My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Proper Scoundrels is the 5 star spin-off of Allie Therin’s Magic in Manhattan series. I was sad for the end of Rory and Arthur’s story and was thrilled to no end when it was announced that Therin was continuing her world of magic and romance.
Lord Fine is the prickly aristocrat who meddled into Arthur’s life after their relationship ended. Wesley, as he prefers to be called, would need to do a terrible amount of groveling in order to be redeemed in my head. And he delightfully does in the most inconspicuous way. More of his backstory is given to help understand how he became so cynical and snarky, as we are initially introduced to him in the MiM trilogy. I wondered what it would take to thaw his cold demeanor.
The answer is the “dangerous marshmallow” Sebastian. He is also a character from Therin’s previous books. He had already redeemed himself (for me) in Wonderstruck, so I was prepared to like his character at face value. More of his backstory is given, as well, and we get insight into the horrors he endured, and continued to suffer from, at the hands of nefarious magic.
Wesley and Sebastian are thrown together to save humanity from more evil in the magical world. The evolution of their relationship from enemies, to reluctant friends, to romantic partners while battling a Dracula-esque enemy kept me riveted. The worldbuilding is excellent, as we’ve come to expect from Therin. I only hope there is more to come.
***Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.***