A review by jklbookdragon
The Seduction of the Crimson Rose by Lauren Willig

5.0

4.5 stars, because I can't bring myself to call something that's really a romance 5 stars. This book works for me, though, and is my favorite of the series so far, I think because the two main characters are nuanced. She's a scheming, title-grabbing opportunist and he's a roué and cad, if not a spy, and yet it's pretty easy to sympathize with and definitely to root for them both. The way the two interact with each other, and the layers of poetry/Shakespeare reference and triple entendre that result are truly delightful. There's also an interesting bit of mystery about the identity of the Black Tulip, and some interesting interludes in the present day.