This is a beautiful, heartbreaking book, that left me in real, literal tears at the culmination of it. It tells us a bittersweet tale of two men in 19th century France, and the growth of their relationship from acquaintances, to friends, to something more. A true slow-burn romance.

I enjoyed this story very much, and I found the author had a great gift for prose, painting the landscape both physical and emotional with lush and evocative description. That said, there really is such a thing as too much of a good thing, and I did find myself skimming over some of her lovely comparisons simply because there were too many of them, and because some were hyperbolic enough to stretch credulity.

The slow growth of romance really suited the author's style of writing, as well as the time period, putting one in mind of romances written during the period. It was appropriate and very sweet, and it was a refreshing change from many of the stories in this genre on the market.

I was fully prepared to give this book a solid 3/5, because I enjoyed it and I didn't regret the time I spent reading it... and then the end came, and it undid me. Well done, Lily Velez. I haven't cried while reading a book in longer than I can remember. Bonus star for drawing actual tears from the depths of my cold, black heart.
* I received an advance copy of this title through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review * ( )