While there’s a lot of humor and playfulness (Jemima’s letters to Daniel are highly entertaining), Riley doesn’t pull her emotional punches ... As the romance between Jemima and Daniel progresses, the heaviest weight comes from their vulnerabilities ... It’s no wonder that trust is a major theme of this romance. It’s not an easy thing for Daniel or Jemima to offer, not with so many people lined up to judge them. Their hesitance to trust each other can get a bit frustrating at times, but Riley makes it clear that they have good reason for their reservations. Love wins out over fear in the sweet ending—and the truth of what happened the day the ship sank, even when it’s not quite what anyone expected, sets them both free.
... again features strong, resilient characters hurling themselves into danger to do what is right ... Riley offers powerful depictions of love, including the love of a father for a daughter, the love between friends, and most of all the love between two individuals who are meant for each together. Riley’s extensive research into people of color during the Regency era adds greatly to the appeal of this page-turning romance. Fans of Shonda Rhime’s adaptation of Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton books will devour this series.
Daniel and Jemina’s interactions are filled with witty banter and innuendo, and the hero’s tender interactions with his daughter will make readers swoon ... Move over, Bridgertons. There’s a new set of scandalous aristocrats waiting to take London society by storm.
... it’s worth the investment, and fans of the first book will be delighted by this story, which brings the same elaborate storytelling and portrayal of a more diverse Regency world than is traditionally found. Riley’s commitment to writing the complex emotions of motherhood remains a crucial part of the series—also a welcome addition to the genre. Well-researched, with a fascinating author's note at the end, this story proves the first was no fluke ...A historical romance of impressive heft.
The amnesia trope is a challenging one to do convincingly, but Riley pulls it off with style. Choppy writing slightly undermines the otherwise riveting romance, but readers craving a multicultural Regency will be pleased.
