If you're looking for the sweet, feel-good love story from An Unseen Attraction the first book in KJ Charles' Sins of the Cities series, you're barking up the wrong tree. An Unnatural Vice is an electrifying "opposites attract" romance - and good lord, what opposites! Nathaniel Roy is the crusading do-gooder journalist, the judgemental son of an archbishop who is still grieving the death of the love of his life. And Justin Lazarus is a "defiant, stubborn, obstreperous, unstoppable, enraging bloody nuisance" - and that's Nathaniel's description after he realizes he loves him! Lazarus is also an alleged spiritualist who gleefully bilks his clients out of their money as he conducts fake seances and readings. Once he and Nathaniel meet they start circling each other like "stags circling, antlers ready to clash," and their hate sex is truly magnificent. When Lazarus gets caught up in the missing heir plot that began in book 1, they are forced to spend more time together and Nathaniel comes to appreciate the Seer of London's competence, energy, humor and feistiness. But he still wants Lazarus to be a different, better person, and Lazarus makes no apologies for being who he is.

In addition to featuring two strong MCs, An Unnatural Vice displays Charles' amazing skills at plotting and setting. The first 25% of the book takes place simultaneously with its predecessor, and there are strong hints that during the last 25% or so there are lots of things happening off page that we will read about in the last book, An Unsuitable Heir. Besides juggling a serpentine plot that spans three books, Charles makes the dense, greasy Victorian fog so memorable that you can feel it envelop you as you read. I won't soon forget Lazarus' desperate run in the fog (view spoiler) and how he leads Nathaniel in the thick of it back to the scene of a crime.

Some K.J. Charles fans will make comparisons between Justin Lazarus and Jonah Pastern from Jackdaw, as both are more anti-hero than hero, at least initially. But in many ways Justin is even more of a challenge than Jonah. At the end of the book, Jonah's lover Ben Spenser asks for mercy because Jonah doesn't fully understand right and wrong. Justin Lazarus perfectly understands that what he does for a living is wrong - he just doesn't care. And while Ben and Jonah had a previous relationship together that gave Ben the motivation to redeem Jonah, Nathaniel has no such luxury. He knows exactly how much of a shit Lazarus is. And he loves him anyway. And because of that, Justin has the freedom to make some changes and become a better man...although as Nathaniel realizes, he will always be a difficult, damaged one.

Whoo, lots of analysis for a 250 page romance novel! But that's what makes K.J. Charles so special. Can't wait for the series wrap-up in October.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley (thank goodness!) in exchange for an honest review.

KJ Charles continues her Sins of the Cities series with this second entry.

Nathaniel Roy has studied the law, and is now a journalist. He begins investigating mediums at the behest of his boss, whose wife has been seeing one. He goes to see The Seer of London, Justin Lazarus, to try to figure out how the tricks are done and expose mediums and how they take advantage of people with money trying to find answers during their time of grief.

Justin Lazarus is a child of the workhouse, who became an apprentice to a medium at a young age after attempting to pick his pocket. He doesn't have much empathy for the grieving who in his opinion deserve to be duped if they're willing to pay him. After he pushes Roy too far during a sitting, hitting close to home with comments indicating he knows Roy is homosexual and is truly grieving the loss of a long-time lover who died in a freak accident years earlier, it sets the men on a path against each other.

Both men are very damaged by their past, and in many cases their actions against each other are not only informed by their past experience, but the fact they are from different worlds and cannot understand how the other one thinks. Roy is wealthy and wants to help those less fortunate, even if he doesn't fully comprehend what it means to be grindingly poor. Lazarus was born poor and victimized several times before finding fame as a medium, but still reverts to unrepentant con man if confronted about what he's doing to people. His only previous serious relationship ended right about the time his career was taking off because he couldn't tell her the truth. Yes, you read that right, Lazarus is bisexual and doesn't seem to have a preference based on gender.

Both have distanced themselves from others in their own way; the only difference is Roy had friends at the Jack and Knave pub, which caters to men (and women) who are not heterosexual. They helped him through the grief after the death of his lover, and hope he can find love again. None of them expect it to be someone like Lazarus, who has little ties to anyone else except some orphans he's taken in as “familiars” to train to assist him, though he insists even to himself he's not truly attached.

Roy is a bit self-righteous, Lazarus is not exactly likable (understatement!), and the first time they have sex is probably listed in the dictionary as the definition of “hate sex”, but outside events force them to work together, slowly softening Lazarus' hard exterior, while also making Roy realize he can't force him to change, and doesn't want to either.

