THE SECRET OF THE INDIA ORCHID

After the man of her dreams breaks her heart, Sophia Elliot heads to India for a change of scenery and perhaps to find a husband, but she becomes embroiled in a murder mystery being investigated by her former beau.

Sophia’s life has been dramatic the past few years since her brother unexpectedly inherited a title that saved her family from poverty and servitude and became good friends with Anthony Blake, the Earl of Wilshire. Sophia and Anthony seem to share a special bond and be on the way to marriage when Anthony leaves town, leaving her a simple note that underlines their friendship. As reports trickle back that he’s reverted to his old pleasure-seeking ways, Sophia decides she needs to leave England and joins “England’s Fishing Fleet—the contingency of single Englishwomen who, unsuccessful at securing husbands in London, traveled yearly to India to appeal to England’s military men and civil servants.” When she gets to Calcutta, she’s stunned to discover that Anthony is there, and despite the rumors of his being a wastrel, when a murder occurs soon after she arrives, Anthony seems to be very much the man in charge of the investigation. As truths come out about Anthony—an English secret agent searching for a dangerous stolen document—and other new friends and acquaintances, Sophia begins to believe she may have her happy ending after all. Allen’s sequel to My Fair Gentleman (2016) is a sweet, creative Regency romance with just enough novelty to make it refreshing while still adhering to genre standards. Particularly recommended to readers who prefer clean (i.e. no sex) romance.

A clever, engaging, India-set Regency romance.