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    One Good Earl Deserves a Lover: The Second Rule of Scoundrels
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    One Good Earl Deserves a Lover: The Second Rule of Scoundrels
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    One Good Earl Deserves a Lover: The Second Rule of Scoundrels
    Ebook466 pages6 hours

    One Good Earl Deserves a Lover: The Second Rule of Scoundrels

    By Sarah MacLean

    4/5

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    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    Lady Philippa Marbury is . . . odd

    The brilliant, bespectacled daughter of a double marquess cares more for books than balls, for science than the season, and for laboratories than love. She's looking forward to marrying her simple fiancé and living out her days quietly with her dogs and her scientific experiments. But before that, Pippa has two weeks to experience all the rest—fourteen days to research the exciting parts of life. It's not much time, and to do it right she needs a guide familiar with London's darker corners.

    She needs . . . a Scoundrel

    She needs Cross, the clever, controlled partner in London's most exclusive gaming hell, with a carefully crafted reputation for wickedness. But reputations often hide the darkest secrets, and when the unconventional Pippa boldly propositions him, seeking science without emotion, she threatens all he works to protect. He is tempted to give Pippa precisely what she wants . . . but the scoundrel is more than he seems, and it will take every ounce of his willpower to resist giving the lady more than she ever imagined.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperCollins
    Release dateJan 29, 2013
    ISBN9780062065391
    Unavailable
    One Good Earl Deserves a Lover: The Second Rule of Scoundrels
    Author

    Sarah MacLean

    A life-long romance reader, Sarah MacLean wrote her first romance novel on a dare, and never looked back. She is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of romances translated into more than twenty languages, a romance columnist, and the co-host of the weekly romance novel podcast, Fated Mates. A graduate of Smith College and Harvard University, she lives in New York City.

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    Reviews for One Good Earl Deserves a Lover

    4/5

    369 ratings35 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Wow. I empathized with Lady Phillipa perhaps a bit too much. I ached every time she touched on how something that happened was a rejection of her due to her oddness. I rooted so hard for this OTP to have the HEA, and I cried a lot on the way there. MacLean has an immense talent for characterization. Off to book three!
    • 4/5
      A delight. Slow to start, and it took me a bit to warm up to Pippa, but once I did I loved this sweet story.
    • 3/5
      This was good. Not as good as the other MacLean books I've read but still enjoyable.

