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The Truth About the Duke #0.5
I Love the Earl
A single lady in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a suitor.
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.
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.
147 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 2, 2011
68 people are currently reading
1293 people want to read
About the author
Caroline Linden
57 books1,701 followersCaroline Linden was born a reader, not a writer. She earned a degree in mathematics from Harvard University and worked as a programmer in the financial services industry before realizing writing fiction is much more exciting than writing code. Her books have won the NEC-RWA Readers' Choice Award, the JNRW Golden Leaf, the Daphne du Maurier Award, and RWA's RITA Award, and have been translated into seventeen languages around the world. She lives in New England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 217 reviews
March 9, 2023
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥
Humor: Yes
Perspective: Third perspective from both hero and heroine
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
This is fine to read at any time – it’s a prequel novella to the series The Truth About the Duke but it’s about the 3 brother’s aunt and not necessary to read beforehand or anything.
Basic plot:
Margaret is finally not a poor spinster once her brother inherits a dukedom and rests 40,000 pounds on her for a dowry. Now she just must avoid all fortune hunters. Rhys is destitute and soon falls for far more than Margaret’s inheritance.
Give this a try if you want:
- Georgian time period (1771)
- Novella length
- Hero pursues
- Welsh hero
- Hero needs an heiress
- Self described as a ‘tall, flat chested spinster’
- Masquerade!
- A bit of forbidden love feel – the heroine’s brother doesn’t approve of the match
Ages:
- Heroine is near 30, hero is 30
My thoughts:
Oh this novellas has basically all my romance catnip wrapped up in one story and I adored it so much. So, so much.
We have a playful, Welsh hero that falls in love with the heroine first. He pursues. He brings her out of her shell and woos her relentlessly. There’s humor. There’s no crazy mystery or villain – it’s just the focus on the relationship building. Sigh. Swoon. Love.
Rhys was just perfection to me. I loved his sense of humor and I loved how much he loved Margaret. Margaret gives him multiple set downs because she does not want to be pursued for her fortune. And everyone knows Rhys is destitute. But it was just adorable to me how he convinced her he loved her.
I really loved this novella. The rest of the series was hit and miss for me, but this one is precious.
Quotes/spoiler-y thoughts:
Content warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥
Humor: Yes
Perspective: Third perspective from both hero and heroine
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
This is fine to read at any time – it’s a prequel novella to the series The Truth About the Duke but it’s about the 3 brother’s aunt and not necessary to read beforehand or anything.
Basic plot:
Margaret is finally not a poor spinster once her brother inherits a dukedom and rests 40,000 pounds on her for a dowry. Now she just must avoid all fortune hunters. Rhys is destitute and soon falls for far more than Margaret’s inheritance.
Give this a try if you want:
- Georgian time period (1771)
- Novella length
- Hero pursues
- Welsh hero
- Hero needs an heiress
- Self described as a ‘tall, flat chested spinster’
- Masquerade!
- A bit of forbidden love feel – the heroine’s brother doesn’t approve of the match
Ages:
- Heroine is near 30, hero is 30
My thoughts:
Oh this novellas has basically all my romance catnip wrapped up in one story and I adored it so much. So, so much.
We have a playful, Welsh hero that falls in love with the heroine first. He pursues. He brings her out of her shell and woos her relentlessly. There’s humor. There’s no crazy mystery or villain – it’s just the focus on the relationship building. Sigh. Swoon. Love.
Rhys was just perfection to me. I loved his sense of humor and I loved how much he loved Margaret. Margaret gives him multiple set downs because she does not want to be pursued for her fortune. And everyone knows Rhys is destitute. But it was just adorable to me how he convinced her he loved her.
I really loved this novella. The rest of the series was hit and miss for me, but this one is precious.
Quotes/spoiler-y thoughts:
Content warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
August 17, 2011
You know what I loved about this book? I never had to forgive the hero or the heroine for being an idiot. Not once did they betray each other. Not once did they fail to forgive a shortcoming. There was no subterfuge, no great misunderstanding. It's just a story of a man, trying to win a woman's heart --and succeeding.
Margaret is firmly on the shelf at 30 when her brother inherits a Dukedom. He decides to share his good fortune with his sister, offering a sizable dowry for her to finally snag a husband. That money is just what Rhys needs. But when he meets Margaret, he is taken with her quick wit and strong will... and he knows they would be a perfect fit.
Margaret wants a man to love her for more than the money her brother is offering. And Rhys' financial problems are no secret, so it takes some time before she is assured of his affections. But the sexual tension is good and when they finally come together, it's great. There are a few foils for the couple along the way, but they're all external. It's a short read... only a little over 100 pages... but a pleasant way to spend an afternoon. 4 stars.
*ARC Provided by NetGalley
Margaret is firmly on the shelf at 30 when her brother inherits a Dukedom. He decides to share his good fortune with his sister, offering a sizable dowry for her to finally snag a husband. That money is just what Rhys needs. But when he meets Margaret, he is taken with her quick wit and strong will... and he knows they would be a perfect fit.
Margaret wants a man to love her for more than the money her brother is offering. And Rhys' financial problems are no secret, so it takes some time before she is assured of his affections. But the sexual tension is good and when they finally come together, it's great. There are a few foils for the couple along the way, but they're all external. It's a short read... only a little over 100 pages... but a pleasant way to spend an afternoon. 4 stars.
*ARC Provided by NetGalley
March 8, 2023
⭐⭐⭐💫
3½ stars.
➕ What I liked :
Tall heroine.
“Older” heroine (30)
Rather good chemistry and romantic build up.
Intriguing and interesting characters and plot.
Welsh hero.
➖ What I disliked:
Somewhat rushed.
Too short.
Needed a little more depth.
March 24, 2023
A cute novella. Definitely a bit rushed, though. It wasn't insta-love, but the relationship needed something more to flesh it out.
I liked Margaret a lot. Reese was was alright. He was certainly devoted to Margaret, but something about his character seemed a bit flat. I liked Miss Cuthbert, Clarissa, and Freddy. Margaret's brother, Frances was more difficult to like, but he has a mysterious backstory, so I'm interested in continuing the series and reading about his sons.
I liked Margaret a lot. Reese was was alright. He was certainly devoted to Margaret, but something about his character seemed a bit flat. I liked Miss Cuthbert, Clarissa, and Freddy. Margaret's brother, Frances was more difficult to like, but he has a mysterious backstory, so I'm interested in continuing the series and reading about his sons.
April 11, 2024
I've given this a B for both content and narration at AudioGals.
Although the full-length novels in Caroline Linden’s The Truth About the Duke series came out in audio book format a few years ago, the prequel novella, I Love the Earl, has only just been released. Novellas are a bit hit and miss for me in general, but I’m a big fan of Caroline Linden’s and was pleased to see that Gildart Jackson had returned to complete the series, so I snapped this up for review.
The Truth About the Duke series features the three sons of the powerful Duke of Durham and their search for the blackmailer who threatens to expose a bigamous marriage that will render them all illegitimate. In I Love the Earl, we meet Durham when he’s merely Francis de Lacey, a businessman living with his spinster sister, Margaret. In her youth, Margaret dreamed of love, marriage and children, but now aged thirty, she’s made peace with the fact that she’s destined to remain a spinster and keep house for her brother.
But their lives are forever changed when Francis receives the news that he’s inherited a dukedom – an immensely wealthy one – and knowing of Margaret’s desire for husband and family, settles an enormous dowry on her, in spite of her protests to the effect that all that is likely to do is attract men who will discard her as soon as they’ve got their hands on her money. Almost overnight, she is transformed from an on-the-shelf, drab spinster in whom no-one has ever taken much interest into a magnet for every fortune hunter in the country.
