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hrjones's review against another edition
4.0
(Joint review for multiple books in the SIns of the City series) I knew that K.J. Charles was a giant figure in m/m historical romance, but her one f/f novella that I’d encountered (Proper English) felt pleasant but a bit thin. My tour through Audible’s free-with-membership titles led me to try this Victorian-era series to see what the fuss was about. And…wow, Charles blew me away with her mastery of complex characterization and interwoven plots. I wish this same talent had shone through in Proper English so I might have tried more titles earlier. (I do have to say that the sex scenes are intensely “meh” for me. Just not interested in that level of detail, and sex scenes don’t really do anything for me in general. So the fact that the writing makes me willing to set that aside is a significant recommendation.) At this point, I figure I’ll eventually make my way through all of Charles’ catalog. (Consumed as audio)
wardenred's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-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
4.5
He wanted to live in a world where people didn’t make a great stupid fuss about what other people wore or who they kissed, and he wasn’t sure how that made him the unreasonable one.
I remember absolutely loving this book the first time I read it, in big part because I think it was the first romance with a nonbinary/genderfluid I've ever laid my hands on. That alone was incredibly exciting and made me overlook any possible flaws of the story.
This time around, well, I still really enjoyed the genderfluid representation and how it was handled, but I was less invested in the romance from some early-ish point on. I didn't really feel like the two characters really clicked together. Yes, Mark was accepting and understanding, outside of the moments where he believed that the ways of the world simply wouldn't let Pen be fully himself (using the pronoun Pen uses). Yes, they laughed about ducks in bed together. Yes, they shared a bunch of sweet moments. But I just... I don't know. I feel like from both sides the general vibe was more... a very understandable relief at being accepted as is? The characters felt so different—not to the point of being incompatible, but different enough that I struggled to ship them. Don't get me wrong, I have my share of favorite "opposites attract" love stories (the previous book in this very series is one!), but I love the sort of opposites who have something really, really similar at their core. I don't know, I guess this part is a little hard to put into words.
Anyway, I appreciated the sensitivity of the genderqueerness and the disability rep, I loved the sibling bond between Pen and Greta, and I adored the appearances of all the past books' characters, especially Justin Lazarus, who is a delight and a treasure. Especially in that one scene about, you know, the terrible accident. The act of divine providence. You know the one. Speaking of: the last beats of the overarching mystery are really exciting, and the awful aristocratic society is suitably awful. Maybe I should finally get around to reading A Society of Gentlemen, because I want more awful aristocrats and some good people trying to get by around them, and I also continue to be on a K.J. Charles kick.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Violence, Transphobia, and Homophobia
Minor: Ableism
misssusan's review against another edition
4.0
GOD BLESS YOU NETGALLEY, I HONESTLY THOUGHT I HAD ZERO CHANCE OF BEING APPROVED FOR THIS
does that count as my netgalley gave me this arc disclaimer? i feel it does
anyways guys. GUYS. i can't believe kj charles wrote me fluff
i mean like fluff that also features suspense and murder and well considered thoughts on what it would mean to be genderqueer in victorian england particularly if you're in a highly visible upper class position like an earl but
FLUFFFFFFF
mark and pen brought such pure joy and beauty to my heart
they're so in LOVE and SUPPORTIVE of each other
i can't wait for them to get married in the modern au where that would be legal
between this and tess bowery's that potent alchemy i am just hitting it out of the park when it comes to getting brilliant historical romances featuring genderqueer characters off netgalley
4 stars
does that count as my netgalley gave me this arc disclaimer? i feel it does
anyways guys. GUYS. i can't believe kj charles wrote me fluff
i mean like fluff that also features suspense and murder and well considered thoughts on what it would mean to be genderqueer in victorian england particularly if you're in a highly visible upper class position like an earl but
FLUFFFFFFF
mark and pen brought such pure joy and beauty to my heart
they're so in LOVE and SUPPORTIVE of each other
i can't wait for them to get married in the modern au where that would be legal
between this and tess bowery's that potent alchemy i am just hitting it out of the park when it comes to getting brilliant historical romances featuring genderqueer characters off netgalley
4 stars
toeffy's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't want it to end...
I really can't say much, except that I liked this novel a lot. For several reasons.
First of all, I've never read anything with a non-binary protagonist, especially not from their perspective. I can't vouch for any correctness, obviously, but for my layman's view the issue was handled very well. All the romance aside, I've found myself really interested in Pen's psychological dealings with the situation and it's impact on himself. Hats off to the author for the interesting excourse! I probably wouldn't have stumbled across that theme anywhere else.
