Malcom North no nonsense tosher knows the sewers and won’t let anyone steal from him. When Verity Lovelace suddenly appears in Malcom’s tunnel he takes her, believing that she is a whore and wants something from him. Verity is there to find the long lost Earl of Maxwell. Verity knows when she finds him she will be sitting on top of a hot story that will not only sell but buy her and her family security. Malcom does not trust Verity but knows he can’t ignore the summons to take his place as Earl. Of course he also doesn’t believe that he is Earl even though his past is dubious to say the least. The more Malcom and Verity find out about whom he really is the secrets and his past could also put them in mortal danger and destroy the fledgling relationship between the two.
What an amazingly wonderful regency showing not only the struggling aspects of the London sewers and a woman journalist. The story moves fluidly pulling you into the heart of the action even though there are many things that are distasteful discussed. There are there many things to enjoy besides the setting, the period but the fantastic characters just make the book and wish you were part of their world. There is some vagueness on Malcom’s past and the prologue really doesn’t help in understanding what exactly happened to him. Much like Malcom Verity’s past is explained a little better. Maybe that was the intent especially since Malcom also doesn’t like who he really is either. Malcom has a lot in his behavior that makes you apprehensive to favor him. Sometimes it is difficult to even see what Verity sees in him well besides him being good-looking. Verity the strong feisty independent heroine is just one of the best heroines that you not only cheer for but instantly love. How she cares for her family, Malcom and her compassion just is such a winning combination too. There better be more stories of street rats who become someone of the peer and the person who makes them better because they will be worth a read!

Great start to the Lost Lords of London series. Both Verity Lovelace and Malcolm Northrop are strong, mature characters. I connected with both of them and felt their love to be sincere and realistic. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
Thank you for the ARC. This is my honest review.

In Bed with the Earl by Christi Caldwell was a fabulous read. I could not put this down book down until I read it in one sitting.

It was hard for me at first to really cling to Verity. Her character really makes you feel like she is giving you the cold-shoulder and has little regard to your feelings or how your life turns out. She never reveals to Malcolm that she is a reporter until it's too late and she has discovered his secret that he doesn't want to get out. Even after him asking her to not run the story because of how it will affect him she runs the story anyway and really doesn't care what fallout comes to Malcolm.

In the end he creates this fallacy of them being married. She reluctantly agrees but she made his life the way that it is. I didn't think this would work at first like they were trying to portray but after a few pages you can see the intimacy really starting to heat up.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to continue reading this series.

#netgalley #inbedwiththeearl

This was an utterly captivating story. Kidnapped orphans and illegitimate children aren’t usually the main characters in a story, so this provided an historical romance with a completely different point of view, and it’s fantastic. I can’t think of a better description than captivating.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Verity is after the biggest story of her career. If she doesn't get it, she will lose her job. So when she learns that going down into the sewers might lead her to the break that she needs, she doesn't hesitate to go underground. But she ends up needing rescuing and Malcom steps in to help her. She soon learns that he is the story she has been hunting.

Malcom makes his living combing the tunnels under the city for treasures. He's done well for himself and couldn't ask for more. When he learns that he is the long lost heir of an earl, he wants nothing to do with it. He likes the life that he leads and doesn't want anything interfering with it. But that all changes when he meets Verity.

One thing after another happens and Verity and Malcom end up posing as husband and wife. In such close quarters, sparks start flying. Will this pretend marriage to to one in truth?

I absolutely adored Malcom and Verity's story!! I loved that she would do anything to support her family, even going back to confront Malcom when she knew that he would be very angry with her. This was a great start to a new series. While it is tied to Caldwell's Wicked Wallflowers series, you can certainly start it without feeling lost. But to get the most out of it, read her Sinful Brides and Wicked Wallflowers first, you won't be disappointed!!

First in series with lost Lord's. Interesting where this Lord was lost.
Likeable characters, Look forward to reading others in series

"I want to go home," he begged. "Please." Even if Mama and Papa weren't there... he wanted to go where it was safe and warm, and where people were kind." They had taken Percy and he was still sick from what killed is parents, but the two men didn't care.
Sparky flashed a toothless grin. "This is yar home now, Yar Majesty. King of the sewers. Get used to it."
Can I just say I wanted to just take that little lost boy home? Of course Percy turns into the hero, Malcomb North, lost heir to the Earl of Maxwell. He does end up King of the sewers surviving as a scavenger and wants nothing to do with going into society until one Verity Lovelace, determined reporter finds him.. the lost boy, heir to the Earldom.
Christi Caldwell creates some of the best characters to bring out our emotions. My favorite trope is the lost/scarred/beastly hero and she is a master at that creation. I laugh, I cry (yes I really do), sigh, wait to turn the next page because I am afraid the character will not make the right choice. But I always know that love will prevail with those who need it most and am never disappointed.
Sit back and take some time.. because once you turn the first page, there is not turning back! Perfect and cannot wait for more!!

This was a wonderful book. I enjoy how this author focuses her stories not just on the high ton. The struggles of both characters to survive and the concept of family were beautifully portrayed. Malcolm is a wonderful tragic hero, with his brooding looks and sulking, and a collection of friends and associates that was delightful to read about. Verity's strength and her bond with her sister was beautiful as well.
A wonderful read in such times of distress.

Before I proceed with my review, there was no series that could come close to the magic of The Wicked Wallflower's for me. This doesn't take away from a good start with this unique plotline of sewer dweller and missing heir Malcolm North, the Earl of Maxwell who is uncovered by the struggling yet hopeful reporter, Verity Lovelace, the bastard daughter of a member of the society.
There were a few things in both Malcolm and Verity's background that left holes that could have been better filled and made for a more compelling story. With that being said, I still enjoyed the characters and especially relished the scene with Malcolm's interaction with Verity as she sat front and center at his speech.

