Under normal circumstances this book would get three stars from me, which I consider a neutral rating. Historical romance is my guilty pleasure, and I would read a book, rate it three stars, and never think about it again. I don't normally review them, but this book did something that irked me. It features the main characters running around London trying to figure out why everybody wants a near eastern religious artifact. It has supernatural elements, but they aren't pronounced enough to be considered a paranormal romance. This is the Victorian era, and the hero is from the American South. Did you catch that? I haven't read the first book, so when they mentioned he fought in the war, I was like which war? The war of 1812? The Mexican-American war? But no, they are talking about the Civil War, and this is the part that really, really annoyed me because this book mischaracterizes the Civil War to justify falling in love with a man from the American South. Most people know that the Civil War was fought over slavery. As in the Confederacy fought to keep the institution of slavery. This does not mean that Union fought to abolish slavery. The Union fought for nationalism, to preserve the Union. Most white people in the North were apathetic about the issue of slavery, unless they were abolitionists. Freeing the slaves was incidental. The Emancipation Proclamation explicitly "freed" slaves that were in the territory of the Confederate States, which means that when it was issued no slaves in those territories were actually free. The issue of slavery is brought up in the clumsiest way, where the protagonist asks her love interest if he owned slaves. The protagonist's parents are very progressive, which, ok. He acts really offended about this, because as it turns out he turned his back on his family to fight for the Union because owning slaves is wrong. The two protagonists bond over this, and this is part of the reason why the love story is so weak. This would ring true if he was specifically depicted as, like, an abolitionist, which if that is the case why is he still in London? The cause isn't over just because the 13th amendment was passed. The author clearly included this to reassure the white reader that even though slavery is very much a thing, that he isn't a bad guy. My advice, as a black reader, would be to not touch this issue with a 40 ft pole if this is how you are going to handle it. It wasn't necessary. We know from his actions in the book he is a good guy. Fighting for the Union doesn't make him any less complicit in the institution of slavery and racialized subjugation than the female protagonist is complicit in colonialist imperialism whenever she drinks tea. Why wasn't his struggle with PTSD or something to that effect? Tl:DR this book was trying to be woke, but it just called attention to how hard we were trying not to be racist. ( )

This is a terribly stupid book. Anachronistic, poorly written, boring, with poorly written dialogue, this book is more of a mystery than a romance. The characters are not in the least developed, with all the time going to working out the stupid mystery. I hate mysteries, and I don't buy romances because to read them. And it would have been nice to have more than five pages dedicated to the romance. We don't see them fall in love at all, we just see them chasing this stupid relic around. Argh! Did not like this book! ( )

**4.5 Stars

Rafe McIntyre had the love of his life drop right into his lap – literally. He didn’t know she was the love of his life at the time, but goodness, what an introduction. This book starts off with a fun-filled, antics laden visit at the home of the Morelands. Their home is filled with guests who are attending Olivia and Stephen’s (Mesmerized) wedding and what a varied lot of misfits we have.

We met Rafe in the last book when he was helping his best friend and partner solve a mystery at his estate. Now, he’s at the Moreland home to attend his friend’s wedding and then he’ll head on to the continent for a tour – and beyond that, well he doesn’t have any plans. We learn more of Rafe’s past and why he feels that his emotions, especially love, are long dead and buried.

Kyria Moreland is the middle daughter of the Duke of Broughton. She’s not scientific like her older sister, Thisbe, and she’s not a born investigator like her younger sister, Olivia. Kyria is the organizer, she’s the one who keeps the household operating smoothly – even down to planning and executing every step of Olivia’s wedding. Whatever happens domestically with the Morelands, Kyria is the one to handle it. So, when her younger twin brothers parrot escapes, she’s the one to climb the tree to rescue it. But – well – she didn’t count on the limb breaking from beneath her.

The adventure begins on the night of the wedding. As Rafe is taking a smoke break outside the house, he notices a man walking up the drive – holding to the shadows. Then, another man dashes out of the shadows and stabs the first man. Rafe runs to the rescue, but he’s too late. The man is dying. He is carrying a small bag tied to his waist and begs Rafe to get it to. . . well – Kyria. Kyria has no clue who has sent the object, but guesses it might be from their older brother Theo.

People who want the object start coming out of the woodwork – they are everywhere – and they seem to be willing to do absolutely anything to get it – even kidnapping and murder.

Note that all of these books contain a bit of mysticism along with the ‘oddities’ of the Moreland family. Also, be aware that this author butchers – absolutely and totally butchers – titles and forms of address. That really aggravates me because there is absolutely no excuse for it – it is the easiest thing in the world to research titles and forms of address.

At any rate, I really enjoyed the read and hope you will as well. ( )

DNF-I gave up around the 40% mark. I became concerned about finishing soon after the book opened with an escaped pet parrot flying around, grabbing someone's wig and the heroine climbing a tree after the parrot. It improved slightly after that, but not enough.
I just could not get into this story as it felt like it was trying too hard. ( )

This is a terribly stupid book. Anachronistic, poorly written, boring, with poorly written dialogue, this book is more of a mystery than a romance. The characters are not in the least developed, with all the time going to working out the stupid mystery. I hate mysteries, and I don't buy romances because to read them. And it would have been nice to have more than five pages dedicated to the romance. We don't see them fall in love at all, we just see them chasing this stupid relic around. Argh! Did not like this book! ( )