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Unfit to Print
When crusading lawyer Vikram Pandey sets out in search of a missing youth, his investigations take him to Holywell Street, London’s most notorious address. He expects to find a disgraceful array of sordid bookshops. He doesn’t expect one of them to be run by the long-lost friend whose disappearance and presumed death he’s been mourning for thirteen years.
Gil Lawless became a Holywell Street bookseller for his own reasons, and he’s damned if he’s going to apologise or listen to moralising from anyone. Not even Vikram; not even if the once-beloved boy has grown into a man who makes his mouth water.
Now the upright lawyer and the illicit bookseller need to work together to track down the missing youth. And on the way, they may even learn if there’s more than just memory and old affection binding them together...
Gil Lawless became a Holywell Street bookseller for his own reasons, and he’s damned if he’s going to apologise or listen to moralising from anyone. Not even Vikram; not even if the once-beloved boy has grown into a man who makes his mouth water.
Now the upright lawyer and the illicit bookseller need to work together to track down the missing youth. And on the way, they may even learn if there’s more than just memory and old affection binding them together...
145 pages, ebook
First published July 10, 2018
123 people are currently reading
2257 people want to read
About the author
K.J. Charles
65 books11.8k followersKJ is a writer of romance, mostly m/m, historical or fantasy or both. She blogs about writing and editing at http://kjcharleswriter.com.
She lives in London, UK, with her husband, two kids, and a cat of absolute night.
Bluesky @kj_charleswriter.com
Join the lively Discord group at https://discord.gg/fmPTWSZfT6
Sign up to the (infrequent) newsletter at http://kjcharleswriter.com/newsletter
Please **do not** message me on Goodreads as I no longer check the inbox due to unwanted messages.
She lives in London, UK, with her husband, two kids, and a cat of absolute night.
Bluesky @kj_charleswriter.com
Join the lively Discord group at https://discord.gg/fmPTWSZfT6
Sign up to the (infrequent) newsletter at http://kjcharleswriter.com/newsletter
Please **do not** message me on Goodreads as I no longer check the inbox due to unwanted messages.
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April 11, 2018This is a long novella (40,000 words) set in 1875, around Holywell Street, the centre of the London filth trade, and by filth I do not mean dustheaps and rubbish collection. Holywell Street and its neighbour Wych Street were where the erotica and porn was written and sold, despite the disapproval of the Society for the Suppression of Vice, and indeed the magistrates.
Gil Lawless is a bookseller and occasional writer there, making a living off smut; Vikram Pandey is an upright lawyer who'd never normally set foot on Holywell Street, until he starts looking for a missing boy. They have nothing in common...except that Gil is Vikram's long-lost and painfully missed best friend, and the unexpected reunion turns both their lives upside down.
I meant to write about the Victorian porn trade several books ago, and it didn't work out, so I was very pleased to put my research to use at last. (Seriously, Victorian pornography is weird. So very, very weird.) I had fun with this story, which contains a few nods to old friends, because why not. Enjoy!
Gil Lawless is a bookseller and occasional writer there, making a living off smut; Vikram Pandey is an upright lawyer who'd never normally set foot on Holywell Street, until he starts looking for a missing boy. They have nothing in common...except that Gil is Vikram's long-lost and painfully missed best friend, and the unexpected reunion turns both their lives upside down.
I meant to write about the Victorian porn trade several books ago, and it didn't work out, so I was very pleased to put my research to use at last. (Seriously, Victorian pornography is weird. So very, very weird.) I had fun with this story, which contains a few nods to old friends, because why not. Enjoy!
June 30, 2021
Audiobook and Story - 4.5 stars
When it comes to MM Historical, KJC will forever be ahead of the class.
I am not though. 😁😁😎
This short story was perfection. Only 4 hours 32 minutes of perfection.
Where is the rest? Gaaah!!
All in all:
- The writing - Perfection😎
-The characters plus chemistry, Vik and Gil - Double Perfection🤩🥰🥰
-Opposites attracts done right? - Perfection. 😍😍
-Diversity - I love to see it. Both POC MCs. I don't think I have encountered an Indian MC in my MM read quest. 😟 Me love it. 🤩😍
- Audiobook - Vikas Adam! Gaaah!!! Perfect choice.
- The mystery was interesting.
- We have a territorial black cat named Satan, who may or may not be Gil's Cat. Just know Satan loves to stretch on Vik's lap. I dare you to disturb his peace! 🤣
Disclaimer! This gif is not a close representation of Satan. But the kitten is cute. 😍😍
Overall, I had so much fun with this shorty.
Oh and Gil is the owner of a Bookstore that sells Pornographic, hot photos and books that are unfit to print. Damn! That rhymes. 😍🤣🤣 I say hot because the descriptions would put Michael Stokes photos to shame. The fact that it was illegal and done on the down low? Double GAAAAHH!! Yeah! I am weird. But... It is more fun when it is illegal and taboo.
When it comes to MM Historical, KJC will forever be ahead of the class.
I am not though. 😁😁😎
This short story was perfection. Only 4 hours 32 minutes of perfection.
Where is the rest? Gaaah!!
All in all:
- The writing - Perfection😎
-The characters plus chemistry, Vik and Gil - Double Perfection🤩🥰🥰
-Opposites attracts done right? - Perfection. 😍😍
-Diversity - I love to see it. Both POC MCs. I don't think I have encountered an Indian MC in my MM read quest. 😟 Me love it. 🤩😍
- Audiobook - Vikas Adam! Gaaah!!! Perfect choice.
- The mystery was interesting.
- We have a territorial black cat named Satan, who may or may not be Gil's Cat. Just know Satan loves to stretch on Vik's lap. I dare you to disturb his peace! 🤣
Disclaimer! This gif is not a close representation of Satan. But the kitten is cute. 😍😍
Overall, I had so much fun with this shorty.
Oh and Gil is the owner of a Bookstore that sells Pornographic, hot photos and books that are unfit to print. Damn! That rhymes. 😍🤣🤣 I say hot because the descriptions would put Michael Stokes photos to shame. The fact that it was illegal and done on the down low? Double GAAAAHH!! Yeah! I am weird. But... It is more fun when it is illegal and taboo.
April 8, 2021
Why tf would the author solve the main mystery off page tho....
July 31, 2018
In a nutshell: brilliant writing as per usual for K.J. Charles, a second-chance romance, and a rather interesting mystery culminating in a HFN.
I love diversity in romance novels and was happy to read about two MCs who weren't cookie-cutter white boys.
I wanted more closure, but the story was well rounded for a novella.
My rating: closer to 3.5 stars; not my favorite work of this author's by a long shot, but a fairly satisfying read.
I love diversity in romance novels and was happy to read about two MCs who weren't cookie-cutter white boys.
I wanted more closure, but the story was well rounded for a novella.
My rating: closer to 3.5 stars; not my favorite work of this author's by a long shot, but a fairly satisfying read.
May 12, 2024
I’ve read an embarrassment of riches lately, lots of good ones. But this one had something that the others didn’t, not to this degree. It made me outright cackle many times in its short length.
A damn lot of skill and intelligence goes into writing humorously like this. Not like a stand-up comedy type of thing, but rather... exposition and inner monologue presented in a way that makes you chuckle. Dialogue that has those everyday witty comebacks that we take for granted when we’re with our friends, but that rarely come across fluidly in books.
That humor was one of the things that made Gil, Vikram, and their story seem so real. Not only were their personalities, strengths and flaws, etc. well illustrated, but they thought and spoke not like narrated fictional characters, but like actual people I know. (Well, with allowances made for the century-and-a-half time difference.)
One other thing I loved was how the author incorporated sexiness without too many full-on sex scenes that would have been overload. There was some on-page sex, but beyond that she referenced it, flashed back to it, a few hot lines without all the full details. The first time I realized she was doing this, I felt straight up robbed lol. But as I continued, I realized the brilliance of it. The few unsubtle phrases were even hotter than an entire scene would have been. It was a perfect balance.
This was my first dip into KJC (any M/M historical, actually), so I’m not sure if these elements are typical of her writing, but I REALLY hope so. I’m sure I’ll find out, very soon.
4.5 stars
A damn lot of skill and intelligence goes into writing humorously like this. Not like a stand-up comedy type of thing, but rather... exposition and inner monologue presented in a way that makes you chuckle. Dialogue that has those everyday witty comebacks that we take for granted when we’re with our friends, but that rarely come across fluidly in books.
That humor was one of the things that made Gil, Vikram, and their story seem so real. Not only were their personalities, strengths and flaws, etc. well illustrated, but they thought and spoke not like narrated fictional characters, but like actual people I know. (Well, with allowances made for the century-and-a-half time difference.)
One other thing I loved was how the author incorporated sexiness without too many full-on sex scenes that would have been overload. There was some on-page sex, but beyond that she referenced it, flashed back to it, a few hot lines without all the full details. The first time I realized she was doing this, I felt straight up robbed lol. But as I continued, I realized the brilliance of it. The few unsubtle phrases were even hotter than an entire scene would have been. It was a perfect balance.
This was my first dip into KJC (any M/M historical, actually), so I’m not sure if these elements are typical of her writing, but I REALLY hope so. I’m sure I’ll find out, very soon.
4.5 stars
July 5, 2021
”Gil would be well advised to keep within safe bounds. The last thing he needed was a moralising lawyer in his life, even one with thighs and eyes like those.”
Dialogue like that is what keeps me a slave to KJ Charles. If she writes it, I’ll read it. I’m so happy I still have so many books of hers to discover.
I don’t got a lot in me right now, review wise, after Redirection. I could promise that I’ll come back and write more later but that would probably be a lie.
So I’ll just say that KJ, not surprisingly, did a darn good job. I would have liked it to be longer sure. It felt a tad insta because of its length which is weird for her. And, I didn’t get nearly as much time as I would have liked with Gil and Vik. I’m greedy. So sue me. 🤣
But for being such a short story, it packed quite the punch. And for such a dark subject, it felt surprisingly light. Something I desperately needed after Ashe. As far as steam goes, it was fairly low but still satisfying.
There you have it. Thanks Shile for making me get to this sooner rather than later. I got it from the Christmas book exchange and it has been patiently waiting for me ever since. Also thanks to whoever gifted this to me. My goldfish memory can’t remember.
Dialogue like that is what keeps me a slave to KJ Charles. If she writes it, I’ll read it. I’m so happy I still have so many books of hers to discover.
I don’t got a lot in me right now, review wise, after Redirection. I could promise that I’ll come back and write more later but that would probably be a lie.
So I’ll just say that KJ, not surprisingly, did a darn good job. I would have liked it to be longer sure. It felt a tad insta because of its length which is weird for her. And, I didn’t get nearly as much time as I would have liked with Gil and Vik. I’m greedy. So sue me. 🤣
But for being such a short story, it packed quite the punch. And for such a dark subject, it felt surprisingly light. Something I desperately needed after Ashe. As far as steam goes, it was fairly low but still satisfying.
There you have it. Thanks Shile for making me get to this sooner rather than later. I got it from the Christmas book exchange and it has been patiently waiting for me ever since. Also thanks to whoever gifted this to me. My goldfish memory can’t remember.
March 23, 2020
Second chance romance between two men of color in Victorian London. It did not disappoint though it's somewhat quieter than many of K.J. Charles' novels. I liked that about it.
Vikram Pandey is an uptight lawyer. Gilbert Lawless is bookseller who handles pornography. They were childhood best friends who started falling in love/lust until Gilbert - the biracial Black illegitimate son of a rich man - disappeared without notice from their boarding school. They meet again as Vikram investigates the disappearance of a young man from his Indian-British immigrant community. The attraction is still there, but Gilbert resents Vikram's naivete and perceived abandonment, and Vikram struggles to clarify for himself whether his sense of morality and justice can square with Gilbert's profession. There's some investigating, some arguing, some reconnecting, and I enjoyed every bit of this.
Vikram Pandey is an uptight lawyer. Gilbert Lawless is bookseller who handles pornography. They were childhood best friends who started falling in love/lust until Gilbert - the biracial Black illegitimate son of a rich man - disappeared without notice from their boarding school. They meet again as Vikram investigates the disappearance of a young man from his Indian-British immigrant community. The attraction is still there, but Gilbert resents Vikram's naivete and perceived abandonment, and Vikram struggles to clarify for himself whether his sense of morality and justice can square with Gilbert's profession. There's some investigating, some arguing, some reconnecting, and I enjoyed every bit of this.
September 28, 2018
One of the benefits of having a favorite author from whom I can preorder books is that by the time the book comes out, I've forgotten what it's supposed to be about.
So I read this without remembering anything about the blurb -- except, maybe, dirty books? And in that blessed state of ignorance, there was a perfect turn to the story, at about 20%, that literally gave me goosebumps. Familiarity with the blurb would have denied me that awesome moment.
While I don't love all of KJC's books (none of my favorite authors have a 100% success rate with me, and I don't believe that's possible, so not an issue), what I can count on from her is an understanding of the human psyche that inevitably gives me a deep, gut-level recognition of myself in her characters. And so I find myself identifying with characters who couldn't seem more different from me in their external circumstances... but whom I find profoundly relatable in their inner workings.
I've come to think of this as "truth in fiction." The truth beneath the story mechanics -- the truth of how people are, how they think and feel, how they process the wrongs done to them, how they remake themselves in the aftermath of emotional devastation. This is where KJC shines. What actually happens in the story always turns out to be of secondary interest to me.
Which, I realize, doesn't result in a meaningful review of this specific book. Well. Sorry. I think I lost my ability to review her books last year, when I read An Unnatural Vice and it resonated with me in so many ways, such intensely personal ways, that objectivity was never within the realm of possibility. I'm afraid that from this point out, anything I have to say about her books will read more like a journal entry than a book review.
So I read this without remembering anything about the blurb -- except, maybe, dirty books? And in that blessed state of ignorance, there was a perfect turn to the story, at about 20%, that literally gave me goosebumps. Familiarity with the blurb would have denied me that awesome moment.
While I don't love all of KJC's books (none of my favorite authors have a 100% success rate with me, and I don't believe that's possible, so not an issue), what I can count on from her is an understanding of the human psyche that inevitably gives me a deep, gut-level recognition of myself in her characters. And so I find myself identifying with characters who couldn't seem more different from me in their external circumstances... but whom I find profoundly relatable in their inner workings.
I've come to think of this as "truth in fiction." The truth beneath the story mechanics -- the truth of how people are, how they think and feel, how they process the wrongs done to them, how they remake themselves in the aftermath of emotional devastation. This is where KJC shines. What actually happens in the story always turns out to be of secondary interest to me.
Which, I realize, doesn't result in a meaningful review of this specific book. Well. Sorry. I think I lost my ability to review her books last year, when I read An Unnatural Vice and it resonated with me in so many ways, such intensely personal ways, that objectivity was never within the realm of possibility. I'm afraid that from this point out, anything I have to say about her books will read more like a journal entry than a book review.
October 16, 2019
4.5 stars
K.J. Charles hits the mark again, with great characters, an original subject, humor, and a cat named Satan. My only complaint is the length, I could’ve kept reading about Gil and Vikram a lot longer.
K.J. Charles hits the mark again, with great characters, an original subject, humor, and a cat named Satan. My only complaint is the length, I could’ve kept reading about Gil and Vikram a lot longer.
July 30, 2018
2.5 stars
Kudos to Lost in a Book and I for actually starting and finishing a BR around the same time for once.
I'm a big fan of KJ Charles. She's my go-to author for MM historical romance. And I'm incredibly happy that she shows an often unseen side of Regency/Victorian Britain - regular non-aristocratic people of colour.
Unfortunately, 'Unfit to Print' didn't quite live up to my expectations.
I loved Gil. He's unapologetic and brash. But Vik got on my nerves pretty quickly. He's judgmental and just so repressed. Plus, his sense of entitlement to Gil's time and help just didn't sit right with me.
The romance was alright. A lot of it hinges on Vik and Gil's past friendship as schoolboys, which we don't see play out on page. I felt like there was a lot of telling, as opposed to showing.
But lack of relationship development aside, I still thought the two were sweet together. And the mystery angle was entertaining. The ending was nice, though I'd say more of a strong HFN than a happy ever after.
Had we gotten more of Gil and Vik's relationship - past and present - I think this would have been a much more enjoyable read.
Kudos to Lost in a Book and I for actually starting and finishing a BR around the same time for once.
I'm a big fan of KJ Charles. She's my go-to author for MM historical romance. And I'm incredibly happy that she shows an often unseen side of Regency/Victorian Britain - regular non-aristocratic people of colour.
Unfortunately, 'Unfit to Print' didn't quite live up to my expectations.
I loved Gil. He's unapologetic and brash. But Vik got on my nerves pretty quickly. He's judgmental and just so repressed. Plus, his sense of entitlement to Gil's time and help just didn't sit right with me.
The romance was alright. A lot of it hinges on Vik and Gil's past friendship as schoolboys, which we don't see play out on page. I felt like there was a lot of telling, as opposed to showing.
But lack of relationship development aside, I still thought the two were sweet together. And the mystery angle was entertaining. The ending was nice, though I'd say more of a strong HFN than a happy ever after.
Had we gotten more of Gil and Vik's relationship - past and present - I think this would have been a much more enjoyable read.
March 1, 2023
Another lovely historical romance from KJ Charles! ❤️❤️❤️
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September 18, 2019
I absolutely adored this story, and reminded of how much I enjoy KJ Charles' writing.
Two private school mates from minority backgrounds reconnect after 13 years apart. They were best friends back then, and strangers but still familiar to each other when they unexpectedly meet again. The two work together to find a missing adolescent, and the friendship springs back to life and the buried attraction isn't far behind. It's not all roses, they both have some issues between them to work through as well.
I loved the Victorian time period feeling, how the writing made me feel I was right there on the filthy cobbled streets and in the dusty book shops. I loved the two main characters as well, how different types of men they had grown up to be, and how well they still fit together as friends. The missing person storyline was the driver of the second chance romance, not at the forefront, which was exactly the right balance I enjoy in a romance novel.
Two private school mates from minority backgrounds reconnect after 13 years apart. They were best friends back then, and strangers but still familiar to each other when they unexpectedly meet again. The two work together to find a missing adolescent, and the friendship springs back to life and the buried attraction isn't far behind. It's not all roses, they both have some issues between them to work through as well.
I loved the Victorian time period feeling, how the writing made me feel I was right there on the filthy cobbled streets and in the dusty book shops. I loved the two main characters as well, how different types of men they had grown up to be, and how well they still fit together as friends. The missing person storyline was the driver of the second chance romance, not at the forefront, which was exactly the right balance I enjoy in a romance novel.
April 30, 2018
”You’ve really got a problem with the pictures?”This novella is, to borrow a phrase from the vernacular, supes adorbs. Vikram is a repressed, do-gooding solicitor; Gil is a seller and author of dirty books who’s never met a diem he didn’t carpe. They haven’t seen each other for years, until (very movie trailer voice) one day... the last person Gil expects to see walking into his shop... may be the only customer he needs.
“Of course I do,” Vikram snapped. “They’re illegal, immoral, and obscene.”
“Right, but what’s bad about them?”
Look there is a reason no one hires me to blurb books but this is a very enjoyable read. I particularly appreciated the way Vikram’s and Gil’s relationship develops over the course of the story - it’s not a long book but there is real development there. Also Satan the cat is an excellent supporting character.
October 17, 2019
Loved this! It's a pity it was so short, I would have loved to spent some more time with Vik and Gil. I think there were some aspect that could have been explored that would add a few wonderful pages taking into consideration how talented this author is. This is one of the rare occasions I didn't mind the mystery was accesory, and knowing me, that's saying a lot.
Thank you Ele for pointing me in this direccion in my hard time, for discovering K.J. Charles to me and for the awesome BR!
I only have another thing to add, Satan and his cattitude makes Coco looks like an angel!
Thank you Ele for pointing me in this direccion in my hard time, for discovering K.J. Charles to me and for the awesome BR!
I only have another thing to add, Satan and his cattitude makes Coco looks like an angel!
August 26, 2022
Read- Dec 2021
Reread- Aug 2022
No, I am sure I have re-read it before, more than once but this time I dare to update. I know I feel pathetic because I love re-reading everything by K J Charles (Except one book). But, this one still remains my fav novella from her. Every time I read it, I feel I need more of Gill, Vic and Satan the cat.😊😊
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a delectable second-chance romance between the two POC who were former school friends. This does not turn out to be my favourite KJ Charles book but it has all the ingredients in less than 150 pages.
1.MCs from different classes and with completely different belief systems. They are a classic case of opposite attracts.
2. Social divide as the side plot.
3. Angsty, hot sizzling chemistry between MCs.
What I got more -
1. A whole lot of information about pornography in Victorian England. (Our MC, Gill is an author and bookseller of books that are unfit to print).
2. A cat named ' Satan', who will molest you if, you try to remove him from your lap.😂😂😂
Oops!! Did I mention I loved the narration by Vikas Adam? 😊😊
Reread- Aug 2022
No, I am sure I have re-read it before, more than once but this time I dare to update. I know I feel pathetic because I love re-reading everything by K J Charles (Except one book). But, this one still remains my fav novella from her. Every time I read it, I feel I need more of Gill, Vic and Satan the cat.😊😊
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a delectable second-chance romance between the two POC who were former school friends. This does not turn out to be my favourite KJ Charles book but it has all the ingredients in less than 150 pages.
1.MCs from different classes and with completely different belief systems. They are a classic case of opposite attracts.
2. Social divide as the side plot.
3. Angsty, hot sizzling chemistry between MCs.
What I got more -
1. A whole lot of information about pornography in Victorian England. (Our MC, Gill is an author and bookseller of books that are unfit to print).
2. A cat named ' Satan', who will molest you if, you try to remove him from your lap.😂😂😂
Oops!! Did I mention I loved the narration by Vikas Adam? 😊😊
November 4, 2018
There were so many classic KJC elements in UNFIT TO PRINT and it reminded me of a few other her other novellas (the Rag and Bone books specifically, minus the paranormal aspects of course) but also.. better. The humour was definitely on point for this one and the diversity and representation is top notch, as we've come to expect from this fabulous author. But it was also just fun. I've not read many HR novels as of late and this was not only a delight in the sense that I, as a reader, could dive into an offering from a favourite author but also reconnect, and re-love, the genre, too.
Definitely recommend.
Definitely recommend.
July 4, 2018
Thank you very much to KJ Charles for providing a copy of her novel in exchange for an honest review.
I didn’t realise how much I needed a romance novella about Victorian pornography until I was reading one.
Unfit to Print, KJ Charles’ newest novella, features a crusading Indian lawyer, fighting for the rights of Indian people who were taken advantage of by the British; and a nonchalant pornographic bookseller, who, after being abandoned by his family in his teens, doesn’t allow himself to get close to anyone anymore.
My only complaint about this novella is that I wish it were longer! I kid, everything was wonderful, primarily the loveable characters, Vikram and Gil. Gil, the half-Black illegitimate son of an aristocrat, is one of those characters who is hard on the outside, but tender on the inside. I know I made it sound like he’s a biscuit or something, but what I meant to say is that he’s actually a soft cinnamon roll who hardens and protects himself from being disappointed by people because of what his family put him through. He’s self-serving — at least he tries to come across that way — but he still has a soft spot for Vikram.
Vikram is uptight and very ethical, living his life to the rigid structures of what he believes is morally right and wrong. Vikram’s life is focused solely on his work – he represses all feeling, and doesn’t have any friends. And Reader, I just wanted to hug him. Vikram had lived quite a privileged life – in that he grew up wealthy (he’s distantly related to Indian princes!) and has never had to worry about finding a meal – although he has struggled throughout his life due to the colour of his skin. Then, during an investigation, Vikram finds Gil, his former best friend and someone Vikram had thought was dead for thirteen years.
The setting of Unfit to Print is so interesting! For someone who is as obsessed with British history as I am, I can’t believe I’ve never thought about the seedy underbelly of English life before: the myriad of streets and businesses dedicated to disreputable things. I’m talking about porn, friends! Gil is a purveyor of erotic novels: he both sells and writes pornographic novels, and sometimes he even sells photographs. These smutty books and photos don’t discriminate, either: they feature people of all sexual orientations and races. Surprisingly diverse, but then again, Victorian England was incredibly diverse … although only a few Romance writers ever portray history as such. (I digress.)
Unfit to Print is written beautifully – there was just enough historical English phrases to place this book in the Victorian age, while catering to its modern reader. Which is something KJ does — and has always done — so well. The plot was perfectly paced: we have the issue of the missing boy mixed in with the pleasurable suspense of Gil and Vikram finding each other again, and learning about their personal history. It’s a fun and entertaining ride that you just can’t miss out on!
If you’re looking for a diverse Romance read, with incredible characters and a moving romance, then look no further than Unfit to Print! Available July 10!
I didn’t realise how much I needed a romance novella about Victorian pornography until I was reading one.
Unfit to Print, KJ Charles’ newest novella, features a crusading Indian lawyer, fighting for the rights of Indian people who were taken advantage of by the British; and a nonchalant pornographic bookseller, who, after being abandoned by his family in his teens, doesn’t allow himself to get close to anyone anymore.
My only complaint about this novella is that I wish it were longer! I kid, everything was wonderful, primarily the loveable characters, Vikram and Gil. Gil, the half-Black illegitimate son of an aristocrat, is one of those characters who is hard on the outside, but tender on the inside. I know I made it sound like he’s a biscuit or something, but what I meant to say is that he’s actually a soft cinnamon roll who hardens and protects himself from being disappointed by people because of what his family put him through. He’s self-serving — at least he tries to come across that way — but he still has a soft spot for Vikram.
Vikram is uptight and very ethical, living his life to the rigid structures of what he believes is morally right and wrong. Vikram’s life is focused solely on his work – he represses all feeling, and doesn’t have any friends. And Reader, I just wanted to hug him. Vikram had lived quite a privileged life – in that he grew up wealthy (he’s distantly related to Indian princes!) and has never had to worry about finding a meal – although he has struggled throughout his life due to the colour of his skin. Then, during an investigation, Vikram finds Gil, his former best friend and someone Vikram had thought was dead for thirteen years.
The setting of Unfit to Print is so interesting! For someone who is as obsessed with British history as I am, I can’t believe I’ve never thought about the seedy underbelly of English life before: the myriad of streets and businesses dedicated to disreputable things. I’m talking about porn, friends! Gil is a purveyor of erotic novels: he both sells and writes pornographic novels, and sometimes he even sells photographs. These smutty books and photos don’t discriminate, either: they feature people of all sexual orientations and races. Surprisingly diverse, but then again, Victorian England was incredibly diverse … although only a few Romance writers ever portray history as such. (I digress.)
Unfit to Print is written beautifully – there was just enough historical English phrases to place this book in the Victorian age, while catering to its modern reader. Which is something KJ does — and has always done — so well. The plot was perfectly paced: we have the issue of the missing boy mixed in with the pleasurable suspense of Gil and Vikram finding each other again, and learning about their personal history. It’s a fun and entertaining ride that you just can’t miss out on!
If you’re looking for a diverse Romance read, with incredible characters and a moving romance, then look no further than Unfit to Print! Available July 10!
September 5, 2018
I've given this an A- at AAR, so that's 4.5 stars rounded up.
K.J. Charles always finds fresh, new angles to pursue in her stories and peoples them with characters in unusual walks of life - and her new novella, Unfit to Print, is no exception. Set in late Victorian London, one of the protagonists is a purveyor of naughty books and has a shop in Holywell Street, which was, at that time, the centre of London’s porn trade; while the other is a somewhat uptight lawyer who views the whole business with a degree of distaste. The novella boasts a mystery to be solved, a relationship to be rekindled and a mountain of filth to be shifted, and all of it is deftly and expertly done in well under two hundred pages.
Vikram Pandey and Gilbert Lawless are from minority – albeit fairly well-do-do – backgrounds, and met at boarding school several years before the story opens. Vik’s father had been a high-ranking government official in India, while Gil is the result of a liaison between a black housemaid and a wealthy gentleman who publicly acknowledged him, paid for his education and treated him as a son. Gil and Vik bonded at school and became the best of friends in spite of the fundamental differences in their natures, Gil seeming never to have a care in the world while Vik was always a little uptight and reserved. But one day when they were sixteen, both their lives were upended when Gil disappeared without warning or a word to anyone. Vik was devastated, but his enquiries at school were always met with stony silence and disapproval, and eventually he stopped asking about or looking for Gil, believing him to be dead. He must be, or surely he’d have got word to Vik somehow, to tell him what happened.
In fact, Gil was removed from school and pretty much cast onto the streets on the day his father died and his uncle inherited the estate. Gil begged and scraped a living and now runs a small bookshop on Holywell Street near the Strand which, at that time, contained the largest concentration of porn shops in England. Gilbert Lawless, Bookseller is Gil’s two-fingered-salute to the uncle who, he later learned, cheated him out of his father’s last bequest, and to the “kind of respectability that means keeping other people in line while you do as you please.”
He is surprised when his cousin Percy asks him to attend Matthew Lawes’ funeral – and not at all surprised when he discovers there was an ulterior motive for inviting him. It seems his uncle was a connoisseur of pornography of all sorts, and faced with a massive library of books and photographs which could cause the family huge embarrassment, (not to mention large fines and possible imprisonment!) they want Gil to take it all away and dispose of it. Gil isn’t interested in most of it, but some of the books – one of them particularly rare – catch his eye, so he decides he might as well get what he can out of it, and agrees to have the lot transported to his shop. It’s when he’s looking through some of the photographs that he recognises the likeness of a young lad – a rent boy - named Errol, who was found dead in a local alley just three weeks earlier.
Vik is now a solicitor who divides his time between paying clients and Pro Bono work for the poor Indian workers barely ekeing out an existence in the East End. He is asked one day to visit the Gupta family in Shad Thames (the area of London around Tower Bridge), who are worried about their sixteen-year-old son, Sunil, who has disappeared. Vik realises the young man has most likely been selling himself in order to make money for his family, and, recalling his own distress at the disappearance of his dearest friend so many years ago, says that he will do his best to help.
Sunil left his family a framed, obviously professionally-taken photograph, so Vik decides to start at the photographers – which is based in Holywell Street. He knows perfectly well the sort of trade for which the street is renowned, and unsurprisingly, the shopkeepers – all of whom could face indecency charges should they utter the wrong word in the wrong place – are reluctant to say anything to a well-dressed, well-spoken man asking questions. Vik has just left his latest dead end when he finds himself standing in front of the shop sign for Gilbert Lawless, Bookseller – and can’t believe his eyes.
The longed-for reunion is awkward and somewhat stilted at first, on Vik’s part at least, because Gil is as breezily open and friendly as he ever was. Gil is at a bit of a loss to understand his old friend’s bitterness, and the way these two former friends gradually re-forge their friendship and come to an understanding of how they’ve changed and how – and if – they can fit together now as they once did is poignant and very well done. Also well done is the background to the story; observations and discussions about the sex trade in Victorian times are pertinent and never preachy or dull, and also shed light on the personalities of both protagonists as they reconnect and begin to re-evaluate things they thought they knew about themselves and each other.
Even though this is a novella, the relationship between Gil and Vik doesn’t feel rushed, mostly, I suspect, because the author does such a good job of conveying the depth of the bond that developed between them as boys, meaning that what transpires between them in the story ‘proper’ is completely believable as an extension of that connection. The mystery plot reaches a dramatic resolution – perhaps a little quickly, but that’s not something that worried me overmuch. So many novellas try to do too much in too little space, but Ms. Charles gets it just right, keeping the focus of the story firmly on the love story while bringing the plot to a satisfying conclusion.
Unfit to Print is a uniquely entertaining and layered tale that’s bursting at the seams with humour, tenderness and period detail of the sort not found in many (if any!) historical romances. Fans of the author are going to need no persuasion to one-click, and if you’ve never read her before, this expertly crafted and immensely satisfying read would be a great place to start.
K.J. Charles always finds fresh, new angles to pursue in her stories and peoples them with characters in unusual walks of life - and her new novella, Unfit to Print, is no exception. Set in late Victorian London, one of the protagonists is a purveyor of naughty books and has a shop in Holywell Street, which was, at that time, the centre of London’s porn trade; while the other is a somewhat uptight lawyer who views the whole business with a degree of distaste. The novella boasts a mystery to be solved, a relationship to be rekindled and a mountain of filth to be shifted, and all of it is deftly and expertly done in well under two hundred pages.
Vikram Pandey and Gilbert Lawless are from minority – albeit fairly well-do-do – backgrounds, and met at boarding school several years before the story opens. Vik’s father had been a high-ranking government official in India, while Gil is the result of a liaison between a black housemaid and a wealthy gentleman who publicly acknowledged him, paid for his education and treated him as a son. Gil and Vik bonded at school and became the best of friends in spite of the fundamental differences in their natures, Gil seeming never to have a care in the world while Vik was always a little uptight and reserved. But one day when they were sixteen, both their lives were upended when Gil disappeared without warning or a word to anyone. Vik was devastated, but his enquiries at school were always met with stony silence and disapproval, and eventually he stopped asking about or looking for Gil, believing him to be dead. He must be, or surely he’d have got word to Vik somehow, to tell him what happened.
In fact, Gil was removed from school and pretty much cast onto the streets on the day his father died and his uncle inherited the estate. Gil begged and scraped a living and now runs a small bookshop on Holywell Street near the Strand which, at that time, contained the largest concentration of porn shops in England. Gilbert Lawless, Bookseller is Gil’s two-fingered-salute to the uncle who, he later learned, cheated him out of his father’s last bequest, and to the “kind of respectability that means keeping other people in line while you do as you please.”
He is surprised when his cousin Percy asks him to attend Matthew Lawes’ funeral – and not at all surprised when he discovers there was an ulterior motive for inviting him. It seems his uncle was a connoisseur of pornography of all sorts, and faced with a massive library of books and photographs which could cause the family huge embarrassment, (not to mention large fines and possible imprisonment!) they want Gil to take it all away and dispose of it. Gil isn’t interested in most of it, but some of the books – one of them particularly rare – catch his eye, so he decides he might as well get what he can out of it, and agrees to have the lot transported to his shop. It’s when he’s looking through some of the photographs that he recognises the likeness of a young lad – a rent boy - named Errol, who was found dead in a local alley just three weeks earlier.
Vik is now a solicitor who divides his time between paying clients and Pro Bono work for the poor Indian workers barely ekeing out an existence in the East End. He is asked one day to visit the Gupta family in Shad Thames (the area of London around Tower Bridge), who are worried about their sixteen-year-old son, Sunil, who has disappeared. Vik realises the young man has most likely been selling himself in order to make money for his family, and, recalling his own distress at the disappearance of his dearest friend so many years ago, says that he will do his best to help.
Sunil left his family a framed, obviously professionally-taken photograph, so Vik decides to start at the photographers – which is based in Holywell Street. He knows perfectly well the sort of trade for which the street is renowned, and unsurprisingly, the shopkeepers – all of whom could face indecency charges should they utter the wrong word in the wrong place – are reluctant to say anything to a well-dressed, well-spoken man asking questions. Vik has just left his latest dead end when he finds himself standing in front of the shop sign for Gilbert Lawless, Bookseller – and can’t believe his eyes.
The longed-for reunion is awkward and somewhat stilted at first, on Vik’s part at least, because Gil is as breezily open and friendly as he ever was. Gil is at a bit of a loss to understand his old friend’s bitterness, and the way these two former friends gradually re-forge their friendship and come to an understanding of how they’ve changed and how – and if – they can fit together now as they once did is poignant and very well done. Also well done is the background to the story; observations and discussions about the sex trade in Victorian times are pertinent and never preachy or dull, and also shed light on the personalities of both protagonists as they reconnect and begin to re-evaluate things they thought they knew about themselves and each other.
Even though this is a novella, the relationship between Gil and Vik doesn’t feel rushed, mostly, I suspect, because the author does such a good job of conveying the depth of the bond that developed between them as boys, meaning that what transpires between them in the story ‘proper’ is completely believable as an extension of that connection. The mystery plot reaches a dramatic resolution – perhaps a little quickly, but that’s not something that worried me overmuch. So many novellas try to do too much in too little space, but Ms. Charles gets it just right, keeping the focus of the story firmly on the love story while bringing the plot to a satisfying conclusion.
Unfit to Print is a uniquely entertaining and layered tale that’s bursting at the seams with humour, tenderness and period detail of the sort not found in many (if any!) historical romances. Fans of the author are going to need no persuasion to one-click, and if you’ve never read her before, this expertly crafted and immensely satisfying read would be a great place to start.
June 10, 2020
I come to K.J. Charles sideways; I read her review of a book I liked last year, The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics, and her critiques were very focused on the aspects of the time period that the author didn't quite get right. It made me curious about her work. I also knew she mostly writes M/M romance, which I haven't read a lot of, so I've had her on my list to try. I found the audiobook for this book in Hoopla and listened to it off and on.
Look, historical anything just isn't really my style although I keep trying. But if it is your thing, I am certain you will appreciate Charles' attention to detail and accuracy. I feel like people who like Sarah Waters might be the right readers for Charles.
This story is about classmates and lovers who find each other again as adults, when one is running a book store that sells smut. As they rekindle their romance more of the story is filled in about why he left to start with. They are adult humans who know how to speak directly and honestly about feelings, so that's not the barrier in this romance.
Look, historical anything just isn't really my style although I keep trying. But if it is your thing, I am certain you will appreciate Charles' attention to detail and accuracy. I feel like people who like Sarah Waters might be the right readers for Charles.
This story is about classmates and lovers who find each other again as adults, when one is running a book store that sells smut. As they rekindle their romance more of the story is filled in about why he left to start with. They are adult humans who know how to speak directly and honestly about feelings, so that's not the barrier in this romance.
June 11, 2018
Unfortunately, Victorian pornography wasn't covered in our university's curriculum, something which I consider to be a bit of a letdown. On the other hand, it didn't cover pulps, Sherlock Holmes, or Mayhew's "London Labour and the London Poor", either, so I consider my education to be comprehensively disappointing, especially since I'm a geek and I want to know *everything*, please.
I guess that's part of the reason I'm so excited whenever I read something K.J. Charles wrote - I click with some books more than others, but her characters tend to be in unusual walks of life.
"Unfit to Print" is a story about Gil Lawless, purveyor of illegal and immoral books, and Vikram Pandey, upright lawyer fighting for social causes. Gil is the half-black illegitimate son of a member of the aristocracy, and his father loved him enough to put him in a good school during his teenage years, where he met and befriended Vik - unfortunately, when his father died, the rest of his family was less kind to him and he ended up on the streets, vanishing entirely from his friend's life and leaving him with a deep pain that never fades.
Thirteen years later, when this novel starts, chance will make them meet again, as Vik takes his pursuit of social causes to the obscenely disreputable Holywell Street, where traders in pornography make their ilicit living. And there he meets Gil again.
The story is beautifully written, in a style just Victorian enough to fit the age and just modern enough to fit our changed tastes. The plot sometimes takes a pause to give the characters time to develop their relationship (and there's nothing that can bring two people together faster than obscene and illegal acts done with mutual consent), but otherwise there's a lot of investigating going on. The dialogues are quite a lot of fun - and I felt like quoting them out loud to my boyfriend at times, but I was afraid I'd just audiobook the whole thing for him (which would have led to a lot of awkwardness when I reached the very gay sex scenes, so I just... in the end I didn't).
I'd been eagerly waiting to read this since K.J. mentioned its topic, and I jumped at the first opportunity to do so. The only disappointment I have is with myself - I'm quite sure that she mentioned the books she'd read while researching the topic, and I forget where, and now I'll probably spend an hour or so checking her Facebook fan group to see where that conversation might have been.
I guess that's part of the reason I'm so excited whenever I read something K.J. Charles wrote - I click with some books more than others, but her characters tend to be in unusual walks of life.
"Unfit to Print" is a story about Gil Lawless, purveyor of illegal and immoral books, and Vikram Pandey, upright lawyer fighting for social causes. Gil is the half-black illegitimate son of a member of the aristocracy, and his father loved him enough to put him in a good school during his teenage years, where he met and befriended Vik - unfortunately, when his father died, the rest of his family was less kind to him and he ended up on the streets, vanishing entirely from his friend's life and leaving him with a deep pain that never fades.
Thirteen years later, when this novel starts, chance will make them meet again, as Vik takes his pursuit of social causes to the obscenely disreputable Holywell Street, where traders in pornography make their ilicit living. And there he meets Gil again.
The story is beautifully written, in a style just Victorian enough to fit the age and just modern enough to fit our changed tastes. The plot sometimes takes a pause to give the characters time to develop their relationship (and there's nothing that can bring two people together faster than obscene and illegal acts done with mutual consent), but otherwise there's a lot of investigating going on. The dialogues are quite a lot of fun - and I felt like quoting them out loud to my boyfriend at times, but I was afraid I'd just audiobook the whole thing for him (which would have led to a lot of awkwardness when I reached the very gay sex scenes, so I just... in the end I didn't).
I'd been eagerly waiting to read this since K.J. mentioned its topic, and I jumped at the first opportunity to do so. The only disappointment I have is with myself - I'm quite sure that she mentioned the books she'd read while researching the topic, and I forget where, and now I'll probably spend an hour or so checking her Facebook fan group to see where that conversation might have been.
July 26, 2023
Like with any K.J. Charles book, Unfit to Print gives you a atmospheric setting, compelling characters, and a plot that's actually interesting and not just there to get in the way of the romance.
Gil Lawless is a bookseller of smut and Vikram Pandey is a law-abiding lawyer. They're childhood friends who fell out of touch, as much as you can fall out of touch when you believe the other is dead.
A missing person, and his photograph, cause their paths to cross and investigate the disappearance together.
Gil Lawless is a bookseller of smut and Vikram Pandey is a law-abiding lawyer. They're childhood friends who fell out of touch, as much as you can fall out of touch when you believe the other is dead.
A missing person, and his photograph, cause their paths to cross and investigate the disappearance together.
July 13, 2018
When Lawyer Vikram Pandey went to Holywell Street -- known as the centre for the sale of pornography in Victorian London -- in attempt to find information about a missing Indian teenager, he never thought that he would reconnect with his childhood best friend, Gilbert Lawless, who now an owner of book store with obscene publications. Vikram always presumed that Gil passed away, after he was suddenly gone from their school...
Gilbert Lawless had lived a hard life after his father died. Cast away from the only house he knew by his step-brother because Gilbert was a result of his father's affair with a housemaid, Gil lived on the streets, trying to survive, until he became a protege of a pornographer, and then inherited the store. He wasn't planning to get involved with Vikram and helped to find the missing teen, despite their history as friends. But it seemed that he just couldn't say no...
Aaah... second chance/reunited romance (my most favorite trope ever) and K.J. Charles had written a wonderful story here with this trope. I adored Gilbert and Vikram. I loved that Vikram had this sense of morality and justice, and he struggled to accept what happened to Gilbert. I loved that Gilbert lost his trust with people, after being betrayed by his own family, but he struggled to keep distance from Vikram.
I loved that they were pretty different individuals, but they just FIT.
I enjoyed this story very much -- the mystery of what happened with the missing teenager might not be up front and center; it's basically a plot starting point for Vikram and Gilbert to reconnect, but I was still happy that it had satisfactory and happy ending.
The only complain I have is that I need novel length, not novella *sad face*. Oh and Satan the cat needs more on-screen time!!
Gilbert Lawless had lived a hard life after his father died. Cast away from the only house he knew by his step-brother because Gilbert was a result of his father's affair with a housemaid, Gil lived on the streets, trying to survive, until he became a protege of a pornographer, and then inherited the store. He wasn't planning to get involved with Vikram and helped to find the missing teen, despite their history as friends. But it seemed that he just couldn't say no...
Aaah... second chance/reunited romance (my most favorite trope ever) and K.J. Charles had written a wonderful story here with this trope. I adored Gilbert and Vikram. I loved that Vikram had this sense of morality and justice, and he struggled to accept what happened to Gilbert. I loved that Gilbert lost his trust with people, after being betrayed by his own family, but he struggled to keep distance from Vikram.
I loved that they were pretty different individuals, but they just FIT.
I enjoyed this story very much -- the mystery of what happened with the missing teenager might not be up front and center; it's basically a plot starting point for Vikram and Gilbert to reconnect, but I was still happy that it had satisfactory and happy ending.
The only complain I have is that I need novel length, not novella *sad face*. Oh and Satan the cat needs more on-screen time!!
August 26, 2022
K. J. Charles’ books never disappoint, it’s like she uses some magic formula… 🪄✨ Whatever it is, it works every time — what’s more, out of the 10+ books I’ve read by her so far (I know she’s got like 50+ more published, but I like to save the works of my sure-bet fave authors for reading slumps and such, or occasional binges 🙈), every single one has been wonderfully original.
Somehow, I went into it thinking this was Theo Swann’s magnum opus that had been commissioned in Wanted, an Author and as such you can say I was just a little bit confused when the names didn’t match up. 🤔 (Just ignore my stupidity, please 🤦🏻♀️) Turns out Theo’s Jonathan gets mentioned once or twice, but that’s it — this is a completely new, if loosely related, story! 🙈
I didn’t mind in the slightest, though, because it was just lovely. Second-chance, opposites-attract, and friends-to-lovers done right. Gil and Vik were so good together! 😍 Vik was so adorable with his pining, too. 😌 I loved the humor, and the sneak peak at nineteen-century porn business. 🤭
Satan the cat gets an honorable mention, of course. He makes my own mean little demon look meek as a lamb. 😂
Somehow, I went into it thinking this was Theo Swann’s magnum opus that had been commissioned in Wanted, an Author and as such you can say I was just a little bit confused when the names didn’t match up. 🤔 (Just ignore my stupidity, please 🤦🏻♀️) Turns out Theo’s Jonathan gets mentioned once or twice, but that’s it — this is a completely new, if loosely related, story! 🙈
I didn’t mind in the slightest, though, because it was just lovely. Second-chance, opposites-attract, and friends-to-lovers done right. Gil and Vik were so good together! 😍 Vik was so adorable with his pining, too. 😌 I loved the humor, and the sneak peak at nineteen-century porn business. 🤭
Satan the cat gets an honorable mention, of course. He makes my own mean little demon look meek as a lamb. 😂
June 3, 2020
Well, shit, I wanted that to be longer.
November 19, 2018
Lovely! What a joy to read diversity in a book! Both MCs were POC, one of Indian descent, the other of African.
I enjoyed this second-chance-ish book quite a bit. Not much happened in terms of plot, however. This was mostly an exercise in discussion and internal monologues--thank goodness for the exceptional high quality of writing from KJC.
It was rather angsty and I wish there had been more action, but it was fun learning about pornography in historical England!
The audiobook narration was excellent!
I enjoyed this second-chance-ish book quite a bit. Not much happened in terms of plot, however. This was mostly an exercise in discussion and internal monologues--thank goodness for the exceptional high quality of writing from KJC.
It was rather angsty and I wish there had been more action, but it was fun learning about pornography in historical England!
The audiobook narration was excellent!
November 24, 2021
A fun short-ish romance/mystery about two school friends finding each other again after several years. K.J. Charles' writing is, as always, excellent and engaging, and the narration was okay (though it didn't really grab me).
January 20, 2024
Rating: 2.5 stars (rounded down)
Re-Read: Jan 2024
Original Read: Aug 2022
This is another one of those times where I was hyperfixated on a specific part of the story when I first read it so my re-read experience was very different. The first time around, I connected very strongly with Vik's feelings of grief and confusion at having lost Gil and then randomly finding him 13 years later and having Gil react as if he'd just stepped out of the room for 2 minutes. I think I got so caught up in Vik's emotions that I ignored everything else that was happening, which is why I originally gave it a higher rating.
This book had way too much going on for the short length. The MCs don't even meet until 23% because the MCs are very busy with personal issues. Gil's family situation is very complex and involved many characters and to be honest, I never managed to keep track of who's who and what everybody's relationship/situation with Gil is, even after my re-read. This made the many scenes revolving around Gil's family situation boring for me. Vik is a lawyer who spends his spare time doing pro bono work for poor Indian families around London. This is very commendable but a) the treatment of Indian immigrants isn't an important part of the plot and b) Gil pretends he doesn't care about these issues for much of the book. This means that the author spends lots of time having Vik wringing his hands and lecturing the reader/Gil about the plight of Indian immigrants in England during this time period, but it doesn't serve any important purpose in the plot. In fact, Vik has minimal connections to Indian culture and is in a completely different social class from the majority of the other Indian characters in the story so that made the huge focus on lower class Indian people's struggles even less relevant to the story.
Speaking of Indian characters having a surprisingly minimal role in this story: I found it very odd that a story that starts with a missing Indian boy (Sunil) ends up focusing way more on the murder of a white boy (Errol) and . This was really disappointing because it felt like Sunil was just used as a plot device to get Vik and Gil reconnected, but then he was shoved into the background in favor of focusing on Errol's murder instead. Sunil never even appears on page and the resolution to his situation felt like a rushed afterthought. We didn't even get to see Sunil being reunited with his family or get a follow-up scene with his family when they thank Vik (which I assume they did).
I don't understand why the author did this. If you're going to set up a POC character as the focus of a mystery, then please carry it through and keep the focus on the POC character. This wouldn't have felt like a disappointment if both the murder and the missing person cases involved white people because it wouldn't have mattered which case the author chose to focus on. But Sunil's involvement in the plot did matter to me and it was a letdown that he was brushed aside in favor of focusing on Errol.
So the story already had a lot going on but then the author has Gil and Vik get into repeated discussions about the moral implications of prostitution, pornography and sexuality (not sexual orientation but sex in general). I found these conversations boring and repetitive. They did serve to illustrate how different Gil and Vik are but I felt the point was made after their first argument/discussion over Vik not liking that Gil makes a living selling pornographic material. I don't understand why the author kept bringing up these topics over and over again.
On that note, I was also disappointed by Gil's decision at the end to .
Since there were all of these other distractions happening, there were minimal scenes of Vik and Gil working on their relationship. I was very disappointed that after a short on-page smut scene, we're only told (not shown) that they spend the night together doing sexy stuff together. We get one last smut scene in the morning but it's also short. The sex lives of these MCs was very important to the story because they both have a lot of issues connected to sex. So to have the author spend tons of pages on other things and take the tell-don't-show approach with their first night together after 13 years was a big disappointment.
Another thing I didn't care for this time around was Gil's attitude towards Vik, both in the present and the past. Gil was abruptly forced out of his boarding school with no notice so he didn't have time to say goodbye to Vik or explain the situation. But when Vik asks him in the present why Gil never reached out to Vik's parents (who have lived in the same house since Vik was a child) or made any effort to let Vik know what happened to him, Gil claims it's . Having Gil doubt Vik's feelings for him made no sense but it also had massive implications for the overall romance.
If the author wants me to believe that these two guys are soulmates who were always meant to reunite and we're also told that Vik has remained in love with Gil for all these years, then it's not a good idea to make one MC doubt the other's feelings for him to the point where he cut off all contact permanently. Basically, it made me feel as if Gil never thought Vik cared about him the way Gil wanted him to and if these two really were in love back in school (like we're meant to believe), then such a thought should have never even occurred to Gil. The whole thing felt like the author had to orchestrate a decade plus separation for the MCs but wanted to conveniently keep them both in London and this was the excuse for why Gil never went looking for Vik. It made me doubt Gil's feelings for Vik and that's a sin in my Second Chance Romances Must Haves list. In addition, it felt like a weak plot choice. There were so many other, better reasons that the author could have used to make Gil leave Vik and stay away from him for years, but the reason given felt like a weak excuse that made me feel sorry for Vik.
Overall, this one ended up not being a winner for me during my re-read. I did like the characters and since it's KJC, the writing and historical details were excellent but when comparing it to another KJC second chance romance Jackdaw, this one paled in comparison.
Re-Read: Jan 2024
Original Read: Aug 2022
This is another one of those times where I was hyperfixated on a specific part of the story when I first read it so my re-read experience was very different. The first time around, I connected very strongly with Vik's feelings of grief and confusion at having lost Gil and then randomly finding him 13 years later and having Gil react as if he'd just stepped out of the room for 2 minutes. I think I got so caught up in Vik's emotions that I ignored everything else that was happening, which is why I originally gave it a higher rating.
This book had way too much going on for the short length. The MCs don't even meet until 23% because the MCs are very busy with personal issues. Gil's family situation is very complex and involved many characters and to be honest, I never managed to keep track of who's who and what everybody's relationship/situation with Gil is, even after my re-read. This made the many scenes revolving around Gil's family situation boring for me. Vik is a lawyer who spends his spare time doing pro bono work for poor Indian families around London. This is very commendable but a) the treatment of Indian immigrants isn't an important part of the plot and b) Gil pretends he doesn't care about these issues for much of the book. This means that the author spends lots of time having Vik wringing his hands and lecturing the reader/Gil about the plight of Indian immigrants in England during this time period, but it doesn't serve any important purpose in the plot. In fact, Vik has minimal connections to Indian culture and is in a completely different social class from the majority of the other Indian characters in the story so that made the huge focus on lower class Indian people's struggles even less relevant to the story.
Speaking of Indian characters having a surprisingly minimal role in this story: I found it very odd that a story that starts with a missing Indian boy (Sunil) ends up focusing way more on the murder of a white boy (Errol) and . This was really disappointing because it felt like Sunil was just used as a plot device to get Vik and Gil reconnected, but then he was shoved into the background in favor of focusing on Errol's murder instead. Sunil never even appears on page and the resolution to his situation felt like a rushed afterthought. We didn't even get to see Sunil being reunited with his family or get a follow-up scene with his family when they thank Vik (which I assume they did).
I don't understand why the author did this. If you're going to set up a POC character as the focus of a mystery, then please carry it through and keep the focus on the POC character. This wouldn't have felt like a disappointment if both the murder and the missing person cases involved white people because it wouldn't have mattered which case the author chose to focus on. But Sunil's involvement in the plot did matter to me and it was a letdown that he was brushed aside in favor of focusing on Errol.
So the story already had a lot going on but then the author has Gil and Vik get into repeated discussions about the moral implications of prostitution, pornography and sexuality (not sexual orientation but sex in general). I found these conversations boring and repetitive. They did serve to illustrate how different Gil and Vik are but I felt the point was made after their first argument/discussion over Vik not liking that Gil makes a living selling pornographic material. I don't understand why the author kept bringing up these topics over and over again.
On that note, I was also disappointed by Gil's decision at the end to .
Since there were all of these other distractions happening, there were minimal scenes of Vik and Gil working on their relationship. I was very disappointed that after a short on-page smut scene, we're only told (not shown) that they spend the night together doing sexy stuff together. We get one last smut scene in the morning but it's also short. The sex lives of these MCs was very important to the story because they both have a lot of issues connected to sex. So to have the author spend tons of pages on other things and take the tell-don't-show approach with their first night together after 13 years was a big disappointment.
Another thing I didn't care for this time around was Gil's attitude towards Vik, both in the present and the past. Gil was abruptly forced out of his boarding school with no notice so he didn't have time to say goodbye to Vik or explain the situation. But when Vik asks him in the present why Gil never reached out to Vik's parents (who have lived in the same house since Vik was a child) or made any effort to let Vik know what happened to him, Gil claims it's . Having Gil doubt Vik's feelings for him made no sense but it also had massive implications for the overall romance.
If the author wants me to believe that these two guys are soulmates who were always meant to reunite and we're also told that Vik has remained in love with Gil for all these years, then it's not a good idea to make one MC doubt the other's feelings for him to the point where he cut off all contact permanently. Basically, it made me feel as if Gil never thought Vik cared about him the way Gil wanted him to and if these two really were in love back in school (like we're meant to believe), then such a thought should have never even occurred to Gil. The whole thing felt like the author had to orchestrate a decade plus separation for the MCs but wanted to conveniently keep them both in London and this was the excuse for why Gil never went looking for Vik. It made me doubt Gil's feelings for Vik and that's a sin in my Second Chance Romances Must Haves list. In addition, it felt like a weak plot choice. There were so many other, better reasons that the author could have used to make Gil leave Vik and stay away from him for years, but the reason given felt like a weak excuse that made me feel sorry for Vik.
Overall, this one ended up not being a winner for me during my re-read. I did like the characters and since it's KJC, the writing and historical details were excellent but when comparing it to another KJC second chance romance Jackdaw, this one paled in comparison.
February 12, 2023
”I can fight an empire. Perhaps I can’t beat it, but I can certainly fight.”
I loooOoOoved Vikram❤️
Lovely little story. Too bad it wasn’t longer.
Another KJC win.
I loooOoOoved Vikram❤️
Lovely little story. Too bad it wasn’t longer.
Another KJC win.
July 27, 2018
This book gives us a different slice of historical context -Gil is getting by as a smut-purveyor in the porn industry of 1875 London (books and photos, although only books have been his wares), and Vik is a crusading lawyer who fights for underdogs, particularly Indian servants who have been done wrong. That Vik is a POC character in a very color-conscious society also adds a lot of interest, although racism is a side note not the main focus. As always with this author, there is deep authenticity in all the details.
These two men were best friends and a little more, back in school, until events separated them. In an instant, Gil had vanished without a trace. And Vik, after a brief effort asking for him, assumed he was dead. Vik lands at Gil's bookstore in the process of searching for a missing young man, and the reunion is a shock to both of them. I liked how that was handled, neither angsty, not too accusatory, and with real reasons underneath it. I also liked how Gil's determined self-confidence forces Vik to take a closer look at who he is and what he wants (and what he assumed he could never admit to, let alone have.) These are two interesting characters, both shaped by their pasts, and their romance is fun to watch.
The search for the missing boy and the mystery feel a bit secondary to the characters' relationship and the realities of the setting. I'd have liked that mystery to fill a bit more page time. And Gil's solid matter-of-factness keeps the story from being angsty, despite elements which could have been heart-rending. I really enjoyed this, but didn't connect with these guys as deeply as with some of this author's characters. Still definitely recommended for a fascinating look at the era with a balance of character, romance, history, and plot. I was definitely cheering for these guys to have their HFN.
These two men were best friends and a little more, back in school, until events separated them. In an instant, Gil had vanished without a trace. And Vik, after a brief effort asking for him, assumed he was dead. Vik lands at Gil's bookstore in the process of searching for a missing young man, and the reunion is a shock to both of them. I liked how that was handled, neither angsty, not too accusatory, and with real reasons underneath it. I also liked how Gil's determined self-confidence forces Vik to take a closer look at who he is and what he wants (and what he assumed he could never admit to, let alone have.) These are two interesting characters, both shaped by their pasts, and their romance is fun to watch.
The search for the missing boy and the mystery feel a bit secondary to the characters' relationship and the realities of the setting. I'd have liked that mystery to fill a bit more page time. And Gil's solid matter-of-factness keeps the story from being angsty, despite elements which could have been heart-rending. I really enjoyed this, but didn't connect with these guys as deeply as with some of this author's characters. Still definitely recommended for a fascinating look at the era with a balance of character, romance, history, and plot. I was definitely cheering for these guys to have their HFN.
July 11, 2018
Excellent novella written brilliantly.
Vikram and Gil are total opposites, and yet like two magnets that can’t help attracting each other.
The mystery involved in the plot is fun, but secondary to the relationship development. And yes to that!
Great read!
Vikram and Gil are total opposites, and yet like two magnets that can’t help attracting each other.
The mystery involved in the plot is fun, but secondary to the relationship development. And yes to that!
Great read!
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