This book is plastered with praise- and what can I say, deservedly so.
It’s quite bewildering at first, but then it just pulls you in with its beauty This book is plastered with praise- and what can I say, deservedly so.
It’s quite bewildering at first, but then it just pulls you in with its beauty and mystery. It’s best if you don’t know what you’re getting into - and it’s short enough that it shouldn’t be that much of a risk.
I really loved this. There is so much gentleness in it, it felt lovely....more
A good historical mystery in K.J. Charles’ usual fashion. In a way, that was why it’s not a five star read for me, because it was a little too familiaA good historical mystery in K.J. Charles’ usual fashion. In a way, that was why it’s not a five star read for me, because it was a little too familiar for me and the solution wasn’t that surprising. But I liked the characters and the atmosphere, a lot. ...more
"An Unsuitable Heir" is a thoroughly enjoyable historical romance with interesting characters, an engaging plot that had me hooked from the beginning "An Unsuitable Heir" is a thoroughly enjoyable historical romance with interesting characters, an engaging plot that had me hooked from the beginning and a love story that turned out to be different from what I usually read but which I didn't like any less because of that - I probably liked it even more than I would have a more "conventional" pairing (I'm not too fond of that word but can't think of a better one right now.)
I don't often read historical m/m romance - I find the covers a bit too cheesy to feel trustworthy, so I was especially glad for this chance to safely check out one example, and I absolutely loved it. While clearly lighter writing and reading than Sarah Waters' books (and being a different genre), since it is queer writing set in Victorian England I found myself struck by the difficulty of being queer during that time - whether queer means gay, lesbian, bisexual transgender, genderfluid or whatever. And I like historical novels who make me think about things like that. And what I like even more are books as fun and interesting to read as this one.
It's been a while since I've come across a book I can simply recommend wholeheartedly. There was literally nothing I didn't like, and once I have finished writing this review I will check out the earlier volumes of this series. It's possible to read this without any previous knowledge, but impossible not to want to read more after this.
My ARC copy of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.
Merged review:
"An Unsuitable Heir" is a thoroughly enjoyable historical romance with interesting characters, an engaging plot that had me hooked from the beginning and a love story that turned out to be different from what I usually read but which I didn't like any less because of that - I probably liked it even more than I would have a more "conventional" pairing (I'm not too fond of that word but can't think of a better one right now.)
I don't often read historical m/m romance - I find the covers a bit too cheesy to feel trustworthy, so I was especially glad for this chance to safely check out one example, and I absolutely loved it. While clearly lighter writing and reading than Sarah Waters' books (and being a different genre), since it is queer writing set in Victorian England I found myself struck by the difficulty of being queer during that time - whether queer means gay, lesbian, bisexual transgender, genderfluid or whatever. And I like historical novels who make me think about things like that. And what I like even more are books as fun and interesting to read as this one.
It's been a while since I've come across a book I can simply recommend wholeheartedly. There was literally nothing I didn't like, and once I have finished writing this review I will check out the earlier volumes of this series. It's possible to read this without any previous knowledge, but impossible not to want to read more after this.
My ARC copy of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair, unbiased review....more
I think I bought this thinking it would be a book by a well-read person about books he’s read; instead it reads like one public jerk-off session. I‘m I think I bought this thinking it would be a book by a well-read person about books he’s read; instead it reads like one public jerk-off session. I‘m not going to finish this. ...more
This was a pleasant surprise - I found it on Netgalley in the general romance section rather in m/m, so despite the description I wasn't entirely sureThis was a pleasant surprise - I found it on Netgalley in the general romance section rather in m/m, so despite the description I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but I really enjoyed it.
When Jackson, a successful lawyer, learns senate candidate Parker Livingston is suspected of having murdered a young woman in his appartment, his first thought is that Parker is innocent. Because Jackson once knew Parker better than anyone - and when Parker comes to him to ask for his help with the case, Jackson agrees, even though he knows it's a mistake, considering he and Parker used to be lovers. And so they not only have to figure out what happened and prove Parker's innocence - they also have to deal with the fact that they both still have feelings for each other - but with Parker running for senate as a Republican, and Jackson unwilling to go back into the closet, can there be a future for them?
