I didn't know this was a part of trilogy, I will be going on Audible to get the trilogy to listen to. I did enjoy this one even though it did sound more like a stand-alone story.

The conclusion had been building, the frustration was there, and the passion was undeniable. This is one of my favorite authors ever and after setting the stage through the previous stories I was primed for getting to the bottom of it all. I wouldn't exactly say it's okay to be a standalone, mostly for the plot and the machinations that got everyone to this point, but it is a standalone in terms of the MC romantic pairing. Certain things were hinted at in the end of book two, but the actual traction doesn't happen until this story. The ending is well worth all the trouble that surrounded the men and their surrender to their feelings, their passions, and to one another was absolutely worth the ride.

An engaging and emotionally satisfying historical romance. Well drawn characters, vivid setting, and flowing prose make for a novel you don't want to put down.

Yes, I’ve read this book forever ago. Yes, I was too lazy to review it. Yes, it was very good. And if you’re not buying into it just yet, let me just say this one thing: K.J. Charles book “An Unsuitable Heir” (Sins of the Cities 3; B01MZ7SF83; 246p.; Goodreads) has a gender fluid character, and the fact alone could’ve made my day. But good plot harmed no one, ever.

A murderer continues to lurk in London’s toxic fog. Their goal is pretty clear to Mark, who is fully involved in the investigation of Clem’s brother’s death, marriages, and living heirs. The killer is surely after the next in line, and if Mark wasn’t motivated enough by what’s at stake already – Clem’s livelihood, for instance, then the deal was sealed by the heirs themselves. Twins. A male and a female in the most loose sense one can put genders into. Pen being the one murderer would want, with his beautiful long hair, well trained body of a trapeze artist, Mark’s dream, in other words.

Pen has absolutely no wish to be no damned heir. To be one would mean to be part of the gents society: cut your hair, wear a suit, contain yourself in a single shape and form forever now. Behave. His love for Mark is too strong to just toss it all away for a case of gold anyway. But then, if he does choose his freedom and Mark over the earldom, he will betray his sister. Sister, who wishes to stop being a trapeze artists, who wishes a calm and peaceful life, a home, a husband, on whom she already has an eye set.

The book was so very great. And while I’m aware someone gender fluid might not be defined by he/him pronouns, for most of the time Pen did refer to himself in such a manner, so I’ll just hope he wouldn’t mind if he read my review. For this was a fine end to a great series, with people getting what they deserved left and right! 5 out of 5, of course.

I just thought it moved at a really slow pace & I found myself not caring about the mystery. I will try again later as I think it was also a case of The it’s me not you.

Enjoyable conclusion to this really interesting, well researched and atmospheric romance trilogy/murder mystery! The author does a great job with gender fluid/non binary character Pen and their understandable dilemma about being forced into possible earldom and the consequences that would mean for their ability to live their chosen life. The three books together have wonderful worldbuilding and story arc with each having a complete couple romance. Refreshingly different!

Review has been uploaded to Amazon.

An Unsuitable Heir is the third book in a mystery trilogy and, as a result, this book (and review) reveals details that will be spoilers for earlier books. If you are interested in this truly amazing series, definitely start with An Unseen Attraction.

Enquiry agent Mark Braglewicz has been desperately trying to find the missing heir to the recently deceased Earl of Moreton. After a rash of murders, arson, and other attacks, Mark knows it is crucial they find the true heir and bring him to light. Hopefully then the mystery man who is killing to keep the true story quiet will finally stop terrorizing Mark’s friends.

Mark learns the heir is Pen Starling, one of the famous Flying Starlings, a brother/sister trapeze act. Pen is like no one Mark has ever met and he is attracted to him right away. But Pen is very clear that he has no desire whatsoever to become an earl. Pen has days where he feels very much a man, but just as many days where he feels much more like a woman. Being a performer gives him the ability to keep his hair long and wear paint on his face and add feminine touches when he wants. Pen knows that as soon as he would be named Earl of Moreton, he would have to live his life totally as a man, and that is something he can’t even contemplate.

Mark feels for Pen, but he also knows that there is no way to keep this secret, and certainly no way to keep Pen or Mark’s friends safe if they try. They must reveal the truth to the Taillefer family, whether it is what Pen wants or not. Pen feels betrayed, and not sure he can ever forgive Mark for forcing his hand. But the killer is still out there, and when he sets his sights on Pen, only with Mark’s help can they finally figure out who is behind the plot and stop him from killing again.

An Unsuitable Heir is the third book in K.J. Charles’ amazing Sins of the Cities series. These books are absolutely fabulous and each one develops a wonderful relationship. At the same time, they have built upon one another as the mystery of the missing heir, along with the identity of the killer, has grown over the series, culminating in this final book. It has left me totally captivated and this series is surely one of the best I have read all year.

We have been getting little glimmers as to the identity of the missing heir and the connection to the Starlings since the first book, but by the time we start here, Mark and his friends have figured out that Pen is the true Earl of Moreton. They think convincing the family to accept him will be the hard part, but no one is prepared for the fact that Pen himself has no interest in the position. The problem is, if he is truly the heir, he has no legal ability to refuse the title. Pen just wants to ignore it all, continue the life he loves that gives him the flexibility to be himself that he desperately needs. But there is a killer out there and he is closing in and there is just no way this will all go away until Pen reveals himself.

