2023 Regency romance, second of its series. Cecile Tremblay is a
French emigré turned circus sharpshooter, and had an agreeable
interlude with Gaius Darlington on their trip to ransom a missing
brother. But then he wrecked it all…
Most series romances I've read make a point of having easy entry
points in each volume: it doesn't matter if you haven't read the story
of A1 and B1, this is the story of A2 and B2, and the earlier
characters may at most turn up in the background. This is an
exception: the central romance began in the previous book and is
mentioned here in flashback, but without knowing why that expedition
happened and what came of it one might be somewhat at sea regarding
these people's current situation.
Indeed, the flashbacks that make up the first third or so of the book
feel like a failed attempt to introduce the new reader, and I think
this volume would have worked better if they hadn't been there. Once
we get back to "now", we have Darlington (who had expected to have to
marry for money) disinherited by a Missing Heir, and reminded that the
one thing he truly values is Cecile; meanwhile, she is happy to make
him suffer in her employment. (I couldn't help thinking at times that
he might secretly be rather into it, given all the demeaning jobs he's
assigned, such a contrast from his former luxurious life.) There are
also shenanigans with said Missing Heir, and other matters to be
resolved, which of course lets our lead couple rediscover their true
love—though only just in time.
Otherwise there's an effective portrayal of the grungy side of Regency
London, and overall an enjoyable ongoing dance that leads to the
inevitable conclusion.
I still think the third volume will show the most enjoyable
partnership, mind.