I used to read historical romances all the time. I haven't read one in awhile because they all started to kind of mesh together for me. Often times I would read a book and it would feel like I'd already read it before.

This is my first Tessa Dare book. I've heard a lot about her in the past couple of years, but hadn't been in a historical romance mood before now.

I ended up really enjoying this book. It gave me major Beauty and the Beast vibes, which I'm assuming was intentional. Ash was physically and emotionally damaged and I liked that we got to see his vulnerability to Emma. I liked that Emma isn't some meek, complacent woman. She is strong and stands up for the things she wants and believes.

I was afraid that this was going to devolve into the type of book where miscommunication and misunderstandings drive the narrative. There were a few times throughout the book when it could've gone this way, but it didn't. When one character took something the wrong way, it was usually addressed by the other character and they were able to talk through it. I really appreciated that, because nothing is more frustrating to me that a book that revolves around a miscommunication that could be easily solved if the two people would just talk to one another.

I ultimately really enjoyed reading about these characters and the way they get to know each other, trust each other, and ultimately fall in love with one another. Their conversations and banter often had me grinning and even laughing out loud a couple of times. Also, the sexy-time scenes are pretty steamy.

I do think the ending was rushed. There is a subplot introduced at the beginning of this book that could've caused the characters real trouble that is kind of glossed over at the end and nobody seems to really care.

Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely pick up more Tessa Dare in the future.