A would-be matchmaker (How to Forget a Duke, 2018, etc.) bets she can find a wife for her best friend's cousin only to discover he's one of the most infamous rakes in Londonand she just might have a thing for him herself.Soon after Briar Bourne makes a shoddy mistake that turns her family's new matchmaking business into a laughingstock, she takes on the task of finding a match for Daniel Prescott, the brother of her friend Temperance. Daniel has become a shadow of himself since he was thrown over by the woman he wanted to marry. She also makes a friendly wager with a mysterious aristocrat that she can match up the Earl of Edgemont, also known as Temperance's cousin Nicholas, to whom she has yet to be introduced. Only later does she realize the earl is none other than the rakish gentleman she'd met under compromising circumstances a few months earlier. Nicholas is clear he has no intentions to marryagain, as it turns outbut agrees to help her become a better matchmaker by teaching her "how to observe men and women. How they see each other." Telling himself he wants to help her find mates for his cousins, he is honest enough to admit he's intrigued by Briar. When he offers to barter his lessons for kisses, he tries to convince himself it's because he wants her to back off from the challenge. When she doesn't, the two embark on a journey that is ostensibly connected to matchmaking but becomes more about falling in love. However, when Briar uncovers the truth of the mysterious woman behind the wager and her connection to a painful secret, the couple's road to happiness becomes decidedly bumpy.Lorret's bright humor and sharp wit shine in this charming historical romance. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

In this second Misadventures in Matchmaking Regency (after How to Forget a Duke), youngest sister Briar Bourne's attempt to pair up the elite results in a folly that threatens the family matchmaking business. Luckily, Nicholas Prescott, the Earl of Edgemont, is so desperate to secure matches for his cousins-one of whom is Briar's best friend-that he's willing to overlook Briar's little snafu. When Briar accepts a bet to find a match for the roguish Nicholas, she doesn't realize she may be the best candidate. Briar's vivid imagination tempts Nicholas as much as her beautiful face, and the more they spar, the more their attraction increases. Briar's family is very protective, and they feel Nicholas's reputation makes him unsuitable for Briar, but business is business, so the two end up spending a lot of time together. Nicholas hopes a successful match for his heartbroken cousin will ease his guilt over a secret Nicholas has been keeping, but as he persists in distracting Briar, readers know who will get matched up first. Lorret has created a delicious world filled with complex, charming characters. A touch of passion and some comic relief make this a well-blended novel that includes an alluring setup for the next in the series. Agent: Stefanie Lieberman, Janklow & Nesbit. (Dec.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

All Briar Bourne wants is to prove to her family that she is perfectly capable of making a good match for one of their clients. However, Briar's first attempt at playing Cupid results in a romantic disaster. Rather than going back to filing paperwork and serving tea at the Bourne Matrimonial Agency, Briar decides to play professional matchmaker one more time, but she also calls on the notorious rake Nicholas Blacklowe, the Earl of Edgemont, asking him to teach her everything he knows about the art of attraction. In exchange for his help, Nicholas insists on receiving one kiss from Briar for every one of his lessons. As far as Briar is concerned, it's nothing to worry about, because no one falls in love with someone after just a kiss, right? Following How to Forget a Duke (2018), Lorret continues with her marvelously fun Misadventures in Matchmaking series, which gives a graceful nod to Jane Austen's classic Emma, with another sparkling Regency romance that deftly marries buoyant wit with luscious sensuality.--John Charles Copyright 2018 Booklist