One Night Stand: One Good Earl Deserves a Lover by Sarah MacLean
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One Good Earl Deserves a Lover (The Rules of Scoundrels, #2) by Sarah MacLean
Historical
Avon (January 29, 2013)
Heroine: Philippa Marbury – Book Worm, Betrothed
Hero: Jasper ‘Cross’ Arlesy – Rake, Part-Owner of The Fallen Angel
Setting: England
Review:
One Good Earl Deserves a Lover is the perfect combination of passion, sexual tension, mischievous banter, and witty humor. This is the second impressive book in The Rules of Scoundrels series. This can be read as a stand-alone but I do highly recommend reading A Rogue by Any Other Name. I don’t read as much historical romance as I used to, but I’m completely addicted to Sarah MacLean’s writing. I always know she will entertain me with her clever writing and vivid characters that will stay with me for days. This story, however, went way beyond my expectations. It captured my attention at the beginning and held it all the way to the end. I absolutely love and adore this book.
Lady Phillipa, the bespectacled, brilliant fourth daughter of the Marquess, knows she is not like everyone else. Pippa is quite odd, actually. She knows that it's not proper for a woman not to be interested in gowns and balls and such. But she doesn't mind. She would rather read a book on human anatomy than attend a ball. She doesn't have much in common with her betrothal but that doesn't bother her. He is a good, kind, and decent man who asked her to marry him when she didn't think anyone would. But, now that she is betrothed, she realizes she doesn't know what happens in the marital bed. Oh, she has an idea from seeing bulls in action. But that will not do. And, because she cannot go into this marriage without any knowledge of what truly goes on between a man and wife in the bedroom, she's decided the best person to teach her carnal desires, passion, and temptation would be one of the most charming, notorious rakes, and part owner of a gaming hell. He also happens to be a man of science and the gaming hell's book keeper.
“I require ruination.”
Jasper Arlesey, Earl Harlow, notorious part owner of The Fallen Angel, is known simply as Cross. When Cross finds Pippa in his room, he is beside himself wondering who the odd woman with big blue eyes is. Standing in his office, his personal space, looking at his accounting books. Not only that, she is telling him that he made a mistake in one of his accounting ledgers. And then she further proceeds in her oddities by asking him to ruin her. Oh, but not in the biblical sense. She simply wants to be taught about what goes on in a man and woman's bed. Not that he isn't intrigued by this woman, but he knows he must immediately turn her down and send her away. But, to Cross' dismay, Pippa continues to barge into his life, determined to continue her research. This ingenious man has met his match in Pippa.
"I don't understand. What is temptation, then?"
"Temptation…" He hesitated, and she found herself leaning forward, eager for this curious, unsettling lesson. "Temptation turns you. It makes you into something you never dreamed, it presses you to give up everything you ever loved, it calls you to sell your soul for one, fleeting moment." [….] "It makes you ache," he whispered, and she watched the curve of his lips in the darkness. "You'll make any promise, swear any oath. For one…perfect…unsoiled taste."
First of all, nerd girls rule! I thought Pippa was a fantastic, whimsical, brainy heroine. I loved her raw honesty, scientific conversations, and her witty comebacks. But what Pippa discovers about Cross, as she is doing her research, is that he listens when she speaks and he likes her oddities. She suddenly finds herself thinking about this man who elicits feelings and desires that she's never felt before. Feelings and desires she should be feeling for her betrothed but doesn't. And now she is in quite the predicament, torn between keeping her word and following her heart's desire.
Cross is not the type of hero that stands out. But he is the perfect match for Pippa. He's just as intelligent, witty, and slightly odd as well. He may not be traditionally handsome but his intelligence and alpha tendencies made me swoon. He does his best to do the right thing by Pippa. He wants to protect her from himself, the gaming hell, and all that comes with being a part of his world. But Pippa is stubborn and clever. She eventually sees through his facade. Through her willingness and determination, she finds a way to save Cross, who has spent most of his life living with guilt and trying to make up for his past mistakes.
I really enjoyed reading as Pippa discovers passion, lust, and temptation for the first time.
The chemistry between these two is a slow build but it's present from the beginning. The sexual tension made me all warm and tingly on the inside. Even though the sex scenes weren't as detailed as some of the scenes Maclean has written in the past, they were still very sensual and passionate. Especially one scene in particular, when Cross shows Pippa he can seduce her without removing her clothes. That scene would've fogged anyone's spectacles.
“I am going to ruin you, Pippa. I shall show you pleasure you’ve never known, the kind you’ve never dreamed. Over and over and over until you beg me never to stop.”
This story is not only romantic but also exciting to read these two battle it out, and try to out-smart one another. They are the perfect match. They each brought something special to the table the other didn’t even realize they were missing. I've realized, because of this book, that I'm highly curious about the mysterious Chase. There is definitely more to him that meets the eye. Who is this man? I'm dying to find out. But I'm still very excited for Temple's book, which is next. Oh, and by the way Ms. MacLean, I was on to the gambling scene at the end. Very clever, indeed. *wink*
Thoughts While Reading:
30.0% - "I'm seriously in love with this book..."
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