Review: About an Earl (What Happens in the Ballroom #2) by Diana Lloyd

Synopsis

An outsider at her first English ball, Jewel is fascinated with the beautiful dresses and the lovely dancing, but she’s vowed to save the Earl of Winchcombe from her cousin’s marriage trap. When she first glimpses the handsome lord, her heart beats faster. As they plan to thwart her cousin’s machinations, she discovers a kindred spirit in Oliver—even if he’s a peer and she’s a lowly colonist. Caught kissing the earl, the ball ends in disaster and Jewel’s displeased uncle whisks her away to Scotland..

Lord Scar, as the ton calls Oliver, would rather be anywhere than at a godforsaken masquerade ball and when he learns from the free-spirited colonist about the nefarious marriage plan, he grudgingly accepts her help. Jewel intrigues him and sets his heart racing. Yet, when the ball is over and the mask is off--Oliver curses the scar that will send her screaming away.

When her uncle banishes her, Oliver comes to her rescue by offering Jewel his hand in marriage. She agrees, despite his disfigurement. But what’s a beastly lord like him to do with such a beautiful wife--especially when he discovers she’s delightfully saucy?

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Review

Oliver and Jewel are both interesting characters and overall, I enjoyed their story. But there were a few parts in the middle that were kind of bland. In any case, it is a good historical romance and I did find it entertaining.

Jewel doesn't like London as much as she had hoped she would. Her aunt and cousins don't treat her well and there might be no going back to Boston now. To make things worse she was caught in a compromising position with a man she had literally just met. But okay, so, it was just a kiss and now she is banished from society and must stay in Scottland, for who knows how long.

Oliver feels guilty about the whole situation. After all, Jewel did help him. It is only right that he help her too. There is no reason for her to be banished when he can do the right thing and marry her...

However, things get complicated and there might be more to the story than they know. What is it that Jewel's uncle is hiding?

All in all, an interesting read and a good story. I think historical fiction fans would enjoy this.

P.S. I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley.