i am so glad i read this with my book club (But Do They Bang: Tales as Old as Time edition) because I was near to DNF'ing around the 30% mark. Fei Long was so closed off and I wanted more character depth for Yan Ling BUT then, then, it all started to come together as I kept reading, and holy wow the payoff at the end was simply amazing.

As I said on my instagram review, My Fair Concubine was like watching a cherry tree slowly bloom. Once it does, magnificence. This is a great slowburn that ends in great pay off, and I just loved the archery contest too.

Also, Fei Long simp'ing for Yan Ling through calligraphy, my whole heart. Sexy calligraphy lessons for the win, reminding me of the sexy Italian lessons in Julie Anne Long's [b:After Dark with the Duke|57341079|After Dark with the Duke (The Palace of Rogues, #4)|Julie Anne Long|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1617170420l/57341079._SX50_.jpg|87021961].