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Lost Lords of London #1
In Bed with the Earl
Christi Caldwell, USA TODAY bestselling author of the Wicked Wallflowers series, combs London’s underground and finds romance and danger for a missing lord and the lady who loves him.
To solve a mystery that’s become the talk of the ton, no clues run too deep for willful reporter Verity Lovelace. Not even in the sewers of London. That’s precisely where she finds happily self-sufficient scavenger Malcom North, lost heir to the Earl of Maxwell. Now that Verity’s made him front-page news, what will he make of her?
Kidnapped as a child, with no memories of his well-heeled past, Malcom prefers the grimy spoils of the culverts to the gilded riches of society. Damn the feisty beauty who exposed the contented tosher to a parade of fortune-hunting matchmakers. How to keep them at bay? Verity must pretend to be his wife. She owes him.
The intimacy of this necessary arrangement—Verity and Malcom thrust together in close quarters—soon sparks an irresistible heat. But when the charade ends, the danger begins. Will love be enough to protect them from a treacherous plot devised to ruin them?
To solve a mystery that’s become the talk of the ton, no clues run too deep for willful reporter Verity Lovelace. Not even in the sewers of London. That’s precisely where she finds happily self-sufficient scavenger Malcom North, lost heir to the Earl of Maxwell. Now that Verity’s made him front-page news, what will he make of her?
Kidnapped as a child, with no memories of his well-heeled past, Malcom prefers the grimy spoils of the culverts to the gilded riches of society. Damn the feisty beauty who exposed the contented tosher to a parade of fortune-hunting matchmakers. How to keep them at bay? Verity must pretend to be his wife. She owes him.
The intimacy of this necessary arrangement—Verity and Malcom thrust together in close quarters—soon sparks an irresistible heat. But when the charade ends, the danger begins. Will love be enough to protect them from a treacherous plot devised to ruin them?
380 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 17, 2020
About the author
Christi Caldwell
125 books2,465 followersUSA TODAY Bestselling author CHRISTI CALDWELL blames Judith McNaught's "Whitney, My Love!" for luring her into the world of historical romance. While sitting in her graduate school apartment at the University of Connecticut, Christi decided to set aside her notes and pick up her laptop to try her hand at romance. She believes the most perfect heroes and heroines have imperfections, and she rather enjoys torturing them before crafting them a well deserved happily ever after!
Christi makes her home in Charlotte, North Carolina where she spends her time writing her own enchanting historical romances, and baking surprisingly good cakes (almost 2 years in lockdown will do that) with her courageous son and twin daughters, each who with their daily antics provides limitless source material.
Christi makes her home in Charlotte, North Carolina where she spends her time writing her own enchanting historical romances, and baking surprisingly good cakes (almost 2 years in lockdown will do that) with her courageous son and twin daughters, each who with their daily antics provides limitless source material.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 475 reviews
March 21, 2020
***4 STARS***
I enjoyed the romance between Malcolm and Verity.
This book holds one of my favorite plots in historical romance, that of the “lost lord”. Especially if he has been raised in the East End of London and is rough around the edges. Malcolm is a tosher, which I have to admit I had never heard of before this book. It is someone who scavenges in the sewers. This was so interesting because it explored the literal underworld of London. Although he has been wronged and stolen of his birthright he has made a success of himself.
Verity’s personality was perfect for being a journalist. She is extremely persistent and stubborn. She has had to make a living for herself in a man’s world and a man’s profession to support herself and her sister.
I enjoyed the interaction between these two. The pacing of the novel is moderate...I didn’t read in one sitting. It is definitely a slow burn romance with some twists. Great dialogue with a surly and sarcastic hero (refreshing and funny). I recommend this book.
I enjoyed the romance between Malcolm and Verity.
This book holds one of my favorite plots in historical romance, that of the “lost lord”. Especially if he has been raised in the East End of London and is rough around the edges. Malcolm is a tosher, which I have to admit I had never heard of before this book. It is someone who scavenges in the sewers. This was so interesting because it explored the literal underworld of London. Although he has been wronged and stolen of his birthright he has made a success of himself.
Verity’s personality was perfect for being a journalist. She is extremely persistent and stubborn. She has had to make a living for herself in a man’s world and a man’s profession to support herself and her sister.
I enjoyed the interaction between these two. The pacing of the novel is moderate...I didn’t read in one sitting. It is definitely a slow burn romance with some twists. Great dialogue with a surly and sarcastic hero (refreshing and funny). I recommend this book.
July 15, 2023
Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
IN BED WITH THE EARL (Lost Lords of London Book #1) by Christi Caldwell is the first book in a new historical romance series that had me engrossed from page one!
While sick in bed and his parents dead, Percival Northrop is kidnapped and his life becomes a day to day struggle to survive in the St. Giles area of Victorian London. He blocks his memory of his younger life and learns the life of a tosher. He is now known as Malcolm North and is ruthless as he fights to survive and thrive in the sewers of London.
Malcolm does not quite fit with his fellow toshers. He can read, calculate and speaks as if he is upper class. He is located by a private detective and told that he is the actual true heir to an Earldom. Malcom wants nothing to do with that life.
Verity Lovelace has worked for The Londoner since she was twelve years old. She worked her way from inkwell girl to reporter, but because she is a woman she is only given the opportunity to write the gossip column. She is the bastard daughter of an Earl and has been the sole support for her sister and nursemaid for years since her mother died. After having one of her stories stolen, her job is on the line and she must find the missing Earl and interview him or be out of a work.
Verity is rescued in the sewers by Malcolm. The two butt heads as Verity refuses to be give up her chase of the story. Malcolm has never let anyone get close, but there is something about this female that he cannot forget. Verity is determined to get her story, but is she ready to pay the price?
I loved Malcom and Verity so much! I could not put this book down. Malcolm’s fight for survival and life as a tosher was interesting and a life that was new to me. Even as he refused his memories and emotions, he took care of others. Verity was a survivor as much as Malcolm and that is what made them so perfect for each other. The author’s writing is emotionally charged banter that made me laugh out loud as well as tear up. The sexual tension between these two was well written and there is only one sex scene towards the very end of the story. It is explicit, but not gratuitous. All the secondary characters were fully fleshed and wonderful additions to the story.
I highly recommend this historical romance and I am waiting anxiously for the next book in this series!
IN BED WITH THE EARL (Lost Lords of London Book #1) by Christi Caldwell is the first book in a new historical romance series that had me engrossed from page one!
While sick in bed and his parents dead, Percival Northrop is kidnapped and his life becomes a day to day struggle to survive in the St. Giles area of Victorian London. He blocks his memory of his younger life and learns the life of a tosher. He is now known as Malcolm North and is ruthless as he fights to survive and thrive in the sewers of London.
Malcolm does not quite fit with his fellow toshers. He can read, calculate and speaks as if he is upper class. He is located by a private detective and told that he is the actual true heir to an Earldom. Malcom wants nothing to do with that life.
Verity Lovelace has worked for The Londoner since she was twelve years old. She worked her way from inkwell girl to reporter, but because she is a woman she is only given the opportunity to write the gossip column. She is the bastard daughter of an Earl and has been the sole support for her sister and nursemaid for years since her mother died. After having one of her stories stolen, her job is on the line and she must find the missing Earl and interview him or be out of a work.
Verity is rescued in the sewers by Malcolm. The two butt heads as Verity refuses to be give up her chase of the story. Malcolm has never let anyone get close, but there is something about this female that he cannot forget. Verity is determined to get her story, but is she ready to pay the price?
I loved Malcom and Verity so much! I could not put this book down. Malcolm’s fight for survival and life as a tosher was interesting and a life that was new to me. Even as he refused his memories and emotions, he took care of others. Verity was a survivor as much as Malcolm and that is what made them so perfect for each other. The author’s writing is emotionally charged banter that made me laugh out loud as well as tear up. The sexual tension between these two was well written and there is only one sex scene towards the very end of the story. It is explicit, but not gratuitous. All the secondary characters were fully fleshed and wonderful additions to the story.
I highly recommend this historical romance and I am waiting anxiously for the next book in this series!
March 27, 2020
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Being a woman in a historical romance in London kind of sucks and yet I find myself whisked away to another place and time anytime I pick up a book by Christi Caldwell. In Bed with the Earl, the first book in the Lost Lords of London series, is exactly my kind of tale with the headstrong female trying to break the norms of society and a man who is broken but just needs the right kind of woman to love him through all of his scars, both physical and emotional.
Verity is my kind of heroine. She has spunk and isn’t afraid of much in this world, well except for losing her job, being thrown out on the street with no way to care for and feed her younger sister. The normal stuff. So, trying to find the lost Earl of Maxwell when he is trying very hard not to be found by anyone is nothing compared to that. Even if it means she might have to go down into the sewers to look for him.
Ah Malcom, he is just broken enough for me to really love. Kidnapped as a child, he doesn’t remember anything of his past and has become a brutal adversary in the sewers of London. He doesn’t want anything to do with his new life as the Earl and even less to do with all the gossip reporters searching for him. Verity though, she intrigues him, and even though she is more trouble than he is prepared for, there is just something about the spunky reporter that calls to him as much as it infuriates him. He’ll give her a story but Verity is going to have to give him something in return.
