The Rat-Catcher's Daughter

A cute little asexual romance between a trans woman music hall singer and a well meaning but awkward fence. A very enjoyable read, though as a trans person myself, I was a bit disappointed by the trans character. Not that there was anything wrong with her characterization per se, just that it lacked a more profound understanding of the trans experience. Miss Christiana felt pretty cookie-cutter, which surprised me since KJ Charles' gay male characters are all so diverse and fleshed out.

Really cute! I haven't read any of the related works but this still held up by itself.

Between four and five stars. I really loved this romance! I wanted many more pages of these two being adorable, kind, and loving together, but I am a serious devotee of fluff. The story also has a plot, involving violence and crime.

It takes place before the events of Any Old Diamonds and could be read on its own, so it works as a teaser for that book series. My criticism is that Jerry and Templeton got slightly too much page time, in a romance about other characters. But I did really enjoy reading this, and they're all great characters.

The Lilywhite Boys steal the show with their unique brand of horrifying helpfulness. But also interesting to read a KJC story without rip-roaring sex scenes, and kudos to her for writing a “short, dodgy” MC. Bonus points for the blink-and-you'll-miss it appearance of Pen Starling from [b:An Unsuitable Heir 33841918 An Unsuitable Heir (Sins of the Cities, #3) K.J. Charles https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1496756178l/33841918.SY75.jpg 54778128].