I devoured this. I listened on audiobook and I cooked/cleaned for like 5 hours straight because I was enjoying this book so much and didn't want to do something else where I'd have to stop listening. If you love the drama and romance of fairy tales like Beauty and the Beast, and you also love it when characters communicate and treat each other with respect and compassion, you will probably enjoy this as well. Yes, it's incredibly romantic to be swept up in the arms of a steadfast man and carried off to a safe haven, but it's also incredibly romantic to have someone listen to you when you talk about your interests and always consider your advice and opinions. There's plenty of both here. Like The Siren of Sussex, the sex scenes are closed door, but omg this book presses you right up against that door. I was flustered and blushing through certain parts. For me, this was a perfect mix of the grand gestures and dramatic imagery of classic fairy tales, the subtleties and sweetness of real human experience and emotion, and the grounding and informative qualities of good historical fiction.

Despite my middling rating, I do believe that this series is a really good starter for those looking to foray into historical romance. Both of our main characters are deeply interesting and play off one another very well, and there's the right amount of pining and wit. I wish they weren't closed door, but I understand not all authors feel comfortable writing those scenes. That and the slow pacing to reveal the final conflict (I guessed both twists before the 40% marking which made things quite frustrating) keep this from a higher start ranking for me personally.