Full review at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books 
 One reason that this book works so well is that there is nothing mean-spirited about it. One gets the impression that the author loves all the versions of Victorian romance from the gothic to the steampunk oeuvre. Lionel, who narrates the book, is self-centered and fickle but not malicious, and the whole book consists of him getting his comeuppance for his caddish behavior. The characters are silly but good-hearted and fun to spend time with. The story moves along at a brisk pace, making this a light, fun read packed with witty dialogue and slapstick physical humor. There's a strong feminist slant to the story and a subtle yet extremely effective blow for racial justice in the pages as well. 
 This is a soap bubble of a story in which terrible emotional wounds are healed by arguing about poetry (free verse versus blank verse). There is romance -- in fact there are two, and both are quite satisfactory. Mostly it's a romance in the older sense of the term, in that it's an adventure. I had a great time with these people and their utter refusal to do anything sensible (with the exception of the constantly sensible Simmons). The book is sweet, smart, clever, and so much fun! 
 - Carrie S.