Sometimes, a romance novel, a TV show, a film, or a song releases at the exact moment you need it most, and it feels like cosmic proof of the fact that we’re all somehow connected through a bigger picture. Such is the case for The Finest Print by Erin Langston, or what I’m deeming as the historical romance of the year. Anyone who’s read Langston’s debut, Forever Your Rogue, or the two novellas in the series knows this isn’t surprising because the author’s work is truly something else in our industry—thoughtful, precise, achingly romantic, and deeply heartfelt.
When Langston said her latest novel would include a writer, I knew we were in for something indescribable. I’m not only happy to have been right but utterly speechless because my expectations were so vastly surpassed that I wouldn’t even know where to begin. For starters, the novel addressing the Victorian working class makes it feel considerably more raw because it’s not a side we often don’t get to experience in our historical romances. We get glimmers of it, but the proximity in The Finest Print provides the type of intimacy that makes the characters feel even more real than they would’ve already been with Langston’s thoughtful means of driving the plot through their experiences.
Here, the humanity punctures in a way that makes the novel wholly encompassing from beginning to end. The trials, tribulations, and little moments in between make the happy ending feel far more earned and wildly stunning. Count on Langston to somehow make typing and taxes sexy—a sentence I never thought I’d write, but the surprising elements make this novel better, more chaotic, and quietly charming in a way readers will want to revisit often.
Belle Sinclair, daughter of Judge Gavin Sinclair and Emilia from Some Winter’s Evening, is the most extraordinary little gremlin queen who’s equal parts morbid and so wonderfully soft that her nuances are an enticing part of the storytelling. So often, the gothically eccentric characters aren’t given chances to be loving and tenderhearted. While there are undoubtedly plenty of layers in the Wednesday Addamses of the world, the Belle Sinclairs would like a word, too. And she gets her chance to stand on a metaphorical podium—being given the opportunity to publish her stories and put pen to paper through penny bloods offers Belle the chance to see that not only are her words important, but they’re good. This occurs when Ethan Fletcher inherits his late uncle’s print shop and hefty debt simultaneously, forcing the two of them into an unlikely alliance that results in the most compelling partnership.
The thing about considering real historical accounts is that equality seldom existed for women. Sure, there are rare relationships here and there, but for the most part, women were property before they were people. It’s why these novels hit so hard: they provide a side to the past that’s richer with longings and layers, weaving into a tapestry that’s so full of love it’s completely overwhelming. Through Belle and Ethan’s love story, The Finest Print by Erin Langston stands as an archetype of what partnership looks like—messy at times, honest, challenging, brimming with adoration, and profoundly rewarding.
It’s a sincere narrative that examines why creative people pursue their passions, why they hide at times, and why they refuse to give up no matter the odds towering against them. We’re a stubborn bunch, and rightfully, these characters are, too.
At the same time, if there’s one thing Langston is always going to nail, it’s the tender vulnerability in which she represents the love of parents and their children. It’s lovely to see Gavin and Emilia as parents, but it’s also incredible that Nate and Cora are back as their extended family. With so few words, any time we’re around these characters, it feels like being wrapped in an old familiar blanket in front of a fireplace. There’s an adoration in the air that’s so hard to describe because it’s a testament to the author’s writing to have us overflowing with emotions amid brief scenes.
The Finest Print by Erin Langston might not feature extraordinary balls or lavish gatherings, but it’s still glowing with unmatched intimacy and some of the most heart-tugging kisses. The care and tenderness that Ethan and Belle show one another in their forced proximity and the quaint little office are both profoundly cozy and staggeringly hot. Two words: his beard. Another word: hands.
This is unlike any historical romance I’ve read in recent years, making it one that I’ll especially cherish during the beats when I start to question how much our words genuinely matter. Hint: they do—they always will, and Langston’s latest is an unparalleled, beautifully layered love letter to writers in all fields and genres. It’s a love letter to hard work, integrity, and the importance of owning one’s truth, wrapped exquisitely in a uniquely unforgettable romance.
The Finest Print by Erin Langston will be available on September 24.
First Featured Image | Official Book Cover Credit: ©Erin Langston