The outside events are essentially a “B plot” that is apparently going to carry over through the trilogy, which is about family secrets, a missing heir to an earldom, and someone who's willing to kill more than once to keep the secrets. The anchor point is the aforementioned Jack and Knave pub, where a protagonist from each book is a regular. They are friends and work together to resolve the mysteries surrounding the Taillefer family.

The last half of the first book and the first half of this book actually overlap, and it appears the latter portion of this one will also overlap events in the third book, An Unsuitable Heir. Normally, most books in a series are mostly standalone, with “guest appearances” by previous characters that don't affect the story much, but due to the nature of the B plot and the overlapping storytelling, I would recommend reading them in order.

I also felt as though the story between Roy and Lazarus isn't quite over, as there is a new dynamic at work between them by the end of the book, but with the overlap I think there will be a bit more with these two. I hope so, because Lazarus has only a brief taste of a new life, both personally and professionally, and I'd like to see how he adjusts to not having to be an utter bastard most of the time. I think the nature of the plot might entail him having a nice role in the third book.

I have read a bit about Spiritualism, which was fashionable from the 1840s through the 1920s, and some of the “tricks of the trade” used by mediums are ones used by Lazarus. There are also references to actual mediums of the time. It may seem strange to us today, but the human mind's ability to want to be deceived is a huge part of what makes the tricks work. People remember the hits and overlook the misses, while a medium can keep notes of what's said to tell the person later and they think the medium is receiving it from the spirit world. Charles includes a list of books she used in her research if you'd like to learn more.


ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Nathaniel Roy is the son of an Archbishop, but he spends his time as a journalist and crusading against those would take advantage of others - that includes Justin Lazarus, the so-called Seer of London. Justin is a spiritualist and pretend medium who regularly takes on clients to prey on their grief and distress, though he feels very little remorse due to his own circumstances and cynicism. Nathaniel sets his sights on Justin, to expose him and how he takes advantage of others, but then the both of them become embroiled in the Taillefer inheritance of title controversy. The killer from the previous book becomes aware of both Justin and Nathaniel; as they flee London, the two are drawn together and must fight for both their lives and their relationship.

Let me just say, I loved this book. I really do love KJ Charles's writing, as I'm sure I'll say again in this review, and she has such a way with her characters. Justin starts off very unlikeable, and yet the reader grows to adore him. Nathaniel is easy to like, and seeing him with Justin is a delight. It's rare to see two characters dislike each other so much and have it work in terms of romance - enemies to lovers is an amazing trope, but it's so often not done well at all. Charles makes it work, and wonderfully so. It's easy to delight in the spats and battles of wits Nathaniel and Justin get into together, but it's also a delight to see them working through that and growing to care about each other despite of how they dislike things about each other. Justin's line of work is of course morally bankrupt and despicable, but Nathaniel has his own flaws. Charles allows her characters to have flaws and yet grow, not be constrained by them. The romance between Justin and Nathaniel is incredible and nuanced, hot and yet sweet. I like how Charles included elements of submissiveness in this novel the same way she included it with Clem and Rowley, and I wonder if that will take place in Mark and Pen's story as well; I hope so!

The mystery in this wasn't one as such, since this is an in between novel, but for me the mystery was more of a vehicle to tell the story of the characters and their relationships anyway. Of course I look forward to finding out who the killer is, who's ransacking everyone's lodgings and trying to prevent knowledge of the Taillefer twins from coming out, but I think even more I'd like to see where the story takes everyone from Clem and Rowley, to Nathaniel and Justin, and Mark and Pen. I must admit, I was so worried when things got a bit rough for Nathaniel and Justin, even though I knew they'd come out right in the end.

The re-read factor: I love KJ Charles's writing, and I can definitely see myself re-reading this book. The whole series, really, once the third book comes out. I can't wait for this fall so I can read Mark and Pen's story; the brief glimpse we got at the end of An Unnatural Vice was extremely tantalizing!

I would definitely say that one must read the first book in the Sins of the Cities series, An Unseen Attraction, in order to properly follow An Unnatural Vice. This book follows Nathaniel, who's introduced in the first book, and the plot centers around circumstances that started in An Unseen Attraction - namely, the Talleyfer/Taillefer inheritance of title. Honestly though these books read incredibly easy; the reader gets so caught up in things it passes very quickly. I'd recommend the first book regardless, but as I loved this book just as much as the first if not more, if you're feeling at all inclined to read because of this review, I'd start with An Unseen Attraction.

Long story short? This novel was amazingly well done and an absolute delight. I'd recommend to anyone who loves LGBT stories, m/m romance, and mysteries set in sordid Victorian London. 5/5.

Bedevilment, trickery and wills collide, and I didn’t want this journey to end.

