I hate to admit that I haven’t read as many of Kate’s books as I should have, as I have only read one of hers previously; The Devil To Pay which is amazing and it got me hooked with her work, yet you all know how it when you have a toppling tbr and not enough hours in the day. As soon as I read then blurb of this one I knew that it was right up my street I was fascinated by the premise of it, it sounded so different to other historical’s and I was looking forward to diving into Kate Bateman’s writing again, I wasn’t disappointed This Earl of mine is the first book to this whole new series; The Bow Street Bachelors and it’s a great start to what I think is going to be a wonderful series, one that I know is going to get better and better the deeper we delve in.
It really is an interesting tale, complete fantasy there isn’t a lot of realism but I really enjoyed diving into the unique and exaggerated story or Georgie and Ben. Heiress to a shipping company Georgina Caversteed, this is the only flaw with the whole set up, Georgie is in her early twenties she has apparently been groomed from a very young age by her father to essentially run the business but there is a lot of talk about how she may lose the company to a husband and how she wants up befree to run as she wishes, but you don’t actually get a glimpse of her really doing anything else. I would have liked to have seen her do something, instead of moan and talk about her freedom, that’s just my personal view and it takes nothing away from the overall story, I just found her a little irritating and bit manipulative.
Georgie knows that once she comes into her inheritance that she will be hounded by would-be husbands she also knows that to marry all of the company and her money would pass over to her husband, that is unless her husband is dead then it would be hers, so she comes up with a rather bizarre plan to marry a convict who is on death row – I said it was a little odd – only her would-be husband dies before she says I do making her settle for second best a man who is condemned for transportation.
Benedict Wylde is currently working under cover for the bow street runners to smoke out a group of smugglers which is when Georgie find him in Newgate prison, he didn’t want a wife he doesn’t want to marry he just want s to do his job and be left alone but when the beautiful heiress turns up brandishing money and practically begging for a husband he marries her.
She thinks that he is safely on his transportation ship to Australia and can brief a sigh of relief that she is free to do as she pleases, that is until she sees the husband she never wanted and who she thought was gone from England’s shore looking dazzling and hale at a ball.
The start was a little slow and a bit on the odd side I will admit, it was nothing I have read before I enjoyed it but it is once she realises who he is and when they then must traverse the turbulent waters between then that the story really picks up apace. The romance between them is smoking, there is a sexy undercurrent that shimmers around them. The banter is brilliant its fun and fiery and will definitely keep you entertained.
If you like your historical’s that are a bit more on the unique side that has an edge then this is the book for you, I think it is one of those that the more you read the more you see within the story.

Entertaining story about the rich daughter of a tradesman and a destitute second son. They solve A mystery and foil a plot to rescue Boneparte. The secondary characters were interesting and the main characters were strong and likeable. 3 stars

There were worse places to find a husband than Newgate Prison.

Georgiana is desperate to keep herself, her fortune, and her father's shipping company out of her cousin Josiah's hands. Deciding that marrying a condemned convict, quickly making her a widow and gaining more power over her finances, is the best way to do this, she ends up meeting Benedict Wylde in Newgate.
A Bow Street Runner undercover as a smuggler, Benedict allows himself to be taken prisoner so that he can try and get some information out of his cellmate. With an Earl older brother trying to save the family holdings because of a father who gambled away the family fortune, he's in constant need of money. An heiress demanding he marry her but also making him sign a contract saying he can't touch her money, in the bowels of Newgate, seems almost Faustian.

First in the Bow Street Bachelors series, This Earl of Mine did a great job of hitting all the, somewhat becoming overused Regency London sights, Vauxhall and balls, and giving some new blood details like a submarine. The heroine Georgiana inherited control of her father's shipping company but reader's don't really get to see her in the roll, she spouts off nautical knowledge but for the most part, it was left to the side. Our hero Benedict is a second son who joined the Rifles and fought Napoleon, again a detail added to his character that could have used some coloring in. The first half of these two meeting and testing each other was an enjoyable warming story to fall into but the middle dragged with lack of sparks and the ending brought the focus on a Napoleon plot that never felt entwined with the characters, giving the story a lack of emotion.

