So I definitely read this series out of order, this being my first book I've read in this series. There's a few spoilers for the earlier books so perhaps a better series to read in order if that matters to you. (Not serious spoilers, but basic plot things that have happened in the first 2 books.) I liked this book so much, I bought the first two in the series as well.

Evelyn, or Eve has the hero likes to call her, has been sheltered from this world. Born a bastard, she has had the love of her mother and upon her death, the love of her father who she moved in with. This has given her a rather skewed view of the world and her place in it unfortunately. There is so much she doesn't know about, so much she hasn't experienced, and so much she's unprepared for because of her birth. She thinks upon her father's death she will be able to rely on her half brother, the new earl. But her brother's betrayal is harsh and devastating, sold to the highest bidder for his own selfish ends.

But let's get to the real star of this book for me. Rafe. Sigh. He's one of my favorite types of heroes. He has a hard past. Dark secrets. He's lived a rough and dangerous life. No one has loved him and if they have they are gone. His heart is locked away. He cares for no one, or so he thinks.

He's invited to partake in the buying process of Eve, though she has no idea what is going on until it's too late. Eve and Rafe are perfect for each other. She brings out his protective instincts from that first moment. And they never stop, he can't stop thinking of Eve, doing things for her, putting her first. She is so innocent and gentle for him. It's a beautiful love story. So much of the book is spent in his head and from his perspective, I love love love books that do this. It was wonderful watching Rafe fall for Eve. Every step further his heart was opening to her and he was healing from his past. It was wonderful.