'Listen to the Moon' by Rose Lerner is a historical romance novel that delves into the lives of the servant class, focusing on the characters of Sukey Grimes, a poor maid, and John Toogood, a polished man of the world. The book portrays a marriage of convenience between the two characters, exploring their emotional baggage, relationship dynamics, and struggles with age gap and past traumas. The writing style is described as realistic, with meticulous research and attention to detail in historical settings, providing a refreshing change from typical aristocratic romances.

Characters:

The characters are deeply flawed and relatable, with Sukey representing youthful defensiveness and John embodying high standards and emotional complexity.

Writing/Prose:

The author employs a detailed and well-researched writing style that includes authentic dialogue, exploring emotional truths without becoming overly sentimental.

Plot/Storyline:

The story revolves around a marriage of convenience between members of the servant class, exploring their complex emotional struggles and the precarious nature of their lives.

Setting:

Set in Regency England, the narrative focuses on the lives of servants within a small, close-knit community, highlighting their daily struggles.

Pacing:

The pacing effectively balances character development and plot progression, leading to a slow build of intimacy.

Sukey Grimes, maid-of-all-work, gave the chipped mantel a last pass with her duster. Empty of furniture, the two attic rooms looked nearly a decent size. But on a rainy day like this, nothing could hi...

Notes:

The story focuses on a marriage of convenience between two servants, a maid and a butler.

The main characters, Sukey and John, come from the servant class; John is a valet and Sukey is a maid.

There is a significant age gap between Sukey (22) and John (40), which adds complexity to their relationship.

The plot includes themes of economic hardship and social status, highlighting the struggles of domestic servants in the Regency era.

The book features explicit and steamy sex scenes that are integral to the characters' development and relationship.

Lerner's writing is noted for being rich in historical detail, immersing the reader in the lives of the working class at that time.

The story explores serious issues such as emotional baggage, family dynamics, and personal growth.

John, the male lead, wrestles with his father's expectations and his own desire to be a better man, diverging from his father's path.

Sukey has abandonment issues due to her father's desertion, affecting her relationship with John.

The book concludes with a satisfying but not overly neat resolution, leaving some character arcs open for interpretation.

Secondary characters like Mrs. Khaleel and Molly add depth and intrigue to the overall narrative.

The story has a strong character-driven focus, emphasizing personal flaws and growth over traditional romantic tropes.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for Listen to the Moon include themes of sexual harassment, emotional trauma, and family issues that may be triggering for some readers.

Has Romance?

The romance in Listen to the Moon is a significant focus, with a central love story that evolves between the main characters.

explicit steam level

From The Publisher:

Always the bride's maid, never the bride...John Toogood always prided himself on being the perfect gentleman's gentleman: skilled, discreet, and professional. But now he finds himself laid off and blacklisted, stuck in tiny Lively St. Lemeston until he can find a new job. Any job.His instant attraction to his happy-go-lucky maid Sukey Grimes couldn't come at a worse time. Her manners are provincial, her respect for authority nonexistent, and her outdated cleaning methods...well, the less said about them, the better. Sukey can tell that John's impeccably impassive facade hides a lonely man with a gift for laughter-and kissing. But she also knows he'll leave her sleepy little town behind the moment he gets the chance, and she has no intention of giving him her heart to take with him. Then John learns that the town vicar needs a butler-but the job is only for a respectable married man. Against both their better judgments, John and Sukey tie the knot. The ring isn't on her finger long before Sukey realizes she underestimated just how vexing being married to the boss can be...

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Listen to the Moon?

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About the Author:

Rose Lerner discovered Georgette Heyer when she was thirteen, and wrote her first historical romance a few years later. Her writing has improved since then, but her fascination with all things Regency hasn't changed. When not reading, writing, or researching, she enjoys cooking and marathoning old TV shows. She lives in Seattle with her best friend.

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Listen to the Moon

Rose Lerner

Book 3 in the series:Lively St. Lemeston