4 Hearts! - Team review with Adam!

Although I liked the first installment, this second entry brings more of everything - suspense, action, mystery and intrigue, and thankfully, romance!

This is not a standalone, so please check out [b:Slippery Creatures|52237989|Slippery Creatures (The Will Darling Adventures #1)|K.J. Charles|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1587519719l/52237989._SY75_.jpg|77319427] first!

Last we saw Will and Kim, they had thwarted the secretive society The Zodiac, and both think they’ve mainly come to an unsaid agreement with the nefarious group to avoid the other and move on. Will and Kim have also moved on by enjoying each other, so much so that Will thinks it’s the start to something very good, but Kim suddenly off and disappears with basically no promises or reassurances.

Two long months pass with nary a word, and Will shouldn’t be bothered. He shouldn't be hurt but nonetheless, he is. Just when Will thinks his life has gone back to the normal tedium of being a bookshop owner, Kim shows up at his door with not much explanation but instead, with a plea for help with his next undercover mission. Not surprisingly, Will’s the sort to never say no to a good cause, and it doesn’t particularly help that he’s bored out of his skull. Pair it with possibly putting a stick in Zodiac again, and Will’s all for watching Kim’s back as Kim tries to get evidence on Zodiac’s mysterious leader. Plus, it’s always a good thing when these two can spend some more quality time together, and it’s quickly understood that despite the separation, their attraction to each other has only intensified.

Assuredly, this was faster paced than the first book. Once the primary dilemma is set in motion, the story pulls the reader along, especially when Kim is still keeping secrets, and Will is damn tired of him doing so. However, what Kim suspects is quite the shocking reveal and again, how the problem unravels and spirals out of control, forces these two to work in sync which was fabulous to witness.

So, if you’re looking for a continued evolution of romance between opposites Will and Kim, with plenty of cultural shoutouts to the roaring 20’s, this MM historical will work a treat! There‘s definitely some complexity here as Will knows there’s a social divide between himself and Kim, and he wonders how he’ll fit, if ever, into Kim’s glamorous life. Will also feels he’s making all the concessions (because he is), and he’s angry and resentful that he’s the only one with his heart on his sleeve with no reciprocity to be seen. One finally gets to see beyond Kim’s indifferent mask that hides a man weighed down by guilt and obligation, his personal demons compelling him to play his cards close to the vest. Kim plays the martyr well, often feeling undeserving of any love or affections, especially from Will. The deeper depths explored between these two was much appreciated, and additional props to the fabulous female cast who hold their own against their male counterparts!

This ends again with the main conflict resolved, making me even more curious as to how Charles will wrap up this trilogy. Will and Kim have made the first few tentative steps towards a commitment, and I look forward to them foiling the bad guys as par for the course, all the while ultimately getting their well deserved and long awaited happy ending!!

Thank you to the author for a copy in exchange for an honest review


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OH.
MY.
GOODNESS.

#1 was a little trying for me (mostly Kim's fault), but this one? FANTASTIC. ...mostly Kim coming somewhat to his senses, and making Will sink only deeper. I am always and ever enthralled by KJ Charles's skill with historical romances. She makes the greatest characters - and for some reason, I am still stunned by the final twist. Remarkable.

If you have not yet read these, do catch up! ( )

Intrigue and adventure. I enjoyed it. I like these two for each other. For some reason I can't think of much else I have to say about it. So there you go. It was good. =) ( )

Re-read November 2022:
All things I said in my original review still stand, but - not surprisingly - I wasn't annoyed at Kim at all this time :) Upping my rating to 5 stars though, because this book deserves it.

Original review July 2022:
Read this book as part of the 2020 Members' Choice Awards Challenge.
Categories: Best Cover Art, Best Historical, Best Military/Intelligence Officer/Spies

Story: 4 stars
A great sequel to the story in Slippery Creatures. This time around I only wanted to strangle Kim, and that only rarely, so I think I'm beginning to actually like him, and Will's pigheadedness was surprisingly absent. The mystery continued on to tie in with the criminal group Zodiac and had a surprising twist at the end, and it made me forgive Kim somewhat for being so tight-lipped and crafty.
In all, I can't wait to read the final book in the series!

Audio: 4 stars
I had more luck with Cornell Collins' voices in this book. In Slippery Creatures I had difficulties following some of his voices (Will's and Phoebe's in particular were too fast for me), but I think I started getting the hang of them in this narration. ( )

I enjoyed it very much. Kim and Will (#Kill ;) are the perfect non-perfect non-couple. Their lives are messy and their relationship is a mess, and I love it.
But I wish the ending played out differently. I feel like it was too easy, it wrapped up too neatly (not considering all the blood), every loose end tied up.
Hence only 4 star. ( )