But Margaret is no naïve, simpering miss, and is determined that should she marry, it will be to someone who wants her for herself as much as for her fortune. The problem is going to be finding such a man.
Rhys Corwen, Earl of Dowling is quite possibly the most impoverished of all the titled young men currently seeking to marry a rich wife. He doesn’t want to marry for money, but it’s a last resort; he inherited his title when he was just ten years old, and years of mismanagement and poor investments by his guardian has left him practically destitute. He’s sold everything he can sell, right down to portraits and furnishings, and the loss of all his livestock in a flood has dashed all his hopes of turning things around and he’s now reduced to shopping for a wealthy bride. One of his friends shows him the list of eligible, rich ladies his mother made for him and encourages Rhys to meet some of them. Reluctantly, he does so and resigns himself to choosing a bland miss or one who will never let him forget what he owes to her –until he meets Margaret de Lacy at a ball and receives a thorough dressing down after asking her to dance. Her frankness and her spirit intrigue him immediately, and he decides she’s the woman for him.
From then on, Rhys makes a point of going to whichever engagements he knows Margaret will attend and at first, she wants nothing to do with him, believing him, like so many others, interested only in her money. But what the author does so very well is to show, right from the start, that yes, Rhys needs Margaret’s money, but he wants her for herself just as much, if not moreso. And soon, Margaret starts to believe him.
I Love the Earl is a charming novella featuring two likeable and appealing characters who communicate well and are honest with one another. I did find Margaret’s initial words to Rhys a little cruel considering she didn’t know him, but given she’s suddenly found herself being schmoozed, fawned over and lied to by almost every man she meets, it’s not surprising she’d have had enough and just snapped. She does redeem herself by apologising later, and then by being somewhat flustered by Rhys’ continuing attempts to get to know her. I liked that Ms. Linden takes the time to have Rhys and Margaret become friends before they embark on a romantic relationship; given the shorter page count of novellas, relationship development often falls by the wayside, but that certainly isn’t the case here.
Gildart Jackson has one of those voices that weakens the knees and I really wish he’d record more historical romance He delivers a good performance here, portraying Rhys as softly spoken and adding a slight Welsh lilt to his voice, and conveying Margaret’s innate good sense and warmth by means of a change of timbre and slight raise in pitch. On one occasion I felt he was a little bit “shouty” when reading her dialogue, but it was only once and didn’t impact on my overall enjoyment. The secondary characters are all clearly differentiated; Francis is gruff, Margaret’s companion is high-strung and a little nasally, and Rhys’ friend Viscount Cliveden sounds appropriately aristocratic. Mr. Jackson’s enunciation is clear and his pacing is just right.
I Love the Earl is a little gem of a listen, a well-narrated, sweet, uncomplicated romance featuring two immensely likeable leads – and the just under four hours running time was time well spent.
This review originally appeared at AudioGals .
Although the full-length novels in Caroline Linden’s The Truth About the Duke series came out in audio book format a few years ago, the prequel novella, I Love the Earl, has only just been released. Novellas are a bit hit and miss for me in general, but I’m a big fan of Caroline Linden’s and was pleased to see that Gildart Jackson had returned to complete the series, so I snapped this up for review.
The Truth About the Duke series features the three sons of the powerful Duke of Durham and their search for the blackmailer who threatens to expose a bigamous marriage that will render them all illegitimate. In I Love the Earl, we meet Durham when he’s merely Francis de Lacey, a businessman living with his spinster sister, Margaret. In her youth, Margaret dreamed of love, marriage and children, but now aged thirty, she’s made peace with the fact that she’s destined to remain a spinster and keep house for her brother.
But their lives are forever changed when Francis receives the news that he’s inherited a dukedom – an immensely wealthy one – and knowing of Margaret’s desire for husband and family, settles an enormous dowry on her, in spite of her protests to the effect that all that is likely to do is attract men who will discard her as soon as they’ve got their hands on her money. Almost overnight, she is transformed from an on-the-shelf, drab spinster in whom no-one has ever taken much interest into a magnet for every fortune hunter in the country.
But Margaret is no naïve, simpering miss, and is determined that should she marry, it will be to someone who wants her for herself as much as for her fortune. The problem is going to be finding such a man.
Rhys Corwen, Earl of Dowling is quite possibly the most impoverished of all the titled young men currently seeking to marry a rich wife. He doesn’t want to marry for money, but it’s a last resort; he inherited his title when he was just ten years old, and years of mismanagement and poor investments by his guardian has left him practically destitute. He’s sold everything he can sell, right down to portraits and furnishings, and the loss of all his livestock in a flood has dashed all his hopes of turning things around and he’s now reduced to shopping for a wealthy bride. One of his friends shows him the list of eligible, rich ladies his mother made for him and encourages Rhys to meet some of them. Reluctantly, he does so and resigns himself to choosing a bland miss or one who will never let him forget what he owes to her –until he meets Margaret de Lacy at a ball and receives a thorough dressing down after asking her to dance. Her frankness and her spirit intrigue him immediately, and he decides she’s the woman for him.
From then on, Rhys makes a point of going to whichever engagements he knows Margaret will attend and at first, she wants nothing to do with him, believing him, like so many others, interested only in her money. But what the author does so very well is to show, right from the start, that yes, Rhys needs Margaret’s money, but he wants her for herself just as much, if not moreso. And soon, Margaret starts to believe him.
I Love the Earl is a charming novella featuring two likeable and appealing characters who communicate well and are honest with one another. I did find Margaret’s initial words to Rhys a little cruel considering she didn’t know him, but given she’s suddenly found herself being schmoozed, fawned over and lied to by almost every man she meets, it’s not surprising she’d have had enough and just snapped. She does redeem herself by apologising later, and then by being somewhat flustered by Rhys’ continuing attempts to get to know her. I liked that Ms. Linden takes the time to have Rhys and Margaret become friends before they embark on a romantic relationship; given the shorter page count of novellas, relationship development often falls by the wayside, but that certainly isn’t the case here.
Gildart Jackson has one of those voices that weakens the knees and I really wish he’d record more historical romance He delivers a good performance here, portraying Rhys as softly spoken and adding a slight Welsh lilt to his voice, and conveying Margaret’s innate good sense and warmth by means of a change of timbre and slight raise in pitch. On one occasion I felt he was a little bit “shouty” when reading her dialogue, but it was only once and didn’t impact on my overall enjoyment. The secondary characters are all clearly differentiated; Francis is gruff, Margaret’s companion is high-strung and a little nasally, and Rhys’ friend Viscount Cliveden sounds appropriately aristocratic. Mr. Jackson’s enunciation is clear and his pacing is just right.
I Love the Earl is a little gem of a listen, a well-narrated, sweet, uncomplicated romance featuring two immensely likeable leads – and the just under four hours running time was time well spent.
This review originally appeared at AudioGals .
December 5, 2021
3.75 Stars
Plot Summary
Fortune hunting Earl of Dowling meets the firmly on the shelf sister of a newly minted Duke with a fat dowry. They meet, she resists, he persists, they fall in love, the duke resists, they marry, the duke relents, and everyone lives happily ever after.
Quick Review
- This is my first book by Caroline Linden, and I must say I was impressed. She writes well. With the ending of this novella, she had me intrigued with the series.
- Clearly, this story is a prologue that sets up the stage for the following books, which revolve around the heroine's brother's (the Duke of Durham) children and his scandalous secret. I am very interested in reading those.
- Speaking of this story, the plot was very straightforward, with no surprises, with sweet characters and a predictable ending. Not complaining, but it was nothing new.
- Apart from Francis, the Duke of Durham's weird behaviour, nothing noteworthy stood out, which was the author's aim if I were to venture a guess.
