{"id":22249,"date":"2018-08-27T08:18:28","date_gmt":"2018-08-27T12:18:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/?p=22249"},"modified":"2022-10-11T17:00:38","modified_gmt":"2022-10-11T17:00:38","slug":"review-an-earl-like-you-by-caroline-linden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/2018\/08\/27\/review-an-earl-like-you-by-caroline-linden\/","title":{"rendered":"Review \u2764\ufe0f An Earl Like You by Caroline Linden"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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When you gamble at love . . .<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>

When Hugh Deveraux discovers his newly inherited earldom is bankrupt, he sets about rebuilding the family fortune\u2014in the gaming hells of London. But the most daring wager he takes isn\u2019t at cards. A wealthy tradesman makes a tantalizing offer: marry the man\u2019s spinster daughter and Hugh\u2019s debts will be paid and his fortune made. The only catch is that she must never know about their agreement . . .<\/span><\/p>

You risk losing your heart . . .<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>

Heiress Eliza Cross has given up hope of marriage until she meets the impossibly handsome Earl of Hastings, her father\u2019s new business partner. The earl is everything a gentleman should be, and is boldly attentive to her. It doesn\u2019t take long for Eliza to lose her heart and marry him.<\/span><\/p>

But when Eliza discovers that there is more to the man she loves\u2014and to her marriage\u2014her trust is shattered. And it will take all of Hugh\u2019s power to prove that now his words of love are real . . .<\/span><\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Release Date:<\/strong>\u00a0Aug 28, 2018
Series:<\/strong>\u00a0The Wagers of Sin
<\/em>Book:\u00a0<\/strong>2
Heat Level:<\/strong>\u00a0Hot
Publisher:<\/strong>\u00a0HarperCollins
Imprint:<\/strong>\u00a0Avon Books
Price:<\/strong>\u00a0$6.99<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

This is not my first Linden novel, nor will it be my last, but bring on the secrets and the spindly web tales!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>

Linden<\/strong><\/em> has always been an author who writes historical romance with a hint and tease of mystery. For rabid readers, think the dark, angsty back stories and crazy tales a la Anna Campbell<\/strong><\/em>, even Sarah Maclean<\/strong><\/em>. Linden skirts the edge though, she doesn\u2019t go as dark as other authors do, but she weaves a powerful plot with many threads. This book is no exception.<\/p>

The hero, Hugh, an earl who finds himself in desperate need of money gets involved with a man who refuses to take no for an answer. The lack of no, leaves Hugh courting a woman he doesn\u2019t want in the hopes of saving his families fortune. Hugh is such a gentleman and reminds me of a haughty snob, who doesn\u2019t know how to not be kind and solicitous to our heroine. I really fell for the hero (he hit all my swoon buttons) and as the book continued I found his possibilities for redemption getting smaller and smaller. This hero is swoon worthy because of his defense for the heroine, his acceptance of an attraction to her he can\u2019t evade, and how he\u2019s victim of the \u2018best laid plans\u2019 approach.<\/p>

Eliza, short for Elizabeth, our heroine, is ultimately without a laundry list of flaws. In a way, she\u2019s almost too perfect, outside of her selfishly wanting to believe that the earl is interested in her for her. That said, she is likeable from a relatable standpoint. She\u2019s a female Richie Rich, with money instead of chores, but is looked down on for her riches and how they were earned. Her biggest trouble is she wants to be loved and when handsome Hugh shows up, she falls for the bait.\u00a0

It was easy to root for Eliza and Hugh, both suffering from their circumstances in their own way, but both deserving to have someone that appreciates them in their life.\u00a0

As for external details, I loved the villain of the piece. Made more believable because this villain is sincere and unrepentant in his actions. He truly believes he\u2019s doing the right thing even if his actions have a negative effect on others. There is an additional side-tale involving Hugh\u2019s sister and I pray she gets a happily ever after story of her own at some point.

