In the eyes of London Society, Gillian Phelps is suitable enough. Though the ton whispers about her change of residence, any speculation remains just that: ballroom gossip. No one―not even the other Huntresses, the group of ladies she calls her dearest friends―knows that she is harboring a devastating family secret. Gillian has become adept at hiding the reality of her circumstances, but the close quarters of a house party will test her ability to conceal the crushing truth. And with so many people to deceive, the late arrival of another guest is a most unwelcome surprise. Despite his standing as a gentleman of the ton, in truth, Scott Sarvol possesses little more than two debt-riddled estates. When an opportunity arises to survey one of his properties, he travels north, only to find himself an unwitting guest at Artemis Jonquil’s house party. He is warmly welcomed by all―except the aloof Miss Gillian Phelps. But when Scott proves himself unexpectedly helpful in a crisis, his acquaintance with Gillian shifts from wariness to something warmer. As both her charade and her feelings for Scott deepen, Gillian realizes that the truth could spell not only a devastating fall from Society but also a shattered heart.

Daria Mullins just accomplished the seemingly impossible—she successfully convinced her parents to grant her one final London Season. Though their concession comes with certain expectations, Daria is determined to enjoy every moment alongside her dear friends, the Huntresses, as they make their annual foray into the Marriage Mart. Toss Comstock has no interest in marriage. His only purpose in London is to enjoy his Bachelor Season before he’s forced to follow whatever path his elder brother deems best. But his plans are quickly turned upside down when he strikes a bargain with the lovely Miss Mullins at the Debenham Ball. The longtime acquaintances discover that they share the maddening affliction of familial pressures, leading them to hatch an outlandish plan: they will engage in a friendly competition. Whoever participates in the most activities their family would disapprove of will be crowned the winner. But amid the fun and games, Daria and Toss never imagined that true love would become the ultimate prize.

With her ever-ready smile, Eve O’Doyle faces life’s challenges with boundless optimism. However, even she finds it difficult to see the silver lining in her parents’ disaster has struck, leaving their genteel family in dire financial straits. But all is not lost. In the name of economizing, Eve will skip the London Season—even if it means dooming herself to spinsterhood. Determined that her sister, Nia, should enjoy their Christmas gathering with the Huntresses and the Pack, Eve will keep the truth quiet and soak in her last fleeting moments of lighthearted revelry with her friends. But from the moment she departs from her family’s Dublin estate, nothing goes as planned. Exhausted by his relentless role as family peacemaker, Duke Seymour anticipates the brief respite of a festive holiday with friends. Escorting two of the Huntresses to the party is no hardship—the O’Doyle sisters are always a delight. But when an unforeseen winter storm waylays the group at a country inn, Duke and Eve form a surprising attachment that runs far deeper than friendship. And though they are eager to explore these new feelings, upon their arrival at the party, the couple is immediately met with unexpected opposition—they soon realize that no matter their feelings, the weight of responsibility they both feel toward their families may crush their dream of a happy ending for themselves.