Name: val's review of The Sugared Game by KJ Charles
Item: The Sugared Game
Rating: 4
Author: val

KJ Charles

It's been two months since Will Darling saw Kim Secretan, and he doesn't expect to see him again. What do a rough and ready soldier-turned-bookseller and a disgraced, shady aristocrat have to do with each other anyway?But when Will encounters a face from the past in a disreputable nightclub, Kim turns up, as shifty, unreliable, and irresistible as ever. And before Will knows it, he's been dragged back into Kim's shadowy world of secrets, criminal conspiracies, and underhand dealings.This time, though, things are underhanded even by Kim standards. This time, the danger is too close to home. And if Will and Kim can't find common ground against unseen enemies, they risk losing everything.

The Sugared Game

spent hours complaining about Kim's lack of communication skills to my bedroom walls and pillows until i realized that he's just like me fr

h a z e l * ੈ✩‧

Amanda

Kasper E.

** spoiler alert **
           ...and returned home around eleven to see electric lights from upstairs illuminating the stairwell. He couldn't even be bothered with subtlety. "Get your arse down here so I can kick it!" 
"Are you talking to a burglar or to me?" Kim called down
"Either," Will snapped. 

About 3 months has passed since the end of the first book, and Will Darling hasn't seen Kim for two of those. He starts to believe life might go somewhat back to normal, though he is unsure what that entails exactly. Any thought of Zodiac have been completely, or almost, put away. Of course that's when Kim sneakily shows up and brings Will tumbling back into it. Or so he thinks. Zodiac are somehow involved with an up and coming night club, and Kim is very interested in Will's acquaintance with one of the servers. 

Maise and Phoebe meanwhile are getting the go ahead to start their fashion business, and while some have their reservations, the path to success is proving extremely short and easy.

K.J. Charles officially has me hooked. The first book's premise and vibe came out of nowhere for me, and I was sceptical going into the second book with too high hopes. But oh hell, did she deliver. The plot continues seamlessly on from the first book, with just as much of a hook this time around, despite us knowing Kim's work ethic. There;s a really intersting bit towards the beginning, where WIll is standing on the sidelines and witnessing Kim's scheming and manipulation. He points out Kim's ability to "lie his arse off without technically telling a falsehood." It's refreshing to be on this side of things, while still being fully aware that he can turn everything around in a second. 

Can't leave this review without a mention of their dynamic, because holy shit yes. The duo's dynamic in this is even better than in the first one. In this one Will takes absolutely no bullshit from Kim, and he makes sure he knows it as well. Their bickering in this caused me way more joy than I care to admit.

Lu Kluck

This is the second novel on 'The Will Darling Adventures' trilogy, so this review might contain spoilers for book 1, Slippery Creatures.

••••••••••••••••••••••••📜••••••••••••••••••••••••
𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 5/5⭐
𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 - 5/5⭐
𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭 - 5/5⭐
𝐄𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 - 5/5⭐

𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: Mention of Self-harm, Mention of Past Miscarriage, Violence, Death, Mention of Suicide, Racism.
••••••••••••••••••••••••📜••••••••••••••••••••••••

Will Darling can't stop thinking about Kim, even after months since he disappeared on him. Now that a bizarre night at a notorious nightclub and an encounter with someone from Will's past has brought Kim and a lot of trouble back to his shop, he thinks maybe Kim should have just stayed away. 
But no, he doesn't, he was bored, and now, with Zodiac back on his trail, and Kim Secretan back on his life, as irresistible and unreliable as ever, he yet again has a job to do. However, this time the danger is too close to home, they stand to lose everything, and if they can't be honest and work together, they will.

Unlike the first book, which focused primarily on plot development and the dynamic between the characters, The Sugared Game focused more on its characters themselves. It centered on the protagonists' development through deep and meaningful conversations, where Will and Kim would unravel their pasts and their stories. Kim also gained more attention in this second novel, namely through the explored complexity of his emotions and backstory. It all made for a heartbreaking and compelling character arc.

Nonetheless, much like Slippery Creatures, the slow-burn romance in The Sugared Game is extraordinary. Their conversations have a more profound emotional value for both of them, and they begin to try and understand each other, their differences, issues and, feelings. The dialogues in this novel are generally intense and breathtaking, both because of the hidden meanings and cloak and dagger situations and notably for the heart-felt talks and the communicative nature of Will and Kim's relationship. 

Despite being centered on character development, the plot of this book did not let down. It was enticing and well-explained, a bit slower than the first one because of the different focus. It was more of a medium-paced plot, with a fulfilling and thoroughly developed conclusion that didn't answer all of the questions or fully concluded character arcs and plotlines, creating high expectations for the next novel. The ensnaring writing style wrapped up all of these aspects into a book impossible to put down and the perfect art déco and pulp fiction atmosphere.

farah farooq

Ville Guldborg Hansen 

midnightjelly

Natalie

Mael

emily

Eliana Mor

Erin Wales

It's been two months since Will Darling saw Kim Secretan, and he doesn't expect to see him again. What do a rough and ready soldier-turned-bookseller and a disgraced shady aristocrat have to do with each other anyway? But when Will encounters a face from the past in a disreputable nightclub, Kim turns up, as shifty, unreliable, and irresistible as ever. And before Will knows it, he's been dragged back into Kim's shadowy world of secrets, criminal conspiracies, and underhand dealings. This time, though, things are underhanded even by Kim standards. This time, the danger is too close to home. And if Will and Kim can't find common ground against unseen enemies, they risk losing everything. A 1920s m/m romance trilogy in the spirit of Golden Age pulp fiction.

val &
The Sugared Game by KJ Charles

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The Sugared Game by KJ Charles