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yourbookishbff's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was sexy, bonkers and darkly funny - I loved it. Alec and Jerry, our two main characters, are well-built foils who fall desperately in love (even if they're too scared to say it out loud for most of the book) while masterminding a jewel heist. The backstory to this is dark, but the plot's pacing and moments of levity keep it from ever feeling like it's too much, and I appreciated the class difference that offsets the traumatic backstory, bringing a necessary discussion of privilege into this family melodrama. I realized in reading this that my taste for love declarations leans more subtle, and I wished for more insight into Jerry's character growth before confession of said growth, but these are small quibbles - I am so excited to continue this series and get more Susan Lazarus!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death of parent, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Homophobia, Grief, Death, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Medical trauma, Violence, and Classism
unsuccessfulbookclub's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I- I loved this. The TENSION and intrigue were absolutely amazing. The banter and dialogue were incredible, and the love story was so freaking swoony and absolutely scorching hot. Whew.
Jerry Crozier is bae and Alec deserves nothing less. had read Rat Catcher's Daughter as a prequel and cannot wait to get into Susan's story in Gilded Cage.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Murder, Death of parent, Sexual content, and Suicide
language_loving_amateur's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Moderate: Abandonment, Violence, Suicide, and Grief
Minor: Alcohol, Child abuse, Murder, Homophobia, and Infidelity
mallorypen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
When I tell you that all of my reading journal entries for this book were done in all caps … I enjoyed the HELL out of this book!
What I adore about KJC romances is the B plot could stand on its own. The relationships themselves are so compelling - complex, richly built and cleverly developed - but the jewel heist hiding a murder investigation all the while was a story I would read regardless of the tension between the conspirators. The family dynamics of the Duke and new Duchess; the exiled children; Cara making her siblings promise not to forget the horrible things done by their father … it had the potential to be melodramatic and overwrought, but KJC balanced it so perfectly into believable motivations across the board.
But then, the relationship - Jerry and Alec. What a fun ride from uncertain co-conspirators to those D/S overtones to uggggghhhhhh kicking my heels and blushing over the Yearning™️ and intimacy!! Here is a short list of the things I all-caps’d in my reading notes:
- AND YOU DESERVE BETTER THAN ME. THAT’S WHAT HE WAS GOING TO SAY. FUCK YES!!!
- WHAT THE FUCK (re: the twist)
- HE SAW THE PORTRAITSSSSSS AHHHHH
-JERRY RECOMMENDED HE TAKE THE FALL FOR THE ROBBERY SO JUSTICE COULD BE SERVEDDDDDD THAT BOY IS IN LOVE
What I adore about KJC romances is the B plot could stand on its own. The relationships themselves are so compelling - complex, richly built and cleverly developed - but the jewel heist hiding a
But then, the relationship - Jerry and Alec. What a fun ride from uncertain co-conspirators to those D/S overtones to uggggghhhhhh kicking my heels and blushing over the Yearning™️ and intimacy!! Here is a short list of the things I all-caps’d in my reading notes:
- AND YOU DESERVE BETTER THAN ME. THAT’S WHAT HE WAS GOING TO SAY. FUCK YES!!!
- WHAT THE FUCK (re: the twist)
- HE SAW THE PORTRAITSSSSSS AHHHHH
-JERRY RECOMMENDED HE TAKE THE FALL FOR THE ROBBERY SO JUSTICE COULD BE SERVEDDDDDD THAT BOY IS IN LOVE
There were such great breadcrumbs throughout the novel about Jerry’s approach to life (not sorry and no regrets) and MacGuffins for the mysteries that made this such a great read.
It was also fun seeing some familiar faces - the Morton family, the Lazarus family, and the Jack And Knave - that rooted me right back into the world without needing all the backstory.
And as always - Cornell Collins is the GOAT.
It was also fun seeing some familiar faces - the Morton family, the Lazarus family, and the Jack And Knave - that rooted me right back into the world without needing all the backstory.
And as always - Cornell Collins is the GOAT.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Suicide
20sidedbi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Death of parent, Sexual content, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Grief, Murder, and Suicide
pvbobrien's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Infidelity
Minor: Grief, Infertility, Terminal illness, Homophobia, and Suicide
the_vegan_bookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Death of parent, Grief, and Sexual content
littlewishling's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Adored this. There was lots of intrigue and twist that I didn’t expect as well as characters that I instantly loved.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Murder
Moderate: Suicide and Death
Minor: Child abuse
whatcassiedid's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I love a good heist! Everything about this was so fun, the twist was *chef's kiss* and Jerry and Alec are delightful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Death of parent
unwise_samwise's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Child abuse, and Suicide
Moderate: Death, Murder, and Death of parent
Minor: Homophobia, Chronic illness, Alcohol, and Violence