- Margaret & Rhys were cute characters, and I liked reading about their courtship and romance.
- I am not a fan of the early Georgian era, the powdered hair, the wigs or the silk knee-breeches as they give me the heebeejeebees! Thankfully, I was made aware that the next stories are set in the Regency era.
My Recommendation
You may have noticed, I wrote very little about this story and more about the stories to come. This one is skippable, well written, but not unique. I am far more interested in the next generation of de Laceys. On to - One Night in London.
Plot Summary
Fortune hunting Earl of Dowling meets the firmly on the shelf sister of a newly minted Duke with a fat dowry. They meet, she resists, he persists, they fall in love, the duke resists, they marry, the duke relents, and everyone lives happily ever after.
Quick Review
- This is my first book by Caroline Linden, and I must say I was impressed. She writes well. With the ending of this novella, she had me intrigued with the series.
- Clearly, this story is a prologue that sets up the stage for the following books, which revolve around the heroine's brother's (the Duke of Durham) children and his scandalous secret. I am very interested in reading those.
- Speaking of this story, the plot was very straightforward, with no surprises, with sweet characters and a predictable ending. Not complaining, but it was nothing new.
- Apart from Francis, the Duke of Durham's weird behaviour, nothing noteworthy stood out, which was the author's aim if I were to venture a guess.
- Margaret & Rhys were cute characters, and I liked reading about their courtship and romance.
- I am not a fan of the early Georgian era, the powdered hair, the wigs or the silk knee-breeches as they give me the heebeejeebees! Thankfully, I was made aware that the next stories are set in the Regency era.
My Recommendation
You may have noticed, I wrote very little about this story and more about the stories to come. This one is skippable, well written, but not unique. I am far more interested in the next generation of de Laceys. On to - One Night in London.
July 18, 2020
Margaret de Lacey has been firmly on the shelf because she was poor and no one wanted a poor wife. But as soon as her brother inherited the Dukedom, she was made a heiress and all the men wanted her as a wife.
Rhys didn't lose his inheritance ...because he inherited nothing but debt!
What an adorable love story!!
Rhys didn't lose his inheritance ...because he inherited nothing but debt!
What an adorable love story!!
March 4, 2020
Series: The Truth About the Duke #0.5
Publication Date: 8/2/11
Number of Pages: 147
This was a lovely introduction to the ‘The Truth About The Duke’ series, we meet the Duke, learn about him unexpectedly becoming a duke, but we don’t really see much of him. We learn to like him, dislike him, and then like him again. We learned that he was troubled and that it had something to do with a youthful romance, but no explanations beyond that. The other books in the series feature his sons (many years later) as they fight the scandal the duke left behind and find their HEAs along their journey. This novella features the duke’s sister Margaret.
I listened to the audiobook which was narrated by Gildart Jackson. His characterizations were consistent – you always knew which character was speaking. He has a nice voice and accent consistent with the time and place. Personally, I thought the pacing was a little slow, but after I increased the playback speed, it worked out just fine.
Let me start by telling you that I loved both of the main characters in the book. One of my favorite things is that you never have to overlook or forgive either the hero or heroine for anything. They are both so very true to who they are. They are honest and straightforward with each other. One of the best things is that there is absolutely no angst nor any TSTL moments. It was a lovely, fairly light-hearted, romantic read.
Margaret de Lacey has long accepted that she is a spinster. Once, she dreamed of love, marriage, and children, but no longer. She is content living with her brother and managing his household. Then, her brother unexpectedly inherits a dukedom and her whole world changes. She’s gone from the plain, uninteresting, drab woman in whom nobody was interested, to a very wealthy heiress with all of the penniless fortune hunters chasing her. Well, she’ll not accept any of them without being very, very sure they are as interested in her as they are in her fortune.
Rhys Corwen, Earl of Dowling is probably the most destitute of those looking for a fortune. He is very, very reluctant to marry for money, but he’s exhausted all of his options – even selling the furnishings in his homes. He’s agreed to go through a list his friend has of eligible heiresses. He’ll meet them, then he’ll decide whether he can go through with it or not. He’s met two or three of the ladies on the list, and then he meets Margaret de Lacey. Goodness, she is intriguing and he is drawn to her. He decides right then that she will be his.
Rhys constantly turns up wherever Margaret happens to be and they always have at least a brief interaction. Will he manage to change her mind about him? Will she ever accept him? What dastardly thing does her brother do? Can they find their HEA? You’ll just have to read this fun novella to find out.
I do wish the epilogue had been just a tad more fleshed out, it seemed just a bit rushed. I would also have liked to have seen more of a reconciliation between the siblings – a visit would have been so much better than a letter. I understand this was a novella, but just a few more pages would have made it absolutely perfect.
Publication Date: 8/2/11
Number of Pages: 147
This was a lovely introduction to the ‘The Truth About The Duke’ series, we meet the Duke, learn about him unexpectedly becoming a duke, but we don’t really see much of him. We learn to like him, dislike him, and then like him again. We learned that he was troubled and that it had something to do with a youthful romance, but no explanations beyond that. The other books in the series feature his sons (many years later) as they fight the scandal the duke left behind and find their HEAs along their journey. This novella features the duke’s sister Margaret.
I listened to the audiobook which was narrated by Gildart Jackson. His characterizations were consistent – you always knew which character was speaking. He has a nice voice and accent consistent with the time and place. Personally, I thought the pacing was a little slow, but after I increased the playback speed, it worked out just fine.
Let me start by telling you that I loved both of the main characters in the book. One of my favorite things is that you never have to overlook or forgive either the hero or heroine for anything. They are both so very true to who they are. They are honest and straightforward with each other. One of the best things is that there is absolutely no angst nor any TSTL moments. It was a lovely, fairly light-hearted, romantic read.
Margaret de Lacey has long accepted that she is a spinster. Once, she dreamed of love, marriage, and children, but no longer. She is content living with her brother and managing his household. Then, her brother unexpectedly inherits a dukedom and her whole world changes. She’s gone from the plain, uninteresting, drab woman in whom nobody was interested, to a very wealthy heiress with all of the penniless fortune hunters chasing her. Well, she’ll not accept any of them without being very, very sure they are as interested in her as they are in her fortune.
Rhys Corwen, Earl of Dowling is probably the most destitute of those looking for a fortune. He is very, very reluctant to marry for money, but he’s exhausted all of his options – even selling the furnishings in his homes. He’s agreed to go through a list his friend has of eligible heiresses. He’ll meet them, then he’ll decide whether he can go through with it or not. He’s met two or three of the ladies on the list, and then he meets Margaret de Lacey. Goodness, she is intriguing and he is drawn to her. He decides right then that she will be his.
Rhys constantly turns up wherever Margaret happens to be and they always have at least a brief interaction. Will he manage to change her mind about him? Will she ever accept him? What dastardly thing does her brother do? Can they find their HEA? You’ll just have to read this fun novella to find out.
I do wish the epilogue had been just a tad more fleshed out, it seemed just a bit rushed. I would also have liked to have seen more of a reconciliation between the siblings – a visit would have been so much better than a letter. I understand this was a novella, but just a few more pages would have made it absolutely perfect.
December 4, 2018
4.5/5 stars. It would be 5 stars if the epilogue was more fleshed out. I'm a sucker for extended happy endings.
I think I'm slowly starting to fall in love with Caroline Linden herself. I've read two books by her recently and both have left me blubbering like a baby and wondering if the future will hold a technology that can bring our favorite fictional characters to life.
Because if such a world ever existed, then Rhys Corwen, Earl of Dowling would be in the running for sure!
