An Unwilling Earl (Mayfair Men of Mystery, #1)

by Sharon Cullen

• ISBN10: 1090714084
• ISBN13: 9781090714084
• Publish Date: 17 March 2019
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Independently Published
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 300
• Language: English

Reviews

[stacey_is_sassy]

It needed more...

While reading An Unwilling Earl I was entertained at a very constant level. There weren't lows and no reaching for highs, just a middle of the range ...even... methodical... continuous... level. My heart wasn't pumping in excitement, fear or enthusiasm. There was no need for hubby to be close for cuddles, comfort or to chat with when the characters frustrated or annoyed me. It was a little predictable, a touch exasperating and unfortunately a wee bit tepid.

It's always hard to read a romance where the hero has been previously married and loved his deceased wife. In this case, he wasn't really over the emotional loss and had convinced himself there was no room for love again. He does eventually grow to have feelings for the heroine but they seem to be connected to his lust for her. There were signs of his protectiveness but again, I wasn't convinced it was from a place of love. It was more about his pity for the position she was in and what she had previously faced. He came across as a martyr, not a lover.

The suspense side of the story was interesting and I enjoyed it more than the romance, to be honest. It was scary to see what little could be done to catch a serial killer in those days. No forensic teams to dust for fingerprints or databases to check for matches. Even worse, the narrow criteria used to find the killers. It was unthinkable for a man of title and fortune to be capable of brutal and savagely violent murders, so they weren't even a consideration. Only the poor and underprivileged could act in such an uncivilised and barbaric way. Things have certainly changed throughout the years.

Unfortunately, while I liked An Unwilling Earl I wouldn't say this was a winner for me. Things fell into place a little too easily and seemed unbelievable. It just needed to be fleshed out a little more. I needed more passion, excitement and fervour to convince me that this Unwilling Earl had willingly fallen in love.

I have read and enjoyed previous stories by Sharon Cullen, so I will definitely try her again in the future.

Stacey is Sassy, received an advanced copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.

[Lindsey Gray]

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.