K.J. Charles whips up a story in An Unnatural Vice of a moral-driven journalist and the man he seeks to uncover as a fraud, spiritualist Justin Lazarus. I was enchanted, seduced and hurdled into a world of magic and logic all rolled in to one. Prepare to be dazzled.

I was in love with Justin from the beginning. He’s so cynical and grumpy, and he calls it like it is. He’s also so very, very clever—his brain is always working and maneuvering. I just knew there was a story buried beneath his layers, and these kinds of heroes always pull at my heartstrings. There’s no time for apologies or recriminations because life made him this way, and it’s all he knows.

That’s, of course, when in walks Mr. Nathaniel Roy with his self-righteousness and his patent disbelief to rattle Justin’s cage. It just won’t do!

Nathaniel is a logical and practical journalist who seeks to uncover those who claim to speak to the dead. But he finds a worthy opponent in Justin. Oh, how Justin’s world of magic just flabbergasts and bedevils Nathaniel! I laughed like crazy even as I was like, How does Justin do it?!? I felt Nathaniel’s pain, I really did. Not all of Justin’s secrets are revealed by the way, and I love the mystery surrounding the sleight of hand tricks. Then there’s the challenge of Justin himself whose wicked grin calls to Nathaniel. Make no mistake, Nathaniel’s got his own pain to deal with and boy, was their page time fraught with tension.

This book made my little enemies-to-lovers heart sing! And that’s the kicker in this story. That they both become so entangled in the mystery of the plot due to unforeseen circumstances, and it’s a whirlwind of trust, wariness and chemistry. There’s always two conversations going on—what’s said and what’s left unsaid. It made this a read I couldn’t put down.

If you’re looking for a story that’s equal parts plot and romance, brokenness and healing, look no further than An Unnatural Vice. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll groan in frustration. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

5 stars!

KJ Charles could write about the historic history of jellyfish and I would love it.I enjoyed An Unseen Attraction but Clem as the main Mc left a lot of holes that didn't quite add up. The book frustrated me. The second novel in the Sins of the Cities trio both helped solves some of the mystery and add to the wider picture. My enjoyment was 10x what I felt in book one.

I really enjoyed this enemy to lovers romance. Nathaniel was moral, strong and a big dose of surviving but not really living. Justin was intuitive, frank and most of all bewitching and like Nat he was surviving but not really living. I really appreciated throughout despite being enemies to lovers was CONSENT. They constantly reaffirmed to each other if the other wanted so-and-so if this was ok? It's a romance "trope" to almost force the characters to have this intense attraction/lust then one might dominate the other without the other wanting it. So well done Charles for writing men with real feeling. There sex scenes ( the first Charles has done in a couple of books) was intense. The bannister scene was smoking.The mystery was as good as always, and the world building excellent. I loved all the paranormal/seance etc real and fake. I'm a paranormal GEEK.

It was also really good to now go back and see Chem and Rowley. Also totally fangirling Mark ( I have been from book one) and his love interest the new Earl hinted at. BRING IT.

A really enjoyable second novel, 4 stars.

Overall I really liked the book. I like the characters, sex, and the plot. However, as the book as wrapping up, it lost me, maybe too much of the same thing.

Ah, when opposites attract. On one side of the ring we have Nathaniel Roy, ex-lawyer and crusading journalist, versus the rather unscrupulous spiritualist medium, Justin Lazarus. What ensues? Murder, rapping spirits, a hidden earl in grave danger, and of course, some steamy, angry sex.
What begins with a sort of pride and prejudice, opposites attract dynamic ends becomes a fantastic piece in a larger puzzle with plenty of tender moments and charm.

<i>Justin Lazarus was without a question a disgraceful fraud, but as as his lips moved in silent prayer, Nathaniel could not help the thought that he looked like a glorious fuck.</i>

Now <b>this</b> is the kind of book by Charles I've come to love.

"<i>I wish I could say I was someone else underneath, but I'm not.</i>"
"<b>I wish you understood that I don't want someone else.</b>"

AN UNNATURAL VICE picks up midway during book one in the <i>Sins of the Cities</i> series. The plot that began in book one is still present in the sequel (and now I understand is what ties the whole series together) and becomes even more complicated but oddly even more fascinating. I didn't find AN UNSEEN ATTRACTION to be very compelling, for which I unfortunately blame the leads, but all those confusing elements -- bigamy, illegitimate heirs, murder, torture -- are still very relevant but also not; they aren't directly tied to the main pairing though they are definitely caught up in it all.

<i>For a man to set himself up as a false prophet and lay claim to more than mortal powers struck Nathaniel as profoundly blasphemous, even though he believed in neither prophets nor powers.</i>

We met Nathaniel in book one, one of the queer men of Clem's acquaintance who frequented the safe establishment set up for those of less acceptable persuasions, but all we knew about him was that he was versed in law, currently employed as a journalist, and had lost his lover a few years back. Well, in book two we discover all that and more as he applies himself to unmask and take down one of the local mediums known as The Seer of London.