The book kicks off the Truth of the Duke series, by showing us the love story of the sister of the "Duke" from the title. Francis De Lacey has just learned that due to his uncle's inability to produce a male child he is now suddenly the Duke of Durham. He's never been anything more than a gentleman without a title trying to make a decent living for himself. There's only one person he seems to care for in this world; his sister Margaret de Lacey - who with her tall, slender structure and supposedly plain features is a spinster of 30 years.
Francis decides to do his sister a favor (ha!) by levelling her with a humungous dowry so as to ensure that she'll be able to marry a good man of her choice. Of course he doesn't understand that this action is contradictory to his endgame, and no matter how many times margaret tries to deter him he overrules her. He wishes for her to find a good husband who will give her the dream she'd given up on. The dream of a life filled with love, passion and children. She reluctantly agrees, however knows fully well that every man who approaches her now will only be intersted in her dowry and not her .
"She had learned early on that money a plain girl prettier, and enough money made an ugly girl beautiful."
One of these hapless poor men happens to be our Hero, Rhys the Earl of Dorling. And their first interaction is absolutely wonderful. In short he's prepared, bedrugingly even so, to charm and flirt his way into her heart. However she absolutely shreds him with a few pointed words, and suddenly the entire feel of the book and their relationship shifts. He's left stunned, shaken to his core but firm on the belief that this was the woman for him. Dowry or no dowry.
And that is why I love this book. While I don't mind this trope of poor titled hero's charming rich heiress, I find them terribly predictable. Almost all start with a babbling, shy heroine and a charming rogue only interested in her money, doing his best to flirt and seduce her while steadily coming to realize he likes her well enough. Eventually, there is angst in some form or another and a few chaptes of soul searching for our hero leading to some grovelling. And it ends the same. It's quite tiresome at this point and always leaves me feeling like the heroine deserves better.
The author takes that trope and throws all those cliche's into the bin, and god I love her for it. From their first meeting its evidently clear that while he needs and could make the most of Margaret's funds, it's her Rhys wants, over and above her dowry. And the author does a fabulous job of not only showing us that, but giving a courtship fit enough to make us swoon in 2018.
Moreover, I really like that the hero wasn't the rake who bundled his money on drinks, gambling and women. Rhys was 10 when he inherited the earldom, and his uncle managed the money in his stead and ran everything into the ground by making poor investments. Rhys had resorted to selling everything in his house to just be able to pay his servants, to help his tenants. He may be piss poor and looking for a wife for all the wrong reasons, but he truly had no other choice. He hadn't lost his money in a drunken stupor, he had been shoved down this path by a bad mentor. And, he had been trying to keep his house and it's people up for around 10 years with everything he could, and only now considered taking a rich wife because he had nothing else to sell.
Never once did you think the heroine was too good for him, or that his intentions were mercenary and how I love that!
Caroline Linden is fast becoming one of my favorite HR authors. Suffice to say I doubt I'll ever come across a book that does takes the age old trope of impoverished-gentry-looking-for-rich-heriess and turns it around to make it a book with one of the best hero's I've read!
If you're a fan of HR's or even plain romance, give this a read. You won't be dissapointed.
I think I'm slowly starting to fall in love with Caroline Linden herself. I've read two books by her recently and both have left me blubbering like a baby and wondering if the future will hold a technology that can bring our favorite fictional characters to life.
Because if such a world ever existed, then Rhys Corwen, Earl of Dowling would be in the running for sure!
The book kicks off the Truth of the Duke series, by showing us the love story of the sister of the "Duke" from the title. Francis De Lacey has just learned that due to his uncle's inability to produce a male child he is now suddenly the Duke of Durham. He's never been anything more than a gentleman without a title trying to make a decent living for himself. There's only one person he seems to care for in this world; his sister Margaret de Lacey - who with her tall, slender structure and supposedly plain features is a spinster of 30 years.
Francis decides to do his sister a favor (ha!) by levelling her with a humungous dowry so as to ensure that she'll be able to marry a good man of her choice. Of course he doesn't understand that this action is contradictory to his endgame, and no matter how many times margaret tries to deter him he overrules her. He wishes for her to find a good husband who will give her the dream she'd given up on. The dream of a life filled with love, passion and children. She reluctantly agrees, however knows fully well that every man who approaches her now will only be intersted in her dowry and not her .
"She had learned early on that money a plain girl prettier, and enough money made an ugly girl beautiful."
One of these hapless poor men happens to be our Hero, Rhys the Earl of Dorling. And their first interaction is absolutely wonderful. In short he's prepared, bedrugingly even so, to charm and flirt his way into her heart. However she absolutely shreds him with a few pointed words, and suddenly the entire feel of the book and their relationship shifts. He's left stunned, shaken to his core but firm on the belief that this was the woman for him. Dowry or no dowry.
And that is why I love this book. While I don't mind this trope of poor titled hero's charming rich heiress, I find them terribly predictable. Almost all start with a babbling, shy heroine and a charming rogue only interested in her money, doing his best to flirt and seduce her while steadily coming to realize he likes her well enough. Eventually, there is angst in some form or another and a few chaptes of soul searching for our hero leading to some grovelling. And it ends the same. It's quite tiresome at this point and always leaves me feeling like the heroine deserves better.
The author takes that trope and throws all those cliche's into the bin, and god I love her for it. From their first meeting its evidently clear that while he needs and could make the most of Margaret's funds, it's her Rhys wants, over and above her dowry. And the author does a fabulous job of not only showing us that, but giving a courtship fit enough to make us swoon in 2018.
Moreover, I really like that the hero wasn't the rake who bundled his money on drinks, gambling and women. Rhys was 10 when he inherited the earldom, and his uncle managed the money in his stead and ran everything into the ground by making poor investments. Rhys had resorted to selling everything in his house to just be able to pay his servants, to help his tenants. He may be piss poor and looking for a wife for all the wrong reasons, but he truly had no other choice. He hadn't lost his money in a drunken stupor, he had been shoved down this path by a bad mentor. And, he had been trying to keep his house and it's people up for around 10 years with everything he could, and only now considered taking a rich wife because he had nothing else to sell.
Never once did you think the heroine was too good for him, or that his intentions were mercenary and how I love that!
Caroline Linden is fast becoming one of my favorite HR authors. Suffice to say I doubt I'll ever come across a book that does takes the age old trope of impoverished-gentry-looking-for-rich-heriess and turns it around to make it a book with one of the best hero's I've read!
If you're a fan of HR's or even plain romance, give this a read. You won't be dissapointed.
February 6, 2020
Who would have thought a brooding fortune hunter and a tart-tongued spinster would provide such an engaging Georgian Era romance? The situation got me curious and I just had to see how the dashing earl persuaded the practical dowered lady who wanted to be married for love turned out. It didn't hurt that a favorite narrator had the telling of this one by a new to me author.
I Love the Earl is a prequel story, but it is a self-contained standalone that introduces the series. As I'm not familiar with the rest of the series... Yet. I will be... I can only surmise the principle characters in this one play a role in the next book as secondary figures.
The story begins with Margaret de Lacey, a plain-faced woman of around thirty years living with her bachelor brother and content if not happy to care for his domestic arrangements. They are gentry, just, and aren't wealthy, but comfortably off until an estranged cousin and a great uncle pass leaving Margaret's brother the new Duke of Durham and well-heeled to boot. Francis immediately slaps a huge dowry on her and her years of obscurity end. Margaret is now the target of every fortune hunter in England, but she is determined to hold out for a man who wants her and not her fortune. How to tell, though. She'd better figure it out especially in the case of a certain determined earl.
