Lies Jane Austen Told Me

Wright (Victoria’s Promise) does contemporary romance right in this diverting novel that takes the famous words of the queen mother of romance novels and throws them back in her face. L.A. marketing executive Emma Pierce has read every Jane Austen book cover to cover, but has failed to find her perfect Mr. Darcy. When she catches soon-to-be-ex Blake grilling fish (not a euphemism) with another woman, she gives up on following Austen’s advice or seeking romantic companionship, and decides to instead take this opportunity to reexamine and recalculate her priorities. That lasts only as long as it takes her to meet Blake’s brother, Lucas. Even as she falls in love with him, she can’t get past one incongruity in his otherwise spotless behavior. As for Lucas, he’s holding back in deference to Blake’s sincere regret for hurting Emma, whom he claims to still love. True love manages to surmount these hurdles in this enjoyable story with just enough heft. Agent: Sara Crowe, Pippin Properties. (Nov.)