the rejected relations of the Duke of Dunham), so she carved out her happy existence with her brother. That all changed when the Duke of Dunham passes away with Francis de Lacey being the only living relation left to inherit the title.

Now that she’s the sister of a Duke, Margaret realizes that she’ll be expected to marry. When her brother settles a ridiculous dowry on her, it’s inevitable that every fortune hunter in the realm will come calling. She consoles herself with one promise she weasels out of her brother. She’ll get to choose who her future husband will be.

Rhys Corwen, Earl of Dowling, has had to face the hard facts. He’s penniless and won’t be able to hold off the debt collectors much longer. He’s sold everything that isn’t entailed and still it’s not enough. In order to hold onto his ancestral seat, he’s convinced by his friend to find himself an heiress to reseed his pockets. After reviewing a short list (of 4 females) he heads out to find out which of the four he could possible stand being saddled with.

When Rhys meets Margaret, it’s by receiving the tongue lashing of his life. Intrigued, he realizes that she’s the only woman that will forever hold his interest. He makes it his mission to win Margaret over. What he doesn’t plan on is realizing have her in his life is much more important than any amount of money.

The story moves very quickly (it’s only about 100 pages) so you need to keep up. I’m wondering how this will set up the new series, as it to happen many years after this one, but I look forward to it. This was an enjoyable and quick read, enough to wet your appetite for the next book.

Aug 26, 2011 | 9780062109477

Review was originally published on Night Owl Reviews and can be accessed by clicking the NOR link above.