The characters in this story were good. As much as I liked Verity and Malcolm, some of the side characters were my favorites, from the other toshers Malcom kept around him, to Verity’s surprising sister, they added dimensions to the story that raised it from okay to really good.
A solid start to a new Historical Romance series for Christi Caldwell
Narration:
Tim Campbell is no novice to the narration of Historical Romance and brings a very nice voice and tone to the book. I really enjoyed his performance of the moody Earl of Maxwell and the incredibly spunky Verity. I’m sure my enjoyment of this book was greater due to his narration. I listened to this at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Being a woman in a historical romance in London kind of sucks and yet I find myself whisked away to another place and time anytime I pick up a book by Christi Caldwell. In Bed with the Earl, the first book in the Lost Lords of London series, is exactly my kind of tale with the headstrong female trying to break the norms of society and a man who is broken but just needs the right kind of woman to love him through all of his scars, both physical and emotional.
Verity is my kind of heroine. She has spunk and isn’t afraid of much in this world, well except for losing her job, being thrown out on the street with no way to care for and feed her younger sister. The normal stuff. So, trying to find the lost Earl of Maxwell when he is trying very hard not to be found by anyone is nothing compared to that. Even if it means she might have to go down into the sewers to look for him.
Ah Malcom, he is just broken enough for me to really love. Kidnapped as a child, he doesn’t remember anything of his past and has become a brutal adversary in the sewers of London. He doesn’t want anything to do with his new life as the Earl and even less to do with all the gossip reporters searching for him. Verity though, she intrigues him, and even though she is more trouble than he is prepared for, there is just something about the spunky reporter that calls to him as much as it infuriates him. He’ll give her a story but Verity is going to have to give him something in return.
The characters in this story were good. As much as I liked Verity and Malcolm, some of the side characters were my favorites, from the other toshers Malcom kept around him, to Verity’s surprising sister, they added dimensions to the story that raised it from okay to really good.
A solid start to a new Historical Romance series for Christi Caldwell
Narration:
Tim Campbell is no novice to the narration of Historical Romance and brings a very nice voice and tone to the book. I really enjoyed his performance of the moody Earl of Maxwell and the incredibly spunky Verity. I’m sure my enjoyment of this book was greater due to his narration. I listened to this at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
Shelved as 'dnf'
January 13, 202232% Enough
August 27, 2020
DNF @ 40%
Repetitive, stupid characters, and one of my pet peeves - constantly saying a character's full name. Especially when they have such a stupid name as Verity Lovelace.
Repetitive, stupid characters, and one of my pet peeves - constantly saying a character's full name. Especially when they have such a stupid name as Verity Lovelace.
December 1, 2019
In Bed with the Earl
Lost Lords of London Series #1
Christi Caldwel
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorChrist...
Release date 03/17/2020
Publisher Montlake Romance
Blurb :
To solve a mystery that’s become the talk of the ton, no clues run too deep for willful reporter Verity Lovelace. Not even in the sewers of London. That’s precisely where she finds happily self-sufficient scavenger Malcom North, lost heir to the Earl of Maxwell. Now that Verity’s made him front-page news, what will he make of her?
Kidnapped as a child, with no memories of his well-heeled past, Malcom prefers the grimy spoils of the culverts to the gilded riches of society. Damn the feisty beauty who exposed the contented tosher to a parade of fortune-hunting matchmakers. How to keep them at bay? Verity must pretend to be his wife. She owes him.
The intimacy of this necessary arrangement—Verity and Malcom thrust together in close quarters—soon sparks an irresistible heat. But when the charade ends, the danger begins. Will love be enough to protect them from a treacherous plot devised to ruin them?
My review :
What a lost heir to do once reinstituted to his right place when a woman is seeking out his secrets ...
Oh my !!!
It was a pages-turner read, why I could not read it previously, I needed a free-day devoted to this story.
Just a few sentences in Percival’s story and my heart was bleeding for him and the childhood he had been robbed once he became Malcom North.
Malcom is no more the sensible heir of an earldom, he has become a ruthless and merciless king of the underworld. Surviving the gutters, he has been stripped of any innocence and kindness he might have left after the brutal upbringing he was given.
Despite his apparent coldness, he is not the icy blooded monster everyone appears to think he has become. In his own way, even if he keeps everyone at arm’s length, he shows concern for the weakest under his protection. Over the years, he has gleaned a bunch of broken souls and risk takers, and whatever he might told himself, they are his kin and from all those he has won their indefectible loyalty.
Verity, without having the same dark past than Malcom, was not cuddled in a classically portrayed family, she had been shunned for her mother’s sins, whose sin was to have loved and trusted the wrong man. A man who loved them too, but too weak to fully take care of them. Why at the young age of twelve she became her remaining family only support. From then, she worked her skin to elevate her circumstances, alas it is well known women were seen as not fit for intellectual labors. And even if she is not one to cover, proving women’s worth is a challenge. And it is not prepared for the worst of the city, she runs head held high in the sewer and whatever are her mistakes, she fights like a hellion.
Both have experienced a good life with confort or some until they find themselves with nothing left and must fend for themselves or sank down.
Now together, they need to find their right place, she the illegitimate daughter and a woman, striving for acceptance in a world made by men for men and he the Earl raised in the slums of the city, to seek his bearing among his peers
Their story is one of small trusts won one at a time, until these morph to a deeper sentiment. Yet, with the past looming over them and some shadowy figures still ready to pounce, will their burgeoning feelings be enough.
As I came to learn with Mrs Christi Caldwell’s work, she has it mapped out, her heroes have oft connection with previous works.
And here, she does not disappoint, while her heroes have not been seen previously, they are linked to an other couple.
You can perfectly read this first in a series as what it is a standalone story, yet as I have read Courting Poppy Tidemore, I confess I adored watching the couple of heroes finds its own epilogue.
And what a sweet epilogue with the best revenge ever.
I can only praise Mrs Christi Caldwell for her so very unique insight of the historical period, far from the ballrooms and closer to the real people. She is the bearer of amazing tales which feed the reader a kaleidoscope of emotions.
A 5 stars for this tale of approval and embracing one’s true identity.
A particular mention for the cover which reflects perfectly the story said atmosphere, and the characters’ descriptions.
I was granted an advance copy through Netgalley by the publisher Montlake Publishing. I also preordered my own.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
Lost Lords of London Series #1
Christi Caldwel
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorChrist...
Release date 03/17/2020
Publisher Montlake Romance
Blurb :
To solve a mystery that’s become the talk of the ton, no clues run too deep for willful reporter Verity Lovelace. Not even in the sewers of London. That’s precisely where she finds happily self-sufficient scavenger Malcom North, lost heir to the Earl of Maxwell. Now that Verity’s made him front-page news, what will he make of her?
Kidnapped as a child, with no memories of his well-heeled past, Malcom prefers the grimy spoils of the culverts to the gilded riches of society. Damn the feisty beauty who exposed the contented tosher to a parade of fortune-hunting matchmakers. How to keep them at bay? Verity must pretend to be his wife. She owes him.
The intimacy of this necessary arrangement—Verity and Malcom thrust together in close quarters—soon sparks an irresistible heat. But when the charade ends, the danger begins. Will love be enough to protect them from a treacherous plot devised to ruin them?
My review :
What a lost heir to do once reinstituted to his right place when a woman is seeking out his secrets ...
Oh my !!!
It was a pages-turner read, why I could not read it previously, I needed a free-day devoted to this story.
Just a few sentences in Percival’s story and my heart was bleeding for him and the childhood he had been robbed once he became Malcom North.
Malcom is no more the sensible heir of an earldom, he has become a ruthless and merciless king of the underworld. Surviving the gutters, he has been stripped of any innocence and kindness he might have left after the brutal upbringing he was given.
Despite his apparent coldness, he is not the icy blooded monster everyone appears to think he has become. In his own way, even if he keeps everyone at arm’s length, he shows concern for the weakest under his protection. Over the years, he has gleaned a bunch of broken souls and risk takers, and whatever he might told himself, they are his kin and from all those he has won their indefectible loyalty.
Verity, without having the same dark past than Malcom, was not cuddled in a classically portrayed family, she had been shunned for her mother’s sins, whose sin was to have loved and trusted the wrong man. A man who loved them too, but too weak to fully take care of them. Why at the young age of twelve she became her remaining family only support. From then, she worked her skin to elevate her circumstances, alas it is well known women were seen as not fit for intellectual labors. And even if she is not one to cover, proving women’s worth is a challenge. And it is not prepared for the worst of the city, she runs head held high in the sewer and whatever are her mistakes, she fights like a hellion.
Both have experienced a good life with confort or some until they find themselves with nothing left and must fend for themselves or sank down.
Now together, they need to find their right place, she the illegitimate daughter and a woman, striving for acceptance in a world made by men for men and he the Earl raised in the slums of the city, to seek his bearing among his peers
Their story is one of small trusts won one at a time, until these morph to a deeper sentiment. Yet, with the past looming over them and some shadowy figures still ready to pounce, will their burgeoning feelings be enough.
