Series: Lady Charlotte's Society of Angels, #4
Traits & Tropes: celibate hero; age gap; mystery; investigator heroine; hero out for revenge
Publication Date: 03.28.23
Genre/Setting: Historical; Victorian; London, England, 1851
Heat Level: 6
Rating: 5/5
Lady Gloriana Cavendish is far from the typical debutante, despite being the daughter of a duke. She’s optimistic and curious about everything, always eager to engage in the latest mission being undertaken by the secret society of female investigators to which she belongs. During one such endeavor she meets Wei Chen, a native of China and a master of both healing and fighting. She’s completely awed by him and convinces him to take her on as a student, though she quickly begins to wish for a more intimate connection with him.
Master Wei Chen has devoted his life to avenging the murders of his parents and younger sister, controlling himself with unwavering discipline. Having come to London following the trail of the man who took everything from him, Wei now runs a clinic in East London helping opium users overcome their addictions while he continues to hunt for the villain. When he meets Glory, Wei finds himself distracted for the first time since becoming a master. His longings are forbidden between a shifu and student, not to mention by the disparity in their social positions.
Wei and Glory’s connection slowly builds to something much more as they are drawn into a much more convoluted web than they ever could have imagined, leaving them to decide how hard they’re each willing to fight for their future together.
This story did a great job of combining an action-based plot with a poignant love story. Our heroine, Glory was curious about everything, a trait that usually comes with an annoying amount of naivete, but I didn’t find that to be the case here. Rather, she was likable and her loyalty to her friends and family made her someone I could root for. I also loved the fact that it was Glory pursuing Wei more so than the other way around. She was courageous enough to be vulnerable and that in turn gave Wei the permission he needed to be open with his feelings and true to himself. After so long on his own it was really sweet to see him finally have such a close relationship with someone else, someone who could be a true partner with him. I do wish things with Glory’s father had been handled slightly differently, but I was very pleased with how things worked out. I also really liked reading about a hero who was from a country we usually don’t see mentioned all that much in Victorian romance. These two were one of the couples whose story I have most enjoyed and I look forward to the next installment in the series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5279592701
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