An Inconvenient Earl by Julia London – a Review

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Description:
Bold. Beautiful. Beguiling.

It’s been over a year since Emma Clark’s no-good husband left on an expedition. The Countess of Dearborn has played the abandoned wife, but people are beginning to presume the earl is dead, which doesn’t suit Emma at all. Emma likes being head of household in Albert’s absence and does her best to keep his family believing he is alive and well. She’s thirty years old and finally having some fun. If the earl is in fact dead, his family is waiting in the wings to swoop in and throw Emma out, leaving her destitute.

Then along comes Luka Olivien, the Weslorian Earl of Marlaine. He’s traveled all the way from Egypt, duty bound to return to the countess her deceased husband’s precious pocket watch—only to discover she doesn’t know he’s dead… Or does she? It’s hard to tell. Luka catches glimpses of the desperate vulnerability beneath the party girl exterior and can’t help being drawn into the beguiling countess’s ruse.

Review:

An Inconvenient Earl by Julia London is the 4^th book in her A Royal Match series. We meet our heroine, Emma Clark (Lady Dearborn), who has not seen her husband for over a year, with him on an expedition in Egypt.  Emma is content since he was nasty and abusive, and she is not missing him at all; as she manages the estate. Her sister-in-law, Adele who is also nasty, lives with her young son in the Guest House.   

One day, someone arrives from Egypt, to tell Emma that her husband is dead due to yellow fever.; but before he could explain, the man drops dead on the floor. Emma is beside herself, knowing Adele will throw her out of her home, as her young son is the heir apparent. Emma decides to pretend that the dead man was only here to give updates on her husband and plans to keep the secret of his death to herself.  Emma continually pretends to Adele that Albert is enjoying his adventures, always getting out of any possible situations.  She is also very good at keeping the estate in good condition, but she also loves throwing parties.

Luka Olivien, the Earl of Wesloria, arrives from Egypt to present Emma a watch from her husband, ready to reveal his death.  Emma quickly changes the subject, which she is very good at, and tells Luka to stay at the estate, until she can throw a party for Albert’s friend.  Luka is shocked, and he tries to tell Emma many times about her deceased husband, but she manages to avoid it.  In a short time, both Emma and Luka find themselves attracted to each other; with Luka slowly falling hard for her, and keeping the secret for a while, as he gets to know her better.

It was a slow burn romance between Emma and Luka, as they did make a great couple, with Luka coming for her closer to the end. I wasn’t crazy about Emma early on, but mid-way I began to like her, especially her relationship with Luka.  She is a bit flighty with having so many parties, and telling so many different stories, to hide the truth about her deceased husband; but she still managed to keep the estate profitable.  Emma will get help from the series regular matchmaker, to reveal the truths, and find a place to move on; until Luka arrives. An Inconvenient Earl was intriguing, witty, entertaining romantic story, with a very good epilogue at the end. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher