Minerva and the Poseidon

Percival Fisher has lived above the Poseidon bookshop in Coeursleigh-near-Sea all his life. Which is probably why everyone in town still sees the bookshop as his father's and not all the improvements Percy's made since he inherited it. So when the rival bookshop, the Minerva, is purchased by a new owner and his sister, Percy has hopes of an alliance between the shops and some recognition for his work. Hopes that are dashed when, on their first meeting, the new owner gives him the cut direct right in the middle of the street, clearly showing he has no interest in any sort of relationship.

Sidney Weaver has come to Coeursleigh-near-Sea hoping no one asks why a former solicitor and his sister have bought a bookshop in a small holiday town when they know nothing about running a bookshop. Or why they left Norwich to begin with. Or really anything at all about them. Most especially the owner of the rival bookshop. Because he'd know at once that Sidney knows nothing about running a bookshop, not because Mr. Fisher of the Poseidon is handsome and knowledgeable and... and far too clever. No, it's best they maintain a cordial distance.

But an unexpected meeting during a ball at the assembly rooms-with dancing, and music, and candlelight-reveals their attraction is mutual, and Percy and Sydney begin to think there could be an alliance between them, until the secret in Sydney's past catches up with him and threatens both his new relationship and his new life in Coeursleigh

First in a series of books set in Coeursleigh-near-Sea, a holiday town in Regency England that had fashioned itself on Bath and Brighton, complete with assembly rooms, seasons for the marriage mart, and one thing the other towns don't have-a Master of Ceremonies known for his match-making skills.