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heatheringwood's review
5.0
Once again Louise Mayberry draws us in to the characters world and mind while painting a picture of this moment in their lives that means everything. This adventure takes us to Central America and back to Scotland for a slowly developing and deep love of Cameron and Letty. The author continues to turn the traditional period piece romance on its end and dives into the unjustness happenings in this time. She places the characters on the edge of being the change makers for the future and let’s us get to know these people deeply.
As Louise Mayberry builds this world, I am left wanting to learn more and read the next installment of the Darnlay series.
As Louise Mayberry builds this world, I am left wanting to learn more and read the next installment of the Darnlay series.
emilyveryromance's review
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book had so much to say politically, and it was fascinating to read a romance that approached such a wide variety of unpleasant topics and didn’t shy away from the realities of life in the 19th century. I thought all of that was done nicely, and the unique setting of Yucatán was interesting and really enjoyable. The story meandered just a bit, but I found this romance to be really compelling in part because Letty never eased up on her convictions, and Cameron kept pressing himself to be better and live up to her very high standards. I’m so excited for the other books in this series and loved the preview of Cybil’s story that was tucked into the ebook.
thenymphettes's review
5.0
I honestly loved it.
The hero was very Jaime Fraiser-core in the best way and the complexity of the heroine was so refreshing. It had the vibes of all those fun adventure movies where the sexual tension occurs during a great journey.
I'd say the only part i didn't absolutely love was the romantic confession, it felt too immediate even though the build-up was there. I do think i get what the author was trying to do though in creating a sort of innocent awkward frankness.
I was also pleasantly surprised by the resolution of the story.
Spoiler: I had a sinking feeling when Letty came to london and failed, got sick and needed to be rescued. I liked the acknowledgment of the lack of options but another book might've ended it with Cameron coming and saving her- the end. Instead we get more story that ends up with them both choosing each other from a more equitable position.
I also loved that Letty felt she had to say yes to his proposal and her struggling with knowing if she loved him because I have never understood how all these female protagonists fall in love after 2 minutes and it just so happens to be to the man who can solve all their problems. But of course the fact he's rich never has anything to do with that, even though women couldn't own property at the time because they were property. Factoring in a man's wealth was not only the smart thing but the necessary thing, but of course admitting that would make her unlikeable so most authors shy away from the fact and make it a huge coincidence. It was additionally satisfying that she still made her own way though.
The hero was very Jaime Fraiser-core in the best way and the complexity of the heroine was so refreshing. It had the vibes of all those fun adventure movies where the sexual tension occurs during a great journey.
I'd say the only part i didn't absolutely love was the romantic confession, it felt too immediate even though the build-up was there. I do think i get what the author was trying to do though in creating a sort of innocent awkward frankness.
I was also pleasantly surprised by the resolution of the story.
Spoiler: I had a sinking feeling when Letty came to london and failed, got sick and needed to be rescued. I liked the acknowledgment of the lack of options but another book might've ended it with Cameron coming and saving her- the end. Instead we get more story that ends up with them both choosing each other from a more equitable position.
I also loved that Letty felt she had to say yes to his proposal and her struggling with knowing if she loved him because I have never understood how all these female protagonists fall in love after 2 minutes and it just so happens to be to the man who can solve all their problems. But of course the fact he's rich never has anything to do with that, even though women couldn't own property at the time because they were property. Factoring in a man's wealth was not only the smart thing but the necessary thing, but of course admitting that would make her unlikeable so most authors shy away from the fact and make it a huge coincidence. It was additionally satisfying that she still made her own way though.
glo68's review
5.0
A man without a purpose and a woman with one too big for her… What could go wrong?
Mind-blowing: could this be the right word for this book? Maybe yes… or maybe it’s too weak a word to describe one of the most beautiful books I’ve read this year. It’s even more gorgeous than the previous one of the series, in my opinion.
