In early 1930s England, a young firebrand finds herself on a fraught
and dangerous road to independence.
In 1931 England, Astra Davies defies all the conventions. Clever, witty,
and determined, Astra smokes, drinks, plays a mean piano, and gallivants
around London with her beloved Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. But Astra
finds herself in a tight spot when her parents die suddenly, leaving her
with a raft of debts. With few marketable skills and a closet full of
family secrets, Astra has two choices: find a rich husband or make her
own way.
A fiercely driven woman like Astra is not about to cast her lot in with
a man, especially out of desperation. And since the only man she
fancies--Jeremy Harris, the Earl of Dunreaven--is as hard up as she is,
her way forward is clear. But the path to independence is a bumpy one
fraught with hazards and heartbreaking choices. A blackmailing socialite
threatens to derail Astra's reputation. A brainless business partner
just might drive her even further into debt. And a series of bruising
scandals dogs her every step of the way.
From the bustle of London to the country estates of the aristocracy,
Astra embarks on a journey that tests her brains, wit, and mettle as
never before. But one way or another, Astra Davies is dead set on
proving she's no ordinary Bright Young Thing.
