This was not good. And it turns into a surprise murder mystery halfway through. It’s like a murder mystery written for 10 year old, but with sex scenes for adults. 

There was no affection or love between main characters, just sex and claiming they love each other. A few modern phrases tossed in, like sex referred to as “doing it,” and modern casual sexism with “Ugh. Women,” and other cheap modern stereotypes about women. And the ridiculous number of times a woman is called a bitch. There was enough sexism in the time period, we don’t need to add 20th century sexism, too. Lots of “he doesn’t really want me” and “she doesn’t really want me” middle school drama, and Annabelle going back and forth telling each that the other really does care for them. 

Everything is a liquid. Whiskey is described as a liquid. Cider is a liquid. Water is a liquid. I listened to the audiobook (liked the narrator, he was good). Someone who read the ebook search and see how many times that word is used. 

There are way better historical romances out there. I wish I hadn’t bothered with this one.