The historical part was good. The story was okay. I was almost going to give it three stars, but then by the very end... suddenly it was not okay anymore.

The novel suffers the "main character is a helpless fawning ditz" syndrome that many a historical novel has, and that on its own would be okay. I can quietly roll my eyes every time "the room temperature goes up" when the love interest enters. Who is apparently good at everything, by the way, and is also instalove. But one thing I can't tolerate. And I spoiler tag it for you.

It's the fact that when a woman comes back home from getting lost in the woods, experienced shock and found her home has been in a fire, it's for some reason OKAY to pounce on her and all she does is fawn. Oh yay, the hot guy digs me!

That is utterly depressing and very disappointing. And harmful to young women as well. Clearly after so much tribulation, all a woman wants is to be validated through that sort of attention from a love interest. Seriously?

The novel could not redeem itself after this. Yes, it's readable. The historical parts are interesting. But no thanks, no god complex please. And no damsel. We need to stop promoting damsels.

I thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange with my honest review.