The Season’s Original is the IT girl – that one debutante that makes such a big splash during her debut that all the girls want to be her, the men want to have her and the parents want to have raised her. A boon for family and the man who wins her notice, there is, in this most competitive environs that is the Season, few more coveted adjectives. Maxwell is full of regrets and self-doubts. Always feeling ‘second’ to his brother Bram, he has held a torch for Juliet for years: the woman who, in his eyes, should have been named the original. Unfortunately, Juliet’s eyes were on Bram, and when his engagement was announced, to a woman other than her, she found consolation in his arms, and with his kiss. But, they were caught in this rather innocent moment, and while Max intended to return to ask for her hand, her father sent her off to marry another. Now she’s back in town, newly widowed and the anger from years ago rises again – setting the story and back and forth between them. Max felt abandoned, Juliet was mad for him not showing up and asking for her hand and now, she wants to purchase her family home, Max is not interested in her as a neighbor. Between every page, the passion between these two simmers – love and hate are two sides of a coin, and as much as these two try to deny their attraction, the more vehemently those feelings rise. Fueled by a wager and some seriously well-played back and forth, these two slowly reveal the reasons behind their anger, Juliet’s life with her husband, and Max’s undeniable (and unreserved) torch he’s held for her for years. Full of snappy dialogue, burn the fingertips passions and solid tension from the will they or won’t they moments, the story was a fun read. Easy enough to read on its own, this is part of a wonderful series that fans of historic romance will enjoy. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss from Avon Addicts for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions and expectations are my own responsibility.