I have read some of Ms. Bowman's Playful Brides series and I enjoyed this novel. Some of the characters in the previous novels make appearances but you do not need read the previous novels. I liked the writing style and the flow of the novel as well as the characters.
Meg Timmons is a wallflower and penniless since her father lost her dowry gambling. Meg is shy, but does become more outspoken throughout the novel. She is best friends with Sarah, whom is the sister to the man she has been in love with since she was sixteen. However, when he decides it is time to marry, Meg seeks out Lucy Hunt to help her win Hart's love. Meg's father is in debt and needs to relocate the family to somewhere away from the creditors. Both families are enemies of each other, but Meg does not know the reasoning behind it.
Viscount Hart Highgate is a rogue and finally decides to give into his father and find himself a wife. He enjoys ride speed carriage chases and women. He is wealthy, but knows his father has an ideal kind of bride, but all the women he meets do not stir him. When he sees Meg at a ball, he is shocked to see it is her. He agrees to help her find a husband. As they attend balls together, he enjoys being around her and gets upset when he sees someone else dancing with her or holding her attention (aka jealous but does not realize it). Hart has been deceived by a woman in the past and has troubling trusting.
Meg would not want to trap Hart after she learns about his past. Due to her family's situation, she knows she needs to marry and Hart has not come up to scratch even with Lucy and Sarah's involvements. However, one night changes everything and Hart loses trust in Meg, which devastates her. Will Hart and Meg be able to fix their relationship before its too late? Will Hart realize the woman he loves has been in front of him this whole time and forgive Meg?

Romance readers should enjoy this well written tale. Meg Timmons has no idea what events she'll stir into motion by asking Lucy, the Duchess of Claringdon, to help her catch and marry Hart Highgate. Meg has loved Hart, her best friend's brother, since she was sixteen years old but a family feud and her lack of a dowry makes their match nigh on to impossible. A Cinderella element, courtesy of Lucy, turns Meg from a faded wallflower to a glittering jewel as the all important London season begins. A handsome, wealthy, knight shows her attention, making Hart rethink his ideas on marriage and jealousy. Lots of twists and turns, heroes, villains, and stolen kisses. Yum.

I love this book! This is finally my top ten, and it's August! Not in that order! I absolutely loved sweet Meg, so horribly treated by her Mother, and her father is a wastrel! The one thing that has kept her going, is her love for Hart, her best friends brother. He defended her one time, when she was sixteen, from her Mother's vicious tongue! There are a couple of problems, if not more. She has no decent clothes, their families truly hate each other, and, probably worst of all, Hart doesn't realize, she exist! How on Earth is she going to get him to notice her, when his own sister, Sophie, does not want Meg hurt by falling in love with her Rougue of a brother? This is where the Duchess comes in, Lucy Hunt! Meg only thought she had troubles! I highly recommend Today! Thanks! I know that you will Enjoy!
carolintallahassee 👒

We always buy Valerie Bowman for our library. She has it all plot, great characters and compelling romance.