This book had all the ingredients of a popular historical romance: a brooding rake, a spirited heroine, and a plot involving danger and redemption. Rafe St. Alban, the icy Earl of Pentland, and Henrietta Markham, the governess accused of theft, should have been a compelling pair. However, I struggled to connect with them. Their emotional journeys didn’t resonate with me, I suppose?

While the premise was intriguing, I found myself skimming through sections to get to the end because I didn’t feel invested in the outcome.

That said, I understand why this book is popular. It has the classic elements readers enjoy—tension, drama, and a reformed hero. Unfortunately, it just didn’t work for me. I’ll take the blame for that and give it a shot later on again. :)