Description
From New York Times bestselling author Laura Sebastian comes a swoony, second-chance romance set in a magical Gilded Age world, where a con artist targets her biggest mark yet-and unexpectedly reunites with the one who first stole her heart.
The Ryskamp family fortune is in trouble. And Arden's gift for invisibility can't stave off his creditors...or the shame of catastrophic courtships. His only recourse is to marry a highborn Luster girl of his great-aunt's choosing. But when Arden goes to meet her, another woman catches his eye: the copper-haired beauty who ran away with his heart. And engagement ring.
Newly betrothed to yet another wealthy bachelor, Mavis has gone by many names-Arabella then, Delphinia now. Unlike the Lusters, however, Mavis lacks magical abilities, relying instead on her charms and her cons to get by. But no amount of money can repay her debts. And no amount of distance could prepare her for a reunion with her first mark.
Thrown together by fate, Arden and Mavis put aside their past to pull one last con that could save them both. The only price may be falling in love again. This time, for real.
(c) 2026 by Laura Sebastian, all rights reserved.
About the Author
Laura Sebastian grew up in South Florida and attended Savannah College of Art and Design. Now, she lives and writes in London, England, with her two dogs, Neville and Circe. Her work includes the New York Times bestselling Ash Princess series (Ash Princess, Lady Smoke, and Ember Queen) as well as the Castles in Their Bones series (Castles in Their Bones, Stardust in Their Veins, and Poison in Their Hearts). Laura is also the author of Half Sick of Shadows, her first novel for adults, and Into the Glades, aimed at middle-grade readers.
Reviews
"Laura Sebastian creates a dazzling and layered world, perfect for readers who want a magical twist on the Gilded Age. Once Swindled packs my favorite tropes-a cunning lady con artist, a society simmering with scandal, and a second-chance romance that will keep you turning the pages." -Zoraida Cordova, USA Today bestselling author of Kiss the Girl
"Once Swindled is the fantasy-historical romance mash-up of my dreams. This book truly has it all: an intriguing magic system and thoughtful world-building, complete with a historical setting that feels like a combination of Bridgerton and The Gilded Age, and a deeply sexy, swoony second-chance romance that readers will be obsessed with. I didn't know how much I needed a romance between a con artist and the man she once conned until I read this book-this is a delight, and I am already desperate for the next book in the series." -Martha Waters, author of To Love and to Loathe
Book Information
ISBN 9781662538803
Author Laura Sebastian
Format Paperback
Page Count 351
Imprint 47North
Publisher Amazon Publishing
Series Lack and Luster
Weight(grams) 363g
Dimensions(mm) 216mm * 140mm * 25mm
