(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

Georgian London, in the summer of 1763.
At nineteen, Anne Jaccob is awakened to the possibility of joy when she meets Fub, the butcher's apprentice, and begins to imagine a life of passion with him.
The only daughter of well-to-do parents, Anne lives a sheltered life. Her home is a miserable place. Though her family want for nothing, her father is uncaring, her mother is ailing, and the baby brother who taught her to love is dead. Unfortunately her parents have already chosen a more suitable husband for her than Fub.
But Anne is a determined young woman, with an idiosyncratic moral compass. In the matter of pursuing her own happiness, she shows no fear or hesitation. Even if it means getting a little blood on her hands.

Well, colour me surprised! I was very interested in this book from the blurb and the cool cover. Then, once I started reading, I was impressed with the opening few pages...but surely, this could keep up. I had been lead down the garden path more than once with a shiny cover and a well-written blurb...

But the further I delved into this book, the smarter and, sometimes darker, this book got. This is no Jane Austen historical romance novel - this story took me to places I certainly wasn't expecting to go, lead by one of the more intriguing and excellent MC's I have read in quite a while. It is a macabre coming-of-age story (for adults) with a dash of dark humor, sultriness and feminism thrown in for good measure.

I could go on about the plot, pacing, secondary characters etc but...just do yourself a favour and get this book and see why a lot of people think this such a fantastic story.


Paul
ARH