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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
In Bed with the Earl kicks off Christi Caldwell's brand new series, The Lost Lords of London. This series does connect with a couple of her older series, but In Bed with the Earl is a true standalone. This series is connected to the Wicked Wallflowers series, when Connor Steele embarks on his investigation on the lost lords. The actual investigation leading to Malcolm's discovery is not recounted in this book because it happens in the Wicked Wallflowers series. Regardless, if you've never read Caldwell before, you can most definitely start here! With this latest book, Christi Caldwell wins infinite points for originality, which is unfortunately lacking in the historical romance genre nowadays.
The historical romance genre has a lot of self-made heroes who work their way up from the lowest of the lowest positions. In this book, Caldwell brings us all the way down to the sewers, which is a first for me! And I've been reading historical romance for over 10 years! Only Christi Caldwell could write a self-made hero who works his way in the sewers as a tosher, a sewer-hunter who scavenges in the sewers to look for lost valuables and then sells them to earn money. And he is sexy and vulnerable underneath all that hardness and gruffness, all the things we love in a romance hero. I mean...wow. Numerous historical romance authors, including Caldwell herself, have written heroes who lived on the streets, have been prisoners, and then worked their way up. But the sewers??? Not only did Caldwell outdo all the other historical romance authors, she even outdid herself!! Malcolm North is a tosher who claims a good portion of the London sewers as his own property for scavenging. As it turns out, Malcolm is the lost Earl of Maxwell and his life turns upside down when his identity is leaked to the press.
Christi Caldwell also brings us a self-made heroine in Verity Lovelace, who is the bastard daughter of an impoverished late Earl. Verity is not like the privileged aristocratic businesswomen wannabes who have saturated the historical romance genre. Verity started from the very bottom, sweeping the floors at the Londoner press office as a 12 year old girl, and she made her way up all the way to reporter. Unfortunately, her new boss is a misogynistic asshole who tries to kick Verity out of the profession. It gets to the point where Verity's article is stolen by a male reporter who also doesn't think that women belong in the world of journalism. But Verity is determined to fight for her position because she is the sole breadwinner in her family. This means that Verity has to find out more about the lost Earl of Maxwell, which leads her directly to Malcolm's sewers. Obviously, there are some things that Verity does that are not the most ethical, but honestly? It didn't bug me because Verity was in dire circumstances and she was forced to do what she could to continue providing for her younger sister.
The hero and heroine don't meet until 18% into the book. This would usually bug me because I prefer that the hero and heroine meet as soon as possible. But Caldwell knows what she's doing here. The first 20% of the book is dedicated to setting up the characters and their backgrounds so that you get a solid idea of who they were, who they are, and what their goals are. All of this is incredibly important and only serves to build the level of anticipation. I was basically salivating for Verity and Malcolm to finally meet and when they did, I was HOOKED and couldn't put down the damn book. They're forced into proximity for many reasons and PHEW, the chemistry!! It is there from the moment Malcolm catches Verity in his sewers.
There are many things happening here and there are even some plot twists that I didn't see coming. And these aren't just random plot twists. These are plot twists that actually make sense. The emotional development in the last third of the book is very well-written — it is a bit slow-paced to allow for deeper emotional intimacy between Malcolm and Verity. Throughout the book, you know what happened to Malcolm and you sort of get a sense of where his story fits in the plot overall, but there are pieces that are definitely missing. They are not only missing for you, the reader, but they are missing for Malcolm as well. It's only in the last third of the book that you finally get a firm grasp of Malcolm's entire story.
I really enjoyed this book and I cannot wait for more books in this series!! Next book is about Henry's sister, the hero from The Spitfire, which I am SO EXCITED for!!
P.S. Please, I need Giles's book lol. With the snobbish lady (Lady Denton?) that he teased. Please lol.
In Bed with the Earl kicks off Christi Caldwell's brand new series, The Lost Lords of London. This series does connect with a couple of her older series, but In Bed with the Earl is a true standalone. This series is connected to the Wicked Wallflowers series, when Connor Steele embarks on his investigation on the lost lords. The actual investigation leading to Malcolm's discovery is not recounted in this book because it happens in the Wicked Wallflowers series. Regardless, if you've never read Caldwell before, you can most definitely start here! With this latest book, Christi Caldwell wins infinite points for originality, which is unfortunately lacking in the historical romance genre nowadays.
