So damn gorgeous.
What a delightful, wonderful tale of trans joy. I LOVED this book to absolute bits.
It made me laugh out loud, swoon a dozen times, cackle and sigh and even cry my eyes out. What a delightful gem this book is!
I feel like I need to read the rest of TJ Alexander's backlist because wow: they sure can write. This book had me feeling every single damn emotion on the planet.

Christopher was a fabulous protagonist. He's resilient, a survivor through and through, but despite the rough hand he's been dealt with, and despite his past, he never looses his smile, his kindness nor his joy. I adored being in his head. He's silly and gentle and kind: simply put, wonderful.

< Christopher had lived. He lived still. The very fact that he breathed was a miracle. He had not survived merely to suffer; he was certain of that now. For the first time in his life, he was certain. >

< "[...] Thank you, Harding, for finding me a suitable wife.” And for sticking your fingers in my mouth, went unsaid, though the sentiment was there. Christopher wished he could broach the subject, but it felt like one of those things that men shouldn’t speak of aloud. >

And James Harding! UGH. That man!!!!!! He made me SWOON. Stoic, quietly snarky, competent, protective Harding. No wonder Christopher fell for him almost immediately: I would have too. Those two together stole my freaking heart, and I literally spent the last few chapters simultaneously crying my eyes out and giggling like mad. And that final chapter! God, never have I read such a satisfying ending. It made me heart soar.
I loved the plot and I loved all the side characters to absolutele bits too.

I cannot recommend this book enough! It's out in precisely two days time, and I'll be recommending it so much you'll be sick of me. A forbidden valet/lord romance, a slowly unfolding romance, all the pining and (barely hidden) attraction, PLUS some really wonderful trans rep that the world sorely needs nowadays? I wholly, wholly recommend.
What a delightful, fabulous romance.

Also. I'd have given this book five stars just for this scene alone:
< “I only wanted you to be quiet.” “So quiet me now,” Christopher said, and was gratified to find two deft fingers entering his greedy mouth. He moaned around them. “Seems to only make you louder,” James said with more than a trace of humor, “not that I mind.” >
*passes out*

PS: I love the American title and cover (it's very dreamy and romantic!) but my personal favourite is the UK version. I think I need to buy myself a physical copy! SUCH a fabulous cover and title. So fitting too!

TWs/CWs: death of a sibling, death of parents, panic attack (on page), death (on page, side character), body and gender dysphoria and period-typical transphobia.

Many thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is my honest opinion.