Lady Phoebe desperately needs to marry, and soon, to avoid a scandal. She arrives at Hugh’s home in Scotland without warning, and makes him a most surprising offer. The two have never met, but have been corresponding anonymously for several months. Hugh has his own reasons for needing a wife, and agrees to a marriage of convenience only. But of course feelings get involved and complicate things.

This was a satisfying story with plenty of yearning and smoldering. Hugh has a disability that is rarely represented in historical or contemporary romance, and it was interesting to see him navigate it with Phoebe. I haven’t read any of the other books in this series, but this one was fine as a stand-alone.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

I really wanted to like this story more than I did. Stacy Reid is won of my favorite authors. She knows to write chemistry and extremely passionate filled scenes.  I feel Hugh and Phoebe's story feel short.  Phoebe was more naïve than I wanted and I felt as if she wasn't the best match for Hugh.  I wanted so much more for each of them.

Well paced romance with some very hot scenes... I didn’t expect anything less from Ms Reid. I’ve read almost everything she’s written so far and this was just as wonderful. Two people that needed each other and had to take a long and complicated journey to finally get their HEA. Beautifully executed as usual.

This book was just too cheesy for me, and I thought that the drama in the last few chapters was over the top and completely unnecessary.

This is my first time reading a book by Stacy Reid and I am so glad that I did! I really enjoyed this story. I loved Phoebe. She stood up for herself and didn't back down when times got tough. Hugh had hidden depths to his character and it was refreshing to have a hero that was flawed.

I really enjoyed the plot, even though I didn't think I was going to given the fact that the heroine is pregnant before meeting the hero, but Reid really made it work. The romance between Phoebe and Hugh was really good, but every now and then I got annoyed by Phoebe's immaturity and Hugh's stubbornness. I also could have used more steamy scenes. Overall, it was a solid historical romance, but not necessarily a new favorite of mine.

Stacey Reid has really become one of my favorite authors.  She creates such wonderful stories & her characters always pull me into the story.  Hugh was such a giving, kind & sweet hero to Phoebe & I rooted for their HEA.  I highly recommend this book & the previous ones in this series.

The author did a wonderful job making her characters come to life. I could understand where they were coming from and could feel the inner fight to find their HEA. I wanted to laugh and cry with them. The characters drug me in and hooked from the beginning.

Hugh is kind but reserved and understandably so. Margaret is strong and kind. The supporting characters are great I especially adored Hugh's father. There were some really funny situations too.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves historical romance.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Phoebe and Hugh have both been hurt in love, so after Hugh posts an advert for a wife they begin corresponding with the intention of getting to know each other.   They each are hoping for a marriage of convenience.  What they get is so much more.
I loved the story, the characters were engaging and I will definitely recommend.
Thank you Stacy Reid, Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

When the Earl Met His Match by Stacy Reid
Let me first say, this was the first book I’ve read by Ms. Stacy Reid, but it won’t be the last!  This was a wonderful story full of emotion, humor, and steam between our leading characters.  I loved the unusual background for the hero; it is refreshing where there seems to be so many books with too many similarities these days.  If you are thinking of picking this one up, don’t hesitate, it’s a great read!
Below are more details about the story and my opinions; be warned, there are several SPOILERS in my text below!  
Our hero is Lord Hugh Winthrop and our heroine is Lady Phoebe Maitland.  Hugh is the heir to a wealthy and powerful Earldom, even though he is not his father’s biological son.  He is also mute and communicates via sign language.  His mother was a renowned beauty, much younger than his father; after they wed his mother began having affairs, hence Hugh and his two siblings, none of which are his father’s biological offspring.  His father is dying, and he wishes Hugh to marry a Society lady to settle Hugh, and help settle his other two children.  Hugh approaches this by placing an advert for a wife in newspapers because he does not move about Society (you know being mute, sign language not being well known, and the whole not technically being his father’s biological son).  
Enter Phoebe.  She sees Hugh’s advert and responds, not to offer marriage, but to inform him of his audacity at such an advert.  They communicate via letter for many weeks.  During this time, she is trying to avoid a match to a man older than her father and she fancies herself in love with the second son of a Viscount, her music tutor, George.  She ends up being compromised (not assaulted) by George, but her parents refuse to allow her to marry him.  George walks away with 20,000 pounds for his trouble and gets engaged to another woman a few weeks later (but alas, unfortunately he comes back later…).  Phoebe is heartbroken, only to discover she is pregnant.  Her mother coldly decides to send her to the country where she can have the baby and then send the baby onto an orphanage.  Feeling out of options, she writes to Hugh asking if he will marry her, but, given her condition and her mother’s plans to rid her of her baby, she follows the runner to Hugh’s estate.
I really enjoyed Hugh and Phoebe’s story.  It has some angst, but not soo much that you want to scream at any of the characters too much.  I don’t usually care much for the “I’ll never fall in love with you so you can’t hurt me and I’ll be cold as ice if you try”, but I really enjoyed this story.  Hugh does struggle with what happened between his parents and holds that against Phoebe more than he should, but its not such a long struggle that you find yourself yelling at the book.
One thing I adored in the story is Wolf, Hugh’s dog.  Long story short, Phoebe comes into possession of Wolf early in the story, when Hugh’s family thinks he is at death’s door.  It was cool to see Wolf and Hugh reunite and the bond they share, as well as his affection for Phoebe.  I would have liked more Wolf beyond this point in the story as he seems to largely disappear after their reunion.
I rate this book 4.5 stars and recommend you pick up a copy if the premise sounds intriguing to you.  I was not disappointed except that the story came to an end (am I the only one who wants another few hundred pages after the normal stopping point in these stories?!).  
I received a free advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.  All opinions are my own.

