Never Gamble Your Heart

Lovise’s scintillating second Secret Society of Governess Spies Victorian romance (after Never Blow a Kiss) reintroduces Perdita’s Governess Agency, a front for an all-female spy ring set up by a mysterious figure code-named the Dove. After Frankie Turner’s younger sister, Fidelia, goes missing, the Dove offers to help find her if Frankie will take on an assignment. Frankie agrees and is placed as a governess in the household of Jasper Jones, the self-made owner of an infamous London gambling hall. The Dove believes that Jasper is the mastermind behind the Dowry Thieves, a group of men who have recently managed to force wealthy but “outspoken and troublesome” women into marriage. After finding nothing tying Jasper to the scheme, Frankie uses her brilliant mathematical skills to comb through the financials of each member of the Dowry Thieves—all while fighting her intense attraction to Jasper. When he learns of her investigation, he offers to help by gifting her with a dowry large enough to lure the goup’s leader into the open. It’s a dangerous gambit—and it only grows riskier when there’s love on the line. Lovise’s admirable, norm-bucking characters have intense chemistry. Sensual love scenes and simmering suspense combine to make this a true page-turner. (Feb.)