<i>It had been child's play to take Nathaniel Roy apart.</i>

Justin Lazarus has been lower than low. He was born in a workhouse, lived in the gutters, did whatever it meant to stay alive, and he's now a successful medium, preying on the rich in cash and guilt but the weak in spirit and sense. Sometimes, too, just the gullible. He makes no excuses, refuses to apologize, and will use whatever edge he can to hook his clients and have them coming back for more.

<i>They came in their dozens, bleating for miracles, so ready to believe that he barely had to work at fooling them. They begged him to help himself to their trust, their secrets, their money. They <b>wanted</b> him to deceive them, so he did, and it served them right. It served them all right.</i>

Nathaniel's investigation into Justin's schemes, however, take a back seat when the inquiry surrounding missing twins, one of whom happens to be legitimate son of the Earl of Moreton, who would be Clem's (book one) cousin, crosses both their paths. Vicious desperate people, looking for a payout, abduct Justin hoping to force his help via the spirits to locate the young man, and after he escapes he can think of only one man to turn to : Nathaniel.

"<i>I would like to know how you knew my name.</i>"
"<b>The spirits enlightened me.</b>"
"<i>Can you not refrain from this mummery for a single moment, you damned fraud?</i>"
"<b>If I were a fraud I would be very ill advised to let you know it.</b>"

The push and pull, the hate and impossible fascination, between these two was everything that I love from this author. She excels at matching up personalities and backgrounds that shouldn't align and yet do.. perfectly. I loved the dialogue surrounding faith and belief, morals and honour, not to mention the dilemma in caring about someone who does things you cannot respect.

"<i>It must be wonderful if you can afford to do the right things. I can't, so I'm going to carry on being petty and contemptible for money.</i>"

"<i>Don't try and redeem me. If I wanted someone to make me a better man, I'd find myself a woman.</i>"

The evolution of this relationship, of Justin specifically, was wonderful. I loved watching him want, watching him acknowledge what he wanted and know he couldn't have it, his own identity crisis, and I loved the clash that came when he called Nathaniel on his picking and choosing what to like about Justin. I normally have a problem with the fight that breaks up a couple in a romance (not always, but more often than not) and while I wouldn't really call the fight in this story the "break up" it still functioned with the same purpose of identifying the problems and throwing down the gauntlet to finally tackle their issues. And it was perfect.

<i>Justin believed in nothing, cared for nothing, hoped for nothing. He worked alone in an immense starless darkness that made Nathaniel's own loneliness seem trivial, and it was the cruelest irony that he sold hope and belief.</i>

While Charles has given me yet another brilliant hate-to-love pairing, full of layers and angst and real growth, I also discovered a love of the setting in this book. Mostly because we had the contrast of the foggy, dirty, dark London with the bright, clean, country air, and it made London feel like a character in its own right. I love this author's writing, not just for the sexytimes and the complicated characters within the pages, not just for the humour and cleverness, but for how she makes everything feel so present and important. How a clever con-man, used to picking on up clues and noticing how someone takes their tea after only one observation, can walk blindly through a city in a dense fog and know exactly where to go, what turn to take. And, actually, it was exactly at that moment that I knew where Justin's future path would go and I loved that I turned out to be correct in that sense.

"<i>Oh well, no harm done.</i>"
"<b>Except that we were nearly murdered. But what's that in the great scheme of things?</b>"

Even though we're very aware of who the missing heirs are, right from the very beginning (and also I think maybe by the end of book one? I've read these too close together to remember), I loved how the mystery and suspense of the story played out. Mostly because of how much bigger things got. And of course we won't see just how far it all actually goes until book three. Which I am <b>so bloody excited for</b> now that we've met the man who will match up with Mark.

"<i>You light things up. It's been so bloody dark and you kept lighting candles until I couldn't blow the damn things out any more, and you keep doing it and you won't stop and.. please don't burn me down.</i>"

That being said, I'm not sure how they'll top the princeling and the fraud -- especially after that scene in the last chapter --but I can't wait to see Charles try and do it anyway.

4.75 "my spirit guide's a fucking tart" stars

An Unnatural Vice
By K.J. Charles
Book Review


Impressions
My first time reading this author and I am going back to the well. Her descriptive language pulled me into the world of a London that has fascinated me. This is a view of the raw unvarnished realities of a time when monochrome morality was worsen by pollution leaden fog and “poor houses”. I am in London. Slipping and sliding on fog-wet pavers and stepping onto high kerbs.

