
Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: Sophie Irwin
Publisher: Penguin books
Release Date: July 11th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads
BOOK SUMMARY:
Internationally bestselling author Sophie Irwin brings us another fresh, witty take on a romantic escape led by a deeply lovable heroine determined to start living on her own terms
When shy Miss Eliza Balfour married the austere Earl of Somerset, twenty years her senior, it was the match of the season–no matter that he was not the husband Eliza would have chosen.
But ten years later, Eliza is widowed. And at eight and twenty years, she is suddenly left titled, rich, and, for the first time in her life, utterly in control of her own future. Instead of living out her mourning quietly, Eliza heads to Bath with her cousin Margaret. After years of living according to everyone else’s rules, Eliza has resolved, at last, to do as she wants.
But when the ripples of the dowager Lady Somerset’s behavior reach the new Lord Somerset–whom Eliza knew, once, as a younger woman–Eliza is forced to confront the fact that freedom does not come without consequences, though it also brings unexpected opportunities.

SCANDALOUS.
Another great read for this series. I love the whole vibe of these historical romances. They’re humorous and on the lighter side while still covering some solid character growth and plot arcs.
This book is a love triangle (if that wasn’t obvious) and I actually didn’t mind it all that much. There’s good push and pull but at the same time, I did feel like there was a clear choice from the beginning and VERY happy that it went the way I hoped. There were lots of good sweet moments and I adored the ending!!
I thought Eliza was a beautiful character. Flawed, weighed down by duty and in need of a fresh start. She definitely went through plenty of emotional turmoil to get there, BUT get there she did and that’s what we want. I hope there’s going to be another book in this series!
Overall audience notes:
- Historical Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a spouse (recounted)

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