Jacob Ashland’s life has taken an unexpected turn. He’s now the Earl of Ashland and expected to marry. But he’s done that before and had his heart ripped from his chest. When Charlotte shows up at his door needing protection, he offers to marry her–in name-only. Charlotte, an orphan, suspects her sinister cousin of terrorizing London. When her maid disappears, she fears for her own life and … life and runs away. Lord Ashland offers marriage, and it’s the perfect solution. But it isn’t long before she finds herself falling for her new husband.
Unfortunately, he won’t allow himself to love anyone ever again. And she knows her dark secret could destroy everything.
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An Unwilling Earl by Sharon Cullen is the story of Charlotte Morris and Jacob Baker, Earl of Ashland. Jacob was a quite man who lost his wife and child then he learned he was the new Earl of Ashland. When he heads to his friends house he happens to meet what he thinks is a boy but he later learns it was Charlotte. Charlotte is on the run worried for her life and past abuse. When she is talked into giving Jacob a chance to help her. Jacob is very taking with Charlotte but he isn’t willing to take a chance on love after his past hurt. Jacob offers a marriage of convince to help her to keep her safe and it helps him not to have to take a wife.
Another page turner from Ms. Cullen…loved it.
A scintillating read. Jacob is a grounded and serious character who has gotten set in his role in life. Things are just changing when Charlotte comes marching in and brings with her the potential for greater change. She is fierce in the face of all her struggles and determined to stand on her own two feet.
The author does a wonderful job developing the characters and the plot. She weaves the emotional roller coaster that Charlotte finds herself in magnificently. The slow way Jacob allows her to build her trust in him is sweet and endearing.
It a beautiful addition to the series. It has all thrill of a mystery and the sweetness of a romance.
While I did enjoy the book, I really didn’t believe that the hero Jacob really fell in love with the heroine Charlotte. So Jacob is widower and he truly did love his love and she was the only woman he had ever been with. He decides to become some type of detective (not really just assisted) he does this to pass the time to deal with his grief. Unfortunately london is having a whole lot of murder happening and here he ends up meeting Charlotte. Charlotte is on the run since she is thinking her cousin is involved in these murders and she does not really trust much, she finally decides to get assistance and tell Jacob her belief, these two get married for convenience sakes, she for some reason fell in love with Jacob but he doesn’t want to fall in love again, and tat is where I truly never believed he was in love he couldn’t get over his first wife.. Yes supposedly they do fall, the book is sometime a little too grisly for me and unbelievable for a historical romance book but yes it was still enjoyable
Rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) Voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions
This is the first book I’ve read by Sharon Cullen, and it certainly won’t be the last. The story was quite entertaining, a historical romance filled with secrets, heartbreak….and a serial killer. Well, that was different! But it was the delightful characters that I found so intriguing.
Jacob was a solicitor and the newly minted Earl of Ashland – the very unwilling Earl of Ashland. He loved being a solicitor, dang it all! He was also a widower, having lost his beloved wife and their newborn son. He had no intention of ever loving again. Jacob and a couple of friends met often, attempting to solve crimes as a hobby. One day after leaving his club, he saved a boy from being trampled by a horse. Later he would learn that this “boy” was actually Charlotte, a young lady and a runaway from the cruel aunt who was her guardian, and her very, very odd cousin of whom she was terrified.
I absolutely adored Jacob! He was extremely smart and witty, and also determined to resist his compelling attraction to Charlotte. Charlotte, though totally out of her element living in the rookeries to hide from her family, was a strong, stubborn young woman. When it appears that the best way to keep Charlotte safe was to make her his countess, they marry. However, evil had a way of finding Charlotte. Even though it was obvious right from the start who was butchering women in London, these marvelous characters kept me totally glued to the story. I look forward to reading more by Sharon Cullen.
