Historical romance fans, gather round: if you’re not reading Scarlett Peckham, you need to fix that. Immediately. With her second novel, The Earl I Ruined, Peckham proves that the success of her debut was no fluke. She’s a talent to watch.

The set-up of The Earl I Ruined is just so damn refreshing. For once, it’s a story where the heroine does the ruining rather than the hero (or some random other character). Lady Constance Stonewell is a free-spirited young woman who bucks off society’s norms, delighting in making friends in low places and saying what would be better kept to herself. Constance loves to play and tease, and few things please her more than writing ribald plays and poems. She’s also a huge gossip with a meddlesome streak a mile wide – really, an accident waiting to happen.

And happen it does, when one of her gossip columns ends up ruining the formerly sterling reputation of Julian Haywood. Lord Bore, as Constance calls him, is extremely uptight and unyielding. A perfect gentleman with impeccable manners, he’s absolutely furious to be brought down by such a flight and bothersome girl. Especially by a girl he’s been pining over for decades. Constance soon realizes the depth of his anger and vows to make things right using the most obvious solution – a fake engagement, of course. Everything’s going according to plan until Constance finally realizes that there’s absolutely nothing boring about the so-called Lord Bore.

Peckham beautifully blends love and lust with solemnity and angst. Constance and Julian are polar opposites, but each has what the other lacks. Constance brings out Julian’s playfulness, and he helps her add some much needed seriousness to her life. The angst of their misunderstandings absolutely ruined me (pun intended), but of course it all works out in the end. Something that I really appreciate about Scarlett Peckham is how sex positive her stories are, especially given the Victorian setting. The ruination – and er, subsequent events – is framed as scandalous, yes, but also delicious.

Highly recommended to fans of historical romance and contemporary romance readers who love spice and want to try some historicals.

Sexy, fun, and interesting, the story keeps you turning the pages. Julian and Constance are great characters and they make you invested un the story.
The writing is good, so many details and descriptions are perfect for fans of historical fiction.

When Lady Constance Stonewell accidentally ruins the Earl of Apthorp’s entire future with her gossip column, she does what any honorable young lady must: offer her hand in marriage. Or, at the very least, stage a whirlwind fake engagement to repair his reputation. Never mind that it means spending a month with the dullest man in England. Or the fact that he disapproves of everything she holds dear.
This story was ok. A pretty common trope with the fake marriage piece. Unfortunately, I didn’t really like Constance at all. There were also pieces of Julian I didn’t really like either. The book just didn’t work for me.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

Another strong title from Peckham in a romance series that isn’t afraid to go there in terms of delicious angst! I loved the initial conflict set-up between the hero and the heroine and their submerged feelings for one another as they tried to navigate their fake engagement in the midst of rising tension (emotional and otherwise). I wish the book had leaned more into the kink aspect, but that’s a minor quibble overall. Looking forward to more from this author!

Loved this book as much as the first. Peckham’s stories are fun and sexy with an attention to detail that historical lovers appreciate. Ready for book three!

4 1/2 stars. Really enjoyed Julian and Constance. What a wonderful discovery Ms. Peckham’s writing has been.

very sexy. You guys must read this book. HOT AS HELL! I have yet to read the first book in this series. I am really considering reading it now!

The Earl I Ruined is the story of a silly girl doing a stupid thing. She ruins a man's reputation with the stroke of her pen. Now, she must make it right. Conversely, the ruined earl is actually in love with her. A fake engagement agreement is reached, but can they be convincing? Does Constance love him? It's a story of intrigue and romance and redemption. The characters are likeable and yet not, sometimes. Constance must prove she's more than a spoiled child. What happens? Read and find out. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Earl I Ruined by Scarlett Peckham flips the script on one of historical romance's most traditional plot points: the Lady Who Must Wed Or Be Ruined. With the stroke of her pen, gossip columnist Lady Constance Stonewell derails Julian, the Earl of Apthorp, and his ambitious political plans to save his crumbling estate. The honorable thing to do is propose marriage — which she does. He refuses, so they embark on a fake engagement instead with the intent of salvaging his career. After all, he's been in love with her for eight years, so what's four more weeks? This, dear readers, is just chapter one.

