Liked this quite a bit. Was really nice to see a historical romance where the FMC isn't a virgin, and the reveal of such isn't a big deal. Eve is a bit on the perfect side--kind, bleeding heart, generous to everyone--but it never really went over into the grating side for me. The book does show its age at times, especially in how one of the minor characters is described--I think his name is Charlie? A developmentally disabled man who is described in patronizing terms, though he's as beloved to Eve as all of the other staff at Ringwood. I appreciated that not too much was made of her wanting to bear her own children, and that she was fully onboard with considering Becky and Davy her kids without it feeling like adoptive parent performance.

The angst was pretty great throughout, though at times it felt like the setup angst was motoring right along but at the point to deepen an angsty moment instead the story skipped it. Also felt like the miscommunication trope got dragged on a bit too long at times.

I think the weakest part of the book were the 'villain' characters of Cecil and John. One, because they sort of tag-teamed the villain role with Cecil being in the first half-to-two-thirds, and then John for the end. But also, Cecil is a clown villain and John is a nothingburger. Wish that we'd gotten some more depth from one or the other. Eve's personal realizations about John felt kind of tacked on since he doesn't show up until the end.