I received an eARC at no cost from the author, and I am leaving a voluntary and honest review. Thank you.

3.25*

This is a mixed feelings book. I was really liking it in the beginning, but then our hero, Henry Lowell, kept saying something that was annoying me and that I don’t personally like – something like “She’ll be mine no matter what”. And I don’t like that because every time I read that sentence or a similar one, all I could think about was that he didn’t really care about our heroine, Viola, he simply saw her as a prize to be own, no matter what. I wouldn’t be mentioning it if it was something he had said/thought once, but no, he keeps thinking/saying it. He evolves as a character to someone who learns to love and who actually sees Viola as a person and not a prize, but his mind-set doesn’t seem to change, which is one of the reasons why I couldn’t connect as much as I wanted to with this book, hence the rating not going over the 3*.

I really wanted to like Viola – she is a fierce, dedicated woman, a physician, even if she didn’t go to University, and in the beginning of the book she seems so confident, with a bit of sarcasms and wit, but as the book develops, she morphs into someone else, all that strength we saw in the beginning almost disappears… So, I really wanted to like her, but the author made it a bit difficult.

I have to say the best character – “construction” wise, I mean – was probably the villain. We hate him from beginning to end, and he behaves exactly like he should and as we expect him too – with an extra at the end that was perfect. And at that point we see the Viola from the beginning.

So, to be honest, I liked the beginning and the end, and the book isn’t badly written, or anything similar, it just didn’t allow me to connect to the characters enough for me to love them.

The character that most intrigued me and that actually left me wanting to know more was Carl Guthrie, the criminal from St. Giles – now that was someone who I would like to get to know better. Can’t wait to read his book. I’m sure it will be much better than this one. ( )

Complex and compelling characters, one of the best romances I’ve read in a while, and a really nasty villain make up this truly delightful story. The writing is excellent, the plot is tight and well executed. This book contains everything you could want, including some lovely insights into our next hero and heroine.

Viola Cartwright, Duchess of Tremaine is a wonderfully complex character who draws you to her and makes you admire her – and when you learn her whole history, you’ll admire her even more. Viola’s aging husband died one day after their wedding and she’s been labeled as a money-hungry, social climbing woman who conned the duke into changing his will and leaving his unentailed fortune to her. None of that is true, but you’ll have to read the book to see what is true. Viola has taken that fortune and over the last two years, she has created the best hospital in London – the best doctors, the highest success rates for cures, and it is all free. Against all of society’s rules, she not only runs the hospital, but she also participates in patient treatments. She also has no intention of ever marrying again.

You will absolutely fall in love with Henry Lowell from the first moment you meet him – in Viola’s hospital with his brother, Florian, removing a bullet from a duel. When Henry first begins to come around, he notices an angel – the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen – standing at the window with the sunlight glowing around her. Who is that angel? He fully intends to find out! Henry soon comes to regret the reputation he’s built for himself because his angel completely believes it and doesn’t want anything to do with him. Henry purposefully spread the rumors and built that reputation in order to avoid all of the matchmaking mama’s until he was ready to find a wife. Now, that reputation has come to haunt him!

Henry keeps arranging, teasing, harassing and requesting Viola to spend time with him in the hospital so that he can get to know her – and she can get to know him. Henry soon learns that he has to be very slow and very, very patient if he wants to win Viola – and he certainly does want to win her. He does the sweetest and most caring things, but she’s still very skittish.

When Robert, the new Duke of Tremaine brings a suit against Viola, contesting his father’s will, Henry does all he can to help Viola. Secrets are exposed and Henry and Viola draw closer. It is so very touching. You’ll just need to read the book to see all of the exciting parts of this lovely, lovely read.

I highly recommend this book – and can’t wait for the next one. The ONLY thing that would have made it better would have been for something that wasn’t nice to happen to Barrister Hayes and Judge Atkins – just sayin’. I also love the setup for the next book with Carlton Gutherie and Lady Regina Berkly - I can hardly wait!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ( )