First published 1998
Grace Allingham, a proper English rose, falls for Fabrice, a charming French aristocrat during World War II. Their whirlwind romance produces a son, Sigi, who becomes the ultimate weapon of marital manipulation. When Fabrice returns to France, leaving Grace in London, young Sigi transforms into a master of emotional blackmail—playing his parents against each other with devastating precision. As Grace attempts to reclaim her independence and Fabrice enjoys his libertine Parisian life, their son becomes the unexpected conductor of their tumultuous relationship. A razor-sharp comedy of manners that exposes the delicate dance of love, loyalty, and familial strategy.
Genres: romance, historical-fiction, 20th-century, comedy, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, razor-sharp
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, family-drama
Setting: Britain
Period: 1930s
221 pages · Paperback · Carroll & Graf Pub