In Bed with the Earl

One was born to privilege but raised in the sewers to look out for number one. The other was conceived out of wedlock but raised to see the value in family. They have more in common than what’s on the surface and it was a joy to watch them discover new pieces of themselves.

Malcom’s tragic backstory shaped who became on so many levels. He did his level best to convince himself that no one mattered to him but himself. That’s the way it had to be for “tophers”, sewer treasure hunters. I know the stories of London during the Regency era and it wasn’t pretty. Even the pretty parts of London carried the stench and grit of those who survived in the London underground. Malcom was one of the lucky ones. I had hope for his future when he showed some backbone, even as a young man, early in the book. It foreshadowed how his personality would develop for the good and the stubborn.

Verity Lovelace is an honestly refreshing female lead. She doesn’t play games and try to make the reader, or Malcom for that matter, guess at what she’s thinking. She just says it. She doesn’t accept that as a female that she doesn’t have a place in a man’s world. If this were a true story, she would have been a source of pride for the early feminist movement. Not because she tried to make Malcom less of man, just that she wasn’t afraid to fight for her position and value as a working and intelligent woman. The story rings true in that her fight would not have been a popular one during the Regency era. I can say with complete honesty that I never saw the twist towards the end. It made me a little sad but just added to the layers of the story.

Speaking of Regency romance era books, I had to smile when three patronesses of London society made a cameo. I’ve loved this romance era for as long as I can remember and these three ladies never failed to make an appearance in those first books that whet my appetite for London’s Lords and Ladies. That was a fun little surprise!

In Bed with the Earl has some fantastic intrigue sprinkled throughout the story. As Malcom begins to recall memories long pushed down, I could see him developing and becoming who he was meant to be but still holding tight to the man who created a family from the sewers. Those men who he rescued and kept close were terrific secondary characters.

This was a wonderful first book in a new series. I look forward to reading more by Ms. Caldwell. Her writing voice is easy to follow and the story feels complete.

In Bed with the Earl took me completely by surprise. I know that Caldwell writes vibrant, lovable characters but combining that with unconventional jobs for both the hero and heroine with a healthy heap of chemistry and this book should basically be labeled “Alana Catnip.”

From the first meeting, sparks fly but some of it is frustration. I don’t want to give away spoilers so I’ll just leave it at “delicious, sizzling chemistry with the one woman with the fortitude to go toe-to-toe with Malcom’s grumpy self.”

This isn’t your typical London set historical romance in that there are no elements of ton life beyond a brief description due to Verity’s job as a journalist. Instead, Caldwell introduces us to toshers and the lives of the day to day folk that are scraping by and spices it up with a romance that makes you sigh with happiness and maybe a bit of envy. I even enjoyed the bit of comeuppance in the epilogue!

Do yourself a favor and read this delightful book. I seriously hope we get the next book soon because I am absolutely ready to swoon over another Lost Lord of London.

Unusual characters, riveting story that’s not the same ole historical romance. I highly recommend this book.

Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for the chance to read and review In Bed with the Earl by Christi Caldwell. A Regency Romance. My opinions are my own and are not influence by the complimentary copy.

In Bed with the Earl is the first book in Christi Caldwell’s new series, The Lost Lords of London, and a great beginning. I can always count on an emotionally charged story, and this book delivers that expectation. The pacing is good and kept me engaged from the start.

Verity Lovelace is our heroine. She has a gossip column with a London paper and is working on solving the mystery of the Earl of Maxwell. She is also responsible for her young sister, and while she’s the daughter of an earl, she’s illegitimate. She’s been on her own since the earl passed. I enjoyed her feistiness and grit. Regency England is not a place for a young woman with no resources.

Malcolm North is a fantastic hero with all the characteristics I love most. He has very few memories of his life as the heir to the Earldom. Kidnapped as a child and thrown into the seedy life in the underbelly of London, he’s ill prepared to assume the title when he’s found. As a tosher who crawls through the sewers looking for lost treasurers, he has no use for London Society. I could feel his frustrations when he believes Verity will do anything for her story.

In Bed with the Earl has all the sexual tension I love in Regency romance. The Irresistible pull between Verity and Malcolm is combustible. Each have their own reason to believe they aren’t what the other needs. I’m pleased they overcame the obstacles in their path to true love.