“What if we don’t keep our marriage quiet?”

I thought the details of our leads was interesting, Georgiana running the shipping company and trying to fend off her cousin and Benedict having fought for the Rifles, owning a gaming hell with his friends, and now a Bow Street Runner. While the details were there, the coloring in was absent. I thought the author did a great job giving us the setting but the characters fell flat for me. If you read a good amount of Regency historical romance, you won't find much new here (except for the submarine!) and the lack of emotion breathed into the story was disappointing. There were also some plot points that didn't quite tie together; there being no prisoners condemned to die on the night Georgiana shows up, why the prisoner guard would go to Georgiana's cousin Josiah, and even some of the marriage plot of reasons given to keep it a secret and then not keep it a secret.

“I see you,” he said softly.

I usually bemoan series baiting characters but I actually thought Benedict's two friends, who are also partners in their gaming hell, could have shown up more, would have liked to have scenes showcasing their friendship and even Georgiana and her family, her sister and mother ended up feeling like caricatures. There is still no denying that the author has a very readable flow to her writing and there were moments between Georgiana and Benedict that flashed but for the most part, this felt like a shell of a story. I'll be looking for plot points that meld together better and more emotion and feeling in the next installment.

Weary of fortune hunters, shipping heiress Georgiana Caversteed figured out a way to avoid all of them. She just needs to find an eligible bachelor to marry in prison who is due to be executed, and she will be rid of this problem. When she meets Benedict William Henry Wylde, scapegrace second son of the late Earl of Morcott and well-known rake in Newgate prison, she has no idea his is in the prison working undercover. Further she never expects to bump into her alive, handsome husband of convenience several weeks later at a social gathering. Soon enough, the rogue Ben finds himself courting a wife he already has, hoping to convince her that he is the one for her.

This is a fascinating story. I was taken in at the outset, as I quickly began to wonder whether Georgiana would find her “true love”, and if she did marry Ben, would it blow his cover and how would they handle this. Further, Ben is a man who has all the attributes of a man any woman would marry, but he does come from an impoverished family, so she must figure out how genuine he is or whether he is after her fortune. Nevertheless, both Georgiana and Ben don’t play games, so their relationship is built on truth. It was interesting to watch this relationship, which may have been a bit shaky at times, grow and flourish. I think the plot, though not all that original, is a good one and will interest many readers. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

This Earl of Mine is a first read for me from this author, and what a great read it was! I had trouble putting it down because there was a mystery, a smart independent woman, rogue royalty turned almost an honest man, and a setting on the brink of the Industrial Revolution. <br /><br />Upon her father's death, Georgiana Caversteed was given complete control of her father's shipping company. Georgie is both blessed and cursed to have been given an empire to run on her very own and a bank account to match. Georgie has more wealth than she knows what to so with, and as a result, attracts more than her fair share of money-hungry suitors. The worst of these is her destitute cousin. Georgie needs to protect her holdings and keep her cousin at bay. There is only one thing that can accomplish both, Georgie needs a husband. The problem is that she doesn't really want a husband. Out of desperation, Georgie comes up with a plan get married and become a widow in one fell swoop! Little does she know, her sure fire plan is about to go up in smoke!<br /><br />I really enjoyed reading about Georgie's adventures and watching how her plan unraveled.

3.5 stars

This was my first novel by Kate Bateman and its peaked my interest. I will continue the series.

We have a story set in 1816, yet Georgina is a modern day woman. She inherited her fathers shipping company, has successfully grown its business and profit and is willing to find a condemned husband in prison to avoid her disgusting cousin from trying to marry her. At this point, you just have to accept that this book will not follow the normal historical romance plot and go with the flow.

Now because I went with the flow, I really liked Georgina and Wylde. He’s a penniless second son trying to earn his keep by being a Bow Street Runner so he can help his older brother pay off the debt their father left them after his death. Their relationship was tipped towards her having it all and he marrying up.

Interested in seeing what’s next for Alex and Sebastian.

I received this arc in exchange for my honest review.