Rhys is an earl, but the title only came with debts and problems. He's all to pieces financially after he settled all the debts of his father and guardian. He contemplates escaping his material responsibilities for the Continent. His best friend insists that he try for a rich wife. Rhys can't stomach the idea of dangling after a woman just to gain her fortune, but he goes along to check the women on the list out when he spies Margaret and experiences a lashing from her tart tongue. She told him in no uncertain terms what she thought of men who lost their fortunes and what they could do with themselves. Little did she know that her spark of spirit and stately walk off left him wanting a wife for the first time. He would have Margaret and no one else. He plans his courtship carefully and sets out to woo a woman worthy of being loved. But, how to convince her he wants her for herself and not just her fortune...
The two principle characters shared the narration. I enjoyed getting to know them both and finding myself in perfect sympathy. I was easily convinced they needed each other, but understood what separated them. Rhys was a great surprise. His courtship was brilliant and canny. He understood the woman Margaret was. And, I loved how he chose to utilize her friend and certain connections without using them and discarding them. It was telling that they became his friends and were loyal to both of them. He was honest and didn't lie even when the truth was not easy. He was a fabulous hero.
Margaret's first cruel set down of Rhys who only asked her to dance had me unsure if I was going to like her. I get it. She was fed up with fawning men, but she really crossed the line and took it all out on him. What saved her in my eyes and restored respect was her genuine remorse and her apology to him when they met later. Of course, from then on he flustered her and she couldn't make him out. He kept her on her toes because he was upfront with her about his situation and his intentions, but he went about it by befriending her and her friends to get to know her. She learned swiftly that if she smarted off like when she said she didn't want to dance with him and to go away, he heeded her and danced exquisitely with her friends and never asked her to dance after that.
Naturally, it had to get even more complicated when outside interference happened and they were still battling through their issue of money vs. love. Never a dull moment.
Another bit I want to give kudos to is the historical setting. It was the Georgian period of powdered hair, minuets, sword duels, Vauxhall Gardens, masquerades, and lusty intrigues. The author brought out details so it all came to life for me.
Gildart Jackson narrated the story and I already enjoyed his work in a medieval mystery series. His work was familiar and welcome as he voiced Rhys' low, cultured Welsh accents and Margaret's warm female ones. Each member of the cast was distinct and I enjoyed the way pace and emotion were brought out to engage the listener more deeply into the story.
All in all, it was a wonderful story experience and I will definitely be going on with the first book and more from the author. Those who enjoy historical romance with good development, characters, and a spicy well-paced romance should give this a look-see.
My thanks to Tantor Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.
I Love the Earl is a prequel story, but it is a self-contained standalone that introduces the series. As I'm not familiar with the rest of the series... Yet. I will be... I can only surmise the principle characters in this one play a role in the next book as secondary figures.
The story begins with Margaret de Lacey, a plain-faced woman of around thirty years living with her bachelor brother and content if not happy to care for his domestic arrangements. They are gentry, just, and aren't wealthy, but comfortably off until an estranged cousin and a great uncle pass leaving Margaret's brother the new Duke of Durham and well-heeled to boot. Francis immediately slaps a huge dowry on her and her years of obscurity end. Margaret is now the target of every fortune hunter in England, but she is determined to hold out for a man who wants her and not her fortune. How to tell, though. She'd better figure it out especially in the case of a certain determined earl.
Rhys is an earl, but the title only came with debts and problems. He's all to pieces financially after he settled all the debts of his father and guardian. He contemplates escaping his material responsibilities for the Continent. His best friend insists that he try for a rich wife. Rhys can't stomach the idea of dangling after a woman just to gain her fortune, but he goes along to check the women on the list out when he spies Margaret and experiences a lashing from her tart tongue. She told him in no uncertain terms what she thought of men who lost their fortunes and what they could do with themselves. Little did she know that her spark of spirit and stately walk off left him wanting a wife for the first time. He would have Margaret and no one else. He plans his courtship carefully and sets out to woo a woman worthy of being loved. But, how to convince her he wants her for herself and not just her fortune...
The two principle characters shared the narration. I enjoyed getting to know them both and finding myself in perfect sympathy. I was easily convinced they needed each other, but understood what separated them. Rhys was a great surprise. His courtship was brilliant and canny. He understood the woman Margaret was. And, I loved how he chose to utilize her friend and certain connections without using them and discarding them. It was telling that they became his friends and were loyal to both of them. He was honest and didn't lie even when the truth was not easy. He was a fabulous hero.
Margaret's first cruel set down of Rhys who only asked her to dance had me unsure if I was going to like her. I get it. She was fed up with fawning men, but she really crossed the line and took it all out on him. What saved her in my eyes and restored respect was her genuine remorse and her apology to him when they met later. Of course, from then on he flustered her and she couldn't make him out. He kept her on her toes because he was upfront with her about his situation and his intentions, but he went about it by befriending her and her friends to get to know her. She learned swiftly that if she smarted off like when she said she didn't want to dance with him and to go away, he heeded her and danced exquisitely with her friends and never asked her to dance after that.
Naturally, it had to get even more complicated when outside interference happened and they were still battling through their issue of money vs. love. Never a dull moment.
Another bit I want to give kudos to is the historical setting. It was the Georgian period of powdered hair, minuets, sword duels, Vauxhall Gardens, masquerades, and lusty intrigues. The author brought out details so it all came to life for me.
Gildart Jackson narrated the story and I already enjoyed his work in a medieval mystery series. His work was familiar and welcome as he voiced Rhys' low, cultured Welsh accents and Margaret's warm female ones. Each member of the cast was distinct and I enjoyed the way pace and emotion were brought out to engage the listener more deeply into the story.
All in all, it was a wonderful story experience and I will definitely be going on with the first book and more from the author. Those who enjoy historical romance with good development, characters, and a spicy well-paced romance should give this a look-see.
My thanks to Tantor Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.
Read
February 8, 2015Totally charming novella that kicks off a fantastic series. Don't miss it!
May 5, 2019
4.5/5 stars. It would be 5 stars if the epilogue was more fleshed out. I'm a sucker for extended happy endings.
I think I'm slowly starting to fall in love with Caroline Linden herself. I've read two books by her recently and both have left me blubbering like a baby and wondering if the future will hold a technology that can bring our favorite fictional characters to life.
Because if such a world ever existed, then Rhys Corwen, Earl of Dowling would be in the running for sure!
The book kicks off the Truth of the Duke series, by showing us the love story of the sister of the "Duke" from the title. Francis De Lacey has just learned that due to his uncle's inability to produce a male child he is now suddenly the Duke of Durham. He's never been anything more than a gentleman without a title trying to make a decent living for himself. There's only one person he seems to care for in this world; his sister Margaret de Lacey - who with her tall, slender structure and supposedly plain features is a spinster of 30 years.
Francis decides to do his sister a favor (ha!) by levelling her with a humungous dowry so as to ensure that she'll be able to marry a good man of her choice. Of course he doesn't understand that this action is contradictory to his endgame, and no matter how many times margaret tries to deter him he overrules her. He wishes for her to find a good husband who will give her the dream she'd given up on. The dream of a life filled with love, passion and children. She reluctantly agrees, however knows fully well that every man who approaches her now will only be intersted in her dowry and not her .
"She had learned early on that money a plain girl prettier, and enough money made an ugly girl beautiful."
One of these hapless poor men happens to be our Hero, Rhys the Earl of Dorling. And their first interaction is absolutely wonderful. In short he's prepared, bedrugingly even so, to charm and flirt his way into her heart. However she absolutely shreds him with a few pointed words, and suddenly the entire feel of the book and their relationship shifts. He's left stunned, shaken to his core but firm on the belief that this was the woman for him. Dowry or no dowry.
