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Proper English

Book 1 in the series:England World

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Proper English by K.J. Charles is a historical romance novel set in the England World series, focusing on the characters Pat and Fen as they navigate a shooting party that turns into a larger house party with unexpected guests. The plot intertwines romance, mystery, and character development, with Pat and Fen forming a strong and believable connection amidst the backdrop of a murder investigation. The writing style is engaging and detailed, capturing the essence of the English spoken during the Victorian to Edwardian Era.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, with main protagonists showcasing a complementary dynamic, and supporting characters enriching the narrative.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is characterized by wit and engaging detail, with strong character work, although some parts are critiqued for being rushed.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative combines elements of romance and mystery, featuring a hunting party and subsequent murder, with the latter half leaning more heavily on the mystery component.

Setting:

The story unfolds in a cozy Edwardian country house, blending romance with the atmospheric tension of a murder mystery.

Pacing:

The pacing varies, with a slower buildup to romantic tension followed by a quicker transition to the mystery, which may be perceived as uneven.
RODINGTON COURT, FAMILY seat of the earls of Witton, was a very long slog from Stoke St. Milborough. The journey involved several changes of train, a considerable inconvenience since Pat was travellin...

Notes:

The book is a historical FF (female-female) romance set in Edwardian England.
It combines elements of a romance story and a cozy murder mystery.
The story is told from the perspective of Patricia Merton, one of the main characters.
Pat attends a hunting party and develops feelings for her friend's fiancée, Fenella Carruth.
The first portion of the book focuses on the romance, while the second half is more mystery-oriented.
Pat is a champion shooter and has a practical, no-nonsense personality.
Fen is portrayed as embodying femininity and is often underestimated by others.
The mystery involves a murder among the guests during the hunting party, creating tension.
The book includes themes of friendship and self-discovery as the characters navigate their evolving relationship.
Despite some explicit scenes, the romance is described as soft and sweet rather than erotic.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of murder and betrayal, potential instances of homophobia, and discussions on societal gender expectations.

Has Romance?

Romance is a significant and central element of the story, showcasing a deep emotional connection between the main characters.

From The Publisher:

A shooting party at the Earl of Witton's remote country house is a high treat for champion shot Patricia Merton-until unexpected guests turn the social atmosphere dangerously sour.

That's not Pat's biggest problem. She's visiting her old friend, the Earl's heir Jimmy Yoxall-but she wants to spend a lot more time with Jimmy's fiancée. The irrepressible Miss Fenella Carruth, with her laughing eyes and lush curves, is the most glorious woman Pat's ever met, and it quickly becomes impossible to remember why she needs to stay at arm's length.

But while the women's attraction grows, the tensions at Rodington Court get worse. Affairs, secrets, betrayals, and blackmail come to light. And when a body is discovered with a knife between the shoulderblades, it's going to take Pat and Fen's combined talents to prevent the murderer destroying all their lives.

Ratings (2)

Loved It (2)

Reader Stats (18):

Read It (2)
Want To Read (6)
Not Interested (10)

1 comment(s)

Loved It
1 month

English country house mystery meets Sapphic romance. I love Fen’s unexpected depths, and I love Pat taking Fen seriously.

 

About the Author:

KJ Charles is an editor and RITA-nominated author. She lives in London with her husband, two kids, an out-of-control garden and a cat of absolute night. She writes mostly historical queer romance, some paranormal. Smut, skulduggery, and swashbuckling may occur.Follow on Twitter at @kj_charles, join the KJ Charles Chat group on Facebook, or check out kjcharleswriter.com for book info and many posts on reading, writing and editing.

 
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