I love the concept of this book! And I really liked the first part with the hidden identity and angst over getting closer to your childhood friend who thinks you're dead. 

However, I think the book lost its steam once they left Morgencald. After that, the only conflict in the relationship is the class difference, but that's not something central to their concept of the relationship - it's more like an external obstacle that never really changes.

Like, one of the big things is that Gracewood thought she was dead, and mourned her, and then she hid her new identity from him. I felt like that was resolved far too quickly - Gracewood realizes he was wrong to think of her fake-death/transition as betrayal, and then travels to London to tell her so. For sure, I don't want a transphobic main character. But I think the book could have done a lot more with the complicated feelings they both have!

I also found it hard to get a grasp on the characters. Is Viola bold? Timid? Adventurous? Comforting? Obviously, a person can be all of these things, but I never felt like I really understood or connected to her or Gracewood.