Review: Allie Therin’s PROPER SCOUNDRELS.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

📖 Q: do you *have* to read series in order?

I must have been feeling wild on Netgalley one day because I snapped up Allie Therin’s Proper Scoundrels—book 4 in her Magic in Manhattan universe—without having read the previous 3.

It was a choice that really, really paid off.

Just to be clear, this book is part of a series, but books 1-3 focus on a different couple.

Also just to be clear, this book has so many things that are fantastic.

🖤 A super grumpy to the point of rudeness lead named Lord Wesley Fine. He’s frequently referred to as unlikeable & he thinks that his own heart is made of ice or a similarly inhospitable material.

🖤 Another lead named Sebastian de Leon who is both gentle + deadly, an intriguing personality combo described as a “dangerous marshmallow” by others. Add to that a hefty dose of guilt bc he was forced into doing bad things bc of blood magic & conditions are ripe for a real beautiful pairing.

🖤 There’s at least one scene in here that had me cracking up (and it involves handcuffs!), an only one bed sitch, a fast-moving romance spurred on by danger that still feels based on something solid, scares + entertainment.

Some of the magic stuff took a little work for me to understand at first—maybe that’s why you’re supposed to start reading a series at the beginning 🤔😆—but this book is a real joy & pleasure & I soaked it up.

5 ⭐️. Release date: 12/28.


CW: murders, violence, manipulation & control of lead in past, war references.

[ID: an open hardback book rests on a gray blanket. On top of the book is a crocheted red, pink, aqua, & yellow sweater & on top of that is the ebook.]