My only objection to this book is that it's falsely advertised. Yes, it's well constructed, the style transporting you effortlessly to that time, and the research done is solid on the author part. However, for a book sold in an LGBTQ store, on the lesbian shelf, and being about a known lesbian from that century, this book felt almost like the cold slap of queerbaiting.

I expected Fingersmith, and instead had to bare with a lot of damaging heteronormativity and only one line, on the second to last page, confirming lesbian relations had indeed happened. I'm sorry, but I can't forgive the book that.

Read it if you're into women being punished for wanting independence and daring to love other women.