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jackiehorne's review against another edition
4.0
ARC via Netgalley
Another outstanding addition to Charles' SINS OF THE CITIES series, which focuses on working and lower middle class Victorian men caught up in a larger, series arc about a missing heir to an earldom.
Thirty-seven year old crusading journalist Nathaniel Roy, still grieving the death of his partner after five years, begins a series set on undermining the credibility of the London spiritualists who earn their keep by preying on the recently bereaved. His first target: Justin Lazarus, the "Seer of London." Lazarus isn't handsome, but Nathaniel finds him disturbingly compelling all the same ("Justin Lazarus was without question a disgraceful fraud, but as his lips move din silent prayer, Nathaniel could not help the thought that he looked like a glorious fuck. The bad kind, of course; the kind that left a man feeling dirt and ashamed and degraded in his own eyes. The kind Nathaniel had never had in practice, and wouldn't have admitted to imagining, but could see all too clearly. Bending the medium over his own table, holding him down. You want the furniture to move, Mr. Lazarus? That can be arranged." [Kindle Loc 202]). But even if The Seer is a fraud, he has a dangerous way of seeing into a person's vulnerabilities, even the jaded Nathaniel's.
After Lazarus escapes kidnappers intent on recovering information regarding the above-mentioned missing heir, he finds himself fleeing to Nathaniel's, despite the journalist's clear abhorrence of him. Desire sparks in spite of (or perhaps heightened because of) loathing, and the two engage in a hot tryst. But when they have to flee the city to escape the men in pursuit of Justin, the two gradually begin to understand the strong-willed human beings behind the privileged, righteous prig and the selfish gutter fraud spiritualist.
Hot hate-sex ("Letting a man bugger you didn't magically improve his character, any more than it had improved Nathaniel's mood") that gradually develops into cross-class understanding and respect; now that's a romance writing achievement that you don't see every day. But Charles pulls it all off with her trademark strong characterization, accurate historical grounding, and suspenseful storyline, making readers not just relate to, but care for, her prickly, unlikeable-at-first characters.
Another outstanding addition to Charles' SINS OF THE CITIES series, which focuses on working and lower middle class Victorian men caught up in a larger, series arc about a missing heir to an earldom.
Thirty-seven year old crusading journalist Nathaniel Roy, still grieving the death of his partner after five years, begins a series set on undermining the credibility of the London spiritualists who earn their keep by preying on the recently bereaved. His first target: Justin Lazarus, the "Seer of London." Lazarus isn't handsome, but Nathaniel finds him disturbingly compelling all the same ("Justin Lazarus was without question a disgraceful fraud, but as his lips move din silent prayer, Nathaniel could not help the thought that he looked like a glorious fuck. The bad kind, of course; the kind that left a man feeling dirt and ashamed and degraded in his own eyes. The kind Nathaniel had never had in practice, and wouldn't have admitted to imagining, but could see all too clearly. Bending the medium over his own table, holding him down. You want the furniture to move, Mr. Lazarus? That can be arranged." [Kindle Loc 202]). But even if The Seer is a fraud, he has a dangerous way of seeing into a person's vulnerabilities, even the jaded Nathaniel's.
After Lazarus escapes kidnappers intent on recovering information regarding the above-mentioned missing heir, he finds himself fleeing to Nathaniel's, despite the journalist's clear abhorrence of him. Desire sparks in spite of (or perhaps heightened because of) loathing, and the two engage in a hot tryst. But when they have to flee the city to escape the men in pursuit of Justin, the two gradually begin to understand the strong-willed human beings behind the privileged, righteous prig and the selfish gutter fraud spiritualist.
Hot hate-sex ("Letting a man bugger you didn't magically improve his character, any more than it had improved Nathaniel's mood") that gradually develops into cross-class understanding and respect; now that's a romance writing achievement that you don't see every day. But Charles pulls it all off with her trademark strong characterization, accurate historical grounding, and suspenseful storyline, making readers not just relate to, but care for, her prickly, unlikeable-at-first characters.
language_loving_amateur's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
- 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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Blood, and Kidnapping
boyeatsgod's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 / entertaining enough. i enjoyed this one a lot more than the first,
tshepiso's review against another edition
4.5
Another hit from KJ Charles! An Unnatural Vice was a pure delight to read. The story follow the frought romance between Justin Lazarus a conman spiritualist and Nathaniel Roy the self righteous journalist trying to take Justin's industry down.
