*Book source ~ NetGalley

Katherine Wright and her mother are in England because her mother is determined that Katherine find a titled husband. The problem with being American and having a large dowry from “new money” means the only titled men who will consider her are those who are penniless. Katherine would rather marry for love and go to university, but goes along on the trip to humor her mother all while hoping no one will prove acceptable and they can return to New York.

Lord Graham Spencer has a lovely old title, but he’s penniless. He needs an heiress with a huge dowry to get his estates back in order. As much as it pains him to marry for money his people are counting on him. He will do his duty no matter how much he hates it.

When Katherine and Graham meet by chance on Brighton Beach they lie to each other, Katherine saying she’s a maid and Graham saying he’s a valet. They are drawn to each other, but they know nothing can come of it. They meet in secret several times even going so far as to kiss. When they finally meet for real at a house party things go from bad to worse.

This is a well-written different kind of historical than the usual. Katherine and another mother/daughter pair searching for a titled husband are from America. New money is so gauche to the hoity-toity English, but they are obscenely rich, so they draw the titles that need a large influx of cash their dowries will bring. Unfortunately for Katherine, Graham offers for the air-headed Claudia Von Haupt because she has a $1 million dowry. The entire book is heartwarming and heart breaking in turns. Then there’s a huge misunderstanding before the HEA is rendered. All-in-all an entertaining read that kept me turning the pages.