A forbidden love between a Mexican heiress and a shrewd British politician makes for a tantalizing Victorian season.

Ana María Luna Valdés has strived to be the perfect daughter, the perfect niece, and the perfect representative of the powerful Luna familia. So, when Ana María is secretly sent to London with her sisters to seek refuge during the French occupation of Mexico, she experiences her first taste of freedom far from the judgmental eyes of her domineering father. If only she could ignore the piercing looks she receives across ballroom floors from the austere Mr. Fox.

Gideon Fox elevated himself from the London gutters by chasing his burning desire for more: more opportunities, more choices. For everyone. Now as a member of Parliament, Gideon’s on the cusp of securing the votes he needs to put forth a measure to abolish the Atlantic slave trade once and for all—a cause that is close to his heart as the grandson of a formerly enslaved woman. The charmingly vexing Ana María is a distraction he must ignore.

But when Ana María finds herself in the crosshairs of a nefarious nobleman with his own political agenda, Gideon knows he must offer his hand as protection . . . but will this Mexican heiress win his heart as well?

I cut my romance-reading teeth on sweeping regency historicals. But as much as I have long adored these books, I always felt slightly removed from the stories, as if I were an interloper peeking in on this world of lush balls and soirees, but never seeing anyone who looked like me. Until Ana María and the Fox. Liana De la Rosa has taken all that I know and love about regency romances and turned it on its head in the best possible way.

What I truly loved about this book is Liana’s ability to tackle real-world issues of the time, like the French occupation of Mexico, while still keeping the incredible romance between our main characters—Gideon Fox and Ana María Luna—front and center. The grandson of a formerly enslaved woman, Gideon is determined to use his position in Parliament to abolish the Atlantic Slave Trade. Mexican heiress Ana María is on a quest to free herself from her father’s overbearing ways. I especially loved witnessing Gideon’s valiant attempt to fight his growing feelings for Ana María, and eventually accepting the inevitable fall. And what a swoon-worthy fall he takes.

And did I mention the other Luna sisters? Ana María’s relationship with Gabby and Isabelle was both unexpected and refreshing and has me clamoring to see the sisters find their perfect matches. This book has everything you can want from a regency romance, and so much more. Prepare to fully give yourself over to its heady and refreshing pleasures!