Hugh Winthrop, the future Earl of Albury, has a problem: his father wants him to get married to a lady of the ton ASAP. The reason for the rush? The current Earl of Albury is dying, and he wants to ensure that his beloved children are cared for in his absence. His 3 children have been removed from society for some time as there are rumors that none of them are the legitimate issue of the earl, which, judging from their physical differences and the fact that his former wife was never faithful, that is likely true. BUT the earl loves his children as his own regardless, and he does not want them to be shunned by society, especially his daughter when she has her debut in a few years; thus, he is insistent that Hugh marry a woman from an established family that is familiar with and can coach Hugh's sister on the finer points of being a lady. Reluctantly, Hugh agrees, but he is loathe to return to the ballroom and tea parties scene that rebuked him several years earlier. He also doesn't want to encounter the woman that birthed him (which is the nicest thing he can say about the woman who broke his father's heart and then abandoned Hugh and his siblings) as she does not acknowledge him either. Instead, he takes out an ad in the London Society Papers "advertising" for a wife, and he includes the characteristics he requires in one - love not being one of them as his father has strictly advised him to never fall in love with a woman as it gives her the power to destroy him as his mother destroyed his father.

Lady Phoebe Maitland cannot believe her eyes -- a "gentleman" has the nerve to take out an advertisement for a WIFE of all things. How lewd and ill mannered can one be? Phoebe has recently had her heart broken by a man she thought loved her as she loved him only to learn that he could be "bought off" by her parents who felt a man outside of the peerage was not good enough for the daughter of a duke. Though she isn't sure quite why, she feels the need to write back to the ridiculous man and tell him what she thinks of him. After sending him a proper set-down, she is surprised that not only does he respond to her, she actually enjoys his wit. They enjoy a repartee for several weeks, neither knowing the other's true identity, until Phoebe learns that the one wine-fueled night of awkward passion with her former suitor has resulted in pregnancy. When she learns her parents will find a way to "solve" her problem in a way that would ruin any chance of her happiness, Phoebe follows the letter carrier to the Earl of Albury's estate where she begs Hugh to marry her.

Hugh has also enjoyed their unusual correspondence, and when Phoebe comes to him in a desperate situation, he finds that he likes her enough to want to entertain her proposal. His father, however, is less than charmed that Phoebe is already pregnant and views it as a sign that she would bed-hop like his former wife did. But Hugh feels she meets the criteria he has, and maybe knowing she is pregnant with another man's child will help him remain detached so he does not risk loving her. But what will happen when he begins to feel more for her than he wants to? And when Phoebe's family and the former man in her life attempt to intervene, will he fight for the woman he has come to care for, or will he see it as a way of getting out before it's too late for him to rein his growing feelings in?

What I liked:
--- The story was different from what I usually read - I don't normally like romances where the h is already pregnant before meeting the H, but I love Stacy Reid's books, so I am glad I gave it a try because I did enjoy it
--- STEAMY GOODNESS

What I didn't like as much:
--- Phoebe was a little immature at times, and Hugh was a little overly stubborn
--- There were a few times that I felt the story dragged a little, but it picked up and took off soon enough

Overall, I enjoyed this light and steamy story, though there was a little more angst than I tend to enjoy. While this book is part of a series, it is easily enjoyed as a standalone.

Plot --- 4/5
Main Characters --- 4/5
Supporting Cast --- 4/5
Steam Level* --- 4/5
Violence --- none I can recall
Language --- not egregious
POV --- 3rd

*Note that steam level is not a rating so much as a how hot was it: 0/5 - clean; 1/5 - mild; 2/5 - sensual but nothing descriptive; 3/5 - now we're getting somewhere; 4/5 - yes please! (erotica territory); 5/5 - they did EVERYTHING in this one, y'all

Please note that I received an advance copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This was good. I've wanted Phoebe's story for a while. Hugh and Phoebe had  LOT to work through. And I felt their troubles were unique to a Historical Romance.

