THE KISSING GAME

Practical jokers looking to hone their skills for April Fools' day should check out this heartwarming and hilarious Regency-era romance. Michaels's effervescent lark draws readers into the wacky world of the Nesbitts, a poor country family that unexpectedly inherits a title and a huge sum of money when a distant relation dies. Despite the family's elevated status, society still looks down on them, but pert, plain-spoken Allegra Nesbitt couldn't care less—until her prankster father, Oxie, hauls the family to London to find her a husband. Convinced the trip is just another one of Oxie's pranks, Allegra vows to turn the tables on him by finding a man who will pretend to be her beau. She chooses the sinfully rich Armand Gauthier, whose enigmatic past and mischievous streak make him a perfect accomplice as well as a potential amour. In return for Armand's cooperation, Allegra agrees to instruct him on the finer points of pranking, but their teasing banter will elicit more laughs than their simple scams. Oxie's pranks, however, quickly land him in trouble and make for a pleasantly unconventional denouement. Though Allegra can talk readers into a stupor at times, the chemistry between her and Armand crackles, and readers will bask in the warmth of their every encounter. (Mar. 1)