CoLe
I felt this is the most sober of the series so far. Eve has a rude awakening when her father announces he's giving up the "newspaper" she has been publishing without much help from him. Otherwise a bold, young woman, she reluctantly swallows this as would be expected in the period. Bastien is less memorable. I read an advance copy; the thoughts expressed are my own
Curly Bibliophagist
3.5 stars Eve runs the Cressmouth paper with her controlling father. She dreams of becoming a serious journalist. She has had some bad experiences with men in the past and doesn't trust them. But Bastien le Duc is making her rethink that. Bastien le Duc is a blacksmith and well regarded in the community. But there is a part of himself that is hidden from everyone else. He has his secrets. One of these is that he is involved in a smuggling operation with his brother and another Cressmouth resident. He and Eve begin to fall for each other but there are many obstacles in their way. When Eve learns about the smuggling, will Bastien lose his head for treason in addition to losing his heart to Eve? I have loved this series. This book fell a little flat for me compared to the othere but it was still a good read. I cannot wait for the next book.
Kristen Lewendon
I find it so frustrating when I come to the end of a book and I’m at a complete loss for words. This was a mostly light story that was fun and I enjoyed reading it, yet somehow it didn’t have the same impact on me that I usually expect this author’s work to have. Perhaps it was the shorter length of this book that didn’t allow me to get as completely swept away in their world as I’d hoped, because I’ve been anxiously awaiting the stories of the le Duc siblings. Though I have to give Ms. Ridley honors for one of the most reprehensible parental figures I’ve ever read. For me, Eve and Bastien’s story is all about the choices we make and being true to your heart. I’m already excited to see what Lucien’s book will bring us. I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author through NetGalley.
