I really loved this one - it had the perfect balance of deep feelings and the lightness that comes with the Wilde family and how simply delightful they are.

James made this family unique - legitimate children, a partially-Indian ward, an illegitimate child of no relation but raised by the family, stepchildren - it is difficult to encompass the scope of this family in a sentence. It is so lovely that the family is full of love despite their unconventional relations to each other. Here we get to see that certain members of the family still feel out of place despite being considered a Wilde by the patriarch.

I loved Betsy and her struggle to see herself as a Wilde - her mother taints her perception of herself. She takes control of her struggle in the best way she can. She is strong and passionate and just wants to be herself.

Jeremy's struggle with PTSD was also unique - while I have encountered characters in HRs with this disorder, I do not believe there has been one related to his service on behalf of the Crown in the war with the American colonies.

While this had a modicum of a love triangle, it was a very tame one (as was fortunate - I hate real love triangles).

I first read Eloisa James many years ago and took a long hiatus from her work. I've been enamored of this series and this family - so glad to have gotten back into it!