REVIEW: The Earl Claims a Bride by Amelia Grey

In The Earl Claims a Bride (The Heirs’ Club of Scoundrels Trilogy #2) by Amelia Grey, Harrison Thornwick is the fourth child of an earl and as such, was never expected to learn what entails handling his family’s estate. But with the loss of his remaining family, he inherits the title and has to drastically change his ways. Much to his chagrin, Harrison also receives word that the Prince has decided whom he should marry. He thinks to decline until he meets Miss Angelina Rule. Then all bets are off as he makes plans to capture the beauty’s heart all on his own accord.

“Though I’m seldom a gentleman, I do on a few occasions decide to be one. I wanted to let you know I can be a gentleman. I can, at times, follow the rules and do the right thing, but it is never as easy, enticing, or satisfying as doing what’s forbidden.”

Angelina is facing a family crisis that has put her in a terribly awkward spot. The only way to keep their good name is for her to agree to marry Lord Thornwick, a man who has a troublesome reputation in Town. Angelina has had her sights on someone else, a respectable man who is set to arrive home any day. But as she and the earl engage in impassioned discussions about their situation, her feelings for him grow into something she’s afraid to scrutinize. Choosing between the two men and how to best help her family will take all of her courage.

‘Lord Thornwick was a scandalously presumptuous man and for reasons she didn’t want to think about, it thrilled her.’

The Earl Claims a Bride was chock full of desire and drama. I should have known with a scandalous earl falling for an innocent young woman who has her heart set on another, that this romance would be wickedly sinful.

This is the second book in Amelia Grey’s The Heirs’ Club of Scoundrels Trilogy, but it can be easily read as a standalone. Set during the Regency period, this story showed our main characters struggling under the rules of polite Society. Especially Harrison, who generally ignored the rules until he became an earl. (He was so much fun!) It was interesting to watch him and Angelina together. He brought out her sensual side and even though she tried to follow decorum, it flew out the window in his presence.

Like I eluded to before, Harrison was a rogue, although he was trying to be more upstanding upon inheriting his title. The loss he went through at the beginning of the story was heartbreaking and tore my heart out. Angelina was the one who began to heal him, even though she didn’t realize it at the time. I loved how genuine and caring she was, both with people and animals. Some of the scenes with Angelina, Harrison, and the stray dogs she had at her home were so comical and sweet. Loved them!

The love triangle aspect of the storyline was actually very well done. It’s not always my favorite trope, only because it can get a bit petty or childish sometimes. In this case, the opposite seemed true. Angelina was moving from a young girl’s crush on someone, to longing of a decidedly more adult nature for Harrison. Following along as she realized the difference in her feelings for both men was as much entertaining as it was heartwarming.

A charming historical romance with a rock solid plot, The Earl Claims a Bride is another well-crafted novel by Amelia Grey.

Book Info:

 August 4th 2015 | by St. Martin’s Paperbacks | The Heirs’ Club of Scoundrels Trilogy #2

Bestselling author Amelia Grey is back with a brand-new tale of daring, desire, and a delightfully scandalous bargain in her newest, sexy Regency-set historical romance, The Earl Claims a Bride.

CAN A HASTILY ARRANGED MATCH

Harrison Thornwick is the Heirs’ Club’s newest member. His carefree days as a reckless rogue carousing around London are suddenly behind him after the tragic death of his brother leaves him in charge of the family estate. What’s more, the Prince himself has offered to secure his marital prospects. Now Harrison has no choice but to grin and bear his noble fate-and the woman who’s been chosen for him.

BECOME A LOVE FOR ALL TIME?

Miss Angelina Rule is a spectacular beauty, a dream match for any man. But she is fiercely independent-and full of passion-and is all set to rebel against her royal order of marriage…until she meets the devilishly charming Harrison. With him by her side, Angelina devises a scheme that will teach her meddlesome relatives a lesson, once and for all. But little did she and Harrison expect to fall into a tempestuous attraction-and a powerful desire that neither of them can deny…