Not quite as good as the first in the series (it doesn't have quite the same level of farce - I miss the ridiculous fairy tale cosplayers) but still light years ahead of some of the other romances I've read lately. I think what I like best about Dare's books - and admittedly my sample size is only two so far - is that each of the main pairing has their own storyline, and their own challenges to overcome, that are entirely separate from the romance proper. Well, perhaps not entirely. Each of that main pair encourages the other to better themselves, and helps them to do it, but they don't take over. Character growth is still required, and that's what happens here, with Clio's desire to go into business for herself, and Rafe's family problems. (What stupid names they have, but they're both immensely decent people so I don't care.)

Also, I love the idiot dog, the focus on cake, and Clio's two sisters. Admittedly the elder of the two is mildly awful, but their relationship is still loving and believable, and her younger sister Phoebe, who I think is supposed to be autistic, deserves a book of her own. That's the other thing I like about Dare's books so far - there's no not-like-other-girls heroine, and all these people have friends and people around them who are well-meaning and supportive.