THE VERY DEFINITION OF LOVE
Bridgerton meets Emily Henry in this fresh take on regency romance about a wallflower writing a dictionary of bawdy slang who arranges her own marriage to the ultimate instructor: the town rake.
“Sexy and witty . . . a clever regency romance that kept me giggling.” —Joss Richard, international bestselling author of It’s Different This Time
1816—Harriet Bancroft doesn’t mind that she’s on her fifth season with no marriage prospects, it gives her more time to write her dictionary of modern slang. Words are her passion, especially the exciting,
Bridgerton meets Emily Henry in this fresh take on regency romance about a wallflower writing a dictionary of bawdy slang who arranges her own marriage to the ultimate instructor: the town rake.
“Sexy and witty . . . a clever regency romance that kept me giggling.” —Joss Richard, international bestselling author of It’s Different This Time
1816—Harriet Bancroft doesn’t mind that she’s on her fifth season with no marriage prospects, it gives her more time to write her dictionary of modern slang. Words are her passion, especially the exciting, filthy ones men have kept hidden from women for far too long.
Enter the ultimate teacher . . .
When Harriet accidentally finds herself in a compromising situation with the notorious rake Lord Alexander, she has no choice but to sort of kidnap him and strong-arm him into an elopement. This arranged marriage has a very particular condition—it will be in-name-only, leaving each of them to follow their own interests. For Harriet that’s her work; for Alexander, that’s women.
But love has a different lesson in mind . . .
But soon Alexander’s rakish lifestyle is not nearly as fun as spending time with Harriet, and Harriet’s beginning to worry that she might actually like her husband. Behind the closed doors of their respectable home, things become a little . . . complicated. After all, who better teach her the very thorough meaning of these indecent words than the renowned lover, Lord Alexander Stirling?
Perhaps this marriage will teach them both a little more about that word they’ve been avoiding—love.
- Slowburn
- Paperback
- June 2026
- 448 Pages
- 9781638933557
Buy the Book
$19.00
About Sophia Benoit
Sophia Benoit is the author of Well, This Is Exhausting, writes regular columns in GQ and Bustle, and has written for WSJ, The Guardian, The Cut, Fatherly, Insider, Refinery29, Allure, PS, and more. Sophia doesn’t have an MFA from anywhere, and probably isn′t ever going to, much to the chagrin of her father. She is the host of the sex and relationships Ringer podcast None of My Business. Originally from St. Louis, she now lives in Los Angeles with her dog and her boyfriend (but usually only spouses make it into bios, so don’t worry about him).
Praise
An Indie Next Pick
“The Very Definition of Love is a witty, sexy, and deliciously fun romp! Historical romance readers will love Sophia Benoit’s charming debut!” —Liana De la Rosa, USA Today bestselling author of Ana María and The Fox
“Sophia Benoit’s The Very Definition of Love is hot, heartfelt, and witty. This smart and sexy Regency romance is the very definition of a page-turner.” —Lauren Kung Jessen, author of The Fortune Flip
“The Very Definition of Love is sexy and witty. Sophia Benoit wrote a clever Regency romance that kept me giggling.” —Joss Richard, international bestselling author of It’s Different This Time
“The Very Definition of Love serves up endless pleasures: a bawdy romance, a good laugh, and a sneaky education in the Regency era’s filthiest slang. It’s heartfelt, sizzling, and witty, and the characters are so richly drawn, it’s easy to forget this is fiction. Sophia Benoit is unmatched!” —Hannah Orenstein, author of Maine Characters
“Wickedly nerdy and unapologetically hot, I challenge you to read The Very Definition of Love and not fall for Harriet and Alexander. Sophia Benoit is a sparkling new voice in romance!” —Ella Dawson, author of But How Are You, Really
“Sweet, funny, romantic, and sexy, I swooned, smiled, and sweated whilst devouring this book! Benoit has written a gem of a love story, and precisely what I need in all my historical romances. I cannot wait to read more of what she does!” —Bolu Babalola, international bestselling author of Honey and Spice
“[A] playful and sexy Regency debut. . . This should win Benoit plenty of fans.” —Publishers Weekly
“A very sexy, witty take on the classic Regency romance.” —Marie Claire
Discussion Questions
- Beyond their opinions of dancing (for we know Harriet loathes it), how are Harriet and Alexander different from one another? How are they alike?
- Why is this pairing of rake meets wallflower so alluring, and how has it evolved over time, from Regency to today?
- How does Harriet “kidnapping” Alexander refresh the arranged marriage trope? What other timeless, beloved romance tropes are at play in this love story?
- Much like Harriet, The Very Definition of Love is concerned with language and education. In what ways does Harriet’s work explore the intersections between feminism, knowledge, words, and sex? What does this mean in the Regency time period, in particular?
- We first meet Giuliana as a “quite expensive and experienced mistress” to Alexander. In what ways does this character subvert the “other woman” stereotype?
- Our story begins with Harriet’s sister, Philippa, helping her get dressed for a ball. How does this opening scene illuminate the differences between the two Bancroft sisters, as well as their varying approaches to love?
- What’s the most interesting new vernacular you learned from Harriet?
- Who would you cast in the lead roles for a film adaptation of The Very Definition of Love?