What a lost heir to do once reinstituted to his right place when a woman is seeking out his secrets ...

Oh my !!!

It was a pages-turner read, why I could not read it previously, I needed a free-day devoted to this story.

Just a few sentences in Percival’s story and my heart was bleeding for him and the childhood he had been robbed once he became Malcom North.
Malcom is no more the sensible heir of an earldom, he has become a ruthless and merciless king of the underworld. Surviving the gutters, he has been stripped of any innocence and kindness he might have left after the brutal upbringing he was given.
Despite his apparent coldness, he is not the icy blooded monster everyone appears to think he has become. In his own way, even if he keeps everyone at arm’s length, he shows concern for the weakest under his protection. Over the years, he has gleaned a bunch of broken souls and risk takers, and whatever he might told himself, they are his kin and from all those he has won their indefectible loyalty.
Verity, without having the same dark past than Malcom, was not cuddled in a classically portrayed family, she had been shunned for her mother’s sins, whose sin was to have loved and trusted the wrong man. A man who loved them too, but too weak to fully take care of them. Why at the young age of twelve she became her remaining family only support. From then, she worked her skin to elevate her circumstances, alas it is well known women were seen as not fit for intellectual labors. And even if she is not one to cover, proving women’s worth is a challenge. And it is not prepared for the worst of the city, she runs head held high in the sewer and whatever are her mistakes, she fights like a hellion.

Both have experienced a good life with confort or some until they find themselves with nothing left and must fend for themselves or sank down.
Now together, they need to find their right place, she the illegitimate daughter and a woman, striving for acceptance in a world made by men for men and he the Earl raised in the slums of the city, to seek his bearing among his peers

Their story is one of small trusts won one at a time, until these morph to a deeper sentiment. Yet, with the past looming over them and some shadowy figures still ready to pounce, will their burgeoning feelings be enough.

As I came to learn with Mrs Christi Caldwell’s work, she has it mapped out, her heroes have oft connection with previous works.
And here, she does not disappoint, while her heroes have not been seen previously, they are linked to an other couple.
You can perfectly read this first in a series as what it is a standalone story, yet as I have read Courting Poppy Tidemore, I confess I adored watching the couple of heroes finds its own epilogue.
And what a sweet epilogue with the best revenge ever.
I can only praise Mrs Christi Caldwell for her so very unique insight of the historical period, far from the ballrooms and closer to the real people. She is the bearer of amazing tales which feed the reader a kaleidoscope of emotions.
A 5 stars for this tale of approval and embracing one’s true identity.

A particular mention for the cover which reflects perfectly the story said atmosphere, and the characters’ descriptions.

I was granted an advance copy through Netgalley by the publisher Montlake Publishing. I also preordered my own.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.

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This is Christi Caldwell at her best. When Christi writes, the reader is transported into the story due to her ability to bring her characters and settings to life. We walk in the shoes of the characters and feel what those characters feel. She allows us a glimpse of life long gone by and allows us to live the passion, pain, love, and anger of those who lived then.

Before reading In Bed with the Earl I was doubting whether or not I would accept our male lead, Malcom North as he takes his rightful place in society as the Earl of Maxwell. Those of use who have read previous books know that this was once Tristan Poplar (male lead from Courting Poppy Tidemore). I loved Tristan, so for me to accept Malcom he needed to be a truly amazing character and thank you Christi for making him amazing, dashing, and absolutely sexy.

Verity Lovelace is strong, smart, and a brilliant female lead. She is exactly what Malcom needs and challenges him to be his best, while forcing herself to also be her best. Together they welcome us into a life where strangers become each others one true love and where opposites really do make the best partners. This story has depth and honesty that is rare to find in most books and it forces the reader to enter into lives that haven't always been great, but will turn out to be wonderful.

This book was GLORIOUS and left the reader feeling absolutely AWESTRUCK. I cannot recommend In Bed with the Earl enough.

I received an ARC of this book from Montlake Romance via NetGalley and am willingly giving my honest opinion.

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This is the first in a new series by Christi Caldwell, Lost Lords of London. Malcolm, the lost Earl of Maxwell & Verity, fearless reporter, meet in the sewers beneath the seedy streets of London. Both have survived hardship and great change in their lives, shaping them into the strong people they are. While chasing a story to save her family from being thrown onto the streets she stumbles into Malcolm who is hiding the from the past that is determined to find him. They are both wary of each other and not willing to let their guard down, after being forced to spend time together love blossoms but outside forces try to drive our hero & heroine apart. Ultimately love finds a way. This is another fantastic series from the Queen of Regency, it is dark, gritty but also humorous. The characters are flawed but real and you can’t help but fall in love with them. Christi always delivers, I cannot recommend this book enough.

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A triumphant tale wrenched from unrelenting tragedy! In “Courting Poppy Tidemore,” it was revealed that Tristan Poplar, a much revered roguish earl and hero of the story had experienced a reversal of fortune and was no longer the Earl of Maxwell. This story provides the revelation of the true history of the real and oh so elusive Earl of Maxwell.

Malcom North is a tosher, a sewer dweller who has amassed power and influence in the only world he’s known. He is a solitary, misanthropic man who avoids anything that looks like a relationship—a true curmudgeon if you will.

Verity Lovelace has been on her own since she was orphaned at an early age. Her sole focus in life is to care for her younger sister and her aged nursemaid. Her means of living puts her on a collision course with Malcom.

Christi Caldwell has fashioned a tale for these two unlikely people that is both engaging and gripping. There cannot be enough said about the sizzling chemistry between these two individuals. Neither was seeking what they ultimately found with one another.

“Forgetting” and “cherishing” the past are recurring themes. The power of forgiveness also plays a major role.

If you’ve never read Caldwell’s work, this is the beginning of a new series. Happily, there are quite a few characters from prior series who make cameo appearances throughout this book. It was fun guessing who would appear. I pride myself on my status as a Caldwell Superfan that I was right on all accounts.

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Careful, ms caldwell, you are straying more and more from cheesy romance to gods' damn literature!

there's a peace and calm that descends reading this... the outside melts away and there's just a story you know will end happily, but will never expect to end so triumphantly!

love love love!

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I have many books that I have rated as 5star reads because I have thoroughly enjoyed them and the writing has been excellent. Then along comes a book like this that makes me wish I had been less generous with the others so I could make this one stand out as more exceptional. Verity Lovelace is a feisty reporter supporting her family. Malcom North is a tosher (scavenger) in the sewers of London, recently discovered as the heir to the Earl of Maxwell. These two have both struggled to survive and are drawn to each other, and despite being thrown together, resist this draw. Ms Caldwell's writing is sublime, and transports you to the depths of the sewers, and immerses you in the depths of the emotions of the characters. This book will stay with you forever.