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jackiehorne's review
2.0
The writing is strong here, but the story is way too short to get much of a sense of the two characters, a male and a female Edwardian-era streetwalker. Go right to Lucens' [b:Behind These Doors|40190173|Behind These Doors (Radical Proposals #1)|Jude Lucens|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1526949792l/40190173._SY75_.jpg|62368205] for a fully fleshed-out and amazingly written novel.
marget_orange's review
5.0
Love this.
This author was recommended to me, and I first read her other work Behind These Doors, and was blown away. The only problem with this one is that it is too short!
This author was recommended to me, and I first read her other work Behind These Doors, and was blown away. The only problem with this one is that it is too short!
see_sadie_read's review
4.0
This was a lovely little bi-romance, of sorts, with two likable leads and quite readable writing.
craftyhilary's review
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
rhodered's review
5.0
Admission: I was a beta reader and strongly encouraged the author to formally publish this because it’s just that good. However I did pay for my final copy :-)
It’s a rare story because there are no dukes - the (intensely likable) leads are working class. Plus, one is a bisexual person of color and both are sex workers. Although these things are unusual in fiction, they weren’t at all implausible in Victorian London. The author has done her homework.
I’m also a fan because a condom makes an appearance, which was also definitely a thing in Victorian times, almost never comes up in historic fiction and absolutely should.
History aside, I’m a fan because this is a deeply relatable story about consent which nearly every woman these days has a #metoo story about. It rang so true.
Plus, it’s absolutely romantic. I don’t often like friends to lovers stories, but I adored this one because it’s both warming and satisfying.
It’s a rare story because there are no dukes - the (intensely likable) leads are working class. Plus, one is a bisexual person of color and both are sex workers. Although these things are unusual in fiction, they weren’t at all implausible in Victorian London. The author has done her homework.
I’m also a fan because a condom makes an appearance, which was also definitely a thing in Victorian times, almost never comes up in historic fiction and absolutely should.
History aside, I’m a fan because this is a deeply relatable story about consent which nearly every woman these days has a #metoo story about. It rang so true.
Plus, it’s absolutely romantic. I don’t often like friends to lovers stories, but I adored this one because it’s both warming and satisfying.
endemictoearth's review
4.0
An evocative little prequel that expands a relationship we see peripherally in Behind These Doors. Beautifully written about a brutal turning point. I enjoyed it, but it was SO brief.
hartd's review
4.0
This is a short story with an m/f friends-to-lovers romance between two sex workers in 1898 London. Both characters come across as bisexual. Content warning: . It's written well and feels like an intro to a larger universe, which I think it is. I like it on its own, though, and it's actually kind of cozy to read about these two characters finding comfort together, in a grim setting. I look forward to the author's next release.
Spoiler
There's a pretty graphic attempted rape (not between the MCs).
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