Gentleman seeks bride

Given his family's precarious financial situation, Thomas Sharpe can't afford to marry for love. Instead, Thomas must put his rakish good looks and boyish charm on the marriage mart in the hopes that an heiress is willing to buy what he is selling. Jane Capel is no longer content to be a naive, demure young lady; she wants to experience everything life has to offer. So, Jane comes up with a simple proposal. If Thomas will help Jane live her best life possible, Jane will do everything she can to convince the wealthiest eligible ladies in London that Thomas is a matrimonial catch they can't afford to pass up. In the fourth deliciously addictive addition to her Hazards of Dukes series, Frampton (A Wicked Bargain for the Duke, 2021) deftly turns up the sensual heat to full boil while effectively layering in ample measures of emotional vulnerability, making this a must-read for fans of sexy, smartly crafted historical romances.

Frampton puts a fresh twist on the hunt for a wealthy spouse set-up in her fourth Hazards of Dukes Victorian romance (after A Wicked Bargain for the Duke). Thomas Sharpe's family's income is dwindling due to his father's bad investments, and so the handsome, charming Thomas accepts his mother's plea to restore the family fortunes by marrying well. Two years later, Thomas has failed to find a suitable match and makes a deal with Lady Jane Capel, the half sister of his best friend, Percy Waters. Once an heiress, Jane was disowned by her parents when she moved in with Percy after being jilted by her former fiancé. Now she wants Thomas to take her to the places in London he goes with Percy--from brothels to alehouses--so that she might experience more of life. In exchange, she'll help Thomas find a suitable wife. But neither bargained on the chemistry between them. As their friendship grows into a deeper attraction, Thomas must decide whether marrying for love is worth risking his family's financial stability. Frampton's progressive historical highlights the inequities regarding the expected behaviors of men and women in Victorian society while capturing the sizzling spark between the affable protagonists, and the sensual love scenes and enlightening adventures keep the pages turning. This is a charmer. Agent: Louise Fury, the Bent Agency. (Dec.)

Thomas Sharpe needs to marry a wealthy bride in order to provide for his family, but he falls for his best friend's sister instead. Thomas has been on the hunt for an heiress since his father lost all their money. Incredibly charming and exceedingly handsome, he shouldn't find it hard to make a match, but many people worry he's too rakish to commit. When Lady Jane Capel proposes a deal--if he takes her places she hasn't been and teaches her about intimacy, she'll help him secure a wealthy bride--he accepts even though he knows it's risky. After Jane's engagement ended in heartbreak two years ago, she moved in with her half brother, Percy Waters, rather than search for someone else to marry, causing her parents to disown her. She's tired of being ignorant, and Thomas is the perfect choice to show her the world. Percy warns the two not to fall in love, but when they inevitably do anyway, they have to reconsider their duties and choices. Thomas and Jane bring out the best in each other, and their sexual exploits (including one in a hot air balloon!) are scorching. The only conflict is Thomas' need to marry into money; there's no other major drama between these delightful characters, so readers can simply enjoy their adventurous escapades as they fall in love. Heartfelt sibling relationships add extra charm. The story is predictable, and nothing surprising happens, but that's not a downfall. Just the ticket for those looking for a low-stakes, comforting, sizzling romance. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.