I don’t usually begin with a discussion of the actor, but I have to say that Joel Leslie sold this story to me big time with his absolutely spot-on performance of Oz’s character. I couldn’t believe my ears, and being the untrusting soul that I am, I actually did a little research to find out if his was an actual Irish brogue. I was so glad to find that it is entirely authentic! He did Silas proud as well, and I’m full of admiration of his ability to move between those two distinct accents and all the others, including that broad Cornish one. I’m an avid language lover, and this book was a treat for my ears. It’ll be on my re-listen list, which is pretty short, because it is such a wonderful thing to listen to! BRAVO, Mr. Leslie!
The story itself is sweet and funny and warm. Both Oz Gallagher and Silas, Earl of Ashworth, are delightfully drawn characters. They are very much alike in their desire to be accepted and loved for who they are, not for what they have or how they appear to the world. But each comes to that commonality from different spheres of life and must learn to trust not only each other but themselves if their relationship is to take root and grow. They are wonderful together, but that is a result of Oz’s sass and Silas’s sense of humor, of Silas’s charm and Oz’s forthrightness, of Oz’s passion and Silas’s hunger. This is a fabulous story, and even without the “bad guy” secondary characters, it stands on its own merits as a sweet and yet sexy romance. I love it!