In Bed with the Earl begins the Lost Lords of London series with a strong, emotional story that held me captive from beginning to the final page – and wishing that the June 2020 release of the next story was much sooner than it is in reality.

Verity and Malcom (Percy) each have their own issues to deal with yet they both are stubborn, intelligent, and ready for a fight which makes them, for me, an ideal couple to read about. What you truly need to know before picking up this story can be found in the cover description, but that doesn’t address the underlying emotions of anger, rage, the helplessness that will emerge as you read In Bed with the Earl. It also doesn’t address just how well these two fit together, even if they refuse to see it for a time. I liked Verity, she’s taken a lot in her life, done the best she can for herself and her family against all odds, yet for a woman in her time period what she faced wasn’t all that unusual. Having her story stolen was simply the final straw that leads her to decisions that would affect not only her future but Malcom’s as well. My heart ached for the child Percy and what he went through – the adult Malcom took me a bit longer to warm up to but eventually he drew me in as well.

I had such fun with their story, and if you love a well written, smooth, engaging love story with believable characters then you’ll want to be adding In Bed with the Earl to your reading list… now.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

The missing heir Malcom North, lost heir to the Earl of Maxwell is front page news, thanks to Verity Lovelace. Malcom has lived his life in the sewers of London, not remembering where he’s and now he’s trying to adjust to a new life he didn’t want. Verity Lovelace, the bastard daughter of an aristocrat who has been providing for her sister and her household need this story of the missing heir, the coin it will provide for them. Malcom has trouble trusting Verity, but he can’t help being intrigued and lusting after her. He decides she is the only one to help him navigate society and makes her a bargain. I love Malcom and Verity, their struggles are real, they’re lives are intertwined as each they grow closer and fall in love. An excellent story I loved and I voluntarily wrote a 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. So 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 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.

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.

Words cannot express how this book moved me. There were so many raw emotions and feelings the characters experienced that it was not difficult to relate to. Their stories were that of survival but in different ways. This is so well written and expressed beautifully that I do not hesitate to highly recommend it.

Malcolm and Verity's story is a great one. Two people find themselves between the world of the have's and the have not's. Together they find, love, happiness, and peace. Christi Caldwell writes great main characters but she has an absolute flair for writing memorable secondary characters. Because of this and her attention to detail her world comes alive. The only thing I found a little lacking was the sexual tension that usually crackles between the hero and heroine. There were moments of it and the sex scene was well written but it was not a huge part of the story

Christi Caldwell never gives us a “bad” book. This enemies to lovers trope doesn't disappoint. Although Ms. Caldwell has done the seedy side of London in past books, this time we really find the deep dark and very dirty sewers of London and the criminals that inhabit them for profit and power.

Verity is not a typical woman of her time. She is desperately trying to become a news reporter and meeting all kinds of male imposed obstacles. But she needs the job to support her teen sister and her childhood nursemaid. Finding the Lost Heir would be her door to a job at the newspaper.

Malcolm has no memory of his early childhood when he was kidnapped. He has fought his way to become the king of the sewers attaining a fortune in the process. He has no desire to enter polite society as the Earl, but it is being forced upon him. He doesn't want to be found by any reporter including Verity.

I enjoyed the way the author brings to life the grittier side of London in the Regency time period. As usual with Ms. Caldwell we get superbly nuanced characters that leap off the page. Although not one of my favorites of this author it certainly was a unique, entertaining read.

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 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!

I really enjoyed Malcolm and Verity's story. Christi Caldwell has done it again with In Bed with the Earl. It is one of those stories that keep you up way past your bedtime because you just have to know what is going to happen next. Having some cameos in the story was a treat. I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series.

In Bed with the Earl is the first in a new series by Christi Caldwell titled the Lost Lords of London. Malcom North, the lost Earl of Maxwell and Verity Lovelace start off on a rocky start as Malcom does not feel inclined to acknowledge his newfound title and she wants to write a series of articles about the new Earl for the Londoner. Malcom’s title was stolen and he was sold into drudgery. He knows that the culprit is family and doesn’t really feel incline to either forgive or forget, nor claim the title that has brought nothing but pain, lost and suffering. However being a reporter in a male dominated field Verity is not only relentless in her pursuit of his rags to riches story, but also very persuasive in having him deal with it all. The two characters first meet in the sewers beneath London as Verity long time nurse maid heard that this might be were the elusive Earl can be found as the entire ton seeks to know all the juicy tidbits about him.

The characters have both endured hardships and have learned to make do and get by. They are tough and resourceful. I love Malcom sense of right, giving heart and Verity’s sense of loyalty. Unfortunately Verity’s finding it increasingly hard to continue on getting by due to the new boss as the newspaper where she works is a dire problem, while Malcom is trying to throw away a windfall. So Verity with encouragement from her minx of a sister decide that he is a hero in disguise and just need reminding of that. This leads to a humorous read, full of heart as it becomes quite clear that the characters though flawed are very real and you can’t help but come to love them. There is plenty of mystery, treachery and adventure as someone seems quite unhappy about the earl resurfacing, while also determinately trying to steal and keep the lost Earl’s story to themselves. You find out that Malcom though vehemently denying attachments and family has surrounded himself with quite a cast of loving characters that would do anything for him, sniff sniff. I must say that Christi Caldwell has delivered another classic. I found this to be an amazing read and cannot wait to read the next installment in the series and perhaps revisit with some of the characters. It was simply wonderful watching those two find first friendship, loyalty and then love.
This review was given on the ARC copy received from Montlake Romance via NetGallery in return for my honest opinion.