They have amazing chemistry too - especially given that this is a novella, I felt as if their romance blossomed really well through the story. They're both great and interesting characters that really bring the story to life. I also really loved the MCs and their romance - the MCs have a history of sorts, and this is told really well through brief flashbacks.

You're thrown straight into the action and straight into the story - I felt like I knew everything about the main characters instantly. Charles smashed it out of the park with this one.ĭespite how short it was, I felt like the pacing was perfect. I think it takes a real genius of the writing craft to pull off a perfect novella, and K.J. This was a wonderful surprise and an early Christmas treat that will definitely become a seasonal re-read. What's the Christmas equivalent of an easter egg?Ī tiny wee novella that is disproportionately satisfying. Love that we got to meet harmless idiot Guppy Fanshawe, distinguished ancestor of useful idiot Bubby Fanshawe from The Sugared Game. But I still gasped when he turned up because, spoiler alert: I am dumb. This is set in the Lilywhite Boys world, and I knew from other reviews there was a crossover character. This is typical, and typically delightful, KJC: inordinately clever, excellently paced, with wry, smart, sensitive, quietly competent characters you're either rooting for or gleefully hating from the start.

Bathed! Is there anything this woman can't do? Here I was feeling all scroogey and stressed and grinchy and grrr, and then KJ Charles casually sends out a Friday afternoon newsletter all 'dropping a holiday novella on Monday beebees' and THANK YOU SANTA, I'LL NEVER DOUBT YOU AGAIN!!!!

Masters in This Hall by K.J. Charles