I received this book for free from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

The Earl in My Bed by Sophie Jordan
Published by Harper Collins on February 5, 2013
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Historical / 20th Century, Fiction / Romance / Historical / American, Fiction / Romance / Historical / General, Fiction / Romance / Historical / Medieval, Fiction / Romance / Historical / Regency, Fiction / Romance / Historical / Victorian, Fiction / Romance / New Adult, Fiction / Short Stories (single author), Fiction / Women
Pages: 128
Format: ARC, eBook
Source: Edelweiss
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

The Earl in My Bed, a Valentine novella from New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan, is a lively, sexy historical romance that bridges Lessons from a Scandalous Bride and the final installment of the popular Forgotten Princesses series.
 
All her life, everyone assumed Paget Ellsworth, the vicar’s daughter, would marry the Earl of Winningham's youngest son. And when he left for war with his older brother, Jamie, words and promises were not necessary.
 
Four years pass and the death of his father forces Jamie home to take up the reins as the new earl, leaving his brother fighting on the front lines a world away. Maddening, infuriating, sexy Jamie makes her question her feelings. One glimpse, one word from him, awakens desire in her heart. When a simple kiss spirals out of control at the annual Valentine's Day ball, she realizes the man she never wanted is the man she needs... Will Paget cast aside all she's ever thought to be true to win the man of her dreams?

 bRating: ★★★☆☆

Buy on Amazon | View on Goodreads

---

ABOUT THE BOOK

Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Romance, Novella

Tropes: Friends to Lovers, Secret Crush, Love Triangle, Valentine’s Day Romance

Series: Forgotten Princesses (#2.5)

Steam Level: 🌶️🌶️

Length: Novella (~100 pages)

The Earl in My Bed is a bittersweet tale of timing, love, and emotional restraint set during a snowy Valentine’s season in Regency England. This short novella is part of Sophie Jordan’s Forgotten Princesses series, and gives readers a glimpse into the complexity of old friendships, hidden longing, and romantic sacrifice.

---

THE STORY

“I received this book from Edelweiss and the publisher for my honest review.”

I found this to be a very good book with a meaningful underlying theme: don’t judge a book by its cover—or a person by your assumptions.

Jamie, Paget, Owen, and Brand grew up like siblings. Brand, the golden youngest child. Owen, the war-touched brother. Paget, the family friend and intended fiancée. And Jamie—the middle son, caught between titles, expectations, and invisibility.

As the years pass and tragedy strikes, Jamie inherits the title of Earl, bringing him back into Paget’s world. What unfolds is a tender story about unspoken affection, guilt, and honor. Jamie has always secretly loved Paget, but never acted on it, knowing she was meant for someone else. When Owen returns from war, emotionally scarred but clinging to the idea of marrying Paget, both she and Jamie must decide if duty is stronger than desire.

For a novella, this book packs a lot of emotional weight. The tension is subtle but ever-present, and you can’t help but feel for both Jamie and Paget as they navigate grief, love, and loyalty.

---

THE CHARACTERS

Jamie: A middle son turned earl, Jamie is deeply introspective. His struggle for acceptance—within his family and within himself—makes him easy to root for.

Paget: Warm, thoughtful, and emotionally torn between loyalty to Owen and affection for Jamie. Her internal conflict is relatable.

Owen: Haunted by war, Owen’s role is heartbreaking. His desire to hold onto Paget speaks more to what he’s lost than what he wants.

The characters are nuanced and realistic, which is no small feat in a shorter work.

---

STEAMOMETER

2/5 – Gentle and Emotional

This is not a steamy novella, but the romantic tension builds beautifully. The intimacy comes more from emotional closeness than physical scenes, which fits the tone of the story.

---

OVERALL THOUGHTS

This novella may be short, but it’s poignant. The emotional triangle between Jamie, Paget, and Owen is respectful and restrained, showing the quiet heartache of people trying to do the right thing—even if it means sacrificing their own happiness.

While it didn’t blow me away with action or twists, the writing was touching and layered. The central message about identity, love, and personal worth resonated. After reading The Earl in My Bed, I’m definitely interested in reading more of the Forgotten Princesses series.

A solid 3-star read for fans of historical romance who enjoy character-driven novellas that tug at the heartstrings.

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sophie Jordan is a New York Times bestselling author known for her compelling characters and emotional storytelling. She writes across genres, including historical romance, YA, and paranormal. Her Forgotten Princesses series blends royal intrigue, passionate characters, and emotional growth.y Sophie Jordan