This was an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

I must say I truly enjoyed this book. The main characters are Georgina Caversteed and Benedict Wylde. Georgina is a wealthy shipping heiress who has several problems, her cousin Josiah is pressing her to marry him and a line of suiters who are only interested in her money. She has decided she will never find a person to love her more than her money, so she has to find a way to discourage the cousin and find a throw away husband at the same time. She concocts a plan to marry convict that is scheduled to die the following day of the ceremony. She will pay the family, or whomever he choose money to marry her. Great plan, except for one detail. The convict she is scheduled to marry unexpectedly dies and someone else must fill his place. Benedict Wylde, a second son, former soldier and Bow Street Runner is in the prison, doing undercover work. The jailer, thinking Ben Wylde, is being shipped away the next day, chooses him to fill the place of the deceased groom to be. When Georgina sees her future husband, she has many doubts about this crazy plan of hers, but she has no choice, she must do something soon to inherit her shipping fortune. So they marry. What a surprise for Georgina, when she is at a party several days later and he “husband” enters. Now the story begins. And a great story it is.

This book is full of strong wonderful characters. I love the interaction between the main characters. Georgina is allowed throughout the whole story to be a strong female character and Benedict is enjoying her independence. She is running a shipping company, and taking care of her sister and mother. She craves travel and adventure, but because she is a woman, her behavior is constantly under scrutiny by the ton. Benedict is the poor second son of a lord that gambled his fortune away. He never plans to marry, owns a gentlemen’s club, and finds life without danger boring. The interaction between the characters is great.

The story is well crafted. It includes mystery, suspense, adventure, kidnapping and of course, some very steamy scenes between the main characters. I actually couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend it to romance readers everywhere.

I am anxious to read about the other two owners of the Gentleman’s Club.

A delightful read, written with a humorous voice, with endearing characters and a intriguing plot. I read an ARC from NetGalley.com and this is my unbiased and voluntary review. Similar to the old Doublemint gum commercial, this has two romances going on, doubling the pleasure to the reader.

Georgiana Caversteed is her father's daughter. She inherited his fine business sense, inquisitive mind and sense of adventure. He started teaching her about their shipping business when she was still a young girl and since his untimely death, she has run Caversteed Shipping and increased their wealth. However, it is fortune hunters that she fears, especially her cousin Josiah, who has gambled away his inheritance and wants to control hers. She comes up with a scheme to marry a condemned man, making her a widow. The plan goes awry, when the man dies first and the jailer instead offers her a man who has been condemned to be deported, Ben Wylde, ex rifle-brigade, penniless veteran of waterloo. She does not trust her cousin to wait for another condemned man, so reluctantly agrees.

Benedict William Henry Wylde, second son of the late Earl of Morcott, decorated war hero and now working for Bow Street and part owner of the Tricorn Club, is in NewGate prison undercover, tracking down a rumor of an attempt to rescue Napoleon from St Helen. He is forced to go along with the farce, expecting to undo it, once he is free. With the marriage certificate in hand, she tells her mother, sister and cousin that she married a sailor.

On her twenty-fifth birthday, she finally feels secure, until Benedict Wylde confronts her at a ball. Having concluded that the marriage can not legally be put aside, they decide that he will court her, have a public wedding and then go their separate ways. But as best laid plans often go astray, they both find themselves drawn to each other, despite the constant humorous interruptions, they have similar philosophies of life and Georgie finally gets a real adventure. They get a HEA, which neither ever expected.

The synopsis for This Earl of Mine sounded really promising. The idea of a marriage of convenience between an heiress and a prisoner who's actually an undercover Bow Street runner is something different I haven't seen before. The concept really has merit, but unfortunately I didn't click with the writing as much as I hoped. The deeper you go into the story, the more convoluted and unrealistic things get. There were also a lot of historical inaccuracies in the speech and slang used, but I won't go into detail about those since they may be edited out in the final copy.

