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jess_justmaybeperfect's reviews
815 reviews
The Ruin of Gabriel Ashleigh by KJ Charles
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Gabriel has lost all his money and his home to Francis. Francis just so happens to be the enemy of Gabriel’s extremely cruel (and series repeat villain) older brother.
When Francis invites Gabriel over the next day, the two men speak as equals for the first time. A wager is made, and it gets very scandalous, very quickly.
And they fall in love. Quick, fun, easy read.
When Francis invites Gabriel over the next day, the two men speak as equals for the first time. A wager is made, and it gets very scandalous, very quickly.
And they fall in love. Quick, fun, easy read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Sexual content
The Paid Companion by Amanda Quick
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Arthur is an earl on a mission. He needs a fake fiancee for cover and so he decides to hire a paid companion. That step is harder than he anticipated but when he meets Miss Elenora Lodge he knows he’s got the right one and makes a generous offer she can’t refuse. His secrets, her strength, and their proximity quickly make this much more than a standard employment contract.
It’s a murder mystery thriller and fake engagement romance. And it’s absolutely bonkers: secret water tunnels and a villain with a laser. THIS IS A HISTORICAL ROMANCE.
It’s a murder mystery thriller and fake engagement romance. And it’s absolutely bonkers: secret water tunnels and a villain with a laser. THIS IS A HISTORICAL ROMANCE.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Murder
A Pocketful of Lies: Collected Stories by KJ Charles
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
5.0
The Price of Meat: A short story set in alternate universe England, dark, cannibalism, light horror, murder mystery
A Thief in the Night: A progressive, lighthearted, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, workplace, consent forward, hot, funny, romantic, and quick but complete, love story between Toby, a thief, and Miles, an Earl.
The Rat-Catcher's Daughter: Lilywhite Boys prequel novella starring Stan (The Lillywhite Boys’ fence and all around gem of a human) and Miss Christiania a singer and the target of cruelty from a series repeat villain. Stan has a bit of a crush (from afar) and goes to the Boys when he learns of Christiana’s trouble. They rescue her (and in so doing earn their, ahem, defenestration reputation). Stan’s initial meeting with Christina after the rescue is tense. She’s a trans woman more familiar with the harm men do than good. Stan, as you may have guessed, is very very good. The Rat Catcher’s Daughter is an ace romance.
Masters in This Hall: Masters in this Hall takes place some years after the conclusion of Gilded Cage (Lilywhite Boys). Set at Christmas this novella is a house party, murder mystery, opposites attract, lovers to enemies to lovers, second chance, class differences romance between John, a disgraced former hotel detective, and Barnaby, a set designer and party host, who John believes responsible for the destruction of his career. Needless to say it’s a bit more complicated than that and they work it out in the end. A Lillywhite makes a few exceptional appearances.
A Queer Trade: The beginning of Ned and Crispin’s adventure, journey to forgiveness, and their HEA (concludes in Rag & Bone), which kicks of with the alarming news that Crispin’s deceased master’s writings are missing, sold to a waste man (Ned), and wreaking havoc.
A Thief in the Night: A progressive, lighthearted, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, workplace, consent forward, hot, funny, romantic, and quick but complete, love story between Toby, a thief, and Miles, an Earl.
The Rat-Catcher's Daughter: Lilywhite Boys prequel novella starring Stan (The Lillywhite Boys’ fence and all around gem of a human) and Miss Christiania a singer and the target of cruelty from a series repeat villain. Stan has a bit of a crush (from afar) and goes to the Boys when he learns of Christiana’s trouble. They rescue her (and in so doing earn their, ahem, defenestration reputation). Stan’s initial meeting with Christina after the rescue is tense. She’s a trans woman more familiar with the harm men do than good. Stan, as you may have guessed, is very very good. The Rat Catcher’s Daughter is an ace romance.
Masters in This Hall: Masters in this Hall takes place some years after the conclusion of Gilded Cage (Lilywhite Boys). Set at Christmas this novella is a house party, murder mystery, opposites attract, lovers to enemies to lovers, second chance, class differences romance between John, a disgraced former hotel detective, and Barnaby, a set designer and party host, who John believes responsible for the destruction of his career. Needless to say it’s a bit more complicated than that and they work it out in the end. A Lillywhite makes a few exceptional appearances.
