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caitlyn216's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
noirshadow's review against another edition
4.0
KJC loves a strong Victorian facial hair game and I’m 100% ok with that. This was such a nice and festive surprise that she dropped and it doesn’t disappoint. A+ cameos and food descriptions. I just wish it was longer!
jadesarah's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
“Oh Lord, this is the worst time to say it and horribly presumptuous of me, but you feel like home, you always did. Like everything worth having in the world.”
This novella grew slowly on me. I think because there is a "before" that we don't experience and so we're essentially thrust right in to John being furious with Barnaby and being committed to taking him down plus we only get John's POV and for me, I was trying to figure out how these characters tie in to the lily-white boys. That comes later on in the story though. So I wasn't really connecting with it but it did grow on me.
Actually I think it was Barnaby that helped with that, the more I got to know and understand him the more I felt I was connecting to the story. Barnaby is the star of the show for me. Listen, the guy is a whole mess. But he is precious. And this is in complete contrast to how we view him through John's angered POV as a swine and all sorts and then we get to know him and he just needs to be held.
Their relationship had beautiful moments. The romance was precious. Just in the ways they held each other and the causual touch and connection. I truly love those subtle/quieter moments of romance. There's just something about those moments that get me completely and make me feel all squishy inside.
I really enjoyed the lilywhite boys connection and how that played out.
Also, I know it's more than likely not going to happen but I would absolutely read more from John and Barnaby.
This novella grew slowly on me. I think because there is a "before" that we don't experience and so we're essentially thrust right in to John being furious with Barnaby and being committed to taking him down plus we only get John's POV and for me, I was trying to figure out how these characters tie in to the lily-white boys. That comes later on in the story though. So I wasn't really connecting with it but it did grow on me.
Actually I think it was Barnaby that helped with that, the more I got to know and understand him the more I felt I was connecting to the story. Barnaby is the star of the show for me. Listen, the guy is a whole mess. But he is precious. And this is in complete contrast to how we view him through John's angered POV as a swine and all sorts and then we get to know him and he just needs to be held.
Their relationship had beautiful moments. The romance was precious. Just in the ways they held each other and the causual touch and connection. I truly love those subtle/quieter moments of romance. There's just something about those moments that get me completely and make me feel all squishy inside.
I really enjoyed the lilywhite boys connection and how that played out.
Also, I know it's more than likely not going to happen but I would absolutely read more from John and Barnaby.
yaaralony's review against another edition
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? No
4.0
roxanamalinachirila's review against another edition
4.0
I think 3.5 stars, rounded up.
K.J. Charles's style flows so well, the plot is good - so what's missing? I don't know, maybe it's the size of the story, but it feels a bit rushed. There's barely time to breathe before it's over; and the characters barely know each other before they're head over heels and acting like they're about to profess undying love.
BUT.
It's a nice winter story about Christmas, putting on a show and having fun - with a background in murderous villainy. The plot holds up, and it's pretty exciting; I could see what some twists might be, judging by the fact that this is a short romance that needs its conflicts sorted out *quickly*, but others were a bit of a surprise, so that's a good combo. The resolution also felt a bit too rushed (and a bit too risky), but hey.
K.J. Charles's style flows so well, the plot is good - so what's missing? I don't know, maybe it's the size of the story, but it feels a bit rushed. There's barely time to breathe before it's over; and the characters barely know each other before they're head over heels and acting like they're about to profess undying love.
BUT.
It's a nice winter story about Christmas, putting on a show and having fun - with a background in murderous villainy. The plot holds up, and it's pretty exciting; I could see what some twists might be, judging by the fact that this is a short romance that needs its conflicts sorted out *quickly*, but others were a bit of a surprise, so that's a good combo. The resolution also felt a bit too rushed (and a bit too risky), but hey.
untraveledworld's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0