CW from author: blood, main character who survived dangerous pregnancy and for whom any future pregnancy would be dangerous (note: there is no pregnancy in this book), past arrest and imprisonment, gun violence, non-graphic allusion to sexual assault, elderly parent with Alzheimer’s disease, postpartum depression
I might be rounding up from 4.5 to 5, but I’m so happy with this book that we’re going to five star it. I think I’ve been a bit stingy with the 5s in favor of 4s, so there might be some re-evaluating going on later now that I’m all caught up on reviews. Fair warning that this review is vaguely spoiler-y in that I talk through the ‘conflicts’ that keep our protagonists apart (as you know always happens) but it’s not anything you wouldn’t expect.
First things first is that you really have to read The Queer Principles of Kit Webb before reading this one. One complaint people had (rightly, I think) with that book was that it involved a lot of plot details and side plots which seemed to be setting up a sequel as opposed to a related book, as is usually done in Romancelandia. Sure there’s the story of Percy and Kit, but there’s also Rob and Marian and Percy’s father and evils of aristocracy and merits of socialism and morality of crime in a economic system that is based on exploitation.
It’s…a lot.
But when you read this book, you realize that there’s a flow, and what was too much plot for one book becomes a proper amount for two. All those tiny details about Rob? They’re key to understanding the stakes in this novel. All those economic theories? They’re no less integral to Rob’s character. Marian’s importance and role in all of the shenanigans of the prior book? No less so.
Look, I read a lot of historical romance and most of it is “do not look under the curtain.” Sebastian has tried for a pretty rare thing–a frothy romance ensconced in an unflinching look at the aristocratic trappings that make it all possible–and really, in my opinion, hits the mark. It’s because she doesn’t try and shy away from the consequences of the situation…and as such, you feel like she’s not just paying lip service to her motto of “fall in love, eat the rich.”
We meet Percy and Kit again because they’re part of the plot (so great!) and it’s clear that while Percy is following through on his promise to entail his duchy away to charitable causes, free any enslaved people under his control, etc, it’s not like it’s a non-issue for him. He’s a popinjay, as multiple people note, and lived a life of leisure. He’s doing the right thing but it’s hard for him.
And Marian. I’m glad you are happy with Rob but give me a call if you ever change your mind. Sebastian doesn’t shy away from exploring what non-violent abuse in a marriage can look like and can do to a person. And while that is great from a characterization and author perspective (as in, I’m not happy that Marian was abused in her marriage, obviously, but it’s well done here and realistic in a marriage between a 22 year old and a sociopathic 40(?)-year old duke slash bigamist), what I really liked was how Sebastian didn’t shy away from exploring what a relationship can look like between a man who wears his heart on his sleeve and loves openly and a woman who knows that she can’t ‘love’ to the same extent.
To be clear, I’m not saying Marian is deficient or broken in any way, and it’s not “because of the abuse” aka “she’ll heal over time.” It’s the most seen I’ve been in a romance novel for a while, and I’ve been to way too much therapy to have those feelings (be the first feelings I have). Marian is clear with Rob as to what she can offer and what she can’t, and Rob leaves the conversation realizing that while Marian loves him she probably doesn’t love him as much as he loves her. So Marian decides to be self-sacrificing “for the good of him” and “because she doesn’t want to hurt him” etc all that usual nonsense.
But when the dust all settles and everyone is HEA, Marian’s emotional space is respected. She is who she is. Rob is a golden retriever who thinks Marian hung the stars and moon. They make it work in way that doesn’t require either of them to betray who they are, fundamentally.
I don’t have it in me to also write a full note on this point, but Sebastian’s last discussion question is around the non-romantic fantasies that are fulfilled in this novel, e.g., there is always someone around to take care of Marian’s child and she doesn’t have to worry about childcare. And that last line made me realize, yes, my favorite romance novels have so many non-romantic fantasies fulfilled!
