This book contains two of my LEAST FAVORITE plot devices: hidden identity that the character doesn’t come clean about with a QUICKNESS and

surprise pregnancy

. I think I have been reading too much Courtney Milan because she handles hidden identity SO WELL for me while most other authors… don’t. The set up for this novel is great. Who doesn’t love a noble trying to pretend to be a servant and failing at it pretty miserably? Who doesn’t love a smart and competent FMC with her own hopes and dreams?? I loved that part. What I didn’t like was that Brandon/Alex waited TOO LONG to tell Rose the truth of his identity, and then the addition of the other plot device just was unnecessary to me in terms of stakes. I think this book would have been AMAZING with about three main plot points instead of the five it had and also it would have given more time for the relationship to breathe. It’s not BAD, it just didn’t work for me. If you don’t mind it when characters lie to each other a little too long and that other trope works for you, I say go for it. I do really enjoy the way Quincy explores identity and heritage and using power in this series.