I was very excited for this book after reading The Matrimonial Advertisement because I found Tom Finchley very appealing as a character. I only came to appreciate him more in his own book. Jenny is also lovely. 

Tom and Jenny both have an intriguing combination of being guarded yet direct in their approach to people, while having personality traits that differ in complimentary ways. Their conversations were always engaging to read because of their unexpected openness and honesty. No miscommunication trope to be had here, and yet there was immense tension from the ever present conflict keeping them from truly being together. 

For historical immersion, I can't think of a romance author who is more devoted than Mimi Matthews to presenting the setting accurately. It was educational and exciting to read about the international travels of the Victorian era in such detail. 

I didn't realize until 44% into the book that Ahmad and Mira were the same from The Siren of Sussex! I was absolutely delighted to get more of their story and it made me want to re-read The Siren of Sussex again with this new context.