Josie Essex's first London season is in tatters. Maliciously nicknamed the "Scottish Sausage," she finds herself a social pariah. Ignoring the advice of her sisters and chaperone, Josie attempts to blend in with the other debutantes and not respond to the insults -- with disastrous results. Finally, she accepts the advice of an older rake who she has secretly loved. He teaches her to embrace her differences and celebrate her generous curves and witty tongue. Josie adheres to his advice by banishing the tight restricting corsets and her shy demeanor.

After years of meaningless affairs, Garrett, the Earl of Mayne, believes he has found the perfect mate, a chaste and proper French woman. The indifference she exudes is refreshing after all the years of women pursuing him. As the fog of infatuation diminishes, Mayne reevaluates his relationship with his fiancée. His perfect woman has severe flaws that would make life very difficult. As this becomes more apparent, Mayne is aware of his changing and deepening friendship with the saucy and seductive Josie. If only she was not so young and he was not engaged.

Against this backdrop, another May/December romance begins as Josie's chaperone falls for a younger rake. The couples' bewilderment builds as their love intensifies, despite the differences in age and the inappropriateness.

Ms. James' love of Shakespeare is evident as elements of Midsummer Night's Dream are found in the title, the characters' names, their dilemmas and the symmetry of dreamy confusion ruling the four lovers' lives. She uses sweet and light touches, with a trace of malice in several characters, to enhance the reality. The characters emerge from their confusion and in the end celebrate the wonders of marriage. Ms. James provides an added treat with her elaborate and overwrought entries from the Earl of Hellgate's Memoir at the start of each chapter.

Book Summary

Fueled by the knowledge that notoriety is better than failure, witty, unconventional Josie does what no proper young lady should—she challenges fate. She discards her corset and flirts outrageously. She attends the horse races and allows an arrogant rakehell to whisk her behind the stables for a surreptitious kiss . . . and is caught!

She doesn't want to marry the young hellion—but who's to help? Her chaperone keeps disappearing for mysterious appointments; her guardian is on his wedding trip; and his friend the Earl of Mayne is too busy staring into the eyes of his exquisite French fiancée.

Can a marriage forced by stuffy convention and unwilling desire become the match of the season?

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