Charles does such a stellar job developing Pen’s character and helping us really see him. There are times he feels like a man, and others like a woman. The idea of being forced to live exclusively and completely as a man is so stifling it makes him physically ill. What makes this story so beautiful is how easily and quickly Mark accepts and loves everything about Pen. Mark is attracted to men, women, and those who don’t identify either way. He makes it clear that he sees Pen for who he really is, that he is attracted to all parts of him, and that he understands what it is like not to conform to society’s expectations. Mark was born with a missing arm, and so while they are not they same issue, Mark knows what is it like when people stare, when they don’t understand, and when they don’t even try.

The romance here is so lovely. These guys just understand one another, they are careful together and listen to each other and make sure to take care of other’s needs. They are sexy and romantic and I just adored the pair of them. Even as Mark makes moves that devastate Pen, we never doubt the depth of his feelings. And when they come together again, we can see how strong they are and that their bond is unbreakable.

As with the other books, this story balances the romance with the suspense end, continuing the mystery started in the first book. While the relationship takes center stage early on, as the book continues we get the thrilling climax to the story as the killer continues his hunt and they must work desperately to figure out who is behind it all and why. The story is exciting and dramatic and really nicely pulls together all the pieces we have been given along the way. I wondered how things could possibly resolve for Pen, even if the murderer was found, and I am so impressed with how Charles crafts this story, pulling it all together and wrapping it up in a way that feels true and perfect for our heroes.

So I can not be enthusiastic enough about this series. I have thoroughly loved every book, and when viewed all together, this is a masterpiece series. I have enjoyed every moment and can highly recommend it.

KJ Charles always knocks their historical romance out of the park. Intriguing characters and plot points, great level of steam.

You know, when I first started this series, I thought it was enjoyable, and I liked it, but it hadn’t grabbed me the way some of this author’s other works had. This last book, however? Wow! I loved this book! Told in the same style with a focus on the mystery rather than the relationship between the main characters, the author put the focus on all the right things and left me almost in awe of how good everything turned out to be.
First, let me just say that anyone looking for a really good book featuring a trans/non-binary main character would be well served taking a good long look at this story. I’ve read other trans stories before but none that really captured the real essence of the character in question, if that makes sense. Pen being trans isn’t something that’s mentioned and/or just glossed over, he just totally owns it; its who he is and despite all the difficulties of the era and his unwanted new found responsibilities, his sense of self doesn’t waver. It was amazing and I loved reading every bit of it! Mark’s easy and open acceptance of Pen was beautiful to see, as well, and these two men together was near perfect; they really did compliment each other wonderfully.
Much like the previous books, this last book in the Sins of the Cities series was story driven with the relationship between Pen and Mark coming in second to the mystery being unraveled. As this had been the norm for the first two stories, I wasn’t expecting any differently and really, the story is so good that, even though I would’ve liked to have seen more together time between Mark and Pen, I wasn’t disappointed in the slightest but what I was given. All my favorite characters make a reappearance in this last book, which was nice, but there were some new ones, like Pen’s sister, Greta, that I was thrilled to make the acquaintance of. It can sometimes be difficult to find a nice, strong female character in m/m stories but Greta was one of a kind and certainly falls within that category; I’m only sorry I didn’t get more time with her before now.
And the ending? So Good! I had no idea what was coming before the author wanted me to and it was worth the wait and the three books worth of frustration with just wanting some answers; seriously, so good. Honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a better ending to this book and the series over all and this was absolutely my favorite book of the three. You do have to read this series in order as all the books build on one another but it was well worth it just for this last story. From the story to the characters themselves, this was a total winner and I highly recommend the entire series to fans of historical stories, mysteries and anyone that’s enjoyed this author previously.

This was the book in the series that I was looking forward to the most and as such I may have had slightly too high expectations. It's a very good story that closes off this trilogy very well, but at the same time, it lack some of the warmth and depth of some of KJC's other works.

It felt like the author was hitting marks to conclude the series rather than truly loving what she was writing. Still, I love Pen and I love Mark and I really loved the found family aspects of this and the entire series.

On the trail of an aristocrat’s secret son, enquiry agent Mark Braglewicz finds his quarry in a music hall, performing as a trapeze artist with his twin sister. Graceful, beautiful, elusive, and strong, Pen Starling is like nobody Mark’s ever met—and everything he’s ever wanted. But the long-haired acrobat has an earldom and a fortune to claim. Pen doesn’t want to live as any sort of man, least of all a nobleman. The thought of being wealthy, titled, and always in the public eye is horrifying. He likes his life now—his days on the trapeze, his nights with Mark. And he won’t be pushed into taking a title that would destroy his soul. But there’s a killer stalking London’s foggy streets, and more lives than just Pen’s are at risk. Mark decides he must force the reluctant heir from music hall to manor house, to save Pen’s neck. Betrayed by the one man he thought he could trust, Pen never wants to see his lover again. But when the killer comes after him, Pen must find a way to forgive—or he might not live long enough for Mark to make amends.
The book was good. I liked both main characters as they went through the story. Both characters were well written. I enjoyed the plot. I recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

*~~*ARC kindly provided to me for an honest review *~~*

- Review to come

Review originally posted on my blog with added content on Mikku-chan / A world full of words

i really enjoyed large parts of this (circus parts, gender spectrum, sexuality spectrum) but then there was the whole murder, evil villains parts. i have not read books 1 and 2 of this series but i was able to pretty much figure out what they would have been about and i don't think it put a damper on my enjoyment of this one.