This writing developed beautifully with its careful transition to faith fulfillment and an unrepentant love between two men who are polar opposites.

Seduction

“The sane, sensible, lawyer part of Nathaniel’s mind was screaming Danger! But it was being drowned out by the blood pounding in his ears. Lazarus’s slightly parted lips, those wicked eyes, the scruffy half-grown beard, all of those were making his mouth dry, but it was the sheer unrelenting will of the man opposite him that was turning attraction into urgent need.” – An Unnatural Vice

Halfway through the read and my favorite character is Justin Lazarus. His seduction of Nathaniel is haunting. Justin’s jaunty arrogance that belies self-hate and extreme cynicism, for me, was heart stealing. It seems Nathaniel’s notice of the charlatan’s unusual and perhaps uncanny good looks begin this tale of love and self-discoveries. This was a story begun in a drawing room on Hanging Sword Alley and it began nicely for me.

It is one thing to include jargon of period and culture and another thing completely to weave it into the read in ways that add ambiance. It is wonderful to receive an education while being seduced between the covers of this book.

Of course, this is also a tale that never seems to grow old, the seeming endless breach between the obstinacy of conservative ideologies versus preachers of neo-progression

Story/Plot/Conflict

Something is definitely afoot when bodies are showing up at his friend’s door and family heads are mysteriously committing suicide. Of course, it’s in Victorian England where upstanding people do these things when scandal knocks at the door. But the wealthy journalist and family friend Nathaniel decides to right the wrongs and in the process finds his world, reshaped.

He must obtain the assistance of the London Seer. Born of the gutter and abandoned at birth Justin Lazarus is a self-made man who profits as an unapologetic lair and cheat. Preying on the lonely and bereft, he enters Nathaniel Roy’s life. Antagonism, mutual want, and uncontrolled passions change them both…but at what cost.

My Main Characterizations

Nathaniel Roy (Nathan Royston) He is rich, powerful, large in statue, and filled to the brim with conservatism. Nathaniel felt only contempt for this charlatan that would use the pain of other’s loss as a tool to extort monies. But his empty heart is rapidly filling with the scent of Justin.

Justin Lazarus slight of built with uncanny grey eyes he exemplifies how a man coming of age in the wretched slums can find his own path to fame and riches. Unapologetic love allows him an escape from self-destruction and the discovery of self-worth.

Critiques
Put simply…this is good stuff and a good read. Thank you K.J. Charles

At first, it was just a gamble. A pretty interesting title, a pretty interesting description. But then the characters were quirky, and the tension was strong. Hate sex? Not really my biggest turn on, but KJ Charles definitely made it appealing as Nathaniel and Justin got it on. The differences in characters and occupations and the whole society is incredible and I actually went back to read more works!

RATING: 3.5 out of 5

An Unnatural Vice is the second book in K.J. Charles’ Sins of the Cities series; featuring Justin Lazarus, the Seer of London who is famous with his séances, and Nathaniel Roy, son of archbishop (he has left church though) who becomes a journalist. If I am not mistaken, the timeline starts almost at the time around the ending of An Unseen Attraction. Nathaniel himself is a friend of Clem, one of the main characters in book #1.

Nathaniel is dead-set in exposing Justin’s tricks and lies. He thinks that Justin is an amoral man, who makes fortune upon people’s griefs. However he can’t dismiss the attraction he feels for Justin, first time he feels that way for another man since the death of his partner five years previously.

I thought this book was slightly a bit lagging in the beginning with Charles setting up the background, confrontation, and burning attraction between Nathaniel and Justin. While Charles always EXCELS in writing enemies-to-lovers / people with different background — I found myself at times a bit bored with Nathaniel’s inner conflict of being attracted to Justin.

I did loved Justin though — what can I say, Charles’ morally ambiguous characters are always attractive for me *laugh*. Justin doesn’t regret his occupation. People who can afford his séances are not from poor class anyway.

The book picks up its pace when murder and mayhem happens, Justin finds himself in the path of a killer who takes no for an answer, and he seeks refugees at Nathaniel’s. This was when I started to feel fully engaged with the two as a couple.

I loved those times with the two of them conversed about their lives and expectations. My heart sometimes went over for Justin when his confidence was dwindling — when he questioned Nathaniel’s motive for helping him. Because Justin really did take advantages of people and he wondered why Nathaniel was able to look past that.

Aside from the romance, An Unnatural Vice also shapes up the mystery around the missing heir that will be fully concluded in book #3. I, for one, look forward to that one.

