This entry definitely had more sizzle than the previous one and served as a satisfying conclusion to the series. The reveal of the hero’s role in the destruction of the heroine’s family was truly unexpected – I actually gasped in shock. I think that’s the only thing I found particularly memorable in an otherwise serviceable enemies to lovers, good Christian girl vs rake trope. I almost wished Morley had spilled the beans on Rhys’ role but that would have made his actions even more despicable on a public scale. Now that would have made for a more interesting story considering how much his family pride mattered to him. But alas, we can’t have the stunningly beautiful vicar’s daughter married to a truly wretched and ostracized earl. Additionally, how else are we to marvel at her innate goodness if she does not forgive him.
There are times in the novel where Long’s writing feels imprisoned by tropes. Like the previous two entries, the writing is good; the storyline -less so. As I delve deeper into her catalogue, I hope Long risks breaking free of the restraints of typical historical romance and gives us something truly original.