Karin A. (Jerseygirltoo) - reviewed on 6/24/2021 + 453 more book reviews

Elizabeth Rolls is a long time author of Harlequin Historical series books, and I've always enjoyed her writing.
However, her last couple of books have really been a step above the ordinary, and I think the best she's ever written.
This book did a great job of portraying a romance between a Black(mixed race) heroine and a White hero. One of the things I loved about the characters is that they both had to work for a living. She owns a coffee shop, and is reluctant to lose her independence by marrying. The author's note mentions that the real-life Dido Belle was her inspiration for the heroine. Although obviously, this is not Dido's story, there are some similarities in their family backgrounds.
The hero works as a secretary for the Earl of Cambourne. He is simply lovely; sensitive, intelligent, honorable, and he comes to the rescue when the heroine finds herself in a bit of a jam. His employer, the Earl, is the hero of Rolls' previous book, "His Convenient Marchioness". I recommend reading that one first, because many of the characters, including the villains, and a bit of the storyline, are carried over from that book. Also, HCM is a great story on its own merits!

This book moves right along a fast pace, there is plenty of action with an attempted kidnapping and other adventures. A lot of the plot conflict involves racism, slavery and the anti-slavery movement in Great Britain, and the reaction of the hero and heroine's families to their relationship.
Content warning for violence and cruelty, which is described in flashbacks to the heroine's early childhood in slavery, in Jamaica.
I highly recommend not missing this one!

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