The Trouble with Earls by Anna Campbell @AnnaCampbellOz

the setup…
To the world of the ton, Toby Sutton, Earl of Renfrew is considered an affable and charming rake who spends most of his time courting wine and women. Lady Viola Frain is the youngest of three sisters and considered to be the bluestocking among the other two beauties. So when Toby literally falls at her feet in the garden of her home, the idea that he’d have any interest in her in the presence of her sisters and other young ladies attending their tea party was absurd. But something sparked between these two that later became scandalous, enough to force them into a hasty marriage. No one gave this union long odds but, in Viola, Toby seems to have found a steadying force.

the heart of the story…
Yes, on the surface Toby and Viola looked to be the most ill-suited match ever but from the onset, she brought out the best in him, seeing through that frivolous veneer. He had an awful childhood, raised by a cruel and abusive father who shaped his self image. Viola may have appeared to be a shrinking violet but in reality has a steel and stubborn spine. Their romance pre and post nuptials was a fun and sensual journey and I loved their self discoveries and commitment to each other. It was refreshing, without the typical miscommunications found in these type stories

the bottom line…
I loved these two characters as they were always brutally honest with each other. Toby didn’t know why he was drawn to Viola at first encounter but never questioned it and was relentless in his pursuit of her. And she never gave up on him, determined to free him from his past. Even the scandal that forced their marriage was inventive! Another lovely romance from one of my favorite historical fiction authors.

Book Info

• Release Date: October 13, 2022
• Series: Scoundrels of Mayfair #2
• Pages: 285
• Publisher: Self

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(Thanks to the author for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)