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knittingtipsy's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
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? No
4.0
A nice twisty mystery. An unsolved murder, a group of friends 10 years later, secrets uncovered. Very atmospheric—great setting at Oxford.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Child death
jess_justmaybeperfect's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A dual timeline mystery from a fave romance author.
School friends (and lovers) torn apart my a murder are reunited when one of them decides to investigate.
The tension is high, the twists are golden, the dual timeline is done to perfection, and social justice themes, especially reproductive health, permeate the whole story.
School friends (and lovers) torn apart my a murder are reunited when one of them decides to investigate.
The tension is high, the twists are golden, the dual timeline is done to perfection, and social justice themes, especially reproductive health, permeate the whole story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Homophobia, Racism, Rape, Violence, Murder, and Classism
Minor: Sexual content
f18's review against another edition
hopeful
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Racism, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Racial slurs, Rape, and Suicidal thoughts
aglassofchardonnay's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship and Classism
Moderate: Rape, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Child death
blewballoon's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
I knew I was in good hands with KJ Charles. It took me a while to warm up to the cast of characters, but I was pretty invested in the mystery by about 30% of the way in, and by the end the characters had grown on me to the point I was reluctant to part with them. I guessed some revelations and was surprised by others, which makes for a good mystery reading experience in my opinion. I would be happy to see more in this genre by KJ Charles for sure. The audiobook narrator was pretty good, some of the voices were more distinct than others. I listened on 1.4 speed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Violence, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Child death, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Abortion
tuhkasirius's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, and Sexual assault
Minor: Self harm and Suicidal thoughts
and9591's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Violence, and Murder
madeleinehelena's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
A sad yet hopeful story of friendship and betrayal.
What effects does a murder in the friend group have on those remaining? Will finding and exposing the truth allow the persons involved to find peace? What does justice really mean?
Jem is relatable and I felt constantly worried for his well-being as he kept digging.
What effects does a murder in the friend group have on those remaining? Will finding and exposing the truth allow the persons involved to find peace? What does justice really mean?
Jem is relatable and I felt constantly worried for his well-being as he kept digging.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Violence
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Rape and Abortion
random_shoes's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
4.75
You meet Jem on a bad day, he is shown a letter that makes him turn to the past to find answers. On the way you learn who he is, and how he ended up where he is. You meet past friends of his, all of whom were broken in different ways by the murder of one of their own.
Are Jem's memories of his time at Oxford contain more fiction than fact? As Jem meets with his old friends he sees that they are just as followed by the past as he is.
Uncovering who killed Toby requires uncovering all that was happening around Jem and the rest of the "Seven Wonders".
Well written, and hard to put down. Building Jem's past brings all the characters fully into being and the world really finds form in their memories and their present. At some points you feel bad for Jem, other times you can't decide if you should trust him, or his memory.
Are the Seven Wonders what he remembers? And how did it all come crashing down?
Are Jem's memories of his time at Oxford contain more fiction than fact? As Jem meets with his old friends he sees that they are just as followed by the past as he is.
Uncovering who killed Toby requires uncovering all that was happening around Jem and the rest of the "Seven Wonders".
Well written, and hard to put down. Building Jem's past brings all the characters fully into being and the world really finds form in their memories and their present. At some points you feel bad for Jem, other times you can't decide if you should trust him, or his memory.
Are the Seven Wonders what he remembers? And how did it all come crashing down?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Child death and Rape
onthesamepage's review against another edition
dark
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
4.5
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
If you love If We Were Villains, may I recommend this book? I think the two have quite a few things in common, but this one is historical and, if my memory serves me right, more diverse. I loved it more, but this will be down to personal preference. I do think if you liked one, you'll have a good time with the other at least.
What can I even say about K.J. Charles at this point without sounding like a broken record? The writing? Super engaging, as usual. The characters? I was invested within the first couple of pages, also as usual. The relationships? Not just the romances, but all the different dynamics within the Seven Wonders were so good. And for a book that isn't even about a romance, why did the romantic elements still thrill me so much?
As a mystery, it probably could have been a bit tighter, or more effective, but I honestly just didn't care. I wanted to know what had happened, I wanted to see Jem reconnect with these people he once loved so dearly. I was salivating to get to his meeting with Nicky, because so much is made of him in the flashbacks, and it did not disappoint.
I don't know if this is the kind of book where you can predict the twists, or sleuth along with the main character, because as the reader you're missing a lot of information. But I liked how everything unraveled in the end, and if Charles chooses to write more mysteries, I'm there for them all.
If you love If We Were Villains, may I recommend this book? I think the two have quite a few things in common, but this one is historical and, if my memory serves me right, more diverse. I loved it more, but this will be down to personal preference. I do think if you liked one, you'll have a good time with the other at least.
What can I even say about K.J. Charles at this point without sounding like a broken record? The writing? Super engaging, as usual. The characters? I was invested within the first couple of pages, also as usual. The relationships? Not just the romances, but all the different dynamics within the Seven Wonders were so good. And for a book that isn't even about a romance, why did the romantic elements still thrill me so much?
As a mystery, it probably could have been a bit tighter, or more effective, but I honestly just didn't care. I wanted to know what had happened, I wanted to see Jem reconnect with these people he once loved so dearly. I was salivating to get to his meeting with Nicky, because so much is made of him in the flashbacks, and it did not disappoint.
I don't know if this is the kind of book where you can predict the twists, or sleuth along with the main character, because as the reader you're missing a lot of information. But I liked how everything unraveled in the end, and if Charles chooses to write more mysteries, I'm there for them all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Homophobia, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Rape and Murder