Never Dare a Wicked Earl

Miller makes a lackluster debut with the first Infamous Lords novel, set in Victorian London. Hayden Milton, Earl of Westfield, has worked hard for his reputation as a wicked man, starting by abandoning his wife and their newborn child in favor of having indiscreet affairs. The party ends when his latest ex-lover shoots him. Sophia Camden is the third person hired to care for him during his recovery and the first to stick around. She dares Hayden to give her a trial period: if she lasts 10 days, Hayden must support her quest to change the laws so women can become doctors. What begins as a rambunctious battle of wills grows into an accidental flirtation, but it becomes a meandering mess when Hayden and Sophia both chase flimsy schemes and pointless miscommunications down a frustrating path to final understanding. There’s potential for the series to grow into something fun and charming, but this introduction fails to deliver on much of its opening promise. Agent: Jill Marsal, Marsal Lyon Literary. (Feb.)