Beautiful, bold, and brilliant Avery dreams of becoming a member of the Royal Astronomical Societyand the only way she can join the all-male society is to disguise herself as a boy. After helping Giles, Lord Strand, escape a disastrous engagement, she is certain he will assist in her daring masquerade. No lady would ever come up with such a preposterous scheme, and no gentleman would acceptbut fortunately for Avery, Giles is no gentleman.
A bargain is struck between the stargazing adventuress and society's most sophisticated lord. He will sponsor her as his prodigy and she will cover for him as he hunts London's darkest warrens for a missing colleague from his shadowy past. But time and again, Giles finds his quest compromised by his fierce and unwise attraction to the lovely girl who, though no lady, may well be the one dame to finally unlock the secrets of his heart.
From Publishers Weekly
Bestseller Brockway (*The Other Guy's Bride*) delivers an unlikely Regency romance that works despite social class divisions. As the result of a marquess's promise, gamekeeper's daughter Avery Quinn has received more education than most men and women of her time. When the marquess dies, she begs his heir, Giles, to help her stay on the path to independence and academic freedom. Giles knows that he should keep Avery at arm's length, but even her cross-dressing masquerade in order to become a member of the Royal Astronomical Society doesn't prevent Giles from being very aware of her womanly qualities. Avery can't quench her feelings for Giles, despite the social chasm between them and the gorgeous women who throw themselves at him. When Avery's life is endangered because of Giles's past work as a secret operative, the two discover that they have more to lose than they thought. A heroine without social filters and a smooth-talking rake make a delightful pair, even if their egalitarian banter is anachronistic. (Dec.)
From Library Journal
Starred Review: In 1819, the Royal Astrological Society is definitely no place for a dame, but solitary astronomer Avery Quinn has discovered a new comet and will do anything to see her discovery recognized, even coerce the scandal-plagued son of her late mentor into helping her. His plan, however, is not what she anticipatesand neither are the stunningly successful but hilarious results. A brilliant heroine, far too well educated for her sex and her working-class birth, and a jaded, infamous nobleman foil multiple obstacles and end up as unlikely soul mates in a passionate love match he never saw coming. VERDICT From the first outrageously fortuitous scene to the soul-satisfying conclusion, this funny, touching, often outrageous romp satisfies as no other and flawlessly wraps up a memorable series the best-selling Brockway began nearly two decades ago. Award-winning Brockway (*The Other Guys Bride*) lives in Minnesota. Note: This book follows *Promise Me Heaven* (1994) and *All Through the Night* (1997)both of which have been revised and recently released by Montlake Romance.