And that is why I love this book. While I don't mind this trope of poor titled hero's charming rich heiress, I find them terribly predictable. Almost all start with a babbling, shy heroine and a charming rogue only interested in her money, doing his best to flirt and seduce her while steadily coming to realize he likes her well enough. Eventually, there is angst in some form or another and a few chaptes of soul searching for our hero leading to some grovelling. And it ends the same. It's quite tiresome at this point and always leaves me feeling like the heroine deserves better.
The author takes that trope and throws all those cliche's into the bin, and god I love her for it. From their first meeting its evidently clear that while he needs and could make the most of Margaret's funds, it's her Rhys wants, over and above her dowry. And the author does a fabulous job of not only showing us that, but giving a courtship fit enough to make us swoon in 2018.
Moreover, I really like that the hero wasn't the rake who bundled his money on drinks, gambling and women. Rhys was 10 when he inherited the earldom, and his uncle managed the money in his stead and ran everything into the ground by making poor investments. Rhys had resorted to selling everything in his house to just be able to pay his servants, to help his tenants. He may be piss poor and looking for a wife for all the wrong reasons, but he truly had no other choice. He hadn't lost his money in a drunken stupor, he had been shoved down this path by a bad mentor. And, he had been trying to keep his house and it's people up for around 10 years with everything he could, and only now considered taking a rich wife because he had nothing else to sell.
Never once did you think the heroine was too good for him, or that his intentions were mercenary and how I love that!
Caroline Linden is fast becoming one of my favorite HR authors. Suffice to say I doubt I'll ever come across a book that does takes the age old trope of impoverished-gentry-looking-for-rich-heriess and turns it around to make it a book with one of the best hero's I've read!
If you're a fan of HR's or even plain romance, give this a read. You won't be dissapointed.
I think I'm slowly starting to fall in love with Caroline Linden herself. I've read two books by her recently and both have left me blubbering like a baby and wondering if the future will hold a technology that can bring our favorite fictional characters to life.
Because if such a world ever existed, then Rhys Corwen, Earl of Dowling would be in the running for sure!
The book kicks off the Truth of the Duke series, by showing us the love story of the sister of the "Duke" from the title. Francis De Lacey has just learned that due to his uncle's inability to produce a male child he is now suddenly the Duke of Durham. He's never been anything more than a gentleman without a title trying to make a decent living for himself. There's only one person he seems to care for in this world; his sister Margaret de Lacey - who with her tall, slender structure and supposedly plain features is a spinster of 30 years.
Francis decides to do his sister a favor (ha!) by levelling her with a humungous dowry so as to ensure that she'll be able to marry a good man of her choice. Of course he doesn't understand that this action is contradictory to his endgame, and no matter how many times margaret tries to deter him he overrules her. He wishes for her to find a good husband who will give her the dream she'd given up on. The dream of a life filled with love, passion and children. She reluctantly agrees, however knows fully well that every man who approaches her now will only be intersted in her dowry and not her .
"She had learned early on that money a plain girl prettier, and enough money made an ugly girl beautiful."
One of these hapless poor men happens to be our Hero, Rhys the Earl of Dorling. And their first interaction is absolutely wonderful. In short he's prepared, bedrugingly even so, to charm and flirt his way into her heart. However she absolutely shreds him with a few pointed words, and suddenly the entire feel of the book and their relationship shifts. He's left stunned, shaken to his core but firm on the belief that this was the woman for him. Dowry or no dowry.
And that is why I love this book. While I don't mind this trope of poor titled hero's charming rich heiress, I find them terribly predictable. Almost all start with a babbling, shy heroine and a charming rogue only interested in her money, doing his best to flirt and seduce her while steadily coming to realize he likes her well enough. Eventually, there is angst in some form or another and a few chaptes of soul searching for our hero leading to some grovelling. And it ends the same. It's quite tiresome at this point and always leaves me feeling like the heroine deserves better.
The author takes that trope and throws all those cliche's into the bin, and god I love her for it. From their first meeting its evidently clear that while he needs and could make the most of Margaret's funds, it's her Rhys wants, over and above her dowry. And the author does a fabulous job of not only showing us that, but giving a courtship fit enough to make us swoon in 2018.
Moreover, I really like that the hero wasn't the rake who bundled his money on drinks, gambling and women. Rhys was 10 when he inherited the earldom, and his uncle managed the money in his stead and ran everything into the ground by making poor investments. Rhys had resorted to selling everything in his house to just be able to pay his servants, to help his tenants. He may be piss poor and looking for a wife for all the wrong reasons, but he truly had no other choice. He hadn't lost his money in a drunken stupor, he had been shoved down this path by a bad mentor. And, he had been trying to keep his house and it's people up for around 10 years with everything he could, and only now considered taking a rich wife because he had nothing else to sell.
Never once did you think the heroine was too good for him, or that his intentions were mercenary and how I love that!
Caroline Linden is fast becoming one of my favorite HR authors. Suffice to say I doubt I'll ever come across a book that does takes the age old trope of impoverished-gentry-looking-for-rich-heriess and turns it around to make it a book with one of the best hero's I've read!
If you're a fan of HR's or even plain romance, give this a read. You won't be dissapointed.
January 4, 2023
17/6/17. A quick, enjoyable read - around 125 pages. A good all-round story! 4☆
2nd reading - loved reading this again. A lovely story. 4☆
3rd reading - Oh poor unmarried Margaret. Young, poor and starry-eyed. No one will want her now she is older and still penniless. Her brother inherits and becomes the Duke of Durham. Along comes Rhys, the Earl of Dowling, in need of a wealthy lady. He truly falls in love with his Maggie.
A lovely HEA. I really love reading this short story. 4☆
2nd reading - loved reading this again. A lovely story. 4☆
3rd reading - Oh poor unmarried Margaret. Young, poor and starry-eyed. No one will want her now she is older and still penniless. Her brother inherits and becomes the Duke of Durham. Along comes Rhys, the Earl of Dowling, in need of a wealthy lady. He truly falls in love with his Maggie.
A lovely HEA. I really love reading this short story. 4☆
February 10, 2021
Margaret de Lacey's bro inherits a dukedom, and he immediately settles £40,000 on her as a dowry. This attracts the destitute Rhys Corwen, Earl of Dowling, who is POOR and WELSH. Except the moment Rhys meets Margaret, he decides YEP SHE'S IT so he puts on his courting pants and convinces her to give him a shot.
1. Ah, the eternal cry of novellas: this needed more.
2. I wished more of Margaret and Rhys getting to know one another happened on page. Instead, we're given their first two meetings and then we fast forward to make outs in Vauxhall Gardens.
3. This definitely makes Margaret's brother appear to be a dickhead who doesn't listen to his sister. GOOD JOB DUDE.
4. It was cute and slight and inoffensive. I'm giving it 2.5 stars, rounded up.
1. Ah, the eternal cry of novellas: this needed more.
2. I wished more of Margaret and Rhys getting to know one another happened on page. Instead, we're given their first two meetings and then we fast forward to make outs in Vauxhall Gardens.
3. This definitely makes Margaret's brother appear to be a dickhead who doesn't listen to his sister. GOOD JOB DUDE.
4. It was cute and slight and inoffensive. I'm giving it 2.5 stars, rounded up.
August 10, 2012
Quite enjoyable little story about what can happen when an on-the-shelf spinster's brother unexpectedly becomes a duke. And gives her a dowry large enough to attract every fortune hunter in London.
August 1, 2017
This was an ok read. I think it is pretty hard to write a novella length story convincing me that a destitute earl is not marrying the heiress for her money. It didn't really work because there was no time for the relationship to develop. It was all too neat and tied up with a bow. (He obsessed so much about the money she was bringing into the marriage, implying that his lust for her was just an added bonus.)
