Another great Omniverse read by Ms Harper! I really love the modern spin on Regency and Ms Harper does it so well! All the pomp and ceremony is on display with another season taking place and this time it's Iris who must endure. Except she really really doesn't want to be part of the season. She doesn't want to be forced to choose a mate. This sums her up, "The girl who doesn’t want to play". She wants freedom of choice. Society dictates otherwise. The Matriarch and Council decide otherwise. Iris, knowing that her family's future is at stake, grudgingly agrees to "play the part" but she can't, it's just not her! Oh do I adore her attitude! I got a glimpse of her and her sisters in the previous book and I loved her feistiness!
I really enjoyed the depth the author gave her character, she's not petulant, rash or uncaring, in fact, she's extremely smart, knows exactly what she wants, and puts her family first. Or tries to. The stakes are high, she can't bring scandal to her family and in this very antiquated secular society, anything out of the norm would bring the hammer down on her and her family. But then.... she meets Xavier and Killian and her entire life is turned upside down. Not only does she, literally, salivate over these guys, the blogger Queen Bee has placed Iris in the spotlight and it ain't good!
I adored the guys, both Xavier and Killian had a traumatic past, Xavier even lost his ability for speech but their past doesn't define them, it shaped them. Xavier is the most gorgeous protective gentle giant, and Killian, well, he has a facade so thick, no one can see the real him. Both just ooze sex appeal. Both just ooze "naughty boys" and neither are. They are dedicated to change, to find a way to get the Matriarch and Council to see that their system isn't working for all, that choice is vital for a society to grow. And then THEY meet Iris and sparks start flying, heck, an inferno is ignited! Oh did I love the quiet gentleness of Xavier, the stern but loving Killian and their love for their daughter Emmie. They will do anything for her, including rebel against the system. The sweetest, cutest little girl ever! It's no surprise that even the otherwise Heath fell under her spell.
Ms Harper gave a true portaryal of family dynamics, the closeness of sisters, the overwrought and overwhelmed brother, who, in effort, is head of the family so all the responsibility falls on his shoulders. I understood where he was coming from but geez did I want to slap him silly! Sisters Marigold and Pru are featured too and I still adore the uncontactable exuberant Pru, who's totally obsessed with Queen Bee, who doesn't give 2 hoots what anyone thinks. I'm dying to read HER story when she comes of age. Mari, the quieter of the bunch has a secret and keeps so much close to herself. But all the sisters are a unit, they all support and help one another, unconditionally. I too loved Quinn, Iris' bestie who pushes Heath's buttons like no other. As for Pen, well heck! I couldn't love her more if I tried! There's so much more to her and I'm looking forward to the author stripping the layers, I need to see ALL of Pen and what her deal is with her sister, the Matriarch. Oh, and I'm just as intrigued as Pru to discover who Queen Bee is...
Things for Iris come to a head when she goes into heat. She doesn't ride it out at home, she runs, straight to Xavier and Killian, who try, so very hard, to resist the added allure. The gentleness and the restraint of these two really was gorgeous. I absolutely loved the banter, quick and sharp and beautifully written. This forbidden relationship has a will of it's own...But this is more than just about a family that needs to conform, this read is about societal bias, about outdated laws that shout unfairness, about personal growth and coming to the realisation of what is important. I absolutely love this world Ms Harper created, I love the angst she infuses in all her books, the dilemmas her characters face and how very real it all feels. I can't wait for Mari's story!