And yes, I didn’t particularly like Letty. No, it’s better to say that I hated her most of the time. But I understood her. She grew up surrounded by injustice, she wanted to right the wrongs she saw (and lived) since she was very little, it was who she was, she couldn’t be any different. I think it’s quite difficult to love a person like that, but Cameron did a good job and I loved him for that. He’s really not my type of hero, the kind, almost too sweet cinnamon roll type of hero, but I loved him very much. And no, you don’t have to love the characters to love a book. Because thanks to the amazing talent of the author these characters were real, breathing people to me and people are flawed, people make mistakes, people can be forgiven at the end. Let me just add a praise for the gorgeous descriptions of places. I wanted to visit that part of the world before, but now I’m actively looking for ways to go there and see all that beauty for myself.
So do yourself a favor and read this amazing book if you like well-researched historical romance with steam and an unconventional plot.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Mind-blowing: could this be the right word for this book? Maybe yes… or maybe it’s too weak a word to describe one of the most beautiful books I’ve read this year. It’s even more gorgeous than the previous one of the series, in my opinion.
And yes, I didn’t particularly like Letty. No, it’s better to say that I hated her most of the time. But I understood her. She grew up surrounded by injustice, she wanted to right the wrongs she saw (and lived) since she was very little, it was who she was, she couldn’t be any different. I think it’s quite difficult to love a person like that, but Cameron did a good job and I loved him for that. He’s really not my type of hero, the kind, almost too sweet cinnamon roll type of hero, but I loved him very much. And no, you don’t have to love the characters to love a book. Because thanks to the amazing talent of the author these characters were real, breathing people to me and people are flawed, people make mistakes, people can be forgiven at the end. Let me just add a praise for the gorgeous descriptions of places. I wanted to visit that part of the world before, but now I’m actively looking for ways to go there and see all that beauty for myself.
So do yourself a favor and read this amazing book if you like well-researched historical romance with steam and an unconventional plot.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
happily_after_heas's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Louise Mayberry does it again. Swept into the Storm is the perfect blend of history, social commentary, and, of course, romance.
We met Cameron Dunn, Earl of Banton, in Roses in Red Wax (remember Jane and her man, Pervy, I mean, Percy?). It's 1824 and Cam is exploring the Yucatan Peninsula because that's what entitled white dudes did in the 1820s. While at sea with some friends and a local guide, he falls overboard. When he wakes upon an abandoned beach, he is not so pleasantly greeted by Letty Monro, a Maya woman. From the beginning they feel a connection, sometimes it's a bit contentious and other times, it's fireworks. They are both drawn to each other but Letty refuses to act on it. She is determined to keep her deceased father's business afloat and escape to London to become an abolitionist. She doesn't have the time for a man. Cameron is dogged and refuses to give up because he feels the connection with her.
I adored Cam. He's such a cinnamon roll. He wants to help people; it's just who he is. But Letty...she doesn't want help--from anyone. Not Cam. Not her family. No one. Letty finds Cam's help patronizing and pitying, which maybe sometimes it is. Letty insists on making it on her own to and in London. She rubbed me the wrong way sometimes but I can always look beyond a main character that I don't gel with. She did have a tendency, when things just go slightly wrong, to make assumptions and jump ship (no pun intended). I'm rarely pleased with characters who are quick to dip with no "I'm out." However, fate intercedes repeatedly, bringing these two back together.
What I like the most about Mayberry's books is how she so naturally weaves history into the story. So much HR on the market is historical only because of the time in which it is set--a ball here, a carriage there. Sure, the fashion and the culture of the patriarchy, the rules of society are there but rarely does the story extend to the actual history and other social issues of the time. Just like today, we do not live in a bubble and move within the world impacted only by what clothes are in style, or what dance is popular. The world at large, the politics, the social injustice, etc. impact who we are, what we do, what else is going on. And Mayberry does not shy away from these topics in her books even when they are uncomfortable or ugly.
However she doesn't do it from a soapbox or demand the reader feel a particular way. Nor does she bombard you with it and weigh the story down to the point that it takes away from the characters, their relationship, and the romance. Instead, she presents the history as part of each character's story and allows the reader to use their own intelligence to form an opinion. It's just so ORGANIC that I find myself enjoying the history lessons (which is sad considering I was a history major in college). Lovers of the historical part of historical romance will enjoy her writing but lovers of the romance side will also thoroughly enjoy it too. It's rare to see both so well included and balanced. Usually you lose one in the other but not with Louise Mayberry. She's got the perfect recipe. 10/10 would recommend.
rjordan19's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥 (This is generous. The scenes are not overly long or super explicit)
Humor: A touch but overall I found this book has a somber feel
Perspective: Third person from both the hero and the heroine (lots from the hero!)
