Someone to Love

Genre veteran Balogh (Unforgiven) continues to create engaging characters, clever dialogue, and sweet romance in her first Westcotts romance, set in Regency-era London. High society loves nothing more than a good scandal, and the latest is delicious: a young woman named Anna Snow turns out to be Anastasia Westcott, the oldest daughter of the late Earl of Riverdale. More shocking than Anna’s existence is the fact that she is legitimate, the product of a secret marriage in her parents’ youth, which makes the earl’s acknowledged family illegitimate. Anna’s new extended family begins her formal education into high society, overwhelming the unpretentious, commonsensical young woman with their ideas of what makes a lady. Avery Archer, the Duke of Netherby, unexpectedly steps in to help Anna make the transition from orphan to heiress without losing her soul in the process. As his feelings for her grow, Avery must decide whether he will allow Anna behind the urbane ducal mask to know his long-hidden true self. And can Anna adapt to her new titled status without losing her principled core? Fans will be delighted to meet the Westcotts here and anticipate future installments of their series. Agent: Maria Carvainis, Maria Carvainis Agency. (Nov.)