If you enjoy historical romance with plenty of deep emotion and characters that you’ll fall in love with, then you will love this novel as much as I. This is a great start to Christi Caldwell’s new series. I can’t wait to read the next one. Happy reading!

I really found this story to be very emotional. It wrapped itself around my heart.

Malcom is a cold, hardened man. He was kidnapped and abandoned in the slums of London as a child, his birthright stolen. Verity is an earl’s bastard. As a child she had a lovely life, but missed having a real family. At age 12 her mother died and she became responsible for a younger sister and a nursemaid. She grew strong.

I hate reading a review that tells the plot, so I will not do this. What I will say is that these two people are in such pain. They have become survivors because they had no other choice. When they meet, there are sparks. Malcom does not want to have anything to do with Verity. But Verity needs Malcom and his story to survive. Getting to know these characters will take your breath away. The suffering they have both been through is devastating, yet in their own way, each has found a way to keep going.

Christi Caldwell writes about damaged and tormented souls so beautifully. She tells us their story so that we can feel empathy and often sympathy for these characters. This is a very special story, one that will have to laughing one minute and holding your breath the next. It will make you think of people whose lives have been stolen, and the struggles they go through to reach their goals. Be good to yourself and get this book, find a quiet place, and read this glorious story.

Malcolm and Verity’s story is a great one. Two people find themselves between the world of the have’s and the have not’s. Together they find, love, happiness, and peace. Christi Caldwell writes great main characters but she has an absolute flair for writing memorable secondary characters. Because of this and her attention to detail her world comes alive. The only thing I found a little lacking was the sexual tension that usually crackles between the hero and heroine. There were moments of it and the sex scene was well written but it was not a huge part of the story.

Christi Caldwell knows how to take two flawed characters and make them lovable, relatable and truly deserving of a happily ever after and this book is no exception. Malcom North was kidnapped as a young child just after his parents died and was left to die in the worst part of London. Verity is the natural daughter of an earl who is just trying to make a living as a reporter so that she can provide for her younger sister and former nanny. In pure desperation to save her job, she goes into the sewers to find the lost heir and get his story. However, Malcom doesn’t want to be found or have his story told and so begins their troublesome relationship. This is a wonderfully written story that will have you experiencing many emotions as you follow the ups and downs and disclosure of past events.

I was lucky enough to receive an advance reader copy from the publisher but all thoughts and feelings are my own.

I absolutely loved Malcolm & Verity! These two have such heartbreaking pasts, and seeing them attempt to change their lives and elevate their stations in society (well, mostly just Verity) was so entertaining.
The story between these two made it impossible to put the book down and every second was amazing.
I don’t usually go for historical romances but this one was very enjoyable!

This story had everything I thought I would enjoy, A stolen lord, strong working-class heroine and story exploring the other side of London. However, while the elements were strong by themselves the parts didn’t work really well together.

The biggest issue for me was Malcolm and Verity. While I enjoyed their characters separately, I just didn’t feel any connection with them as a couple and felt they lacked chemistry.

I did really enjoy the secondary characters. From Malcolm’s staff/business partners, Verity’s sister and some great cameos. These characters really stole the show for me and made the book entertaining. The glimpses into some of these characters’ lives made me want more and hope that we will one day get their stories.

In Bed with The Earl is book one in the Lost Lords of London series by Christi Caldwell. Although it is a stand-alone – truly, I recommend reading this book after Courting Poppy Tidemore. The character of Poppy and Tristan make an appearance at the end of In Bed with The Earl, and it is just a richer experience when you understand the greater depth and history of the tale. This book impacted me on a very deep level. I couldn’t put it down. It left me enthralled and aching for more. Both of the main characters are masterfully developed, but I think Percival Northrop stole the show. “He was a glorious specimen, and yet his features were slightly too pronounced to ever be lauded as handsome by society’s standards. He had slashing, bronzed cheekbones. A hard set to a square jaw, slightly too heavy. Prominent scars that stood out starkly, even with the day’s growth covering his face.” Caldwell trounces other romance authors with her ability to give her characters believable personalities. They have a depth that brings them to life in a very relatable way. I loved it. Probably one of my favorite Caldwell novels and I have read most of them. I was given a copy of this book.