As I came to learn with Mrs Christi Caldwell’s work, she has it mapped out, her heroes have oft connection with previous works.
And here, she does not disappoint, while her heroes have not been seen previously, they are linked to an other couple.
You can perfectly read this first in a series as what it is a standalone story, yet as I have read Courting Poppy Tidemore, I confess I adored watching the couple of heroes finds its own epilogue.
And what a sweet epilogue with the best revenge ever.
I can only praise Mrs Christi Caldwell for her so very unique insight of the historical period, far from the ballrooms and closer to the real people. She is the bearer of amazing tales which feed the reader a kaleidoscope of emotions.
A 5 stars for this tale of approval and embracing one’s true identity.
A particular mention for the cover which reflects perfectly the story said atmosphere, and the characters’ descriptions.
I was granted an advance copy through Netgalley by the publisher Montlake Publishing. I also preordered my own.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
November 15, 2020
In Bed with the Earl was an amazing read featuring a delightful romance between an intrepid reporter and the lost heir of an earldom.
Reporter Verity Lovelace has one last chance to save her job which means she needs to find the lost heir to the Earl of Maxwell and get an interview. When a lead sends her to the sewers of London, Verity encounters Malcom North, a tosher who she discovers is the man she's been searching for. After Verity's article of him rescuing her sends unwanted matchmaking parents to Malcom's door, the man makes a deal with Verity. Pretend to be his wife and he'll give her the real story she's after, an exclusive look at his life. But as Malcom spends more time with Verity, the attraction between them grows and threatens to consume them both.
Verity is the bastard daughter of an earl who has had little help in life. After losing both of her parents by the age of twelve, Verity has spent the last eighteen years taking care of her sister. During that time she has worked at The Londoner doing various jobs before moving up to reporter. As a woman in a male dominated field, Verity faces a lot of discrimination at her job and the gossip column is all she is allowed to write.
Malcom was kidnapped as a child and taken to St. Giles where he was forced to learn to survive. As a result of his trauma, Malcom has suppressed all memories of his early life. Not long after being taken, Malcom met a man who showed him how to be a tosher and he worked hard to carve out a decent life for himself. Malcom has severe trust issues and has a hard time being close to anyone.
Verity and Malcom's relationship gets off to an interesting start after they meet in the sewers and Malcom rescues her soon after from a nefarious man. Malcom is immediately drawn to Verity despite his initial distrust of her. The attraction between the pair is instant although they do both fight it at first. After Malcolm makes Verity a deal for her story and they begin to spend more time together, their connection quickly deepens. I really enjoyed how well the two were able to communicate with each other and I liked the time they were able to spend together while trying to fool society into thinking they were married. The chemistry between the pair is fantastic and the steamy scenes are very well done.
Overall In Bed with the Earl was a very enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series, In the Dark with the Duke.
**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
Reporter Verity Lovelace has one last chance to save her job which means she needs to find the lost heir to the Earl of Maxwell and get an interview. When a lead sends her to the sewers of London, Verity encounters Malcom North, a tosher who she discovers is the man she's been searching for. After Verity's article of him rescuing her sends unwanted matchmaking parents to Malcom's door, the man makes a deal with Verity. Pretend to be his wife and he'll give her the real story she's after, an exclusive look at his life. But as Malcom spends more time with Verity, the attraction between them grows and threatens to consume them both.
Verity is the bastard daughter of an earl who has had little help in life. After losing both of her parents by the age of twelve, Verity has spent the last eighteen years taking care of her sister. During that time she has worked at The Londoner doing various jobs before moving up to reporter. As a woman in a male dominated field, Verity faces a lot of discrimination at her job and the gossip column is all she is allowed to write.
Malcom was kidnapped as a child and taken to St. Giles where he was forced to learn to survive. As a result of his trauma, Malcom has suppressed all memories of his early life. Not long after being taken, Malcom met a man who showed him how to be a tosher and he worked hard to carve out a decent life for himself. Malcom has severe trust issues and has a hard time being close to anyone.
Verity and Malcom's relationship gets off to an interesting start after they meet in the sewers and Malcom rescues her soon after from a nefarious man. Malcom is immediately drawn to Verity despite his initial distrust of her. The attraction between the pair is instant although they do both fight it at first. After Malcolm makes Verity a deal for her story and they begin to spend more time together, their connection quickly deepens. I really enjoyed how well the two were able to communicate with each other and I liked the time they were able to spend together while trying to fool society into thinking they were married. The chemistry between the pair is fantastic and the steamy scenes are very well done.
Overall In Bed with the Earl was a very enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series, In the Dark with the Duke.
**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
January 1, 2020
I didn't last more than 25% in the book, it wasn't my cup of tea. Sadly.
Could'nt connect with any of the characters and got somewhat confused here and there.
Could'nt connect with any of the characters and got somewhat confused here and there.
March 3, 2020
I like this story and the writing, but I had a hard time connecting with Verity and Malcolm's characters together (hence the reason it took me so long to finish this book).
Individually, the characters were amazing.
Verity was a smart, witty, and spunky character. Her sense of responsibility and honor was admirable.
Malcolm was a great broody character to meet.
Considering what happened to him as a child he still demonstrated compassion and empathy for those he considered his "associates".
However, Malcolm and Verity together, I just didn't get the chemistry between the two.
It just seemed rushed.
I enjoyed this story and I'll definitely continue reading this series, but it wasn't one of my favorites by Ms. Caldwell.
"I'm voluntarily reading an ARC of this book which has been provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review."
January 4, 2020
4.5 stars. Christi Caldwell writes such deeply emotional stories, and this one is no exception. Percival Northrup, heir to the Earl of Maxwell, is kidnapped as a child. Renamed Malcom North, he grows up in the sewers of London as a "tosher," someone who scavenges the sewers for lost treasure. When he is discovered to be the new earl as an adult, everyone in Polite Society wants to know his story. Verity Lovelace, the natural born daughter of an aristocrat, is barely able to provide for her sister, her nurse, and herself from her job as a newspaper reporter. To keep her position, she bargains to get the big story of the time - the lost heir.
Caldwell's stories always portray people struggling to deal with difficult circumstances. Their loving relationship is the catalyst for a major improvement in their lives. Malcolm is clinging to the things he knows because he has no real hope for the future. He ends up caught between two worlds. The same is true for Verity. But together they conquer all. There were quite a few tears shed before the end. A lovely story written with great depth and sensitivity.
Caldwell's stories always portray people struggling to deal with difficult circumstances. Their loving relationship is the catalyst for a major improvement in their lives. Malcolm is clinging to the things he knows because he has no real hope for the future. He ends up caught between two worlds. The same is true for Verity. But together they conquer all. There were quite a few tears shed before the end. A lovely story written with great depth and sensitivity.
March 3, 2020
Series: Lost Lords of London #1
Publication Date: 3/17/20
Number of Pages: 383
This first entry in the Lost Lords of London series introduces us to the first of the kidnapped children Connor Steele (The Vixen) has been commissioned to find. These are children of the ton who were kidnapped by the malicious, infamous Diggory. I thought maybe we’d get a visit from Stephen who was one of those children and who was also a supporting character throughout the Wicked Wallflower series – he was heavily featured in The Bluestocking. Unfortunately, Stephen didn’t make an appearance.
Verity Lovelace, who is now thirty, has provided the support for herself, her sister and their former nursemaid since she was twelve years old. She is the natural daughter of an Earl and a barmaid. The earl was a profligate but did manage to provide a small cottage for them while he was alive, but he made no arrangements for them when he died. The only thing he did for them was to arrange for Verity, at age twelve, to have a job at a newspaper, The Londoner. Verity has worked there for almost twenty years and finally worked her way into being a reporter.
Before he was kidnapped as a child, Marcus North was known as Percival Northrop, heir to the Earl of Maxwell. Marcus doesn’t remember anything about that time – and doesn’t want to. He doesn’t want the title or the encumbrances that come along with it. Connor Steele has found him and has seen to making the claim legitimate, etc. – but, Marcus doesn’t want anyone to know he’s the earl nor does he want them to know where he lives or anything else about him. He’s adamant about keeping his secrets – almost paranoid about it.
When Marcus encounters Verity in the sewers, he saves her, gets her out of the sewers, then lets her go – only for her to get attacked again – and another rescue. He does something he has never, ever, done before, he takes her to where he lives. She NEVER tells him she is a reporter and that she is looking for the Earl of Maxwell. She noses around and makes the discovery of who he really is. He tells her he doesn’t want his story told – but… Does Verity care about what Marcus or anyone else wants? No, she does not.
It took me a while to get into this novel because I just couldn’t make myself like Verity. I finally got to where I tolerated her, but I never really came to like her. She seemed very embittered, totally uncaring about what her stories did to others – particularly Marcus. It did finally register with her and I warmed up to her a bit. I liked Marcus from the beginning and his anger with Verity was definitely valid. I did find it surprising that he was attracted to her when she had deliberately, uncaringly, caused him so much harm.
I enjoyed the story and thought it was nicely unique. However, it was ambiguous in a number of things – like the time period. There were a few hints and I finally came to believe that the setting must have been somewhere between 1820 and 1837 – but I shouldn’t have to try to figure out any of that kind of stuff, it should be plainly obvious. Also, be aware that the female lead is a rabid feminist who seems to hate men and has some very contemporary thinking. You’ll also find some more contemporary wording, etc.
