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jawairia's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Homophobia
girlonbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-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
4.0
🍵🍵🍵🍵 (four stars as rated in cups of tea because, "thank God we're British.")
When he inherits his uncle's book shop, Will Darling gets much more than he'd bargained for. Now shady characters are demanding he hand over "their" property - the war office is hounding him about it as well, incidentally. And who exactly is the dashing and mysterious Kim Secretan that is ever so eager to help him figure it all out? 👀
Ummm... is it hot in here or is it this book!? HOLY COW, y'all! This book is steamy. Some of the best sex I've read in awhile. I mean, HOT DAMN! Look, I'm going to be real: the mystery is only okay. The best part of this book is the characters and their relationships. Will and Kim are both infuriating little gems and if we don't get more of Phoebe and Maisie in book two I'm going to throw a tantrum. I am a sucker for a cozy mystery and they so rarely have good rep of any sort. Well done, K.J. Charles. Well done.
✨ Rep in this book: Gay protagonist, queer characters
✨ Content warnings for this book: homophobia, harassment, assault, government conspiracy, kidnapping, violence, guns, discussions of war, graphic sex
When he inherits his uncle's book shop, Will Darling gets much more than he'd bargained for. Now shady characters are demanding he hand over "their" property - the war office is hounding him about it as well, incidentally. And who exactly is the dashing and mysterious Kim Secretan that is ever so eager to help him figure it all out? 👀
Ummm... is it hot in here or is it this book!? HOLY COW, y'all! This book is steamy. Some of the best sex I've read in awhile. I mean, HOT DAMN! Look, I'm going to be real: the mystery is only okay. The best part of this book is the characters and their relationships. Will and Kim are both infuriating little gems and if we don't get more of Phoebe and Maisie in book two I'm going to throw a tantrum. I am a sucker for a cozy mystery and they so rarely have good rep of any sort. Well done, K.J. Charles. Well done.
✨ Rep in this book: Gay protagonist, queer characters
✨ Content warnings for this book: homophobia, harassment, assault, government conspiracy, kidnapping, violence, guns, discussions of war, graphic sex
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Physical abuse, Murder, Kidnapping, Death, Confinement, and Blood
Moderate: Police brutality, Torture, and Homophobia
gracew's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
K.J. Charles is one of my favorite contemporary authors and every time I read her work I'm reminded why. I love how the romance perfectly intersects with the mystery. I love how complex she makes her characters and how she doesn't sacrifice interesting women for the sake of a mlm romance. I think this is a great beginning to a good series. I also really love the "sex first catch feelings later" as a trope and this one is *chefs kiss* It also is, as most of her books are, covered in interesting social commentary that, despite being historical fiction, manages to feel relevant today. I adore it, can't wait for more!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Homophobia, and Sexual content
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