I arrived at this through Malicious Empress, and I must say I wasn't disappointed. I appreciated the distinct differences between the two novels. Both main characters, Male Lead (ML) and Female Lead (FL), are intelligent and thoughtful, but what stood out to me was their shared desire for revenge against past wrongs, which beautifully intertwined their stories. Given how much I enjoyed this one, I plan on exploring more of the author's works. The romance in this book had a slower buildup compared to Malicious Empress, so potential readers should be aware. Despite the slower pace, I found it highly satisfying, and the time frame was notably shorter – around two years, unlike the four-year duration of the previous book. Overall, it was a worthwhile read.