This had been on my radar for years, but a reading challenge motivated me to finally read it. It's not my favorite book by this author, but I enjoyed it a lot, and always relish a 'queer people have always existed and some must have lived mostly happy and fulfilling lives' story. In this one we do get a sense of fear and trepidation of discovery, particularly when Augustus is compelled to aid a patient at significant risk to himself and his new colleague William. As much as the drama and burgeoning romance, I was equally interested in the medical facts and historical notes the author peppered through, which felt natural and enhanced the plot.

Things do happen rapidly (instalust that develops into more) but I can buy it because Augustus was a soldier who had a serious injury; that always makes me think that a character is likely to throw caution to the wind, knowing how capricious life can be and you have to take your chances at happiness where you find them.

In this book, the threat of discovery and violence is enough to keep readers interested, but (happily) nothing very dire happens to our characters in the end, and we are spared the more gruesome details of the patient Moss's discovery and capture. Ottoman will sink deeper into cozy comforting vibes in future books, but his larger literary project seems to be creating welcoming spaces in the past for trans characters, which is one I heartily approve of and will continue to read, backlist and future releases alike.