There was a lot about this that I loved - so much so that I was a lot more forgiving when it came to the things I didn't love than I usually am. I'm in the mood for lists, so here are the pluses and minuses:
+ Two very likable characters over thirty + getting back together is one of my favourite tropes (as long there is no cheating involved, and there very much isn't), and I loved the way they were unsure about each other yet knew each other at the same time + Parker's conflict was genuinely interesting and I liked the way his political position was presented (even though I don't agree with most of it) + Even though Gavin and Reed were a bit clumsily being set up for the next book, I suppose, I really liked the supporting characters. Especially Martha.
Stuff I didn't like as much or feel mostly neutral about:
- the showdown was extremely unrealistic and felt 100% set up. The characters act in ways no one would only in order to create the kind of situation that is needed. That was the single most frustrating thing for me -I think the murder mystery had a bit more potential - there was very little question as to what the police was going to do, and whenever the focus was on that part of the plot it always fell a little flat for me. Then again, it was neither a thriller nor a mystery, so I probably shouldn't complain. But it felt like lost potential. - While I liked the way Jack and Park reconnected, the bed scenes weren't very memorable. Then again, those kinds of scenes aren't a priority for me. - The writing was a bit clunky at times - not horribly so, but some bits of exposition could have been smoother, and the one scene in the appartment with the box (keeping it vague because of spoilers) was a bit over the top and unnecessary. - For about 2/3 of the book, they keep having the same conversation over and over again. I actually didn't mind that that much - it felt realistic, in a way. But I could see it being annoying for some - Because of the subject matter, there is a lot of talk about politics. Considering the state of the world, this may not be something everybody wants to read about. As I mentioned above, I found Parker's position interesting, and overall he is the kind of conservative politician I could live with. I appreciated the matter-of-fact tone in his and his opponent's campaign, but sadly I don't know how realistic it is.. then again, that is what fiction is for.
I've read other books with similar problems that I liked a lot less - there was something about Parker and Jackson that really struck a nerve somehow. I do think it's a good book either way, if you're interested in stories involving politians and lawyers. It could have been a great book with a bit more subtlety and a better showdown - but I had a lot of fun reading it either way, and would absolutely love to read another book in this story universe.
My ARC copy of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.
Merged review:
This was a pleasant surprise - I found it on Netgalley in the general romance section rather in m/m, so despite the description I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but I really enjoyed it.
When Jackson, a successful lawyer, learns senate candidate Parker Livingston is suspected of having murdered a young woman in his appartment, his first thought is that Parker is innocent. Because Jackson once knew Parker better than anyone - and when Parker comes to him to ask for his help with the case, Jackson agrees, even though he knows it's a mistake, considering he and Parker used to be lovers. And so they not only have to figure out what happened and prove Parker's innocence - they also have to deal with the fact that they both still have feelings for each other - but with Parker running for senate as a Republican, and Jackson unwilling to go back into the closet, can there be a future for them?
There was a lot about this that I loved - so much so that I was a lot more forgiving when it came to the things I didn't love than I usually am. I'm in the mood for lists, so here are the pluses and minuses:
+ Two very likable characters over thirty + getting back together is one of my favourite tropes (as long there is no cheating involved, and there very much isn't), and I loved the way they were unsure about each other yet knew each other at the same time + Parker's conflict was genuinely interesting and I liked the way his political position was presented (even though I don't agree with most of it) + Even though Gavin and Reed were a bit clumsily being set up for the next book, I suppose, I really liked the supporting characters. Especially Martha.
Stuff I didn't like as much or feel mostly neutral about:
- the showdown was extremely unrealistic and felt 100% set up. The characters act in ways no one would only in order to create the kind of situation that is needed. That was the single most frustrating thing for me -I think the murder mystery had a bit more potential - there was very little question as to what the police was going to do, and whenever the focus was on that part of the plot it always fell a little flat for me. Then again, it was neither a thriller nor a mystery, so I probably shouldn't complain. But it felt like lost potential. - While I liked the way Jack and Park reconnected, the bed scenes weren't very memorable. Then again, those kinds of scenes aren't a priority for me. - The writing was a bit clunky at times - not horribly so, but some bits of exposition could have been smoother, and the one scene in the appartment with the box (keeping it vague because of spoilers) was a bit over the top and unnecessary. - For about 2/3 of the book, they keep having the same conversation over and over again. I actually didn't mind that that much - it felt realistic, in a way. But I could see it being annoying for some - Because of the subject matter, there is a lot of talk about politics. Considering the state of the world, this may not be something everybody wants to read about. As I mentioned above, I found Parker's position interesting, and overall he is the kind of conservative politician I could live with. I appreciated the matter-of-fact tone in his and his opponent's campaign, but sadly I don't know how realistic it is.. then again, that is what fiction is for.