For years Lady Constance and Apthorp have been at odds — her reckless and daring behavior has only been an attempt to get his attention, and his lectures about manners have been his way of protecting her. In truth, he's always been in love with her. She has always wanted him. Now, they risk their scheme coming to light and the loss of the love they've finally found. This is a beautifully written, character-driven story that expertly unravels a big misunderstanding, and surprises with its twists and turns and wicked secrets right up until the end.

First, I must say...I LOVE that cover. The dress is so gorgeous. The pose is lovely. It reminds me of a Vogue photo shoot. Simply lovely! The cover and title drew me and I had no choice but to read it.


The story follows Constance who is reckless and I would say spoiled. She also is the secret writer of a gossip column. She "accidentally" ruins an old family friend's reputation from a silly article she wrote. This friend is the Earl of Apthrop, Julian. Julian was considered the most boring man in England, but then scandal strikes because of a dumb article. He could lose everything because of this. The two decide that the only way to save his career and ease Constance's guilt is to fake an engagement.


This is a 2nd book in the series, but it did well to standalone because I didn't feel like I was missing anything. I think book 1 was about Constance's brother.


I felt so bad for Julian. All he wanted was to live a nice quiet life and support his family. But alas, Constance in one article ruined everything. I don't blame him for not forgiving her right away. Especially since we find out he had loved her secretly for years, but he never acted on his feelings. Yikes!


Honestly, I went in wanting to hate Constance for what she did, but I ended up adoring her. She is just a reckless girl who is a touch spoiled. She wants to be noticed and loved. She shouldn't have written that article, but she did regret it for sure. I do feel Julian should've forgiven her sooner.


But yes, I enjoyed the ride. They both develop feelings for each other, but it takes pretty much the entire book for them to forgive each other and have their HEA. There is a lot of bad blood and lack of trust between them so it makes total sense. I'm glad the author did this even though I just wanted them to get over it. If only there were marriage therapists back then ;)


There was a huge reveal there near the end. I go back and forth if I liked it or not. Honestly...I am still unsure how I feel about it. It certainly did surprise me! So kuddos there!


There was a huge dry area, though, that made me bored. I did put this book down and walked away for a little bit. I was unsure if I wanted to read on. It wasn't bad...but I felt like nothing was happening. However, I got myself to go back and after a certain event, I was hooked. I'm super glad I didn't give up.


Overall, this was a pretty good read. It took forever for these two to get over the events that got them together, but it makes sense. There was a huge dry spot near the beginning that almost made me DNF this, but I didn't give up. I'm glad I didn't because I pretty much finished this in a couple of sittings after that. I liked the dynamic characters and the complex story. It was all very good overall. I'll give this 3 stars.

This is the second book in the series but can be read as a standalone. I requested an ARC following the glowing praise for the debut book of Ms Peckham and first in the series, The Duke I Tempted.

I expected a diverse historical with interesting characters, exploring the emotional and physical connection between them but I got a messy, superficial story that left me disappointed.

I know female readers of romance often come as much more unforgiving of the heroine than of the heroes and while I try hard not to be that kind of reader, i really, really disliked the heroine here. My problem is not that she started as spoilt, well-meaning but careless, oblivious to her privilege. She is really young and acted in an attempt to help other women, protecting them from men who could use/abuse them. My problem is that I didn't really see her grow into a better person through the story. I don't feel she became a more sympathetic and understating person. Yes, there is some journey exploring her sexuality and desires which I liked though I think it could have used more depth and detail.

I didn't get a good reading of the hero either. He was presenting as strict and adhering to laws and conventions, while he was completely different on the inside. He acted so to protect himself and those he cared for. Yet, we didn't see much of his real self, moments when he was himself were few and far between and left me wanting more. For most of the story, both MCs kept their pretense even when they were together making the whole story feel more like a comedy comedy of manners of sorts. The plot relied too much of gossip, pretense and disguise. I wanted more honest and open discussions between the MCs, exploring their desires.

