If you read this novella, then you're a Milan fan (because I assume anyone reading the digital in-between stories are), and if you're a Milan fan, then you know she has a type. A lot of her heroes (and if not her heroes, then her heroines) are the goofy, offbeat, eccentric types. Usually, one half of the couple has some weird habits and can't stop talking and can't be serious to save their lives. In this novella, that mantle falls squarely on Officer Henry's shoulders. Henry literally cannot stop talking and John manages to fall in love with him anyway. That is true love right here, folks.

In all seriousness, the couple of John and Henry really are quite cute. John is stoic and single-minded, but it's because he was molded that way. A former slave with his family on the threat of being ousted from their village, he is used to keeping his head down and plodding along so that he doesn't make trouble. He's a sympathetic character who still rings true, even today 200 years after the Revolutionary War. Meanwhile, Henry is the second son of a wealthy, British aristocrat who is used to having everything handed to him except his father's love. He considers himself a screw-up, but he's honestly so adorable at it that most folks don't mind, least of all John.

Their banter (when John actually talks) is interesting, and their discussions about freedom are important and insightful. This story reveals a side of history that is rarely talked about and that should be shared more, such as the facts that there were slave-holders as far north as Rhode Island and that the phrase "all men are created equal" was written and upheld by more slave-holders. This story of a white British officer and black former slave is quite meaningful.

So, why did I only give it three stars? Because of the cheese. I'm so sick of the cheese. I get the cheese was supposed to break up all the serious talk about race and freedom and equality, but goodness gracious. I'm so sick of the cheese. Also, the climax was very boring. There's like a flash of danger, and then it's over in an instant. Not a lot of drama in this story, sad to say.

Still, I'd recommend this story for fans of Milan. I won't revisit this novella because it didn't do much for me personally, but it's still fun with a hint of danger in some parts and a bunch of silliness that some folks will undoubtedly enjoy. ( )

This was, a very slow burn. But, the characters did grow on me, and their circumstances were interesting. ( )

Completely wonderful, all the way to the end of the Author's Note.

John is awesome. Henry makes me grin. And this Revolutionary setting is heartbreakingly accurate. I loved every word.

Every word. ( )

This is now the second book by this author that I've read. And like that first book, it has such delightful and surprising characters and pairings.

First off, it starts at the Battle of Yorktown and I have to say that that is my favorite song on the Hamilton Soundtrack. So I already came into this with good feelings. John Hunter is a black soldier fighting for America. He's fighting for his freedom and the freedom of his family. Henry Latham is a white officer fighting for the British. The two meet as enemies on the battlefield and obviously have to try to kill each other. Somehow Henry talks John out of that course of action. We will soon learn that Henry is very good at talking. A lot. Nonstop, actually. And when the two have to take a journey together, that talking unexpectedly leads to romance.

Like I said, Henry talked a lot. One scene his endless rambling kind of gave me a headache, but he really was a sweet (albeit odd) and endearing man. He gets under John's skin and the two fall in love on their journey. This being my first m/m romance, I didn't know what to expect. But we do meet the character of John Hunter in a different novel, so it was fun reading his back story here.

The endless talking and that rancid cheese were kind of hard to take at times, but they also added to the charm of the story, so I kind of considered them as additional characters. Overall, this is a very cute story that will leave you smiling.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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This was short and unexpectedly sweet. A lovely heartwarming and very funny historical romance. ( )