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
Now here’s a book I had a hard time putting down until I’d finished it! I am very impressed with this author’s writing skills and thoroughly enjoyed the whole story. I fell in love with Jacob, he made such a wonderful hero. Having lost his wife and newborn son years earlier, he has no intention of marrying again and is more than happy leading a quiet life as a solicitor until he suddenly finds himself inheriting the title, Earl of Ashland! Just as he’s trying to get used to the title, he meets Charlotte Morris, a young lady (disguised as a lad) who has run away from her aunt’s care. She has ended up in London’s rookery but plans to sail to America to start a new life.
Jacob soon finds out why she ran away and ends up convincing Charlotte to marry him to protect her from her aunt and cousin. Not only is there romance in this story but there is also intrigue, secrets, murders, etc!!
I was given a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Jacob Baker is the new Earl of Ashland, much to his dismay. Before he inherited, he enjoyed his quite life as a solicitor and is not prepared for the duties of being the earl. He is a good and kind man who still nurses a broke heart after the death of his wife and son. While going to meet his friend Oliver, the Earl of Armsbruster, he saves a boy from being trampled by a horse, he makes sure the boy is unharmed and seeing that he is nearly starved, gives him a coin. He meets with Oliver and they discuss a string of unsolved, gruesome murders, then Oliver tells Jacob that his mother the Countess has learned of his inheritance and is planning a party to “introduce” him. He dreads the thought of entering society. Days later, he gets a visit from Baroness Morris, she wants to hire him to find her missing niece, he refuses, but Lady Morris is insistent and leaves him a sketch of Charlotte. He looks at the drawing and is mesmerized by the girl’s eyes, they seem familiar, but he still refuses.
The boy he saved is actually Charlotte Morris, niece to Martha Morris, Baroness Morris. She ran away from home after years of abuse culminating in a horrific scene that had Charlotte fearing for her life. She has been hiding out in the rookeries of London barely surviving, but she has a plan, she wants to move to America and tutor American heiresses on English etiquette. She is intrigued by Jacob and goes back to the street she met him on, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. When he exits his club, she follows him. He pays a visit to her friend Lady Sarah and she burns to know why. She confronts Sarah the next day and learns that her aunt is looking for her, Sarah believes that Charlotte can trust Jacob and urges her to meet with him.
Jacob is kind to her and offers to help her, but she is not ready to reveal the truth of her disappearance. She does agree to let him help her move to America and moves into his house. As they spend time together, she begins to trust him and finally shares her story and her suspicions. Jacob is drawn to her, but believes that love is not in his future, he loved his wife with all his heart and is sure it died with her. But he cannot deny he is attracted to her and when they share a kiss, he isn’t sure what he feels, but knows that he doesn’t want her to go to America. He tries to reunite her with her mother’s family in an attempt to get her to stay and even offers marriage. Charlotte is falling for Jacob, but she won’t marry a man who cannot love her. She is determined to move, but when Jacob appeals to her sense of justice and promises to protect her from her aunt and cousin, she agrees.
It seems like they will have a good life together, but after a hostile visit from her aunt prods them to go to Scotland Yard with Charlotte’s theory of who is behind the murders, they unwittingly set a sting of events into motion that may cost them more than they ever imagined.
I really enjoyed this story, I wasn’t sure I would because I don’t usually care for stories where one of the main characters has been in love before, and while I would have liked less comparison between Charlotte and Cora (especially regarding the love scenes), I did believe that Jacob truly loved Charlotte. The story was well written and flowed nicely. The mystery is a little gruesome and suspenseful, but I thought it was well done and the conclusion was satisfying. I think the eARC I received must be an uncorrected copy as there are some inconsistencies, some glaring historical inaccuracies and the continuous incorrect use of the title of dowager. But those aside, it was still an enjoyable, gripping read that I would be happy to recommend.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*
Jacob Baker has just unexpectedly inherited the title of Earl of Ashland. He was quite settled in his life as a young widower, who sometimes, along with a friend, helps the police with investigations. He has always worked as a solicitor.
