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amyteurhour's review against another edition
3.5
Content warning: homophobia, outing, classism, racism, violence, death, infidelity, neglect, abandonment, child abuse, sexism, sexual assault, kidnapping, torture
This was super steamy from the get-go. I thought the two main protagonists were likable and easy to root for. The last quarter was super tense, but it kind of ends rather abruptly.
This was super steamy from the get-go. I thought the two main protagonists were likable and easy to root for. The last quarter was super tense, but it kind of ends rather abruptly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Infidelity, Child abuse, Kidnapping, Racism, Sexism, Torture, Outing, Abandonment, Classism, and Death
megnut's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Child abuse, Confinement, Homophobia, Death, Physical abuse, and Bullying
Minor: Kidnapping and Death of parent
rhi_'s review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia, Death, and Kidnapping
Minor: Death of parent and Sexual harassment
hex_meghead's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Sexual content, Child abuse, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Racism
onefineelephant's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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
5.0
10/10. I accidentally read the second book (about Luke) first before reading this one but I'm not necessarily mad at the order since they are fairly standalone books. I do think it was an interesting perspective to have so much knowledge of Luke when he was not so much in this book until the end. Because I read the other book first, I more or less knew what was going to happen in this one but somehow I was still so surprised by the events. There is something about this author's writing style that makes me think about the characters and plot non-stop and yet also not have any idea where the story is going (in a good way). I love the genuine connection but also faults between Joss and Gareth. Their love is so wonderful, especially set in this time period. I also enjoyed the supporting characters quite a bit including the other Doomsdays and Gareth's new family. Overall, I highly recommend this book as well as the second.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Grief, Death, Death of parent, Torture, Alcohol, Blood, Child abuse, Classism, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Outing, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexism, Stalking, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
Minor: Abandonment, Ableism, Alcoholism, Medical content, and Misogyny
There is potential incest because a cousin implies to want to court his cousin but nothing actually happens. Also, at one point there is a threat of sexual assault/rape of a woman but this threat is not made to the woman and does not actually happen.wanderingtales's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Death of parent, Medical trauma, Violence, Sexual content, Gun violence, Murder, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Pregnancy, Slavery, War, and Grief
quinnyquinnquinn'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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Murder, Violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Kidnapping and Torture
cleot's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Murder, Child abuse, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Sexual violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Domestic abuse
kathyq10's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
Healthy communication, 3/5 spicy, lovely character development, and a sweet love story?? Hell yes. Will be reading this again as a comfort book in the future. Not particularly deep or groundbreaking prose / writing style, but the story and the characters are excellent! The mystery and how the MCs deal with both that and their relationship is engaging to follow. The romance genuinely made me feel things and played out in a heartwarming way (if a little fast-paced but whatever I’m here for it). Chemistry between the MCs was swoony and they had really fun banter when they were still figuring each other out. I would have liked one or two more chapters immediately after the mystery comes to a head to wind down the story but I liked it all the same.
The character development and self-healing that the MCs went through was the best part of the book for me, especially with how it tied into their romance. I love love to see romance where the MCs are generous and empathetic with one another, wear their hearts on their sleeves, and grow both individually and as a couple bc they actually LISTEN to each other. I really dislike the miscommunication trope and the typical third-act breakup paired with an overly quick and simplistic resolution, so this book delivered by complicating and elevating the relationship development. I also have a feeling the author has done some therapy or something bc the inner-child work, self-reflection, and “I want to be better for my romantic partner but most of all for MYSELF” vibes were prominent and drew me even more into the story and characters. There are little Easter eggs for the CBT girlies and I ate them up.
Last but far from least: the BADASS SIDE CHARACTERS round out the story very well, bringing humor and depth (specific shoutouts to fabulous queer allies Sophy, Asa, and Catherine). This book scratched my hyper-specific spicy-gay-regency-romance itch, and I finished it wanting to spend more time with ALL the characters.
Tropes: MLM; lovers to enemies to lovers; second chance romance; opposites attract; nobility x working class / class divide romance; “touch him and you die”; nerd x jock (but the 1810 version); found family; better together; HEA :)
On the language used in the s3x scenes: yes, the author uses the words “prick” and “stand” which are ridiculous but I assume what people said in that time period? I didn’t mind it bc the steamy scenes are otherwise well done with both their heat and intimacy, but I know some people get the immediate ick.
The character development and self-healing that the MCs went through was the best part of the book for me, especially with how it tied into their romance. I love love to see romance where the MCs are generous and empathetic with one another, wear their hearts on their sleeves, and grow both individually and as a couple bc they actually LISTEN to each other. I really dislike the miscommunication trope and the typical third-act breakup paired with an overly quick and simplistic resolution, so this book delivered by complicating and elevating the relationship development. I also have a feeling the author has done some therapy or something bc the inner-child work, self-reflection, and “I want to be better for my romantic partner but most of all for MYSELF” vibes were prominent and drew me even more into the story and characters. There are little Easter eggs for the CBT girlies and I ate them up.
