scijessreads

What a joy to return to the Hartswood world, this time following the reckless Lily as she rushes off to save her friend from marriage. By entering a tournament to win her favor. Disguised. Pretending to be a man. As one does when they are in love and willing to do anything to help the one other woman who has stolen her heart, even if she doesn’t know it yet.

We saw glimpses of Lily and Johanna in Penn and Raff’s story (One Night in Hartswood), but here they get to shine all on their own. They shine in their friendship and unfolding love for one another. When Lily’s actions wind up putting her and Jo into a sticky spot, they flee to regroup and recover with the help of brew mistress Mabel and a chance to see who they are to one another without the oppressive eyes of everyone else in the castles and keeps they would normally be held to.

I loved the quiet moments between Lily and Jo. The moments where they both realized exactly how they felt (and how they had been suppressing so much of their feelings due to society, propriety, and trying to fit in in a world that didn’t quite fit their own dreams). The intimate moments between them were written beautifully, and you could feel their ache, pining, confusion, and the utter care they had for one another.

Emma Denny writes queer historical romance in a way that feels fresh, with characters that are more than their world would paint them to be, and who manage to carve out a slice of that world for themselves to be able to live with those that they love. And as much as I loved Raff and Penn, Lily and Jo have stolen my heart.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own. Book is out now in the U.S.!