Someone to Love

Sparkling with Michaels's characteristically droll repartee and lovable lead characters, this Regency-set romance enchants with its skillful treatment of a familiar formula. Kipp Rutland, the Viscount Willoughby, promised his mother on her deathbed that he would marry and secure the family line. An irresistibly dashing man who possesses a surprising intellect, Kipp nevertheless believes that he will be content marrying a striking yet dim-witted debutante. His best friend, Brady, knows otherwise and successfully manipulates Kipp into a marriage of convenience with the level-headed Abigail Backworth-Maldon, a young widow whose husband's ferocious gambling and scandalous demise have branded her in the eyes of the society. Abigail hopes her marriage will relieve her of having to manage her eccentric family, but she soon finds that they won't let go so easily. As Abigail and Kipp struggle to fend off her family and one of Kipp's ex-lovers, their friendship slowly blossoms into love. The chemistry between Abigail and Kipp is convincing, but even more impressive is the strong cast of supporting characters (some of whom readers will recognize from Waiting for You and Indiscreet), who add humor and depth to the breezy narrative. (Apr.)