The Importance of Being Wicked

Winfield Elliott, viscount Stillwell, is determined to rebuild his ancestral home after a devastating fire, and the architectural firm Garret and Tempest comes highly recommended. Traditionalist Winfield is flabbergasted when Miranda Garret shows up to oversee the project, claiming Mr. Garret is really in charge (though in fact he’s no longer alive). The 20th century is only a few years away, and Miranda is ready for some changes. She immediately decides Winfield is a twit and sets out to manipulate and trick him into letting her modernize the old manor. Alexander (What Happens at Christmas) uses historical context to frame what Miranda wants and Winfield expects, but the romance plods, with little groundwork for the two falling in love. The saving grace is the novella at the end introducing each of Winfield’s three ex-fiancées, who have distinct personalities and are much more fun to read about than Miranda. Agent: Meg Ruley, Jane Rotrosen Agency. (Feb.)