This book has everything I typically love: wallflowers, bluestockings, anachronistic feminist beliefs...but I ended up feeling just meh about the whole book. I like the romance between classes and I even loved her interest in etymology.

But, in the end, everything felt a bit too tidy, the dialogue felt a bit stiff, and it felt like the characters were just playing out stereotypes or tropes (judgemental dowager mother, quirky science friend, motherly housekeeper, etc etc). It was cute, but I wasn't excited about it and found myself skimming in parts. The overly happy ending kind of grated too (trying to avoid spoilers) - maybe I've just read too many books lately, I don't know. So, it was cute and I finished it but it was just okay for me. This was my first book by Lenora Bell, so I'm not sure if it's me, if it's the book, or if it's the author's style (or maybe a mix of the three). I was curious about the side characters and their stories (especially the brother's), so maybe I will read those next.

Also (and, yes, this is a silly thing to bug me, but...), glasses really just *don't fog that often*. Her glasses were constantly getting fogged up in situations where it just wouldn't happen, and it drove me *bananas.*