Ana María Luna Valdés has strived to be the perfect daughter, the perfect niece, and the perfect representative of the powerful Luna family. So when Ana María is secretly sent to London with her sisters to seek refuge from the French occupation of Mexico, she experiences her first taste of freedom far from the judgmental eyes of her domineering father. If only she could ignore the piercing looks she receives across ballroom floors from the austere Mr. Fox.
Gideon Fox elevated himself from the London gutters by chasing his burning desire for more: more opportunities, more choices. For everyone. Now, as a member of Parliament, Gideon is on the cusp of securing the votes he needs to put forth a measure to abolish the Atlantic slave trade once and for all—a cause that is close to his heart as the grandson of a formerly enslaved woman. The charmingly vexing Ana María is a distraction he must ignore.
But when Ana María finds herself in the crosshairs of a nefarious nobleman with his own political agenda, Gideon knows he must offer his hand as protection . . . but will this Mexican heiress win his heart as well?
Release Date: Apr 4, 2023
Series: The Luna Sisters
Book: 1
Heat Level: Sensual
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley
Price: $10.99
Tropes: Class/Cultural Differences, Political/Govt Work, Kidnapped, Protector-ish
Ana María Luna Valdés and her two sisters have been secretly sent to London to seek refuge during the French occupation of Mexico. Experiencing their first taste of freedom, the sisters are tasked with entering society and shining a sympathetic light on Mexico’s plight. Member of Parliament Gideon Fox is also trying to curry societal and political favor, attempting to secure the votes he needs to put forth a measure to abolish the Atlantic slave trade once and for all. Ana María and Gideon share an attraction, but neither are free to act on their feelings.
This is the first book in the Luna Sisters series. In July of 1863, the trio of Mexican heiresses are shipped to London after French-led forces seized Mexico City as part of the Second French intervention in Mexico. Their father is an important advisor to the Mexican president and their mother believes they would be safer on English soil (…not necessarily so). Their uncle, a Mexican ambassador to England, hides their true connections and arranges for the sisters to be chaperoned by a well-respected member of society.
Despite having a fiancé – hand picked by her father – back home, Ana María can’t help but be attracted by Gideon Fox. The rising MP has his own political storyline, flighting for a cause that is close to his heart as the grandson of a formerly enslaved woman. When Ana María finds herself threatened by a villainous nobleman, Gideon has to decide what’s more important: his heart or his votes.
I enjoyed this book, but it does suffer from being the first in a series and trying to do too much. The historical setting and political landscape get a lot of attention, and Ana María’s sisters are also highlighted to set up for future books. Because of this, the book feels like it slants more towards historical fiction and the romance sometimes feels secondary. Ana María and Gideon’s relationship doesn’t really pick up and run until about the 65% mark. But, if you can stick with it, there’s a lot to like about this story.
The Luna sisters have been isolated and controlled in Mexico, completely under their father’s thumb. The trio is not close at the start of the story, but their sibling relationship develops and grows. They start to stand up for one another, like when their chaperone suggests sister Isobel needs to lighten her complexion or after a situation arises at a house party. I also liked how Ana María wanted to expand her mind, and how Gideon grew to appreciate Ana María’s opinions and worldview.
~ Leslie
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