Georgiana Caversteed is a filthy rich heiress who is the sole beneficiary of her father's massive shipping empire. She is the oldest of two daughters and uncharacteristically for the time, was groomed to run the business she inherits. We're told that she's exceptionally smart and capable of being in charge, and she can handle herself well at the helm. Strangely, she doesn't seem to come across any opposition or antagonism as a woman in the workforce, at a time when women simply weren't given this kind of power over men. I also felt that it we were not shown this work ethic she had, only told. She went to the office exactly one time and she did no work while she was there. In fact, she reveals that she makes a "monthly visit" which simply isn't realistic for someone to be able to run a business of that size.

The heroine's wealth is predictably a magnet for fortune hunters, most especially her greedy cousin Josiah. Rather than get trapped into marriage by him who has become increasingly uncomfortable in his advances, she comes up with a desperate plan to be rid of him. The plan is to marry a prisoner at Newgate who is to be hanged, and she will almost instantly be a widow with all of the freedom that entails. Her plan goes awry when she is set up with Benedict Wylde. He's the second son of an Earl who is there undercover as a Bow Street runner. There was no way for him to refuse the marriage and he signs the papers on the dotted line. This was a big plot hole for me because in order for the marriage to be legal his name had to be his own on the paperwork. Even though he was posing as a smuggler for the government, apparently he didn't feel the need to use an alias. No, he used Ben Wylde instead of Benedict. Therefore making the marriage airtight and ineligible for annulment. I'm sorry, but I couldn't suspend my disbelief to go along with that explanation.

Soon after their impulsive nuptials, the two of them come face to face at a social event, and she is completely rattled to find out that she's now saddled with a husband that isn't part of her plans. Benedict is very attracted to his wife, but there are two factors getting in the way of a true marriage. His family history has made him cynical about love, and a wife was simply never a consideration. He's an ex soldier who runs a gentlemen's club with his two best friends, and earning money to help his brother pay off their father's debt is his primary concern. His family debt and her abundant wealth convince him that he could never be her equal financially, and she would never believe he wasn't with her for her money, right? The synopsis is misleading when it says that he courts her in order to win her heart. That's not the case at all, he actually keeps his emotional distance for the majority of the book, and she is the one who convinces him to give their marriage a chance at the end.

My favorite part about the book was Benedict. I felt that he was very respectful of her, you could immediately feel his desire and admiration for his adventurous wife. He was protective, genuine, and despite his lack of funds, he never once considered trying to use her for her money. He really was a man of honor that she could trust with her heart. He even worked himself to the bone to help his brother with the family debt even though he wasn't under any obligation to do so. He certainly could have lived much more comfortably if he kept all of his hard earned money, but he chose the more difficult path. One of the conflicts is his investigation of a stolen submarine prototype, and a plot to rescue Bonaparte from St. Helena. Along the way, he indulges Georgiana's thirst for adventure and allows her to join him on his reconnaissance as he hunts for the traitor.

The heroine's original scheme to marry, become a widow, and carry on with her life and freedom didn't make a lot of sense. Once she announced that she was a widow, she would be right back where she started with fortune hunters attempting to fill the role of husband number two. Then when her plan altered, she was going to reveal her husband, but live separate lives as many do in the ton. However, feelings and unbridled passion soon complicated matters, and she yearned to start a real future with the man she was falling for.

The side story with her sister Juliet and her childish beau was pretty cheesy, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes over the fact that she was jealous over their immature crush. What she had in common with Benedict was much more solid and enduring, to yearn for what her sister had was silly.

I tried out a new to me author hoping that I would have a fresh historical romance series to follow, but unfortunately I don't think she's the right fit for me. Or it's possible that I happened to choose the wrong book as my introduction to her writing. Whatever the case may be, this wasn't horrible but ended up being just okay overall. The execution could have used a little more work in order to give it a more realistic feel. I think many will find more to enjoy than me, so don't just take my opinion into account. There are many glowing reviews to be found, so make sure to research some others as well.

I enjoyed this book very much. I felt like it was a good spin on historical romance with a strong heroine & fantastic leading man. I liked that Georgie was the one with money while Benedict was passing off debts. I also like that Georgie was a strong woman who knows her way around the world & knows her mind. I love how these characters meet & where the story takes them. I can’t wait to read the next in the series. Wonder if it’s Alex or Seb? Highly recommend reading this book!

