The Unwanted Earl

The Unwanted Earl

by Ruth J. Hartman

published by esKape

2014

ISBN 9781940695139

Why read? Review

Challenges: Ebook, Historical Fiction, 100 Books in a Year

In this fast and fun sequel to Love Birds of Regent’s Park, Ruth J. Hartman brings us Lord Conrad Lofton’s story in The Unwanted Earl.  With stunning skill, she manages to turn the villain – and comic relief – from the first book into a charming hero, who still manages some hilarious mishaps.

Amelia Talbot is in a bind.  Her father wants her to marry a disgusting octogenarian, which is not what she wants at all.  The problem is, being the type of woman who is not afraid to speak her mind, she has no other suitors.  Her problem is solved one day when she discovers that Lord Conrad Lofton is really a bastard (and not in the way her drawing partner, Lucy Shipley, thinks).  Using this information, she blackmails Conrad into becoming her betrothed.  Conrad, recently having a rotted tooth pulled and partnering with Oliver Shipley on a way to end his financial woes, finds himself in much better spirits, even if Amelia insists on dragging him to one outdoor adventure after another.  In time, the two find themselves truly falling for each other, but a secret about Conrad’s past soon threatens to tear the two apart.

While Conrad is still Conrad, Hartman has managed to turn him from truly despicable into completely loveable, which is an amazing feat in and of itself.  On top of that, Hartman has crafted an enjoyable Regency with plenty of humor and good clean fun.  The Unwanted Earl might be my favorite Ruth J. Hartman book yet, but I do hope this series continues with Cecilia getting a chance at a happy ending.

Rating 5/5