I'm always happy when a new Grace Burrowes book appears in my reader, and I was delighted to find out that the newest story is for Captain Dylan Powell, the last of the cousins from previous books. Dylan has been the quiet one of the military men, determined to place all of his soldiers who survived Waterloo into positions of worth for them rather than leave them on the streets. We've met his housekeeper, Mrs. Lydia Lovelace, in the previous books, who keeps his establishment comfortable with little touches that make his house a home. Lydia is more than she seems, on a mission of her own to find her brother who was 'lost' after the war ended. There's more to the story, but I don't want to spoil it.
This is a slow-burn romance between two lonely and lovely people, worn down by duty and honor intrinsic to themselves but unappreciated by those around them. Ms. Burrowes always portrays real people with faults and worries that often lead them astray. Dylan and Lydia have their share of miscommunications and falsehoods, well-meant but ultimately eroding their relationship. What I really loved was that the romance is resolved by finally talking to each other honestly without any deus ex machina like kidnapping or a duel. Matters are resolved quietly and competently. There's been a trend among some historical authors with story arcs of miscommunication separating the H/h and resolved by some dramatic event like a shoot-out or kidnapping rescue. I don't hate it but I am tired of it, and I appreciate the quieter, more realistic ending here.
Anyway, I loved the book. I do hope that Dylan's sisters will get their own books in the future. ( )