Wow, this was not what I was expecting.

Francesca was one tough, original heroine, unlike any I’ve read before. She had set before her a plan and she wouldn’t let anything stop her from it. The things that she did were quite unique for a woman of this era, and I did struggle some with her choices and actions. But in the end, she won me over as she proved everything she did was for those she had loved and lost.

Chandler also exhibited some unique qualities although they were more fitting for the time. He was intensely protective of Francesca and that protectiveness grew exponentially the closer they became. He did react at one point in a way that made me want to smack him, but he totally redeemed himself and I, like Francesca, forgave him.

This has a lot of drama and angst with just as much mystery and danger. I never knew what was going to happen next. Each few pages something happened that kept me fully engaged and refusing to close the book. The surprises just kept coming and I was breathless with shock and awe with each one.

While this takes place in the latter 1800s, I did feel that there were times when the story felt much more modern. That did distract from the overall feel and depth of the story for me, but I still enjoyed it and was overall very satisfied.