Still, I enjoyed the read and look forward to the next story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Publication Date: 3/17/20
Number of Pages: 383
This first entry in the Lost Lords of London series introduces us to the first of the kidnapped children Connor Steele (The Vixen) has been commissioned to find. These are children of the ton who were kidnapped by the malicious, infamous Diggory. I thought maybe we’d get a visit from Stephen who was one of those children and who was also a supporting character throughout the Wicked Wallflower series – he was heavily featured in The Bluestocking. Unfortunately, Stephen didn’t make an appearance.
Verity Lovelace, who is now thirty, has provided the support for herself, her sister and their former nursemaid since she was twelve years old. She is the natural daughter of an Earl and a barmaid. The earl was a profligate but did manage to provide a small cottage for them while he was alive, but he made no arrangements for them when he died. The only thing he did for them was to arrange for Verity, at age twelve, to have a job at a newspaper, The Londoner. Verity has worked there for almost twenty years and finally worked her way into being a reporter.
Before he was kidnapped as a child, Marcus North was known as Percival Northrop, heir to the Earl of Maxwell. Marcus doesn’t remember anything about that time – and doesn’t want to. He doesn’t want the title or the encumbrances that come along with it. Connor Steele has found him and has seen to making the claim legitimate, etc. – but, Marcus doesn’t want anyone to know he’s the earl nor does he want them to know where he lives or anything else about him. He’s adamant about keeping his secrets – almost paranoid about it.
When Marcus encounters Verity in the sewers, he saves her, gets her out of the sewers, then lets her go – only for her to get attacked again – and another rescue. He does something he has never, ever, done before, he takes her to where he lives. She NEVER tells him she is a reporter and that she is looking for the Earl of Maxwell. She noses around and makes the discovery of who he really is. He tells her he doesn’t want his story told – but… Does Verity care about what Marcus or anyone else wants? No, she does not.
It took me a while to get into this novel because I just couldn’t make myself like Verity. I finally got to where I tolerated her, but I never really came to like her. She seemed very embittered, totally uncaring about what her stories did to others – particularly Marcus. It did finally register with her and I warmed up to her a bit. I liked Marcus from the beginning and his anger with Verity was definitely valid. I did find it surprising that he was attracted to her when she had deliberately, uncaringly, caused him so much harm.
I enjoyed the story and thought it was nicely unique. However, it was ambiguous in a number of things – like the time period. There were a few hints and I finally came to believe that the setting must have been somewhere between 1820 and 1837 – but I shouldn’t have to try to figure out any of that kind of stuff, it should be plainly obvious. Also, be aware that the female lead is a rabid feminist who seems to hate men and has some very contemporary thinking. You’ll also find some more contemporary wording, etc.
Still, I enjoyed the read and look forward to the next story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 29, 2020
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
4.25 stars
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.
4.25 stars
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.
August 22, 2023
Oh my gosh. I don’t think that I could love a book more than this one. In Bed with the Earl, by Christi Caldwell. I am so thunderstruck by having read this wonderfully, well written historical romantic love story. The author has out done herself.
It was my pleasure to have read this book. Everything about this love story, from the creating of the characters, the developing of a plot, the drama and the romance was flawless. These must have factors for a story has raised this book to a high level for a true readers praises. I was entranced from the beginning. The entertainment and the dueling romance between Verity and Malcolm was an absolute joy, and a pleasure to read.
I had so much fun reading the love story that I didn’t want it to end. These two where like oil and water. I laughed and giggled every time these two came together in the book. The power struggles and dominance between these two was a battle of wills. I had to keep reading to see who would be the victor.
Truthfully, I think Livivie is the one. First I want to thank the writer for writing a leading lady character with in the age range of her thirty. Now on to the story of the main couple. Verity is a woman who will not be cowed by the working force of men. She finds herself fighting the cruelty of men with the power of her pen.
She traced the sewers of London for that one story. She comes across the path of a Tosher who shows her the hidden world of the sewers. Little does Verity know that this man, Malcolm becomes the person she battles with, in intelligence, a silver tongue and similar past history. Malcolm can not believe the minx that has meticulously moved herself and her family into his life without permission figuratively and literally. Almost, Consistently on a daily basis, Verity has Malcolm ready to run for the hills.
The two find themselves in battles of will that had me laughing and enjoying their journey towards each other. The smartest one of the group has to be Livvie, Verity’s younger sister. Let’s not forget Bram, Giles and Fowler. They round out this group of so called misfits that had me up late at night, reading just one more chapter from this magnificent book. I give this book two snaps and a, Bram!
Fowler! Stop trying to intimidate the ton with a beat down. Until next time my fellow readers... read on!
It was my pleasure to have read this book. Everything about this love story, from the creating of the characters, the developing of a plot, the drama and the romance was flawless. These must have factors for a story has raised this book to a high level for a true readers praises. I was entranced from the beginning. The entertainment and the dueling romance between Verity and Malcolm was an absolute joy, and a pleasure to read.
I had so much fun reading the love story that I didn’t want it to end. These two where like oil and water. I laughed and giggled every time these two came together in the book. The power struggles and dominance between these two was a battle of wills. I had to keep reading to see who would be the victor.
Truthfully, I think Livivie is the one. First I want to thank the writer for writing a leading lady character with in the age range of her thirty. Now on to the story of the main couple. Verity is a woman who will not be cowed by the working force of men. She finds herself fighting the cruelty of men with the power of her pen.
She traced the sewers of London for that one story. She comes across the path of a Tosher who shows her the hidden world of the sewers. Little does Verity know that this man, Malcolm becomes the person she battles with, in intelligence, a silver tongue and similar past history. Malcolm can not believe the minx that has meticulously moved herself and her family into his life without permission figuratively and literally. Almost, Consistently on a daily basis, Verity has Malcolm ready to run for the hills.
The two find themselves in battles of will that had me laughing and enjoying their journey towards each other. The smartest one of the group has to be Livvie, Verity’s younger sister. Let’s not forget Bram, Giles and Fowler. They round out this group of so called misfits that had me up late at night, reading just one more chapter from this magnificent book. I give this book two snaps and a, Bram!
Fowler! Stop trying to intimidate the ton with a beat down. Until next time my fellow readers... read on!
March 29, 2020
I will warn you now, though you should be able to tell by the five-star rating, that this post is just one long fangirly mess of a review. If that isn’t your jam then skip this one. In Bed with the Earl took me completely by surprise. I know that Caldwell writes vibrant, lovable characters but combining that with unconventional jobs for both the hero and heroine with a healthy heap of chemistry and this book should basically be labeled “Alana Catnip.”
First and foremost, I loved Malcom. He is one of those adorable heroes that does alpha right and I am here for it. He has just the right amount of menace that makes someone that is a bit unhinged swoon and think of pirates. I found Verity’s loyalty to her family charming and her fierce determination in the face of adversity absolutely inspiring. From the first meeting, sparks fly but some of it is frustration. I don’t want to give away spoilers so I’ll just leave it at “delicious, sizzling chemistry with the one woman with the fortitude to go toe-to-toe with Malcom’s grumpy self.”
This isn’t your typical London set historical romance in that there are no elements of ton life beyond a brief description due to Verity’s job as a journalist. Instead, Caldwell introduces us to toshers and the lives of the day to day folk that are scraping by and spices it up with a romance that makes you sigh with happiness and maybe a bit of envy. I even enjoyed the bit of comeuppance in the epilogue!
Do yourself a favor and read this delightful book. I seriously hope we get the next book soon because I am absolutely ready to swoon over another Lost Lord of London.
First and foremost, I loved Malcom. He is one of those adorable heroes that does alpha right and I am here for it. He has just the right amount of menace that makes someone that is a bit unhinged swoon and think of pirates. I found Verity’s loyalty to her family charming and her fierce determination in the face of adversity absolutely inspiring. From the first meeting, sparks fly but some of it is frustration. I don’t want to give away spoilers so I’ll just leave it at “delicious, sizzling chemistry with the one woman with the fortitude to go toe-to-toe with Malcom’s grumpy self.”
This isn’t your typical London set historical romance in that there are no elements of ton life beyond a brief description due to Verity’s job as a journalist. Instead, Caldwell introduces us to toshers and the lives of the day to day folk that are scraping by and spices it up with a romance that makes you sigh with happiness and maybe a bit of envy. I even enjoyed the bit of comeuppance in the epilogue!
Do yourself a favor and read this delightful book. I seriously hope we get the next book soon because I am absolutely ready to swoon over another Lost Lord of London.
March 14, 2020
Reporter Verity Lovelace will do whatever it takes to keep her position with The Londoner, even venture into London's sewers. She's determined to unravel the mystery every aristocrat is interested in: the whereabouts of the lost heir to the Earl of Maxwell. She's shocked to find the man, Malcom North, in those very sewers, having made a comfortable life for himself as a scavenger and with no intention of openly assuming his title. But when Verity betrays him and publishes his story in a futile, last ditch effort to save her job, she's unprepared for the consequences.
