I like historical fiction. I like sapphic fiction. I like sapphic historical fiction and faction.
This is historical fiction meets something else!
It is set in the 19th century but in a place and society that has been created by the author.
It’s clever – islands, societies and cultures have been created.
The patriarchy does not exist – but the matriarchy rules and men are there to serve their wives.
While same sex marriage is not yet legal there, relationships between women are seen as natural.

Temperance is the heiress of one of the islands. She has been served by Amity, her handmaiden, for 9 years. The story revolves around them (as it suggests in the title) as Temperance has now started her 3 year journey through the ‘opening of the flower’ to take her rightful place as the heir.
It is a fun read as it is interesting to see the complexities of the different islands – they are all different. There is a lot of historical accuracy for the time period – so research has taken place.
There is a lot of yearning, flirting and love. And humour.
Is it a romance? Well, I am not sure. There is no HEA – but it is Book 1 in a series of how many ? Will there be a HEA when it all ends? That is yet to be seen.

The emotion is well written. I finished it a while ago and it’s still on my mind, and I and am now waiting for Book 2. So it is quite powerful. Not all books have that effect on me!