[close] To most eyes Leah Carrollton might appear the dutiful debutante, but it takes Devon Marshall less than a minute to feel the enormous pull of a kindred, rebellious soul. At their first meeting, Devon and Leah are about to acknowledge the amazing connection between them when her brother steps in and clarifies their identities. As members of the rival Carrollton and Marshall families, the two can never mix. However, Devon has never met a woman he couldn't seduce, and a bet--with a bit of bravado mixed in--leads him straight to Leah and a scandal that turns the ton upside down.

With a fast-moving story line, strong plot twists, and a good dose of drama, Cathy Maxwell brings a fresh take to the regency genre. Devon has depth beyond that of the usual romance rake, and Leah is neither the stereotypical naive waif nor the spunky but idiotic go-getter. Their realistic character flaws and mature reactions make Leah and Devon a couple you can truly root for. Keep an eye out for future works by Cathy Maxwell. --Nancy R.E. O'Brien [close]