Cliffhanger: No
Epilogue: Yes, 6 months later
Reading Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy in e-book format
Should I read in order?
You could, but it’s not necessary. Cameron is our hero in this book and his sister, Jane, was the heroine in book 1. The romance and story do stand well alone though as there is not a lot of character overlap for either story.
Basic plot:
Cameron Dunn washes up on the shore in the Yucatan Peninsula and is begrudgingly rescued by Letty, who has greater priorities.
Give this a try if you want:
- Late Georgian time period (1824), but as this is the Yucatan Peninsula, I think it was the First Mexican Republic? (feel free to educate me, I know hardly anything about this area!)
- Yucatan Peninsula/London/Scotland settings (about half in Yucatan and the rest split)
- Scottish, red haired, Earl hero
- Maya, smuggler heroine
- Heroine nurses hero back to health AND hero nurses heroine back to health
- Skinny dipping
- LGBT positivegay couples as side characters
- bit of instalust – they don’t dive into it right away, the heroine holds him at arms length, but they don’t spend much time together before being intimate
- asthma rep (hero)
- both virgins!
- touch of reverse grump/sunshine
- Medium to high steam – there are 4 full scenes. Mayberry’s prose leans towards the poetic and emotional versus explicit in some scenes.
First lines:
”SENORS! Ojo!” The pilot’s black hair whipped in the wind. His hand shook as he pointed at something beyond Cameron. Something out to sea.
My thoughts:
Ohh this book! It put me through the wringer. I am really enjoying the unique voice of Mayberry. Her characters, settings, and situations never go quite where I expect them to, and the emotional aspect is everything I crave in a romance.
This book has a bit of a reverse sunshine and grump feel, though fitting the dynamic relationship and characters in this book into that trope doesn’t explain it at all. Both were so unique and unlike any characters I have ever read before.
Cameron is just the sweetest man. He’s an Earl in Scotland that has ended up on the Yucatan. He knows he’s a good person and believes he is doing the best he can for everyone in his life. He’s positive, sweet, caring and protective but doesn’t realize protecting someone from everything can be suffocating and restrictive. His relationship with Letty opens his eyes to so much and his growth was really touching throughout the novel.
Letty is a hard character to love. She bucks every stereotypical romance heroine description. She is very closed off and protects her heart, even from her family. She really tore my (and Cameron’s!) heart out a few times and I’m still not sure I fully love her, but the epilogue placated me quite a bit. But even with those feelings, I have such respect for her. Bravo, Louise, for telling Letty’s story. Letty has one of those personalities that thinks they have to do everything themselves and the weight they carry on their shoulders is heavy. I think Cameron is the perfect match to her and together they are so much stronger.
I struggled a touch with the bit of instalust feels in this one. Letty was very closed off and a bit cold to Cameron. They also didn’t spend a lot of time actually communicating in the first half of the book so when they fell into bed together, for me, it didn’t quite hold the build up I personally love in romance. I also wanted Letty to come to her feelings a bit more solidly, I wasn’t convinced of her love at the end of the story (but again, the epilogue soothed me :) )
I did enjoy the ending resolution. I thought it it was well done!
Content warnings:
- Serious illnesses and fevers on page
- Mentions of slavery and colonization
- Death of and grief over parent’s passing
- Racism
Author given content warnings: [
themes of chattel slavery, oppression of Native Americans, and racially motivated violence. It also explores someone from a dominant culture coming to terms with this unconscious biases and narrow worldview.