When a woman who he takes an instant dislike to asks for his help in finding her niece, he makes his own inquiries.
Miss Charlotte Morris has run away from her guardian because she is in fear for her life. When there are several murders in the area she can’t help but feel, it’s her fault.
A very different type of Victorian romance. It has lots of great characters who face big changes in their lives. There is also a serial killer on the loose. Is it who our heroine suspects??
I thoroughly enjoyed this unusual historical romance.
Great fun.
When solicitor Jacob Baker’s cousin dies, he becomes the Earl of Ashland. Jacob never wanted or expected to become an earl and he’s having a hard time excepting the fact. After losing his first wife, he never wanted to marry again. A chance encounter changes that decision.
Charlotte Morris would rather live in the rookery of London than in her aunt’s home. The abuse she received at the hands of her aunt and the fear of her cousin’s actions caused her to runaway and dress as a lad to survive. When she collides with Jacob outside a gentlemen’s club, her life is changed forever.
I would keep the tissues handy for this one. We know from the onset that there is a killer stalking the streets of London and the suspicions Charlotte has. Cullen creates a strong, vibrant young woman who has survived atrocities some can’t even imagine. She weaves the expedition of a good-hearted man as he begins a new direction in life that he never expected with the frightening hardships of a young woman. Both Charlotte and Jacob fight themselves while trying to survive their environment. While suspense and mystery knit this story together, the love that grows between the two seems very natural to me.
I love these characters and pray that Cullen will continue to write in this world she’s created. There is one secondary character I’m excited to know more about. Perhaps Jacob’s best friend, Oliver McCaron, the Earl of Armbruster, will find his true love in an upcoming story of his own.
I received An Unwilling Earl for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I’m not going to lie, I found the murder mystery portion of this book to be more believable and more enjoyable for me than the romance portion of it. The notion that a well bred and education “realm of the peer” couldn’t possibly be a murderer was a belief that I hadn’t before considered. I wish there had more of a look into the killer’s mind, more than just the tiny snippet that we did get to see. I’m sure a look inside his mind would have been fascinating, and maybe what this book needed to push it over the edge from mediocre to gripping. The mystery part could have overshadowed the lackluster and unbelievable romance. Too bad it didn’t.
As for the romance, there was just something unlikable about them. Jacob had potential – he had lost his wife and son in childbirth, and by all accounts he had loved her very deeply. It explains his desire to save Charlotte to a point, but it doesn’t explain why he would suddenly offer her marriage. That goes above and beyond wanting to help someone, which often made me wonder if he was confusing lust for love. As it is, Charlotte is distrustful (rightfully so after the way she has been treated), but even when she cries out for help, the minute it is offered, she shuts it down and tries to run away. She even become defensive when Jacob tells her he has feelings for her, but that he’s not in love with her. What did she expect after knowing him only a week, and even then more often than not she was trying to throw his help back in her place. Eventually, she agrees to the in-name only marriage (per her husband), only to jump into bed with him the moment he brings the idea to the table. But it doesn’t matter that they sleep together, or if she conceives, because she’s got his promise that when it comes time to go to America, he will let her go. *insert eye roll here*
Despite all of that, I am sure there are others to whom this novel will appeal. The author does have a strong writing style, even if I feel this particular novel could have done with more fleshing out before released. I would give this author another chance!
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
Solicitor Jacob Baker has just unexpectedly inherited an earldom. Now he must abandon the career he enjoys and figure out how to be the Earl of Ashland. When Lady Martha Morris demands his help in finding her missing niece, Jacob follows his instincts and refuses the haughty woman, but he’s still curious about the whereabouts of Miss Charlotte Morris, especially with the recent string of gruesome murders of young women around the city. Jacob is, of course, not interested in the lovely young woman beyond curiosity and concern for her well-being.
