Wicked Earl Seeks Proper Heiress: The Husband Hunters Club

By Sara Bennett

Sara Bennett concludes her fan-favorite Husband Hunters series with an earl, an heiress, and an accidental attraction . . .

Too wicked for proper society and in dire financial straits, Rufus Blainey, the Earl of Southbrook, knows but one solution: to marry an heiress. So when innocent and beautiful Lady Averil Martindale waltzes into his life, Rufus can't imagine a more perfect scenario: woo her, win her, bankrupt her.

Averil has no intention of spending her life or her money alone. An orphan, she's determined to find her lost half sister and reclaim what little family she has left. When Rufus offers to help locate the elusive girl, Averil is grateful and more than a little intrigued by the handsome, dashing rogue.

Everything is going according to Rufus's plan. That is until, despite his best efforts, he begins to fall totally, madly, sincerely in love with Averil . . . but will she marry him once she learns the truth?

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Feb 25, 2014
• ISBN: 9780062293015

Sara Bennett

Sara Bennett has always had an interest in history, and to survive a series of mind-numbing jobs, she turned to writing historical romance. She lives in an old house, with her husband and animals too numerous to mention, in the state of Victoria, Australia, where she tries to keep the house and garden tidy, but rarely succeeds—she'd rather be writing or reading.

Reviews for Wicked Earl Seeks Proper Heiress

[reesa00 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This book started out with so much promise. I read the first two chapters and loved them. The hero helps the heroine out of a jam and we learn a lot about him as he is also protecting his uncle and son. A great beginning. Unfortunately the book becomes a mess after that. Too many plot lines that go no where and secondary characters whose plotlines are dead ends. I kept hoping the book would return to the strength of its beginning. Such a disappointment...

[addictofromance · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Averil is out searching for her sister, that she only knew as a infant. With her parents gone, she knows that it is up to her to find her long lost sister. Averil is a heiress but the only way to access her fortune is to marry or wait until she comes of age. Averil is determined to find the only family she has left. One evening while on the streets searching, her companion, abandons her, and she is left to fend for herself, Then she is rescued by Rufus, the Earl of Southbrook. Rufus has come to London to find his gambling uncle and his son. When he comes across Averil, he can't abandon her, so since their destination is the same whorehouse, each looking for someone, they head over together. When Rufus learns of Averil's search, he decides to help her. Rufus feels a drawing attraction to Averil, and even though is uncle is pushing him to court and marry her for her money, he wants her more than that. But with a crumbling castle, and a uncle and a young son to look after, he may not have a choice but to marry her. But what will Averil do when she learns the truth about his true intentions?I have been a fan of this author for quite some time, but I actually haven't read this series. I have read many of her older titles, which I have immensely enjoyed. But for some reason I have lost touch with her latest series. So when I saw this title being offered on Edelweiss in exchange for a honest review, I knew that this was a book I would really like, especially since I have loved every one of Bennett's books that I have had the opportunity to read. As I started reading it, I was a little anxious, hoping that Sara Bennett hadn't lost her touch, and after finishing it, I have to say she hasn't. I was intrigued from the very first page. The story starts off with Rufus racing to London to retrieve his uncle who tenders to gamble too much, that now he will have to marry or sell everything to survive. We see a glorious man in Rufus, one who is scarred inside and out, and I admired him for his strength, and you gain a deeper respect for Rufus as the story continues. Averil is his perfect match, her life has been full of struggle at times as well, From the moment of their first moment, there is a sense of comfortable interaction, there is a attraction, but a friendship quickly builds between the two. The mystery involved in find Averil's sister is ongoing through the story, and definitely adds a air of intrigue and fascinationThis story is fun, adventurous, and romantic enough to curl your toes. A charming story of love and sacrifice. Witty and full of charm and tenderness!!

[gpangel_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Wicked Earl Seeks Proper Heiress ( The Husband Hunters Club #5) by Sara Bennett is a February 2014 Avon publication. I as provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.Although Lady Averil is a member of The Husband Hunters Club she has managed to keep from naming the man she wants to marry... until now. Her fellow club members have had enough of her excuses and insist she start naming names. Eventually, she confesses an attraction to Rufus Blainey, the Earl of Southbrook. The Earl is dark and mysterious, having done something that cast him out of the upper crust of society. He also bears a scar on his face that is rumored to have been the result of a duel. When Averil and her cousin need help with the home they run for women in crisis, Rufus volunteers. One evening, Averil follows the private detective she hired to find her sister into an unsavory gambling establishment following a promising lead. She runs into Lord Southbrook who is there to locate his young son who had followed his Uncle James there under the guise of keeping his uncle out of trouble. When Rufus learns that Averil is seeking her long lost sister, he agrees to look into the matter for her. But, James has another suggestion for Rufus. The beautiful Lady Averil is about to come into a large inheritance. Rufus is in dire straits money wise and his castle is in a sad state of disrepair. If Rufus were to marry Averil all his troubles would be over. After a battle with his conscience, Rufus knows James is right. He just can't get comfortable with the idea of marrying Averil for her money. The more time Averil spends with Rufus the more she likes him. She learns about his first marriage the blame placed on him by her family. She adores the Earl's son and is very grateful for the help Rufus has offered to the home and in helping find her sister. But does the Earl feel the same way about Averil or is he simply doing what is best for his fortune and his son's future? Will Averil ever locate her sister? This regency romance is a quick easy read. I liked the characters, all of whom had a flaw in their characters. Averil was distrustful after her mother left her, Rufus of course had a terrible marriage and was cast from society, James has a gambling issue and can't keep his mouth closed. Averil's cousin is also conflicted as rumors are started about him and he finds his reputation on the line. The secondary characters are also very important to the story as some are good and some are not, some are innocent and some naive. While this novel is a standard historical romance with the usual misunderstandings and angst, I sitll found myself absorbed in the story . If you are looking for a traditional regency romance this one should fit the bill for you. Overall I will give this on a B- or 3.5 stars