K. J. Charles does it again

K.J. Charles is an auto buy for me ever since the Magpie series. That remains the favorite, but I definitely enjoyed the second installment of the Sins of the Cities series. While the first book in the series had a gentleness between the two main characters, in this book there is friction and sparks. Following an enemies to lovers storyline, the cynical psychic Justin rubs the crusading journalist Nathaniel the wrong way. But that doesn't stop them from wanting to rub each in other ways (sorry, easy joke). The initial attraction grows to something more when danger follows them in the fog polluted streets of Victorian London. One of my favorite things about K. J. Charles is that her characters are not without flaws and issues. Justin is, to me, the more interesting as someone who will do whatever he can to keep his precarious social position as his protection from poverty and the streets. Nathaniel struggles to put aside his self righteousness but does so once he sees Justin's reality is less privileged than his own. The sex scenes work well as does the eventual solid partnership they form together. The narrator does his usual great job of giving unique voices to each character. In a nutshell, a fun listen that is well worth a credit. The biggest problem I have is the wait until the final book coming out in October.

9 people found this helpful

Opposites Attract

4.5*

An Unnatural Vice is a great continuation of the Sins of the Cities series. The suspense and mystery had me wanting to take a nice long road trip so I could just sit and listen until the end! I'm loving the way this story is playing out- the who, what, where, when, why, and how, I need answers! Oh what a tangled web Ms. Charles has weaved- one that has me guessing and second guessing myself with each page.
Nathaniel and Justin are such complete opposites. we're talking enemies-to-lovers to the extreme! And I was feeling all the anger and the animosity and I was there for it!
Then there were the moments of reflection from Nathaniel, when he was remembering the times with Tony, and I could just feel his pain and sorrow. So sad. But it was wonderful to see him open himself up to Justin, and accept that there was more life out there for him to live.

I really enjoy the way the overall story arc runs through the 3 books- we get "complete" stories for the main couples, but the mystery itself continues on, with each couple playing their part in moving the story along.
I'm glad I discovered this after all books were out, so I didn't have to wait to know what happens!

Once again another fantastic job by Matthew Lloyd Davis! With his narration I could imagine myself transported to London, feeling the fog closing in around me, feeling the anticipation and anxiousness of the characters.

5 people found this helpful

Middle-book syndrome

I loved the Characters but too much of this felt like a middle book in a series with barely any action happening. In comparison to the other books by Charles I felt like this lacked pacing and plot. I am hoping the conclusion to the series will balance the series out for me.

2 people found this helpful

Not that Great

Didn't care too much for this book. Too much going on. There is murder, missing people, attempted murder, kidnap, séance and much more. It's also a continuation from the first book which I think is just like beating a dead horse.

1 person found this helpful

An unnatural Vice

These books really need to be read in order if you want to understand the mystery because it sounds across all three books. However, each book finishes the love story for each couple.

This book was better than the first but I definitely enjoyed both and will be listening to the next right away.

The author created characters who were worth caring about. I didn't think I would like Justin anymore than Nathaniel, but by the end I wanted him to have the hea he never thought he deserved. I am glad the author didn't try to make the reader believe Justin was an authentic medium and that she described the tricks of the trade.

I saw other reviewers comment on the authors description of the fog but my goodness it made me thankful for my small town life. It was almost like I was lost in it.

Mathew Lloyd Davies did and an absolutely marvelous job telling this story and thankfully he reads this entire series!

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mm historical romance with a bit of mystery on the side.

1 person found this helpful

Good for re-reading

I like this whole trilogy/series quite a bit. It’s inventive and interesting. The community built here is supportive and a good group to read about. Justin and Nathaniel are good foils for each other. The seances are entertaining. It’s a good example of figuring out how/why/when to use one’s skills for good, while acknowledging why one might not. Both N & J have ended up in a different place than their younger selves had expected, which makes them more accepting of each other. I just listened to it again and it remains interesting and entertaining.

Steam: Med-low. There’s somewhat aggressive M/M sexytimes on page. While it’s on the critical path to an HEA, it doesn’t read as the main focus of the adventure.

Worldbuilding: Incorporating a real London Fog, the scenery is as mission critical to the plot as the steam. I enjoyed the setting and only wonder if the swearing seemed more American than British.

Narration: Well done. Easy to keep track of characters.

1 person found this helpful

WONDERFUL!

This book is a gem. From the first moments I felt this was going to be great and it definitely became one of my favs (listened to it many times in the past few years)! Nathaniel and Justin are both very interesting and complicated characters and their romance is just my thing.

Matthew Lloyd Davies just can't do a manly gruff voice have sex sound sexy. It always feels very off. So apart from the sex scenes, the narration is great.

2 stubborn jackass strangers to lovers

not quite Enemies/Rivals to lovers xD
Love these characters a lot and the development of them individually and into a relationship. Really amazing what KJ can do in less than 8 hrs. Not a big fan of the narrator's voice for Roy. But enjoyed the performance better than first book.

better than the first one

I liked the story more in theis one than the first one. Eniemes to lovers is one of my favourite tropes. One thing was after they ran away it was hard to finish. for me, it felt like it was dragged on for too long.

Very enjoyable

I'm really getting into this series. I thought that Justin made for a very interesting character being a medium with conflicted morality. The mystery is also well done. I'm looking forward to the next part.