A review by yourbookishbff
Fortune Favors the Viscount by Caroline Linden

dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Fortune Favors the Viscount, the fourth installment in Caroline Linden's Wagers of Sin, was easily my favorite story of the series. We finally see the infamous and often sidelined Mr. Nick Dashwood in the lead role and gradually learn how the gambling hell owner came to be. I love a strong-willed and resourceful governess who stands up for herself, and our female main character, Emilia, is all of that and more. She dives headfirst into Nick's life, upending his aspirations and his family, and showing him a path toward trust and partnership. I particularly loved how aware Nick is of the power imbalance between them, due to his gender, money and influence, but also due to her dependence on him as her employer. The on-page discussions of power and consent are well-done and help each character find equal footing with the other.

For third-act anxiety, know we have a Big Bad Villain that dominates the relationship tension and drives the final 20% right until the very end. I loved seeing Nick and Emilia's family come together, and the relationship between Lucy and Charlotte is so affirming. I think this one is particularly enjoyable when you know Nick's role throughout the series, but it could absolutely be read as a stand-alone.
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