THE EARL IN MY BED by Sophie Jordan

Publisher: Avon

Date published:   October 30, 2012

ISBN:  978-0446583091

Genre:   Historical Romance

Book format:  Ebook

Obtained via:  Publisher

Reviewed by name and email address:  Gina Ginalrmreviews@gmail.com

 

Vicar’s daughter Paget Ellsworth had known since childhood she was destined to marry Owen Winningham. Their families may be on different ends of the social scale, but none doubted they would wed. When Owen and his brother Jamie went to India to fight for the crown she dutifully wrote to her intended. When their brother, Brand, took ill, Paget stayed by his side. Now, with Brand dead Jamie has become the Earl of Winningham. All consider him cold and rather heartless. None are too thrilled to have him home and returned to the family seat. While the villagers, and particularly Paget’s father, stop in to welcome the Earl home, Paget holds off as long as she can. When it appears he will attend a Valentine’s day ball she decides it is time to at least stop in and say hello. She is relieved to find he is not in residence when she stops by with a basket of lemon muffins however her relief and not finding him in is short lived. On her way home she encounters the Earl. Jamie is as aloof and reserved as she remembered. If anything has changed he is even more so.

Sophie Jordan’s THE EARL IN MY BED is a sweet story that reminded me of a blend of JANE EYRE and WUTHERING HEIGHTS. At least in terms of Jamie. He appeared to be a blend of the dark and vulnerable Mr. Rochester from JANE EYRE with a touch of  the wounded and brooding Heathcliffe. Paget, however, is nothing like Cathy or Jane Eyre. She has spunk and verve and determination to do the right thing. But she is also torn when she wants to do the right thing and wait for Owen and at the same time knows that they vows will never make them more than friends.

I’m not a fan of novellas and short stories mainly because I feel like I am cheated out of the full story. THE EARL IN MY BED is a classic reason why I generally do not care for them. Ms. Jordan gives her readers four marvellous characters in Owen, Brand, Jamie and Paget. Despite the fact that Brand has already died in the beginning of the story, Ms. Jordan tells his story through Paget in such a way you feel you knew him and stood beside him while he struggled to live. When she talks about how he wanted to live you have the sense of being there and hoping for a miracle that would save him.

We have a glimpse of Jamie’s inner demons – of how he felt forever felt outside and not a part of his family. And when he has the chance for happiness he still strives to do the right thing and step aside, leaving Paget to the man she was always intended to wed.

I wanted to read more and know more of the brothers. We may have that chance in the next book of the Forgotten Princesses series, HOW TO LOSE A BRIDE IN ONE NIGHT. For a sweet Valentine’s read THE EARL IN MY BED is a good choice to read aloud by candlelight before giving a good night kiss to the one you love.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.