Real talk: after reading this, I’m waiting for the Lady Sherlock spin-off/novella which is nothing but Lord Ingram and Charlotte getting it on.
Real-er talk: no, I can’t think of anything BUT getting to see Charlotte explore all of her uninhibited Victorian/Edwardian fantasies.
That being said, I was sort of confused to pick this up. Tonally it seems so very different from the works of Thomas that I’ve read, and I’ve actually read quite a few given how many Lady Sherlock books there have been by this point. And while characters in those books have romantic feelings and relationships, it’s obviously not the main feature and not meant to drive the plot. Would she be able to deliver in this sphere?
Not a surprise (given my review) to say that absolutely, she delivers in SPADES. I liked the set up here, contrived without being overly so. It’s especially great how forward Louisa is, given the usual “SHOCK AND AWE AND GASP WHAT IS THAT FEELING” vibe that happens in these sorts of novels.
And as always–no spoiler here, you know that the former rake will eventually do something that requires groveling–I especially enjoy a book where the third act apology tour requires some serious work. I am unswayed by pretty words, and a week of moping turns me cold. Significant prep to teach your wife how to do advanced astronomical mathematics? SIGN ME UP.