Charlotte Morris, niece of a baron and his pompous and hateful wife, has been orphaned and forced to live with her man-hating Aunt Martha and her son Edmund, Baron Morris. Fearing for her safety and suspicious of her cousin’s behavior, especially in conjunction with the recent murders, Charlotte runs away and finds herself struggling to survive in London’s rookeries. On the advice of her friend, a member of the nobility, Charlotte seeks out Jacob, thinking he may be able to help her.
The blurb is rather misleading because it takes some time for Jacob to convince Charlotte to allow him to help. She is extremely distrustful, but for reasons he doesn’t quite understand Jacob is determined to help her and convinces her to come live with him. She eventually confides in him her fears about her family and he convinces her to stay and marry him for protection, rather than running away to America. They aren’t actually married until the book in more than halfway over and yet Charlotte fancies herself in love with Jacob before that, though she just uses this as a reason to refuse to marry him initially and never actually states her feelings. She continues to be overly dramatic as Jacob is the one who wants to make theirs a true marriage and work past his grief and loneliness.
His new status demands that Jacob marry, although he has no desire to as he is still grieving the death of his first wife and has no wish relive that heartbreak again and Charlotte longs for the type of love her parents had, the two both stand to gain from marriage and eventually agree to it. Of course this isn’t really enough to keep either of them safe and they have to work a bit for a happy ending.
The writing of this book seemed a bit stilted to me somehow and it took some getting used to. I’m not sure what it was precisely, but this book had me scoffing at it a bit from the get go. I found myself racing to the end a bit rather than trying to savor the story. I think what threw me off is perhaps that there is just so much going on here with several arcs to the story and some feel rushed while others are too drawn out. I didn’t really start enjoying this one until the last four chapters.
There was something off and unbelievable to me about Charlotte’s character almost from the get go. She’s changed so much and become this street-hardened person in about three weeks since running from her aunt. She also doesn’t know what a solicitor does even though she grew up in a family that, while untitled, had noble connections (her mother was the disowned daughter of a marquess), so she should’ve had some education. Plus she for some reason questions whether or not she can trust someone who has apparently been her friend since childhood.
Rant starting about here, be warned: The inconsistencies just didn’t work for me and Charlotte just came off as overly dramatic much of the time. Her desperation for help followed by her refusal to accept it was irritating and Jacob’s immediate desire to find and help her was only slightly more believable. Charlotte is full of annoyingly cryptic statements that rouse Jacob’s curiosity and he continues to be inexplicably drawn to her. Really Charlotte’s overall treatment of Jacob was just rather high-handed and unfair and she refuses to ever really give him the benefit of the doubt but expects him to blindly trust her.
Even after they marry, Charlotte maintains that it’s temporary because he doesn’t really love her (he’s only known her for a week!) and she’ll leave Jacob to go to America once the culprit behind the gruesome murders is caught. She was just stubborn, selfish and illogical for much of the time and I got very fed up with her repetitive inner monologues about how much she owes Jacob, but how she can’t trust him or stay with him and how she can never forgive her uncle for his father’s disowning of her mother. Then she is so intent on the vague plan she has of going to America and making her own future that she doesn’t open her eyes to truly examine her options and really think about what’s best for her; she’s just blind and narrow-minded.
All complaints and rants aside, having earned a Criminal Justice degree myself, I really did appreciate the discussion of some very early theories of criminality and the first attempts at criminological study and analysis. During this time criminality was seen as an inherited trait with distinctive and recognizable physical attributes. This novel is approaching a time in history in which the scientific study of crime was just beginning to emerge, most notably with Italian doctor Cesare Lombroso in the latter half of the 19th century.
This little tidbit made my inner nerd very happy, but it didn’t come to later on in the book and it wasn’t quite enough to make me set aside my dislike of the wishy-washy heroine.
I received an ARC via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Jacob Baker, a solicitor, and his friend, Oliver McCaron, Earl of Armbruster, have a weekly “Mayhem Meeting” where the amateur sleuths attempt to solve the crimes they read about in the newspaper. Little does Jacob know that fate has brought the most sensational crime of the day right to his door, when he rescues a “young lad” from being trampled by a horse and later is asked by a Lady Morris to find her runaway niece.
