As ever, this reader is a sucker for a marriage of convenience--regardless of the era. 
 Characterization and character development would have to be the most standout elements of this story. I'd be tempted to call it a sort of Ugly Duckling tale, but the heroine doesn't become a ravishing beauty at any point--only reforms her sense of style and self-confidence as she finally thrives after years of physical and emotional neglect. And as a genuinely interesting twist, the hero is blind. Motivations are understandable all the way around, and the chemistry between the two is both organic and believable. 
 I struggled for a while over the rating. The prose and structuring had me hovering at 3 1/2 stars through most of the book, as the pacing came off as a bit languid and slow at some points. I also wasn't clear on the hero's past history with women, and the question of whether he had experience with intimacy or not never seemed to clear up for me. (Please, someone correct me or point me back to a chapter/passage if I missed something!) But given the consistent theme threading, the satisfying ending, and the author's bravery in tackling the hero's impairment, I decided my enjoyment level felt 4-star appropriate. 
 From the very beginning, I loved the idea of this story and the damaged state of both the hero and heroine. And I believe most readers will be able to achieve empathy without pity. The story introduces us to other interesting members of the "Survivors Club," which surely gives readers future options to follow. I know I'll be hanging on to this one, and possibly seeking out one or two of the interconnected stories.