4.5 stars

Lady Phoebe Maitland doesn’t foresee any problems with marrying her long time instructor and friend, George, but she is very much mistaken.  Her father, the Duke of Salop, has no intention of permitting his daughter to marry a nobody.  When George is bought off, right in front of Phoebe, she is crushed.  She is also desperate to find another husband, someone other than the elderly widower her parents have selected.  Phoebe has been corresponding with a mysterious gentleman who advertised in the newspaper for a wife with certain specific qualifications.  Since the mystery man sought a businesslike marriage, Phoebe decides to travel to Scotland to propose marriage in person.

Hugh Winthrop, heir to the Earl of Albury, wants to marry to please his dying father.  Hugh’s mother deserted them, leaving both men leery of love.  With his father urging him to make a sensible choice, Hugh decided to advertise.  His original rather cold advertisement caused Phoebe to reply, not as an applicant, but as a critic.  She chastised Hugh for not seeking love, and they began a correspondence which evolved into a strange kind of friendship.  When Phoebe shows up unexpectedly, and more startlingly, proposes, Hugh takes her in.  They agree to marry, each knowing the truth about the other.  Hugh doesn’t want love, and Phoebe is suffering the consequences of loving a man unwisely.

Hugh has been mute since birth, though his family and servants have learned much of the sign language he uses to communicate.  Phoebe is very willing to learn, and hopes to make their marriage a good one, maybe even leading to love down the road.  Despite his own resolve, Hugh is becoming very fond of Phoebe, as she is of him.  Their passion for each other and their genuine affection have laid the foundation for a solid future.  Then her family intrudes in a most horrible way, bringing back all the feelings of betrayal that Hugh felt as a boy when his mother left.  It now seems that their promising future has become the cold, businesslike marriage Hugh originally wanted.

Hugh is a dear man, one trying only to protect his own heart.  He’s always kind, and treats Phoebe with respect and generosity.  Though he has heard himself ridiculed over the years, mocked for being unable to speak, he didn’t let that define him.  I would have liked to see some genuine interaction with his wayward mother, who still is apparently a darling of Scottish society.  Phoebe is only nineteen, and her early actions really showed her youth and naivete, but I love how she matured and became steadfast in her actions.  WHEN THE EARL MET HIS MATCH is extremely well written, with great lead characters and a warm and touching romance.  It’s listed as part of the Wedded By Scandal series, but easily reads as a standalone.  Recommended for all historical romance fans.

What a beautiful read!  
Phoebe is a headstrong, independent heroine who has a robust joie de vivre.  In fact, this is what has gotten her in a pickle.  Hugh is a strong, silent hero who has withdrawn from the ton because of family circumstances.  But he is needing to marry to please his ailing father, hence the marriage of convenience trope.  My catnip! 
 Phoebe and Hugh are each other’s ying and yang.  Watching how these two navigate a new relationship and all its emotions was a joy and bought some tears. I am all about the angst which is why I would have liked to have seen a LITTLE more torture for Hugh at the end but there was enough to keep me happy.

Phoebe wax such a strong and bright heroine who ends up
In a marriage of convenience with Hugh. Hugh is such a great cutie patootie... I loved this duke!!!! Stacey Reid knows how I like my historical romances and this was no exception!! Bantery, brazen and beautiful story!!

Pheobe doesn't want the marriage arrangement that her parents made for her. She's strong, independent, and wants to follow her own path. Hugh decides to advertise for a wife in the London paper instead of courting someone at the ton events. He's tough on the outside but is unaware that he's actually a cinnamon roll. They have a marriage of convenience that ends up meaning so much more. 

This was a wonderful and refreshing historical romance. It was a page-turner with characters that you instantly fell in love with. I adore Stacy Reid's books. This is only my second of her books but she has become an auto-buy author for me and I intend to read all of her backlists.

Review excerpted from my blog post at The Titillated Termagant (https://titillatedtermagant.wordpress.com/2020/10/05/when-the-earl-met-his-match-by-stacy-reid/)

My Rating: 3.5 stars

Library recommendation: Recommended for public library historical romance collections.

Warning: Hereafter, you chance spoilers. I will try never to reveal major plot points, but to review any book, you must reveal some parts of the story. 

 
___________________
 

Number of titles I have read by this author: 1

Love story speed: Slowish burn

Relationship dynamics: The Mute Lord (H) / The Disgraced Lady on the Run (h)

Physical descriptions: Phoebe: 5’3″ tall, brown eyes, light brown hair, petite; Hugh: black hair and blue eyes

Sexual content: Some; on-page and explicit

Triggers: Parental abandonment (of H)

Grammar/Editing: This ARC had many omitted words, some typos and word choice issues; there was also confusion regarding peerage titles for one character – I hope that all of these are cleared up in the final release because there are enough errors in the ARC that it was distracting.

