Sometimes there is nothing more fun for me than going into a book with absolutely zero idea what it’s about, and this one exceeded expectations on that score. Recommended to me for 12 for 12 by @deep.reads.belle (thank you!!), I had no idea what I was in for and nothing about this cover says VICTORIAN FACTORY GIRL. I absolutely loved the extra level of intrigue here— I’ve read a few books lately with too few or too many villains without proper follow through, and the villains here were well-established and properly bonkers in execution. I would have loved to have seen rather than been told a little more of Nell & Simon’s domestic bliss, but I believed the progression of their relationship. Nell is wonderfully surly and I loved that she didn’t cave easily to anyone. Only my second Duran, but I’m sold.