That said, it was nicely written, as usual for CL. It just didn't grab me.
I was also confused as to how this fitted in with the series. A prequel? I kept thinking the new Duke must be gay, with his aversion to matchmaking women and marriage, but that never came out. I have read the other books, so now I have to go back to them and work it out, as I read them while a go. Previous secret marriage? Illegitimate offspring? Oh well. Time for e re-read!
That said, it was nicely written, as usual for CL. It just didn't grab me.
I was also confused as to how this fitted in with the series. A prequel? I kept thinking the new Duke must be gay, with his aversion to matchmaking women and marriage, but that never came out. I have read the other books, so now I have to go back to them and work it out, as I read them while a go. Previous secret marriage? Illegitimate offspring? Oh well. Time for e re-read!
July 29, 2017
I seem to have a weird relationship with novellas that are prequels to longer series. I am obsessed with finding them and using them to figure out if I like a particular writing style or premise. But, I often find myself disappointed in the shorter length and often cliffhanger endings that are designed to make me want to purchase the actual series books. Thankfully, this was not the case with I Love the Earl which is an introduction to Caroline Linden's The Truth About the Duke historical series.
The first thing that grabbed my attention about this novella was the Georgian England setting. I adore this time period with all the elaborate hairstyles and over-the-top fashion. This is not an era that is commonly found in historical romance nowadays so it was very refreshing to read different details even if it is only for a prequel.
The spinster heiress and the fortune hunter are two of historical romance's most common character types, but Linden found a way to make them new and interesting for me. Margaret's self-awareness and matter-of-fact nature made her a very endearing personality. That also made her journey to self-confidence that much more rewarding.
In terms of the hero, Rhys was surprisingly mature about his difficult financial situation. He knew he needed the money to help his estate, but was willing to do without some of the finer things in order to retain his livelihood. I also liked how devoted he was to Margaret from their first meeting. It is always nice to read about the heroine being pursued rather than the other way around.
The romance between Margaret and Rhys was sweet and fun to read. Linden shows these two characters slowly getting to know each other and developing a friendship and then a relationship. I thought the development aspect was well done especially for the shorter page length. Readers do get an introduction to the mystery behind Margaret's newly titled brother which is the focus on the series. I'm not completely sure what is going on with him, but I can definitely tell his past is an intriguing one that I will want to read more about.
The first thing that grabbed my attention about this novella was the Georgian England setting. I adore this time period with all the elaborate hairstyles and over-the-top fashion. This is not an era that is commonly found in historical romance nowadays so it was very refreshing to read different details even if it is only for a prequel.
The spinster heiress and the fortune hunter are two of historical romance's most common character types, but Linden found a way to make them new and interesting for me. Margaret's self-awareness and matter-of-fact nature made her a very endearing personality. That also made her journey to self-confidence that much more rewarding.
In terms of the hero, Rhys was surprisingly mature about his difficult financial situation. He knew he needed the money to help his estate, but was willing to do without some of the finer things in order to retain his livelihood. I also liked how devoted he was to Margaret from their first meeting. It is always nice to read about the heroine being pursued rather than the other way around.
The romance between Margaret and Rhys was sweet and fun to read. Linden shows these two characters slowly getting to know each other and developing a friendship and then a relationship. I thought the development aspect was well done especially for the shorter page length. Readers do get an introduction to the mystery behind Margaret's newly titled brother which is the focus on the series. I'm not completely sure what is going on with him, but I can definitely tell his past is an intriguing one that I will want to read more about.
May 14, 2019
There were so many things to recommend I Love the Earl. One being that both hero and heroine were in their thirties which meant there was little to no pretense between them as evidenced by Margaret’s glorious public set-down of Rhys upon their first meeting as well as the blatant honesty Rhys displayed when he informed Margaret of his dire financial straits. So I got a couple where there was no great misunderstanding, no manipulation, no last minute drama or noble idiocy and no sorry lack of communication…WOW. It was their sparkling rapport, which also helped ease what was admittedly an insta-type relationship, that really convinced me these two were the real deal as every scene they shared was perfection. I found it quite easy to fall for them as individual characters as well: I knew Margaret was my kind of woman the moment she threatened to poison her overbearing brother (in jest of course...sort of), and Rhys was Welsh, charming, sexy as hell and thoroughly bewitched by Margaret who challenged him every part of the way.
The arc of Rhys setting out to prove his feelings for Margaret went beyond her dowry was what made the novella so great in my opinion. I love courtships that happen on the page as they often do not. By the end, Rhys and Margaret were such dumbs in love that the HEA epilogue had them living in Wales with sheep and a dog and more in love than ever. When Caroline Linden gets it right, it’s magic.
The arc of Rhys setting out to prove his feelings for Margaret went beyond her dowry was what made the novella so great in my opinion. I love courtships that happen on the page as they often do not. By the end, Rhys and Margaret were such dumbs in love that the HEA epilogue had them living in Wales with sheep and a dog and more in love than ever. When Caroline Linden gets it right, it’s magic.
March 7, 2021
A well-done novella with substance and grit.
March 12, 2015
4 sweet stars
This is a quick read... just 125 pages I believe. Caroline Linden does a superb job at writing this story. It's short and to the point. Just the right amount of romance and scandal to keep you reading until the very last page.
I'm definitely starting on the next book in the series. I can't wait to see what all is in store for all the characters. Great way to start off a series. I look forward to reading them.
"My intentions..." His slow smile acted like a torch held to her skin. She felt prickly with heat and yet transfixed by the glowing allure of it. "I intend to have you, Maggie, in every way a man can have a woman. I want your hand in mine while we dance. I want you laughing beside me in the theater. I want you lying naked in my arms at night. And I want you standing beside me in church, saying 'I will.'" His gaze scorched her.
This is a quick read... just 125 pages I believe. Caroline Linden does a superb job at writing this story. It's short and to the point. Just the right amount of romance and scandal to keep you reading until the very last page.
I'm definitely starting on the next book in the series. I can't wait to see what all is in store for all the characters. Great way to start off a series. I look forward to reading them.
"My intentions..." His slow smile acted like a torch held to her skin. She felt prickly with heat and yet transfixed by the glowing allure of it. "I intend to have you, Maggie, in every way a man can have a woman. I want your hand in mine while we dance. I want you laughing beside me in the theater. I want you lying naked in my arms at night. And I want you standing beside me in church, saying 'I will.'" His gaze scorched her.
May 18, 2019
Quick
Fun
Easy
Low Angst
The Hero Rhys Corwen, Earl of Dowling Was A Refreshingly Kind, Charming, Alpha
"Dowling had the knack of charming women with simple decency."
Margaret de Lacey Is A Smart Independent Spinster Who Knows What She Wants
No Pretense Uncomplicated Romance
Fun
Easy
Low Angst
The Hero Rhys Corwen, Earl of Dowling Was A Refreshingly Kind, Charming, Alpha
"Dowling had the knack of charming women with simple decency."
Margaret de Lacey Is A Smart Independent Spinster Who Knows What She Wants
No Pretense Uncomplicated Romance
March 21, 2016
I really enjoyed this story. It was uncomplicated and sweet and the characters were always honest with each other, which is refreshing because you don't encounter that often. I'd recommend this novella as a nice way to spend an evening after a long day :)
An Earl in need of funds finds a woman he could love and pursues her, recognizing that love is important to him...and he never sways from the conviction that he loves the heroine for her, not her money. How uncommon!
An Earl in need of funds finds a woman he could love and pursues her, recognizing that love is important to him...and he never sways from the conviction that he loves the heroine for her, not her money. How uncommon!
