Dream with Our Eyes Open

I don't generally "do" romances. A large part of this is simply that the couples in most romances don't interest me, either as targets for my own lusts/longing or as characters with whom I could identify. I realized this truth when I found myself passionately enjoying romantic fanfiction involving characters with whom I *do* identify.

So in retrospect, I shouldn't be surprised by how much I enjoyed The Covert Captain: Or, a Marriage of Equals, despite the fact that it is that generally loathed (by me) thing, a Regency romance, because I really did like and identify with both of the leads.

Harriet is the intelligent spinster sister of a dashing military officer, Major Sherbourne ("Sherry"), who still suffers from his war wounds, both physical and mental. His constant companion and junior officer is Captain Nathaniel Fleming, who has suffered less physical damage but is equally afflicted with PTSD from their mutual experiences in the Napoleonic Wars. Fleming and Harriet fall into a mutual liking that becomes love.

One of the things I value about this book is the relationship between Sherry and Nathaniel, whom Sherry calls "Spaniel" for his loyalty and as a joke about his name. Their friendship and shared experiences are important to them, and this very much affects how things play out in the course of Harriet and Fleming's romance. Likewise, Harriet and Sherry are an affectionate pair of siblings, and Sherry is in no way pressuring her to marry. (Of course, the fact that their three sisters all died in childbirth is part of this, but still.) Sherry's situation and feelings are part of the equation as well. I appreciate and approve of this.

Because I'm no fan of Regencies, I can't address the author's skill in evoking the setting and expected tropes. Most of the historical details seemed more or less appropriate, but again, I'm not well-versed in this period. But the writing has good pacing, effective language, and appealing details.

I imagine I will enjoy re-reading this too.