Meadow Szarvas sneaks into a mansion to remove a priceless painting that rightfully belongs to her grandmother. She does not expect the new owner to have high tech alarms throughout the house. When apprehended, Meadow does what any self-respecting burglar would do, she lies and claims amnesia. To her amazement, Devlin Fitzwilliam, the owner, seizes her in his arms and claims Meadow is his missing wife. Unable to figure out her next move, Meadow plays along, hoping to search the mansion while she comes up with a new plan to extricate herself from the situation.

Devlin cannot believe his luck. He recognizes his thief as the granddaughter of the infamous Isabelle Benjamin. Isabelle was the woman who humbled his nemesis, Bradley Benjamin. Bradley, succumbing to bad financial decisions, reluctantly allows Devlin to buy his mansion. Having bought the home for a song, Devlin completes the humiliation by turning it into a hotel. The locals, in cahoots with Bradley, begin sabotaging the project. Acknowledging Meadow as his wife provides Devlin with another wound to inflect upon Bradley.

Devlin and Meadow enjoy their verbal fencing and hot chemistry. However, the excitement abruptly changes when attempts are made on Meadow's life.

Ms. Dodd's talent shines as TONGUE IN CHIC highlights this author's gift for creating snappy dialogue paired with irresistible characters. As outlandish as the plot seems, it nevertheless works, giving readers one laugh after another. A definite cure for the winter doldrums.