I'm not a huge fan of the modern rake as a character (I don't know why it works better for me in a historical) and Luca irritated me at first meeting, but while he was busy trying to win over Ella, he charmed me too.  I grew to admire his determination and hard work, especially with the lack of real support from his family.  As shiny as he looks from the outside, he has troubles that has followed him from his childhood and it takes a strong person to be willing to pursue a dream and try to improve not only themselves but the world while they are at it.  

I honestly didn't expect to like Ella.  Usually when authors write about foster care kids they make them too independent and too afraid of commitment.  While Ella is hesitant to get involved with Luca, her history of keeping herself walled off from others is more nuanced and less heavy handed.  If anything brought the story down for me it was Ella's devotion to Stacy.  I get that there was a bond there that is hard for her to ignore.  It's also easy to understand why Stacy does the things she does, both for the reader and Ella ... but she's not a very good friend.  She blows in and out of Ella's life, doesn't really support her, and does illegal things.  At some point, your history together stops being that important.  I really wanted better for Ella. 

London wonderfully blends together multifaceted characters, personal growth, family dysfunction, and life in the vast Texas plains to give readers a emotional and complex story.  A very promising start to a new series!

**Review given honestly and freely after receipt of a reader copy. This opinion is completely my own and was not influenced in any way.**