Hugh and Bess
First impressions: Not impressed. An easy read with enjoyable dialogue and some good historical detail, but very superficial. The storytelling was very episodic, with some backstory filler between major life events. The biggest disappointment was the lack of emotional depth and character development. Other than dealing with their significant age difference, neither Hugh nor Bess change or grow at all throughout the story - Hugh especially is presented as a saintly warrior who can do no wrong.