I am overwrought by how much I loved this. A perfect conclusion to Las Leonas and an urgently needed book for today's readers. Aurora has existed on the sidelines in the previous two stories, a voice of reason and practicality for her two friends, and the moment she's front-and-center, we suddenly realize just how little we knew about her. Apollo, though, has always noticed her, and his immediate obsession with her is honestly just so fun for series readers, because we know how often these characters have either been at odds or set up as uncomfortable allies. These two are equally ferocious in how they love and care for other people, and because of this, their chemistry is a five-alarm-fire from page one. Aurora won't let anyone stop her from doing what she feels is just and right, and Apollo is going to unalive anyone who looks at her the wrong way - it's so dang satisfying to read. 

The conflicts at the heart of this are both incredibly relevant - as evidenced by Herrera's insightful and rage-inducing author's note - and really anxiety-inducing, so please note content warnings before proceeding. Most refreshing, though, in the depiction of our female main character and her work as a healthcare provider for women (providing a variety of services, including surgical work, abortions, etc.) is how accurately the trauma is positioned. Abortion is rarely dealt with on page in romance, and when it is, it's often shown as being a source of pain or trauma in a character's backstory. The trauma here lies not in abortion itself, but in the ways in which other people control access to care, delivery of care and outcomes of care. We see again and again how Aurora's work - and her own experiences - give people confidence, freedom and agency. Abortion is healthcare and abortion is a stepping stone to a happily-ever-after. Aurora's story highlights, too, how necessary access to abortion and other forms of reproductive healthcare are for women of color, who have more life-threatening restrictions on their bodies than white women - then and now. It is so well done, and I want to shout from rooftops that the best reproductive justice storylines I've read in romance are in HISTORICAL romance, because our authors are simply doing it better (ok, stepping down from HR soapbox). 

Herrera does such a beautiful job balancing some heavy conflicts, including serious childhood trauma resulting from abuse and abandonment, with a high-heat love story. And these declarations! A contender for all-time favorite declaration of love and fidelity. Just incomparable. 

I do think this one probably hits best after reading the previous two, though I think readers could drop in here if they really, desperately wanted to. But why miss out on Luz and Manuela if you don't have to! Can't recommend this series enough. 

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a complimentary advanced reader's copy.