To heist and to hold

Britton (The Duke's All That) launches her Wimpole Street Widows Society series with this scintillating Regency. When Heloise Marlowe's sister-in-law asks for help recovering jewels her employer was cheated out of at the Dionysus gaming club, Heloise, a widow and former blacksmith's apprentice, agrees. With assistance from her charming group of widowed friends, Heloise launches an elaborate plan: fellow widow Laney, a former boxer, will come out of retirement for a match at Dionysus. Posing as Laney's manager, Heloise will search the place for the missing jewels. To access the club's inner sanctum, however, Heloise will need to seduce part owner Ethan Sinclaire. She's not anticipating falling in love with her mark. Ethan rose out of poverty to become a successful businessman without ever losing his sense of compassion. He's also just as determined as Heloise to get to the bottom of the cheating rumors that plague Dionysus. As the pair grow closer, Heloise fears what will happen to their budding relationship when Ethan discovers her true motives. Britton propels the plot forward at a page-turning clip while introducing an enchanting ensemble of progressive widows whose love stories readers will look forward to following in future installments. Add in sensual romance and a dollop of mystery and this proves impossible to put down. Agent: Kim Lionetti, BookEnds Literary. (Sept.)

A widow seduces the owner of a gaming hell to save her sister-in-law. After Heloise Marlow's husband died, she joined the Wimpole Street Widows Society, a group of women who appear to live together just for mutual support--but who secretly hone eccentric skills like lock-picking, fencing, and using disguises in order to help clients who have been wronged. When Heloise learns that her sister-in-law is in danger, having been cheated into gambling away her employer's prized jewels, the Widows take on her case. To gain access to hidden areas of the gaming hell to search for the jewels, Heloise decides to seduce the owner, the imposing Ethan Sinclaire. Ethan prides himself on his establishment's flawless reputation, so when rumors of shady business practices begin swirling, he's determined to get to the bottom of it. He doesn't fully trust anyone, not even his business partners, since his brother blindsided him a few years ago. When he meets Heloise, he senses something suspicious about her but can't help but be intrigued, anyway. Secrets become harder for both of them to maintain as they begin to truly fall for each other, but revealing them requires trust and vulnerability. This series kickoff introduces an enticing cast of characters that readers will be eager to follow to their own love stories. The non-ballroom setting and leads with rough upbringings are a refreshing alternative to most Regency London--set stories. The secrets and planned heist lead to some entertaining action, but the story is mostly driven by the internal growth of the main couple. Though their initial attraction feels too instant and out of character, once their love deepens, it's touching and captivating as they open their hearts, heal past wounds, and learn to trust and accept companionship. An affecting series opener with an intriguing setting. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.