*I received a copy from the author in exchange for my honest review

This is not your typical romance as it shows the dark side of the time, but the raw emotion is so worth it! I liked the amount of time it took for them to meet because I really got to know Emma beforehand.  It's one of those stories that have your emotions on edge and changing throughout the book. I love how they first spotted each other and the scene at the opera. I held my breath when it came to the pond scene and almost yelled out loud. Throughout the whole book, I was hoping for a certain ending with Edward and it happened so I was thrilled. This is not a full feel-good story which makes it a nice change.

Emma is so strong and a fighter. I loved her from the start because she didn't cower from anyone and wasn't going to be bullied around. She did what she had to to keep her brother and sister safe and taken care of. No matter what she was going to her brother and sister and start a new life.

Gideon can make you smile no matter what. I loved how he had a way of lightening the mood and how he was with every person he was around. He took action as soon as he realized what was going on with Emma and didn't care about what she had been forced to do. He would never let her feel shame.