I read this for The Ungovernables bookclub and I’m so glad I did, because I really enjoyed it! If one thing (that wasn’t even this book’s fault) had been different, I would be in with all the trash-for-angst queens who’ve given this five stars.

The best part: the way the author took two fairly unlikable characters, made me love them, made them love each other, and then made me root for them so dang hard.

The second best part: that excellent grovel.

Okay, also third best part: how horny this heroine was 😆

I need to read more heroine fortune hunter trope histroms because I just love the morally grey-ness of it all. Our heroine Louisa needed a husband wealthy enough to support her genteel-but-poor sisters. And though she wasn’t the most beautiful sister, she was the most conniving.

And our hero Felix was the biggest catch of the season. What started out as a ‘don’t think I don’t see how much of a conniving biatch you’re being’ turned into a delightfully horny back-and-forth, with some excellent banter (that walking stick moment?? 😳)

Also, I loved the time period! Having a heroine deliver lines like Blanche DuBois in a late 1880s, second-bustle period, Victorian setting was giving me life.

The second half of this book was flawless. The first half of this book was also great—it’s just that I very recently read a book (A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting) that did this same fortune-hunter-plus-Jane-Austen-allusions thing (only better imo) and I couldn’t help but compare them.

Still, I need to read more from this author!