Such a great read from Olivia Elliot! As with her first two books, it's thoughtful and a little bit melancholy - but so satisfying.

Set in Cornwall during the Regency, Sophie has been sent there by her (mysterious) father. We gradually find out she is a survivor of an intimate assault and this is handled sensitively by author Olivia – I don’t remember another romance where this done so beautifully. George Pemberton is also visiting Cornwall. He's a beta hero, traumatised by an event from his childhood and he manages his feelings by brawling, witnessed by Olivia. George and Sophie meet in the local tavern and this space is the backdrop for them falling in love.

By half way, George and Sophie are married and the rest of the novel focuses on them navigating their families and finding intimacy - especially for Sophie. George's family are not impressed by his sudden marriage and Sophie's father is a big problem, so there's plenty going on.

Their love is not in doubt, more that they need to learn how to give of themselves and what intimacy and trust mean for each of them. Olivia writes such delicious small moments - the fight scenes, Sophie swimming in the ocean, the glass shop, the slugs (hilarious Aunt Evelyn 😄), Sophie’s red dress, the nastiness of Sophie's father. Shoutout to Duncan, Sophie's minder! All these little scenes bring everything together and I was cheering for them by the end.

Also lovely to see Patience and Richard from 'A Soldier and His Rules' - although this is a standalone.

Thank you Olivia Elliot, Books Go Social and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.