The historical romance genre has a lot of self-made heroes who work their way up from the lowest of the lowest positions. In this book, Caldwell brings us all the way down to the sewers, which is a first for me! And I've been reading historical romance for over 10 years! Only Christi Caldwell could write a self-made hero who works his way in the sewers as a tosher, a sewer-hunter who scavenges in the sewers to look for lost valuables and then sells them to earn money. And he is sexy and vulnerable underneath all that hardness and gruffness, all the things we love in a romance hero. I mean...wow. Numerous historical romance authors, including Caldwell herself, have written heroes who lived on the streets, have been prisoners, and then worked their way up. But the sewers??? Not only did Caldwell outdo all the other historical romance authors, she even outdid herself!! Malcolm North is a tosher who claims a good portion of the London sewers as his own property for scavenging. As it turns out, Malcolm is the lost Earl of Maxwell and his life turns upside down when his identity is leaked to the press.
Christi Caldwell also brings us a self-made heroine in Verity Lovelace, who is the bastard daughter of an impoverished late Earl. Verity is not like the privileged aristocratic businesswomen wannabes who have saturated the historical romance genre. Verity started from the very bottom, sweeping the floors at the Londoner press office as a 12 year old girl, and she made her way up all the way to reporter. Unfortunately, her new boss is a misogynistic asshole who tries to kick Verity out of the profession. It gets to the point where Verity's article is stolen by a male reporter who also doesn't think that women belong in the world of journalism. But Verity is determined to fight for her position because she is the sole breadwinner in her family. This means that Verity has to find out more about the lost Earl of Maxwell, which leads her directly to Malcolm's sewers. Obviously, there are some things that Verity does that are not the most ethical, but honestly? It didn't bug me because Verity was in dire circumstances and she was forced to do what she could to continue providing for her younger sister.
The hero and heroine don't meet until 18% into the book. This would usually bug me because I prefer that the hero and heroine meet as soon as possible. But Caldwell knows what she's doing here. The first 20% of the book is dedicated to setting up the characters and their backgrounds so that you get a solid idea of who they were, who they are, and what their goals are. All of this is incredibly important and only serves to build the level of anticipation. I was basically salivating for Verity and Malcolm to finally meet and when they did, I was HOOKED and couldn't put down the damn book. They're forced into proximity for many reasons and PHEW, the chemistry!! It is there from the moment Malcolm catches Verity in his sewers.
There are many things happening here and there are even some plot twists that I didn't see coming. And these aren't just random plot twists. These are plot twists that actually make sense. The emotional development in the last third of the book is very well-written — it is a bit slow-paced to allow for deeper emotional intimacy between Malcolm and Verity. Throughout the book, you know what happened to Malcolm and you sort of get a sense of where his story fits in the plot overall, but there are pieces that are definitely missing. They are not only missing for you, the reader, but they are missing for Malcolm as well. It's only in the last third of the book that you finally get a firm grasp of Malcolm's entire story.
I really enjoyed this book and I cannot wait for more books in this series!! Next book is about Henry's sister, the hero from The Spitfire, which I am SO EXCITED for!!
P.S. Please, I need Giles's book lol. With the snobbish lady (Lady Denton?) that he teased. Please lol.
Loved it.
I’ve read a lot of CC’s books and really like most, but this is the first one that really moved me at times. Both main characters were fantastic. They both had baggage and the writing pulled me deeply in.
Fantastic!
I’ve read a lot of CC’s books and really like most, but this is the first one that really moved me at times. Both main characters were fantastic. They both had baggage and the writing pulled me deeply in.
Fantastic!
Wonderful
I was drawn in from the first page and couldn't and wouldn't stop reading until I finished it. Great story.
I was drawn in from the first page and couldn't and wouldn't stop reading until I finished it. Great story.
ssshwearereading.wordpress.com/2019/12/14/in-bed-with-the-earl-by-christi-caldwell/
Christi Caldwell is back, baby! Holy Moses! I haven’t been the biggest fan of Christi’s latest books. They have kind of fallen flat for me. BUT this one makes up for them 100%.
