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MY REVIEW:

This might be my favorite book in the Sin for All Seasons series and I’m a bit shocked by that. I wasn’t really sure what to expect going in for Fancy’s story. Her upbringing is so different from that of the other Trewlove siblings. Born to Ettie Trewlove, the matriarch of the Trewlove clan who took in the nobility’s bastards and raised them as her own, Fancy was destined for greater things in live – a fancy house, a fancy man and fancy life. Being so much younger than her siblings and raised with these expectations, she was a bit a question mark to me, but I ended up loving her. I love her passion for books and you could tell she was truly happy when she was in her book shop.

Matthew, the Earl of Rosemont in hiding, was a worth partner for Fancy. After his now deceased wife publishes a “love letter” about how great a husband he was for all of London to see, Matthew needs to escape as he knows the letter was a farce since his wife trapped him into marriage to get a title. He’s got a complicated history when it comes to love as he’s been duped by his previous wife and he doesn’t want to be tricked again. He wants to be accepted and loved for who he is as Matthew and not who he is as Rosemont.

While Matthew does conceal his true identity from Fancy, it didn’t really feel like a deception to me. He truly just wanted an escape from Society and it’s pressures, and falls into Fancy’s bookstore and life. The relationship between Matthew and Fancy might be my favorite in the whole series as I loved how it grew throughout the story. They both were two characters who were struggling with expectations put on them – Fancy with her family’s expectations to live a fancy life and marry a lord; Matthew with Society’s and the weight of his title – and found happiness and solace in Fancy’s bookshop. Watching their romance progress slowly throughout the course of the book, and watching them realize what truly makes them happy, was pure joy.

The only thing I didn’t like was at one point how quickly Matthew assumed the worst of Fancy when she was basically conned into a “compromising situation” by another lord at a ball. It caused unnecessary drama and could have been resolved by talking, but I also understand where he was coming from and it all worked out in the end.

If you’re looking for a light-hearted, fun and swoon-worthy romance, this book is for you. This whole series has taken me by surprise at just how enjoyable they are (even if they’re a little far-fetched). They offer a great escape from the current mess of a world and leave you with a smile on your face. Highly recommend for any historical romance lovers out there (or those who just watched Bridgerton and want books similar to them!).