That, My Dear, Is Love

This book follows a similar narrative structure to Jane Eyre, and actually did feel rather gothic upon further reflection. We deep dive into a serious study of heroine's slice of life prior to meeting the hero. The hero is absent, distracted, and talks pretty but struggles to act in a way that benefits the heroine, ever.

This was a slow burn that feels like part one of a duology. By the end, the hero and heroine have just realized they MIGHT be able to be friends, despite already being married. There are many loose plot threads that also imply this is not the end, such as a random chapter about a bespelled arm chair in the library.

An interesting debut with many ideas, I wish the story had allowed the hero and heroine to actually be in love by the end of the book. This could have been an excellent “falling in love with your own husband” story, which is one of my favorite tropes, but the constant misunderstanding and refusal to even try to communicate made their eventual attempt at a real conversation, at the very end of the book, fall flat for me. Especially since that's literally how the book ends, with their first real conversation as two adults trying to understand each other.

I do look forward to future works, as this author has some really creative ideas. Definitely give this book a read, just go into it knowing there is some experimenting with narrative structure, and it's not a typical regency romance HEA despite hints from the title and cover art.

I received an ARC for free in exchange for an honest review.