One of the problems with reading a very popular romance novel after everyone on the planet has already read it, is trying to find something to say about why you loved it that isn't the same as everyone else. Everyone has already talked about story, the depth, the meaning, the writing, the Beauty and the Beast angle, the main characters, the steamy scenes - what's left? I found it really refreshing that Franco wasn't described as the typical fae male who is big, beefy, and muscular. He was still alluring with his silver hair and eyes, his tattoos, and his wings and raven form. Such a captivating hero, but it was a refreshing reminder that a love interest doesn't have to be chiseled and muscular for me to enjoy the romance. Mrs. Coleman’s nostrils flare, her eyes shooting daggers. After a tense pause, she reluctantly reaches into her purse and retrieves a piece of paper. I take it from her, finding a short list of food items. Nothing but the essentials, of course. Especially since every other moonstone chip will be spent on my stepmother’s frivolous fancies.

Note: This book is upper young adult/new adult, featuring mature situations and some adult language. The romance is slow-burn but leads to moderate steam. A flash of panic rushes through me, but a rebellious fire has my feet rooted to the chimney’s ledge. I will remain. Just a second longer… This takes place in the same world as the Fair Isle Trilogy, and AFTER those books. It also comes AFTER The Curse of the Wolf King (the same series as this book). This book has a main character (the prince) that was a secondary but significant character in the Fair Isle Trilogy (books 2&3). The characters are also discussing the main characters and plot details from The Curse of the Wolf King, which are spoilers for those that also want to read that book. I don’t notice when the wisps get bored and float away, but soon I’m alone again, frozen in place, letting the breeze rustle my coat and dance through my hair while I listen to the shift in music.The story is so pure yet so dirty. It truly makes you hot and bothered but in a very fascinating and interesting way. And the way the author maneuvered the plots and twists are amazingly brilliant. 👏 Davis, the evil old reprobate. Even though he is terminally incompetent he was so devilishly diverting, too! God, this man gave Edward lip and made me laugh out loud! There's a bit of a Beauty and the Beast element to this book, because the Earl is terribly scarred all over because of small pox. I was wondering why this sounded so familiar, and then it occurred to me that I had read a book with the same trope earlier this month: Tessa Dare's THE DUCHESS DEAL, except in the case of the duke in that story, the result of the scarring was fire from explosives. Anna is attracted to the Earl but her late husband cheated on her, so she doesn't want to jump into anything with another man because she is so damaged emotionally. #notallmen There’s a certain music about being alone. One I rarely get to hear outside of a single hour each morning. It’s my peaceful respite before the sun rises, before anyone seeks to fill my day with a cacophony of demands. After dawn, I’ll have to climb down from my rooftop hiding place and return to my chores and obligations. But for now, at least, I hear it. The subtle song of a sleeping city.

After reading this book, I have decided to read all of Hoyt’s books. She does have a gift of enticing and charming her readers while making them wanting more and bothered. At first, I’m confused by what she means. Then I realize she’s talking about my father’s house, where we all lived together before he died. After his death, Mrs. Coleman didn’t hesitate to sell it in exchange for funding a lavish lifestyle chasing social seasons. Since each court hosts their month-long social season during a different month, there was always somewhere new to go all year long. A new house to rent. New dresses to buy. New schemes to get closer to the aristocracy.

Customer reviews

What prevents this from being 5 stars is the contrived plot bit, and also the fact that the Hero techinically doesn't stray from the heroine, but given that he doesn't know it's her at one point, he definitely does, bc both their emotions had already been engaged by that point and he's purposely trying to deal with it in this way. Since it IS her, it's not cheating, per se, but still. I know men (and women) get sexually frustrated and want an outlet, and men tend to do it with a lot more freedom in that time period and in any time period (well, maybe not today in developed cultures). BUT. This is a romance novel. I'm reading it to escape, not to face aspects of reality I don't particularly like, so in this sense, despite that there's no technical cheating, I didn't like it. Point Of View (POV): This alternated between focusing on Anna and Edward in 3rd person narrative (with a few sections focusing on a side character).