An Unwilling Earl by Sharon Cullen

Jacob Ashland was content with his life as a solicitor and mourning the death of his wife and son. having newly inherited the title of Earl of Ashland he is reluctant to join society. He and his friend consider themselves armchair detectives and they are currently focusing their attention on a serial killer at work on London’s streets. When he is approached to find a missing woman by her aunt he finds himself intrigued.

Charlotte Morris has lived with her aunt by marriage and cousin from a young age. her aunt is a strict bitter woman and her cousin is a strange individual. Charlotte has seen him do some odd and disgusting things. when her maid and confidante disappears she flees fearing the worst.  masquerading as a boy she is living in the slums of London when she comes in contact with Jacob. Her plan is to travel to America to escape her family and when Jaacob offers his aid she finds herself living in his home.

Jacob knows there is more to Charlotte’s story than she has revealed and he does not believe she has thought through her plan to travel to America. Sparks fly between the two but with danger lurking around the corner they find themselves married but will be as temporary as Charlotte intends?

I enjoyed this Victorian romance. the early criminology theories were an interesting aspect that I enjoyed reading. while I found Charlotte to be an inconsistent character I loved Jacob. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery.

I received an arc of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. all thoughts an opinions are my own.