The Trouble with Anna

Debut author Griffiths’s delightful Regency romp kicks off with spirited horsewoman Lady Anna Reston learning that the terms of her grandfather’s will require her to marry the man he names as her guardian, Julian Aveton, the ninth Earl of Ramsay, if she wants to inherit her home and her beloved horses. Julian, who is Anna’s best friend Charlotte’s half-brother, is equally blindsided by this news, but feels duty-bound to propose. Anna initially refuses, finding Julian too handsome for his own good and not wanting to be trapped in a loveless marriage. But as Julian woos her with stolen kisses, they are both surprised by their mutual attraction and developing friendship. Anna reluctantly agrees to the union while also secretly scheming with Charlotte to raise funds to ensure the two women’s financial independence regardless of their marriage prospects. Lighthearted banter, comic misunderstandings, and sizzling romance keep the pages turning, and Griffiths especially excels at crafting full-bodied characters, fleshing out both her leads’ backstories to explore what makes them tick—and why they work so well together. With strong female characters and a swoon-worthy hero, this is sure to charm Regency fans. Agent: Holly Root, Root Literary. (Mar.)