I have mixed feelings about this book. While I have substantial criticisms, it was also compulsively readable. It’s the first book in a polyamorous (“why choose?”) Regency romance. Rosalie Harrow is a penniless orphan who is surprised to be invited to Alcott Hall by the Dowager Duchess. It turns out the duchess and Rosalie’s mom were childhood friends, and Rosalie has been invited to the house where the duchess is hosting eligible women in hopes of marrying off her son, the duke. (Rosalie is not one of those eligible women.) There Rosalie meets and develops an attraction toward the duke’s brother, a friend of the family, and a naval lieutenant who is also a family friend. Because they’re hot. Everyone is hot. Honestly, that seems to be the only reason that she likes these men and they like her. Yes, she starts to get to know them more, but the mutual interest gets really intense really fast. It’s insta lust that starts to verge on insta love, even though it’s supposed to be slow burn. I don’t even know why Rosalie included James, the duke’s brother, in the mix because he was kind of an ass to her.
Rosalie is also very much “not like other girls.” This actually doesn’t bother me often, depending on how the author approaches it (and sometimes that criticism can come across as misogynistic). However, in this case it seems to be part of what is attracting at least one of the men, only he still doesn’t know her well and is already coming to view her highly and value her opinion as much as that of his closest friends.
Ok, it seems like I’m panning it. Clearly I have some critiques. I did enjoy the book, though, much more than it might seem from reading the above. I can’t speak to how accurate it is to the era, but I love Jane Austen, and from reading this, I’m wondering if maybe I just like Regency era books. I like watching the machinations and the dynamics among all of the characters. Also, I’ve never read a poly romance before, and I was intrigued by how that would all play out. The book felt like a quick read, in spite of the 466 pages.
Which leads to my final issue with the book. There’s a sequel. I knew it was the first in a series, but I was expecting interconnected standalones, and the third book in the trilogy is a standalone. But instead, after 466 pages I still didn’t get the happily ever after and have to read book 2, which is even longer, to get there. I don’t think I have it in me, though. But I might skim it and read the ending just so I know what happens. 3.75 stars rounded up.
