The Earl in My Bed by Stacy Reid Published by Entangled Publishing on April 9, 2018
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Historical / General, Fiction / Romance / Historical / Regency
Pages: 257
Format: eBook
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For years, Daphne Wentworth, Countess of Carrington, has loved her powerful, enigmatic husband, despite the fact that they married under less than ideal circumstances. But no more. Finally at her breaking point, Daphne intends to create a scandal so big, her austere husband will have no choice but to divorce her. Except everything goes awry when he surprises her with the last thing she expected.
Sylvester Wentworth, Earl of Carrington, has returned to London for one reason—to seduce his wife. After a near-death experience, he is in need of an heir and means to make his marriage a real one. To his shock, though, his wicked, beautiful countess wants the exact opposite, and he must now do everything possible to entice his countess to stay forever.
Each book in the Rebellious Desires series is STANDALONE:
* Duchess by Day, Mistress by Night
* The Earl in My Bed
I followed up my good read with the first book in the Rebellious Desires series, by reading the second. Its a second chance romance between a married couple that has been estranged basically since the wedding. After six years, Daphne is fed up and ready to face scandal by asking for a divorce.
This book had all the feels…the aches and pains of the heart as we see the couple go through their doubts, trust issues, and desire. Both characters have done some growing up in the six years since they met and were married, but they also don’t really know each other and have reason to not trust each other.
Reid doesn’t waste a ton of time on backstory with the characters, but we know Daphne to be a stylish, loyal, and kind woman (who is also beautiful and rich) who is torn up about her estranged marriage. By contrast, Sylvester, Lord Carrington, is a man on a mission to fight against his family (and other British family) legacies of slavery, exploitation, and violence. He is hinted at as a dangerous and moody character, but we learn he has some deep emotional scars that have kept him focused on duty and his mission. A near death experience has him returning to England to learn his wife may be having an affair.
There is some action in this book, with people out to kill Carrington while he works towards healing the rift in his marriage. Reid doesn’t wait to steam up the pages (she is particularly gifted with steamy intimate scenes) as Carrington works to seduce and court his Countess.
Violence is present in this story as well as adult themes. I debated putting a CW for suicide attempt by a supporting character, and also want to mention there are some hints of cardiac issues for another supporting character that may be hard for some readers.
I finished this one so fast, and even though second chance can be a bit hit or miss for me, I loved the tension and romance of this one. Stacy Reid is definitely a writer I will be looking for in the future, as she nails the historical details, romance, and the feels.
If you love a heart wrenching second chance romance, this book is one to definitely pick up.