After being kidnapped after his parents' deaths when he was just a boy, Malcom is haunted by memories of a different life, snippets he casually ignores as he focuses on maintaining his rule over the sewers. He's livid at being exposed as the Earl of Maxwell and bombarded with fortune hunting fathers seeking marriage for their daughters and old enemies seeking to exploit any weakness they perceive in him. He knows Verity is responsible for revealing his secrets and as if that betrayal weren't enough, he soon learns that she's squatting in his Grosvenor Square townhouse, allowing everyone to make the assumption that she's his wife. Though he's livid, Malcom can see the advantage in no longer being pursued as a marriagable bachelor, so he demands that Verity keep up the ruse of being his wife. The forced proximity soon has sparks of more than just anger flying between them, even as it becomes clear that someone is out to ruin any chance they have of building a happy future together.
It took me quite awhile to get into this book, mostly because I did not like Verity at all; she didn't grow on me until the very end of the book and even then I only just did tolerate her. While she may have had altruistic motives in wanting to care for her [ridiculously sheltered] younger sister, I still cannot condone Verity's total self-absorption. She gave no care or even a fleeting thought for Marcus' suffering or how her actions might hurt him or anyone else. She also struck me as shockingly naive and very bitter and hateful towards all men and especially unfairly so towards Marcus after he saved her from a dangerous situation and showed extreme patience with her. I'm just so over reading these supposedly strong, independent, heavily feminist heroines who believe they're owed something by the hero because he has means, even when they don't know or care to learn his story or what he may be doing with those means, or consider that he may already be helping others with them. The entitlement has got to stop. Eventually Verity did realize the depths of what she'd done, but it was very nearly too late for me.
Nonetheless, I did enjoy the story and found it to be well-written and with a very different premise and I liked how all the elements tied together in the end. I look forward very much to reading the next book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
After being kidnapped after his parents' deaths when he was just a boy, Malcom is haunted by memories of a different life, snippets he casually ignores as he focuses on maintaining his rule over the sewers. He's livid at being exposed as the Earl of Maxwell and bombarded with fortune hunting fathers seeking marriage for their daughters and old enemies seeking to exploit any weakness they perceive in him. He knows Verity is responsible for revealing his secrets and as if that betrayal weren't enough, he soon learns that she's squatting in his Grosvenor Square townhouse, allowing everyone to make the assumption that she's his wife. Though he's livid, Malcom can see the advantage in no longer being pursued as a marriagable bachelor, so he demands that Verity keep up the ruse of being his wife. The forced proximity soon has sparks of more than just anger flying between them, even as it becomes clear that someone is out to ruin any chance they have of building a happy future together.
It took me quite awhile to get into this book, mostly because I did not like Verity at all; she didn't grow on me until the very end of the book and even then I only just did tolerate her. While she may have had altruistic motives in wanting to care for her [ridiculously sheltered] younger sister, I still cannot condone Verity's total self-absorption. She gave no care or even a fleeting thought for Marcus' suffering or how her actions might hurt him or anyone else. She also struck me as shockingly naive and very bitter and hateful towards all men and especially unfairly so towards Marcus after he saved her from a dangerous situation and showed extreme patience with her. I'm just so over reading these supposedly strong, independent, heavily feminist heroines who believe they're owed something by the hero because he has means, even when they don't know or care to learn his story or what he may be doing with those means, or consider that he may already be helping others with them. The entitlement has got to stop. Eventually Verity did realize the depths of what she'd done, but it was very nearly too late for me.
Nonetheless, I did enjoy the story and found it to be well-written and with a very different premise and I liked how all the elements tied together in the end. I look forward very much to reading the next book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
January 20, 2020
In Bed with the Earl is everything I have wanted in a love story but didn't know it. The most imperfectly perfect characters tug at your heart strings in this tale of loss and love.
One of my favorite things about this book is the description of the characters. Verity is describes as a short, larger breast and wide hipped woman that is...gasp... thirty years old! Malcolm is described has having scars from his rough life and not quite classically handsome. yes, Yes, YES! I get so tired of the red haired, pale creamy complexion that floats like an angel wherever she goes and the man that is basically a Greek god come to life. I didn't realized how much I was craving real life characters till this book. Continuing to turn norms upside down, Verity is a bastard child of an Earl. She is a working woman who is very proud of the humble life she had made for herself and her sister. Bravo to Christi Caldwell for turning the typical Regency romance on its head!
I will admit it took me about a quarter of the way in to really get hooked to the story. I had no previous knowledge of a tosher and it took a bit of time to figure it all out. Once I was settled into who all the characters were... I was hooked!
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
One of my favorite things about this book is the description of the characters. Verity is describes as a short, larger breast and wide hipped woman that is...gasp... thirty years old! Malcolm is described has having scars from his rough life and not quite classically handsome. yes, Yes, YES! I get so tired of the red haired, pale creamy complexion that floats like an angel wherever she goes and the man that is basically a Greek god come to life. I didn't realized how much I was craving real life characters till this book. Continuing to turn norms upside down, Verity is a bastard child of an Earl. She is a working woman who is very proud of the humble life she had made for herself and her sister. Bravo to Christi Caldwell for turning the typical Regency romance on its head!
I will admit it took me about a quarter of the way in to really get hooked to the story. I had no previous knowledge of a tosher and it took a bit of time to figure it all out. Once I was settled into who all the characters were... I was hooked!
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
November 9, 2019
Wow, in my opinion, this has got to be one of the best stories Christi Caldwell has ever written! Malcolm and Verity's story is filled with doing whatever it needs to survive, righting wrongs, memories returned, accepting the future, and oh, so much more. Malcolm is a hero like no other and even in his rage, he had my heart and I just wanted to hold him. Verity is a total spitfire and I absolutely adored her.
This is a story that will grip your interest from page one and with a couple of twists and turns that you never see coming, you will get to the end with a full heart.
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This is a story that will grip your interest from page one and with a couple of twists and turns that you never see coming, you will get to the end with a full heart.
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
April 12, 2020
I have to go dramatic with my star review only because others reviews lead me to falsely believe this was such a great 4.27 star book and that is just soo not true. I eventually gave up at 78% because I literally dont care what happens. This book was sooo incredibly boring and I only kept on because it was narrated while I was doing house chores. Waste of time.
November 14, 2019
I had so many feelings about this book. So many feelings. Malcolm North (formerly Percival Northam), heir to the Earl of Maxwell, was kidnapped as a child soon after his parents both died from an illness. He was also very sick at the time. Over time he became a Tosher - an individual who makes his way by scavenging the sewers. It isn't really clear how that happened exactly - but it seems like he ran away from those who kidnapped him and instead of living on the streets and stealing - he because a scavenger. He ends up pretty much ruling the sewers and rounding up a band of "people." He keeps them all at a distance, but care for them and keeps them safe. He is surprised and not particularly happy when an investigator finds him and declares him the son of the Earl. Its not overwhelmingly clear how they actually make the determination that Malcolm is actually the son of the Earl, because Malcolm doesn't really remember much.
Verity Lovelace is a reporter. From a young age she has worked for a paper - working her way into the writing part of the newspaper business. She supports her sister and a nursemaid, turned all-work type of servant. in order to keep her job at the newspaper she needs to get the story of the Earl's life. She is willing to do anything and everything to get it.
I liked the premise of the book a lot - and the characters were each strong in their own right. The problem is - I just didn't like them together. Malcolm is one tough dude - and obviously needed to be reminded of his own humanity and care for others. But throughout the book, he just kept giving of himself (in spite of himself) and no one really took care of him. He falls in love with Verity despite a lot of REALLY shitty things. She is pretty much willing to take advantage of Malcolm in any way she can, regardless of his feelings on the matter. Pretty much assuming he should just let her do what she wants no matter what. Malcolm isn't nice to her - but did he really need to be? Despite not being all sweet and lovey dovey to her - he pretty much bows to her wishes all the time. He only gets the breadcrumbs of feelings from her - and not much else.
I guess in the end - I enjoyed the story - but didn't really like Verity. She was a tough cookie - and I don't dislike her professional ambition or putting herself first attitude. I just dislike how she treated her sister and Malcolm. I am guessing there are quite a few cameos from other Christi Caldwell stories in this book - which will probably be awesome for her regular readers. This was the first full length story from Christi Caldwell I've read.
I will also warn sticklers for period details - this is probably not the book for you. I had a lot of trouble dating the story - I am guessing it was supposed to be regency? but maybe not? I wasn't sure or clear. I also had problems with the age ranges - How old was Malcolm supposed to be? When he was kidnapped he seemed pretty young - I thought around 4 or 5? this takes place 20 years later - so that would put his age around 25? but he talk about not becoming a Tosher until he was a little older? Verity is 30 (and I don't have a problem with her being older - to be clear) - but she is still a virgin and very "innocent" even though she has lived in a fairly rough area of London with really no supervision. This seems a little suspect. Verity's sister was 16 or 17 - but read as MUCH younger. She didn't seem to work and was described as very sheltered. In a realistic situation - there is NO WAY she would have just been hanging out at home waiting for Verity to solve things. She would have been working too. I know Verity wanted a good life for her sister - but she kind of seemed to ignore her as a person and treated her like a 10 or 12 year old. At the time I think this book takes place - a 12 year old working is really no surprise.
