kyatic's Reviews (974)

I've read nearly all of this author's work because I like how they're romances with a difference, usually about marginalised characters who we don't see represented in fiction very often, especially romances - disabled characters, characters of colour, queer characters, and so on. It makes a change from the dull romances between superficially attractive people in which nothing happens except STEAMY SCENES that I hate, and which put me off reading them until this year. I've loved all of the author's previous books and always find them very good in terms of plot and character, but avoided this series because of the covers (sorry; they're just way too Mills & Boon!)

Honestly, this one didn't do it for me. It was too much a typical romance between two generic, attractive characters. The great historical details and one liners were still there, but I didn't find myself feeling converted to being a romance fan, unlike with the author's other work.

I'll probably still read the remaining books in the series, because K.J. Charles does historical fiction like no-one else, but I wish this series were as unique as the rest of her work.

And oh, that cover. I can't. I just simply cannot.

I actually read this without knowing that it was a romance, so that came as something of a surprise. I really loved this book. The themes of childhood trauma and memory were explored so beautifully, and the characters were impressively well drawn; not always sympathetic, but easy to understand and feel for. I didn't personally love the romantic element, but that's really my own issue as I'm not generally a romance person (although I've read a few this year), and I don't think the book suffered for it. One of the most interesting and innovative books I've read this year.

Retellings and reworkings of existing stories are one of my favourite things, and this was a perfect example of why they can work so well. Can't recommend this book enough to people who enjoy retellings with a twist.