The “young lad” Jacob rescues is Charlotte Morris, who ran away from her priggish aunt and her cousin, Edmund, and is disguised and hiding in the London slums. Jacob’s first encounter with Charlotte is the catalyst that sets in motion the romance and suspense that follows.
Jacob has unexpectedly inherited an earldom and is learning to deal with his new position in society. His developing relationship with Charlotte also pushes him to deal with his reawakened emotions, which were in hibernation after the death of his wife and son. Charlotte is attracted to Jacob but wants to go to America to escape the danger that she fears from her family.
“You were the one who said you were frightened of the future. Are you frightened because you do not know what it holds or are you frightened because you suspect what it can hold?
The story had definite Gothic undertones and kept my interest. I really liked Jacob’s friend, Oliver, and hope he is set for his own story with the lady with dark flashing eyes!
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
A new author for me! Nicely done story with romance and crime.
I thought Charlotte too reluctant to confide in Jacob regarding her need to escape London and then not wanting to try to contact her mother’s family. However, at 20 and not out in society at all, it is understandable for her to be cautious in giving her trust.
I very much liked Jacob’s character and Armbruster as supporting character.
I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
How have I never read anything yet by Sharon Cullen?
An Unwilling Earl was one heck of a read. A serial killer in Victorian England…an “unwilling” earl and still-grieving widower who is also an armchair sleuth with a pretty decent track record…a marriage of convenience (or marriage of safety and convenience, maybe?) and a future countess running for her life, in hiding as a street urchin…yes, please to all of the above!
Though it all seems like quite a lot, Ms. Cullen brings all of that together–and more!–into one heck of a story. I loved Charlotte and Jacob, both together and individually as characters. The suspense portion of the romance made my true-crime reading and listening heart want to stand up and applaud (please tell me that the Co-Ed Killer influenced this story at least a little…) even while my romance-loving half swooned at the lovely romance at the heart of it all.
Excuse me while I go add more of Ms. Cullen’s books to my TBR…
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
**4.5 Stars**
“Strong people are scared all of the time. Facing their fears is what makes them strong.”
Widowed solicitor Jacob Ashland has just recently inherited the title Earl of Ashland. His entire life is being turned upside down, and when he is approached by Lady Morris to hunt down her missing niece, Charlotte, he suspects there is something more behind her request.
London is being terrorized by a gruesome killer of women. Jacob and his best friend have been meeting to trade theories on who could be the murderer as well as trying to locate Lady Morris’ missing niece, Charlotte, and hoping she has not fallen victim to this slasher.
In the dark of night, orphaned Charlotte flees from her aunt and cousin. Fearful of what is going on under the roof of her tyrant aunt, she finds herself dressed as a lad and literally running right into the Earl of Ashland. Being kind of heart, Jacob takes Charlotte into his home and offers sanctuary. But as their days together pass, they find themselves becoming fast friends…companions…and awaken a love that cannot be denied. Charlotte must find the strength finally trust Jacob with the secret of why she fled her aunt’s home before their love affair comes to a deadly end.
An Unwilling Earl is not at all what I was expecting! Do not let the blurb fool you into thinking this is your typical historical romance. Within these pages lies a murder mystery, and while I had guessed the killer’s identity, it was quite an adventure to see how Charlotte and Jacob worked together to bring the murderer to justice as well as heal old wounds and find true love. Very much recommend and look forward to reading more from this author!
*Received copy via NetGalley for honest review*
This is the first time in reading this author and do not know why exactly this called to me but it did. I think because I wanted to see if this Earl could heal and let his heart go again or would it be grabbed. I wanted I guess to see Jacob get his heart taken by love once again. Charlotte has troubles with her snagging us along with her thanks to the intrigue. Back then a woman did not actually have it easy at times and the danger was high if you found yourself in its path. They both have their challenges but find they work together that evolves around matters of the heart. The fun part of reading this is seeing where they go and what happens to them but remember it has a hint of danger that spikes us also.
