I have to admit, this title piqued my interest because of having finished the Magic in Manhattan series which sired it and I’m so happy to have chances upon it. In fact, I liked this story’s plot and characters even more, the only downside is that this one is only a one-off (so far at least) when it has so much potential to lead to even more adventures. The characters are so relatable and well-developed, and the world-building is superb. If you’ve read the preceding series, this is a must-read follow up. I suppose it could be read as a stand-alone, but i fear much of the nuance and background would be lost in such a scenario so just be aware of that.
The narration was enjoyable but it really comes down to the characters and their dynamic which had me listening to this in nearly one go.
Overall, Proper Scoundrels was a fun little adventure that felt worthy as a follow-up to Magic in Manhattan – despite the opinion that it could have been more drawn-out and elaborate. The only other quibble – which is also applicable to its origin series – is that while Therin goes a bit further into detail with the sexual scenes, they still get cut off before becoming too scandalous. I understand that doing so is a stylistic choice and makes the overall work more apropos for younger audiences, but I still can’t help wishing for more indulgence in that regard. Otherwise, this story has a bit of everything to enjoy: magic, adventure, romance, mystery; what’s not to like!