Then there were all the other characters from the two previous books making appearances. I've found I like Clem much more when I'm not stuck in his head, I've loved the outside view on Nathaniel and Justin, and I really enjoyed how Tim's storyline was handled.
The plot itself was stretched a bit thin across three books, but I think this is neither unexpected nor should be lamented much. These books deal with the interpersonal, after all, and are much more focused on character growth and communication than any serious action outside of the couples' bedrooms. Still, the murder mystery plot was resolved nicely enough.
Overall, it was a very good conclusion to the trilogy. So good, on fact, that I would've loved to read on, the guys have grown on me.
I'm looking forward to the other K. J. Charles books on my shelf - so far, I haven't been disappointed even once.
4/5
I really can't say much, except that I liked this novel a lot. For several reasons.
First of all, I've never read anything with a non-binary protagonist, especially not from their perspective. I can't vouch for any correctness, obviously, but for my layman's view the issue was handled very well. All the romance aside, I've found myself really interested in Pen's psychological dealings with the situation and it's impact on himself. Hats off to the author for the interesting excourse! I probably wouldn't have stumbled across that theme anywhere else.
Then there were all the other characters from the two previous books making appearances. I've found I like Clem much more when I'm not stuck in his head, I've loved the outside view on Nathaniel and Justin, and I really enjoyed how Tim's storyline was handled.
The plot itself was stretched a bit thin across three books, but I think this is neither unexpected nor should be lamented much. These books deal with the interpersonal, after all, and are much more focused on character growth and communication than any serious action outside of the couples' bedrooms. Still, the murder mystery plot was resolved nicely enough.
Overall, it was a very good conclusion to the trilogy. So good, on fact, that I would've loved to read on, the guys have grown on me.
I'm looking forward to the other K. J. Charles books on my shelf - so far, I haven't been disappointed even once.
4/5
slee907's review
emotional
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? It's complicated
2.75
yalomi's review
5.0
Private enquiry agent Mark Braglewicz was tasked with finding the Taillefer twins, regret & repentance. After doing so he convinces the man he believes to be Repentance to go for drinks with him under false pretenses and instead of just asking questions to corroborate the man's identity, what does he do? He flirts with him, heavily. Mark does tell the twins the truth: that pen is to be the next earl of Moreton. the thing is, pen does not want the earldom but as the list of murders increases mark has no other option than to out him as the heir to protect him, but even after that the murderer is still after him. will they comeback from this act of betrayal?
-TROPES
♥Pansexual mc / Non-Binary mc
♥Lost heir
♥Instant attraction
♥Betrayal
♥Disability rep.
♥Private investigator/ acrobat
♥M-MC completely gone
♥Murder mystery
CW: murder attempts, Mentions of murder, mentions of su*cide, misgendering, mentions of forced, underage marriage arrangements
-TROPES
♥Pansexual mc / Non-Binary mc
♥Lost heir
♥Instant attraction
♥Betrayal
♥Disability rep.
♥Private investigator/ acrobat
♥M-MC completely gone
♥Murder mystery
CW: murder attempts, Mentions of murder, mentions of su*cide, misgendering, mentions of forced, underage marriage arrangements
kay_slayerofbooks's review against another edition
5.0
This was a fine conclusion
I was afraid that this series was going to end with someone dreadfully unhappy, and I like for my romances to have a HEA ending. But it all worked out in the end and I'm satisfied. lol
4.5 stars
I was afraid that this series was going to end with someone dreadfully unhappy, and I like for my romances to have a HEA ending. But it all worked out in the end and I'm satisfied. lol
4.5 stars
triftwizened's review against another edition
4.0
This is the book of the series that I’m the most torn on. On one hand, the romance, the mystery, the pacing, the ending - not just to the book, but to the series as a whole - they were all great.
My problem with this book is that Pen explains to Mark several times body/gender dysphoria and how being an earl would trigger that, and each time Mark sounds like he understands and then a few pages later, suggests that Pen can and/or needs to just deal with it. Pen was frustrated. I was frustrated. Everything resolves in a very satisfactory way (that I totally saw coming, but am still glad it ended as it did), but I’m still a little miffed at Mark in particular. I’m not sure how to represent that in my ranking. 4 stars feels like both too much and too little, but there you have it.
My problem with this book is that Pen explains to Mark several times body/gender dysphoria and how being an earl would trigger that, and each time Mark sounds like he understands and then a few pages later, suggests that Pen can and/or needs to just deal with it. Pen was frustrated. I was frustrated. Everything resolves in a very satisfactory way (that I totally saw coming, but am still glad it ended as it did), but I’m still a little miffed at Mark in particular. I’m not sure how to represent that in my ranking. 4 stars feels like both too much and too little, but there you have it.