4.5 stars 
 I have been reading a lot of modern regency romances where the girl dresses as a man. It is a very popular plot which provides convenient distraction for weak characters and story by authors. It is often very unrealistic and done in a tasteless manner...usually to bring lustful thoughts to the so called hero's small mind when he pays attention to the heroine's buttocks and how shapely they are in a trouser as his mouth waters! 
 This is how it is suppose to be done to keep it believable for the time period and allow the characters and the plot to remain the focus and what the reader remembers long after they've finished. Well done! 
 The cast of characters are well developed. They each have their strength, doubts, ideas and weaknesses. We watch few of them grow up and understand the limits life and obligation puts on their ideas. They are very colorful and vivid and they are all together a force that make this story happen.