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes: all these scenes are a touch light on the details and not overly long
Safe sex: They are both virgins and are wary of getting pregnant so the first few scenes don’t include penetration. When they commit to each other, there is no protection used but they are betrothed
43% - kiss
46% - 🔥 breast play, fingering for her, hand job for him (the scenes are on the short side) in a hammock
49% - 🔥 a very brief mention of a scene together (implied oral for her) followed by a blow job for him in a cenote
69% - 🔥 missionary at the cottage, followed soon after by another missionary scene
96% - 🔥 missionary at the hotel
98% - brief mention of oral for her and sex
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥 (This is generous. The scenes are not overly long or super explicit)
Humor: A touch but overall I found this book has a somber feel
Perspective: Third person from both the hero and the heroine (lots from the hero!)
Cliffhanger: No
Epilogue: Yes, 6 months later
Reading Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy in e-book format
Should I read in order?
You could, but it’s not necessary. Cameron is our hero in this book and his sister, Jane, was the heroine in book 1. The romance and story do stand well alone though as there is not a lot of character overlap for either story.
Basic plot:
Cameron Dunn washes up on the shore in the Yucatan Peninsula and is begrudgingly rescued by Letty, who has greater priorities.
Give this a try if you want:
- Late Georgian time period (1824), but as this is the Yucatan Peninsula, I think it was the First Mexican Republic? (feel free to educate me, I know hardly anything about this area!)
- Yucatan Peninsula/London/Scotland settings (about half in Yucatan and the rest split)
- Scottish, red haired, Earl hero
- Maya, smuggler heroine
- Heroine nurses hero back to health AND hero nurses heroine back to health
- Skinny dipping
- LGBT positive
- bit of instalust –
- asthma rep (hero)
- both virgins!
- touch of reverse grump/sunshine
- Medium to high steam – there are 4 full scenes. Mayberry’s prose leans towards the poetic and emotional versus explicit in some scenes.
First lines:
”SENORS! Ojo!” The pilot’s black hair whipped in the wind. His hand shook as he pointed at something beyond Cameron. Something out to sea.
My thoughts:
Ohh this book! It put me through the wringer. I am really enjoying the unique voice of Mayberry. Her characters, settings, and situations never go quite where I expect them to, and the emotional aspect is everything I crave in a romance.
This book has a bit of a reverse sunshine and grump feel, though fitting the dynamic relationship and characters in this book into that trope doesn’t explain it at all. Both were so unique and unlike any characters I have ever read before.
Cameron is just the sweetest man. He’s an Earl in Scotland that has ended up on the Yucatan. He knows he’s a good person and believes he is doing the best he can for everyone in his life. He’s positive, sweet, caring and protective but doesn’t realize protecting someone from everything can be suffocating and restrictive. His relationship with Letty opens his eyes to so much and his growth was really touching throughout the novel.
Letty is a hard character to love. She bucks every stereotypical romance heroine description. She is very closed off and protects her heart, even from her family. She really tore my (and Cameron’s!) heart out a few times and I’m still not sure I fully love her, but the epilogue placated me quite a bit. But even with those feelings, I have such respect for her. Bravo, Louise, for telling Letty’s story. Letty has one of those personalities that thinks they have to do everything themselves and the weight they carry on their shoulders is heavy. I think Cameron is the perfect match to her and together they are so much stronger.
I struggled a touch with the bit of instalust feels in this one. Letty was very closed off and a bit cold to Cameron. They also didn’t spend a lot of time actually communicating in the first half of the book so when they fell into bed together, for me, it didn’t quite hold the build up I personally love in romance. I also wanted Letty to come to her feelings a bit more solidly, I wasn’t convinced of her love at the end of the story (but again, the epilogue soothed me :) )
I did enjoy the ending resolution. I thought it it was well done!
Content warnings:
- Serious illnesses and fevers on page
- Mentions of slavery and colonization
- Death of and grief over parent’s passing
- Racism
Author given content warnings: [
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes: all these scenes are a touch light on the details and not overly long
Safe sex:
43% - kiss
46% - 🔥 breast play, fingering for her, hand job for him (the scenes are on the short side) in a hammock
49% - 🔥 a very brief mention of a scene together (implied oral for her) followed by a blow job for him in a cenote
69% - 🔥 missionary at the cottage, followed soon after by another missionary scene
96% - 🔥 missionary at the hotel
98% - brief mention of oral for her and sex
megatza's review
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ameliabee33's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is unlike any historical romance that I have ever read, so much so I would say it edges on historical fiction. The romance is definitely there throughout the book, but until the end, the romance is written almost like a subplot.
