#ramonaelmes

4 Stars!!

This was so much fun!

I liked watching Diana explore and find out more about herself. The article that first "inspired" her to consider more than being a "proper" lady was upsetting, sure, but I'm glad that rather than just stew about it, she went out and did something. I liked her choice to go on the cruise and the way she stood up for herself when Monroe was trying to suggest she wait for he and Devons to find activities. I will admit to shouting "don't do it!" when she agreed to let her mother come back, but I'm glad she finally kicked out the harpy out. I also liked the way she handled Tremont (although I wouldn't have minded if some tea had accidentally fallen in his lap). Once she and Sebastian figured stuff out, I liked that she was all in and told him that she loved him as he was and didn't want him changing himself because of some skewed lens he was looking through.

Sebastian was interesting. I liked that he didn't care too much about what others thought about him (except for when he was trying to be noble there at the end, but I think we can excuse that lunacy because he's in love) and he was his own person. The fact that he agreed to go on the cruise was a bit of a surprise, but I liked that he was willing to be involved with the Historical Society for Female Curators in the way that Addie wanted. I did laugh at his jealousy on the SS Lark because even though he thought he was doing what was right for both of them, he was just gone and I loved it! I will admit to laughing at the way he handled Tremont at the club and his little whispered comment about things.

I will admit that I wished there'd been a little more archeology/exploring involved, but at the same time, there was enough because Diana was able to find new things for others who wanted to go on the cruise and if she'd found everything this time, while it might be fun for someone else, it would lose the novelty. There were some editing issues (extra words, handful of spelling errors, etc) but nothing too bad.

This was a fun intro to this series and there's enough hints that have been dropped and I can't wait to read about the other members of Historical Society for Female Curators! And honestly, I will probably at least go find Clara and Sam's story, and probably Malcolm and Sophia's too. At least to start!

Thank you NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book for review. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

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