What would you do if you not only knew who Jack the Ripper was but had lived under the same roof? Well, that is sort of the conundrum Charlotte, the heroine, finds herself. Wanting to run to protect herself, yet feeling guilty if she doesn’t confirm her suspicions has this damsel in distress desperately in need of a knight in shining armor.
Jacob Ashland just landed himself an unexpected and not particularly welcomed earldom. As a widow still in love with his deceased wife long after her death, he’s sworn off ever risking his heart to love again. His good guy tendencies and destiny though get in the way of those plans.
Hands down my favorite part was Jacob jumping to Charlotte’s aid, even before he knew who she really was. He was relentless in being her protector in such a kind, compassionate, soft spoken, and gentle way. The back and forth of her uncertainty in accepting his help and her steadfast reluctance to settle for a man who insists he’s buried his heart with his first wife gave Charlotte a backbone and me hope she had the courage to make this guy fight for love. She did begin to cave in, however, but fortunately so did Jacob. Him falling for her gave her reason to continue to hope things would work out eventually.
Unfortunately, despite the nail biting drama near the end, I found myself skimming to get to the conclusion. Late in the book, after some very graphic steamy scenes sealed the deal for them, I suddenly found myself less engaged. Honestly, I’m surprised to have to admit this. Up to that point I was so fully invested I stayed up really late reading. It was almost like “mission accomplished”, and the writing just wasn’t holding my attention like before. Most likely because the wrap up felt rather inevitable and mostly predictable to the point it felt like a clock winding down. The life threatening scenario had me rather wishing roles were reversed so a certain someone would realize the mistake they had made all along and regret every single word/delay that kept them from being a couple sooner.
What I wasn’t expecting was the lone gruesome slasher scene/commentary. Brace yourself, folks. You are taken inside the demented mind of a disturbed serial killer and witness the suffering and butchering of one of his last victims. It will be up to you to decide if it was overkill or added to the disturbing nature of this psychopath.
Jacob’s best friend had his back and pushed his buddy towards love despite having a notorious playboy reputation. He is scheduled to get his own book in the next sequel featuring a heroine who obviously doesn’t want anything to do with him. Here’s to hoping that gossip is hearsay only and highly exaggerated. I am looking forward to this lady love bringing this good at heart rake down to his knees and begging for true love.
Title: An Unwilling Earl, Author: Sharon Cullen, Pages: 400, stand-alone but part of a series, reluctant to love again good guy hero still in love with deceased wife, damsel in distress virgin heroine, graphic/brutal serial killer scene, a couple very explicit smexy scenes, gory Jack the Ripper type killer backdrop, hard luck life past and present heroine, a tad too naively innocent heroine, no OM/OW drama, no love triangle, no cheating, celibate hero, let’s be friends turns to love.
(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)
Jacob Baker is a widower & a solicitor whose life takes an unexpected turn when a distant relative dies & he inherits the title of the Earl of Ashland. Charlotte, an orphan, suspects her cousin of terrorizing London. When her maid Penny disappears, she fears for her own life and runs away & finds herself living in one of London’s rookeries. One day a handsome, well dressed man rescues her from being trampled by a horse & both of their lives are changed.
The first book in a new series & I found it to be well written with a story that flowed well. There was a very good mix of murder, mystery & of course romance. The characters are well portrayed & have plenty of depth. I liked both Jacob & Charlotte & although they were attracted to each other there growing relationship was well written, believable & had me enthralled. The villains were also very well portrayed & were truly evil. I look forward to reading more in the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
This is the second book I have read by this author and I can truly say I cannot wait to read more! Sharon Cullen has combined all the elements of a great historical romance to make my heart pound and turn the pages as fast as I could! Mystery, suspense, second chances, great characters and two people who meet by chance (or what it fate?) that were meant for each other.
