Series: Women Who Dare, #3
Traits & Tropes: class difference; forced proximity; fake relationship
Publication Date: 08.23.22
Genre/Setting: Historical; Boston, Massachusetts/New Orleans, Louisiana/Charleston, South Carolina, USA, 1878
Heat Level: 4
Rating: 4.5/5
Raven Moreau grew up in a family of swindlers and knows her way around a scheme. She’s not ashamed of her background, but she does come to regret it when it forces her to help a Pinkerton agent.
A South Carolina senator is suspected of harboring a copy of the Declaration of Independence and Raven must steal it back. She’s to disguise herself as the housekeeper and her partner, the infuriatingly handsome Braxton Steele, will pretend to be his driver, as well as her husband. Braxton has been forced into this job just as she has, but their pretend marriage and the mild animosity between them soon gives way to a very real passion and they’ll have to put everything on the line to make it something lasting.
This was my first read from this iconic HR author and I’m not sure how I’ve missed her all this time, but it will not be my last. She accomplished that ever so challenging task of creating a strong heroine who is also likable and not constantly shrewish or hateful to the hero. Don’t get me wrong, Raven did start out fiery and fairly snappish, but Braxton also started off being just as judgmental and unintentionally narrow-minded as she accused him of being. I really liked that these two opened each other’s worlds and minds and they were both willing to be receptive to those differences and make changes in their behaviors and perceptions. Of course, it took Raven a bit longer to come around, but she was also quick to see sense when her mother talked it into her, and I liked that. I really loved that Braxton won Raven over by being so persistently sweet and showing her a level of care that she’d never experienced before. For her part, Raven taught Braxton all about having a big family and how to loosen up and have a bit of fun. She helped him relax and he did the same for her, each showing the other a different way to be and I found that refreshing.
This book was surprisingly low angst given the intrigue-based plot and I was very much here for that. Despite the bonkers plot and elements that brought Braxton and Raven together, this was very much a character driven story, with most of the emphasis placed on Raven and Braxton coming to know one another and their relationship developing as they also developed and grew as individuals. I also liked the no fuss way the villain was dealt with, and it still left me feeling satisfied. I thought the plot was very well done and it kept me from feeling stressed or edgy while I was reading, while still giving enough intrigue to keep me invested in reading. I especially liked that Raven was so willing to give Braxton credit for the things he did right, while also calling him out on his missteps and blind spots, and he did the same for her. These two wound up being an excellent match and I will read more from this author in the future.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4726250417
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/3985210964
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