May 4, 2020
Allain (The Celebrated Pedestrian) delights with a Regency rom-com about the perils of finding a spouse based on the requirements of a list. The Hon. Jeremy Malcolm, second son of the Earl of Kilbourne, has a list of qualities he’s looking for in a wife, among them “has genteel relations” and “converses in a sensible fashion.” When spurned Julia Thistlewaite learns of this list, she assumes it’s the reason Jeremy rejected her and plots her revenge. Julia invites her friend Selina Dalton, a vicar’s daughter, to London, planning to tailor her to Jeremy’s list, attract his attention, and then reject him for failing to meet the qualifications of her own list. Selina initially goes along with Julia’s prank, knowing it’s her only chance to experience London society and taking Julia’s word that Jeremy deserves to be brought down a peg. But upon meeting and clicking with Jeremy, Selina starts to have doubts. Jeremy invites Selena and Julia to a house party at his country estate and the pair grows even closer. But when Jeremy learns of Selina and Julia’s prank, his anger and disdain for Selina halts their courtship. Allain’s characters are witty and appealing, and the sizzle between Jeremy and Selina is convincing. This effervescent love story is a charmer. Agent: Stefanie Lieberman, Janklow & Nesbit.
July 1, 2020
The Honorable Jeremy Malcolm isn't an earl or a duke, but he's nevertheless the catch of the season and thus besieged by fortune-hunting potential brides. To aid his search for a love match, Malcolm creates a list of qualities he's looking for, allowing for an objective approach to courting. When Julia Thistlewaite discovers Malcolm has spurned her with his list, she enacts revenge by inviting former school friend Selina Dalton to give him a taste of his own medicine. Selina, a vicar's daughter, believes she's unlikely to impress Malcolm and agrees to Julia's schemes in exchange for an introduction to London society. But the lovely Selina is meeting all of Malcolm's qualifications, and finding Malcolm as equally pleasing, she is sure Julia will understand. But Julia's desire for payback is greater than Selina realized and soon there are hurt feelings on all sides. VERDICT With a feature film already in the works, building on a script also written by Allain (Incognito), this captivating Regency is sure to be oft-requested and relished by fans of the period.--Kellie Tilton, Univ. of Cincinnati, Blue Ash
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Starred review from August 1, 2020
In 1818, Miss Selina Dalton was a lady's companion before heading to London at the invitation of her school friend, Miss Julia Thistlewaite, but Julia has ulterior motives. Julia wants Selina's help in exposing Mr. Jeremy Malcolm to public ridicule after she failed to meet his list of requirements for a suitable wife. Selina isn't one to scheme, and maybe Mr. Malcolm is actually nice, and maybe this comedy of errors could turn into a happy ending for everyone. By focusing on a few well-developed characters, screenwriter and debut romance writer Allain make it easy for readers to become emotionally engaged in the progress of these friendships and budding romantic relationships. She also provides a cheeky look at the different expectations placed on men versus women during the Regency Era, revealing the limitations society accords individuals in terms of their family connections and personal wealth and education. Both general fiction readers and romance fans looking for a story that will transport them to another time and place, seeking new fictional friends, or hoping to watch characters grow more self-aware and compassionate will revel in this smart love story.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)