This Earl of Mine by Kate Bateman

 This Earl of Mine  by Kate Bateman

From goodreads.com:

WILL A FALSE MARRIAGE

Shipping heiress Georgiana Caversteed is done with men who covet her purse more than her person. Even worse than the ton’s lecherous fortune hunters, however, is the cruel cousin determined to force Georgie into marriage. If only she could find a way to be . . . widowed? Georgie hatches a madcap scheme to wed a condemned criminal before he’s set to be executed. All she has to do is find an eligible bachelor in prison to marry her, and she’ll be free. What could possibly go wrong?

LEAD TO TRUE AND LASTING LOVE?

Benedict William Henry Wylde, scapegrace second son of the late Earl of Morcott and well-known rake, is in Newgate prison undercover, working for Bow Street. Georgie doesn’t realize who he is when she marries him―and she most certainly never expects to bump into her very-much-alive, and very handsome, husband of convenience at a society gathering weeks later. Soon Wylde finds himself courting his own wife, hoping to win her heart since he already has her hand. But how can this seductive rogue convince brazen, beautiful Georgie that he wants to be together…until actual death do they part?

Leona’s Review:

The book begins in London, March 1816. 

If one wants a good read with romance, mystery and some history,  then This Earl of Mine is a great one. This is my first read by Kate Bateman and I look forward  to reading the series.

Getting married to someone in prison on the idea that Georgina Caversteed would become  a widow and prevent her cousin, Josiah,  from marrying her and getting her fortune was her main focus. 

The book has some interesting history about watercraft, and I do not want to say what because I think it is part of the story.

The descriptions of places like the wharf pulls the reader into the area. 

The spices  in the warehouse  reminds Georgie of the children's rhyme “Sugar and spice and all things nice. That's what little girls are made of “ and he nodded, “ I know it. Little boys are made of slugs and snails and puppy dogs’ tails”.

Other main characters are Pieter Smit, a “ salt-weathered Dutchman” who protects Georgie; Juliet, the sister of Georgie;  Simeon Pettigrew, the man  Juliet loves;  The mother Mrs. Caversteed; and the two friends of Ben, Alex and Seb.

Dedicated to “To my crazy, wonderful family, especially my three lovely monsters, and M, with much love.

I received a complimentary copy of This Earl of Mine to read and review. The opinions are my own. I gave it a 5 star rating.

Leona Olson