TW: thoughts of suicide

Solid 3 stars. If you want a nice, more lighthearted read, and you love grumpy/sunshine couples, you would enjoy this.

The story started off strong. The prologue was heart breaking, but it is the greatest piece of insight to why the hero is the way he is. Introduction to the heroine was great too. The intro to the sisters, and other secondary were amazing (I hope we get a series with some of them). I also thought their familial dynamic was great. Viola’s relationship with the sisters were just as important as her’s with West.

The banter between the hero and heroine was cute. I love when characters openly tease each other.. there was a few time jumps that I wish there were moments we could have seen. Maybe a few more scenes of them getting to know each other outside of marriage plotting. I also wish we would have seen a bit more of West’s wicked ways. He kept saying he was beyond redeemable, but I kept thinking to myself, a bit of fighting, gambling, and drinking is kinda lightweight. I’ve definitely have read worse heroes.

Right around the time Belinda was eloping/kidnapped I thought the story lost some its appeal. I think that whole part of the plot was left field, and didn’t need to happen. Also may the Lord bless that poor woman who is left with Laxton (BUT I wouldn’t mind a novella about a strained marriage turning into a love match). The end in general was a bit too perfect. All the problems in the book just solved themselves.

It sound like I didn’t like the book, but I did. All my critiques are of my nit picking. I would honestly recommend this to people. Especially those who are new to the historical romance genre.