To be honest I was initially unsure about the romance in An Unnatural Vice. While Charles sold the initial attraction between Justin and Nathaniel incredibly well with these tension fueled scenes between the two she also made very clear that our two protagonists lived on diametrically opposed moral lines. While I was living for the barbs the two threw at each other and the unbelievably hot hate sex they had I was unsure if Charles could sell me on their eventual emotional connection.
To my immense pleasure she did with aplomb. What I love about An Unnatural Vice is that this story deeply and meaningfully engaged with the class difference between our two leads and the moral divides this causes and explores that as a source of conflict between them. I read a fair amount of cross class romances and they rarely if ever meaningfully engage with what that means for the characters. This book is a breath of fresh air in contrast as it specifically challenges Nathaniel, the son of an Archbishop whose never struggled for want of money, to question that his rigid lines of morality come from the fact that he's never been in the position to choose between what's right and survival.
And Charles really breathes life into Justin as a character. When we first meet him he's as unlikable as they come conning a poor mother for the last pennies in her pocket. But as the story unfolds we get to see the layers of his character. Not by simply using his tragic backstory as an excuse for his misdeeds but weaving through the layers of his guilt and pride and ego. The narrative holds space for Justin's fury at the inequity of the world he lives in. His perspective that conning the wealthy to line his pockets is no real harm is given a fair shake.And while Justin ultimately leaves this path behind the narrative never casts aspersions on him for living the way he did but rather takes seriously the mental toll a life spent on the grindstone can have.
But what I most appreciate about this romance is that it's not a simple story about a rich boy diving into the gutters to save the poor immoral lamb trapped in a life of sin. The story takes great pains to assert Justin's agency and demonstrate the way both Nathaniel and Justine save each other. Both Nathaniel and Justin are lost at the beginning of the story and in falling for each other they pull themselves out of the fog cast over both their lives.
I just love these books so much. They flutter in my stomach and live in my heart. If I was in a more critical mood I could probably poke at the construction of the mystery plot but honestly it never bothered me. The convoluted web of the ever deadly mystery of the earldom is a backdrop for these romances and serves the story well heighten the tension and force our leads to where they need to be to fall in love.
I cannot wait for the grand finale where all the overarching mysteries of the series will be solved and I'll get to experience another wonderful romance.
To be honest I was initially unsure about the romance in An Unnatural Vice. While Charles sold the initial attraction between Justin and Nathaniel incredibly well with these tension fueled scenes between the two she also made very clear that our two protagonists lived on diametrically opposed moral lines. While I was living for the barbs the two threw at each other and the unbelievably hot hate sex they had I was unsure if Charles could sell me on their eventual emotional connection.
To my immense pleasure she did with aplomb. What I love about An Unnatural Vice is that this story deeply and meaningfully engaged with the class difference between our two leads and the moral divides this causes and explores that as a source of conflict between them. I read a fair amount of cross class romances and they rarely if ever meaningfully engage with what that means for the characters. This book is a breath of fresh air in contrast as it specifically challenges Nathaniel, the son of an Archbishop whose never struggled for want of money, to question that his rigid lines of morality come from the fact that he's never been in the position to choose between what's right and survival.
And Charles really breathes life into Justin as a character. When we first meet him he's as unlikable as they come conning a poor mother for the last pennies in her pocket. But as the story unfolds we get to see the layers of his character. Not by simply using his tragic backstory as an excuse for his misdeeds but weaving through the layers of his guilt and pride and ego. The narrative holds space for Justin's fury at the inequity of the world he lives in. His perspective that conning the wealthy to line his pockets is no real harm is given a fair shake.
But what I most appreciate about this romance is that it's not a simple story about a rich boy diving into the gutters to save the poor immoral lamb trapped in a life of sin. The story takes great pains to assert Justin's agency and demonstrate the way both Nathaniel and Justine save each other. Both Nathaniel and Justin are lost at the beginning of the story and in falling for each other they pull themselves out of the fog cast over both their lives.
I just love these books so much. They flutter in my stomach and live in my heart. If I was in a more critical mood I could probably poke at the construction of the mystery plot but honestly it never bothered me. The convoluted web of the ever deadly mystery of the earldom is a backdrop for these romances and serves the story well heighten the tension and force our leads to where they need to be to fall in love.
I cannot wait for the grand finale where all the overarching mysteries of the series will be solved and I'll get to experience another wonderful romance.
ashleyreadsanything's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
relaxing
tense
medium-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
4.0
lezreadalot's review against another edition
3.0
"Ask nicely."
I didn't like this one as much as the first book in the series, largely because it took me a very long time to warm up to Justin. Which surprised me at first, because he's exactly the type of character I would like? Former street rat who pulled himself out of the bgell yeah. But the way he did it, using people's grief, was pretty revolting to me. His change of heart couldn't come soon enough for me, and it came pretty late.
