I picked this one up because I had enjoyed the first in the series very much. I had low expectations, though, because the male love interest seemed more the stereotypical Romance genre alpha-male, on the rapey-side, based on his appearance in Cold-Hearted Rake. Much to my surprise, though, the author gave him a more nuanced character in this book, and although he was certainly a bit manipulative, the heroine had full agency. Most of what I like about this series of books is the rediscovery of Romance as an enjoyable, escapist read.

Audiobook borrowed from my local library via Overdrive. Excellence performance by Mary Jane Wells.
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I absolutely loved this book! It had everything I love in a historical romance and nothing I didn't. All of the characters, both main and supporting, felt fleshed out and like they had a purpose. The plot had high stakes without seeming random, and that final scene in the train station... I was on the edge of my seat! I can't remember the last time I was so enthralled.

First, the characters. Helen is a sweet heroine who isn't saccharine, someone moral without being an unattainable Florence Nightingale. Someone with thoughts, fears, and insecurities. I loved the touch where Helen strives, at the beginning of the novel, to overcome her shyness and even admits that it has hindered her! This was so refreshing!

Winterbourne was another interesting character, mostly because he was different than other heroes in that he was almost always injured or sick. Instead of making him unmanly, it made him more sympathetic, and his desire to overcome his past and the prejudice around him was believable.

What really made this book was the supporting cast: Winterbourne's secretary, Dr. Gibson, Helen's half-sister, her long dead parents, her living one, and Pandora and Cassandra all played a vital part of the story without being too clownish or too cliché. It brought the story to life.

The piece de resistance was the climactic moment when Helen is running away from the antagonist and waiting at the train station. Each delayed minute, each furtive glance around the station had me gripping the book. Of course she was going to be okay, but the question was how! Without giving too much away, the ending was satisfying because it showed her tenacity and also allowed Winterbourne to save her.

If you love quieter, shyer heroines who aren't as bombastic, then I highly recommend this romance. It won't disappoint.

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I think it took me a year plus to read this book? I loved all the characters in this book. I found them interesting and compelling. I did not like the "big secret" plot device. ( )

As always, a good read, especially if you want to lighten the mood. Not that it's all cheesy. It has its unexpected turns and villains, but still, it offers some cosiness one can come back to after a stressful day. I liked Helen very much starting from the first book in the series, and Rhys was gorgeous, too. I especially enjoyed seeing the gentler part of his personality. I also have to mention that there were a few scenes that were not at all light because they involved kids suffering, and I just hate reading about that. ( )

Per me la Kleypas è la garanzia di leggere sempre storie avvincenti e ben scritte e anche questa volta non si smentisce con questa serie che mi è piaciuta tantissimo, dalla prima riga del primo libro fino all’ultima dell’ultimo.
Protagonisti del secondo libro sono la mite Lady Helen Ravenel e Rhys Winterborne, di umili origini, che con tenacia e ambizione ha raggiunto il successo e una grande ricchezza. Una storia ricca di dolcezza e sentimento.
Bellissimo e imperdibile.
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