This book was definitely worth the hype!
Lord Ian Mackenzie tries to live a quiet life away from people. He loves his ming bowls, and wants for nothing else. An acquaintance of his (who is an awful human) is thinking of proposing to Mrs. Beth Ackerley, (a young widow of a vicar who inherited a fortune from an elderly woman to whom she was a companion) Ian wants to see if she is worth warning.
What he doesn't expect is to be smitten, and want her for himself. Beth doesn't know what to think of this warning. After doing her own investigating, she thanks Lord Mackenzie for his help.
Did I mention he proposed at the time? Social cues are something that Ian (whom we would now classify as somewhere on the autism spectrum, but high functioning,) struggles with. He thinks himself incapable of love, but will he love Beth?
I fell in love with Ian and Beth as characters so quickly. I adore them both, and wanted their happiness above all else. The on page chemistry between them was off the charts. The sex scenes were steamy and also tastefully done. The banter between them was sweet and funny. You can't help but root for them.
There is a murder/mystery part of this plot that played out so well, and tied into the story in a unique way to me.
The Mackenzie family dynamic was also really wonderful, while not overshadowing the romance. We got to meet so many of them, and I look forward to future books in the series.
This is definitely a book that is going to stick with me, and I will want to revisit often. It's practically perfect in every way to me. Ian is such an amazing hero, and Beth a strong partner for him. I just love it so much. Ok I need to stop the gush fest or I will spoil things. Just know that I did cry while reading this.