I had just finished the previous book when my hold on this one became available. So, I picked it up. At the end of it all, I think we all know and recognize that Jody Hedlund can write great stories. When I look at this book as an individual, it's not bad. It's actually pretty good, and it's written quite well. It's better than the third book in this series, with way less lusting going on between the MMC and FMC.
That said, when I compare this to the previous books in the series, it's not very unique. The same character archetypes are reused, and each book blends into one. In each, you'll find a compassionate, stunningly beautiful woman that all men lust after, and all she wants is to be seen for who she is. Then there's the honorable, insanely masculine man who respects said woman, and he's totally set apart from all other depraved men because he won't push her to sleep with him before she's ready. Throw them together in a medieval marriage of convenience where they both long for each other (and they let us know about it), and voila! You've got the basic premise of the books in this series. The first was the best because everything was new and fresh. Then, each successive book gradually loses creativity and essentially becomes a rehashing of the other.
Anyway, this book was good enough, though it's not really a standout amongst everything that's out there. If you're good with the plot taking a firm backseat while the romance drives 100 mph down the road, you'll probably enjoy this. I was able to enjoy the story more when I came to that realization. I wasn't expecting there to be any real plot movement except for the romance. If you love this world and love the characters, you'll love this novel. Despite the issues I have with it, I can recognize that it's well-written and even sweet at times. Though I wish the ending wasn't so abrupt.
Content
Clean romance with some kisses, longing, and attraction. Mild peril, mild violence. No swearing.