Must Love Dukes

December 2, 2013
Michels’s first Regency-era Tricks of the Ton novel gleams with humor and romance. Miss Lillian Phillips has always wanted more independence, but she’s shocked by her own behavior when she picks up a man in a tavern, spends the night in his bed, and steals his pocket watch. A year later, they meet in London and Lily discovers that her conquest, Devon Grey, is the “Mad Duke” of Thornwood. Devon promises to keep their history a secret if Lily will participate in his tricks, which result in humiliation for the horrible suitors her brother has picked for her. As Devon and Lily realize that they truly enjoy each other’s company, Lily must decide whether Devon really loves her or is just another man who wants to use her. Michels’s fast-paced debut is sweet and rarely explicit, and she accurately depicts the difficulties faced by 19th-century aristocratic women.

Starred review from February 1, 2014
The wench stole his watch! Devon Grey, Duke of Thornwood, should have known Lily Whitby was no ordinary lady when she followed him into a tavern and then followed him home. The clincher is waking up the next morning and discovering that both Lily and his brand-new pocket watch are gone. A year later, when Devon accidentally runs into Lily at a ball and learns that she is actually Lillian Phillips, he vows to teach her a lesson she won't soon forget. If Lily doesn't agree to participate in a series of daring wagers that he devises, Devon will ruin her reputation. What starts out as a fun way to pass the time for Devon soon turns into something much more serious once he discovers that Lily has managed to steal one more thing: his heart. Michels' fresh and funny debut will delight readers with its endearing characters and infectious mix of sweet yet sexy romance and realistic yet wry wit.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)