I love this series by Elizabeth Everett and if you haven't read book one yet, definitely go read it. Then pick this one up. I do think you lose a bit of the story if you jump right to this book. A lot happens in book one to set the stage for these characters and their path forward so if you choose to read only this book, just know you're not getting the full view.

Our main characters are Letty and Grey. They have a past history and while it doesn't come out right away, you know it isn't good. I really liked both of these characters. Letty is a smart woman but as a woman, the work she loves (math) isn't something she can easily be recognized for so she enters a competition for the prestigious Rosewood Prize for Mathematics and spends her days at Athena's Retreat practicing for her presentation. This just happens to be at the same time that she is asked to manage Athena's Retreat while her best friend steps away for a while.

At the same time, Grey has been asked to help Letty (which she feels she doesn't need) while trying to balance what needs to be done so he can accomplish his dream by becoming the director of the clandestine agency he works for. Unfortunately the timing couldn't be worse. When he faces some real decisions that impact the safety of the ladies within the Retreat and realizes he has had the wrong impression of Letty, he has to figure out what he wants more. The happiness of the ladies or his own.

I loved how the relationship changed for both Letty and Grey. They obviously have a past and when Grey realizes just how wrong he was, he doesn't even hesitate to change his view. With that said, he still has to figure out how to balance his feelings for Letty and those he has for his lifelong mentor.

If you're looking for a great series to pick up in historical romance, I highly recommend this book right along with book one. It has a great story and well developed characters who will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.