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kiki124's review
3.0
2.5 stars rounded up, bc Charles is the bomb
The mystery drags.
The romance's unconvincing.
The setting's perfect.
The mystery drags.
The romance's unconvincing.
The setting's perfect.
saemiligr's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
galleytrot's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
see_sadie_read's review
4.0
3.5
Another lovely book by Charles; she just so rarely lets me down. I very much enjoyed Justin and Nathaniel's fiery passion, most when it was still in the enemies stage of this enemies to lovers story. The little bit of mystery was easy to figure out, but still pleasant, and I'm still on the hook for who the over-all, big baddy is. (Hopefully this will be revealed in the next book. I don't like to be strung along too long.)
I did feel the two men went to declarations of love too quickly. I thought the enemies, to friends, to lovers was well paced. But then suddenly there was love and sentimentality and such, and I thought that was a leap. I also very much disliked Nathaniel's sense of moral superiority and the fact that Justin acquiesced to it. The tone of 'let me show you how wrong your life is and how to live properly' grated on my nerves from start to finish.
All in all, however, I finished this pleased as punch and can't wait or the next one.
Another lovely book by Charles; she just so rarely lets me down. I very much enjoyed Justin and Nathaniel's fiery passion, most when it was still in the enemies stage of this enemies to lovers story. The little bit of mystery was easy to figure out, but still pleasant, and I'm still on the hook for who the over-all, big baddy is. (Hopefully this will be revealed in the next book. I don't like to be strung along too long.)
I did feel the two men went to declarations of love too quickly. I thought the enemies, to friends, to lovers was well paced. But then suddenly there was love and sentimentality and such, and I thought that was a leap. I also very much disliked Nathaniel's sense of moral superiority and the fact that Justin acquiesced to it. The tone of 'let me show you how wrong your life is and how to live properly' grated on my nerves from start to finish.
All in all, however, I finished this pleased as punch and can't wait or the next one.
sm_almon's review
4.0
I really enjoyed the ongoing mystery which continues from the first book in the series. As well, I was pleasantly surprised that this romance was so different than the relationship portrayed in the first book. There are so many series where cookie-cutter plots and arcs are endlessly recycled that I was really pleased with how different the central couple's relationship was from that in the first book.
20sidedbi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Liked this book much better than the first in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Classism, Death, Domestic abuse, Murder, Infidelity, Suicide attempt, Blood, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexual violence
bwood95's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-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
2.5
mxlakritz's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
4.0
heliotropepajamas's review
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
I really enjoy the mystery aspect of this series continuing even as we shift character focus in this 2nd book. When the Seer of London was mentioned during a conversation in the first book I had the feeling we would be seeing him again, and here we are.
A lot more discussion of feelings and a little less action this time around. I found both characters likeable but didn't really understand what made them a couple. Lazarus was a much stronger, more interesting character than Nathaniel, and it was nice to see his street skills and care for his employees. Nathaniel is definitely more boring - being an atheist in a religious family is pretty run of the mill in the 21st century even if it was rather daring in the 19th.
A lot more discussion of feelings and a little less action this time around. I found both characters likeable but didn't really understand what made them a couple. Lazarus was a much stronger, more interesting character than Nathaniel, and it was nice to see his street skills and care for his employees. Nathaniel is definitely more boring - being an atheist in a religious family is pretty run of the mill in the 21st century even if it was rather daring in the 19th.