Starred review from July 6, 2020
A young woman recruits a fake fiancé to avoid an arranged marriage in Bennett’s splendid Regency-set debut, the first in the Misfits of Mayfair series. Lady Charlotte “Lottie” Wentworth, a former debutante whose reputation has been stained with gossip, has little recourse but to marry the man chosen by her father—unless she can convince him she’s already engaged to someone else. The ingenious 26-year-old turns to reformed rogue Lord Ethan “Mac” Amesbury, the man responsible for inciting the rumors about her seven years ago and who is eager to make up for his past mistake—but his increasing desire for her complicates their arrangement. Lottie, meanwhile, is torn between her fear that Mac will again betray her trust and her growing reliance on his kindness and intense attraction to him. Bennett turns a spotlight on the class distinctions and gender restrictions of 1819 England, with a formidable leading lady and a swoon-worthy hero with lower-class roots. Mac is a credible and sympathetic rogue-turned-gentleman whose tumultuous past is neatly woven into the narrative, revealing the reasons for his prior bad behavior. Filled with gripping drama, strong characters, and steamy seduction, this tantalizing story is sure to win the hearts of Regency fans. Agent: Rebecca Strauss, DeFiore and Co.