From Publishers Weekly
Sparkling with Michaels's characteristically droll repartee and lovable lead characters, this Regency-set romance enchants with its skillful treatment of a familiar formula. Kipp Rutland, the Viscount Willoughby, promised his mother on her deathbed that he would marry and secure the family line. An irresistibly dashing man who possesses a surprising intellect, Kipp nevertheless believes that he will be content marrying a striking yet dim-witted debutante. His best friend, Brady, knows otherwise and successfully manipulates Kipp into a marriage of convenience with the level-headed Abigail Backworth-Maldon, a young widow whose husband's ferocious gambling and scandalous demise have branded her in the eyes of the society. Abigail hopes her marriage will relieve her of having to manage her eccentric family, but she soon finds that they won't let go so easily. As Abigail and Kipp struggle to fend off her family and one of Kipp's ex-lovers, their friendship slowly blossoms into love. The chemistry between Abigail and Kipp is convincing, but even more impressive is the strong cast of supporting characters (some of whom readers will recognize from Waiting for You and Indiscreet), who add humor and depth to the breezy narrative.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Abby Backworth-Maldon is beginning to regret her decision to save her deceased husband's broke and dim-witted family. Although she is only 23, she has no wish to remarry, since her husband gambled away his family's fortune and died while climbing out another woman's window. Considering her limited options in Regency England, Abby decides to find a man with more money than brains to marry her niece, Edwardine. Viscount Willoughby, called Kipp, has his own pragmatic reasons for seeking a wife: the woman he loves is married and he doesn't want pity from his friends. He thinks any wife will do, but when he meets Edwardine he realizes that he will go insane if he marries someone like her. Abby seems a better prospect, and she agrees, seeing him as a means to solvency and not displeased by his good looks. Both get more than they bargained for, and Michaels' lively and witty tale will bring a smile to any historical romance fan.
Patty EngelmannCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
