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A review by sarahdm
Slippery Creatures by KJ Charles
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This is my first time reading any of K.J. Charles work so I wasn't exactly sure what I was expecting. But a 1920's queer mystery sounded like fun so I went in with almost no expectation.
I mean we sure are told its the 20's. But it doesn't really FEEL like it is. K.J. Charles spends maybe one chapter with set dressing and that's about it. The reason I picked up this book was because I was interested in a queer book in this particular setting. But honestly this story could have taken place anywhere or any time. You could have made Will a veteran of Afghanistan and you would barely have to change anything. If you are gonna make historical fiction, the choice of setting and time should have more impact I feel. I think out of everything, this is the thing I'm most disappointed about.
Will and Kim are likable enough but at times they feel one-dimensional. I'm kind of hoping we get to know their character's a little more intimately in the other two books but I'm also not holding my breath. I'm wildly thankful that Phoebe and Maisie are in the story. I think sometimes with MLM romance, authors tend to forget woman exist or just treat them terribly. Both Phoebe and Maisie are great characters. I'm honestly more excited about the possibility of learning more about them then Kim and Will.
The plot is interesting at first but the predicaments Will started finding himself in started to feel a bit reputative. I trust Kim, I don't trust Kim, I trust Kim, I don't trust Kim. Over and over. Around the 70% point it really started to drag. Often times it feels like we introduce ideas and then abandon them with out fully developing them which was incredible frustrating.
In fact, all of this all feels incredible undercooked. Its like the book needed 100 extra pages to explore setting, characters, and plot more in-depth. But then I finally figured it out.
Slippery Creature is romance first and everything else second. If the sex scenes were a little more detailed it would be a full blown bodice ripper. And let me tell you, this book is horny on main. Anyone who thinks this is a slow burn romance is off their rocker. Will and Kim's entire relationship is sexual and they are tearing off each other's clothes by chapter 6. Its all dirty talk and blow jobs. And you know for all that, the actual sex scenes are all described post-coitus.
It just really feels like Slippery Creatures is having an identity crisis. Does it want to be popcorn mystery historical fiction or does it want to be a passionate smutty friends to enemies to lovers spy thriller? The book is on the fence which makes what's presented feel half baked.
What we get is just kind of okay. Nothing really offensive but nothing awe inspiring either. 3/5 middle of the road light reading. Might pick up book two to see if it picks up a little bit.
I mean we sure are told its the 20's. But it doesn't really FEEL like it is. K.J. Charles spends maybe one chapter with set dressing and that's about it. The reason I picked up this book was because I was interested in a queer book in this particular setting. But honestly this story could have taken place anywhere or any time. You could have made Will a veteran of Afghanistan and you would barely have to change anything. If you are gonna make historical fiction, the choice of setting and time should have more impact I feel. I think out of everything, this is the thing I'm most disappointed about.
Will and Kim are likable enough but at times they feel one-dimensional. I'm kind of hoping we get to know their character's a little more intimately in the other two books but I'm also not holding my breath. I'm wildly thankful that Phoebe and Maisie are in the story. I think sometimes with MLM romance, authors tend to forget woman exist or just treat them terribly. Both Phoebe and Maisie are great characters. I'm honestly more excited about the possibility of learning more about them then Kim and Will.
The plot is interesting at first but the predicaments Will started finding himself in started to feel a bit reputative. I trust Kim, I don't trust Kim, I trust Kim, I don't trust Kim. Over and over. Around the 70% point it really started to drag. Often times it feels like we introduce ideas and then abandon them with out fully developing them which was incredible frustrating.
In fact, all of this all feels incredible undercooked. Its like the book needed 100 extra pages to explore setting, characters, and plot more in-depth. But then I finally figured it out.
Slippery Creature is romance first and everything else second. If the sex scenes were a little more detailed it would be a full blown bodice ripper. And let me tell you, this book is horny on main. Anyone who thinks this is a slow burn romance is off their rocker. Will and Kim's entire relationship is sexual and they are tearing off each other's clothes by chapter 6. Its all dirty talk and blow jobs. And you know for all that, the actual sex scenes are all described post-coitus.
It just really feels like Slippery Creatures is having an identity crisis. Does it want to be popcorn mystery historical fiction or does it want to be a passionate smutty friends to enemies to lovers spy thriller? The book is on the fence which makes what's presented feel half baked.
What we get is just kind of okay. Nothing really offensive but nothing awe inspiring either. 3/5 middle of the road light reading. Might pick up book two to see if it picks up a little bit.