Reviewer: Holly One Good Earl Deserves a Lover by Sarah MacLean
Series: The Rules of Scoundrels #2
Also in this series: A Rogue by Any Other Name (The Rules of Scoundrels, #1), A Rogue by Any Other Name, , Never Judge a Lady by Her Cover
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication Date: January 29th 2013
Genres: Fiction
Pages: 384
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Series Rating:
Lady Philippa Marbury is . . . odd
The brilliant, bespectacled daughter of a double marquess cares more for books than balls, for science than the season, and for laboratories than love. She's looking forward to marrying her simple fiancé and living out her days quietly with her dogs and her scientific experiments. But before that, Pippa has two weeks to experience all the rest—fourteen days to research the exciting parts of life. It's not much time, and to do it right she needs a guide familiar with London's darker corners.
She needs . . . a Scoundrel
She needs Cross, the clever, controlled partner in London's most exclusive gaming hell, with a carefully crafted reputation for wickedness. But reputations often hide the darkest secrets, and when the unconventional Pippa boldly propositions him, seeking science without emotion, she threatens all he works to protect. He is tempted to give Pippa precisely what she wants . . . but the scoundrel is more than he seems, and it will take every ounce of his willpower to resist giving the lady more than she ever imagined.
I absolutely loved the first book in this series, A Rogue By Any Other Name (a rare 5 star read for me), and couldn’t wait to read this second book. I wasn’t disappointed. MacLean pulled me in again for another fabulous read.
Pippa is a very smart young woman. She knows she’s considered odd by the ton and is grateful to have been offered a chance at marriage – something she didn’t think would ever happen. She’s to have a double wedding with her sister Olivia in less than a month. The problem is, she has no idea what to expect from marriage. She needs help…and she knows just who to get it from. Mr. Cross, her brother-in-law’s business partner, is the perfect man to help her discover what she’s in for in the marriage bed. His reputation proceeds him and Pippa knows he’ll be the best partner for her research.
Cross is shocked when his partner’s sister-in-law shows up in his office asking to be ruined. He can’t deny it’s a tempting offer, but he’s not in a position to be able to help. Except..he can’t quite seem to be rid of the girl. Every time he turns around, there’s Pippa, insinuating herself in his life and ensuring she stays on his mind constantly. The more he’s around her, the more he wants her..but that isn’t to be. He has other obligations and they don’t include tying himself to a woman. Not even one as interesting and irresistible as Pippa.
When scandal threatens, Cross must do what is right for both of them. But sometimes that’s easier said than done, especially when the lady has other ideas…
Pippa is a bluestocking through and through. She’s interested in mathematics and science and horticulture – is, in fact, working on cross-breeding roses – but she’s very naive when it comes to the relationship between a man and a woman. She believes knowledge is power and intends to find out as much as she can before her marriage, so it won’t be so frightening. I really enjoyed Pippa. She was a strong-willed, clever girl. She also had common sense. She wasn’t looking for true ruination, but knowledge. That she was willing to marry because she’d made a vow and intended to stick to it..well, I really enjoyed that.
Cross is a tortured soul. He walked away from his family as a young man out of guilt and a misplaced sense of protection. Now he’s trying to help his sister get out of a tight spot. He had a strong sense of right and wrong, despite owning a gaming hell. I enjoyed his wit and his sense of justice. I also loved how much he admired Pippa. Right from the beginning he respects her. It always amuses me when a man is surprised when a woman is honorable. Cross was surprised at first, which made me laugh.
I wish we’d seen more between Cross and his sister. I expected there to be some kind of confrontation between them with Pippa working as his advocate..or something. That was the weakest part of the novel for me.
Aside from that, I enjoyed the romance and the resolution. I’m truly sorry it ended.
4.5 out of 5
This book is available from Avon. You can buy it here or here in e-format.
This book was provided by the publisher for an honest review.
I agree, this book was good. I want to do a re-read but I’ve been doing a lot of re-reading lately. I need to read new books now.