Meat Cute

This is a very short story which sits as a sort of bridge between Ms Carriger's Finishing School series and her Parasol Protectorate books.

Fans of both series will know what to expect: espionage, mortal danger, hirsute gentlemen and shockingly poor fashion choices.

Does this story stand on its own? No, it really feels like a bonus scene.

Can it be read as an epilogue to the Finishing School series? Yes, it actually gave me some much welcomed closure on some matters. (I'm a softy when it comes to some characters).

Can it be read as a prelude to [b:Soulless|6381205|Soulless (Parasol Protectorate, #1)|Gail Carriger|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1314020848l/6381205.SY75.jpg|6569140]? Ms Carriger does not recommend it. I would suggest that it would work very well but you really should read the Finishing School series then read this story and then read Soulless. They're all good.

A small warning: My copy came with some extra material: a chapter from another of the author's books. This fooled me into thinking that I had plenty more story to read and I felt a little sad when I turned the page only to realise that I'd probably seen the last of a certain couple.