I had other issues with the plot as well, it was overcrowded, there was too much going on with side character and their stories, much of it not adding adding significant. I felt there was not enough depth and detail. The hero's past as a dom for hire, his whole secret life in the illegal sex club was vaguely alluded too, we never got to see him (or both of them) there. It was just something in the background while it was central to the character's personality.

In short, the story had the potential to be something new and refreshing but instead it felt messy, superficial and not as good as expected it to be.

This was as delightful as everyone said it would be, the end. If you like your relationships complicated and your heart torn to shreds, well, this is the story for you!

Peckham’s debut, The Duke I Tempted, took the historical romance scene by storm, and anticipation for The Earl I Ruined was high. And she delivered! This second book in the Secrets of Charlotte Street series is moody, intense and superb. The contrast between the lightness and innocence of the heroine and the artistic erotic knowledge of the hero is exquisite. His sensual mastery wars with his love for her while her breezy insouciance infuriates him: How is he to manage her? Should he?

What a delicious setup of a story. Peckham delights in twisting her characters into knots while they wrestle with the dictates of their hearts and heads where sometimes one rules and sometimes the other. Apthorp is not only keeping his love of her hidden, but also his doings on Charlotte Street. She is hiding her growing love from him. The more time they spend in each other’s company, the more their sensual fascination with each other grows. She is tantalized by his carnal knowledge. He cannot trust her because instead of noticing her generous heart, he concludes that she manipulates people to suit her purposes.

https://happyeverafter.usatoday.com/2018/12/30/keira-soleore-historical-romance-recs-virginia-heath-scarlett-peckham/

Description
She’s beautiful, rich, and reckless…

When Lady Constance Stonewell accidentally ruins the Earl of Apthorp’s entire future with her gossip column, she does what any honorable young lady must: offer her hand in marriage. Or, at the very least, stage a whirlwind fake engagement to repair his reputation. Never mind that it means spending a month with the dullest man in England. Or the fact that he disapproves of everything she holds dear.

He’s supposedly the most boring politician in the House of Lords...

Julian Haywood, the Earl of Apthorp, is on the cusp of finally proving himself to be the man he’s always wanted to be when his future is destroyed in a single afternoon. When the woman he’s secretly in love with confesses she’s at fault, it isn’t just his life that is shattered: it’s his heart.

They have a month to clear his name and convince society they are madly in love…

But when Constance discovers her faux-intended is decidedly more than meets the eye—not to mention adept at shocking forms of wickedness—she finds herself falling for him.

There’s only one problem: he can’t forgive her for breaking his heart.

My Thoughts:

I laughed until I cried, particularly in the first half of this delightful book. I read the first book but came away unimpressed. I am so thankful that I gave this author a second chance because this one was close to being a masterpiece.
Constance simply can't keep her nose out of things better left alone and Julian is once again the target.
If these two have unresolved feelings for one another you would never know it. Particularly if their treatments for each other were the indicators.
This second book in this series far surpasses book one in both depth and entertainment value.
I gave it 4.5 of 5.0 stars for storyline and character development and a medium heat sensual rating.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book by invitation from the publisher.
This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

This is the second book in the Charlotte Street series. I could not put the book down.

Lady Constance Stonewell writes a gossip column in secret exposing members of the ton. She has accidentally ruined the Julian Haywood, Earl of Apthorp when he was counting on a piece of legislation to save his family from ruin. Constance comes up with a plan that they stage a fake engagement to salvage his relationship.

Julian has secretly loved Constance for years. Her column shattered his heart. Julian reluctantly agrees to Constance's plan. When Constance discovers that her fake fiancee is not "Lord Bore", she finds herself falling for Julian.

I loved this book as much as I did the first book in the series. I liked that Constance was a strong heroine. She wasn't afraid to be wild and didn't care about her reputation - the wilder the better. Julian was the perfect match for her. He had hidden depths that only Constance could bring out.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you!

Scarlett Peckham came out of nowhere and bowled me over with her debut, The Duke I Tempted. I knew while reading that book that historical romance readers were going to be blessed with a great addition to the family, and that feeling was only confirmed with The Earl I Ruined. What a fantastic book this was! It was addicting, romantic and just pure fun.

