Actually, IIRC, she had had an affair that lasted for several months (but that episode was *years* in the past, just so no one would think that she is on the rebound or not giving her former lover enough notice that their little fling is *over*.)

This was my main issue with the book. I felt like the characterizations were very inconsistent for Zee. Like Carlyle didn’t go far enough. Zee was supposedly this woman with experience but we find out that her experience was one night and that was it. I wasn’t sure why that made her “experienced”.

My biggest problem with the book, I think, was that the voice felt different to me from Carlyle’s other books. For lack of a better word, it felt ordinary. I also felt the book started slowly, and not in the savor the buildup way. And yes, some of the changes in Zee’s character, especially the classic Romance heroine moment of “I know he’s innocent and I MUST save him!” felt off to me. Like one moment Zee was a maverick heroine, and the next she was the typical “feisty” historical miss. Overall, it felt like Carlyle was trying to fit a more complex book into a pre-stamped historical Romance mold, and the fit was VERY uncomfortable. If her editor/publisher is encouraging her to conform more to the market (whatever that may be), they may just end up ruining a unique voice in the genre.

And when, oh when, is this supposed to be taking place? “The Continent edges nearer to war” and “the conflict on the Balkan Peninsula” seem to suggest that the book is taking place pre-World War I. The heroine’s lack of virginity and sexual expertise, as well as the outfit on the cover, surely indicate a late-20th century to early 21st century woman. The blurb describing Xanthia as “flaunting the ton's silly strictures,” however, speaks of high society of the Regency period–though the author and the proofreader should really learn the difference between “flaunt” (to exhibit ostentatiously) and “flout” (to show contempt for). The misuse doesn’t give me a great deal of confidence in the author or her attention to detail.

Frankly, I like historical novels to be historically accurate, not elements of various times tossed together in a mulligan’s stew. Based on the blurb and the review, I’d find this thing simply maddening.

There are a handful of authors that always work for me, Liz Carlyle is one. I am a huge fan of Liz Carlyle’s writing style and voice. Once again she delivers a winner, with smart and interesting lead characters and visits from some old favorites. And honestly, is Kemble not one of the best secondary characters in romances today?

I didn’t write a review for this one, but obviously I liked it more than you. I often read more for voice than story, though I liked this one because Zee isn’t the average debutant miss. The spy plot didn’t bother me and like you I find her secondary characters very interesting. I do think that’s the point, she carefully series baits with characters that are worth following to their own story. I do wonder if Kemble will ever get his own story, he’s been floating around her books for quite a while.