I love hidden identity books so I read this book the minute I got my hands on it and it didn't disappoint. This is my third series from Mary Lancaster and her storytelling is always rich with details, supporting characters, and multiple storylines. This book has all of that and lots of steam.

A misunderstanding on their wedding night leads to a separation between Lady Grace and her new husband Lord Wenning. Two years pass where Lady Grace is left to the vultures and rakes of the ton while Wenning goes on a diplomatic trip to China.

Right around the time her estranged husband returns, Grace meets a stranger she is attracted to. Despite the animosity and hostility in her marriage, Grace is still in love with Wenning and has not had affairs despite what the ton thinks. If anything, she has had to survive and develop a hard shell but she's also empowered to protect herself from being a victim of her negligent husband.

I loved that Wenning returned contritely and knew that he had to court and woo Grace. I also appreciated that Grace didn't run right back to him and made him work for her love. This book felt really different from your typical estranged couple in that they didn't spend the whole book hating each other. If anything, the love was there and they both had a lot to work through to find their way back to each other. There's a murder plot, a villain, a hidden identity, masquerade balls, and more.

I also enjoyed the side characters. The last time I read one of ML's books, I jumped into the middle of the series, so it was nice to start from the beginning.