YES!!! I couldn’t have wished for a more perfect ending to their story! This is definitely one of my all-time favorite series in the genre. Murdo was to die for, and his relationship with David was absolutely gush-worthy. ( )

So I have concluded my quarter long (?) listen to the Enlightenment series. I really enjoyed the historical setting, the romance, the heroes and the surrounding world. I do think her writing can be in turns beautiful and repetitive, her dialogues and emotions easy to buy. I'd give the series overall a 3.5, and book 2 might have been my favorite, though this was intensely satisfying as well. I wouldn't read them with great distance between them--or at least only between 1&2.

The narration was by and large delightful, man does he nail Murdo's aristocratic/commanding voice and David's idealism. Truly appreciated it.

Forgive the brief review, I'm buried under tissues, blankets, and if not that-toiling at my desk in my upright hours. There are weeks and there are weeks. ( )

Rating: 4.5* of five

Yes indeed, this is the way to end a series/long book. A completely satisfying and inevitable ending that managed to come about in a logical and challenging way.

The lead-up to the ending ain't half bad, either, but it's this ending...won't spoiler it for y'all, the Despoilerization Brigade gets downright violent...that explains why I connected with this series of Regency-set books.

How to explain without giving the show away...geez...this is as rough as explaining what the fuss about non-masturbatory orgasms is to one who has never had one...okay, lemme see here, you know how your intimate loved one has this set of things you know they do and do well? Your Lovely Other, as a Kiwi friend of mine refers to her partner, operates in this expected way and you're happy with that (or you're the Remodeler and should be excoriated and shunned, if you don't like the house don't buy it), even proud of the high end of the range of behaviors.

Then comes the day when there's a lot at stake, the high end of the range that you love in them isn't going to solve all the problems but hey, pobody's nerfect, and...

...

...they come ripping through good enough and fly up to jaw-dropping otherworldly excellence-cum-terrifying gut-wrenching omigawd-we're-gonna-die recklessness...

...

...and there you are arms outstretched to catch them when the inevitable fall comes, praying you're strong enough to keep them at least alive...

...

...and they land light as a feather next to you, take your hand, smile and say, "shall we go home now, dear?"

And that, my friends, is that. You will never, ever look at another human being without thinking, "you poor miserable sod, My Very Own Love doesn't know you're alive but can't wait to get home to *me*," with a smug, superior smirk on your nasty little unfairly-lucky-rotter face.

Fortunately we have fiction to take us there. It's not the most common IRL experience, is it. This series/fairly long novel gave me that experience. Read the three main novels and it's just possible it might give you the same one. I encourage you to try at least volume 1, [Provoked].

*cue evil cackle and commence addictive reading in 3...2...1...* ( )

An exciting and surprising conclusion to the Enlightenment series ( )

The focus of this series started being more on the sweet, emotional angle starting with the first book. The first delivered angst, drama, and emotional train wrecks impossible to look away from. The second jumped in time and showed developed characters who did their growing off page, coming together for a slower paced, calmer time. The third continues a few months where the second left off, David still injured yet recovering, living with Murdo who is his caretaker for the time being. The two are reluctant to part as their love has continued to bloom, and there is still that issue with solving Elizabeth's crisis.

Both characters are likeable. David has that small smidge of being unsure, which just makes him endearing. Murdo always rocked in his confidence and assurance, so now that he reveals some insecurities and hesitations, it's even more potent. Elizabeth will always be a likeable character - I'm glad the author didn't drop her from the first book and continues to wrap up her story here too. Such a sad moment with the father, who not only has David grown close to, but I did as well. I do wish he could continue on in their lives.

As with the second book, steam is not too hot but the moments are sweet and awe-inducing instead. The heart does flutter with emotion in tune to writer's talent.

Overall it was a worthy ending to the trilogy. We get happy endings, emotional moments, a little bit of hotness, devotion that works and something we all wish for. This book doesn't dig into the lure of new relationships with their excitements and their controversies; instead it take a couple that has now established routine together, comfort levels, and the magic of being together for awhile and being comfortable in their lives with each other. ( )