This was a joy, and surprisingly mysterious and high stakes! I love Vasti's lean into (historically authentic) absurdity, and the opening scenes were hilariously melodramatic. Lydia was such a compelling character in Ne'er Duke Well, and to see her absolutely wreck a big, burly, pure-hearted Scotsman feels so RIGHT. I loved seeing how she and Arthur learn one another's minds, and how her secret and scandalous political career is foundational to how she's understood by him and his family. Lydia deserves to be a whole person, and the exploration of how her family has shielded her - a misguided attempt to protect her - from conflict and anxiety was so well done. To see her and Arthur again self-confidence and a sense of individual purpose through their journey was so moving.

And this political plot!! I didn't see it coming and loved where it took us. This made for an exciting third act that propelled us headlong into difficult discoveries, and thankfully brought along a cast of loveable side characters, too.

The interwoven epistolary elements and chapter starts were brilliantly done and helped land an emotional gut punch in the third act, and I give 12/10 stars to these love declarations. Such a fun follow-up to Ne'er Duke Well, but one that can easily stand alone for new readers. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced reader's copy.