soofija 's review for:

A Fashionable Indulgence by KJ Charles

DID NOT FINISH: 25%

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This book just does not take off. There is too much infodumping and not enough dialogue. The characters are boring and one-dimensional. There is hinted at some deep hurt in Julius’ past, but in the first quarter of the book he is just not a likeable character. Harry is charmingly confident, but I found his urge to become a nobleman somewhat distasteful given his past as a radical; I would have bought it more if there had been more talk of wanting security, a roof over one’s head, stability, that sort of thing, but nothing. He just wants be a “gentleman”. Julius and Harry spend a few weeks together, but that is just rushed through, so when they kiss and have sex at the end of that we don’t really know what draws them to each other, apart from them both being men, and in the same house. There is also just too much Regency high society politics and keeping up appearances in this one. 

I did like the little glimpses we got into the Ricardians, the sense of community among them, and the protectiveness Julius shows towards his friends at one point. But that was really it. So disappointing.