Review: One Good Earl Deserves a Lover by Sarah MacLean
SYNOPSIS: 
The second in the incredible new Rules of Scoundrels series from New York Times bestselling author Sarah MacLean.
Lady Philippa Marbury is odd. The bespectacled, brilliant fourth daughter of the Marquess of Needham and Dolby cares more for books than balls, flora than fashion and science than the season. Nearly engaged to Lord Castleton, Pippa wants to explore the scandalous parts of London she’s never seen before marriage. And she knows just who to ask: the tall, charming, quick-witted bookkeeper of The Fallen Angel, London’s most notorious and coveted gaming hell, known only as Cross.
Like any good scientist, Pippa’s done her research and Cross’s reputation makes him perfect for her scheme. She wants science without emotion—the experience of ruination without the repercussions of ruination. And who better to provide her with the experience than this legendary man? But when this odd, unexpected female propositions Cross, it’s more than tempting… and it will take everything he has to resist following his instincts—and giving the lady precisely what she wants.
REVIEW:
This book was a deliciously quick listen, one that I immensely enjoyed for the most part. Pippa was by far my favorite in the first book, so I was extremely excited to see that she got her own story and happily-ever-after. Pippa and Cross are the nerdy gathering that I desire and watching how everything played out was tantalizing.
I love how defiant, analytical, and determined Pippa is. It made her all the more adorable and enchanting in my mind. Cross is a lean, mathematical genius mystery that I want to solve. He is has a lot baggage and is carrying a heavy burden on his shoulders, one that he doesn’t deserve to bare. As I watch these two precariously dance around each other, there is so much more to their interactions and relationship than what meets the eye. They share their secrets and in doing so, they are sharing themselves with one-another. The sexual chemistry in this slow burn is off the charts and I thought I was going to die before a first kiss happened.
But there were a few issues I had with the story. One is that we hear about Cross’s sister, but I never got closure on that particular issue. Was their relationship repaired, how did things play out? A more prevalent issue I have is that the happily-ever-after doesn’t happen until the very last moment. I feel that Sarah MacLean is creating a lot of unnecessary drama in the story. Like the self-loathing and unworthy-ness can only be dragged out for so long before I am rolling my eyes wondering if redemption will ever happen. Overall, I enjoyed this story more than the first one and am looking forward to starting the next.
LINKS:
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
