This is the best book I've read in a very long time! What a cozy little slice of medieval life. This is a really unique historical romance, because both of the main characters and their families are medieval peasants and decidedly not nobility. This works...so damn well. The characters are not only impeccably developed, they feel real and relatable on a level that most historical romance characters aren't. The author doesn't shy away from the realities of the working class in 1300s England, but doesn't sensationalize them, either. The historical elements are impeccably researched, but the exposition isn't heavy-handed because these elements are expertly woven into the characters' everyday lives in a way that made me really curious about the time period.

Our heroine, Elizabeth, is pregnant and the book opens with a scene about abortion. I absolutely love the neutral, matter-of-fact way this topic is approached. Minor spoiler: she has to keep the baby, because her pregnancy is very central to the plot. She is practical, hardworking, and self-sacrificing. Much of the story revolves around her care for her younger siblings, including her disabled younger sister. She is in total survival mode at the beginning of the story, and has to learn how to accept love and care from others after a traumatic childhood. Our hero, Matthew, has been in love with Elizabeth since their childhood (oh how I love this trope) and agrees to marry her so her child isn't born out of wedlock. He is a doting husband with a strong sense of justice and healthy distrust of authority. Swoon! The sex scenes are just beautifully written and flow seamlessly with the rest of the story.

Another note: This book was self-published, and I read a blog post from the author stating that it was rejected by publishers for the specific reason that neither of the main characters are nobility. This makes me...so mad 🤬 because I know many historical romance readers like myself who are very interested in reading stories about different social classes throughout history. This supposed need for historical characters to be fabulously wealthy is bizarre and, as demonstrated by this book, completely unnecessary! Please don't let the fact that it's self published discourage you from reading, because the quality is leagues above most of the big name romance I've read lately.