Can there be any greater challenge to London's Ambitious Mamas than an unmarried dukeLady Whistledown's Society Papers, April 1813

By all accounts, Simon Basset is on the verge of proposing to his best friend's sisterthe lovely and almost-on-the-shelfDaphne Bridgerton. But the two of them know the truthit's all an elaborate ruse to keep Simon free from marriage-minded society mothers. And as for Daphne, surely she will attract some worthy suitors now that it seems a duke has declared her desirable.

But as Daphne waltzes across ballroom after ballroom with Simon, it's hard to remember that their courtship is a sham. Maybe it's his devilish smile, certainly it's the way his eyes seem to burn every time he looks at her . . . but somehow Daphne is falling for the dashing duke . . . for real! And now she must do the impossible and convince the handsome rogue that their clever little scheme deserves a slight alteration, and that nothing makes quite as much sense as falling in love.

Once upon a time there were three young ladies who, despite their fortunes, had been on the marriage mart a bit too long. They were known as ""the Spinster Heiresses"" . . .

Miss Cassandra Holwell is too tall, too bookish, and too smart-but she does have money and a father who wants a grand title for her. Cassandra hasn't felt a desire to marry until she meets the sinfully handsome Duke of Camberly, who captures her imagination . . . until Soren York, Earl of Dewsberry and her family's sworn enemy, steps in the way.

The Holwells ruined Soren's family, and he's lived on the knife's edge trying to resurrect their fortunes . . . until he considers marrying the Holwell Heiress. Not only would her dowry give him the funds he needs, he has secretly had an eye on the independent-minded bluestocking since they both first realized the differences between men and women.

She likes to read; he has no patience for books. She knows little of sex; he is a man of the world and willing to school her. Her family destroyed his; his offer of marriage may be her only salvation.

Now Cassandra and Soren must learn to love each other for who they are, not what they are-and the lessons are becoming an exercise in absolute pleasure.

Discover a compelling story of loyalty, love and the strength of friendship in war-torn Britain, from the international bestselling author Lesley Pearse

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Spring 1935.

On London's Hampstead Heath, two girls meet by chance: well-mannered and smartly dressed Verity and dishevelled and grubby Ruby.

Somehow, the mismatched pair form an instant friendship strong enough to survive their parent's disapproval.

When war engulfs the country - sending Ruby to Devon while Verity struggles to find a new beginning under a shadow from her past - the girls are convinced they will always be there for each other.

Until the day one breaks the other's heart . . .

Can Verity and Ruby find a way back to each other before it's too late?
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Lesley Pearse was told as a child that she had too much imagination for her own good. When she grew up she worked her way through a number of jobs, including nanny, bunny girl, dressmaker and full-time mother, before, at the age of forty-nine, settling upon a career that would allow her gifts to blossom: she became a published writer. Lesley lives in Devon and has three daughters and four grandchildren.

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THE NO. 1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING LOVE STORY THAT CAPTURED 21 MILLION HEARTS

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Lou Clark knows how many miles lie between her new home in New York and her new boyfriend Sam in London.

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SHORTLISTED FOR A NATIONAL BOOK AWARD