I loved this book! Susanna Fraser does a wonderful job of constructing a gut twisting romance with some of the most believable and lovable character I have ever had the pleasure of meeting on the page.
Set against the wonderfully rich back drop of the Napoleonic Wars the story follows Lady Anne Arrington as she "follows the drum," traveling with a husband that does not love her and the English forces. The fact that Lady Anne has chosen to follow her husband adds a unique level of gritty realism and danger that is sometimes missing from more traditional historical novels. The best thing about Lady Anne was how well she was crafted. I laughed and cried with her and she has remained with me even though the story has ended. She was one of those rare literary gems - a completely believable heroine who has her own strengths and gut wrenching experiences only she can deal with. When she finds herself falling for the one man she could not have she was faced with at best more scandal and a ruined reputation and at worse destroying the career of the man she loves.
After the scandalous demise of her cruel husband, Lady Anne finds herself under the protection of the 95 Rifles and Sergeant Will Atkins. It did not take me long to start thinking of Sergeant Atkins as My Sergeant. He was hands down the best soldier I have every read on the pages of a romance, historical or otherwise. Will is a ran away who joined the army because he was not ready to get married and take over the farm. There are no deep dark secrets behind his soldiering and he is not Rambo. He is a natural born soldier, popular with everyone. Will is brave and chivalrous, and self-educated. He is also handsome and romantic as hell as he discovers that his feelings for Lady Anne go beyond anything he could imagine.
Filled with a slew of villains and obstacles there were times I did not know if Anne and Will would get their happily ever after. When they finally where able to be together and over came everything that had been standing in their way I cheered.
This was a wonderful read and I highly recommend it.
5 STARS
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