Lady Atalanta is this Season's most beautiful debutante and gentlemen vie for her hand and her large dowry. Atalanta dismisses their attentions and longs for someone who will see beyond her beauty to the compassionate, determined and fiesty heroine who wants to change the lives of the less fortunate. She is saved by a masked man when accosted by ruffians one night and within minutes, he seems to understand her like no other. Devon Hart has a sordid past, one that he's not proud of especially the cuckolding of fellow soldiers wives. One night changes his life forever when he tries to save a woman and gets his handsome face slashed by her attackers. He retreats from Society, choosing instead to prowl the London streets at night foiling would be villains bent on attacking London citizens. When he saves Atalanta, he recognizes her innate goodness, but knowing he's a beast now and can never be worthy of her.
The Beauty and the Beast trope drives this story. I liked Atalanta's character especially her drive to help others. She wants to be seen as more than just a pretty face and her work in the local hospital defines that drive. Devon on the other hand loses his attractiveness in an unfortunate encounter with ruffians and believes no one could possible love him. He's a complicated character and I wasn't particularly enamored with him. I thought his internal dialogue that he was unworthy went on a bit too long. I did really like his interactions with Fanny and Margaret and wished there had been more scenes with these two strong women. While the HEA is a foregone conclusion, there are still a few twists and turns in the story to keep you turning the pages.
I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy and all opinions are my own.
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