The Preference is about the unfolding of relationships amid complex desires. Although it is a novel of feelings and love, it is by no means an historical romance of the traditional type. Highly individual in its way, it follows the lives of two bright girls from privileged backgrounds from their teen years to early womanhood. Intriguing and unique, Croft's vivid portrayal of 19th-century life, combined with rich character dynamics, creates an unforgettable 'keyhole' look at sexual and emotional power-play in the mid-1800s. A plethora of well-defined characters move this story along. It's a book that can be appreciated on different levels, but is a treat for anyone with a penchant for the Victorian era... or a taste for the sensual. Insightful, erotic and humorous, exploring profound issues and compelling scenarios, this period drama is written with wit and honesty and was inspired by private archived diaries, defying some of the accepted stereotypes of the times. Its sequel, The Entitlement, is the next to follow.