Ne’er Duke Well

An American in London pairs with a seemingly respectable lady with a licentious secret in the captivating first Belvoir’s Library Regency from Vasti (the Halifax Hellions series). New Orleans native Peter Kent never expected to inherit a British dukedom, but now that he has, he’s determined to use the position to care for his recently discovered young half siblings. Kent faces some hurdles to becoming their guardian, however, due to his foreign status and outspoken views on abolition. Kent turns to his only ally, the esteemed Lady Selina Ravenscroft, to improve his standing in British society and find a suitable wife. Selina quickly realizes that she herself is the best candidate for the marriage of convenience—but she has a secret: she is the purveyor of a clandestine library of pornographic literature to enlighten and titillate her fellow society women. If the truth comes out, it could destroy both her and Kent’s reputations and snuff out their burgeoning mutual attraction. The plot feels fresh and exciting with tension and tenderness stemming from Selina’s dual identity and Kent’s dedication to his tween siblings. As hot as it is heartfelt, this will have historical romance fans hooked. Agent Jessica Alvarez, Bookends Literary. (July)