The duke's got mail

Parish follows While the Duke Was Sleeping with another fun Victorian remix of a classic 1990s rom-com. Eleanor Wright, a career-minded woman who enjoys her work as the best typesetter in London, has recently become enamored with the letters she's received from the Captain, the brother of her anonymous pen pal who's assisting with correspondence for his sight-impaired sister. Meanwhile, at an exhibit at the London Zoological Society, Eleanor meets Peter, a seemingly affable man who she later discovers is the Duke of Strafford, responsible for spearheading efforts for his Linotype machine to replace typesetters. Their budding friendship turns to rivalry as Eleanor accepts the duke's challenge to go up against his machine. Unbeknownst to her, of course, Peter and the Captain are one and the same. The setup is as entertaining here as in the original, and Parish does a good job updating the details to be period-specific. Especially successful is the correspondence between Eleanor and the Captain, which showcases the genuine connection of these well-shaded characters. Readers will soften to the duke right alongside Eleanor as he realizes his machine's impact and attempts to atone. This series is going strong. (Apr.)

In Parish's sequel to While the Duke Was Sleeping, this historical retelling of the 1990s film You've Got Mail follows compositor Eleanor Wright, whose career is derailed by the linotype championed by Peter, Duke of Strafford. When she realizes that the handsome man she previously met at the zoo is actually the Duke of Strafford, she is furious--especially since their professional rivalry has already put them at odds. After challenging one of his linotypes, Eleanor accepts the inevitability of technological change, finding solace only in an anonymous correspondence. Meanwhile, burdened by the expectations of his title, Peter secretly writes to his sister's pen pal, "Booklover," as "the Captain," enjoying the freedom to speak without regard to rank. When he discovers that Booklover is Eleanor before she makes the connection, Peter is forced to confront his true feelings for her. Though Peter's brother Rhett and his wife (the central characters of book one) are absent, the continued presence of his unconventional sisters supplies the humor and charm readers of this series love. VERDICT While the film-inspired ending is predictable, the likable characters and humor make this an enjoyable read for fans of historical romance.--Lucinda Ward