I have resisted reading 'romance' novels for most of my librarian lifespan, but this unashamedly queer and inclusive book has stolen my heart (I audibly sighed when I checked Amazon and saw book 3 isn't out until October!)
This is book 2 in a three-part series, but I didn't realise this until I learned about book 1 (which stars Clem and Rowley, bit players in An Unnatural Vice) The events of the two novels take place (almost) side by side, so really they are companion novels (the mystery of the Tallyfer heir is solved in the final third of book 2). If I had read the books in order, I would be devouring book 2 to find out more about Nathaniel. who Rowley takes a dislike to. As it was, I was thrilled to turn back to book 1 to learn more about Clem (who is illegitimate, neuro-divergent, mixed race and unfailingly kind)
I admit that I found Justin and Nathaniel to be far less likeable than Clem and Rowley at first glance. By agreeing to pursue the spiritualist, Nathaniel was opening himself up for a world of hurt- I understand that he needed an outlet for all the pent-up anger over the accidental death of his partner, but Justin didn't seem like a worthy target. For an Atheist, he also seemed to place a great deal of importance on morals (I'm surprised that Justin didn't hit him, honestly, when he had to be reminded time and time again that Justin lied and cheated *to survive*, as he lacked Nat's wealth and security) In my mind, Justin was providing his clients with exactly what they paid for- reassurance and comfort from intolerable grief. Maybe my 21st century world view has thrown my moral compass off, but I find it hard to believe that Justin's customers were really taken in by his shenanigans- I believe that people who engage spiritualists bury their rational doubts deep down and choose to believe the lies they are told (as is their right- I would not judge anyone for choosing to reject the cold and lonely truth!) I wasn't entirely surprised that so many clients were taken with Justin in light of his orgasmic writhing and whispering (I would not be immune either) The seances were perfectly placed within the novel, allowing the reader to see what Nat saw first, then Justin's complex machinations. I don't know if other readers might find the overall plot a little far-fetched, but I think it works perfectly as a Victorian melodrama. The characters name-drop Dickens and Wilkie Collins and express only mild surprise when plans are foiled by extraordinary means (see: stuffed badger) It's clear that they inhabit a world where such things are sensational, but entirely possible- it's only surprising that it's taken this long for them to find themselves embroiled in such a case.
As for the sex (the reason I sadly can't review this book on my professional social media account!!)
I was surprised by Nat and Justin's first angry fuck, mostly because I (naively) expected Nat to take out his frustrations on Justin and not allow himself to be fucked by a man he loathed. I quickly realised that sex in KJ Charles' books is complicated, and entirely free from cliches. I did wonder if the weak balcony was going to feature in a later showdown (Chekhov's Gun style) and was pleased to find I was right! I love the fact that the language used during sex scenes is period-appropriate, as are the methods (ie lubricant)- it might seem petty but I hate it when authors get this stuff wrong (as it's so, so good when they get it right!) The scenes in book 1 were more 'my thing', but I love the fact that every scene between each couple was different and that a heavy emphasis was placed on obtaining consent. I love the fact that no-one in book 1 or 2 is at all ashamed by their sexuality, regardless of their level of expertise. I thought that Nat's thoughts, after he ended his long period of celibacy, were beautifully expressed, and so were Clem's and Rowley's fears of 'not being enough' for each other. This (in my very limited experience) is what real love- real relationships- look like, and that's sexy in an almost voyeuristic way.
I mentioned the melodramatic elements of the novel(s) above, and I don't know if this book might be criticised for being too LGBT friendly- by this I mean that apart from a few short references to imprisonment and raids on 'molly clubs', the characters are mostly untroubled by the law and their neighbours, and 'allowed' to carry on their lives without any questions. This may change in book 3 when Pen assumes the title of Earl of Moreton (and will presumably be forced out of his female aerialist costume) I didn't come to this series looking for angst and oppression, and while 'happy endings' may not have been possible for many LGBT+ people in the 20th century, clubs like the Jack and Knave existed, trans women like Phyllis existed, gay and bisexual men existed across the social strata. I wish I had a 'safe space' half as warm and welcoming as the Jack, and I suspect a lot of queer people feel the same. On that note, the author mentioned women in the Jack (in gentleman's jackets, as I recall!)...can we be introduced?

Nathaniel Roy is an impressive man - wealthy, handsome, sure of his position in the world and absolute in his convictions. Formerly a lawyer, he is now an investigative reporter and he's got his sights on Justin Lazarus, a despicable low-life spiritualist who calls himself the Seer of London. Nathaniel is confident that Lazarus is nothing but a scam artist ... until he attends a seance and Lazarus gives him the name "Tony" - Nathaniel's beloved gentle merry-hearted partner who died unexpectedly 5 years ago, leaving Nathaniel mired in grief.

Every morning Justin Lazarus awakes - in his own bed, alone and safe - is a luxury. To say he's known hard times is to trivialize his rise from the gutters, solely by the strength of his will and intellect. He's got no sympathy for the gullible sheep who come to him for spiritual guidance "beyond the veil."

