Shh, don't tell anyone but this was actually my first Cat Sebastian, but it absolutely will not be my last!

"Friends to lovers" is not my trope of choice for many reasons, but mostly because I just prefer the push and pull of enemies to lovers or the spark of new when strangers meet cute. That said, Sebastian pulls this FTL romance with aplomb. I adored Ash's struggle to keep from starting at Verity too long, to keep from touching her. He aches to do both, but treasures her friendship and his place as her found family too much to risk it. Until he is at risk of losing her anyway when he finds out his parentage.

Verity was absolutely amazing. I everything about her, from her business savvy, her love of her brother who I too wanted to throttle and send to America, her inky hands, her work ethic. She's bisexual and not afraid to hide it from her family. I love how she too aches to touch Ash. Gosh the longing.

I can't not mention the historical details, the joy Sebastian takes in including things about printing, about the political turmoil of the times, the worries.

Watching these two friends become so much more was an absolute delight!

I received a free copy in exchange for a fair review