Those details - as well as some language and gestures described (e.g. Malcolm giving Giles the finger) distracted me and confused me. Altogether - the book seemed unfocused and I couldn't get past Verity's treatment of others. I give Christi Caldwell credit for Malcolm confronting Verity about it - but at the same time, Verity doesn't really change or even admit that maybe she was using others to her own ends. I wouldn't accept this behavior in a male character - and I don't accept it in Verity.
I invite you to read it and let me know. Maybe I am being sexist in my thoughts on Verity's behavior - or maybe I just wanted a depth to the story that I didn't get. And maybe this story underlines all the things we don't get from mainstream media - but still read anyway.
I received this as an ARC - but these opinions (obviously) are all mine!
Verity Lovelace is a reporter. From a young age she has worked for a paper - working her way into the writing part of the newspaper business. She supports her sister and a nursemaid, turned all-work type of servant. in order to keep her job at the newspaper she needs to get the story of the Earl's life. She is willing to do anything and everything to get it.
I liked the premise of the book a lot - and the characters were each strong in their own right. The problem is - I just didn't like them together. Malcolm is one tough dude - and obviously needed to be reminded of his own humanity and care for others. But throughout the book, he just kept giving of himself (in spite of himself) and no one really took care of him. He falls in love with Verity despite a lot of REALLY shitty things. She is pretty much willing to take advantage of Malcolm in any way she can, regardless of his feelings on the matter. Pretty much assuming he should just let her do what she wants no matter what. Malcolm isn't nice to her - but did he really need to be? Despite not being all sweet and lovey dovey to her - he pretty much bows to her wishes all the time. He only gets the breadcrumbs of feelings from her - and not much else.
I guess in the end - I enjoyed the story - but didn't really like Verity. She was a tough cookie - and I don't dislike her professional ambition or putting herself first attitude. I just dislike how she treated her sister and Malcolm. I am guessing there are quite a few cameos from other Christi Caldwell stories in this book - which will probably be awesome for her regular readers. This was the first full length story from Christi Caldwell I've read.
I will also warn sticklers for period details - this is probably not the book for you. I had a lot of trouble dating the story - I am guessing it was supposed to be regency? but maybe not? I wasn't sure or clear. I also had problems with the age ranges - How old was Malcolm supposed to be? When he was kidnapped he seemed pretty young - I thought around 4 or 5? this takes place 20 years later - so that would put his age around 25? but he talk about not becoming a Tosher until he was a little older? Verity is 30 (and I don't have a problem with her being older - to be clear) - but she is still a virgin and very "innocent" even though she has lived in a fairly rough area of London with really no supervision. This seems a little suspect. Verity's sister was 16 or 17 - but read as MUCH younger. She didn't seem to work and was described as very sheltered. In a realistic situation - there is NO WAY she would have just been hanging out at home waiting for Verity to solve things. She would have been working too. I know Verity wanted a good life for her sister - but she kind of seemed to ignore her as a person and treated her like a 10 or 12 year old. At the time I think this book takes place - a 12 year old working is really no surprise.
Those details - as well as some language and gestures described (e.g. Malcolm giving Giles the finger) distracted me and confused me. Altogether - the book seemed unfocused and I couldn't get past Verity's treatment of others. I give Christi Caldwell credit for Malcolm confronting Verity about it - but at the same time, Verity doesn't really change or even admit that maybe she was using others to her own ends. I wouldn't accept this behavior in a male character - and I don't accept it in Verity.
I invite you to read it and let me know. Maybe I am being sexist in my thoughts on Verity's behavior - or maybe I just wanted a depth to the story that I didn't get. And maybe this story underlines all the things we don't get from mainstream media - but still read anyway.
I received this as an ARC - but these opinions (obviously) are all mine!
January 14, 2020
Verity has had to take care of herself for way too long. Born a bastard with a younger sibling to care for, she has held tenaciously onto her career as a reporter for The Londoner. However, all that is jeopardy only because of her sex. She needs not only a story, but the story that will keep her job, the story all of London wants to hear. Who is the lost Earl?
Taken from his home as a young child, Malcolm has blocked all of his memories of growing up. All he knows is the bowels of London. Having done anything to survive the dirty streets, alone, he has made a name for himself in the sewers. He has no interest in finding out his true past, or being forced back into the peerage.
I did enjoy Verity. I'm not going to lie though, I really don't like characters that are reporters. It's just this personal preference, and probably the stereotypes from movies/books of them invading privacy, being pushy, etc. Verity isn't like that, but it probably kept me from loving her as much as I should have. Shes a great character though. Very caring, gentle with her family and loved ones, but fights tooth and nail for what she believes in. I admired her ever so much in those beginning chapters where I was on the edge of my seat with what would happen. She was very brave.
Yet as the story goes on, I wanted her to be, well...more for Malcolm? Yes she talks to him, makes him feel safe enough to open up about his past, but I just felt like he needed more from her. More emotional attachment? She does quite a few things to him that I don't love and he falls more in love with her but I just didn't feel it as much as I should have.
Malcolm I just LOVED in the first half of the book. The first chapter sets up his kidnapping and it's just heartbreaking. Learning about his life in the sewers, what he's done to survive, witnessing him training his body to the breaking point so he can always be one step ahead of all the danger in his life...I drool for a hero like that. His situation was made all the more real to me because I recently finished the book Dirty Old London and had a much better imagining of what the underworld of London was like.
I was totally engaged the first 25% of the book. I didn't want to put it down. Which says even more for Miss Caldwell's writing because the characters weren't even together for much of it. Great character depth was built here with both of their backgrounds. Then the next 25% I was even more in love. Their scenes together were amazing. I was clearly seeing them, full bodied and detailed. But after that, something started losing me. It was like the characters started fading, losing their color. They were finally in closer proximity but the character growth seemed to stall for me. And I was waiting and waiting for that tension to come back and something to happen between them. And waiting. And waiting. 90% of the book waiting. And then when they finally have sex, it's after the heroine is injured and has a huge goose-egg on her head. Why is it always injured sex? Lol.
Still I enjoyed much of the book. This was my first Christi Caldwell and I will definitely try her again. This is the first book of the new series and is fine read as is. However, I've seen in many reviews that she has built a whole world of characters that appear throughout town. If you've read her prior books, I'm sure some characters will look familiar.
I was able to receive an ARC copy complimentary from netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Taken from his home as a young child, Malcolm has blocked all of his memories of growing up. All he knows is the bowels of London. Having done anything to survive the dirty streets, alone, he has made a name for himself in the sewers. He has no interest in finding out his true past, or being forced back into the peerage.
I did enjoy Verity. I'm not going to lie though, I really don't like characters that are reporters. It's just this personal preference, and probably the stereotypes from movies/books of them invading privacy, being pushy, etc. Verity isn't like that, but it probably kept me from loving her as much as I should have. Shes a great character though. Very caring, gentle with her family and loved ones, but fights tooth and nail for what she believes in. I admired her ever so much in those beginning chapters where I was on the edge of my seat with what would happen. She was very brave.
Yet as the story goes on, I wanted her to be, well...more for Malcolm? Yes she talks to him, makes him feel safe enough to open up about his past, but I just felt like he needed more from her. More emotional attachment? She does quite a few things to him that I don't love and he falls more in love with her but I just didn't feel it as much as I should have.
Malcolm I just LOVED in the first half of the book. The first chapter sets up his kidnapping and it's just heartbreaking. Learning about his life in the sewers, what he's done to survive, witnessing him training his body to the breaking point so he can always be one step ahead of all the danger in his life...I drool for a hero like that. His situation was made all the more real to me because I recently finished the book Dirty Old London and had a much better imagining of what the underworld of London was like.
I was totally engaged the first 25% of the book. I didn't want to put it down. Which says even more for Miss Caldwell's writing because the characters weren't even together for much of it. Great character depth was built here with both of their backgrounds. Then the next 25% I was even more in love. Their scenes together were amazing. I was clearly seeing them, full bodied and detailed. But after that, something started losing me. It was like the characters started fading, losing their color. They were finally in closer proximity but the character growth seemed to stall for me. And I was waiting and waiting for that tension to come back and something to happen between them. And waiting. And waiting. 90% of the book waiting. And then when they finally have sex, it's after the heroine is injured and has a huge goose-egg on her head. Why is it always injured sex? Lol.
Still I enjoyed much of the book. This was my first Christi Caldwell and I will definitely try her again. This is the first book of the new series and is fine read as is. However, I've seen in many reviews that she has built a whole world of characters that appear throughout town. If you've read her prior books, I'm sure some characters will look familiar.
I was able to receive an ARC copy complimentary from netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 17, 2020
The blurb by the publisher had me looking for mystery, danger, and ruin. These never developed to the degree I thought would justify the writing in the blurb, I kept waiting for more danger to the two of them. The future Earl of Maxwell is kidnapped as a child by family members who hate him, while turning into a tosher in the tunnels of London, the child turns himself into Malcolm North, the richest, most feared tosher of the bowels of London.
