Beguiled (Enlightenment, #2)

by Joanna Chambers

[jamiereadthis]

In case you were wondering, here’s how to do:

- The middle part of a trilogy.
- Characters that grow and mature beautifully while remaining true to their flawed selves.
- A self-contained arc woven into the larger arc.
- Real history mixed with fiction.
- A slow burn without stalling, repeating, or withholding. (Or staying out of bed!)
- Real struggles, but without the despair or self-loathing that disables action, and with a bright heart.
- Tenderness, friendship, trust, empathy, intimacy, love, and love.

There’s a book here with Elizabeth and Euan in the foreground, and David and Balfour off to the side. In a way, it feels like she’s given the sidekick characters the main story. The fact that it could switch around is how well the characters are developed; the fact that it’s not switched around is a wonderful thing.