07/08/2024
Inspired by the movie 10 Things I Hate About You, Howard’s scintillating third Taming of the Dukes Victorian romance (after Never Met a Duke Like You) pairs a indomitable spitfire with a dashing Scottish duke. Lady Evangeline Raine—dubbed Lady Ghastly during her first London season by misogynistic Lord Huntington due to her acerbic wit—is perfectly content never to marry and instead devote her life to her fledgling animal shelter. She does, however, want to experience sex and propositions Lord Gage Croft, Duke of Vale—who, much to her disappointment, declines her offer in the name of honor. When Evangeline’s far more poised younger sister Viola asks her to chaperone her own London season, Evangeline reluctantly agrees. Meanwhile Huntington, who has his sights set on Viola, commissions Gage to distract Evangeline for six weeks of courtship so that he can get close to her sister. In exchange, he’ll forgive Gage’s late brother’s debts. The heat between Evangeline and Gage leads to a steamy affair, but what will happen when she learns of his involvement in Huntington’s scheming? Howard’s appealing, forward-thinking female characters enliven this equally sensual and emotional love story. Readers won’t want to put it down. Agent: Thao Le, Sandra Dijkstra Literary. (Sept.)