The fmc, Letty, is a Mayan woman running her late father's business as well as smuggling goods and former slaves into Mexico. Letty's ultimate goal throughout the book is immediate abolition. Her father and mother worked for it and now she has made it her life goal, and no one, not even a handsome Scottish earl with golden retriever energy, is going to get in her way.
As in the book description provided by the author the main plot revolves around racism, slavery, and unlearning bias. These are topics that are not typically written in books of this genre. Letty is an Indigenous woman who had a white father and her friends/family are Indigenous and POC. Cameron, the mmc, is a privileged, white, Scottish earl (landlord) who begins the book with limited knowledge and exposure to POC as well as his own internalized racism.
When Cameron and Letty first interacted with one another, Letty somewhat had the upper hand- she knows the land, people, language, etc. When they are on more equal footing they fall in love with one another. When the pair end up in England however, roles are reversed and Cameron, the white man, takes charge, creating a very tense power dynamic. So tense I was unsure if there could even be an HEA. Cameron, while he was in love with Letty, didn't understand her drive for immediate abolition and I felt like he didn't understand /her/ until the very end. Cameron goes through unlearning his own racial bias, realizing his father wasn't the best man, and coming to terms with the fact that he is a glorified landlord. He is the party that oppresses people which is difficult for him to realize. Letty doesn't let go of her ultimate goal, even after breaking their romantic relationship, she chooses her fight for abolition above all else- which I thought was valid, she shouldn't have to change herself just because an ignorant white man couldn't get over himself.
Like I mentioned before, I was highly unsure if there was going to be an HEA, especially with the power dynamics set up in this book. Mayberry stressed the importance of white people not viewing black/Indigenous/POC as people who needed to be helped out of pity. She wrote about the importance of full independence, and for white people to not play a "parental role" and expect to be thanked for "allowing" POC to be treated with basic human dignity. There was a lot being said about the rhetoric surrounding abolition in London at that time, which I believe is relevant to this day.
I would also like to bring up the trope that is sadly, commonly found in romance of that of the noble/rich white person and the brown servant. I was very worried that this storyline was going to veer down that path, especially when the setting left the Yucatan. There was opportunity for it to arise, where Letty would just go into the marriage to Cameron, relying off of the work of others to sustain them and ultimately loses herself in his need to "protect" her. Thus fulfilling the role of her performing a service for him in the Yucatan, him being like I can offer you so much more than this, and then her going off to live her life in Scotland, ultimately leaving her goals/family behind. Thankfully, it didn't happen. Mayberry wrote Letty as a woman who doesn't give up from her goal, her passions, just for a man. She told Cameron off THANK GOD.
Just a disclaimer but I feel that as a white woman I will never understand and/or be able to discuss the impact and accuracy of this story. My opinions are restricted due to my privilege so I cannot say if Mayberry wrote poc characters and feeling of said characters towards racism well, but I know intent to do so was there.
The fmc, Letty, is a Mayan woman running her late father's business as well as smuggling goods and former slaves into Mexico. Letty's ultimate goal throughout the book is immediate abolition. Her father and mother worked for it and now she has made it her life goal, and no one, not even a handsome Scottish earl with golden retriever energy, is going to get in her way.
As in the book description provided by the author the main plot revolves around racism, slavery, and unlearning bias. These are topics that are not typically written in books of this genre. Letty is an Indigenous woman who had a white father and her friends/family are Indigenous and POC. Cameron, the mmc, is a privileged, white, Scottish earl (landlord) who begins the book with limited knowledge and exposure to POC as well as his own internalized racism.