The whole set-up of the story appealed to me from the very beginning. I mean, it's a story about a young woman who does the ruining as opposed to the hero doing the ruining. Does that not just sound like the most scandalous and most refreshing situation? Anyways, Peckham handles it all like a champ (side note: how is this only her second book?). I loved loved loved our heroine, Lady Constance. She was not what you would typically see as the most likable heroine - the girl had flaws for days - but that is what made her so appealing to me. She was meddlesome, bothersome, and a giant gossip but had such a spirited personality. Her heart was certainly in the right place so even when you hear about all the troubles she gets other people into, you can't help but want to root for her. Then there was Julian, or Lord Bore, as our dear heroine calls him. He was one of those male characters that seem uptight at first glance, but who possess so much passion underneath all those rigid layers. It was fun getting to see those layers peel off over the course of The Earl I Ruined, especially around Constance. She had the lighter, flirtier side of him emerging and it was just so cute.

When Constance ends up ruining his reputation by spreading gossip in a gazette, she proposes a fake-engagement out of guilt to repair some of the damage down. What dear Constance does not know is that the man has been hopelessly in love with her forever. Everyone who reads this blog knows what a gigantic sucker I am for fake relationships and The Earl I Ruined does the trope so brilliantly. Shenanigans ensue and Constance begins to realize that Julian might not be the bore she thought he was, especially when learns more about his sexual proclivities. It was a delight as a reader to watch these two grow closer to each other and form a bond. They were polar opposites in many ways but somehow clicked perfectly together. And also Julian is just the best. He gifts Constance a puppy AND a dildo (damn these fictional heroes for giving me such high expectations!). Not to mention, Scarlett Peckham's writing is just top-notch. I am very very excited that she has gotten a book deal with Avon!

The Earl I Ruined was simply an exquisite read. You will adore the characters, the romance, and the writing, especially if you're a fan of all things historical romance and fake relationships.

Amazing book! Both Constance and Julian are two wonderful souls with lots of hidden secrets and wicked thoughts! I thoroughly enjoyed their candid relationship and their honest moments in which they both finally admitted their thoughts and feelings towards each other.
10/10 rec!

An absolute romp of a romance, The Earl I Ruined is a redemption arc like no other. Not only is the female lead one of those troublesome misses ridiculed in other books, but the person she betrays has been in love with her for years. The characters have far more depth than they initially show. The story is both humorous and heart wrenching with complex characters, well written dialogue, and an enjoyable but not overly complicated or overly dramatic plot.

An improvement from its predecessor, The Earl I Ruined is proof that a series that starts of on the wrong foot can find its footing afterall.

A truly captivating, unusual story. I will admit that the dynamic between Julian and Constance did annoy me a smidge. They were like two pinballs bouncing off one another in disharmony. She was a meddler and didn't listen to Julian's heartfelt pleas to stay out of situations. He has had to remain so stoic and unyielding, and has felt unworthy of Constance, he has forgotten how to bend. When they finally get on the same page......hot, hot, hot! And I really did not see Julian's truth coming. Such an interesting twist in a historical romance!

I utterly adored this book. It contains one of my favorite tropes in a romance novel, unrequited love. It is difficult to find the right balance in an unrequited love story with the right amount of pain, suffering and romance in between the hero and heroine. The author has got it just right in this story and also written something that I haven’t read before, the love that the hero and heroine have for each other is unrequited. Julian, the Earl of Apthorp and Lady Constance Stonewell have loved each other from first sight but a series of misunderstandings and an effort to protect their own hearts leads to Julian and Constance hurting each other repeatedly over the decade that they have known each other. As they both realize their own feelings, past their hurt, over the scandal, they have to decide whether it will be worth taking the risk for the biggest gamble of their live, their love for each other. The love scenes between them are also really hot and sexy even their first kiss in the powder closet. I would highly recommend this book. This is the second book in the Secrets of Charlotte Street series. I had not liked the first book in the series so I was hesitant to read this book but after loving this story so much, I am going back to read the first book, The Duke I Tempted.

* I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review*