I only occasionally dabble in romance so this is my first Sarah MacLean. It was a pretty great choice for a first book and I’d definitely recommend it if you like historical romance. The premise is A++ for sure.
Lady Philippa Marbury is the second to youngest daughter of an esteemed family. To put it bluntly, she’s kind of a weirdo (at least for the time period). Basically, think of the main character from Bones set in regency England and you have Pippa. She’s all sciency and just wants a kind husband who will let her continue with her science projects. Love? She doesn’t even know if that really exists. When she tries to enlist a man named Cross to help her prepare for her wedding night with Lord Castleton, she’s thrown by the abundance of sparks between them. Unfortunately, Cross is the notorious bookkeeper of London’s most exclusive gaming hell and has a secretive past. Not exactly husband material.
As I start reading more romance, I’m finding that I tend to like modern ones better on the whole, but One Good Earl Deserves a Lover kept me entertained, alternatively making me laugh and swoon. The connection between Pippa and Cross is well written and they both have very interesting stories that draw you in. MacLean also does a great job with the secondary characters. She treats makes them pop and I’m planning on putting a few sequels on my TBR just because I want to spend more time with them.
