Our main characters, Beth and Gwen, become fast friends at the beginning of Beth’s first season as a debutante. Neither of them is particularly interested in pursuing a husband, but there’s financial pressures abound on Beth and her mother. After uncovering some of their living parents’ past, Gwen and Beth decide to try and set up their mother and father - a seemingly simple solution allowing them to spend more time together as friends without worrying about money or courting a husband. 

It’s a simple solution until a wealthy viscount begins to court Beth. Lord Montson is kind, occasionally funny, and would leave Beth and her mother financially secure for the rest of their lives. There just seems to be one problem: Beth can’t stop thinking about Gwen and how marriage will devastate their friendship. 

More chaos ensues: Gwen and Beth’s parents rekindle an old flame until political issues and Beth’s betrothed tear them apart, Gwen and Beth realize their feelings of affection go deeper than friendship, and they struggle to find a way to end Beth’s engagement. Naturally, there is a happily ever after (more than one, actually) and we are satisfied with the end results of all the longing, pining, and suffering all parties endure throughout the book. We’re even introduced to the next round of characters who will comprise Alban’s follow-up novel!

All in all, if you like sapphic pining, tender and SLOW friends-to-lovers romance, steamy and romantic Victorian undressing scenes, you will undoubtedly love this book.