A Myrt's Review

The Unwanted Earl by Ruth J Hartman

Everyone Deserves a Second Chance, Don't They?!

The Unwanted Earl is the second in the Love Bird Series but it works as a stand alone story. In the first book, Conrad, the Earl of Lofton was apparantly the villain of the story trying to keep the lead couple apart so he could marry the heroine for his family's financial gain. Now, as the second book begins, Conrad is reassessing himself and regretting his previous choices. Conrad is determined to turn over a new leaf and become an improved man. His biggest obstacle is his domineering, hen pecking mother who has raised him under her iron thumb.

Amelia Towson is a beautiful young lady in Society whose outspoken ways have led her father to preparing to marry her off to the only interested suitor left, a wealthy 80 year old lecher. But then Amelia happens to overhear Conrad and his mother discussing a life altering secret: Conrad's mother was already pregnant when she married the Earl!

Desperate, Amelia reluctantly uses her information to force Conrad into an engagement. An engagement Conrad actually doesn't mind. From there the story takes off with both characters working to become better individuals while learning to trust each other as a couple.

What really makes this story stand out is the line of humor running through it as the characters, particularly Conrad, face unfamiliar situations while they work to improve themselves. For the overly sheltered Conrad, coping with Amelia's fondness for animals and outside parks, leads them into several funny pratfalls. Conrad and Amelia make for a sweet couple even as they bumble their way through the various circumstances they find themselves in. It's unusual to find a Regency romance with so much comedy in it - especially when it's the hero and heroine providing it. For a romance that comes with many smiles this is the book to read!

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. ( )

Having grown up reading Georgette Heyer books and loving them I looked forward to reading this Regency Romance knowing it would have wonderful clothes, great scenery and a happy ending. Conrad, the Earl in question, is somewhat of a dweeb but one that does want to metamorphose into something more. Amelia, the young woman of good family, is brash and bossy and has definitely set her sights on Conrad to avoid the old goat her father might want her to marry. This is a fun read with domineering mothers, a cat that loves the sun, hats that go missing, and fun around every corner. If you are looking for a fun escape into the past then this is the book for you. ( )