The Devilish Montague

Intriguing protagonists, quirky secondary characters, and a surprising plot make for an endearing sequel to Rice's 2010 Regency The Wicked Wyckerly, even if the romance never rises above lukewarm. Reckless Blake Montague enters a marriage of convenience with Jocelyn Carrington, hoping to use her funds to buy a military commission so he can solve the French military codes with which he has become obsessed. Jocelyn sees an opportunity to regain her family home, which her older brother lost to the Montagues in a game of chance. Though Jocelyn and Blake find each other attractive, the sex is never more than an extra convenience of marriage, but their wacky families%E2%80%94Jocelyn's socially awkward younger brother and genealogy-obsessed mother; Blake's mother, who is sure the silver streak in his hair means he's about to die; and some clever, foul-mouthed parrots%E2%80%94make the novel fun and worthwhile. (July)