I absolutely adored this book, which was both a bit of a delightful surprise and the first step in laying a foundation of affection for everything that comes after this!

I greatly admire KJ Charles as an author, and this particular series, I believe, is truly exceptional. The social and cultural issues of the time entwine with a truly beautiful love story. Add to that the intrigue of a killer on the loose, and you’ve definitely got a recipe for success. Love is not always easy, and to love another man during this time in history definitely presents its own special and sometimes dangerous circumstances. I believe this book, and indeed this entire series, to be profound in its heartfelt and intelligent treatment of this difficult subject matter. Love, passion, betrayal, intrigue, societal pressures - all play a part in this truly compelling novel.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book as I do all of KJ Charles books. She never lets me down. Pen is an unusual and unsuitable heir and a hero that I need more of in books. I love seeing this kind of character, especially set in historical periods. Pen's struggle to come to terms with his identity - which he loves (and I love that about him) - but his struggle to balance that with this inheritance is really wonderfully done. Mark is a good character but Pen shines off the page and I wanted to hug him so many times. Definitely recommend this book.I

Well written and an enjoyable story. I really enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more by this author.

Sadly enough I did not connect with these characters nor could I get interested in the plot. DNF at 20%

In 2016, I discovered one of the most brilliant LGBTQ series there is, the Captive Prince by C.S Pacat. Since then, I’ve been looking for the next book that will make the same impact and though I’ve come across unforgettable ones, nothing could still compare to Captive Prince but I’m not one to easily give up. So in my search, I found The Unsuitable Heir in Netgalley and after reading the premise, I thought, this is it.

But one chapter into the story, I was bored as hell and gotten confused with the characters. Essentially, this is not a bad book but I could not feel any sympathy for the main character who struggled outing his sexuality considering the time period. I could not care about the impending doom our characters have to face because of a loose killer. I could not care about the budding romance between the two male protagonists because they’re bland as fuck. I could not care about the supporting characters and their dilemma. I could not care about the setting which in another author’s (I’m sorry okay?) hands might have been lovely. I. Just. Could. Not. Bring. Myself. To. Care. About. This. Book.

So all in all, I’d be wasting both our time if I make this review any longer.

An Unsuitable Heir by K.J. Charles
Book #3: Sins of the City
Source: Netgalley
My Rating: 3/5 stars

Well, here it is, the conclusion of the Sins of the City trilogy and I have long waited for this moment. Unfortunately, it wasn’t all I had hoped it would be once the end came.

For all intents and purposes, I liked every aspect of this book except the male lead, Pen. From the moment the story opens, Pen is a whiny brat who very often thinks of no one other than himself. He doesn’t want to give up being a trapeze artist, he doesn’t want to give up his lifestyle, he doesn’t want to be “out” as it were, and he absolutely doesn’t want a title, land, and the money that comes with it. Please bear in mind, I have no idea what a “real Pen” would be dealing with emotionally and socially in this time and place so my previous assessment is based totally on this one fictional character. . . . .

Moving on . . . . .

Mind you, Pen isn’t your ordinary man, and very often, he feels ill at ease in his own skin, but has found ways to help with the feelings. Pen is absolutely aware his particular proclivities won’t be accepted in “polite” society which makes his hesitancy to accept his title and position even more pronounced. To be forced into a role so watched, so judged would destroy Pen a bit more each day, and with all his being, he wants nothing to do with his family or their damnable title.

As fate would have it, Pen’s family (other than his twin!) doesn’t want him to have the title either, but there doesn’t seem to be any legal way around the issue. In fact, the family lawyer is intent on (dis)proving the claim, setting the whole thing to rights, and continuing his service to the family. Trouble is, there’s a load of proof in Pen’s favor, there’s a killer on the loose intent on killing off the heir, and Pen has recently made the acquaintance of man he could easily fall for. Yeah, there’s really nothing good about the whole hot mess.

The Bottom Line: I enjoyed every aspect of this book except Pen. Talk about a whiny human ☹ The story picks up just where the second left off, with nearly everyone in danger and a mad man on the loose willing to do anything to discredit Pen and his claim to the title. Aside from Pen, every character in this book is so entertaining and interesting. From Pen’s stern, strong twin to Mark with his mouth and rough manner to the completely wretched “proper” family members, everyone is full-bodied and engaging and keeps the story moving along at a fine pace. There is plenty of danger and intrigue to match the characters, and if Pen hadn’t been so selfish and whiny, this would have been the perfect end to a fine trilogy.