monday minis

A Gentleman Never keeps Score (Seducing the Sedgwick's #2)
by Cat Sebastian

Source: Purchased

Once beloved by London's fashionable elite, Hartley Sedgwick has become a recluse after a spate of salacious gossip exposed his most-private secrets. 

Rarely venturing from the house whose inheritance is a daily reminder of his downfall, he’s captivated by the exceedingly handsome man who seeks to rob him.

Since retiring from the boxing ring, Sam Fox has made his pub, The Bell, into a haven for those in his Free Black community. But when his best friend Kate implores him to find and destroy a scandalously revealing painting of her, he agrees. Sam would do anything to protect those he loves, even if it means stealing from a wealthy gentleman. But when he encounters Hartley, he soon finds himself wanting to steal more than just a painting from the lovely, lonely man—he wants to steal his heart.

Content Warning from Author: This book includes a main character who was sexually abused in the past; abuse happens off page but is alluded to. ~ Goodreads

My thoughts: This is my second Cat Sebastian novel (the first being Seducing the Sedgwicks #1 – It Takes Two to Tumble) & I adore her writing so much! This book was a little heavier in subject matter because both protagonists are dealing with issues ranging from racism, past abuse, class, rumors and homophobia. It makes it difficult to see how there could be a HEA but Sebastian gets us there in a way that allows both characters growth and agency. I also loved the supporting cast of friends and family.

 I enjoyed the It Takes Two to Tumble a little more still really enjoyed this one.



Competence (The Custard Protocol #3)
by Gail Carriger

Source: e-arc provided by the author in exchange for an honest review

From New York Times bestselling author Gail Carriger comes the delightful sequel to Imprudence.

Accidentally abandoned!

All alone in Singapore, proper Miss Primrose Tunstell must steal helium to save her airship, the Spotted Custard, in a scheme involving a lovesick werecat and a fake fish tail.

When she uncovers rumors of a new kind of vampire, Prim and the Custard crew embark on a mission to Peru. There, they encounter airship pirates and strange atmospheric phenomena, and are mistaken for representatives of the Spanish Inquisition. Forced into extreme subterfuge (and some rather ridiculous outfits) Prim must also answer three of life's most challenging questions:

Can the perfect book club give a man back his soul?

Will her brother ever stop wearing his idiotic velvet fez?

And can the amount of lard in Christmas pudding save an entire species? ~ Goodreads

My thoughts: Even though the summary pointing to this as a Miss Primrose Tunstell story – the pov’s are split between Prim and her brother Percy,

Despite Percy’s aloof nature (or because of it) I adored him even more than Prim. But really this is a fun steampunk adventure yarn that includes the whole Spotted Custard crew as they dodge disaster, investigate an endangered hive of vampires, try to redeem a souless and navigate human nature and romance.

It was a fun romp but I felt a little detached from Prim and couldn’t understand Tasherit’s obsession with her until I realized I had never read the first two books in this series. You don’t really need to have to understand the plot but I know I missed some character development because of it.

I loved the sense of family that the motley Spotted Custard crew has managed to patch together.