First of all I am positively surprised. I have hoped for a nice Regency romance. But I got more. 
 There is a quite rich historical background. We have for example: Irish Rebellion of 1798 and of 1803, some facts about fate of convicted in those times (in UK). 
 Next, the characters were very convincing, they were true and real. Their concerns and hopes were surprising complicated for a simply romance. They developed and changed in a good pace. The whole narration made the story really good. 
 I was engaged and a few times surprised what had happened. There was some humor, there was a little witty banter. [But, I would add that it is a bit more serious book than the most of Regency romances.] 
 By the by, almost to the end I wasn't sure how it would end. Yes, I knew it would be a happy ending, nevertheless Kelly wrote it in such a way that I wasn't sure one hundred percent. 
 For more information I recommend a review of Sandy 
 It is my first book of Carla Kelly. I am curious if others are the same.