Marry Me by Midnight

Grossman (“The Truitts”) introduces her new series with a scintillating Cinderella swap set in 1830s London. Heiress Isabelle Lira wants nothing more than to run the business her late father left behind, but her Jewish community, and the gentiles they trade with, demands that she first find a husband. To select the perfect partner, she decides to host a series of soirees to which she invites every eligible gentleman. In case the marriage-minded men are only after her fortune, she hires custodian Aaron Ellenberg as a spy to uncover their motivations and help her make the best choice. Can Aaron convince her that love is more important than a legacy, or will time run out on their romance? Grossman’s writing is inviting and immersive and includes abundant Hebrew and Yiddish turns of phrase. She delivers a well-developed and diverting cast of characters, both playful and provocative.