Must Love Dukes

Michels’s first Regency-era Tricks of the Ton novel gleams with humor and romance. Miss Lillian Phillips has always wanted more independence, but she’s shocked by her own behavior when she picks up a man in a tavern, spends the night in his bed, and steals his pocket watch. A year later, they meet in London and Lily discovers that her conquest, Devon Grey, is the “Mad Duke” of Thornwood. Devon promises to keep their history a secret if Lily will participate in his tricks, which result in humiliation for the horrible suitors her brother has picked for her. As Devon and Lily realize that they truly enjoy each other’s company, Lily must decide whether Devon really loves her or is just another man who wants to use her. Michels’s fast-paced debut is sweet and rarely explicit, and she accurately depicts the difficulties faced by 19th-century aristocratic women. (Feb.)