So, romance reader confession, this is my first Courtney Milan *ducks and hides*. I haven't read her work not for a lack of wanting to, I was just waiting for the right time, and that time is now!

This started a little slow for me, I was concerned that the Hugo was the Duke's right hand man, seeking to make sure the Duke would be able to get his Duchess back, no matter if that meant the "problem" of Serena needed to go away. This concern was quickly dissolved when Hugo and Serena began exchanging their barbed letters, and from there I was sold and devoured this novella in a sitting.

CW rape (off page, in the past), discussion of "not forced" vs. "forced" sex, physical violence

There are so many great scenes and quotes, from the letter exchange, to Hugo just being so enchanted by Serena's dogged perseverance and snarky responses, to the "he's safe" feelings Hugo inspires. Sigh. There's a great discussion of what it means to consent to sex, and that despite "letting" the Duke have sex with her that Serena did not have any power and it was in fact forced.

Serena's pregnancy is handled extraordinarily and Hugo is just a peach. Of course he had to go through his little song and dance about not wanting a "real marriage" and that he was a nobody with nothing to offer (EXCEPT HIS MUSCLES AND HIS LOYALTY AND HIS OBVIOUS LOVE YOU DOPE), but I knew it would be okay!

Also, Milan understands the female gaze. I adored the hairpin scene, when Hugo uses Serena's hairpins to allow her to consummate their marriage. She has all the power and control, and it is sexy consensual sex and so good.

Anyway this is mostly incoherent but I loved it can you tell? Go read it all!