Lazarus and Nathaniel despite one another, but their unresolved sexual tension positively electrifies their interactions. And when the men first fuck ("one of the better fucks of the nineteenth century") it's accompanied by endearments such as fraud, prick, bloody liar and "you self-righteous piece of shit."

But soon they are thrust head-first into the Talleyfer inheritance mystery (begun in An Unseen Attraction) and are forced to leave London and hide away in Nathaniel's country estate to escape a truly frightening murderer who cuts off fingers and pulls teeth to get information.

Their interlude away is beautifully nuanced as K.J. Charles slowly reveals Lazarus' background and we begin to see how these two dissimilar men may be perfect for one another. Like its predecessor, An Unnatural Vice solves a bit more of the underlying mystery of the Talleyfer heir, and it appears that the third book in the series (An Unsuitable Heir to be published October 3, 2017) runs concurrently with much of this book.

I think this is the best book of the series so far, I definitely recommend it and can't wait for the final book in the series!

This series just gets better! The book overlaps with books 1, so it is best to read An Unseen Attraction (and that is no hardship).
Nathaniel Roy (one of the men briefly met in book 1), has no love for so-called spiritualists. He crosses paths with Justin Lazarus, a charlatan, and the battle of wits begin.
Even though they start out as adversaries, they have an attraction to each other that develops into something deeper. Along the way they find that they are on the same side, (sort of), of a growing family intrigue involving a lost heir and family secrets. We also get to catch up with Clem, Rowley and the others from Jacks, which is nice.
K.J. Charles creates an authentic Victorian setting for this romantic mystery. The Nathaniel and Justin are not perfect, (although perfect for the story), but they fit well together and they get their HEA.
I highly encourage reading the book because there is no way I can summarise the book and do it justice. It is an excellent read and I am looking forward to the next one!

This is the sequel of An Unseen Attraction and its story takes place overlapping a little bit with its prequel and then it goes further ahead. The mystery, violence and murder theme is still very present; we see Clem still trying to save his boarding house while trying to uncover the truth about his late brother’s heir. There are so many things that need to happen for everything to be finally peaceful. I guess we will still have to wait for the third and last book. I can’t wait to get to know more about that certain character. That was what I call an epic entrance!

I love how this author writes. It’s easy, it traps you, and it treats you well. You get cuddled into the narration and enjoy every single page of it. I really love this Victorian England setting even without the magical component of the Magpie series that I loved with all my heart.

Nathaniel Roy is an ex lawyer now a journalist who wants to expose the lies of all the spiritualists in London. He wants to destroy the Seer of London’s reputation and goes, under a false name, to one of his séances. He doesn’t know what he is in for. That was an amazing spiritual session, with lots of double entendre, and with the sitters hanging from Lazarus’ lips, believing every word he says.

Justin Lazarus is an excellent spiritualist; he certainly is the most expensive and the London’s elites go to him and spend part of their immense patrimony for beautified lies that give them hope. Justin is, against his will, involved in Nathaniel’s search for the lost heir and he may be in more danger that he’s ever been. Justin doesn’t trust easily; he doesn’t seem to trust anyone because he has many secrets and also, I think, because he doesn’t want to get hurt.

Justin and Nathaniel have to work together to help Clem and to help themselves because there is still a murderer at large and it seems he won’t stop at anything to avoid the truth from coming out. Who the hell is this murderer? I want to know. I have an idea but it’s too obvious, it may be wrong. They start on the wrong foot but we see how their relationship evolves and becomes something they can’t deny.

They have many funny moments, steamy moments and hard moments. Both of them have something keeping them from letting go and have a nice life. They will have to make a leap of faith and see what is going to happen if they just get what they want.

I’m repeating myself but after those last chapters, I really can’t wait to read the last book of this trilogy. There are characters I want to know more about and I know, loving the author, that I won’t be disappointed.

I first heard of KJ Charles a few years ago when a friend convinced me to try The Magpie Lord. Never a history fan, I had avoided getting into historicals in the MM genre when I began reading them. But I have to say that from the moment I first met these richly developed characters, I have been a fan. This story does nothing to move me from that opinion. It’s amazing. In fact, with the most unlikely match of characters, the author has completely captured my attention and earned my undying respect for the talent it takes to make a man who should be positively hateful to one who positively begs for love.

That man is spiritualist Justin Lazarus, the so-called Seer of London. To journalist Nathaniel Roy, he’s nothing but the grand master hoax of London, however. Nathaniel sets about to prove him a sham and write a scathing expose of a fraud who would cheat people of their hard-earned money by pretending to speak to the dead. Unfortunately for Nathaniel, the seer brings a message from Nathaniel’s long-dead lover, turning his world topsy turvy and sidetracking his quest for truth when they first meet.

