cover image A Gypsy at Almack's

A Gypsy at Almack's

Chloe Cheshire. St. Martin's Press, $18.95 (246pp) ISBN 978-0-312-08805-7

This debut Regency novel is a sprightly, amusing tale of manners and romance. Completing her third unsuccessful London season, overweight and overemphatic Lucy Saint-Clair seems unlikely ever to find a husband among the society eligibles, who prefer vapid, delicate, retiring young women. In desperation, Lucy's godmother, Tabitha Teale, seeks help from her brother, the dissolute but socially powerful Lord Rune, begging him to spark some interest from potential suitors by publicly paying attention to Lucy. The bored Rune agrees against his better judgment and, to his surprise, finds Lucy refreshingly unique; her honesty and directness both appall and delight him. His interest in life renewed, Rune undertakes Lucy's social advancement while she, predictably, falls in love with him. Readers will easily guess the outcome, but Chesire makes it all good fun with her well-rounded characters, witty dialogue and vivid descriptions. ( Jan. )