Matthew Davenport, Marquess Langston, needs a bride. His father died after being shot by a highwayman, leaving his estate deeply in debt. Now, almost a year later, Matthew knows he must marry for money, or find some other way to save the family’s estate.

To help find a bride, Matthew hosts a house party. One of the guests is Miss Sarah Moorehouse, a “spinster” who lives in the shadow of her beautiful, but very loving, sister. Sarah and her friends have formed the Ladies Literary Society of London, and their first meeting is at Lord Langston’s house party. The ladies are discussing Mary Shelley’s scandalous novel, Frankenstein.

When the meeting is over, just after midnight, Sarah looks out the window and sees Lord Langston in the moonlight, shovel in hand. Fueled by the group’s discussion, she senses the worst and has to investigate. The investigation leads her straight into Langston’s arms, and into his heart.

Sleepless at Midnight made me remember why I love historical romances. Ms. D’Alessandro’s novel sparkles with fascinating characters and dialogue that made me laugh out loud and fall in love with the players. I particularly loved the character of Sarah, who is headstrong and independent, despite the fact that she has been overlooked all of her life.

The witty interplay between Matthew and Sarah kept me reading late into the night.  Sleepless at Midnight is definitely a Joyfully Reviewed Recommended Read for me. Now, I’m anxiously awaiting the second book in the series, and wondering which of the fun-loving ladies from the literary society will be featured.