Reviews with content warning for Infidelity - Band Sinister

Reviews tagging 'Infidelity'

Band Sinister by KJ Charles

10 reviews

booksthatburn's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

BAND SINISTER is a delightful and intimate story, where two men with bad blood between their families, end up closer than they could’ve imagined after Amanda breaks her leg and is forced to convalesce at Phillip’s estate, accompanied by her devoted brother, Guy. Phillip, for his part, is with his dearest friends since boyhood, who have shared every intimacy with one another. Including, to Guy’s astonishment, sexual intimacy among men, the idea of which is as alluring as Phillip himself.

I very much enjoyed the polyamorous tenor of the story. While the main romance is between Guy and Phillip, it’s within the context of Phillip’s longtime friendship, physical intimacy, and bonds deeper than romance with his two friends. The characters are vibrant and distinct, and the cozy setting of the manor house let the romance spend long stretches undisturbed by outside concerns (until near the end when unfortunate relations intrude once more). Amanda has written a novel which is inspired by the rumors about the hellfire club, but they turn out to be very lovely people. She and Guy have some consternation about how to handle the fact that she's written a book based on these people they have now come to know.

I like how cozy this feels, even the minor element of concealing the gothic novel's origins was less stressful than I normally find lying to be in relationships. I wish there were a sequel, but this feels very complete and I'm pleased with the ending.

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elltea11's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

While I won’t flatter myself by pretending I have anywhere near the talent of KJ Charles, I will say I have never read a book where the author’s way of thinking felt so much like my own. I haven’t read many romance/erotic novels despite being a pervert myself, partially because of misogyny around the genre but also because I figured I’d be bored. But this was both intellectually and sexually stimulating and satisfying, with deep philosophical conversations and amusing repartee interspersed with just as serious and playful and HOT gay sex. I especially enjoyed learning new things here and there about period-relevant events, politics, science and and how naturally all these conversations flowed. This book made me cum AND rethink my relationship to pleasure and polyamory. It’s a balm for the queer soul and a mouth-watering treat. Highly recommend.

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cheye13's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful 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

4.0

I had been anticipating this one for a while and it didn't disappoint. A brilliant little story, covering a broad array of thought in a conservative page count. The time and place were so grounded, they were transportive. I loved the primary characters and the variations of their relationships. I did think there were a few too many background characters, and I wouldn't have minded a few more pages for a further exploration of polyamory, aromanticism, and boundaries, but I was wholly pleased by the story as-is.

My primary criticism is that one doesn't decline Latin verbs, one conjugates them.

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pvbobrien's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Content Warnings

henrismum's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Not First in Series and Not First by Author (fourth by author)
Audiobook (All of my entries on The Story Graph are audiobooks.)
Why I added this book to my TBR pile: This has been on my TBR pile the longest of any of my books - since July. I probably added it after reading Ms. Charles' The Will Darling Adventures.
This was a sweet story with some steamy bits and a happy ending.
Will I read more of the series / author? ~~Probably Not~~ ~~Maybe~~ Highly Likely This is not a series, but I will seek out other books by the author.
The narrator was Cornell Collins. He is lovely and it's been so long since I listened to him in The Will Darling Adventures that I was able to hear the characters as new.

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