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allingoodtime's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I’m not ashamed to admit I requested an ARC of this book based on its cover. I don’t do that often, but this one really caught my eye. At the time, I hadn’t read anything by this author but then again I had only gotten back into reading historical romance about a year ago. And again, this cover! Being a completionist (if that’s the right word) of sorts, I promptly requested the first book in the series from the library and enjoyed that story quite a bit. Poppy was introduced in Girls Before Earls and I love her strong will and eagerness to learn. I knew she’d be a challenge for anyone to woo.
While I knew I’d fall in love with Keane, I was not expecting to fall quite so quickly. I’m sure Poppy felt the same. He is generous and kind and does not tolerate those that are selfish. Which is why he has a bit of a reputation within the Ton. Not because he’s bad, but because he doesn’t conform to their expectations and will not deign to explain himself to them when they would rather believe gossip and half-truths.
For her reasons, Poppy doesn’t trust anyone in the aristocracy yet finds herself wanting to believe Keane is not as bad as she had at first believed. It doesn’t take long before Poppy learns who the real Keane is, and it’s not from any sort of confession from him. Keane prefers people make their judgments of him without his explanations and excuses, and those that want to believe the worst are not worth his time. Poppy is well worth his time, and she proves that.
I love the time Poppy and Keane spent on their own in their hideaway as well as during their adventures (along with his valet) trying to figure out who is after Keane. The real world is still there, Poppy still has to work and take care of her father, but she’s able to escape from her hard life when she goes down to the beach to bring Keane food and conversation.
Keane is a stalwart throughout this book, which I greatly appreciate. Even when the thought is introduced to him that Poppy may be scamming him, which given the circumstances could have been easily believed, he knows in his heart that it is not in her nature and he can trust her. As much as I believed I’d love Poppy from her introduction in the first book, Keane was right there with her in my esteem.
There were a few times I felt the pacing of the story was off but other than that this was a great read.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Murder
Minor: Child abuse
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