---

MY REVIEW:

I bought this book when it came out and tried reading it three other times before I finally got through it. I don’t know why I couldn’t get past the first few chapters before – I think I might have just been in the wrong mood – but I’m glad I picked it up again.

I thought that Lady Aslyn was going to be really obnoxious and meek the first few times I picked up this book, but boy was I wrong as I actually got into the story. I was really pleased with her character arc as she was willing to seek out her own path and do what felt right to her. She didn’t stick to the pre-planned path laid out for her by society, and I loved that. Mick Trewlove (a name I do not like) also was not I expected he’d be based on my first impressions from the previous times picking up this book. I worried his plan to get revenge on the Duke who failed to acknowledge him would consume him and make him an asshole in his relationship with Aslyn, but there wasn’t as much malice/hatred in him as I expected. I really liked watching both of these characters grow together and they seemed to bring the best out of each other.

I will say the ending was a bit eye-rolling, and I also somehow predicted it? Overall though, I’m so glad I tried this one again as it was a gem of the story. I’ve already started book 2 and am excited to see what stories Lorraine Heath has in store for the rest of the Trewlove clan.