This book was one that you can pick up and not want to put down! It is hard for us to imagine a life where we were so controlled by societies rules that we would want to run away from home to escape an unwanted marriage, but it was common in the days this story takes place! I found the book so enjoyable to read, like Julie Klaussen's other titles, it was insightful and well researched!

Although I'm not a huge fan of historical romance, I actually found this book to 1) hold my interest, and 2) be a fun read. Probably wouldn't have picked it up on the shelf (especially when looking at the cover -- blech!), but my book group received it as a free book. I give it between a 3.5-4.0. If you are a fan of Downton Abbey (which I am), then you will enjoy this book. It has a bit of everything you would expect in a novel set in 19th C England --- intrigue, disguises, duels, pirates, honor, manners, chivalry, love, etc. It was nice that so much of the story revolved around the lives of the wait staff, who knew about everything going on!

A great summer read! We had good discussion at our Book Club after reading the book as to what it was like to live in that time and also having servants/being a servant.