For love!
Having struggled so hard to become a successful business
owner, Jamaica-born Psyché Winthrop-Abeni has no interest in relinquishing her
freedom or property to a husband. But when gentleman Will Barclay comes to her
aid, their intense connection tempts her into a thrillingly passionate
temporary affair! It's the perfect arrangement…until Will feels honor-bound to
propose. His offer is one she's never dared to dream of, but can she trust Will
enough to take the risk?
Fantastic book and an intriguing change from the usual Regency
aristocratic balls and house parties. This is the story of Psyché, a Black coffee
shop owner from Jamaica, and Will, the Marquess of Huntercombe's private
secretary. They meet when thrown together to help a young woman escape a forced
marriage. Their immediate connection forms the basis for an unexpected
relationship.
I loved Psyché. Born into slavery, she came to England at
the age of eleven, brought by her white father. He died, and she was raised by
her great-uncle, Viscount Staverton, along with her white cousin, Hetty. Though
treated as a daughter by her great-uncle, Psyché's treatment by society and
even some family members was decidedly unequal. By the time she was an adult, Psyché
was determined to create her own place in the world. Her coffee shop, The
Phoenix Rising, does precisely that. Flashbacks to Psyché's life, both in
Jamaica and her early years in England, vividly illustrate the obstacles she
faces and how she overcomes them.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between
Will and Psyché. From the moment they met, Will saw Psyché as a strong,
independent, and kind woman. Their teamwork in helping young Catherine was
outstanding. I laughed out loud at Will's interpretation of causing a
"distraction" while Psyché hid Catherine and how it led to them
spending even more time together. I loved the slow growth of their feelings,
from friends to lovers. While the physical expression of those feelings was
great, I especially enjoyed the look at their ordinary everyday interactions of
washing dishes, talking, and just being together while involved in their own
activities.
It isn't long before Will wants more, but convincing Psyché
is an uphill battle. Though she knows marriage is different than being
enslaved, Psyché's reluctance to give a man power over her freedom and
independence is believable. I loved Will's patience and understanding as he
works to prove she can trust him. His visit to Psyché's great-uncle was terrific
and demonstrated how well both men knew her. There was a short rough patch when
Will told Psyché why he is estranged from his family, but they talked it
through like adults. I loved how everything came together for them at the end.
There was intense action at a few places in the book. In
the beginning, hiding Catherine creates complications and danger for Psyché. There
is an unexpected link between Catherine and Psyché that adds to Psyché's
determination to keep the girl safe. When the Bow Street Runners get involved
in the search, a complex plan is devised and successfully carried out. After a
deeply moving scene where Psyché and Hetty reunite at their great-uncle's
deathbed, Psyché faces her father's brother Lucian, who has always resented
her. In a nail-biting turn of events, Lucian attempts to kidnap Psyché with the
intent of sending her to Africa and back to slavery. He received quite a shock
when Psyché resisted, and I loved seeing her take him down. Will's arrival was
perfectly timed, and the icing on the cake. I liked the epilogue and its
wrap-up of the events of the book.
I liked how Psyché's challenges because of her race were
deftly woven throughout the book. From the little digs to the kidnapping
attempt, each occurrence was believable. Psyché's flashbacks were especially
vivid as they portrayed critical moments in her life. I enjoyed the author's
note on her inspiration for Psyché's character. 
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