When Cameron and Letty first interacted with one another, Letty somewhat had the upper hand- she knows the land, people, language, etc. When they are on more equal footing they fall in love with one another. When the pair end up in England however, roles are reversed and Cameron, the white man, takes charge, creating a very tense power dynamic. So tense I was unsure if there could even be an HEA. Cameron, while he was in love with Letty, didn't understand her drive for immediate abolition and I felt like he didn't understand /her/ until the very end. Cameron goes through unlearning his own racial bias, realizing his father wasn't the best man, and coming to terms with the fact that he is a glorified landlord. He is the party that oppresses people which is difficult for him to realize. Letty doesn't let go of her ultimate goal, even after breaking their romantic relationship, she chooses her fight for abolition above all else- which I thought was valid, she shouldn't have to change herself just because an ignorant white man couldn't get over himself.
Like I mentioned before, I was highly unsure if there was going to be an HEA, especially with the power dynamics set up in this book. Mayberry stressed the importance of white people not viewing black/Indigenous/POC as people who needed to be helped out of pity. She wrote about the importance of full independence, and for white people to not play a "parental role" and expect to be thanked for "allowing" POC to be treated with basic human dignity. There was a lot being said about the rhetoric surrounding abolition in London at that time, which I believe is relevant to this day.
I would also like to bring up the trope that is sadly, commonly found in romance of that of the noble/rich white person and the brown servant. I was very worried that this storyline was going to veer down that path, especially when the setting left the Yucatan. There was opportunity for it to arise, where Letty would just go into the marriage to Cameron, relying off of the work of others to sustain them and ultimately loses herself in his need to "protect" her. Thus fulfilling the role of her performing a service for him in the Yucatan, him being like I can offer you so much more than this, and then her going off to live her life in Scotland, ultimately leaving her goals/family behind. Thankfully, it didn't happen. Mayberry wrote Letty as a woman who doesn't give up from her goal, her passions, just for a man. She told Cameron off THANK GOD.
Just a disclaimer but I feel that as a white woman I will never understand and/or be able to discuss the impact and accuracy of this story. My opinions are restricted due to my privilege so I cannot say if Mayberry wrote poc characters and feeling of said characters towards racism well, but I know intent to do so was there.
sandywich89's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️,75/5
Steam: 🌶️🌶️,5/5
Tropes:
- cinnamon roll mmc
- BIPOC fmc
- Scottish mmc
- They are both virgins!
- Set in Central America and Scotland
- Boat trip!
- Taking care of sick MC (twice!)
- Diverse cast of characters (lgbtq+ rep)
Criminy! The second book in the darnalay castle series is here! And I was lucky enough to get to read the ARC and I was again enchanted by this lovely story that seems to be diving in between historical fiction and historical romance with on page steam.
This time around the story begins not in the Highlands or even in the UK, but in Mexico, where Cameron is stranded on a beach after being shipwrecked. Luckily for him the Scottish/Mayan Letty finds him on her way back home.
This setting took some getting used to for me and it focuses on the slavery in Central America at the time. Letty is a strong fighter for immediate abolition and no matter what, she will sacrifice everything to get it, even her own happiness.
Cameron (who we already met in Roses in red wax) is a big (virgin!!!) cinnamon roll ginger Scottish laird and falls head over heels with Letty. And he makes sure she knows it. And I just adored him. (Except: how many times can a person say ‘criminy!’) He is so swoony and I loved his struggle with wanting ‘to care’ for everything and everyone, but not seeing how that became toxic to his relationship with Letty.
I had issues with Letty, and that is saying it mildly. She made me want to give her a thorough scolding and I just wanted to shake her. Running away, in stead of confronting her family and business partner, and just leaving a note. If you want to be a fighter for immediate abolition, constantly advocating it, you don’t run away when things get tough and you’re afraid about other people’s reactions.
I think she had a lot of growing to do and the end of the book really saved my feelings about her.
It took me a while to get into this one and around the 35% mark the book just takes off and sucked me in. It’s not your regular histrom, it’s treading the line with historical fiction, but it still has its HEA and spicy goodness. The beginning and the end really focuses on the slavery and in between it suddenly focuses on the romance, which at times made the story feel a bit disconnected, but I enjoyed this a lot nonetheless. I mean I read almost in 1 sitting after the 40% mark 😅.
Thank you so much Louise for the eARC and the lovely chats while I was reading the book.
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