Earl for the Summer

The Bridewell Sisters #2

by Christy Carlyle

A tangled deception, an undeniable desire—how long before the truth breaks them apart?

Scarred by war, in both body and mind, Cassian Rourke lives in seclusion in the Scottish countryside. Only a desperate letter from his twin brother, Julian, Earl of Windham, can lure him back to England. But the favor Julian asks is the last thing Cassian Julian, injured after a reckless horse race, begs Cassian to impersonate him in London and continue courting the diamond of the Season—the woman Julian intends to marry.

Daphne Bridewell once foolishly gave her heart to a rogue who broke it. Now, as the sister-in-law of a duke, she's been granted a lavish first Season of her own. Yet, with her heart still tender, she resists the charms of London's gentlemen, content to fade into the background and support her friend Lady Selena Montgomery, who is the Season’s reigning diamond. When one of Selena’s suitors—a charming earl she finds suspicious—asks Daphne to help him win Selena's heart, she hesitates. But as she gets to know him, her wariness softens. He sees past her false smiles and polite conversation to the wound she hides, and she glimpses the man beneath his charm—a man of depth and unexpected sincerity.

Cassian has no interest in the beauty he's meant to woo on his brother's behalf. Instead, it's her best friend—with sad eyes and an indomitable spirit—who captivates him like no woman ever has. But what will she think when she discovers his deception?

Genres: Historical Romance

161 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 30, 2025

About the author

Fueled by Pacific Northwest coffee and inspired by multiple viewings of every British costume drama she can get her hands on, USA Today bestselling author Christy Carlyle writes sensual historical romance set in the Victorian era. She loves heroes who struggle against all odds and heroines who are ahead of their time. A former teacher with a degree in history, she finds there's nothing better than being able to combine her love of the past with a die-hard belief in happy endings.

Reviews

[Pam Bereznak · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I read 3 books by Christy Carlyle in 2016 and 3 more in 2019. I haven't picked her up again until this series. I didn't think she was that steamy and although book 1 wasn't 50 shades type steamy, it was well written. Same as this one. It seemed to be well written and just the right amount. This is my 11th book by her.

I really liked Cassian and Daphne a lot. I liked the storyline and how they met and the outcome. I love that it had an epilogue. I like when a book gives you that final closure and doesn't just end and you wander what happened to them. :) Overall good read.