It took me a while to get into this book, but once I did I stayed up all night to complete it. The main reasons for that belong to our two leads - Phoebe and Hugh. Firstly, one of the leads had a disability that I am seeing for the first time in a HisRom that isn't temporary or magically fixed. Secondly, both of them were just so soft. LOL. I loved Phoebe's character so much. She was bold and not just content to do nothing given the hard lessons she had to learn. It also did not make her cynical. Hugh tried to come off as all cold and standoffish but I totally loved (thanks Stacy) that he never crossed the line into being a jerk. They were both just really good people and their chemistry was so sweet.

On the cons side there were some issues with continuity that sometimes took me out of the scene. I hope they get fixed before the book gets published.

Overall, this was a very sweet book. It's 4th in a series and although I have read all the others (How to Marry a Marquess is a huge fav), this is a total stand-alone.

*Thanks NetGalley and Entangled for the ARC* ( )

The previous three books in this series were OK, but didn't live up to the level of enjoyment I usually get from Reid's books. This one finally grabbed me and is more along those lines. This hero *also* has strong 'anti-falling in love' sentiments, but he seemed more obviously a very good person at heart. Although he was cold sometimes, trying to avoid those pesky emotions!, he wasn't ever cruel like the last hero could verge into. I really enjoyed their relationship, and most of the book is just the two of them interacting, no murder plot or great periods spent apart. Very nice. ( )

Forced to flee!

A marriage of convenience trope that has a few interesting twists. Hugh Winthrop, the future Earl of Albury responds to his father's prompting to find a wife. He advertises in the newspaper, and a bantering conversation opens up between him and anonymous lady sender.
Lady Phoebe Maitland is doing all she can to avoid an arranged marriage. I must say I totally disliked Phoebe's parents. Phoebe is sister to Richard the Marquess Westfall, whom we met in the very enjoyable "How to Marry a Marquess." Phoebe is forced to flee to her correspondent, Hugo, seeking safety and marriage under his terms. Mind you he doesn't expect her to arrive on his doorstep! We find out why Hugh eschews society. Playing into this, I loved the serendipity around Phoebe gaining a dog and how that played out. Nicely done! Of course their budding relationship leads to all sorts challenges, with more than heavy breathing. This after all is a marriage--with a slow burn.
I was really struck by the flute inclusion. An amazing vignette that showed Hugh's ability to look for alternative methods of communication. And I can't even begin to tell you my delight by the pictures painted in my imagination with the lanterns.
Another super chapter in the Wedded by Scandal series from Stacy Reid with some interesting twists!
An engaging read!

An Entangled Publishing, LLC ARC via NetGalley ( )

When the Earl Met His Match by Stacy Reid
Wedded by Scandal Series #4

Smiling as I finished this book – just what I needed today! Still smiling as I think back on the story and remember so many of the positives and how they took me away from the lack of internet, phones down, fires raging, political shenanigans and being so far from family. Yes, this was the perfect book for me to read today!

What I liked:
* Lady Phoebe Maitland: a bit naïve at the beginning of the book but all grown up by the end. From a good family with high expectations for her…one of which were her own. Capable of making tough choices and willing to do what it took to preserve herself and those she loved. I really liked Phoebe.
* Hugh Winthrop: a viscount who would be Earl before the end of the story. A child raised to follow duty, honor and his father’s wishes eschewing, sentiment, emotion, and love. He, too, grew in this book finding what was truly important.
* The story and the way it was written
* The way the story made me care, feel, and want the couple to have their HEA.
* Wolf: a special dog :)
* The complexity of the story
* That eventually there was a HEA and that it felt so good when it finally came about.
* Wondering about: Hug’s mother and what really happened, where Hug’s brother William is, wanting to hear the stories of how Caroline and William will find their own partners, wondering what will happen to Viscount Malfoy.

What I did not like:
* Phoebe’s parents – seemed despicable to me to care more about prestige, power and position than about their daughter’s happiness.
* The warped attitude Hugh’s father instilled in him though the father did have redeeming qualities.

Did I enjoy this book? YES!
Would I read more in this series? Definitely!

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars ( )

4.25/5 stars!

Both the hero and the heroine has to marry in the future. To stop her parents' marital machinations, the heroine made a decisive action that has consequences and brings her to the hero to ask for protection in exchange for a marriage of convenience. Thus the story shows the hurdles the couple face in the journey of love.

I truly like the author's writing style. It made the whole story flow quite well, and made the characters likable. Even though I didn't like some trope traits (nothing against the author, just my own personal preference) the author made the story quite enjoyable, from the flights of the heroine to the satisfactory ending of the book. This book won't be the last Stacy Reid book I read, and I look forward to more books by the author in the future.

Overall, this book has likable characters and an ending I'm quite pleased with. I would definitely recommend this to readers who love historical romances.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.** ( )