Mr. Malcolm’s List

Allain (The Celebrated Pedestrian) delights with a Regency rom-com about the perils of finding a spouse based on the requirements of a list. The Hon. Jeremy Malcolm, second son of the Earl of Kilbourne, has a list of qualities he’s looking for in a wife, among them “has genteel relations” and “converses in a sensible fashion.” When spurned Julia Thistlewaite learns of this list, she assumes it’s the reason Jeremy rejected her and plots her revenge. Julia invites her friend Selina Dalton, a vicar’s daughter, to London, planning to tailor her to Jeremy’s list, attract his attention, and then reject him for failing to meet the qualifications of her own list. Selina initially goes along with Julia’s prank, knowing it’s her only chance to experience London society and taking Julia’s word that Jeremy deserves to be brought down a peg. But upon meeting and clicking with Jeremy, Selina starts to have doubts. Jeremy invites Selena and Julia to a house party at his country estate and the pair grows even closer. But when Jeremy learns of Selina and Julia’s prank, his anger and disdain for Selina halts their courtship. Allain’s characters are witty and appealing, and the sizzle between Jeremy and Selina is convincing. This effervescent love story is a charmer. Agent: Stefanie Lieberman, Janklow & Nesbit. (July)