K.J. Charles is quickly becoming a favorite romance author. Her blend of serialized mystery and romance just hits the spot. This book follows Clem Talleyfer the reserved lodging-house keeper with a huge crush on his taxidermist neighbour Rowley Green. We see the two slowly fall for each other until their lives are disrupted by a dead body showing up at Clem's doorstep. The two are wrapped in the mystery while slowly uncovering their feelings for each other.

First of all Clem and Rowley were so sweet throughout this whole novel. They absolutely adored each other from jump and the mutual pining at the beginning of the book was probably my favourite part of the story. I loved seeing the way Rowley saw and listened to Clem by accommodating his neurodivergence with ease. And the way Clem loved Rowley with intensity was beautiful. I especially loved seeing Clem enraptured by Rowley's taxidermy and genuinely invested in his art. They had such an open hearts for each other and it melted my soul.

While the mystery plot that drove the story was interesting on its own merits I think it also paved the way for meaningful character beats well. Seeing Clem grow a spine against his malignant brother, and Rowley learning not to infantilize Clem were really strong character moments. And best of all seeing the two lay down everything for the other and comfort each other after the harrowing events of the story melted my heart. 

The most surprising element of the story was the light D/S dynamic Clem and Rowley had in the bedroom. I'm always down for a little kink and I like how this book explored power exchange. Especially because into didn't fall into rote/predictable roles for their characters.

Overall this was a really fun outing reminstent of Courtney Milan's After the Wedding. This is definitely another feather in KJ Charles' cap after the excellent Proper English and I can't wait to read more.