      As always features great writing and a fun plot.
    • 4/5
      I'd read the first in this series, and I liked this one better. Pippa was a fun character. I love it when the heroine isn't perfect, isn't the shining example of feminine beauty and grace (because I can relate- ha!). I also loved that she became the rescuer instead of the rescuee (pretty sure that's not a word, but you know what I mean).
    • 4/5
      Four seasons and four scoundrels and how they find love are the subjects of Sarah MacLean's Rule of Scoundrels series. The series focuses on four aristocrats whose scandals have exiled them from society and who are now owners of an exclusive gaming establishment, The Fallen Angel. Each finds a love powerful enough to bring them back into the light. The first book in the series was Bourne & Penelope's story. This time around the love story is about Penelope's smart sister, Lady Philippa Marbury (aka Pippa) and Jasper Arlesly, Earl Harlow (aka Cross, one of the Fallen Angel owners). What happens when a proper lady proposes that a scoundrel ruin her without actually ruining her? Want to find out? Here's your chance with the second in the series; One Good Earl Deserves a Lover: The Second Rule of Scoundrels. Book two picks up where A Rogue by Any Other Name leaves off (see my review). Pippa has learned at a young age that she does not fit into society, that she is odd. She wears glasses and prefers scientific endeavors to societal ones. Thus, when the dull Lord Castleton courts her and proposes she accepts, because to her it is her only chance for marriage and children. Now with her marriage looming in two weeks Pippa has some questions about marriage, her wifely duties, and the wilder side of life. Who better to help answer her questions about sex than a rogue with a wicked reputation?Pippa has done her research and decides that Cross is the one to help her in this scientific endeavor, ruination without ruination. This is how she ends up in Cross's office at the Fallen Angel. He thinks she is mad and turns her down flat. Yet both these logical minds are bitten by the love bug, even if they don't know it yet. It is fun to watch how these two people find love and each other despite all the baggage they carry. She is not as pretty as her sisters and she doesn't value what society values. He is estranged from his family and because of a past action does not want the title that he inherited when his brother died. Will each give into temptation and give each other what each needs?I really enjoyed this one even more than the first one in the series. It reminded me of those old screwball romances. The characters are believable and funny and smart and made for each other. I look forward to the next fallen angel's love story. According to the author's web page the next scoundrel of the Fallen Angel to find love is Temple in No Good Duke Goes Unpunished. Its publication is set for Autumn 2013.
    • 4/5
      "One Good Earl Deserves A Lover", the second book in the Rules of Scoundrels series, was darker in tone than "A Rogue by Any Other Name", but still an enjoyable read.I had some issues with the book - the reason's for the hero's emotional torment were under-developed (and if he was a modern teenager, I would say he was going totally emo), and the heroine's reasons for approaching the hero were flimsy and unrealistic. I did, however, really liked Pippa's interactions with her fiance, Castleton (and the fact that Castleton was a nice man, and not a villain out to get Pippa for whatever reason). I actually spent a lot of time worrying about what would happen to him once Pippa and Cross would inevitably get together, and I am glad that he got his happy ending, too (however unlikely it was).
    • 5/5
      Although this book didn't win the RITA award like its siblings, but in my opinion it is the funniest in the series! I just love Pippa. My most favourite of the series.
    • 5/5
      If I could give this book ten stars I would. Love love loved it.
    • 4/5
      MacLean pulled me in again. Another fabulous read.
    • 4/5
      I'm trying to decide if this was as good as the first one. I think it's just different. The premise is hilarious. Bluestocking sister engaged to the nice, dependable yawn of a man she's not in love with insists on knowing what to expect on her wedding night. So after thorough consideration, she picks a rake of the first order from her brother in law's gaming hall, breaks in and propositions him. Of course, his intellect is a great match for her and he can't help but be attracted to her brains and brash behavior. Then, after many hijinks and bad guys threatening bad things, they fall in love. The end. :)

      Ok, not quite so simple. And as much as I just made fun of it, it was a tremendously entertaining read. I'm definitely getting the next book in the series.
    • 4/5
      Sarah MacLean has been an auto-buy author for me ever since her first book. She has no equal in creating bold, immensely likable heroines. And her heroes aren't bad either.

      For her time and place in society, Pippa is odd, and she knows it. Her mindset is rational, indeed scientific, so it seems perfectly logical to her to seek information about marital relations in advance of her wedding to the conventional Lord Castleton. In addition she clearly has read the marriage rite in the Book of Common Prayer and is worried that she will be making vows before God that she doesn't quite understand. Her mother and sisters are no help at all, so it makes perfect sense, then, to seek instruction from the wickedest man she knows -- her brother-in-law's business partner Cross.

      Cross wants nothing to do with this business, but he finds himself strangely attracted to this odd young lady. Here begins the sensual dance between these two that form the bulk of the plot. And nobody does sexual tension better than Sarah MacLean.

      MacLean also does an excellent job of involving characters from the first book in this series, as well as giving us glimpses of the heroes in the upcoming books. The interplay among the four owners of the Fallen Angel is entertaining and works well within the plot, never seeming like sequel-bait.

      The only thing that kept this from being a five-star read for me is Pippa's clever, but for me unbelievable, scheme at the end. When reading it, I thought it sounded too much like a certain modern movie, so imagine my reaction when the author's note at the end explained that that exact movie was her inspiration. Just didn't work for me.

