Confessions from an Arranged Marriage

Neville follows 2011’s The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton with an enjoyable but somewhat familiar tale of mismatched Regency-era lovers. Ambitious Minerva Montrose plans to marry a man who will match her own personal political aspirations, but is abruptly derailed when handsome, rakish, politics-ignorant Lord Blakeney mistakes her for his mistress and fondles her in front of witnesses. The two are mutually dismayed to be forced into marriage, and Minerva becomes determined to make Blakeney into the man of her dreams, politically and romantically. The contentious courtship is standard fare and slowed at times by political chatter, but the developing romance is a pleasure to witness, with witty banter and racy love scenes. The gradual discovery of Blakeney’s secret shame is genuine and endearing, making him far more than the standard scurrilous scoundrel. Agent: Meredith Bernstein, Meredith Bernstein Literary Agency. (Apr.)