{Wedded by Scandal Review} When the Earl Met His Match by @St_Reid

When the Earl Met His Match (Wedded by Scandal, #4) by Stacy Reid
Published by Entangled: Scandalous on September 14, 2020
Genres: Historical, Romance
Pages: 300
Format: eBook
Source: Netgalley
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When Hugh Winthrop, the future Earl of Albury, decides to advertise for a wife in the London paper, he never expected an anonymous response from a woman who matches him wit for wit. Their back-and-forth letters on the true nature of love, something they disagree on wholeheartedly, leave him shocked—and intrigued. But then the woman he’s been corresponding with shows up on his doorstep, enticingly beautiful and offering a marriage of convenience in exchange for his protection…
Lady Phoebe Maitland expected to marry for love and nothing else, until the man she gave her trust betrayed her. The more intrigued she becomes by the mysterious and devastatingly handsome Hugh, however, the more she realizes he’s holding back from opening his heart due to long-held secrets she struggles to understand. As passion flares wickedly between them, their marriage bed is quick to heat up. But when Phoebe’s past threatens to destroy the fragile bond they’ve formed, even a budding belief in love might not be enough to save them.

I received When the Earl Met His Match (Wedded by Scandal, #4) for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

The scandals continue! In book three, we experienced the love story of a disgraced son, Richard Maitland, and his best friend’s sister, Evie Chesterfield. Now in book four, we are presented with the scandal of Richard’s little sister, Pheobe.

Phoebe believed in love and all the trappings when she saw an add for a wife in the local paper. Hugh Winthorp, the future Earl of Albury and current Viscount of Huxley, knew what he needed so why not place an add in the London paper. Phoebe and Hugh anonymously send several letters back and forth each enjoying their sparring on paper. When Phoebe’s dreams of love are crushed and she finds herself in a scandalous situation, she leaves London to find Hugh to ask for a marriage of convenience.

There are several secrets both Phoebe and Hugh are hiding from the world, but end up confiding in each other. I wish I could tell you, but I think they are major spoilers. You need to read this to find out!

I loved Phoebe from the moment this novel began. Even after her heartbreak and the enormous courage it took for her to seek out Hugh, she keeps her lively spirit and kind nature. Hugh was also loved in an instant. While his ideas about love have been drilled into him by his father since his mother left, he is able to let Phoebe into his heart.

Reid also created some fantastic secondary characters that haven’t been seen in the series so far. A large dog named Wolf plays an interesting part in the pair’s love story. Hugh’s younger sister, Caroline, finds an instant companion in Phoebe. Even Hugh and Caroline’s curmudgeon of a father brightens the story even in the darkest moments.

Once again, Reid has given us another whirlwind romance with two dynamic and complex characters. There is always room for more stories in this universe and I will be reading every one.