The Mad Earl’s Bride by Loretta Chase
June 4, 2013 (Originally published in the Three Weddings and a Kiss anthology)
Historical Romance
Avon Impulse
Reviewed by May
Favorite quote: “If I always did what I was told, I should never accomplish anything.”
Gwen wants to build a hospital and have it run as she sees fit. You see, she studies medicine and has a great interest in it, but because she is a woman has been denied the education to be a proper doctor. When she hears that Dorian has a disease of the mind and has less than a year to live, she sees a perfect opportunity. She heads to his place immediately with her cousin Bertie Trent (yes, as in Jessica from Lord of Scoundrel’s brother) to put her plan in action. She can marry him both helping to keep him comfortable and also gaining the influence, title, and funds that will allow her to build her hospital for the poor.
“Why did you bolt?” She asked.
“I took a lunatic fit.” He trudged on.
“That often happens when one converses with Bertie for any length of time,” she said.
While he resists at first, he can’t for long and hours later they are wed.
“I didn’t even want to be your patient,” he said as he gazed out into the darkness. “And now I am your lover. And you are besotted. It is macabre.”
It goes without saying that most likely a romance novella about a man with a fatal disease, you have to assume there will be some twist that reveals it might not be as immediate and awful as you first think. I don’t think it is a spoiler to say that there will be a happily ever after. How? Well that was the great part. I loved is the way it is revealed, as well as the description and how he takes the diagnosis. Truly, it was worth the read just for that scene. It was exactly what I thought it would be, but it still made me giggle tremendously.
I have one complaint about this book, and that is that I wanted it to be about four times longer! These characters were absolutely fascinating, and I desperately wanted to get inside their heads more and watch their relationship grow and flourish. They have incredible chemistry, fantastic dialogue, and Chase does a good job of showing us why Gwen and Dorian will work well together. At times I felt rushed, but then that is the problem when you’re talking about a shorter length story such as this novella.
Between a strong couple who finds unexpected love, the cameos by beloved past characters, and such a great female leading lady I had a very enjoyable time reading this book. The only thing that holds me back from giving an A on this is that this story really would have flourished better with a bit more room. More words, scenes, and digging into these characters would have added so much depth to this novel. It reminded me of a dish that is supposed to be prepared overnight and instead is being attempted in just an hour. The flavors, the depth and richness was just not quite developed enough. Still – it is a great quick read and one of the best historical stories I’ve read this year.
Grade: B+
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I do wonder how that HEA will come about