Marlowe is a pickpocket with the Covent Garden Cubs, a gang of young thieves, and she sometimes dreams of a girl named Elizabeth, although she recalls no one of that name. One day, a well-dressed man accosts Marlowe on the street and calls her Elizabeth. The man, Sir Brook, is an investigator who was hired to find Lady Elizabeth Grafton, who was kidnapped 15 years ago, and he seems to think Marlowe is that girl. Then Sir Brook takes her forcibly and brings her home to his brother Maxwell Derring, the Earl of Dane, who goes by Dane. Dane will have to keep an eye on Marlowe while his brother attends to his business.

EARLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN is the first book in Shana Galen's highly anticipated new series Covent Garden, and it is a winner! Marlowe is a fascinating character: spunky, tough, practical, and uncouth; she is a striking contrast to Dane, who is the perfect gentleman, impeccable of manner and dress, and the epitome of honesty. Marlowe's appalling table manners are a source of constant embarrassment to Dane, and of great amusement for the reader. They are one of the most entertaining couples I have ever come across. At the beginning, Pygmalion comes to mind because of the set-up, but it's not quite the case as it subtly enlightens the reader as to the era's living conditions for the rich and the poor, as well as entertains. As time goes by, Dane and Marlowe realise they are attracted to each other in spite of their seemingly insurmountable differences, but they begin to understand each other, and the romance slowly builds.

Shana Galen likes her romance with more than a dash of action, and EARLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN gives us plenty of both. Shana Galen is always a splendid writer, but she shines brighter than ever in EARLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN: Ms. Galen's accuracy of language is nothing short of stunning, her prose is luminous and lush, and her meticulous attention to detail enhances an already smashing story: EARLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN is not to be missed!