One Good Earl Deserves a Lover (Rules of Scoundrels, #2)

by Sarah MacLean

Before getting married, Lady Philippa Marbury has fourteen days to learn more about the darker side of life and hires Cross, the owner of an exclusive gaming hell, to give her a taste of London's wicked underworld.

• ISBN10: 1410470539
• ISBN13: 9781410470539
• Publish Date: 6 August 2014 (first published 29 January 2013)
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 17 June 2021
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Thorndike Press
• Edition: Large type / large print edition
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 587
• Language: English

Reviews

I can't quite remember the first one but I'm pretty sure this was better. In any case I'd put this at a 3.5 stars.

I liked Phillipa and Cross. They were both intelligent and I liked how their conversations referenced random facts and knowledge. They both seemed to have a lot in common and the romance was mostly enjoyable. The drama was a little bit over the top and I think I remember feeling the same way about the first - maybe it's just how the author writes. Even so, it's a well written story with enjoyable characters and a mostly believable plot, even if a slightly ridiculous one. And I very much enjoyed that Phillipa was the one to save the day.

[Angie]

In a time where women aren’t told anything about sex other than that they’re expected to take whatever their husband gives, Pippa is utterly clueless about what’s to come after she’s married. As a woman of science, that it just unacceptable. So, One Good Earl Deserves a Lover finds her in Cross’s office asking him to explain the finer points of bedroom activities to her. Needless to say, Cross is shocked by her request and turns her away. It isn’t until he realizes that she’s determined to know at any cost, and that he’s severely tempted by her, that he finally decides to give her lessons in temptation.

I absolutely adored One Good Earl Deserves a Lover. I love Pippa! She is me, if I were a sheltered debutante in 1832. We’re both scientists, and we both don’t like entering new situations without doing our homework first. She also shares my habit of only answering questions that are asked and not the ones that are implied. We’re very literal creatures. Pippa knows she’s odd, but the accepts that. She is who she is, and she’s not going to change. She’s also extremely honest, and will not renege on her promise to marry Castleton, even if she knows he’s not on her level intellectually. They both love dogs, and that’s more than she’ll probably have in common with any other husband. It may not be a love match, but she wants to be a good wife and mother. Hence, doing her own research on the matter.

Do be aware that One Good Earl Deserves a Lover involves cheating. Pippa is engaged, and she does go to Cross for information, which turns into more hands on lessons. He knows she’s engaged, but goes along with it anyway. I don’t mind cheating, as long as the author doesn’t try to justify it by making the person being cheated on evil and “deserving” of it. That doesn’t happen here, and I really liked how it was all resolved. Pippa gets more than she bargained for, but like I said, she’s extremely honest. She’s not one to enter a relationship with lies, and I liked how she and Castleton handled her indiscretion.

One Good Earl Deserves a Lover also made me laugh out loud and smile a ton. Pippa is just so innocent and determined to learn. When Cross initially dismisses her, she decides that a prostitute would likely have the answers she’s looking for, too! Her scene with Sally is hilarious! Then her first lesson with Cross nearly had me swooning! Those two have amazing chemistry!

One Good Earl Deserves a Lover was just great. The characters were likeable and made me smile. The romance was sexy and full of tension! I even really enjoyed Cross’s side plot involving some unpaid debts and blackmail. I also loved Pippa’s very clever solution to that problem!

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.

[Amanda]

You know what makes me happy? Books like One Good Earl Deserves a Lover. I put up with reading the entire book on my phone's Kindle app just so I had the chance to read it. I don't risk eye strain for just any book, you know. And in case you're wondering, One Good Earl Deserves a Lover is worth the risk. Also, the title's fun to say.

Pippa is my favorite sort of historical fiction heroine: strong, intelligent, and logical. Toss out the smelling salts. She's progressive--far beyond the times--and I like that. I like it a lot. And while Cross didn't quite flip my switch (What? Redheads just don't do it for me.), he was suitably fun and tortured and determined to do the right thing, even if what was "right" was wrong.

Like A Rogue by Any Other Name, One Good Earl Deserves a Lover is the perfect way to spend an afternoon. Yes, again I have devoured the book in an afternoon. I don't do that for just any book either. With the right amount of wit and emotion-tugging, One Good Earl Deserves a Lover delivers an escape read that has me wanting more. Why do I have to wait until November for the next book?