Jacob Baker, solicitor has unexpectedly inherited an earldom. How wonderful you say? Not really because he enjoyed his work and would have to give it up. He works for barristers doing several jobs of helping to find people, interviewing witnesses and research which he finds satisfying. But when he is approached to help find a Baronness’s missing niece Charlotte, he initially declines. He is intrigued however by a drawing he was given of her and unsettled by her aunts words.
Charlotte has been on the streets hiding until she can make her way to America. Her life had been terrible with her aunt and she had begun to form a suspicion of happenings in London.
When he does find her, they are drawn to each other and he really wants to help her. But events take off and there are forces that may pull them apart or cost their lives.
Don’t miss this first book in a new series that I cannot wait to read more!!
An unexpected historical romance.
This is a bit different to the norm, involving a serial killer, a gentlewoman in hiding and a solicitor turned new Earl. This was quite a dark book as the killings are grisly and the romance element is not centre stage. It certainly made a change and I was kept engaged throughout. If you want to try something a bit different give this novel a go.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I enjoy this author’s writing style. I liked both of the main characters and the mystery was an excellent one that was well-plotted and well-delivered. I absolutely loved that the villains got their just deserts in the end. So often, that doesn’t happen.
Jacob Baker is a solicitor who works for barristers doing research, interviewing witnesses, and tracking people down when necessary. He is also a widower who deeply and truly loved his wife, Cora, who died of childbed fever along with their newborn son. He’s been in mourning for five years now. He has also just learned that he has inherited a title, Earl of Ashland, and he is not happy with that intrusion into his life. Jacob is in a bit of a snit because of the title and all of his new responsibilities and the fact he’ll have to give up his law practice when he has a visitor, Baroness Morris, who wants him to find her missing niece – Charlotte. Jacob refuses, but he’s intrigued by the drawing of the young woman and what her aunt had to say about her.
Charlotte Morris is the granddaughter of a marquess who disowned Charlotte’s mother when she ran away and married an untitled man of whom he didn’t approve. Charlotte is now an orphan – her mother died in childbirth and her father died five years ago. Charlotte has been living with an aunt and cousin since then. Charlotte’s aunt has spent those five years mistreating and abusing Charlotte. Now that some other events have happened, Charlotte has run away and is living in the rookeries because if she went anywhere else, her aunt would find her. Ultimately, she plans to go to America to teach the husband-hunting heiresses how to properly behave in English society.
The mystery could be gruesome if it were spelled out in detail. That wouldn’t bother me, but it might bother some readers. Luckily for all of us, it isn’t detailed. There is a monster loose in London and he (or she) is stabbing women and cutting their heads off. The bodies are found, but the heads are not. Charlotte thinks she knows something that will lead to the identity of the murderer, but she is afraid of what she knows and just wants to escape to America.
I thought the mystery was more believable than the romance, but I really enjoyed them both. I did come to believe that Jacob loved Charlotte and it was nice to see them get their HEA.
Why didn’t I give it a full five stars? Well, for a couple of reasons. First, there was just way, way, way too much Cora (Jacob’s first wife) in the story. There was even a place or two where he thought of her either during or just after he and Charlotte had been intimate. All of that ‘Cora’ made it much harder to believe that Jacob loved Charlotte. Second, I think the author must have learned the term Dowager, but not its proper use. Dowager is used as a ‘title’ for every titled female in the story who has lost her husband. That is NOT the correct usage and every time I saw it used as it was, it would completely pull me out of the story. I believe the term is in the book eight or ten times and not one of them is used correctly. Third, there were story inconsistencies such as the villain murdering someone with his dinner knife, then later it was said that they were murdered with the same weapon as the other victims. Maybe I have an uncorrected eARC and all of this will be corrected in the published version of the book.
Those things I mentioned above aside, I would recommend this book and will be looking forward to the next one.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.