Overall, this book was a nice treat. It sucked me in fast and works perfect as a nice gateway to those new to Linden\u2019s writing. Recommended for folks who enjoy Valerie Bowman<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>

~ Landra<\/em><\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Amazon<\/a><\/span>\u00a0|\u00a0iBooks<\/span><\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0B&N<\/span><\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Kobo<\/span><\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Google Play<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \t <\/div>\n\t \n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When you gamble at love . . . 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But the most daring wager he takes isn\u2019t at cards. A wealthy tradesman makes a tantalizing offer: marry the man\u2019s spinster daughter and Hugh\u2019s debts will be paid and his fortune made. The only catch is that she must never know about their agreement . . .<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><em><strong>You risk losing your heart . . .<\/strong><\/em><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Heiress Eliza Cross has given up hope of marriage until she meets the impossibly handsome Earl of Hastings, her father\u2019s new business partner. The earl is everything a gentleman should be, and is boldly attentive to her. It doesn\u2019t take long for Eliza to lose her heart and marry him.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">But when Eliza discovers that there is more to the man she loves\u2014and to her marriage\u2014her trust is shattered. And it will take all of Hugh\u2019s power to prove that now his words of love are real . . .<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/4-hearts.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"44\" \/><\/p><hr \/><p><strong>Release Date:<\/strong>\u00a0Aug 28, 2018<br \/><strong>Series:<\/strong>\u00a0<em>The Wagers of Sin<br \/><\/em><strong>Book:\u00a0<\/strong>2<br \/><strong>Heat Level:<\/strong>\u00a0Hot<br \/><strong>Publisher:<\/strong>\u00a0HarperCollins<br \/><strong>Imprint:<\/strong>\u00a0Avon Books<br \/><strong>Price:<\/strong>\u00a0$6.99<\/p><hr \/><p>\u00a0<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><em><strong>This is not my first Linden novel, nor will it be my last, but bring on the secrets and the spindly web tales!<\/strong><\/em><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><em><strong>Linden<\/strong><\/em> has always been an author who writes historical romance with a hint and tease of mystery. For rabid readers, think the dark, angsty back stories and crazy tales a la <em><strong>Anna Campbell<\/strong><\/em>, even <em><strong>Sarah Maclean<\/strong><\/em>. Linden skirts the edge though, she doesn\u2019t go as dark as other authors do, but she weaves a powerful plot with many threads. This book is no exception.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The hero, Hugh, an earl who finds himself in desperate need of money gets involved with a man who refuses to take no for an answer. The lack of no, leaves Hugh courting a woman he doesn\u2019t want in the hopes of saving his families fortune. Hugh is such a gentleman and reminds me of a haughty snob, who doesn\u2019t know how to not be kind and solicitous to our heroine. I really fell for the hero (he hit all my swoon buttons) and as the book continued I found his possibilities for redemption getting smaller and smaller. This hero is swoon worthy because of his defense for the heroine, his acceptance of an attraction to her he can\u2019t evade, and how he\u2019s victim of the \u2018best laid plans\u2019 approach.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Eliza, short for Elizabeth, our heroine, is ultimately without a laundry list of flaws. In a way, she\u2019s almost too perfect, outside of her selfishly wanting to believe that the earl is interested in her for her. That said, she is likeable from a relatable standpoint. She\u2019s a female Richie Rich, with money instead of chores, but is looked down on for her riches and how they were earned. Her biggest trouble is she wants to be loved and when handsome Hugh shows up, she falls for the bait.\u00a0<br \/><br \/>It was easy to root for Eliza and Hugh, both suffering from their circumstances in their own way, but both deserving to have someone that appreciates them in their life.\u00a0<br \/><br \/>As for external details, I loved the villain of the piece. Made more believable because this villain is sincere and unrepentant in his actions. He truly believes he\u2019s doing the right thing even if his actions have a negative effect on others. There is an additional side-tale involving Hugh\u2019s sister and I pray she gets a happily ever after story of her own at some point.<br \/><br \/>Overall, this book was a nice treat. It sucked me in fast and works perfect as a nice gateway to those new to Linden\u2019s writing. Recommended for folks who enjoy <em><strong>Valerie Bowman<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p><p><em>~ Landra<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2of7u4Q\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Amazon<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/geo.itunes.apple.com\/us\/book\/an-earl-like-you\/id1263231365?mt=11&at=11l88k\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">iBooks<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.barnesandnoble.com\/w\/an-earl-like-you-caroline-linden\/1127923088?ean=9780062672957#\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">B&N<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.kobo.com\/ca\/en\/ebook\/an-earl-like-you\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kobo<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/books\/details\/Caroline_Linden_An_Earl_Like_You?id=y1JADwAAQBAJ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Google Play<\/a><\/strong><\/p>","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22249","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22249"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22249\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22249"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22249"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22249"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}