Thank you to NetGalley and Avon pub for this earc

Honestly, I’m not sure I can actually review this book because it was just… bad????

The writing was bad. Plot was weird and bad. The romance???? Don’t even get me started because it made zero sense. Oh and don’t forget weird time jumps and cut offs between scene. I don’t know when but at some point all I want to do is to finish this book so I never have to think of it again.

Im not sure if this because of the version of the book provided in NetGalley, But I had a very hard time following the narrative and perspective between Mary and Thomas... It took me out of the book when I had to consistently try to figure out who is point of view I was seeing in the story currently. I also think that this book Needs to be followed by reading the other 2 in the series I felt I didn't have enough background to jump right in to the book to understand when it was being laid out in the 1st few chapters. However I did find Mary and Thomas both very interesting Characters And I was interested in their success. I wish a little bit more of their history had been introduced at the beginning of the book so that We could understand a little bit better about how Infatuated she and he were in each other. I would say if you like this series and You have read the previous books that you should go ahead and give this to read but this shouldn't be your 1st book in the series that you pick up. Thank you netball for providing me this copy to read.

Having never read any work by this author, I don't believe starting with an uncorrected e-proof was the right place to start with this particular author. I think the author has found a unique time and people to write about. This book is set in London featuring Scottish characters following the Jacobite rebellion. Our heroine is a corset maker and member of a shadowy league of Jacobites working to recover some gold. Our Hero is a whaler cum shipping company owner. The two start the novel with some casual past history that allows them to skip quickly into romance land. Unfortunately, despite the unique premise and characters this novels needs a very heavy handed editor. Excessive use of descriptors, stilted dialogue and vague motivation made this almost unreadable. It is unlikely I would read any of this authors other books to find out if this is just her writing style or if she gets better when edited.

I look forward to reviewing this book and discussing it with my colleagues after Harper Collins signs a fair contract with its union employees. Thank you for all you do!