I found this story quite entertaining.  It had a different feel from the other regency era novels I had read in that a large portion of the book was read before the romance genre kicked in.

I think the most notable thing about this book is that the first half was a riveting set-up.  A very nicely woven story about an orphan girl living under the guise of a boy, enjoying the life of a servant which was never meant to be her lot.  A child who loved and was deeply devoted.  This was the best bit of the written journey for me.  I almost wish that, at the fork in the road, the author would have taken the other path.  Yes, the one less traveled.  Because that would have made all of the difference.  In all seriousness, with the wonderful build up this story had it was disappointing to have the second half turn into a more typical romance.  And not a clean romance, either.  There were some intense scenes which, being the prude that I am, left me hurrying to skim to the end (I did not allow this to drop my rating of the book because it is easy enough to ignore).

All in all this book had some interesting sub-plots (sub to the 2nd half romance, that is).  A good villain is key and Rosalie, the typical nasty step-mother, fit the bill nicely.  I would love some follow up stories on some of the more interesting sub-characters i.e. Harry and St John.  Curtis has potential, too.

Good characters, nice plot, worthwhile read.
I found this story quite entertaining. It had a different feel from the other regency era novels I had read in that a large portion of the book was read before the romance genre kicked in. I think the most notable thing about this book is that the first half was a riveting set-up. A very nicely woven story about an orphan girl living under the guise of a boy, enjoying the life of a servant which was never meant to be her lot. A child who loved and was deeply devoted. This was the best bit of the written journey for me. I almost wish that, at the fork in the road, the author would have taken the other path. Yes, the one less traveled. Because that would have made all of the difference. In all seriousness, with the wonderful build up this story had it was disappointing to have the second half turn into a more typical romance. And not a clean romance, either. There were some intense scenes which, being the prude that I am, left me hurrying to skim to the end (I did not allow this to drop my rating of the book because it is easy enough to ignore). All in all this book had some interesting sub-plots (sub to the 2nd half romance, that is). A good villain is key and Rosalie, the typical nasty step-mother, fit the bill nicely. I would love some follow up stories on some of the more interesting sub-characters i. e. Harry and St John. Curtis has potential, too. Good characters, nice plot, worthwhile read.