Blurb:

Silas Mason has no illusions about himself. He’s not lovable, or even likable. He’s an overbearing idealist, a Radical bookseller and pamphleteer who lives for revolution . . . and for Wednesday nights. Every week he meets anonymously with the same man, in whom Silas has discovered the ideal meld of intellectual companionship and absolute obedience to his sexual commands. But unbeknownst to Silas, his closest friend is also his greatest enemy, with the power to see him hanged—or spare his life.

A loyal, well-born gentleman official, Dominic Frey is torn apart by his affair with Silas. By the light of day, he cannot fathom the intoxicating lust that drives him to meet with the Radical week after week. In the bedroom, everything else falls away. Their needs match, and they are united by sympathy for each other’s deepest vulnerabilities. But when Silas’s politics earn him a death sentence, desire clashes with duty, and Dominic finds himself doing everything he can to save the man who stole his heart.

Stats:

Rating:        ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Review:

With this book, I’ve decided that one of my new favorite things in Romance and/or Erotica is wondering in anxious anticipation, throughout the near entirety of a book how, in the ever-loving hell, the MCs are going to get their deserved HEA.

These guys could not be more polar opposite—from their wildly opposing political beliefs, differing religious beliefs, and, in this era where station is everything, their social and economic class. They’re on such opposite ends of the spectrum that, in all actuality, they never should have met.

But they did.

And for longer than a year they have not much more than an anonymous sexual relationship that begins to grow into friendship with after sex conversation, ya know…as you do.

It’s…illicit and sexy and fun for a Wednesday night. They literally had hump day way back then, too! Who’da thunk it?

So, with all sorts of politically infused events swirling around them and amongst other individuals they have in common, I was in a state of flummox nearly the entire story wondering wondering wondering how K.J. Charles could possibly steer these phenomenal characters to an acceptable resolution.

I mean, come on! There were HUGE THINGS stacked against them.

The story was superbly woven with threads of intrigue, compassion, humanity, and sexual escapades with a kinky flair all evolving into the best resolution I think these men could hope to piece together.

Also, I highlighted loads of phrases, because the language and curses were sublime. Two of my favorites that I’ll be saving for a good cause:

“Oh, go to the devil, you obstreperous swine.”

“pox-addled whores”

And, I can’t forget the hilarious shade thrown at two of my favorite English poets…Byron and Blake. Repeatedly.

“…’The man who never alters his opinion is like standing water, and breeds reptiles of the mind.’” Dominic grinned at Richard’s expression. “Blake.”
“I should be extremely grateful if you would stop quoting that lunatic at me….”

This was a brilliant page-turner from beginning to end.

The author says it can be read as a stand-alone. And, maybe so. But, I think interested readers would do well to start at the beginning. This book takes place alongside some events from book one and having that perspective going into this was helpful.

I cannot WAIT for book three!

This review also posted on GoodReads and Amazon.