The Charmer in Chaps

This modern-day Cinderella story, the introduction to London’s Princes in Texas series, introduces readers to Three Rivers, Tex., and a wealthy playboy whose heart is as big as his wallet. Former foster child Ella Kendall, now juggling an accounting business with a waitressing job, inherits her family’s rundown home, and coming back to Three Rivers reunites her with her high school crush, Luca Prince. Luca is as handsome as ever, but Ella refuses to fall for his well-known charms, thinking he’ll just love her and leave her. Luca has lived a privileged life, but his mother taught him to be ashamed of his dyslexia and inability to read, so he struggles to form real relationships and never stays with one woman long. He’s nothing like the image he’s created, and when he sees the wholesome, intelligent Ella again, his desire to improve his life and reconnect with her surfaces. Ella feels she can never belong in Luca’s world, and though he opens up about his secret, she walls herself off. Self-discovery and personal growth are at the core of this romantic heartstring-tugger, and the intense chemistry and emotional connection between the lovers make it a must-read. (May)