Reviews

Proper Scoundrels by Allie Therin

finhatfield's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

margotreads's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful 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

5.0

door's review

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adventurous hopeful fast-paced

3.75

katebriar's review

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adventurous funny 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? Yes

4.25

millah's review

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious sad tense medium-paced

3.75

jufliii's review against another edition

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adventurous funny 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? It's complicated

3.0

krilves's review

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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? Yes

3.0

Hmm. I think I wanted to like it more than I did. The pacing was weird and the plot beats of the magical stuff/mystery seemed all over the place. I was especially disappointed with the big showdown at the end, which was weirdly rushed and anticlimactic.

The romance bits were fine. I liked both Wesley and Sebastian even when they each came across as a bit caricatured. I got a bit tired of the whole scoundrels thing, it felt very forced - like a justification for the book’s title - rather than something true to the characters. 

There some things that were just…off. London now has external fire escapes the likes of which I have only ever seen in American media? Pork pies with gravy? I don’t even care about British pies (I’m not British, I just live here) but that struck me as weird. Otter bits and bobs here and there that just accumulated to the biggest HMMM ever. I dislike getting thrown out of a story because bits of research didn’t turn out well, yes even in an obvious fantasy story with magic. I’ll believe whatever you tell me about your invented magic system, but American fire escapes have no business in London.

When I started reading this I wasn’t sure I liked it, but I also didn’t hate it or dislike it, so I stuck with it. Ultimately I suppose it was entertaining enough for my tube commute but I’m also not really feeling any need to pick up anything else by this author. So I guess… It was fine.  Just OK.

afinebordeaux's review

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adventurous lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This book is not very well written, but the story is fun and has a lot of potential. The magic system and backstory are explained via dialogue and inner monologues with blatant exposition that feels choppy and disingenuous. Also, there is nothing 1920s about this book besides their outfits and references to the war - and I’m not even completely sure about the outfits. 

HOWEVER.

About 35% of the way through the book, I started reading it while picturing an overacted queer telenovela. That worked. That made it a fun romp and I was able to enjoy and actually finish the book (I did almost DNF but ultimately I’m glad I didn’t.)

rosieclaverton's review against another edition

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5.0

I am a sucker for a grumpy sunshine romance where they are both really dangerous and soft at the same time.

This book really delivers on that, plus good hurt/comfort, well-realised PTSD depictions, and there was only one bed...

ismendes's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted 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

4.0