As soon as I finished book one? I had to continue on to book two and I was not disappointed. While this one had some minor flaws, it wasn't anything that ruined the entire book for me. Technically I rated this a 4.5/5 but since Goodreads only lets you choose between 4 or 5 I had to choose 4. Don't let that discourage you though! Seriously, pick it up. Also make sure you keep a nice cool drink nearby. This one gets quite steamy!

--- In-depth Review: Note that I attempted to avoid spoilers as much as possible and that this contains reviews for the following two books as well; there may be some spoilers though no major ones. Also can be found on the To Tilt With Windmills Blog. ---



Rating: 4.5/5 Windmills

This book changes pace, starting out in a more laid-back manner. The tension, the urgency are both still felt given the situation, but it suits as the action is not the focus here. Little of it happens since the characters are on the move and in hiding. Attention becomes locked on the characters and the dynamics of their relationships. This is the first book where the erotica aspect really makes an appearance, as in the first book you get the slightest taste and nothing more, and WHOA! is it ever steamy to read. Needed a long drink of cold water afterward to cool down. The beautiful thing though is that the romance and love felt since the first book isn’t lost amidst the sexual aspects. Instead it becomes deeper as Olani and Astrid grow closer to each other — though they still entertain with good-natured bickering — as well as to Teuvo.

The bond of the three gradually cements itself into the possibility of something more. Revelations are made concerning the feels of Teuvo toward Olani from Astrid, and then of Astrid toward Teuvo from Olani; the Prince quite oblivious in some ways. You’re also given a taste of more side characters; Mr. Black making another appearance, the first appearance of Crown Prince Oskar of Sweden as they take shelter at Karson Manor, and later Mr. Black’s associate Samu. Through Mr. Black’s appearance we are also introduced to more of the thickening plot. Quite an interesting plot too as the intrigues go even further down the rabbit hole than initially suspected.

Now, the only thing I disliked, and part of the reason why I gave it a 4.5/5 rating, was how easily Astrid cowered to Teuvo’s upset. I have nothing against a woman crying, don’t buy into the nonsense that it makes women not strong, yet it felt odd here. Almost as if it didn’t suit her. Young or not, this felt like an area where some of her Princess knowledge — even a little haughtiness — should’ve come into play as she was in the right to divulge what she did. I also wasn’t fond of the way she switched gears from the issue that made Teuvo feel betrayed to the relationship stuff involving Olani. Was it sweet Teuvo then worried about comforting her instead of his anger? A little. Yet I couldn’t get over my disappointment that Astrid became a weepy woman when she did nothing wrong given the circumstances. The other part of my rating concerns how Astrid gets less focus than Olani where Teuvo is concerned.

Even when Teuvo’s supposed to be talking to her. . . it somehow becomes less about her and more about Olani — as is the case with the gear switch above during the talk. It’s obvious early on that while Teuvo cares about Astrid, it’s Olani that he intensely loves, and that’s fine cause as I said things evolve in this book. Except Olani reveals Astrid’s feelings to Teuvo and they don’t really get discussed at all during the talk. Instead with the next chapter we see that after dinner Teuvo finally gets Olani alone and talks to him, and it is a more significant talk than the one he had with Astrid. This doesn’t make me dislike the characters or the story(obviously) considering I read the next part and want more, but it is something that bothered me.