Verity is a flawless heroine. She is magnetic, strong, and vibrant. I could not help but instantly fall in love with her. I was in her corner from page one. Not only is she in animated character with an intricate backstory and elaborate personality, she is a developing character. She breathes. She is alive in the same way Christi’s early Heart of the Duke heroines are alive.
Malcom is a unique character. It took me a bit longer to get on board with him than it did Verity, but at the same time, I was incredibly interested in his story. Child kidnapped from privilege, raised in squalor, and then forced (unwillingly) back into the glittering peerage. It’s an intriguing story line, and Christi does it justice.
I am a huge fan of the “Caldworld”. I absolutely love the intricacy of relation. (I blame it on my fantasy loving heart!) I am always looking for who characters are in relation to each other, but I absolutely did NOT see these familial ties coming. Maybe I’m off my game, or maybe it’s because it’s been a good while since I have done a reread. In any case, I was so surprised that I shouted, out loud. My husband made *that face*. You know the one. The face people who aren’t reading your book make when you visibly react to a book? That’s the one.
I have not made a secret of the fact that I haven’t loved Christi’s latest books, the ones taking a walk outside of the peerage and into the street. Not because I don’t like those sorts of stories, I do, I just haven’t really loved these particular books. That being said, this one absolutely restores my faith. I loved everything about this story. Highly recommend.
Christi Caldwell is back, baby! Holy Moses! I haven’t been the biggest fan of Christi’s latest books. They have kind of fallen flat for me. BUT this one makes up for them 100%.
Verity is a flawless heroine. She is magnetic, strong, and vibrant. I could not help but instantly fall in love with her. I was in her corner from page one. Not only is she in animated character with an intricate backstory and elaborate personality, she is a developing character. She breathes. She is alive in the same way Christi’s early Heart of the Duke heroines are alive.
Malcom is a unique character. It took me a bit longer to get on board with him than it did Verity, but at the same time, I was incredibly interested in his story. Child kidnapped from privilege, raised in squalor, and then forced (unwillingly) back into the glittering peerage. It’s an intriguing story line, and Christi does it justice.
I am a huge fan of the “Caldworld”. I absolutely love the intricacy of relation. (I blame it on my fantasy loving heart!) I am always looking for who characters are in relation to each other, but I absolutely did NOT see these familial ties coming. Maybe I’m off my game, or maybe it’s because it’s been a good while since I have done a reread. In any case, I was so surprised that I shouted, out loud. My husband made *that face*. You know the one. The face people who aren’t reading your book make when you visibly react to a book? That’s the one.
I have not made a secret of the fact that I haven’t loved Christi’s latest books, the ones taking a walk outside of the peerage and into the street. Not because I don’t like those sorts of stories, I do, I just haven’t really loved these particular books. That being said, this one absolutely restores my faith. I loved everything about this story. Highly recommend.
Christi Caldwell is back, baby! Holy Moses! I haven't been the biggest fan of Christi's latest books. They have kind of fallen flat for me. BUT this one makes up for them 100%.
Verity is a flawless heroine. She is magnetic, strong, and vibrant. I could not help but instantly fall in love with her. I was in her corner from page one. Not only is she in animated character with an intricate backstory and elaborate personality, she is a developing character. She breathes. She is alive in the same way Christi's early Heart of the Duke heroines are alive.
Malcom is a unique character. It took me a bit longer to get on board with him than it did Verity, but at the same time, I was incredibly interested in his story. Child kidnapped from privilege, raised in squalor, and then forced (unwillingly) back into the glittering peerage. It's an intriguing story line, and Christi does it justice.
I am a huge fan of the "Caldworld". I absolutely love the intricacy of relation. (I blame it on my fantasy loving heart!) I am always looking for who characters are in relation to each other, but I absolutely did NOT see these familial ties coming. Maybe I'm off my game, or maybe it's because it's been a good while since I have done a reread. In any case, I was so surprised that I shouted, out loud. My husband made *that face*. You know the one. The face people who aren't reading your book make when you visibly react to a book? That's the one.
I have not made a secret of the fact that I haven't loved Christi's latest books, the ones taking a walk outside of the peerage and into the street. Not because I don't like those sorts of stories, I do, I just haven't really loved these particular books. That being said, this one absolutely restores my faith. I loved everything about this story. Highly recommend.
