I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. The only reason I didn't finish this faster was because work and life got on the way. This was a page-turning story from the get-go. Harriet was probably the most relatable character in a historical romance I have ever seen. If I had been alive during that time, I would have been her. Though my dad is not like hers, thankfully. Harriet is the most curious, talkative, and kind woman. Her journey of discovery of slang language was the most hilarious and thrilling ever, especially when it turned into falling in love with her unwanted husband. Alexander was a compelling character because, on the surface and for everyone who never looked too close to him was rake, but he was underneath that flirtatious exterior, a lover, and a yearner in the highest degree. Although he avoided showing that during the novel, fortunately, it seeped through all along. I think this is the first time I have been satisfied and found a good balance of seeing the main hero and heroine interacting with their family and their significant other's family. Though I would have loved to see Alexander a bit more with the rest of Harriet's family. I'm going to admit I'm greedy, but an epilogue would have been the extra sprinkles for a delicious cake with cherry on top. (Idk if that analogy makes sense). Still, I laughed, I cried, I kicked my feet and screamed throughout this story. I can't wait to reread this.

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. A word that defines this book perfectly is unexpected. After reading the book description, I had the expectations of slowburn, love triangle, with a mix of finding yourself in the chaos of work and living life. This book was not that way at all. I think that, in a lot of ways, was way better than that. In some others, I believe some of those things would have been better. Mei was an ambitious woman who realized, thanks to Alexandre entering in a more permanent way in her life, that she has been living for working and not working for a living. Moreover, she also realizes that her relationship is not exactly as perfect as she thought. I appreciate reading a romance where the leads are in the mid-30s and early 40s. Also, being able to read a journey on how to find balance with your work and actually living a life with a side of romance was lovely. I do believe there were some issues with the pacing between chapters, and I do believe that the Joey plot wasn't solved in a way I found satisfactory. Still, this story was easy-read, entertaining, and heartwarming, and if you are looking for a slowburn and clean romance and, lowkey, coming of age story, this one is for you.