Collection
Publication
[Place of publication not identified] : KJC Books, 2020.
Description
Fiction. Suspense. Thriller. Historical Fiction. Will Darling came back from the Great War with a few scars, a lot of medals, and no idea what to do next. Inheriting his uncle's chaotic second-hand bookshop is a blessing . . . until strange visitors start making threats. First a criminal gang, then the War Office, both telling Will to give them the information they want, or else. Will has no idea what that information is, and nobody to turn to, until Kim Secretan-charming, cultured, oddly attractive-steps in to offer help. As Kim and Will try to find answers and outrun trouble, mutual desire grows along with the danger. And then Will discovers the truth about Kim. His identity, his past, his real intentions. Enraged and betrayed, Will never wants to see him again. But Will possesses knowledge that could cost thousands of lives. Enemies are closing in on him from all sides-and Kim is the only man who can help. Contains mature themes.… (more)
Language
Original language
English
User reviews
LibraryThing member rivkat
Will Darling is a WWI vet saved from abject poverty by reconnecting with his bookseller uncle, who then died and left him the bookshop. When a strange man shows up demanding “the information,” Will is swept into conspiracy and spycraft, and a liaison with the intriguing Kim Secretan, a former
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Bolshevik with a scandalous past, a dubious present, and a lovely fiancee. It was fun even though I want more fantasy from Charles! Show Less
LibraryThing member jjmcgaffey
Excellent writing, rich and really annoying characters, extremely complex situation. 1920s England, a WWI veteran gets tangled in a very nasty situation. The War Office on one hand, a set of terrorists on the other, and a guy who has great difficulty telling any truth (for, probably, reasonable
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reasons) in the middle. Will (the veteran) swings between trusting Kim (and being very attracted) and being certain he's only there to get the secret and deliver it places Will doesn't want it to go. The pendulum swings a lot, and I kept stalling out on the story. The end is very neat, nicely done, they're both thinking on multiple levels and more or less in sync. And then a lovely aftermath with some explanations for us poor readers (who aren't thinking on those multiple levels - I wasn't, anyway), and a big maybe. I had a hard time reading this, but I think I want to read the next one. Show Less
LibraryThing member widdersyns
A romance novel I actually enjoyed! Although I didn’t realize that “love interest is secretly a government agent manipulating the protagonist but also is actually in love, but the protagonist thinks he’s pretending to be in love” was a common enough trope for it to be in two romance novels
I appreciated the mystery aspects because nothing will make me more bored than a book that has nothing but a convoluted romance as the entire plot.
It was also very well written and the historical aspects were good. I love love Phoebe and the rest of the characters were well-developed too.
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I picked up at random. I appreciated the mystery aspects because nothing will make me more bored than a book that has nothing but a convoluted romance as the entire plot.
It was also very well written and the historical aspects were good. I love love Phoebe and the rest of the characters were well-developed too.
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LibraryThing member JorgeousJotts
I've been saving this series as a gift to myself for the new year. =D This book really pulled me in from the start, it has a nice amount of danger and adventure for the romance to grow on, and I liked the whole cast of characters. I think I'll like the following books a bit more now that the main
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characters have a better understanding of each other. There were some 'growing pains' that were good for the story, but not quite as enjoyable for me. (I'm sure they'll have other conflicts of course, but they'll be coming from a different foundation.) Overall a strong start to the series. Show Less
LibraryThing member raschneid
Excellent, fun romantic suspense! This trilogy is hands down my favorite Charles story yet - the genre elements are perfectly balanced, the characters have sizzling chemistry, and the book does a smart job updating pulpy 1920s suspense tropes for a contemporary audience. The result is my platonic
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ideal of a feel-good page-turner (where "feel-good" = "spies, anarchists, and snogging"). Show Less
LibraryThing member katiekrug
I forget how this one ended up on my library wish list, but Natalie's recent raves about it and others in the series compelled me to finally borrow it. I listened to it on audio, and the narrator was very good.
This first in the series introduces Will Darling, a veteran of the Great War, who has
I really enjoyed this historical "thriller"/queer romance. The writing is good, the plotting is well done, and the dialogue often very humorous. I'm looking forward to picking up the next one.
3.5 stars
This first in the series introduces Will Darling, a veteran of the Great War, who has
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inherited a bookshop from his uncle. He is unknowingly in possession of a dangerous secret that various groups, including some anarchists and the War Office, would like to get their hands on. The whole messy business brings Kit Severton into his orbit, a seeming wastrel of an aristocrat, but one who might be able to help. And to whom Will is attracted.I really enjoyed this historical "thriller"/queer romance. The writing is good, the plotting is well done, and the dialogue often very humorous. I'm looking forward to picking up the next one.
3.5 stars
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