This is an excellent reformed rake x wallflower romance, both lighthearted and angsty in equal measure. It came So Close to an explicit declaration of fidelity, but didn't quite capture it, which is the only element that held it back from being truly Perfect for Me. I loved how a casually careless moment from early in the story came into the plot at the end to create maximum third-act angst and heartbreak (the pain was exquisite).  The narrator was great. I loved the older-sister-spinster vibe that is Callie. She's such a relatable character and her tender love for Mariana blended so realistically with bitterness and envy. I loved the humorous nods to the modern reader (flesh wound jokes), was so grateful for her brother, Benedict, and their easy banter and camaraderie. sibling relationships among them. I also felt the plot was well-paced.