I really love the way K.J. Charles writes novellas. Yes, I always end up kind of wanting more, because what do you mean the story is over, I want to keep hanging out with these characters! But I never feel like anything is missing because the story is short. The plot always hits all the right beats at all the right times, the character arcs are fully realized, the relationship unfolds logically, and the endings never feel rushed. All of this is definitely true for this Audible Original. I loved the story of these two lost, lonely men who were supposed to be just moments in each other's life getting brought together by chance and becoming closer during a treasure hunt in a derelict hoarder house.

I also very much enjoyed the narration, especially for Toby's chapters. And the characters themselves! They really made me feel for them. Though now that I think of it, I'm not sure how Toby survived for seven years until meeting Miles. I mean, yeah, he's inventive, has great people skills, and isn't the worst thief ever, but underneath it all (and like, not far underneath it all? skin-deep?) he's such an open, loving person, so willing to empathize with others and to put himself aside for the sake of someone he cares about. I have no idea how he retained all those qualities living on the edge of the gutter for years and never gotten taken advantage of, but I love him for it.

The one small thing that didn't leave me fully satisfied is probably on me: I find it more difficult to process audiobooks than regular books, and I was also listening to this one right before sleep while feeling unwell. So it's possible I missed something! But I'm not sure what made those high-stakes parts of the plot in the later chapters necessary? I mean, I see how they were necessary from the character development point of view, allowing both Toby and Miles (especially Miles) to kind of reinforce the changes they've gone through. But from the plot point of view, I'm not sure it felt very natural. Or maybe it's just that I really liked all the parts about treasure hunting in the derelict house and wished for more of that!