      But don't let my reservations stop you from reading this utterly charming book.
    • 5/5
      Pippa Marbury needs the facts. She is to be married soon and has no idea how marital...er, relations are carried out. Hearing lots of gossip about the legendary Cross and his prowess, Pippa decides he would make the most excellent research partner. For his part, Cross is completely flummoxed. Never before had a lady entered his private quarters asking such intimate and frank questions! Making matters worse, sparks immediately fly between the two, which is a huge problem since Pippa is the sister-in-law of one of Cross' business partners.In an attempt to protect Pippa from scandal, Cross at first sends Pippa away but eventually succumbs and decides it would be safer if he provided the answers she sought. The attraction between the two is intense, the sexual tension almost like torture. This made for some very steamy scenes and an even greater love story. That's about all I can say about the plot without giving away too much.What makes this book so great are the characters. Pippa is a scientist, logical in thinking and direct in communication. Cross finds this quite refreshing, as he's never met a woman who challenges him quite like she does. Cross definitely has his own set of demons to overcome on the path to happily ever after, but he was such a gentleman throughout and it made him far more likable than the previous book's hero Bourne. I even loved the supporting cast of characters. Chase was such a meddler, Olivia was fantastic as the spoiled younger sister, and Castleton actually surprise me in the end. Across the board, this book was just the romance genre at it's best.
    • 5/5
      Excellent book. I loved Pippa so much. She is different than her four sisters. She doesn't care about the usual things that appeal to young ladies. She is a scientist who believes in what she can see and isn't convinced that love exists. She is due to get married in two weeks and wants to know about the physical side of marriage that no one will talk about to her. She decides to go to Cross, co-owner of the gaming hell that her brother-in-law is part of. He turns her down in a unique way, but she finds a loophole and comes back. There is something about Cross that makes her feel things that don't make sense to her scientific mind. The more time she spends with him the more she realizes that her safe fiance just isn't what she wants anymore. She wants Cross, who makes her feel things and also understands her and likes who she is. The biggest the she has to do is help him overcome his feelings about his past. She does things in a big way at the end. I loved seeing the heroine doing the "go big or go home" for a change.Cross was great. He's been a big part of the gaming hell for several years as a way to flee his past. He has terribly guilty feelings about the death of his brother. These feelings have affected everything about the way he lives his life now. He is stunned by Pippa's proposition and as much as he is attracted to her he knows he can't do anything about it. He tries very hard to keep her away, but she is relentless in her quest and he finally gives in. The scene where he teaches her about temptation is fantastic, with Cross's self control being strained to its limits. I loved the way that Pippa's intelligence and unique way of looking at life fascinates him. He understands her the way no one else does and he would love nothing more than to have her in his life permanently. But he feels that his past makes her out of reach for him. When that past is used against him he tries to do what he must to protect her. I completely loved the ending and his surprise at how it came about. I liked seeing more of Temple and Chase, the other two owners. A little more has been revealed about their stories and I can't wait to see what happens to them.
    • 4/5
      Beautiful as the previous one! I really liked the couple of this new book, the bespectacled Pippa and the red head Cross. They're, in a certain way, more intriguing and complex than Penny and Bourne, more fascinating as individuals and couple.
      I love the way this author tells her stories, the way she works with her characters. She's a very skilled writer.
      I'm looking forward for the third book.
    • 4/5
      Read from September 19 to 21, 2013I liked this one even more than A Rogue by Any Other Name. Pippa is such a fantastic atypical heroine. She's odd and smart and wears glasses -- and no one tried to take them off her to give her a hot-girl makeover (you know, like in She's All That). Such a fun, quick read.
    • 5/5
