Scan barcode
purrson's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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
4.75
claudia_is_reading's review against another edition
3.0
Well, I truly liked the way the mystery and characters are entangled with the previous book. And I really enjoyed both, the mystery and its resolution.
But, although I liked Nathaniel and Lazarus and their complex stories... I really didn't like them together. This might be more my fault than the author's fault, as I don't enjoy this particular taste of romance.
But, as I said, I keep enjoying the mystery, so I'm now ready for the third book in this series :P
But, although I liked Nathaniel and Lazarus and their complex stories... I really didn't like them together. This might be more my fault than the author's fault, as I don't enjoy this particular taste of romance.
But, as I said, I keep enjoying the mystery, so I'm now ready for the third book in this series :P
kentcryptid's review
4.0
Really, really fun. Excellent antagonistic set-up, swearing, fog and intense sexual attraction between the two main characters. As with the Society of Gentlemen series, I'm not entirely sure a trilogy structure where all three books are happening at the same time totally works because the characters have to spend time telling each other stuff the reader already knows, but it's a minor quibble.
pannamarchewka's review
adventurous
fast-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
3.75
mallorypen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
5.0
Another absolutely delightful book in the series from KJ Charles! This one hit so many of my favorite tropes - enemies to lovers, the “who hurt you” vibe, switching, Longing™️ … just delicious.
Again, the story itself was interesting and fast-paced. Justin’s work as a spiritualist gave the same sense of timing as Rowley’s being a preserver - his actions and line of work feel deeply rooted in 1900s London culture. His disdain for his clients in lieu of feeling his own guilt was beautifully-written, including the slow way it turned from disdain to true remorse at the end. I also had hoped Justin would become a private investigator!
Nathaniel’s character is equally interesting; his lost love and the way his path changed made his blossoming romance all the sweeter as it developed.
The mystery and high stakes played well into the sense of urgency, even as their romance went from hate sex to “I hate myself” sex to “I want to fix myself with your support” sex. The spicy scenes all moved the story along to that point, and I so appreciate when spice is part of the plot and not just something to titillate.
I also love that Rowley and Clem were in this book - and I can’t wait to read about Nate (and maybe also Pen???)
Again, the story itself was interesting and fast-paced. Justin’s work as a spiritualist gave the same sense of timing as Rowley’s being a preserver - his actions and line of work feel deeply rooted in 1900s London culture. His disdain for his clients in lieu of feeling his own guilt was beautifully-written, including the slow way it turned from disdain to true remorse at the end. I also had hoped Justin would become a private investigator!
Nathaniel’s character is equally interesting; his lost love and the way his path changed made his blossoming romance all the sweeter as it developed.
The mystery and high stakes played well into the sense of urgency, even as their romance went from hate sex to “I hate myself” sex to “I want to fix myself with your support” sex. The spicy scenes all moved the story along to that point, and I so appreciate when spice is part of the plot and not just something to titillate.
I also love that Rowley and Clem were in this book - and I can’t wait to read about Nate (and maybe also Pen???)
theunrealerin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? No
4.5
Enemies to lovers unite to solve the mystery of the missing heir. Well plotted and a lovely building of MC relationship.
haunted_library's review
emotional
mysterious
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
3.25
kristenlcoates's review
5.0
***you definitely need to read book one first to know what's going on, even though this is about a different person/couple within the friend group introduced in book one***
God, I loved this. Enemies to lovers so easily falls flat, but KJ Charles knocks it out of the park here. They are fundamentally opposed to each other in almost every way, and also they are SO INTO EACH OTHER it hurts (them and me!). It's so funny, so consistent; had me clutching my chest one moment and then laughing when one of them told the other one to fuck off immediately after.
So much of this is about growth, grief, and choices. Who we are to ourselves, who we are to each other, what it means when we need to grow out of something and into something else--when someone sees something good in you that you don't believe about yourself, and wants you to believe and choose that goodness without changing you all at once. And, you know, also enthusiastic consent within angry sex. WHO KNEW.
So. Good. (but I'd like to reiterate again that you def need to read book one, which I did not love as much as this one, but there is a through-line of some mystery/family drama through the three book series that kicks off in book one).
God, I loved this. Enemies to lovers so easily falls flat, but KJ Charles knocks it out of the park here. They are fundamentally opposed to each other in almost every way, and also they are SO INTO EACH OTHER it hurts (them and me!). It's so funny, so consistent; had me clutching my chest one moment and then laughing when one of them told the other one to fuck off immediately after.
So much of this is about growth, grief, and choices. Who we are to ourselves, who we are to each other, what it means when we need to grow out of something and into something else--when someone sees something good in you that you don't believe about yourself, and wants you to believe and choose that goodness without changing you all at once. And, you know, also enthusiastic consent within angry sex. WHO KNEW.
So. Good. (but I'd like to reiterate again that you def need to read book one, which I did not love as much as this one, but there is a through-line of some mystery/family drama through the three book series that kicks off in book one).
the_vegan_bookworm's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Classism
Moderate: Stalking
Minor: Alcoholism and Suicide
tiasclockworkprincess's review
4.0
I enjoyed this so much more than the first!! I’m going to lower the first book’s rating in accordance.
I was hooked straight away with the mystery/plot and the romance was A+
I was hooked straight away with the mystery/plot and the romance was A+