How to Fall for a Scoundrel

Bateman’s entertaining second Her Majesty’s Rebels Regency romance (after Second Duke’s the Charm) revisits King & Company, a private detective agency founded by Ellie Law and her two best friends, all of whom must pretend they’re mere assistants to the fictional Charles King in order to win clients. Imagine Ellie’s shock when a man shows up to a meeting with a prospective client claiming to be Charles himself. After the client leaves, the handsome con man gives his name as Harry and his backstory as a reformed thief. He’s hoping to leave his criminal past behind him and begs for the chance to join King & Co. Ellie agrees to let him assist on her case, which sends the duo in and out of museums, dress shops, and balls on a glittering tour of London—and along the way Ellie enthusiastically responds to Harry’s seductive charms. But the real mystery is Harry’s true identity. Bateman elicits electric chemistry between her leads and keeps the pages turning with a healthy helping of suspense. This winning couple is sure to charm. (Aug.)