Fast and Fastidious

Caldwell’s delightful debut mashes up a swoony Regency romance with a high-octane racing adventure. In 1810, with the Napoleonic wars raging on the continent, conscientious Lucy Elliot is safe in England, where she secretly attends illicit carriage races under cover of night. Since such behavior isn’t proper for a lady of Lucy’s pedigree, she ensures that her presence at the Night Races never crosses over into her prim daily life. One evening, however, Lucy’s handsome new neighbor, Captain Dashwood joins the Night Races and recruits Lucy as his messenger. Though Lucy has long considered romance beneath her, she can’t help being swept away by Dashwood’s appreciation of her wit and racing knowledge. As Lucy’s affection for Dashwood deepens, she seeks to unravel the mystery of his sudden appearance at Elsworth Manor and his possible involvement with a string of coach robberies in the area. Caldwell captivates from the first page, spinning an escapist tale that will thrill fans of Bridgerton and other, similarly irreverent takes on Austenesque romance. Readers will eagerly anticipate the author’s next outing. (Apr.)