I've read other books with similar problems that I liked a lot less - there was something about Parker and Jackson that really struck a nerve somehow. I do think it's a good book either way, if you're interested in stories involving politians and lawyers. It could have been a great book with a bit more subtlety and a better showdown - but I had a lot of fun reading it either way, and would absolutely love to read another book in this story universe.
My ARC copy of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair, unbiased review....more
To be fair, this was Thomas Mann writing as I thought he wrote all his books (and how „Buddenbrooks“ is not written). It took a bit to What a delight!
To be fair, this was Thomas Mann writing as I thought he wrote all his books (and how „Buddenbrooks“ is not written). It took a bit to get used to the long and elegant sentences, but after a while, I was hooked.
This is an unfinished story of a con artist, and it really was a lot of fun to read. And the descriptions! I can see how they might be tedious to some readers (I don’t know if that is the case), but I felt like I was in Frankfurt, in Paris, in Lisbon, seeing what the narrator did.
It looks like I‘m becoming a Mann fan in my old age....more
Really cute, and considering how short it is you get a rather good sense of the world as well as a sweet romance. For the romance to work even better Really cute, and considering how short it is you get a rather good sense of the world as well as a sweet romance. For the romance to work even better this would have to have been longer, but as it is it was just what I needed.
Merged review:
Really cute, and considering how short it is you get a rather good sense of the world as well as a sweet romance. For the romance to work even better this would have to have been longer, but as it is it was just what I needed....more
It’s been a while since I’ve been this blown away by a book. I just finished reading it and I’m stunned. It contains so much wiThat book. What a book.
It’s been a while since I’ve been this blown away by a book. I just finished reading it and I’m stunned. It contains so much wisdom and insight!
If I were still a bookseller and someone asked me to recommend a book about love in all its aspects, in all its beauty and terror, I’d give them this book.
(It’s about more than love, though, but the way these characters love and think about love, it did something to me.)
I loved this. Truly one of the best books I’ve read....more
3.5 stars rounded up. I‘m not entirely sure how I feel about this book. It was compelling to read, but in the end there was something missing. Or mayb3.5 stars rounded up. I‘m not entirely sure how I feel about this book. It was compelling to read, but in the end there was something missing. Or maybe I am missing the point. I think that maybe I expected a fictionalized biography to leave less distance to Thomas Mann than it did, for me. ...more
Sometimes I’m in the mood to read a true crime book, but I’m not often in the mood to actually finish it. Not so in this case - it’s very compellinglySometimes I’m in the mood to read a true crime book, but I’m not often in the mood to actually finish it. Not so in this case - it’s very compellingly written, and had me glued to my Kindle app this weekend. I had heard of Israel Keyes before, thanks to a podcast, but this book gave me a clearer picture, I feel. ...more
Lately, I haven’t been able to find any books that could hold my interest. In something akin to resignation I thought, “Let’s try a classic”, and pickLately, I haven’t been able to find any books that could hold my interest. In something akin to resignation I thought, “Let’s try a classic”, and picked up this book. And pretty much devoured it.
This is a really good book, I don’t know what else to tell you. As someone who’s never been that much into German literature, I was surprised by how much fun and how engrossing it was, while still being smart and thought-provoking. And it’s really easy to read.
I would have loved something like a family tree or something, because sometimes it was a little difficult to keep track of the more distant relatives.
But yeah, this is definitely worth a read. ...more
I loved the title story - if you enjoy unreliable narrators, this one is as unreliable as it gets. The other stories collected here were good as well.I loved the title story - if you enjoy unreliable narrators, this one is as unreliable as it gets. The other stories collected here were good as well. I always hesitate when it comes to reading short stories, but whenever I do read them, I really enjoy it. It’s a great narrative form for sure....more
Hallie Rubenhold does an amazing job of telling the stories of these five women’s lives, and she manages to keep the focus on them rather than on the Hallie Rubenhold does an amazing job of telling the stories of these five women’s lives, and she manages to keep the focus on them rather than on the person who killed them. She really brought them and the era they lived in back to life. ...more
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