AN EARL LIKE YOU is the second
book in Caroline Linden's Wagers of
Sin series. Hugh Deveraux, Earl of Hastings, is a good guy
forced to do some bad things for the right reasons. His late father left
him in a very difficult position financially. Although he loved his family,
Hugh's father left his family heavily in debt, with Hugh trying to pick up
the pieces. Enter wealthy businessman Edward Cross into his life.
Edward loves his daughter and he sees nothing ethically wrong with
buying his daughter a husband without disclosing the terms and
conditions to her before the wedding. However unlikely, Hugh falls for
heiress Eliza Cross and having to keep secrets from her is almost his
undoing. I love this hero and heroine. Caroline Linden tells a love story
with complications yet packed with charm.
Hugh is a man forced to live with secrets. He protects his mother and
sisters from the truth of how careless his father was with the family
fortune, and he keeps from Eliza the true reasons he initially pursued
her. Marrying for money is something a rogue would normally do, but
Hugh's scruples torment him. The genuine feelings of love and desire
that develop between Hugh and Eliza make for some enchanting idylls
and steamy scenes. Hugh is a sympathetic hero and I love the way he
treats Eliza and his sisters. Eliza has been a little sheltered by her
father, even though he wants her to participate more in society, but
she's no simpering miss. It isn't until late in the story when Eliza finds
out the truth about the men in her life and their secrets. Her best
friends provide support and act as a sounding board.
AN EARL LIKE YOU is a story
about true love winning out against the odds. Although AN EARL LIKE YOU is part of a series
and one of the heroine's best friends is the heroine of the previous
book, this works as a standalone novel. I look forward to reading Lady
Georgiana's story, hopefully, in the next Wagers of Sin novel.
When Hugh Deveraux discovers his newly
inherited earldom is bankrupt, he sets about rebuilding the
family fortune—in the gaming hells of London. But the most
daring wager he takes isn’t at cards. A wealthy tradesman
makes a tantalizing offer: marry the man’s spinster daughter
and Hugh’s debts will be paid and his fortune made. The only
catch is that she must never know about their agreement . .
.
You risk losing your heart . .
.
Heiress Eliza Cross has given up hope
of marriage until she meets the impossibly handsome Earl of
Hastings, her father’s new business partner. The earl is
everything a gentleman should be, and is boldly attentive to
her. It doesn’t take long for Eliza to lose her heart and
marry him.
But when Eliza discovers that there is more
to the man she loves—and to her marriage—her trust is
shattered. And it will take all of Hugh’s power to prove
that now his words of love are real . . .