In the Earl I Ruined the concept of the woman doing the ruining was a fresh twist to the historical romance.
Lady Constance has skills as great political “fixer”, she’s like an 18th century Olivia Pope. Like most women of her time her intelligence would be overlooked and underappreciated, but her ideas about restoring Lord Apthorp’s reputation and finances are genius.
I enjoyed the characters and became quite invested in their story. I was shocked by Lord Apthorp’s secret about how he earned his money after his financial ruin and had to suspend my disbelief because it just seemed so unorthodox. But this book was very well written, had engaging characters and was enjoyable to read, I just had to find out how everything was going to come together in the end.
This is my first book by Scarlett Peckham. This is a stand-alone book. I never felt lost not knowing the characters or plot of the first book in this series. One can even predict who the next book may be about in The Secrets of Charlotte Street series, I thinking Henry Evesham.
I was concerned by the content warning at the beginning of this book. I was considering not reading it since what they described is not something I usually read, but decided to go ahead and stop reading if I became uncomfortable. The content was not at all as extreme as the warning implied.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

I love this series. The Secrets of Charlotte Street reveal the secret longings and needs of the ton. Since the Duke I Tempted introduced Lady Constance and Julian, Lord Apthorp , I hoped their story would be next. Lady Constance has always had a fondness for gossip, but never took into account who may have been hurt. She means well when she anonymously writes about a secret, Lord Apthorp has. Instead she has hurt his reputation and his political career in Parliament. She offers to become betrothed until she can repair the damage.. Since he has repeatedly corrected her on her behavior and she thinks of him as as Lord Bore, it is something that has her brother and most of the ton in disbelief.. Convincing everyone that this is a love match reveals hidden feelings. As the fake engagement continues, things change between them. When the ending of the false relationship comes closer, it is harder to deny how they feel.. Will Apthrop forgive Constance for her betrayal? Will he reveal the all the secrets he holds? The scenes between Constance and Julian are very steamy. A great story filled with emotion and tenderness as well as hidden desires. Can't wait until the next book. I received this book from Net Galley and the publisher for a honest review and no compensation otherwise. The opinions expressed are my own.

I received an advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review

Wow! What a story-wonderful characters, plenty of heat, a twist I did not see coming. And a time period not done to death. Definitely one of my new favorites

This book was wonderful, in a way it is an enemeies to lovers storyline but also an unrequited, 2nd chance at love storyline. It was wonderfull written and I loved all the characters.

The story goes like this Constance and Julian have been enemies for years. Julian is older than her and when they first meet she steals a kiss, ever since then all he does is criticize her. What she doesn't know is he is trying to help her. He actually loves her but he is a broke earl and he is only trying to help her learn the way of doing things. But she has no idea so when he starts hanging out with her friend and her, she thinks he is going to propose to her friend. That is when some nasty gossip comes her way and she tries to warn her friend.

But she does not realise this other girl is not her friend and the friend exposes the rumor to the public. She comes to the earl and plots a plan to save his reputation. He is beyond destroyed. The woman he loves has no clue its she he loves and she has destroyed everythibg he has worked for. From that point his love is dead and he hates her her but he has to make everyone believe it is a love match.

It was a wonderful plot and I really enjoyed reading it, lots of twists and turns.