THE MISSING BARONESS

A lady comes out of hiding to take control of her future.

Georgina Bligh is the Baroness Elmsford, but despite her privileged position, she’s in hiding. Unusually, her family’s barony can pass to a woman, but her odious uncle killed her father and tried to kill her so he’d be able to usurp the title. After a decade in hiding, just as she’s about to turn 21 and will finally be able to claim her inheritance, she learns that he’s trying to have her declared dead. This renews Georgina’s determination to expose the truth, and as she focuses on finding her father’s will, she’s not alone. Lord Bertram Redwick, third son of a duke, is anxious to help her, and since they’ve been developing a mutual crush, she’s very happy to accept his assistance. Their journey takes them across London and far up north to Cumbria, the home of her estate, and though they are lightly chaperoned, it’s not hard for the besotted pair to find stolen moments in different places for some passionate kissing (though nothing more). But Bertie’s digging behind the scenes and Georgina’s daring searches uncover the fact that someone even more dangerous than Georgina’s uncle might be lurking in the shadows. The first book in Schwarz’s new Inconvenient Heirs series is an enjoyable mix of cozy mystery and Regency romance. The relatively short plot is uneven yet action-packed, and Bertie and Georgina are the sort of straightforward hero and heroine that Regency readers adore. It’s a simple story that unfolds roughly, as one might expect, but Schwarz writes compelling dialogue and includes thoughtful historical details, and she infuses a healthy amount of slow-burn intensity into the PG-13 intimacy between the protagonists. As long as readers aren’t expecting any shocking plot twists, they’re likely to be won over.

A slightly dark but mostly sweet Regency romance, with a touch of cozy mystery.