Scan barcode
ruthlessreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I enjoyed the writing style, though I found the plot to be rather unwieldly. It felt as if there should either have been more plot details to make it make more sense or there should have been less plot and more focus on the romance. It felt unbalanced and made the reading a little jarring at times. Also, the background characters felt like paper dolls, with the exception of Betty, Kit's employee, and Percy's valet, Collins. They were both a delight and added a lot to the book. None of the other background characters were fully fleshed out, even people who were supposed to be important to the plot or to the MCs. While this isn't always an issue, I think the plot of this book could have used the support of some of the other characters, even if it made it a little bit longer.
That said, I loved the development of the romance between Kit and Percy. I'm a sucker for a grumpy/sunshine pairing and this was no exception. I loved Kit particularly, no surprise there. I think the author did a great job representing his disability and his acclimation to it, as well, since it's a recent development for him. As someone who is recently disabled and uses a cane everyday, it felt really good to see him as a romantic figure and to have a love interest for that disabled man who was so attentive and accommodating toward him. Percy was also delightful, of course. Be prepared for decadent descriptions of his clothing--it matters a lot to him! But I can definitely see how it might be boring and/or annoying for some readers.
Overall, I liked this book and will definitely read more Cat Sebastian. I think the romance & historical aspects were fun! There's another book out in the series, The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes, and I think try to read it this year.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Gun violence and Abandonment
Minor: Child abuse
ripfrank's review
- 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
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Death, Infidelity, Death of parent, and Classism
jess_justmaybeperfect's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Kit and Percy meet when Percy comes looking for help dealing with said big secret.
As they plot, they talk family, politics, friends, secrets, discover their shared trauma, have gorgeously romantic firsts together, grow fond, get cross, admit power imbalances, and fall in love.
Plus you get a few choice eat the rich, i.e. “no such thing as a good landlord… surely you know the cost of all this” moments.
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Alcoholism, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Sexism, Slavery, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
thereadinghammock's review
- 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
We had to earn the fantastic ending through watching Percy grow as a person and watch Percy help bring Kit out of the doldrums living he'd been shuffling through in the year since the accident that forced him to leave his life of highway robbery behind. It was lovely to see Kit's gruff demeanor thaw and soften toward Percy as they planned their heist, and the honesty of Kitt's "I've never done this with a man, but I know this is real and good and right." was lovely and felt so pure.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual content, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Child death, Gun violence, Homophobia, Blood, Death of parent, and Alcohol
amy_in_the_city's review
- 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? No
4.0
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Blood, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Homophobia, Forced institutionalization, and Colonisation
maxinesf's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Child death, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
gondorgirl's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Death, Gun violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
navayiota's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Child death, Homophobia, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Animal death and Cursing
takarakei's review against another edition
- 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
4/5 🌶️
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Blood
Moderate: Child death, Gun violence, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Homophobia, Alcohol, and Classism
caseythereader's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Child death