Verity and the Forbidden Suitor

In this reimagined Regency England with a multicultural aristocracy, the differences in station between the illegitimate son of a marquess and the daughter of an earl would make an aboveboard romance socially unacceptable. Lady Verity Eagleman, a thoughtful young gentlewoman, and Dr. Theodore Darrington, a brilliant physician, are fascinated by each other from the instant they meet, though there’s a vast social gulf between them. Often finding themselves in each other’s company due to shared acquaintances, they grow to realize that, in addition to sharing a physical attraction to each other, their perspectives on life are likely compatible. Verity’s past makes her more open-minded than many of her class, while Theodore’s tenuous social standing makes conformity necessary to his personal and professional survival. McAvoy’s latest series installment (following Aphrodite and the Duke) avoids easy answers to the mental and societal problems her protagonists face from within and without. Supporting characters frequently steal scenes and imbue humor into the couple’s emotional journey.