Synopsis:~

Amid the violent last days of the glittering Russian monarchy, a princess on the run finds her heart where she least expects it.

1917, Petrograd. Fleeing the murderous flames of the Russian Revolution, Princess Svetlana Dalsky hopes to find safety in Paris with her mother and sister. But the city is buckling under the weight of the Great War, and the Bolsheviks will not rest until they have erased every Russian aristocrat from memory. Svetlana and her family are forced into hiding in Paris’s underbelly, with little to their name but the jewels they sewed into their corsets before their terrifying escape.

Born the second son of a Scottish duke, the only title Wynn MacCallan cares for is that of surgeon. Putting his talents with a scalpel to good use in the hospitals in Paris, Wynn pushes the boundaries of medical science to give his patients the best care possible. After treating Svetlana for a minor injury, he is pulled into a world of decaying imperial glitter. Intrigued by this mysterious, cold, and beautiful woman, Wynn follows Svetlana to an underground Russian club where drink, dance, and questionable dealings collide on bubbles of vodka.

Out of money and options, Svetlana agrees to a marriage of convenience with the handsome and brilliant Wynn, who will protect her and pay off her family’s debts. It’s the right thing for a good man to do, but Wynn cannot help hoping the marriage will turn into one of true affection. When Wynn’s life takes an unexpected turn, so does Svetlana’s—and soon Paris becomes as dangerous as Petrograd. And as the Bolsheviks chase them to Scotland, Wynn and Svetlana begin to wonder if they will ever be able to outrun the love they are beginning to feel for one another.

My take:~

J’Nell Ciesielski’s latest novel has the ingredients I love in an historical romance – fascinating locales, intriguing history, independent characters with complex backstories, with a marriage of convenience trope.

The history and the descriptions of Petrograd, Paris, and Scotland, paired with the plight and fortunes of Russian emigres, were fascinating elements that Ciesielski penned beautifully. I was moved by Wynn’s character and the complications and suspicion that came with being at the cutting edge of cardiology in that time period.

Unfortunately, Svetlana’s acidic personality and her mother’s gross selfishness and disregard for her daughter’s well-being, went far beyond necessary to convey the ice swan moniker. The contrast with Wynn’s compassion and gregariousness was so great that his attraction to Svetlana was confounding, and the swiftness with which her personality altered (for the better) upon her feet landing on Scottish soil diminished her character arc for me.

Mine is just one opinion amongst many who have devoured this story and enjoyed every minute spent among its pages. Being captivated by the characters is key to my love of a story, so this one fell a little short for me.
I so wanted to love this story! The strengths of The Ice Swan‘s were very appealing, so I will certainly seek out another of her stories to enjoy.

With thanks to the publisher for my review copy. My opinions remain my own.

Relz Reviewz Extras
Visit J’Nell’s website
Buy at Amazon: The Ice Swan or Koorong