I wasn't sure what to expect with this, and I was pleasantly surprised. The author has a very strong grasp of how to draw the reader in. She did a great job with pacing the reveal, alternating between the present, when the 2 main characters hate each other, and the past, when they fell head over heels in love, but then some awful betrayal occurred to throw them into such discord. Over the course of setting up this reveal, we become quite endeared of the 2 leads, who are wonderfully flawed and who have really put each other through hell... but of course who we're rooting for to end up back together. It played very well as a historical romance, with nods to the societal pinnings of works by Austen, et al, but had enough naughty parts to remind you, well, it's actually a modern book. (Not too naughty... just right). Thomas also has a great sense of humor and the banter is very enjoyable.

Probably my biggest complaint was that after all that drama, the happy ending seemed a little pat and trite. I would have liked a little more denouement, some more references to them being happy together after all the hell they went through to be together. It felt a little short. But otherwise I have no complaints about this novel. I understand it was Thomas' first and it's a very strong first novel. I'm interested to read her others... when I feel the need for some historical romance again.