There was a LOT in Simon and Maria's story. A lot of feelings, a lot of teachings, and a lot of healing. While I have loved all of the Orc Sworn books, Finley has really outdone herself with The Duchess and the Orc at least for this reader. 

Maria reminded me a lot of myself, especially with her panic spells induced by anxiety and the need to seek approval. It's something I have battled with longer than I care to admit, and Finley captured those intense emotions and the sheer weight of them. And Simon's anger and dislike of lying and deception reminds me of my own search for justice. It's no wonder I adore the Enforcer of Orc Mountain, and with the way they train to fight, I would feel very much at home within Clan Skai. 

With the way Finley crafts both her characters and plots and then developing them further through their own lessons, it's easy for readers to get caught up in the story. To know great joy, one must first know great sorrow. So while she may put her heroines through the darkest ringer, they also get pulled back into the light.