Then we have Verity Lovelace, another feminist protagonist who is not of this time period, an intrepid female reporter, who must get the lost Earl's story or lose her job to these male chauvinist! She has a younger sister, and lifelong nursemaid that she is responsible for.
The problem with the story for me was the repeptivtive accusations against the male population, without bringing in the resolution to who actually kidnapped the little boy!? Yes, we meet his cousin, who didn't kidnapped the little boy, where are the three ladies, his other cousins? Where is the man who attacks Verity twice? Why wasn't he brought to justice? This is an exceptional author! However, this story was slow, repetitive, contemporary, the only historical part of the story was the lesson on tochers; which in all honesty made me want to continually have a bath.
Disappointing! Thank you Netgalley!
carolintallahassee.com
Then we have Verity Lovelace, another feminist protagonist who is not of this time period, an intrepid female reporter, who must get the lost Earl's story or lose her job to these male chauvinist! She has a younger sister, and lifelong nursemaid that she is responsible for.
The problem with the story for me was the repeptivtive accusations against the male population, without bringing in the resolution to who actually kidnapped the little boy!? Yes, we meet his cousin, who didn't kidnapped the little boy, where are the three ladies, his other cousins? Where is the man who attacks Verity twice? Why wasn't he brought to justice? This is an exceptional author! However, this story was slow, repetitive, contemporary, the only historical part of the story was the lesson on tochers; which in all honesty made me want to continually have a bath.
Disappointing! Thank you Netgalley!
carolintallahassee.com
October 24, 2019
*NetGalley Review All Opinions Are My Own*
What a fantastic start to a series I literally couldn’t put it down, Verity & Malcolm are just magnetic!
I will reread this book as I enjoyed it that much!
5 Stars *****
What a fantastic start to a series I literally couldn’t put it down, Verity & Malcolm are just magnetic!
I will reread this book as I enjoyed it that much!
5 Stars *****
March 10, 2020
Pretend relationship tropes are one of my favorites. I love that moment when the relationship no longer feels pretend for the characters but begins to feel like something very real. I love all the confusing feelings and blurred lines when characters unexpectedly fall in love. All the questions they ponder. What’s real and what’s fake. Was their heart involved or was it all pretend. It makes for a deliciously painful slow burn when two people who thought they’d never needed anyone else find they can’t live without each other.
Someone is stealing the words of Londoner reporter Verity Lovelace. And in turn they’re stealing her livelihood. Money that could keep her and her sister safe and secure, and provided for. Verity was the first to break the story of the lost heir to the Earl of Maxwell. And now someone was ripping it off from her. With her job on the line, Verity agrees to find the new earl. Her employment depends on it. Find the earl and reveal a story all the world has been waiting for.
Robbed of his title, Malcom North, Earl of Maxwell, has lived a life very different from the one that was planned for him. Rather than walking amongst the peerage, he’s been walking under them. Making his living by combing the sewers. With no memories of his past, his life before was a mystery and he preferred it that way. There was no place in his life for friends or family. Those attachments marked weakness. He certainly had no interest in claiming a fortune he didn’t build from a family he didn’t remember. But thanks to Verity Lovelace, he had little choice. “She had single-handedly slain his previously safe existence.” Now he dealt with fortune hunters seeking to marry off their daughters. But the woman who’d made him a mark among the peerage could be his path to freedom. And so a pact was forged. A “pretend” marriage to him in exchange for his story.
You can’t help but fall in love with Verity and North. Both had been forced to navigate the world alone much too soon. Both had survived life’s ugliness and depravity. When there’d been none to save them,they’d saved themselves.
North was content living in a miserable world others would sell their souls to escape. That life was his own. All he knew. His previous life was just a throbbing echo in his head. The life he knew in the sewers was more safe and comfortable than this new life he’d been thrown into. Sharing his story with Verity was especially uncomfortable. Bringing up painful memories and feelings was surely a sign of weakness. He’d made its through life without those connections.
Verity was a force to be reckoned with. Prideful, spirited, stubborn, and brave. She’d supported herself, her sister, and their nursemaid since her youth. She was loyal to those she loved and would do anything to keep them safe. In a world where women had little control, she’d fought for every opportunity to better their lives. Yet even though her family’s future relied on her getting North’s story, she knew his need for privacy was just as important to him as her need for survival was to her.
For all his hard edges and gruffness, Verity saw that deep down North was a genuinely honorable man. And though Verity challenged him at every turn, North admired her and was fascinated by her. There was a mystifying pull between them neither could explain or resist. The interview sessions for his “story” became less about Verity’s article and more about a need to know more about each other. Verity never forced North to speak. She shared stories of herself, helping him to understand why he clung to the life he’d made. That gave him the strength to share. There came an ease to accepting his past and those memories. And so the memories, though still painful at times, became freeing.
I loved watching friendship and trust form between these two characters. Their love was born in that time of sharing and assurance. North discovered he could depend on others and care for them. That didn’t make him weak. Verity discovered she could rely on someone else and still have control of her life.
Christi Caldwell has proven yet again that she is the master of storytelling. Another beautiful and deeply emotional historical romance. The relationship between Verity and North was such a tender one. In spite of the hard lives they’d had, they were eventually able to trust in each other. And in so doing, they both had a second chance at the life they so richly deserved. This story is filled with historical imagery, emotion, betrayal, and passion. What a fabulous start to a new series! I can’t wait to see what’s next. I’m hoping for more of Giles and Livvie. If you love a complex plot, authentic dialogue, a beautiful love story, and characters that work their way into your heart, you don’t want to miss out on this series.
Someone is stealing the words of Londoner reporter Verity Lovelace. And in turn they’re stealing her livelihood. Money that could keep her and her sister safe and secure, and provided for. Verity was the first to break the story of the lost heir to the Earl of Maxwell. And now someone was ripping it off from her. With her job on the line, Verity agrees to find the new earl. Her employment depends on it. Find the earl and reveal a story all the world has been waiting for.
Robbed of his title, Malcom North, Earl of Maxwell, has lived a life very different from the one that was planned for him. Rather than walking amongst the peerage, he’s been walking under them. Making his living by combing the sewers. With no memories of his past, his life before was a mystery and he preferred it that way. There was no place in his life for friends or family. Those attachments marked weakness. He certainly had no interest in claiming a fortune he didn’t build from a family he didn’t remember. But thanks to Verity Lovelace, he had little choice. “She had single-handedly slain his previously safe existence.” Now he dealt with fortune hunters seeking to marry off their daughters. But the woman who’d made him a mark among the peerage could be his path to freedom. And so a pact was forged. A “pretend” marriage to him in exchange for his story.
You can’t help but fall in love with Verity and North. Both had been forced to navigate the world alone much too soon. Both had survived life’s ugliness and depravity. When there’d been none to save them,they’d saved themselves.
North was content living in a miserable world others would sell their souls to escape. That life was his own. All he knew. His previous life was just a throbbing echo in his head. The life he knew in the sewers was more safe and comfortable than this new life he’d been thrown into. Sharing his story with Verity was especially uncomfortable. Bringing up painful memories and feelings was surely a sign of weakness. He’d made its through life without those connections.
Verity was a force to be reckoned with. Prideful, spirited, stubborn, and brave. She’d supported herself, her sister, and their nursemaid since her youth. She was loyal to those she loved and would do anything to keep them safe. In a world where women had little control, she’d fought for every opportunity to better their lives. Yet even though her family’s future relied on her getting North’s story, she knew his need for privacy was just as important to him as her need for survival was to her.
For all his hard edges and gruffness, Verity saw that deep down North was a genuinely honorable man. And though Verity challenged him at every turn, North admired her and was fascinated by her. There was a mystifying pull between them neither could explain or resist. The interview sessions for his “story” became less about Verity’s article and more about a need to know more about each other. Verity never forced North to speak. She shared stories of herself, helping him to understand why he clung to the life he’d made. That gave him the strength to share. There came an ease to accepting his past and those memories. And so the memories, though still painful at times, became freeing.
I loved watching friendship and trust form between these two characters. Their love was born in that time of sharing and assurance. North discovered he could depend on others and care for them. That didn’t make him weak. Verity discovered she could rely on someone else and still have control of her life.
Christi Caldwell has proven yet again that she is the master of storytelling. Another beautiful and deeply emotional historical romance. The relationship between Verity and North was such a tender one. In spite of the hard lives they’d had, they were eventually able to trust in each other. And in so doing, they both had a second chance at the life they so richly deserved. This story is filled with historical imagery, emotion, betrayal, and passion. What a fabulous start to a new series! I can’t wait to see what’s next. I’m hoping for more of Giles and Livvie. If you love a complex plot, authentic dialogue, a beautiful love story, and characters that work their way into your heart, you don’t want to miss out on this series.
March 16, 2020
Satisfying protagonists held my attentions!
Ok, not a dry eye in the house as the curtain closed on this first Lost Lords tale!
I do like the lost heir trope, and this has been one of the best I've read in a while. Original and refreshing. So all kudos to Ms Caldwell for her super addition to this genre.
I definitely am not going to be lurking in sewers anytime soon. These scenes are too realistic for me to be anything but thankful that I wasn't there. Talk about a heart in mouth scene.
