dorin_love's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- 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
jacobpmllr's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
A continuation in tone of the first book. It feels like another episode in a way that I appreciate. The length and lightness of the story and characters could not sustain anything much longer or more complex. This was my main issue with the first KJ Charles I read, "The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen".
This book is rather spicy, like the other Charles I've read, and the gay sex is described from a female gaze. This perspective fascinates me, but gets a little grating as there are quite a few sex scenes that appear periodically. I feel like the sex scenes aren't able to develop as much as they could if they were written with a bit more authenticity. The scenes are not poorly written (and involve a interesting and welcome touch of bdsm), but they play out as if boxes were being checked.
This book is rather spicy, like the other Charles I've read, and the gay sex is described from a female gaze. This perspective fascinates me, but gets a little grating as there are quite a few sex scenes that appear periodically. I feel like the sex scenes aren't able to develop as much as they could if they were written with a bit more authenticity. The scenes are not poorly written (and involve a interesting and welcome touch of bdsm), but they play out as if boxes were being checked.
lucas13's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
mimosaeyes's review against another edition
4.0
Even better than the first book. The plot is so well-conceived and progresses at a cracking pace. It also develops Lucien and Stephen's relationship well, by exploring their differences and coaxing them to have important conversations.
alysian_fields's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
isabel_tong's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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? No
4.0
lady_wallflower_reads's review against another edition
Stopped at 34%. Maybe I'll revisit it one day, but not interested in continuing at the moment. KJ Charles may just not be for me.
iamtais's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0