Do you know how fabulous this book and series is? No? Well let me tell you...
Firstly, it's Regency, like yay! The world Brooke presents is so realistic of the era, I feel as though I've gone through a time machine and landed precisely in her book. Secondly, it's a delightful uncomplicated read, guaranteed to have you all swoony, when you aren't laughing that is, because Brooke has the balance down pat. Thirdly, her pacing couldn't be better, it's just the right amount to keep me glued to the pages. Fourthly, her characters are immensely endearing, I can't help loving them. I even love the "baddies" who are all realistic. Fifthly, the redemption arc she captures is beyond heart warming. There is absolutely no spice, it's as clean as the driven snow but heck, Ms Brooke manages to convey all the heat without even turning on the stove! Enticed already? Ok, no sweat, I'll give you more....
Gregory, at first glance and to the outside world, appears as a rake, a nonchalant irresponsible man and an unreformed gambler, squandering his money. But the truth is far more dire, the truth is he's broke, the truth is he's been duped, the truth is he's out of his depth. But relief comes in an unexpected turn and not without it's risks. Poor Gregory, keeping all of this close to his chest for fear of recriminations while presenting a front to everyone around him. I loved his entire stance, the nobleness he carries, the need to correct his mistakes. But things get a bit more complicated...enter Sabrina, a character I disliked intensely from previous books. But wait! Remember I said something about redemption? Well shoot, I wasn't sure if I wanted to kiss Ms Losee or bop her over the head because, guess what she did? Yep! She had me LIKING Sabrina! She had me full of sympathy for her! Geez, after setting her up as villain personified, Ms Losee turned me upside down, inside out and twisted beyond belief! That's how incredible this author is, even those I thought there was no hope for, she gave me hope, she gave me perfection!
Sabrina was evil, manipulative, calculatingly and downright awful in the previous books but Brooke opened her up, gave us a glimpse into her soul, which honestly is a good one. She was manipulated by her vile father, she has never experienced a parents love, she thought she had to be a dutiful daughter and accept whatever her father wanted of her. Ms Losee really did a spectacular job peeling away my misconceptions, although, it took Gregory a tad longer...Sabrina is remorseful of her prior behaviour. Wanting desperately to redeem herself, she concocts a scheme that leads her directly in Gregory's path. Her only friend, her servant Helen, has her back and is the most beautiful friend she can have. Loved her. But on her path to self redemption, Sabrina uncovers some of the shady deals her father is doing, has done and she does whatever she can to break the shackles he's bound her by.
I absolutely loved the shenanigans Gregory and Sabrina got to, I loved their "other" personas and I loved both the heartfelt as well as humourous, which this author does superbly. This book, to the, was far more intense than the previous ones, there was real danger, physical as well as of being discovered and I I inhaled it all! My best was seeing "bad boy" Gregory and social pariah Sabrina develop an understanding.... eventually... seeing them evolve and recognise the other was extremely warming. So too was what developed between them, so too was the beguiling love that sparked. Ms Losee ALWAYS leaves me sighing happily, perfectly content and all fuzzy and warm. Subterfuge and an unlikely romance is the name of the game and it was done in the most delightful, credible way.