When the Earl Met His Match

Stacy Reid

Sep 2020 · Wedded by Scandal Book 4 · Sold by Entangled: Scandalous

About this ebook

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.

Ratings and reviews

4 stars — While there were parts of the book that frustrated me, the delightful parts were just so wonderful that at the end that’s what I’m left feeling. I appreciated Phoebe’s determination to seek out a better situation for herself. She’s definitely impulsive and reckless, but it’s tempered by her kind heart and sassy nature. I truly enjoyed her, and wanted her to get her heart’s desires. Hugh was a bit of a conundrum because deep inside he was so caring and thoughtful, but he fought agai

What a unique historical romance that included several topics and issues that I’ve never experienced before in past HRs. Phoebe was wonderfully brave to take steps that other young women of her time would have never even considered. Just writing to the Gentleman of Distinction and Wealth in response to his advertisement for a wife put her a step above other ladies in my opinion. She wanted to control her own life and yet she was continually caught in a tangle and found her path blocked each way she turned. I’ve never read another hero quite as interesting as Hugh. Even his family history brings an originality to his character. I hated what he’d had to suffer and how it had shaped him and his outlook on relationships and especially marriage. While he doesn’t stand up to proclaim “mine”, nor does he showcase a protective or possessive attitude toward Phoebe, his does take certain actions that are a shadowing of those emotions. There are so many wonderful moments with this couple as they grow to know each other and develop a new relationship, many of them laced with laughter and joy. However, most of this story definitely has a heavier angst on so many levels. Without action or drama from outside forces, this book could feel a bit slow but I did not find that to be the case. What Phoebe and Hugh must deal with was more than enough to keep their story moving forward, oftentimes breaking my heart along the way. The very uniqueness of this story will force this book and these characters to remain on my mind for a good while.

When the Earl Met His Match by Stacy Reid Wedded by Scandal Series #4 Smiling as I finished this book – just what I needed today! Still smiling as I think back on the story and remember so many of the positives and how they took me away from the lack of internet, phones down, fires raging, political shenanigans and being so far from family. Yes, this was the perfect book for me to read today! What I liked: * Lady Phoebe Maitland: a bit naïve at the beginning of the book but all grown up by the end. From a good family with high expectations for her…one of which were her own. Capable of making tough choices and willing to do what it took to preserve herself and those she loved. I really liked Phoebe. * Hugh Winthrop: a viscount who would be Earl before the end of the story. A child raised to follow duty, honor and his father’s wishes eschewing, sentiment, emotion, and love. He, too, grew in this book finding what was truly important. * The story and the way it was written * The way the story made me care, feel, and want the couple to have their HEA. * Wolf: a special dog :) * The complexity of the story * That eventually there was a HEA and that it felt so good when it finally came about. * Wondering about: Hug’s mother and what really happened, where Hug’s brother William is, wanting to hear the stories of how Caroline and William will find their own partners, wondering what will happen to Viscount Malfoy. What I did not like: * Phoebe’s parents – seemed despicable to me to care more about prestige, power and position than about their daughter’s happiness. * The warped attitude Hugh’s father instilled in him though the father did have redeeming qualities. Did I enjoy this book? YES! Would I read more in this series? Definitely! Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review. 5 Stars

About the author

Stacy is an avid reader of novels with a deep passion for writing. She especially loves romance and adores writing about people falling in love. Stacy lives a lot in the worlds she creates and actively speaks to her characters (out loud). She has a warrior way, never give up on her dreams. When Stacy is not writing, she spends a copious amount of time drooling over Rick Grimes from Walking Dead, watching Japanese anime and playing video games with her love, Dusean Nelson.