Oh this book was AMAZING. I swear I liked it more than the first in the series (The Chief). However, when I reread The Chief I’ll probably say that’s my favorite. Be prepared for lots of favorites as I read this series 😂

Hawk captures Ellie to protect her from death when she is in the wrong place at the wrong time. Much of the book takes place on the aisle of Spoon.

McCarty does a wonderful job of, well, everything. The history is so intriguing and written in a way that is not boring or dry in any way. In fact, it always inspires endless research in me to know more about the places and people where she got her inspiration from. I love her author notes at the end of the book detailing the history and changes she made in dates and character.

She balances action with the relationship perfectly.

She writes damn steamy sex scenes. 😂

I will say I loved the heroine so much in this book. (This may be a reason I feel I enjoyed it more than The Chief, as I wasn’t as attached to that heroine) Their relationship forms without the burden of names. Well, true names. They honestly just fall in love with each other. And it’s wonderful to watch. In a time when marriages are arranged for power and identities are hidden to protect, plan, and spy for a war this is a treasure.

My only complaints are I felt the separation was a little long at the end, but I absolutely loved the ending.

Also there is a scene where Ellie is almost rescued by the English and I wish it was done from Hawks perspective. Being done from Ellie’s I felt rather sad about the whole thing, but from Hawks it would have been heart wrenching. Thinking of this though, a lot of the book is from Hawks perspective. And I really really love books that do that.

Tons of feels, I fell in love, my heart clenched, totally keeping this book to grope forever

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