About this deal
Viola Carroll is the heroine of this book. A trans heroine. And while this particular characteristic is so perfectly portrayed and used throughout the book, it is not the main focus of it. I'm so happy right now and immensely grateful for being able to put my hands on an ARC of this book. Can't wait for its release so I can clutch it to my chest and smile dumbly at the ceiling. Ahem. When Viola Carroll was presumed dead at Waterloo she took the opportunity to live, at last, as herself. But freedom does not come without a price, and Viola paid for hers with the loss of her wealth, her title, and her closest companion, Justin de Vere, the Duke of Gracewood.
This book also has disability representation as Gracewood has a leg injury from the war that affects his day to day life, but he doesn't want to be pitied or defined by his disability even if it has changed him in certain ways.The writing was too romantic, uff, I was blushing so so much - just so sensual with even the briefest of affections of a beautiful slow-burn romance that was fighting between want and need and warring with itself against society norms and Viola's fear and reluctance was so very true and honest. Gracewood's candor was so precious, that basically said 'damn the world, damn what people think, it's you I want - as you are'. π₯²
A man grappling with an unloving upbringing, learning how to give and receive love β as a friend, as a brother, and as a lover;And that epilogue was just π€πΌπ€πΌπ€πΌ - too adorable, too sweet - and a most satisfying ending to have ever ended. There is so much love in that one scene alone that I was π« π« π« . This is a beautiful and unique take at a second chance slow-burn romance that ended on such a high note that just your heart sighing in happiness.