To Woo a Wicked Widow

In Jaxson’s clunky introduction to the Widows’ Club series, set in Regency-era London, independent widow Lady Charlotte Cavendish sets out to lose the only thing she retained from her marriage: her virginity. Her father married her off to a much older, emotionally abusive man, and Charlotte refuses to entertain thoughts of remarrying. Nash, the Earl of Wrotham, needs a wife and an heir. He’s taken with Charlotte the moment he sees her, but a misunderstanding leaves him believing she deserved her nickname of “the Wicked Widow.” When her father blackmails Nash into courting Charlotte, Nash quickly falls for the headstrong woman, though it’s not clear why or how, since they spend little time together prior to the declaration of love. Meanwhile, Charlotte keeps winding up in sexy situations with another man while claiming she has no interest in him; she does want Nash but refuses to accept his proposals. A dull house party is the backdrop for the antics of the wishy-washy, juvenile heroine. Relationship development is nonexistent, the blackmail is ignored, and, were it not for witty cousin Jane, the story would be void of any real entertainment. Agent: Kathryn Green, Kathryn Green Literary. (Apr.)