A Queer Trade: The beginning of Ned and Crispin’s adventure, journey to forgiveness, and their HEA (concludes in Rag & Bone), which kicks of with the alarming news that Crispin’s deceased master’s writings are missing, sold to a waste man (Ned), and wreaking havoc.
A Queer Trade by KJ Charles
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
fast-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
5.0
The beginning of Ned and Crispin’s adventure, journey to forgiveness, and their HEA (concludes in Rag & Bone), which kicks of with the alarming news that Crispin’s deceased master’s writings are missing, sold to a waste man (Ned), and wreaking havoc.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
The Price of Meat by KJ Charles
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A shorty story set in alternate universe England, dark, cannibalism, light horror, murder mystery
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Cannibalism, Murder
Gentlemen Prefer Heiresses by Lorraine Heath
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
An American heiress released from the shadow of scandal when her sister marries an heir to a dukedom. Finally free to marry into a title as she has always hoped, the heiress instead falls head over heels for her brother in laws younger brother, the spare (gasp)!
This is a (relatively) low angst quick read. It’s sweet, funny, sexy, and scandalous (yes she gets her very own scandal).
This is a (relatively) low angst quick read. It’s sweet, funny, sexy, and scandalous (yes she gets her very own scandal).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Violence
Trouble by Lex Croucher
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Emily has a new job as a governess. Little does her employer know she’s never held such a position before. Also her employer thinks she’s Amy, Emily’s sister. Unfortunately Amy is too ill to report and so Emily tells enough small lies to take the job for herself. She decides to take the opportunity to steal from her new employer in order to afford doctor visits for Amy and possibly find out what crimes he committed as a naval officer when a decidedly villainous man makes an entrance.
As Emily gets to know the children and staff she finds a safe and reliable place. The friendships she makes are irreplaceable and what she learns about herself, love, and family is gorgeous.
I’m just not sure this is a romance novel? There is certainly a romance and it’s fun but not the center of the story. While there are romantic moments, the reader doesn’t see the couple together enough to make their story the main plot. Plus it’s all from her POV.
What is centered is beautiful though: found family, sexuality, and gender identity play a crucial role in this book and will leave you satisfied even if you initially come for the romance.
The narrator is outstanding.
As Emily gets to know the children and staff she finds a safe and reliable place. The friendships she makes are irreplaceable and what she learns about herself, love, and family is gorgeous.
I’m just not sure this is a romance novel? There is certainly a romance and it’s fun but not the center of the story. While there are romantic moments, the reader doesn’t see the couple together enough to make their story the main plot. Plus it’s all from her POV.
What is centered is beautiful though: found family, sexuality, and gender identity play a crucial role in this book and will leave you satisfied even if you initially come for the romance.
The narrator is outstanding.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
An Affair with a Notorious Heiress by Lorraine Heath
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Less bananas than the previous books in this series but still a lot.
FMC is a scandalous divorcee and MMC is the son of a scandalous couple who love him and are good people but that didn’t stop the bullying so he wants to marry someone “perfect.”
FMC’s uncle wants her little sister out from under her scandalous shadow and offers MMC a deal.
MMC fake courts FMC’s sister briefly while falling head over heels for FMC.
MMC and FMC make another deal. He wants more. She resists. He grovels and makes grand gestures. His family is amazing.
You will be sad and angry (at everyone except the FMC) for a lot of this book and there is more slut shaming than necessary but it is a beautiful love story.
FMC is a scandalous divorcee and MMC is the son of a scandalous couple who love him and are good people but that didn’t stop the bullying so he wants to marry someone “perfect.”
FMC’s uncle wants her little sister out from under her scandalous shadow and offers MMC a deal.
MMC fake courts FMC’s sister briefly while falling head over heels for FMC.
MMC and FMC make another deal. He wants more. She resists. He grovels and makes grand gestures. His family is amazing.
You will be sad and angry (at everyone except the FMC) for a lot of this book and there is more slut shaming than necessary but it is a beautiful love story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Violence
An Affair with a Notorious Heiress by Lorraine Heath
Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.
To my ears the narrator makes the American characters sound like the golden girls and I’m so distracted by it I’m switching to eyeballs