This Earl of Mine by Kate Bateman

Introducing the Bow Street Bachelors—men who work undercover for London’s first official police force—and the women they serve to protect... and wed?

WILL A FALSE MARRIAGE

Shipping heiress Georgiana Caversteed is done with men who covet her purse more than her person. Even worse than the ton’s lecherous fortune hunters, however, is the cruel cousin determined to force Georgie into marriage. If only she could find a way to be... widowed? Georgie hatches a madcap scheme to wed a condemned criminal before he’s set to be executed. All she has to do is find an eligible bachelor in prison to marry her, and she’ll be free. What could possibly go wrong?

LEAD TO TRUE AND LASTING LOVE?

Benedict William Henry Wylde, scapegrace second son of the late Earl of Morcott and well-known rake, is in Newgate prison undercover, working for Bow Street. Georgie doesn’t realize who he is when she marries him—and she most certainly never expects to bump into her very-much-alive, and very handsome, husband of convenience at a society gathering weeks later. Soon Wylde finds himself courting his own wife, hoping to win her heart since he already has her hand. But how can this seductive rogue convince brazen, beautiful Georgie that he wants to be together… until actual death do they part?

Book 1
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆
Spoiler-Free Review

Kate Bateman is a new-to-me author. This Earl of Mine is the debut in the Bow Street Bachelors series.

As an independent woman running her late father's shipping company, Georgina Caversteed isn't interested in romance. She needs a solution to her greatest problem. She's constantly pursued by those wishing to take advantage of her considerable wealth and her business. When every man who wants to be in her company merely wants something from her, it makes a woman overly cautious, especially since if she married the wrong man, he would be in control of her legacy and future.

I truly enjoyed Georgina's more mature outlook, slightly pessimistic and cautious, instead of the usual historical heroines who are more worried about balls, looking pretty, and catching a husband. Georgina was in fear of her independence, wishing to lead her own life, so she devises a way to marry that would remove all her worries.

Benedict Wylde is who Georgina chooses to marry in her insane plan of independence. But Georgina underestimates Benedict. He has his own plan, where she doesn't fit into it in the long-run either, which adds to the romantic tension, banter, humor, and unexpected connection between the pair.

I don't wish to ruin the storyline with spoilers, because it's definitely an original story. Both Benedict and Georgina are running parallel games, if you will. Where they truly shine is when they come together for a common goal, while working through their problems, seeking a happier life together.

While the story was a good one, the reason for the 4-star rating is based on my mood, which affected the entertainment value – I wasn't sure if there was something missing in the book that made me able to put it down and walk away, or if it was my mood entirely. That's on me.

I thoroughly enjoyed This Earl of Mine, and highly recommend it to historical romance fans. I'm definitely looking forward to more in the series and by this author.

Kate Bateman, (also writing as K.C. Bateman), is the #1 bestselling author of historical romances, including her RITA® nominated Renaissance romp, The Devil To Pay, and the novels in the Secrets & Spies series To Steal a Heart, A Raven’s Heart, and A Counterfeit Heart. When not writing novels that feature feisty, intelligent heroines and sexy, snarky heroes you want to both strangle and kiss, Kate works as a fine art appraiser and on-screen antiques expert for several popular TV shows in the UK. She splits her time between Illinois and her native England.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of This Earl of Mine (Bow Street Bachelors #1) by Kate Bateman to read and review.