Ruthi Johnson has a plan. An experienced con woman, she is going to charm Esteban, the wealthy insurance heir who knocked up and ditched her sister. Once the betrothal contract is signed, she’ll be able to take off with a good chunk of money for her sister and future niece, as well as leaving the asshole publicly humiliated.
The complication is the mark’s sister Sol, who is immediately suspicious of this supposed heiress from a remote colony world. She is also attractive and charming, and a crush is a whole other complication Ruthi wasn’t counting on.
Things get even more tangled when Ruthi finds out Sol is in debt to the mob - and the mobster on hand is an old acquaintance of Ruthi’s. He’s got no problem with her running her own game, so long as she stays out of the mob’s business. But he would appreciate it greatly if she used her in with the family to do him a trifling favor or two…
This is a fun romp with clever people outsmarting other clever people in a world of glitz & glamor. I love a con story, and this is a good one. Ruthi is caught between many opposing forces - her desire to get comeuppance for her sister; her desire to protect Sol from the mob; her desire to avoid drawing the ire of the mob herself, as they generally don’t like people telling them “no;” her worries over being so far from her pregnant sister.
The atmosphere has a distinct Roaring Twenties/Art Deco vibe, which the cover strongly reinforces. It’s fun, it’s filled with twists, and it’s spicy. Great entertainment.
Comes out June 4.
Comments