This was my first Kate Bateman book, but it won’t be the last. The plot was flowing smoothly, the characters are sparkling and likeable and I enjoyed the author's style. It was a perfect regency break from the real world. Recommend!

This Earl of Mine by Kate Bateman
*ARC received from Netgalley*
📚
4.5 Stars - I really enjoyed this book. I found the characters engaging and witty. The situation the author used was a wonderful start to the story.
📖
Watching Benedict and Georgiana fall in love was amusing and delightful. I have not read this author before but I found her writing style smooth and very easy to slip into the world being created.
❤
I look forward to Alex and Seb's stories. I also plan on checking out Bateman's backlist.
📚❤📖
~Paragraph and Petticoats~

#newromance @kc_bateman #netgalley #romance #historicalromance
#bookstagram
#thisearlofmine #katebateman @katebateman

Loved it! This was a new author for me but I really clicked with the writing style, the humor and romance but especially the characters.

This was a marriage of convenience that turns into something more. I really liked the twist to how this started (even though I did feel that a some situations seemed too otp to fit the historic timeline) and how the two MCs develope a flirty friendship before things get too hot and heavy. The secondary plot of mystery was also really well done.

I would definitely pick this up for myself and friends. Can't wait to see what else this author comes up with next!

I give this 5 stars, you will need some big cups of steamy tea to stay up for this one! If you enjoy a historical with a strong, independent, businesswoman in her own right than this is the book for you. This Earl of Mine by Kate Bateman had me engrossed from the very beginning.

It is spring of 1816 when on a cold, rainy night, we see a carriage pull up to Newgate prison. Outsteps Lady Georgiana Caversteed, one of London's most wealthy women. A Prison is certainly not a place for a lady but she has a plan to escape a marriage to her cousin, Josiah. She's planning to marry a prisoner who is set to be hanged tomorrow morning. Her manservant has set it up for her. There's only one problem when they meet the prison guard, they learn the man has already died; however, he has another prison waiting for them. When the prisoner is led out into the small chapel, Georgiana is surprised to see that before her stands, although a bit scruffy and dirty, a very handsome man. She's quite taken aback but regardless, she's here for marriage, to keep her money safe and to escape marriage to Josiah. The prisoner is actually one of the Benedict William Henry Wylde, but Ben Wylde to Georgiana. He was formerly in the Napoleonic wars and now served missions for Bow Street. Here he was undercover in the confines of this dank and dingy prison in order to snuff out smugglers. To his surprise, he had no idea he'd end up married. Georgiana is very protective of her money and makes Ben sign a contract that her money is safe and that he will get a lump sum of 500 pounds which he has sent to his friend at the Tricorn Gaming Hell. To Georgiana, Ben is set to sail the next day to do hard time and never be seen from or heard from again, so even though she sought a man on death row, this one would do and with her being legally married there is nothing cousin Josiah could do.

In the end, Ben leaves Georgiana with a parting kiss, one that will haunt her nights. She is now free and thinks she's rid of Ben for good. A few weeks later at her 25th birthday, she's at a ball celebrating and her sister who is one of the most beautiful women in London is informing her of the two men across the room who are some of the top rogues in the city, but yet dashingly handsome. At this point, Georgiana looks and up and to her surprise, there stands her husband. He soon approaches her and invites her to dance. She's taken aback as she thought he was a true prisoner but here is one of London's most penniless Lord's and she wanted to do everything to avoid a man after her for nothing but her money. Well, she does rest a little assured that he did sign the contract, but now she's stuck in a marriage to him. He then invites her to meet him the next day at the Tricorn to discuss their marriage. So, will Georgiana and Ben remain married? Can they learn to truly love one another? Or will their marriage end up in shambles and both lose everything in the end?