Last but far from least: the BADASS SIDE CHARACTERS round out the story very well, bringing humor and depth (specific shoutouts to fabulous queer allies Sophy, Asa, and Catherine). This book scratched my hyper-specific spicy-gay-regency-romance itch, and I finished it wanting to spend more time with ALL the characters.
Tropes:
On the language used in the s3x scenes:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Child abuse
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Abandonment, Murder, Death, Violence, Kidnapping, Blood, Bullying, and Cursing
Minor: Racism, Alcoholism, and Classism
just_one_more_paige's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-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? No
4.0
Oh hi, I'm back on my romance game. A Power Unbound had me looking for more m/m historical romances, and this one had been on my radar - I've been wanting to try something by K.J. Charles for some time, I've read nothing but great reviews for their work - so I grabbed it.
As per Goodreads (because life is out of control right now and I'm just barely keeping up with reviews, so writing my own blurbs is just not happening), here's a synopsis: Abandoned by his father as a small child, Sir Gareth Inglis has grown up prickly, cold, and well-used to disappointment. Even so, he longs for a connection, falling headfirst into a passionate anonymous affair that's over almost as quickly as it began. Gareth has little time to lick his wounds though: his father has died, leaving him the family title, a rambling manor on the remote Romney Marsh...and the den of cutthroats and thieves that make its intricate waterways their home. Joss Doomsday has run the Doomsday smuggling clan since he was a boy. His family is his life...which is why when the all-too-familiar new baronet testifies against Joss's sister for a hanging offense, Joss acts fast, blackmailing Gareth with the secret of their relationship to force him to recant. Their reunion is anything but happy and the path forward is everything but smooth, yet after the dust settles, neither can stay away. It's a long road from there - lots of danger and mystery - but along the way, one well-mannered gentleman may at last find true love with the least likely of scoundrels.
This was a super fun regency romance! It had bootleggers/smugglers and blackmail and treason and kidnapping and lots of fights. Like really, the plot itself was a highlight, which is not always the case with romances. It was page-turning, the drama and conflict and conspiracy, and I was as desperate to know how that would all play out as I was for our MCs happily ever after. It had the classic historical vibes of propriety, in language and societal rules, but also managed one of my favorite subversions of that propriety: wielding propriety as a weapon against the higher classes when they try to profligately use their power and privilege to run over/take advantage of others. It is truly one of the most satisfying things to read - I can never get enough of it. The banter between Joss and Gareth was similarly well done, using "proper" back-and-forth but with heavy euphemism. So good. I love when the dialogue shines like it does here. And while there weren't an overly high number of steamy scenes, I enjoyed the ones we got greatly. They were really nicely written, and tender, and I will be coming back for more from Charles as a result, because non-cringey steam is not always a given.
The side characters in this novel were fantastic too, pretty well developed for all that they weren't our central characters (again, not always a given in a romance). NAME and NAME were great, as Gareth got to know them and they became more comfortable with/sure of him. And Goldie/Luke...just yes. Getting to see Gareth come into his own and stand up for himself (and be there for Joss to lean on too) was great. I loved it. But I loved even more that Gareth was able to stand up for what basically amounted to a younger version of himself too. The comfort redemption in that is something I could not get enough of. I'm also really appreciating the way lots of the recent historical romance I have been reading is not ignoring the greater world around it, but instead addressing the social/class issues and general inequality of the time in question.A Power Unbound did it spectacularly. And The Queer Principles of Kitt Webb and We Could Be So Good also did a nice job with those aspects. In that case, Charles weaved it into the greater story smoothly, and it was addressed, but also the HEA did sort of allow us to pretend it wasn't an issue still. I'm not mad about that, but just want to be clear.
Look, overall, the principled “blackguard” who will break a jaw and a law for those they care for and the "proper" gentleman who finally loses his control to defend those he cares for, are tropes for a reason. We got both here. And I cannot help but swoon for them. I love a man with a good heart - mess and all, but trying their best - and this book had two.
“I…I would like to be just for you.”
“If you want something, you ask for it. You told me so, before. Is that always how you get what you want? / You don't get what you want by not asking for it.”
“They kissed their way past the hurt and the loneliness, kissed themselves back together…”
“…wondered how it was possible to be at once annoyed and hopelessly charmed.” (ahhhh, relationships, haha)
“…the way he looked could break a man’s heart and mend it all at once.” (GAH what a line!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Racism and Homophobia