While I usually enjoy Alexis Hall’s penchant for oddity, this book was a little too loosely connected plot-wise for me. I really enjoyed Peggy, our erstwhile ladygent, trying to figure out who exactly she was, and Orfeo, our nonbinary opera singer, was absolutely lovely. I enjoyed the time they had together, but there were so many competing storylines that the love story between Orfeo and Peggy felt a little lost in the shuffle. I will say there is a wonderful grovel - fully on the knees in the rain from Orfeo!

This book is more of a farcical, fantastical version of a historical English setting, and Hall has talked about the way they use historical romance as fantasy on a few occasions. I think readers who enjoy a lighthearted, zanier take on hissy RoNos could get into this, but if you’re looking for “realistic” historical romance you might be disappointed.