The Gatecrasher

Book excerpt: A gold digger woos a widower in a “modern day novel of manners . . . [with] memorable characters . . . as unpredictable and multifaceted as they are stylish” (Publishers Weekly). Madeleine Wickham is Sophie Kinsella, and The Gatecrasher is just as delicious as her internationally bestselling Shopaholic series. Everything’s coming up roses for Fleur Daxeny, as she goes through more rich men than she does designer hats. Beautiful and utterly irresistible, her success at crashing funerals to find wealthy men is remarkable. Fleur wastes no time in seducing her latest conquest, the handsome and rich widower Richard Favour. His children are caught up in a whirlwind as their father’s new girlfriend descends on the family estate. Fleur is not one to wear her heart on her Chanel sleeves, but she soon finds herself embracing Richard and his family. But just as Fleur contemplates jumping off the gold-digger train for good, a long-buried secret from her past threatens to destroy her new family. “Witty and deeply biting. . . . Wickham’s characters move with the studied grace of Jane Austen’s upper class. . . . Readers will be both touched and entertained.” —Library Journal “An observant and engaging storyteller.” —Kirkus Reviews “An enjoyable read.” —Booklist