The Rules of Scoundrels books do a good job of setting up the next scoundrel in each book, and I can't wait to get my hands on Temple. His book, rather. Until then, I shall survive on Sarah MacLean's other series.

[rakesandrogues]

Heroine: I like that Philippa Marbury is exceptionally different than other romance heroines. For instance, she wears glasses. Secondly, she likes science! I’m usually a sucker for protagonists who go out of their way to learn – even if this isn't omething that’s expected for women in the time period.

Hero: My main issue with this book is Cross. His reasons for being a “tortured” hero just didn’t compel me enough. I can see why he would feel guilty over his brother’s death, but it didn’t make sense to me for him to put that much burden on himself. I just wanted him to stop feeling sorry for himself as opposed to empathizing with him. I like the fact that he was noble enough to not want to ruin Pippa, but I wasn’t falling for his reasoning of him not being a worthy suitor.

Supporting Cast: I’m really looking forward to learning more about the rest of Cross’s friends in the upcoming books. I really like their dynamics as a group in the Fallen Angel.

Plot: I really love romances where the novel starts off with the protagonist propositioning the hero. I just wish that they could have gone through the Scientific Method or something because you know, Pippa is so brainy. (or did the Scientific Method not exist back then?)

Romance: No complaints on the romance aspect. As can be expected from any Sarah MacLean novel, One Good Earl Deserves a Lover is steamy.
Love Potion Strength:

3/5 Stars – Acceptable

This is the first Sarah MacLean book that was just average for me. I guess not all books can be winners. I’m still definitely looking forward to reading more of her books in the future though!

[kimbacaffeinate]

I think this is my most favorite MacLean novel thus far * Wipes tear from eye*

I must warn you that I am a huge fan of Sarah MacLean’s works and gushing may begin at any moment. One Good Earl Deserves a Lover the second book in the Rules of Scoundrels series is positively my favorite book thus far from the author. From her wonderfully flawed and fleshed out characters to the fast paced storyline I could barely come up for air! I laughed, I cried and experienced fits. When I closed the last page I wept, not because it was sad but because it ended.

Lady Philippa Marbury or “Pippa” is the fourth daughter of the Marquess of Needam and Dolby. She is an odd duck with spectacles and a love of science. She and her sister are newly engaged and will soon wed in a double wedding. All are concerned for Pippa since they feel that the Earl and she won’t suit but she made a promise. Pippa loves scientific experimentation and goes about preparing for her wedding by taking a course of action to learn about the personal side of marriage. She decides to hire a tutor, and selects none other than Fallen Angel partner the devastatingly handsome, loner; Mr. Cross. She knows he is brilliant and a man of science. She also believes him to be a notorious rake and the perfect teacher to answer her questions. When she goes to the gambling hall and tells Cross she wants to experience ruination the man all but has a heart-attack and the tale that unfolds was hilarious, steamy and had me completely enthralled.

MacLean has a knack for creating characters that are well fleshed out, unique and flawed. Pippa is by far my favorite MacLean character to date. She is a Regency Geek, a nerd, a lover of books, a scientist and her straightforward thinking made her lovable. The stories of her childhood, and her journal entries had me giggling so hard I had tears. She speaks from innocents and curiosity and I found this brilliant girl to be brutally honest and refreshing. I am a pushover when it comes to flawed rakes that are truly just damaged. Cross is all of these things; he is loyal, protective and sweet. I completely fell for him even if I wanted to throttle him at times! We see some of the characters from the first tale, which I adored and we got a little more face time with Temple the third proprietor of the Fallen Angel. The villain in this novel was fantastic and I loved to hate him with a vengeance. Sally one of the prostitutes was interesting and I found her amusing.

The Rules of Scoundrels feature titled men, who by their own hand or fate were cast from society. Together they regained their wealth with the Fallen Angel Gaming Hell. They are all flawed but remarkable men, and of course completely swoon worthy. What truly make MacLean’s tales so memorable are the wonderful women she pairs them with. I adore woman who are feisty, misfits and break the mold. The back history for Cross was wonderful and the dilemma he found himself in was downright gripping. The romance was oh so hot, and there is a scene that melted me..where Cross never even touches her. *faints* I caught the book high I chase within these pages and wept when it ended. I wanted to stay with Cross and Pippa a little longer. *sigh* Now I have to pine away for the next book in this series; No Good Duke Goes Unpunished.
Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer