The Rat-Catcher's Daughter

Between four and five stars. I really loved this romance! I wanted many more pages of these two being adorable, kind, and loving together, but I am a serious devotee of fluff. The story also has a plot, involving violence and crime.

It takes place before the events of Any Old Diamonds and could be read on its own, so it works as a teaser for that book series. My criticism is that Jerry and Templeton got slightly too much page time, in a romance about other characters. But I did really enjoy reading this, and they're all great characters.

A cute little asexual romance between a trans woman music hall singer and a well meaning but awkward fence. A very enjoyable read, though as a trans person myself, I was a bit disappointed by the trans character. Not that there was anything wrong with her characterization per se, just that it lacked a more profound understanding of the trans experience. Miss Christiana felt pretty cookie-cutter, which surprised me since KJ Charles' gay male characters are all so diverse and fleshed out.

The Lilywhite Boys steal the show with their unique brand of horrifying helpfulness. But also interesting to read a KJC story without rip-roaring sex scenes, and kudos to her for writing a “short, dodgy” MC. Bonus points for the blink-and-you'll-miss it appearance of Pen Starling from [b:An Unsuitable Heir 33841918 An Unsuitable Heir (Sins of the Cities, #3) K.J. Charles https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1496756178l/33841918.SY75.jpg 54778128].