The clash between the determined reporter Verity Lovelace (loved illegitimate daughter of the deceased Earl of Wakefield) and Malcom North, lost heir to the Earl of Maxwell of course Hummed with energy. The back story is that North had been stolen from his family when young, managed to stay alive on the deplorable streets of London slum areas, and became a successful scavenger in the sewers of London. He was king of his patch and no-one with any sense challenged him, except our intrepid Verity. You could just see the electricity sparking between the two.
I was awed by Verity's dedication, and understood her desperation to provide for her young sister and faithful family retainer. That desperation grows out of being sidelined by the current owner of the newspaper that she worked diligently for for many years. The fact that a spurious male reporter kept somehow stealing her stories was both mysterious and dismaying.
North's refusal to take up his inheritance, to leave the Seven Dials and enter society adds frisson to the situation. The flawed hero has a nightmare past and deeply hidden insecurities to overcome. Look there's just so much more happening here!
I was riveted by the all that occurred!
A Montlake Romance ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
Just as a side note: If you read the forward you will see the issues of plagiarism Caldwell's been dealing with. This is shameful and that particular recalcitrant person who purports to being a writer will get absolutely no attention from me. Not that she ever did. Still just putting it out there.
Ok, not a dry eye in the house as the curtain closed on this first Lost Lords tale!
I do like the lost heir trope, and this has been one of the best I've read in a while. Original and refreshing. So all kudos to Ms Caldwell for her super addition to this genre.
I definitely am not going to be lurking in sewers anytime soon. These scenes are too realistic for me to be anything but thankful that I wasn't there. Talk about a heart in mouth scene.
The clash between the determined reporter Verity Lovelace (loved illegitimate daughter of the deceased Earl of Wakefield) and Malcom North, lost heir to the Earl of Maxwell of course Hummed with energy. The back story is that North had been stolen from his family when young, managed to stay alive on the deplorable streets of London slum areas, and became a successful scavenger in the sewers of London. He was king of his patch and no-one with any sense challenged him, except our intrepid Verity. You could just see the electricity sparking between the two.
I was awed by Verity's dedication, and understood her desperation to provide for her young sister and faithful family retainer. That desperation grows out of being sidelined by the current owner of the newspaper that she worked diligently for for many years. The fact that a spurious male reporter kept somehow stealing her stories was both mysterious and dismaying.
North's refusal to take up his inheritance, to leave the Seven Dials and enter society adds frisson to the situation. The flawed hero has a nightmare past and deeply hidden insecurities to overcome. Look there's just so much more happening here!
I was riveted by the all that occurred!
A Montlake Romance ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
Just as a side note: If you read the forward you will see the issues of plagiarism Caldwell's been dealing with. This is shameful and that particular recalcitrant person who purports to being a writer will get absolutely no attention from me. Not that she ever did. Still just putting it out there.
March 16, 2020
In Bed with the Earl by Christi Caldwell is the First book in the Lost Lords of London Series. This is the story of Malcom North and Verity Lovelace. This is somewhat of a Spin off of the Wicked Wallflowers Series especially 'The Vixen' book where we learn that Connor Steele is looking for those past children that Diggory kidnapped. With that said, you don't need to have read that book or series (although it is a really good one!!) to enjoy this book. I just wanted to mention it in case you have so that you can also enjoy this book. Of course Malcom is one of the children who is now grown up. Malcom is thriving in the darkness of the streets but he once was Percival Northrup, heir to the Earl of Maxwell. Malcom had made it clear that he didn't want to reclaim that life and was settled into the life he has. Verity has been supporting and taking care of her sister and her nursemaid since she was just a child. Although her father was a Earl her mother was a barmaid and was not fully claimed. So when the Earl died he left her with a job at The Londoner. Now about twenty years later she has worked her way up to report who goes to find stories along with filling a gossip column. Verity goes anywhere to get her stories which has lead her to be saved by Malcom a few times. Malcom ends up taking her home where she finds evidence of who he really is. So now he needs her to pretend to be with him to keep women at bay.
Totally a fan of this author. I always know that I will enjoy her writing and she has the ability to take you into the book/story.
Totally a fan of this author. I always know that I will enjoy her writing and she has the ability to take you into the book/story.
May 26, 2020
I loved this book its been a long time since I have read a good adult historical romance I really liked everything about it. I read these kind of books all the time when I was younger I now remember why I loved reading them. I really loved the characters especially Verity and Malcolm I liked their romance it was a gradual thing but it was so good by the end when the air was cleared and you knew they loved one another. I loved Verity for her want to protect and provide for those she loves and I really loved her spirit and her drive to get what she wants. I really loved Malcolm for care for people even if he hid it behind so many other things and how everything about Verity just drew him to her no matter how he tried to deny it and I really like how he finally about to not deny those childhood memories no matter how painful they were and he was able to remember just how loved he was and was able to admit this is Verity. I really loved the plot it starts out with a painful memory about a boy who was treated horribly it moves on to tell a story of a man who was kidnapped to remove him from his birthright to telling about Verity who just had to find him they clash when they met and it becomes a very good romance that I would recommend. So overall I loved this book I need to read more books like this I missed reading this kind of book.
February 18, 2022
Such a wonderful, unconventional love story. Full review to come!
December 14, 2019
ssshwearereading.wordpress.com/2019/1...
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.
December 18, 2019
This is a fabulous book! It begins with a small child being kidnapped from his home. Needless to say, I was entranced from the first page to the last. Many years later we meet Verity Lovelace, a reporter seeking to find the lost Earl of Maxwell. She enters the sewers of London in that search. There she comes upon Malcolm North, tosher and the ruler of the sewer. Trouble ensues and they wind up running for their lives. Malcom is drawn to Verify and her strength and ability to stand up to him. Verity wants to figure Malcom out. They are drawn to each other like moths to a flame. The characters are so well developed. There are some wonderful secondary characters as well. There was do much emotion that I could not put it down. Mystery, danger, evil doers, lovable friends and family, and of course, love. Can a strong willed woman born on the wrong side of the blanket and a man who has been wronged for the whole of his life, find happiness with each other? You’ll want to read this to find out. I can’t wait for the next book to read. I was gifted this book by NetGalley and the publisher. I am voluntarily reviewing. My opinions are my own. I highly recommend this book and give it five stars.
March 20, 2020
Kidnapped as a child and left to himself on the mean streets of London, Malcom North grew up to be king of those streets - or at least, the sewers that run beneath them. Leader of the ‘toshers’, the sewer scavengers, he’s utterly unprepared when a detective tracks him down and tells him he’s the lost heir to an earldom.
Reporter Verity is fighting for her place in a man's world - one which barely allows for her existence and certainly won’t permit her to thrive. Finding and writing the true story of the lost earl might be her one chance to keep her job and a roof over her head - and that of her younger sister, who she’s desperate to protect. As the illegitimate children of a deceased peer, there’s certainly nobody else to look out for them.
Malcom and Verity butt heads from the very beginning, from their meeting in the sewers she’s ventured into in search of him with no idea of the dangers that await. He doesn’t want to care, but he can’t just leave her in the scrape she’s landed herself in, and with everything he learns about her, it gets harder and harder to walk away, whereas she literally can’t, not without risking everything she cares about.
I have to admit I burst out laughing when Verity found herself deep in a pickle as everyone assumed she and Malcom were married. She kept finding herself backed up against a wall with only one way to turn, though, and to his credit Malcom recognised that, looking at the situation logically. But then, unlike a lot of historical romance heroes, he knows what it’s like to be desperately looking for a way out of an untenable situation.
The pair of them made a really good couple with a deeply satisfying romance arc between them as slowly they revealed their secrets to each other. There are some wonderful themes of found family here and I definitely hope Malcom’s friend Giles gets his own book in the series (maybe with Verity’s sister?) This was a seriously enjoyable read and I’m delighted to give it five stars.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this title via NetGalley.
Reporter Verity is fighting for her place in a man's world - one which barely allows for her existence and certainly won’t permit her to thrive. Finding and writing the true story of the lost earl might be her one chance to keep her job and a roof over her head - and that of her younger sister, who she’s desperate to protect. As the illegitimate children of a deceased peer, there’s certainly nobody else to look out for them.
Malcom and Verity butt heads from the very beginning, from their meeting in the sewers she’s ventured into in search of him with no idea of the dangers that await. He doesn’t want to care, but he can’t just leave her in the scrape she’s landed herself in, and with everything he learns about her, it gets harder and harder to walk away, whereas she literally can’t, not without risking everything she cares about.
I have to admit I burst out laughing when Verity found herself deep in a pickle as everyone assumed she and Malcom were married. She kept finding herself backed up against a wall with only one way to turn, though, and to his credit Malcom recognised that, looking at the situation logically. But then, unlike a lot of historical romance heroes, he knows what it’s like to be desperately looking for a way out of an untenable situation.
The pair of them made a really good couple with a deeply satisfying romance arc between them as slowly they revealed their secrets to each other. There are some wonderful themes of found family here and I definitely hope Malcom’s friend Giles gets his own book in the series (maybe with Verity’s sister?) This was a seriously enjoyable read and I’m delighted to give it five stars.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this title via NetGalley.
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