Let It Be Love

Charismatic bachelor Jonathon Effington, marquess of Helmsley, is a Victorian-age cad with a difference. He never kisses and tells—not even about his notorious annual Christmas trysts with whatever woman who's caught his fancy during the holiday season. He now claims to be ready to marry, once he finds the smart, spirited, strong-willed wife of his dreams. Meeting all qualifications—and needing a husband to gain her inheritance without being forced into an arranged marriage—Fiona Fairchild substitutes herself for Helmsley's Christmas trystee and proposes. Sure that it's a joke, he accepts. The comedy of errors that ensues as the inexplicably panicked marquess attempts to escape his commitment with honor pushes the conventional love-hate plot stretch into strain; after all, Fiona's clearly the marquess's dream damsel. Still, the story's far-fetched twists are festive enough, and coupled with the characters' considerable charm, render this rollicking historical romance from bestseller Alexander (When We Meet Again ) the perfect holiday read. Agent, Meg Ruley at Jane Rotrosen Agency. (Nov.)