The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
adelaidebijou's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
ramakn22'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
4.75
Graphic: Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Trafficking, Homophobia, and Alcoholism
cyberhavok's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Torture, Violence, Sexual content, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Death and Murder
elm's review against another edition
5.0
madscientistcat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
booksthatburn's review against another edition
- 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
AN UNNATURAL VICE is excellently crafted, as perfect of a middle book for a trilogy, as I could possibly think of from a structural perspective. It's a gay romance of opposites attracting and Nathaniel finding new love after a long period of mourning. As the second book of a trilogy, it provides a specific answer to something left open in the previous book, specifically, the formerly unknown heir to Clem’s father’s title. It has a new storyline involving Justin as a spiritualist, and his involvement with Nathaniel (which has a bit of a rocky start). A recent re-read of the first book prompted me to notice the ways that Justin’s existence is hinted at there, with the timelines of the two books having some overlap in the early stages. There have been several murders so far in the series, and no clear answer on who is orchestrating them. This is specifically mentioned towards the end of this book, with the implication that it’ll be resolved in the next one.Â
Does it make sense to start here? - As always with the middle book of a trilogy, begin with the first one, and don’t try to start here. The specific romance, plot line could make sense without the other books, but things like why the search for the heir even matters were established in the first book through the perspective of someone much closer to the issue than either Justin or Nathaniel are. As narrators, Nathaniel and Justin are very distinct from Clem and Rowley from AN UNSEEN ATTRACTION, though Nathaniel is consistent with how he appeared in the first book. Part of what reinforces this is that some scenes from the first book appear in abbreviated form here, but retold from Nathaniel's perspective. In these cases, the dialogue matches, but his internal monologue is often very different from how Rowley or Clem had perceived the same moments.Â
There’s a lot of very cool worldbuilding detail related to Victorian spiritualism and séances, explaining just enough of the tricks to keep the series out of the realm of fantasy, but not giving away all of the mysteries. One of the main conflicts in this book is between Nathaniel’s position as a journalist with a distaste for fraud, but a fascination in the person that is Justin, where Justin is a spiritualist, who has no reason to trust that something could be offered without expecting anything in return. Justin‘s existence up until now has been mostly transactional, for good or for it but mostly for ill. He tells rich people that they can contact their deceased loved ones, and doesn't feel bad for taking their money.Â
The way this book is handled makes me like the first one even more than I did originally, as this reveals the significance of several things which were present, but not emphasized. I’m very excited to read the next book, if it’s anything like this than this may become one of my favorite trilogies in recent years.
Graphic: Kidnapping, Confinement, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Classism, Cursing, Violence, Torture, Murder, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Gun violence
Minor: Alcoholism, Vomit, Suicide, Child death, Ableism, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, and Fire/Fire injury
sarful's review
4.0
This is book two in a really wonderfully atmospheric mystery thriller set in Victorian England. In book one we were introduced to sweet and naive Clem, in whom we meet the group of friends at the gay friendly club, the Jack and Knave. One of those guys is the upstanding journalist and former lawyer Nathanial. On a quest to expose spiritualists as frauds, he meets Justin, The Seer of London.
Justin, the man who not only challenges Nathanial mentally but warms his blood sexually. They begin as enemies, never trusting each other’s intentions nor outlook on life. And yet, the two have such massive sexual tension, you could cut it with a knife, that and the dense fog that fills London. Justin is the first man Nathanial has been attracted to since the death of his long time lover. And that he feels this way, makes him hopeful, that it’s Justin upsets him. Justin has had to fight for all he has and doesn’t care who he cons, it’s their choice and he’ll take their money. But, as the story goes on they find in each other peace and I loved their relationship. The two are supremely relatable, which I also adored.
There’s also the mystery of the heir to a dukedom. A dukedom it seems is not who currently owns it, as well as something worth killing, it seems. The plot thickens and I must find out the conclusion in the final book. Which, because it’s KJ Charles, I’m completely fine with. The rightful heir, as we find out at the end, is someone I’m excited to actually meet.
scrow1022's review against another edition
5.0
And a note that this was my favorite of the three - I have such a thing for redemption stories (and a fascination with spiritualists).
cheri_champagne's review against another edition
5.0
The plot is engaging and exciting. I'm very much looking forward to finding out who the big bad is in the third book, and the next couple fascinates me, as well. This is a fun trilogy that I know I'l re-read over and over again.
bookspinesandwine's review against another edition
3.0
The reason it's only three stars is more about me than the writing. It's my first historical romance (aside from some Highlander novels I read a very long time ago), and I think the genre might not be for me.