"Splen-diiiid!"

Historical romance finding yourself love triangle (old flame naval officer w a shitty family <- timid widow previously married to said shitty family -> famous writer/lothario w a kind biracial family) in 1810s Bath, UK.

Characters are late 20s, 1 POV, 3rd person, no spice. Very funny tone with serious content (the dead husband was

not great/verbally abusive

and our heroine has severe, relatable self esteem issues that Irwin takes head on.)

This book hits. I cried a lot. (I also spoiled myself by listening to the end first about 20% through bc I was stressed out by Eliza's stress. I recommend this approach.)

The prose is great, the dialogue is fun. There is a lot of dithering and some pacing quirks towards the end, but it's one of the better love triangle stories I've read.

This one would be an excellent movie.

Narrator: exceptional voice acting by one person. The love interests and Eliza are very well voiced and I could listen to Imogen Church say "Splen-diiiid!" and "Not. The thing." for days. Fuck. So funny and charming.