October 12, 2020
She's nailed it.
I generally don't like novellas because they don't have the length to add in depth of story and characters. Here , she's done it. This is not a puppy love story with teens as mcs but it's older mature adult love story.
Recommended : 👍👍👍👍
I generally don't like novellas because they don't have the length to add in depth of story and characters. Here , she's done it. This is not a puppy love story with teens as mcs but it's older mature adult love story.
Recommended : 👍👍👍👍
April 23, 2019
This was a lovely uncomplicated romance. I really liked the characters and enjoyed the story, and it worked well as an introduction to a new series.
Margaret de Lacey and her brother have a distant connection to the Duke and when the last of his line dies her brother inherits the dukedom. Because Margaret never married and is now 30 *gasp* she assumed she would never marry and would live out her life as the spinster sister of a duke. Her brother, however, had other ideas, and in an attempt to make his sister happy, he provides her with a dowry sure to entice several men to court her.
At first Margaret is furious because she believes only fortune hunters will be willing to court her due to her advanced age and plain looks. Then she meets the Earl of Dowling, who is in need of a fortune, but not willing to marry just anyone in order to get it.
I loved that these characters were so up front and honest with each other throughout the story. There was no over the top manufactured drama and the story stays focused on whether or not these two will fall in love.
Exactly what I wanted for a quick one afternoon read.
Margaret de Lacey and her brother have a distant connection to the Duke and when the last of his line dies her brother inherits the dukedom. Because Margaret never married and is now 30 *gasp* she assumed she would never marry and would live out her life as the spinster sister of a duke. Her brother, however, had other ideas, and in an attempt to make his sister happy, he provides her with a dowry sure to entice several men to court her.
At first Margaret is furious because she believes only fortune hunters will be willing to court her due to her advanced age and plain looks. Then she meets the Earl of Dowling, who is in need of a fortune, but not willing to marry just anyone in order to get it.
I loved that these characters were so up front and honest with each other throughout the story. There was no over the top manufactured drama and the story stays focused on whether or not these two will fall in love.
Exactly what I wanted for a quick one afternoon read.
July 1, 2014
3.5*
Very charming.
Very charming.
September 8, 2020
4 stars
It's a novella = it's short = you have to carefully craft that romance to make it believable. A novella needs all the space it can get, and so wasting any page lines with stupid misunderstandings or omissions or incomplete divulgences is a bad idea (IMHO).
Rhys and Margaret were lovely together and the "he needs to marry for money and she's an heiress" aspect is nicely dealt with (again, thanks to all that fabulous honesty). Charming novella!
“My intentions . . .” His slow smile acted like a torch held to her skin. She felt prickly with heat and yet transfixed by the glowing allure of it. “I intend to have you, Maggie, in every way a man can have a woman. I want your hand in mine while we dance. I want you laughing beside me in the theater. I want you lying naked in my arms at night. And I want you standing beside me in church, saying ‘I will.’As someone else wrote in their review, this book was a lovely read for the honesty and straight-forwardness of its characters (though I think I prefer her summation: "I never had to forgive the hero or the heroine for being an idiot."
It's a novella = it's short = you have to carefully craft that romance to make it believable. A novella needs all the space it can get, and so wasting any page lines with stupid misunderstandings or omissions or incomplete divulgences is a bad idea (IMHO).
Rhys and Margaret were lovely together and the "he needs to marry for money and she's an heiress" aspect is nicely dealt with (again, thanks to all that fabulous honesty). Charming novella!
December 29, 2021
I liked this prequel novella and the rating is 3 stars only because it is a short story and not a full fledged novel.
I truly liked the main characters and even the secondary ones. I really wanted to read more about them and to have some plot typical to the historical romance genre only to enjoy their interactions more.
It is refreshing to read about hero and heroine who can fall in love and stay in love without some(usually silly) great misunderstanding that drags the whole story down and that makes them behave like annoying, spoiled kids.
The plot can be simple or even boring but I require no TSTL heroe and heroine who can stay true to their characters throughout a book and whose love story I can really believe in.
If I can't put it down or want to read it again is also a great plus.
I truly liked the main characters and even the secondary ones. I really wanted to read more about them and to have some plot typical to the historical romance genre only to enjoy their interactions more.
It is refreshing to read about hero and heroine who can fall in love and stay in love without some(usually silly) great misunderstanding that drags the whole story down and that makes them behave like annoying, spoiled kids.
The plot can be simple or even boring but I require no TSTL heroe and heroine who can stay true to their characters throughout a book and whose love story I can really believe in.
If I can't put it down or want to read it again is also a great plus.
October 29, 2011
I enjoyed this. It's only 100 pages, according to goodreads. That must be why I finished it in record time. It was good but very light on, and the conflict was barely there. However the characterisation was delightful.
It's interesting to contrast Margaret, the heroine of this novel, with Kitty from Heyer's Cotillion, which I've also just read. Both are heiresses, both are perceived as greatly improved in the eyes of their beholders by their new, fashionable outfits, and both don't take shit from anybody. But I enjoyed Cotillion more because it goes further into the complexities of Society than I Love the Earl, which only skims the surface of the politics of a newly-ennobled spinster with an unexpected dowry. In the end, this story seems to boil down to "money solves everything", with a side helping of True Love. Thus Heyer, with her more complex story about how money causes more problems than solutions, gets 4 stars from me, and Linden gets just 3.
P.S. I paid money for this ebook, too. What's happening to me?
It's interesting to contrast Margaret, the heroine of this novel, with Kitty from Heyer's Cotillion, which I've also just read. Both are heiresses, both are perceived as greatly improved in the eyes of their beholders by their new, fashionable outfits, and both don't take shit from anybody. But I enjoyed Cotillion more because it goes further into the complexities of Society than I Love the Earl, which only skims the surface of the politics of a newly-ennobled spinster with an unexpected dowry. In the end, this story seems to boil down to "money solves everything", with a side helping of True Love. Thus Heyer, with her more complex story about how money causes more problems than solutions, gets 4 stars from me, and Linden gets just 3.
P.S. I paid money for this ebook, too. What's happening to me?
July 4, 2014
I liked the characters and the story.
The language and writing used did not place me in the setting though.
May 13, 2019
This was a very sweet prequel. Both Margaret de Lacey and Rhys Corwen, Earl of Dowling, are smart. As usual for Caroline Linden H/h's, they are well matched. Unlike most CL (for me at least), this book has a lighter feel with quite a few funny scenes.
Margaret de Lacey has always wanted to marry and have children. Unfortunately, with her small 500 pound dowry and average looks, she becomes a spinster of advanced years. After her parents deaths, she manages her brother's house for a couple years. At age 28, her brother unexpectedly inherits the dukedom of Durham and settles an enormous dowry on her against her will. Although Maggie wants marriage, she does not want a fortune hunter; and that is all who will pursue her.
Rhys needs a fortune and decides to gain introductions to the top five heiresses. Maggie is number four on his list, but he knows she is the one he wants. He is relentless and smart at gaining Maggie's affection. In the end, he wants her more than her money. I loved it!
Margaret de Lacey has always wanted to marry and have children. Unfortunately, with her small 500 pound dowry and average looks, she becomes a spinster of advanced years. After her parents deaths, she manages her brother's house for a couple years. At age 28, her brother unexpectedly inherits the dukedom of Durham and settles an enormous dowry on her against her will. Although Maggie wants marriage, she does not want a fortune hunter; and that is all who will pursue her.
Rhys needs a fortune and decides to gain introductions to the top five heiresses. Maggie is number four on his list, but he knows she is the one he wants. He is relentless and smart at gaining Maggie's affection. In the end, he wants her more than her money. I loved it!
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