This book just drew me in right from the beginning. Yes, I've read many arranged marriages or marriages of convenience but never one quite like this where the heroine seeks out her mate at a prison and then what a surprise she is awakened too. Batemans' writing is brilliant, the plot is so thick and with so many surprises. The characters are full-developed, which deeply unique personalities. Both are very headstrong and go-getters and if you love a strong heroine, you will love that Georgiana is a businesswoman in her own right which in 1816 England was almost unheard of. So, I feel a lot of women from today's society will be able to relate to Georgiana as even today in near 2020 we still struggle in many fields to gain the same equality as men and to be seen as strong, independent, and successful business owners. I also really liked Benedict's character, he's one who comes from a rough past and has a heart of gold, he's fighting for his country, trying to help his brother rebuild the estates and get out of the debt left by their father, and his heart also opens up to Georgiana in such a way that one would not expect from such a strong, independent man. I most highly recommend this book!

Georgie is a well-off woman who thinks she's marrying a convicted felon who will be shipped away, but her new husband is actually a spy. There's some lovely interactions between Benedict and Georgie as society thinks they're courting but they're already married. The courtship was great fun to watch, and I enjoyed that the common "big miscommunication" wasn't really in play because they talked and made decisions together.

The best part of the book is the chemistry between the main characters and their romance starts while they become entangled in a pretend relationship. I liked how the plot mostly focused on the development of the main characters. Their love story is a very authentic and real slow-burn. They grow independently as individuals and then together as a couple. Their relationship is so honest and so sweet, and it’s obvious that they genuinely care about each other. They have doubts, fights and ultimately, a deep understanding that comes with being aware and accepting of each other's flaws. The plot, in addition, was well constructed and was interesting throughout. The story didn't get boring or frustrating. The events followed one another at a fast pace from beginning to end.

Right off the bat we are introduced to Georgiana Caversteed, a rich shipping heiress and Benedict, “Ben”, Wylde, a penniless aristocrat and war hero. Since leaving the army, Ben has been working with Bow Street to uncover a plot to rescue Bonaparte from exile. Georgiana and Ben are forced into marriage to deter Georgiana’s cousin and other fortune hunters. Their marriage is a means to an end and a very beneficial arrangement for Ben, whose aristocratic family is in dire straits. They become partners in crime, they are a perfect match. Ben respects and admires Georgiana’s independence and sharp wit. She envies Ben’s assurance and aristocratic confidence. Beneath his rakish manners, he is very loyal, thoughtful and he has every intention of protecting Georgiana.

It was very easy to become completely engrossed in this story, and that is exactly what I enjoy about a good book!

This is my first Kate Bateman novel and it's fabulous.

Georgiana Caversteed needs a husband to prevent her greedy cousin from snatching her inheritance away from her. Therefore, she hatches a plan which involves marrying a convict destined for the gallows at Newgate prison. However, the man she never expected to see again after her marriage isn't executed… he's very much alive, as is the memory of the kiss they shared to seal their devious contract.

I love the refreshing originality of the plot, it's unlike anything I've read previously. I devoured it in one sitting because I couldn't tear myself away. Georgiana is a strong and determined heroine, even though her idea to foil her cousin wasn't her finest hour. Benedict Wylde is a fine specimen of a hero and proves to be an honourable gentleman. His background suggests he'll try to outwit his newly acquired wife, but instead, he supports and respects her in her capacity as a business owner. Together, they make an exciting and intriguing couple.

In some way, what's possible for a woman to achieve nowadays compared to the nineteenth century differs greatly and I wonder if Georgiana achievements could be possible? Yet, I respect the author's vision for her leading lady because it created such an exhilarating story.

Now, I'm patiently waiting for the next instalment of this wonderful new series but meanwhile, I'll pick up some of the author's other works.

***arc generously received courtesy of St Martin's Paperbacks via NetGalley***

A gender flip in terms of fortune, “This Earl of Mine” resonates with 21st century women who are wealthy on their own right, from tech mavericks to cosmetics gurus.

Shipping heiress Georgiana Caversteed, the heroine of “This Earl of Mine,” might have inherited her wealth but she was able to grow it, thanks to her business savvy and thorough understanding of the shipping business.

Our hero, Benedict William Henry Wylde, scapegrace second son of the late Earl of Morcott, despite his pedigree is poor, thanks to his father who gambled away the family fortune. He works as a Bow Street runner (the precursor of the British police force) and sends all his earnings to his older brother, the current Earl of Morcott, so that the estate can continue to run.