Despite this one step back, Nathaniel remains persistent in proving Justin’s outright duplicity, but it’s not until their paths cross over the search for a missing heir that things get more complicated and unexpected than either man bargained for. The author involves us in the complex mystery in the world of mid-19th century London as both men have to work together to disprove the inheritance claim brought to the Tallyfer estate by Clem Tallyfer’s uncle. Justin is involved due to a visit by a woman seeking her missing children. But when that involvement results in an escape with his life, he knows the only man he can turn to for help is Nathaniel, who then welcomes him with open arms.

While the two work to solve the mystery, they fall in love—something Nathaniel doesn’t want to admit and something Justin refuses to believe he’s worthy of. This is a nail-biting, fast-paced mystery that brings us a very satisfying conclusion for our unlikely set of lovers and leaves enough mystery to be finalized in the next story to pique interest in continuing the series.

There was nothing about this story to dislike and everything to love. It can be read as a standalone, but readers would definitely benefit from reading An Unseen Attraction first.

3.5 stars

This is the second in a trilogy and suffered a bit from Middle Book Syndrome, where a bit of time was spent on catching new readers up on the plot of the first book and a lot of time was spent setting up the grand finale, and our heroes of this book had not enough plot for themselves (and in fact were shuffled off to the country for a few weeks while book 3 plot happened in London).

As always from KJ Charles, stellar on the atmosphere: the tone, the characters, the structure of the series, the goddamn fog all draw you in to the London of Victorian sensational novels (speaking of, loved the hat tips to Lady Audley's Secret and Wilkie Collins). And I loved, like the first book, that one of the MC's professions revolves around the Victorians being really fucking weird about death.

With a journalist out to expose a spiritualist as a fraud working to relieve the grieving of their money we have a classic antagonists-to-lovers set up, which is always a hard sell for me because I feel like it relies too much on instant sexual attraction. I did find both the characters intriguing individually (even if I forget Nathaniel's name the second I put the book down). Nathaniel Roy, the archbishop's son turned athiest still grieving for the death of his lover six years previously, and Justin Lazarus (yes that's his real name), born in a workhouse, apprenticed to a medium after he caught him picking pockets, determined to never have to ask anyone for help because he knows it always comes with strings attached.

Would recommend (Read the first books first, and maybe wait until closer to the book 3 release so you don't have to wait so long to get to the rest of the damn plot)

An exciting, fast-paced historical mystery thriller wrapped around a m/m romance. The setting, in Victorian London's heavy fog, is vividly atmospheric. The characters are unconventional romance heroes (a grieving, crusading journalist and a brilliant, cunning spiritualist), and the way they slowly bridge the gaps between them is fascinating -- like all KJ Charles characters, they are complex, stubborn, and passionate. This is the second in the trilogy, and though the romance story stands alone, the mystery plot leaves numerous dangling threads for the third book to pick up.

Unsurprisingly, given the author's previous works, this is a really good read. The plot is well developed with two themes drawing together around the protagonists. It also allows for effective character exploration and development. There were times when I was worried that the plot would descend into a self-depreciation round, but at each turn the author returns to the plot without becoming maudlin. Self-doubt is a common theme in this book, as it is in many others of this genre, however it is often overdone and I am pleased that this was not the case here. It is also noticeable that the author provided a sufficiently rich plot that it was possible to develop somewhat the secondary characters which made for a better read.

The relationship between the protagonists is handled well with revelation of character aspects drawn out through plot devices. Sex is used at anticipated points and is handled without the need to overuse it as a dramatic ploy.

The ending is positive but is clearly left open for at least one sequel. This is one book that I would happily recommend

I always enjoy novels by KJ Charles. this book is no different incorporating the Victorian love of spiritualists, and an intriguing mystery in addition this being an interesting love story. Nathaniel Roy is a reporter, devastated after the death of his lover he devotes himself to his work and friends. Justin Lazarus is a man whose difficult life has led him to a life of a charlatan, he has established himself as "the seer of London," and in his quest for financial stability he has no time for anyone outside of his small circle. The paths of Nathaniel and Justin cross when Nathaniel seeks to write an expose about Justin and finds himself both attracted to him, and yet also repulsed because of Justin's work. Their paths cross again when a client of Justin's request for him to find her missing children crosses with Nathaniel's quest for a missing heir. They find themselves on the run, and they find themselves coming to terms with their growing attraction for each other. Two people from very different worlds have found their way together and had to find a way to make a relationship work in the midst of danger. I'm enjoying this series very much and this is a fantastic addition.