Verity is a flawless heroine. She is magnetic, strong, and vibrant. I could not help but instantly fall in love with her. I was in her corner from page one. Not only is she in animated character with an intricate backstory and elaborate personality, she is a developing character. She breathes. She is alive in the same way Christi's early Heart of the Duke heroines are alive.
Malcom is a unique character. It took me a bit longer to get on board with him than it did Verity, but at the same time, I was incredibly interested in his story. Child kidnapped from privilege, raised in squalor, and then forced (unwillingly) back into the glittering peerage. It's an intriguing story line, and Christi does it justice.
I am a huge fan of the "Caldworld". I absolutely love the intricacy of relation. (I blame it on my fantasy loving heart!) I am always looking for who characters are in relation to each other, but I absolutely did NOT see these familial ties coming. Maybe I'm off my game, or maybe it's because it's been a good while since I have done a reread. In any case, I was so surprised that I shouted, out loud. My husband made *that face*. You know the one. The face people who aren't reading your book make when you visibly react to a book? That's the one.
I have not made a secret of the fact that I haven't loved Christi's latest books, the ones taking a walk outside of the peerage and into the street. Not because I don't like those sorts of stories, I do, I just haven't really loved these particular books. That being said, this one absolutely restores my faith. I loved everything about this story. Highly recommend.
I really liked this book. The author has written a story that caught you in from the beginning and that particularly kept me reading every chance I had free.
Verity and Malcolm are strong, determined people who have survived and struggled to move forward despite the problems and injustices they face. After being robbed of his family and everything that was rightfully his, Malcolm grows up in the sewers and forms a kingdom where his word is obeyed at all time or suffer consequences, but when someone discovers that he is an earl and the rightful heir to the title his life changes radically, not only because he doesn't want that noble life, but also because in his quest to keep her job as a reporter, Verity will go down into the sewers in search of the count and his story, and that's when Malcolm and Verity's paths will cross changing their life’s forever.
With a very well elaborated and sustained story the author takes us through the life of these characters, their sorrows and misfortunes where we will witness the injustices and betrayals, but also the friendship and love that they will live through the book.
I have enjoyed reading and I am looking forward to reading the next part of this series. I hope we have Livvie's book because I think she is a beautiful character who deserves her own story.
4.5/5 Stars
I received an ARC on exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #InBedWithTheEarl
Verity and Malcolm are strong, determined people who have survived and struggled to move forward despite the problems and injustices they face. After being robbed of his family and everything that was rightfully his, Malcolm grows up in the sewers and forms a kingdom where his word is obeyed at all time or suffer consequences, but when someone discovers that he is an earl and the rightful heir to the title his life changes radically, not only because he doesn't want that noble life, but also because in his quest to keep her job as a reporter, Verity will go down into the sewers in search of the count and his story, and that's when Malcolm and Verity's paths will cross changing their life’s forever.
With a very well elaborated and sustained story the author takes us through the life of these characters, their sorrows and misfortunes where we will witness the injustices and betrayals, but also the friendship and love that they will live through the book.
I have enjoyed reading and I am looking forward to reading the next part of this series. I hope we have Livvie's book because I think she is a beautiful character who deserves her own story.
4.5/5 Stars
I received an ARC on exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #InBedWithTheEarl
There were a few cringe bits (like the end) & I don’t think a few scenes were needed, but for the most part I enjoyed it. Wanted more sewer content and less newspaper, or even more of her writing/researching because it focused more on office drama etc and I wanted to see them all in action.
Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately I was not impressed by this historical novel. The author is well known for writing great novels but this one missed the mark. North was raised in the sewers and learns he is really an Earls son. He meets the heroine as she attempts to find him for her story. I didn't feel the connection between the characters and the story felt slow.
Unfortunately I was not impressed by this historical novel. The author is well known for writing great novels but this one missed the mark. North was raised in the sewers and learns he is really an Earls son. He meets the heroine as she attempts to find him for her story. I didn't feel the connection between the characters and the story felt slow.
I loved the story line of a lost Lord & the fearless heroine who finds him. Malcolm was tough, brooding, and a tosher (which I’d never heard of before & was interested to learn about). Yet, he was still noble and kind - the perfect hero! It was also fast-paced & included well developed, likable characters. I’m already starting the next in this series.