I was so happy to go along for the ride on this one. In the first third- I really felt there was some influence of the TV Bridgerton. Words and phrases and even events. I’m pretty sure this book was written well before the balloon thing on TV, and I’m chalking it up to being well researched for interesting thing happening in the world at that time.

Speaking research and history - I really appreciated learning about Mexico during this time. I never even knew the French had invaded. Even though I knew Juarez was an influential president. Having travelled many times to Mexico, I can picture the places. Because I’ve been to so many of them, even though I was ignorant of the historical significance at the time.

And now the relationships. This book is second in a series, and I haven’t read the others (yet). But I didn’t feel disadvantaged. The sisterly bond was fantastic. And I felt the relationship with Isa and Westhope was an interesting plot device to contrast with Sirius. It wasn’t “triangle-y” So no worries if you avoid love triangles in your reads. In fact, Westhope kind of deserved better, and I do hope he finds his happiness in the end.

So Sirius and Isabel. The chemistry lept off the page. It was paced just right - not too slow and not too fast. It felt so genuine. Hearing their inner monologues about each other was beautiful - but then contrasted with how each of them thought about themselves was sad. It lead to a dissonance where they each didn’t believe the words and actions of the other. And this went on a long time until the grand gesture at the end. Which I saw coming and was still very satisfied.

Bottom line, read this for some intrigue, romance, consideration of the world outside the Ton, and two MCs who need to do a bit of work on themselves before finding their happiness together.