But I did like Nathaniel very much; self-righteous as he could be, all the chivalry and knight-in-shining-armour-ness was cute and appealing. And the story was fun and engaging, though not as much as the previous book. Enemies to lovers is always fun. Sukey was a fucking delight. Matthew Llyod Davies did a good job once again, and once again, his reading of the love scenes was so overwrought and grunty and dramatic it was hilarious. LMAO.
Pretty stoked to conclude to series; I really like Mark, and from what we've seen of him so far I think I'll really like Pen as well.
I didn't like this one as much as the first book in the series, largely because it took me a very long time to warm up to Justin. Which surprised me at first, because he's exactly the type of character I would like? Former street rat who pulled himself out of the bgell yeah. But the way he did it, using people's grief, was pretty revolting to me. His change of heart couldn't come soon enough for me, and it came pretty late.
But I did like Nathaniel very much; self-righteous as he could be, all the chivalry and knight-in-shining-armour-ness was cute and appealing. And the story was fun and engaging, though not as much as the previous book. Enemies to lovers is always fun. Sukey was a fucking delight. Matthew Llyod Davies did a good job once again, and once again, his reading of the love scenes was so overwrought and grunty and dramatic it was hilarious. LMAO.
Pretty stoked to conclude to series; I really like Mark, and from what we've seen of him so far I think I'll really like Pen as well.
sarahsupastar's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
wannabekingpin's review against another edition
5.0
All reviews in one place: Night Mode Reading
Justin Lazarus is a famous seer of London. Lost a loved one? Want to talk to a dead relative? It’s him you come to. Much like this woman, of seemingly no interest. She wished to find her runaway twins, and instead of taking her meager savings to a detective, she took a drawing of them straight to Lazarus. Drawing, which Lazarus kept until the lady, whom he consoled as best he could, vaguely promising her that they’re alive and well, got back home to bring him the money she owed. For it seems, someone robbed this village woman out of her pennies. The fact she never returned didn’t surprise or concern Lazarus either. It happens. Up until he ran into journalist Nathaniel Roy, and his detective friend Mark.
Nathaniel Roy dedicated his time to expose people like Lazarus, thus the interest and crossing of paths happened naturally. The less natural was Lazarus appearing at his doorstep, cold, shivering, and seemingly worse for the wear, in need of help. For he nearly lost his life over that damned lost woman, and her runaway twins, it seems. Turns out, neither the woman, nor Mark, are the only people searching for the pair. And by far not every seeker has their well being in their hearts.
This was a very fine piece of detective work, and two mighty fine characters. I really loved the plot, and I loved the development of both it, and the people in it. Characters had substance, they filled another out well, tugging at flaws, and seeking best ways to mend what’s mendable. 5 out of 5, and I think I’ll jump straight to the third right now.
Justin Lazarus is a famous seer of London. Lost a loved one? Want to talk to a dead relative? It’s him you come to. Much like this woman, of seemingly no interest. She wished to find her runaway twins, and instead of taking her meager savings to a detective, she took a drawing of them straight to Lazarus. Drawing, which Lazarus kept until the lady, whom he consoled as best he could, vaguely promising her that they’re alive and well, got back home to bring him the money she owed. For it seems, someone robbed this village woman out of her pennies. The fact she never returned didn’t surprise or concern Lazarus either. It happens. Up until he ran into journalist Nathaniel Roy, and his detective friend Mark.
Nathaniel Roy dedicated his time to expose people like Lazarus, thus the interest and crossing of paths happened naturally. The less natural was Lazarus appearing at his doorstep, cold, shivering, and seemingly worse for the wear, in need of help. For he nearly lost his life over that damned lost woman, and her runaway twins, it seems. Turns out, neither the woman, nor Mark, are the only people searching for the pair. And by far not every seeker has their well being in their hearts.
This was a very fine piece of detective work, and two mighty fine characters. I really loved the plot, and I loved the development of both it, and the people in it. Characters had substance, they filled another out well, tugging at flaws, and seeking best ways to mend what’s mendable. 5 out of 5, and I think I’ll jump straight to the third right now.
kay_slayerofbooks's review against another edition
5.0
The plot gets creepier and creepier
But it is such fun! Minus the the level of creepy lol. I did enjoy this more than book 1. And I am excited to get into book 3.
4.5 stars
But it is such fun! Minus the the level of creepy lol. I did enjoy this more than book 1. And I am excited to get into book 3.
4.5 stars