The Earl's Inconvenient Wife

Temperance Lattimar is helping her twin sister Prudence for the latter's departure for Bath, where Pru hopes to find a husband. Temper refused to follow; a husband doesn't figure in her future. Temper intends to remain a spinster and, with the family's scandalous reputation, it's all but a certainty. However, her father make it crystal-clear that she is to have that Season in London. Gifford Newell, a long-time friend of her brother Gregory, comes up with a suitable idea: Giff's godmother, the redoubtable Lady Sayleford with the spotless reputation, might be able to ease Temper's introduction into Society. But the wise old lady insists Gifford be available to offer Temper his protection when the ton's vultures attack. This detail doesn't suit either Giff and Temper much, as they have recently begun to see each other differently than mere friends. I had not even turned the last page of A Most Unsuitable Match, the previous book, that I needed to read Temper's story. Temper is a remarkable heroine; she's extremely outspoken, doesn't want to be at the mercy of any man, and she has a sound plan to live a full life as a spinster. Giff respects and admires her, but marriage is not in his immediate future and, if it were, it would be with a woman of impeccable background, and able to smoothly blend in a politician's world. Julia Justiss' sublime prose reigns supreme once again, and her outstanding dialogues are works of art where all the passion the hurt, the determination of Temper shine through. I was thrilled to finally learn everything about the sorry state of affairs with regards to the Sisters of Scandal's parents. Temper a brilliant character, one of the most compelling I have ever read. She is so brave in the face of adversity, she is immeasurably strong, and I felt that Giff paled by comparison; up until the end of the book, I felt rather indifferent towards him. I also started wondering if the publishers require that the author repeatedly state the main trope in the narrative; I got tired of reading about Temper being Giff's "best friend's little sister", and I wonder if it was the reason why I didn't feel the sparks between the protagonists. It reached a point where I began asking myself if Giff would have behaved as honourably towards Temper had she been any other young woman. It's also a strange thing to say for a romance, but in a way I wished that Temper could have fulfilled her initial dream, even though things turned out for the best eventually. There are quite a few wonderful characters, and I hope that some of them will feature in Ms. Justiss' upcoming books, particularly Lord Theo and Emma, both of whom I adored. Although THE EARL'S INCONVENIENT WIFE was not quite what I had anticipated, Temper was even more awe-inspiring than I hoped, and her story exceeded my expectations.

The Earl’s Inconvenient Wife is book two in the Sisters of Scandal’s series. Although this book can truly be read as a stand alone, I recommend starting with the Hadley’s Hellions series first and then moving on to this series. I really enjoyed this book. Justiss knows her history and infuses the reality of life in 1833 Britain seamlessly with her characters. At the time, Lady Hester Lucy Stanhope left her constrained and scandal ridden life in England behind for travel and adventure. One hundred years prior, Lady Mary Wortley Montagu had travelled to the Ottoman Empire and written about her escapades. Travel books were in demand. Justiss’ heroine Temperance Lattimar longs for a free and independent life far from the busy society of London in order to see the world. So she sets out to go through her first season and not make a match, hoping for her independence. But when scandal strikes and her brother’s best friend is involved can she live with her dreams changing? “Gifford Newell. Her brother’s best friend and carousing buddy, who’d acted as another older brother, tease and friend since she was in leading strings. Although lately, something seemed to have shifted between them...some sort of wordless tension that telegraphed between them when they were together, edgy, exciting...and threatening.” I really enjoyed this book. There is an edge to her romantic relationship with Gifford that kept me turning the page. I was gifted a copy of this book.

I absolutely loved this story by Julia Justiss! If you haven't read any of her historical romances you are missing out. The Earl's Inconvenient Wife is the second book in her Sisters of Scandal series and definitely worth reading. With Lady Sayleford sponsoring her season Temperance Lattimar might have a chance at finding a husband, but it is a whole charade because she has no intention of ever marrying. She hopes with the ending of a disastrous season her father will hand over her allowance and allow her to travel. All of this means allowing MP and aristocrat Gifford Newell to escort and protect her at all society events. What neither of them plans on is their attraction to one another or the scandal that forces them to marry. I'm looking forward to reading more wonderful book by Julia Justiss! I was given an ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.