      This one was so much fun to read. I love historicals with smart heroines and Lady Philippa Marbury is a very smart woman. She knows she is odd compared to her peers. She likes to study anatomy and horticulture. She is engaged to Lord Castleton and is very worried about her marital duties. She is not sure what to fully expect and she is the type of person who likes to analyze and get all the details. She knows anatomy and has seen animals mate before, but thinks there must be more to procreation for humans. She decides an experiment is in order. She will learn all she can before her wedding day. And she thinks she has the perfect experiment partner - Cross, part owner of a gaming den with her brother-in-law. He has quite the reputation among the ladies.Cross is absolutely captivated by Pippa when she shows up at his office with a proposition to learn all about sex from him. But he refuses. He doesn't think she deserves his darkness. Pippa, though, ends up finding her way into his life over and over again. And Cross finds it harder and harder to keep his hands off her. As for Pippa, the more time she spends with Cross, the more she realizes just how passionless her marriage to Castleton will be. Cross is a tortured hero. But I love the way he sees and adores Pippa. He likes her oddities. He likes the way her brain works, her honesty, and forthrightness. He even finds her spectacles very sexy.I enjoy historical romances that have the heroine saving the day. Cross sacrifices and Pippa plans. She's not giving up on happiness and a marriage with passion.This is another great book by MacLean.ARC provided through Edelweiss.
    • 2/5
      This historical romance had a good premise but the majority of the book was characters thoughts. I struggled to keep reading, started skipping big chunks, read a little near the end then gave up. The basic story could have been told in 100 pages or less. Lady Philippa asks gaming hell owner Cross to help with her ruination.
    • 5/5
      I cannot get enough of Sarah MacLean and her Scoundrels! I enjoyed this book so much I'm tempted to go back and re-read it right now. Defintely worth the wait. Loved Pippa and Cross. Pippa's factoids throughout are fantastic and poor, tortured Cross...well, that just makes him a little yummier, in my opinion.
    • 5/5
      This book is worth far more thank 5 stars!!!! It was magnificent! The longing/wanting/need was conveyed to perfection! Someone mentioned breathlessness and yes!! That too!!! I LOVED the characters honesty. Pippa was straightforward and honest throughout the book and I think it was one of the things that made me love every second of this story! Cross was the perfect match for her. He is going into my category of "great leading male" This book is now on my "favourites shelf" and as I had originally bought this series for the next book... I am now unsure of how Ms. MacLean is going to top this!
    • 4/5
      I had high hopes for the second installment in the Rules of Scoundrels series, but I was a bit disappointed. I love Sarah MacLean but it took a long time for things to get going and heat up. It took forever just to get to the first kiss (half way through the book) and I tired of the "I'm not good enough for you" theme by Cross, the hero, who believes he must sacrifice himself for the love of the genius, bespectacled heroine, Pippa by marrying the daughter of his nemesis. In fact, Cross wouldn't even allow himself to touch Pippa until over half way through the book! Some good parts and the one sex scene was hot, but overall, I felt there seemed to be a lot vagueness in areas. I longed for storylines with the side characters that could have been expanded upon. Pippa was always described as the odd daughter which became tiresome, though I kind of liked her. Despite my "meh" feeling overall, I love the cover and inside flap!
    • 3/5
      Love, love, love Sarah MacLean and her writing, but I'm with a lot of the reviewers I've read about this one. Pippa's reason for involving herself with Cross is just... ridiculous. Honestly. Every time it came up again my eyes rolled themselves--I didn't have to tell them to at all. And I will never understand how someone so intelligent as Pippa (supposedly) was could possibly have convinced herself that her virtue would be completely safe with a "notorious rake" (in quotes because he never once truly acts like one--plus, we get proof that he isn't a practicing one later on) like Cross. Furthermore, how is it she was the only person in the ton who didn't know his identity? It just didn't make sense. Still, it is a Sarah MacLean book, and I'm not sorry I listened to it, but...hopefully the next one will have a bit more logic involved.

      And where are the glasses on the cover model? Why are they not on her face? She hardly ever took them off....
    • 5/5
      I know what you're thinking; receiving an ARC of this book is awesome (If you are a fan). At first I thought that to, that was until I finished the book, and realized I have to wait a long time until Sarah MacLean's next book. Not so cool anymore is it?


      Pippa is the second to last daughter of Dolby house and by far the oddest of the five daughters. In fact Pippa is the oddest in the ton. Pippa is to be married to the dull Lord Castleton in thirteen days and has to figure out what it is that marriage and procreation is really about. Pippa wants to use scientific test to help her find the answer and for her research partner Pippa picks a notorious rogue named Cross. These two set off on a hot and heavy romance that will leave fans positively breathless.

      Sarah MacLean is easily one of my favorite authors. I literally countdown days until her next book releases with crack-head like twitchy symptoms in need of a fix. MacLean's talent in writing historical romance is epic, and she has yet to write a book that hasn't captured me and sucked me in. I obsess over her characters, falling in love with the men, and wishing I could be the women. With One Good Earl I fell head over heels in love with Cross and I would trade my first born child to live as Pippa while she and Cross explore ruination. Don't tell my first born son that of course.

      Pippa is an amazing character both well rounded and relatable. Pippa loves books, science, and she is fascinated by bones and the human body. Yet in society she is odd. Cross is sexy at least that is how I pictured him, he is strong and of course my favorite a rogue. I love bad boys I can't help it. Cross is a wounded character with a past that covers him in guilt making me as the reader want to save him from his own self-loathing.

      One thing I noticed while reading one Good Earl I kept catching myself on multiple occasions holding my breath in suspense. See what I mean by this book will leave you breathless? I also noticed my eyes wondered a time or two in desperation to find out what was going to happen. I couldn't help myself this book is mega suspenseful! I tried with all my might multiple times to slow down my reading to ensure longevity for this book but I failed. When I was finished with this novel I felt sadden that the book couldn't keep going as an endless tale that capture me forever.

      I of course recommend this book to adult readers. I say adult readers because well, three words... Passionate... Sex... Scenes! If that didn't get your attention I don't know what will. This book is recommended for lovers of historical romance but before you read this novels check out the first book in this series. In fact it would be smart to go all the way back to MacLean's Love by Numbers series because some characters make an appearance in this series.
    • 4/5
      These are such fun romances. Sarah MacLean does a wonderful job of writing characters that I love. They make me smile, laugh, cry and love. If all romances were this good, romance would be the top genre in America.
    • 5/5
      One Good Earl Deserves a Lover is the second book that I read from Sarah MacLean and it blew me away! The first book that I read, Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake, was a DNF for me (for some reason that I cannot recall) but I may have to reread this and see if it would change my rating.

      Let me just say that I fell in love with Cross and Philippa the first time I read their verbal sparring. Both of these characters are so likable and the chemistry between the two pretty much jumped off the page! Pippa is really naive, adventurous, and too serious for her own good that I was practically laughing at her notions and thoughts. I also thought she was the perfect match for Cross who I see as a sensitive man despite his sordid past and reputation.

      When first we meet Pippa, she is pretty much a bluestocking, odd (as she calls herself), and does everything by the book. She is engaged to be married to Lord Castleton but is not in love with him and sees the marriage as her duty. Her sister Olivia, is also set to be married on the same day but her marriage it seems, is one of love. It is revealed that Olivia and her betrothed have done things that normal couples do and this comes to Pippa’s attention. Obviously, she is in a very staid relationship with Lord Castleton so she finds a rogue to teach her in the art of ruination. She propositions Cross, part owner of the gentleman’s club, The Fallen Angel, who is also her brother-in-law’s partner.

      Cross, in charge of the financial aspect of The Fallen Angel, is smart, a rogue, and an earl who turned his back on his legacy when he, as a second son, inherited the title upon his brother’s death. The moment Cross meets Pippa, he is instantly drawn to her odd quirkiness but does not act on it. He refuses to help Pippa but does not want any other man to help her. In the end, he relents and teaches her without physically touching her.

      The villain in this story is not really evil. He has a score to settle with Cross and blackmails him into marrying his daughter. Cross, trying to save Pippa and for once, does the right thing (in his mind), agrees to marry his daughter and breaks off with Pippa. That is, until Pippa takes matters into her own hands.

      I love Pippa’s metamorphosis (which was referenced in the book) from a naive Lady to someone who knows what she wants and goes after it, which I thought was unique. I did not expect the twists in the end and how she conspired with Temple to fix the gaming tables, cards, and dice to get what she wants even when she knows that it is not the right thing to do.

      I especially loved the conversations between both Cross and Pippa. The scientific references were spot on and I loved the journal entries before each chapter. All their encounters were simmering with heat, tension and passion that made me not want to put the book down. I loved that each and every interaction between the two protagonists drove the whole story, with the villain, not really paying a big role in the book.

      This book earned 5 Hearts for me and I am now reading the first book of the series, A Rogue by Any Other Name.
    • 5/5
      One Good Earl Deserves a Lover
      5 Stars

      According to Society, Lady Phillippa Marbury is “odd". But for Pippa, her inquisitive mind and scientific approach to life has always served her in good stead. So, it is not unusual that she should approach the most renowned lover in London to serve as her research “assistant” when she is in need of instruction on the intricacies of the marriage bed.

      Jasper Arsley aka Cross, one of the 4 notorious owners of The Fallen Angel casino, is astounded when Pippa propositions him and will do anything and everything in his power to dissuade her even as he longs to do the exact opposite…

      This is the 2nd book in MacLean’s Rules of Scoundrels series and a significant improvement on the first. Pippa and Cross have a tangible chemistry and their sexual tension simply sizzles on the pages. Pippa with her forthrightness and honesty is an adorable heroine and Cross’s attempts to thwart her lead to some sweet and sexy moments.

      The supporting characters are just as engaging and the secondary plot involving Cross’s arch nemesis lends a certain edgy tension to the romance.

      The next book is Temple’s and I am eager to meet the woman who will bring this stoic giant down a notch or two.
    • 3/5
      3.5 stars - I think what I’m finding with this series is that they are repetitive and could be edited down by at least 75 pages. The plot in this is completely far fetched but I’m reading romance so don’t expect reality. Like the first book I find the characters are having the same arguments and thoughts throughout and I find myself skimming a bit when this happens. It’s still well written but just isn’t hitting the high notes for me.
    • 4/5
      I can't quite remember the first one but I'm pretty sure this was better. In any case I'd put this at a 3.5 stars. I liked Phillipa and Cross. They were both intelligent and I liked how their conversations referenced random facts and knowledge. They both seemed to have a lot in common and the romance was mostly enjoyable. The drama was a little bit over the top and I think I remember feeling the same way about the first - maybe it's just how the author writes. Even so, it's a well written story with enjoyable characters and a mostly believable plot, even if a slightly ridiculous one. And I very much enjoyed that Phillipa was the one to save the day.
    • 4/5
      This one is Cross and Philippa. Let's hear it for heroines with spectacles and lots of brains!
    • 1/5
      I wanted her but I SHOULDNT.
      To touch her was my greatest desire, but I SHOULDNT.
      What would it be like to kiss him? I wanted to know. But I DIDNT.
      I love her but I SHOULDNT.
      He doesn't want me.
      BUT I DO.
      She SHOULDNT want me.
      But I do.

      Repeat these inner monologues ad nauseum throughout the book and you get two characters whose heads you just want to knock together. There's building tension, and then there's 2/3rds of the book before they even touch. Too little too late.
    • 4/5
      2nd read- I just felt like revisiting this series. Generally I think MacLean has gotten better since these books, but they're still entertaining. (Except the third book, I'm skipping it because my dislike for the heroine somehow outweighs even my fondness of that hero. Once was enough on that one.) I enjoy these two both being intellectuals, often it's just one of the pair, but it's nice to see the compatibility here. And it's fun to watch them try to resist the other and fail. =D