Meet Me in London

A fake engagement between a department store heir and an up-and-coming fashion designer turns all too real in this charming Christmas rom-com from British reality TV star Toffolo (Always Smiling). Oliver Russell’s father is seriously ill, causing his high-strung mother to direct her anxiety at Oliver’s love life. But Oliver’s so busy taking over the family business and fixing the mess his cousin Andrew made by opening a new store in London’s Chelsea neighborhood, that he doesn’t have time to date, let alone marry and produce the requested grandkids. He drunkenly proposes to his local bartender, Victoria Scott, and, after he proves his good-heartedness by following her advice to reach out to the tight-knight Chelsea community, Victoria agrees to be his fake fiancé for the holiday season. Their burgeoning intimacy stirs up Victoria’s insecurities about her infertility in a nuanced subplot that unfortunately goes unresolved after Andrew threatens to reveal this information to Oliver and his parents. Readers will be frustrated that Andrew never receives his comeuppance, but armchair travelers will adore this tour of Christmastime London. Agent: Amanda Harris, YMU Books. (Sept.)