I absolutely adored Samara Parish's debut novel (which is the first book in this series), and I am absolutely blown away by her second! This book was fantastic and everything I could hope and dream. Parish's writing is so engaging, so well paced and her characters are perfectly imperfect and real. I am so delighted and impressed by this second novel and I can tell Samara Parish is now definitely a favorite historical romance author for me!
This novel is a second chance romance between Edward, a duke, and Fiona, a chemist and engineer. Five years ago Edward and Fiona where on the verge of marriage but Edward's plans are thrown asunder after the suicide of his cousin's wife and his mother's evil intentions. Fiona has spent the last handful of years in her lab and working on her invention, a match. Now Fiona finds herself missed up in some trouble around protests against the monarchy, her disguise as "Finn", and her ambition to secure a patent and investor for her invention. Edward comes to her rescue by getting her released from jail and finds himself in a situation in which he is "forced" to keep an eye on her before her trial.
Fiona is such a strong and complex character, she is smart, she has strong ideas and ambitions, and she does not back down from what she wants. Fiona is very independent and has learned that she can only trust herself and she does not want to rely on Edward to use his societal power to make her situation easier. Fiona swiftly learns that women hold no power and the only way to get what she desires is through disguising herself as a man. Edward is still so in love with Fiona, he puts other before himself and he comes across as quietly strict in the ways he tries to keep himself and his family in line. These two are an absolute perfect match for each other, and I think that Samara Parish does a wonderful job keeping their chemistry constantly boiling as well as making me believe these two where (and still are) in love without bogging down the narrative with flashback scenes. The novel focuses on how Edward and Fiona learn to understand each other now where they are in their lives, and it is absolutely wonderful. Fiona sees that Edward is very smart and working hard to make London a better place by subtly using his power in a very smart way. Edward sees that Fiona is so strong and that their love for each other is worth fighting for no matter the cost. This novel is wonderfully sensual and steamy, Parish has really stepped up her game and this is no closed door romance! Edward and Fiona are fire together and I love the way they both take care of each other.
The strength of this romance is only better enhanced by Edward's siblings (William and Charlotte), as well as the other minor characters through out the novel. Parish really takes the time and care in creating all her characters. I love the way both William and Charlotte embrace Fiona. Fiona is able to learn a family love through them as well as see Edward in a different light through them. I think that William and Charlotte beautifully help to move the story and relationship between Edward and Fiona along. Parish also delightfully teases the next book in this series through Charlotte and I absolutely can not wait to get that novel later this year!
I so highly recommend you pick this novel up! Samara Parish is only getting better and she is such a wonderful and exciting addition to the historical romance writers of today! And this is already a favorite read of the year!
Thank you so much to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for an eARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own.