Once again, Christi Caldwell gives us imperfect souls to love. Childhood playmates who fell in love but a horrible event separates them. Each takes a different path as a way of coping. Wayland rises from blacksmith’s son to Baron after rescuing the duke’s daughter and wife during the Peterborough massacre. Annalee, however, takes a different route of drinking, smoking, and affairs to drown out the quiet. When they meet up again after nine years, Annalee is a scandal waiting to happen. And scandal does with Wayland! How these two find their way back to one another is a heartwarming story as only Christi can do! Highly recommend!

Absolutely friggin loved it!! All of the books in this series have been wonderful and previous books have hinted at the horrific experience Annalee has been through. So to finally read Annalee HEA was exciting. Although strong and feisty I’ve always sensed a sadness in Annalee and this book beautifully explores the raw, heartbreaking experience of PTSD but from two different expressions of the experience. Add in the lack of understanding in the period and Annalee being a woman had the potential to end badly, but the mantra “it’s a HEA” kept me optimistic. It resonates as a truthful portrayal of trauma, but the love story and the support of the wonderful mismatch society make it a thoroughly enjoyable read! As always Christi fully enthrals the reader and writes perfect imperfect characters who you can’t help but love. Can’t wait until the next instalment!