Review: This is a medium-paced book set in 1817 Scotland and Derbyshire. There are geographical factual errors, such as the use of the modern name for China that only came into being in 1912 (People’s Republic of China). We don’t see enough of society or setting outside of estates to really get a sense of the level of research for the setting, otherwise.

Hugh (potentially called Ambrose at some point, based on one significant typo) and Phoebe are the main characters of this novel. At the risk of violating my usual “minimal spoiler” review policy, this plot includes a pregnancy and parenthood narrative where the hero isn’t the biological father of the baby – if this trope isn’t your thing, this isn’t the book for you because it is central to the narrative, and it’s not mentioned in the book’s blurb. It seems cheeky to mention that much of the tension in the plot can be attributed to problems with communication, but it is a significant problem that does not stem from the characters’ inability to do so. The characters just do not communicate some things well to one another. That being said, the author does an admirable job of pulling at the heartstrings of the reader when the characters just can’t seem to meet in the middle. I did enjoy the concept and development of the hero – I just wish that we had encountered him in a different scenario – because I am one of those individuals who wouldn’t have read the book if I know about the pregnancy plot.

The supporting characters are mostly peripheral in this novel. I get the feeling that we may have been expected to know more about them because this is book 4 in the series. However, you can still read this as a standalone. I just think that you sacrifice some character depth, rather than plot points, if you pick this up without reading the others. That being said, I think that I can see who will be featured in Book 5, if this series should continue, and I was sufficiently invested in those characters to pick up their book, should their story be written.

 

Full disclosure: I received a free advance review copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When Lady Phoebe Maitland's expectation of marrying for love is shattered by the object of her affections (and her parents), she turns to the mysterious author of an advertisement for a wife in the paper. What starts as a series of letters questioning each other's integrity turns to a marriage of convenience that neither Phoebe, nor the Earl, Hugh Winthrop, could have imagined.

Earlier in the year I read my first Stacy Reid historical romance, My Darling Duke, and enjoyed it enough that I wanted to try some more of her writing, so I was very excited to receive this review copy from Netgalley.

Lady Phoebe Maitland comes from a prominent family and has always had hopes of marrying the man that she loves - her music tutor. But when he comes to ask for her hand in marriage, her parents are quick to dismiss him as below her station and completely disregard any affection between them and pay him off (to which the man in question accepts). This completely disabuses Phoebe of the notion of love and in need of protection from her family, she runs away to the home of the author of an advertisement she'd seen in the paper, one seeking a wife. She'd previously exchanged correspondence with the man, calling into question his integrity for such an advert, but realises that she could possibly call upon him for protection and so she does.

What she discovers is not what she expected - the man in question, Hugh Winthrop, is the son of an Earl and about to inherit. Not only that, he's been unable to speak since birth and communicates through sign language and letters. Intrigued by the headstrong Lady Phoebe, Hugh accepts her proposal of a marriage of convenience - it'll keep his dying father off his back and keep her (and her secret) safe.

The story was entertaining and kept my attention, especially as Phoebe and Hugh have to learn how to communicate with one another - and not just in a regular miscommunication trope fashion, they have the physical barrier of Hugh not being able to speak, and being fairly isolated as a result. The tension is built up not only by this need to learn about each other, but also by Phoebe's secret and the building tension that maybe this marriage of convenience might actually have the groundings for a solid relationship, too.

Throw in Hugh's cantankerous, aging father and free-spirited younger sister you have an enjoyable cast of characters who all need to learn to grow and be sympathetic to one another.

If you're looking for your next historical romance, this is worth checking out.

My Thoughts:
A beautiful, unexpected POV and unique fresh air to the historical romance genre.

Stacy Reid crafts her magic infusing a fresher air adding realistic and unique issues to her historical love story.
A fierce, independent, intelligent heroine leaps from the pages but also the meaning of what love should be. While our hero exhibits a phase we only read about it on the woman sides. He lacks the interest of loving because of the example his parents set with their marriage.

WHEN THE EARL MET HIS MATCH, is yet another example of how love and relationships aren't so easy now as we can always find one in the relationship that really believes marriage and happy endings don't exist anymore.

while Phoebe was brave to take steps Hugh showcases a not very interested to claim what is his or to show his emotions. Through the pages, they grow and develop something special. However, be ready to read a lot of angst and it could feel a bit slow sometimes as it centers just about then and Hugh's issues with love, and those moments are going to break your heart I can assure it.

Overall, I liked it very much. The incredible uniqueness of this story stands out and that's for sure.

Hugh & Phoebe are refreshing and addictive!!!
Stacy Reid is phenomenal with her stories!


***I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story.***