Part romance, part police procedural and part mystery/thriller, “This Earl of Mine” is a refreshing read. Bold and audacious, which by the way is also how we can describe Georgina Caversteed, there are as many laugh out loud funny moments as there are sweet ones.

Georgina and Benedict are lovable characters, and author Kate Bateman gave them lively dialogues every time they are together.

The supporting characters – from Georgina’s family- Juliet, Simeone and Mrs. Caversteed to Seb and Alex who are Benedict’s friends – are also well developed. Their appearances are not just cameos; they are actually a big part of the story.

“This Earl of Mine” should be in your “To Be Read” list. If you can’t get to it because of the holidays, then make sure that it’s on top of your list when 2020 rolls around.

“This Earl of Mine” is Rated T for Teens. Parental guidance strong advised due to some sexual content and some violence.

Where to start...Oh, right. I'm reviewing This Earl of Mine by Kate Bateman as a part of a blog tour put together by the amazing folks at St. Martin's Press and SMP Romance. The FTC requires this disclaimer even though every person who has ever met me knows that I am way too opinionated for a free book to sway my opinion. Let's get to this before the coffee runs out!
I was hooked into this book right from the start. The opening scene was all the sketchy a girl could ask for, a cloaked figure, nocturnal sneaking, mystery and intrigue (those are different!), and, marriage for reasons that don't involve love. Georgiana "Georgie" Caversteed is being 'hunted' by her creep-o cousin who wants to marry her for her money and he's not being subtle about it. Her plan is to marry a man sentenced to be hanged and live her life as the woefully ignored wife of an always travelling husband. Girl, yes! Georgie is kind of next-level if you ask me, in a time where 'proper' women basically had to be married, she had her plan all figured out on how to be her own woman. Marry a man sentenced to death, boom! instant secret widow and freedom to do as she pleases! And her husband of (in)convenience? Not actually a ne'er-do-well convict bound for Tasmania in the morning. He's a war hero, a member of the ton, -coowner of a gambling hell, and an undercover Bow Street Runner. Benedict "Ben" Hyde is given two options from the prison warden, marry mystery lady or die right there. Ben's Not Happy about this situation and completely dumbstruck when he finds out the identity of his new bride, the wealthiest woman in London. And I am telling you the book, huh? Just slap my name on this book, I love it!
The dynamics between Ben and Georgie are stellar. Ben gives Georgie the ability to be herself, enjoy herself, and have adventures (because adventures should be shared). And, Georgie gives Ben a better sense of self-worth little by little, she shows him how to feel, and she helps him out with his case! Reading this, you can feel the sparks between Ben and Georgie from the start, not the instantaneous 'love them, gotta have them, be with them forever' deal, but that warm butterfly feeling that kind of makes you want to vomit but also makes you want to skip everywhere and it quickly gets out of control and OHMIGOSH I LURV THEM! These two understand each other wonderfully and, even when they have a misunderstanding, they don't flounce off for an eternity and a half or break things off, they talk. They're magical unicorns.
Character Time! My favourite character aside from our leads has to be either Georgiana's younger sister, Juliet, or Benedict's little street urchin friend, Jem. Juliet acts like an airhead, but she's pretty on the ball. She's not as fierce as Georgie, but she has no use for the puff-shirts and one of my favourite conversations in this story is between Georgie and Juliet where they ridicule a man, who's after the Caversteed fortune of course, who has sworn to slay dragons for Juliet. And she's head-over-heels for a preacher's kid from their hometown and subtly sticks it to her matchmaking, title-hunting mother every chance she gets it seems. And Jem is just, well, you have to meet Jem to understand. I love that kid. I like Pieter, the right-hand man Georgie inherited from her father, he's overprotective but also knows Georgie can take care of herself. We love a man who gets that zen balance. I like the teasing camaraderie between Ben and his co-owner friends (and fellow runners), Alex and Seb. My dork babies. My least favourite characters? Georgiana and Juliet's mother and their cousin, Josiah. Josiah is a drunk, a gambling addict, and so many other creeper things that involve me digging out my taser.
I flat-out snorted at Starbucks while reading one passage. The only thing I'll say is, Georgie and Ben actually have the same sense of humour. Poor Mother Caversteed, she never stood a chance. There are some things I didn't see coming in This Earl of Mine and I do love a book that keeps me on my toes. I liked that we had consistent historical accuracy in our content, I'm a trifling little chit about this, I will full-stop on a hist-rom that doesn't give me accuracy for days. I'm at peace with this aspect of my personality, don't judge me.
I just really hated Josiah. His entire whole character was human trash. I also learned that reading the word "coitus" just ruins a love scene for me. It's right up there with "moist", y'all. I also wish there had been some friendship out there for Georgie. That girl needs a friend.
I'm giving This Earl of Mine four stars and three flames. I enjoyed this book and it was a great series opener and I cannot wait to read the next book! I think I've covered everything in my notes, it sure seems like it, so this is the end of my review!

This Earl of Mine is an exciting, beguiling and passionate historical romance that kicks off a fabulous new series for Kate Bateman, The Bow Street Bachelors. Sensual, irresistible and wonderfully enjoyable, fans of witty, intelligent and enchanting historicals are not going to want to miss this!

Shipping heiress Georgiana Caversteed is a woman of great wealth used to avoiding avaricious fortune-hunters and lecherous rakes with their eyes on her money. Since her father’s death, Georgie has put all of her time, energies and efforts into the family business and managed to make an even greater success of the enterprise, yet being a woman means that regardless of her immense success in business, men still think that there is no place for females in business – including her cousin Josiah, who has had his eye on her – and her fortune! – for years. Georgie has done her utmost to give Josiah as wide a berth as possible, but with Josiah ever more determined to wed her, she realizes that she needs to find a husband in order to retain her independence and keep her cousin out of her life forever. Georgie does not want or need any kind of emotional attachment or romantic entanglement, so when her companion comes up with the perfect plan to find her a temporary husband, Georgie is thrilled. Only there is a catch: Georgie’s convenient husband happens to be residing at Newgate prison and will be hanged in the coming days! With no other choice available to her, Georgie heads off to Newgate to meet her soon to be husband, only she ends up getting far more than she bargained for when she is married off to a common prisoner called Ben Wylde…

Only there is absolutely nothing common about Benedict William Henry Wylde, second son of the late Earl of Morcott, who is in Newgate prison working undercover for Bow Street investigating a smuggling ring. Wylde is used to getting into all sorts of scrapes, but he never imagined that he would end up married to one of the richest women in the Ton! Wylde would have had his cover blown had he raised any objection to marrying Georgie, so he went along with this charade of a marriage ceremony. But little does Wylde realize that his new wife is going to shake up his world and turn his entire life upside down.

When Georgie had her convenient marriage ceremony at Newgate prison, she never imagined she would see her husband ever again. She thought that he would have been on his way to Australia – she never imagined in a million years that she would come face to face with him at a high society ball. Out of his prison cell, her husband is as dangerously attractive as ever and Georgie cannot help but be drawn to the man she is meant to be spending the rest of her life with. Sparks soon begin to fly between the two of them and when attraction leads to irresistible desire, Wylde and Georgie soon realize that there is nothing remotely convenient about their feelings for one another.

Does Wylde and Georgie’s relationship stand any chance of surviving? Or is a future for the two of them simply out of the question?

Scintillating historical romance does not get any better than this! Kate Bateman is an absolute virtuoso of the genre who writes with such flair, style and confidence that readers are drawn into her story from the very first page. Spiced with passion, sensuality, humor, danger and drama, This Earl of Mine is a spellbinding tale that sparkles with vivid descriptions of the past that bring the nineteenth century to life, witty repartee, searing emotional intensity, page-turning intrigue and uplifting and mesmerizing romance.

Georgie and Wylde are two wonderful characters readers will love spending time with. Georgie is clever, bold, intelligent and independent and Wylde is a gorgeous hero everyone will fall in love with.

This Earl of Mine is an assured, enjoyable and engrossing historical romance and I am already counting down the days until the second title in Kate Bateman’s Bow Street Bachelors series is published.