“I've spent twenty-eight years doing what everyone around me expected me to do...being what everyone around me has expected me to be. And it's horrid to be someone else's vision of yourself.”

What a cute and exciting historical romance!

❦ Callie ❦
I loved our protagonist! She was an intriguing blend of shy and brave, and I had an amazing time seeing her make her way through her list. The only thing I didn’t enjoy was that she was a bit too self-deprecating. I can’t even count how many times she put herself down, and it just got to be a bit too much after a while.

"I'm invisible. So, why not stop being such a craven wallflower and start trying all the things that I've always dreamed of doing? Why not go to taverns and drink scotch and fence? I confess, those things have been much more interesting than all the loathsome teas and balls and needlepoint with which I have traditionally occupied my time." She met his gaze again. "Does this make sense?"
He nodded seriously. "It does. You're trying to find Callie.”

❦ Gabriel ❦
I also really liked Gabriel! He wasn’t anything too unique because a lot of historical romance male leads often blend into each other, but he was an interesting character nonetheless.

❦ The Other Characters ❦
This book also set up the plot of the next two a little bit, since both Nicholas and Juliana have books. I had a great time reading about them in this book and I definitely want to read their own stories soon!

❦ The Plot ❦
The premise for this book was super riveting and so well executed! There were so many hilarious scenes where Callie put herself into danger (of being ruined) and I particularly enjoyed the scenes where she went to the fencing club and to gamble. This was a pretty unique concept for the historical genre (as far as I know) and it was so so good!

“You cheated!”
He looked at her, wide-eyed with feigned outrage. “I beg your pardon. If you were a man, I would call you out for that accusation.”
“And I assure you, my lord, that I would ride forth victoriously on behalf of truth, humility, and righteousness.”
“Are you quoting the Bible to me?”
“Indeed,” she said primly, the portrait of piousness.
“While gambling.”
“What better location to attempt to reform one such as you?”

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