Loving the Hawke (Seven Curses of London #1)

Lettie has already had five Seasons, and looks forward to a life of spinsterhood—sort of. She wants to do more and be more than is allowed, and as the eldest of a large family of girls, she wants more than to be their servant as they prepare for their own Seasons. Nathaniel was injured and forced to retire from the Navy, and when an old friend discovers slavers using his ships, Nathaniel realizes he can still save people, but running into a genteel woman in the seedy parts of London is not what he had in mind.

Lettie is a complex character, and probably more accurate to 1870's ladies than other depictions. With few avenues available to be of help, Lettie sets about finding a way. Once she finds a cause, she is determined to actually do something about it, not simply throw money at it. Nathaniel is still finding his place in society and life after leaving the Navy but is a perfectly flawed look at what a real man of the time would be going through. There is obviously a backstory not fully being told, or a previous book, but it doesn't take away from the story. As is common with many historicals, it can be slow in some places, and could stand to go a little faster in others. The relationship between Nathaniel and his brother is left wide open, possibly for another book, but is a loose thread. Nathaniel and Lettie's journey toward each other, and helping others along the way, is a heartwarming love story, reminding us we can do both.

Julie York