Sportochick's Musings: To Catch An Earl by Kate Bateman

Sportochick's Musings ~ This is one of those exciting books that keeps the reader guessing how it will end.

To Catch An Earl

The Bow Street Bachelors #2

by Kate Bateman

Publisher ~ St. Martin's Press

Genres ~ Historical Romance

A case of secret identities finds reunited lovers on opposite sides of the law in this fun, flirty Regency romance.

There's only one case Bow Street agent Alex Harland, Earl of Melton, hasn't cracked: the identity of the mysterious woman who stole a kiss from him before he left for war. He's neither forgotten--nor forgiven--her for leaving him wanting. When he starts investigating the Nightjar, an elusive London jewel thief, he keeps running into the alluring Emmy Danvers, who stirs feelings he hasn't felt in years.

Even though Emmy's loved Alex for years, she can't risk revealing her heart, or her identity as the Nightjar. With Alex on her case, Emmy knows that her secrets are in danger of being discovered. Their cat and mouse game heats up with every interaction, but when Emmy's reputation--and life--is at risk, will Alex realize that some rules are made to be broken for love?

This is one of those exciting books that keeps the reader guessing how it will end. The Prologue did an outstanding job of setting up the storyline that is part of the main story.

Emmy's character is exciting and fun. Her commitment to family and keeping promises is commendable. I do find it interesting how she accomplishes all the Nightjar feats set before her and yet she still contains her personal belief system intact.

Luc, Emily's brother plays a key part in this book as he helps her navigate through the danger to their family caused by an unknown blackmailer. His character is well developed and sensitive to his physical limitations due to being wounded at Trafalgar. His frustrations to help due to this physical limitation is handled in a manner that is believable for this reader. For me it was done to perfection.

By far my favorite character in this book is the tortured Alex, he is quite mercurial due to his life experiences and it makes him very desirable. The author does a stellar job of portraying his personality growth changes throughout the book creating in the reader a desire for both he and Emmy to have a HEA.

For me the plot moved smoothly and didn’t have any areas that lacked interest. I was curious to see if Emmy would have the strength to do the right thing and this kept me on the edge of my chair as I read the ending,

This is a book worthy of reading and I give 4.5 stars

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.