I want to rate this book with more than five stars, as in my opinion, it deserves at least a ten. I cannot explain the joy and well-being that this book brought me. It's one of those stories that we get so caught up in and in love with that, it's hard to let go. We want to know the ending, but we want to prolong the book because it's perfect. That is how I feel.

The main characters of this story had already appeared in the "Magic in Manhattan" trilogy and had very peculiar roles. Seeing them here was a fantastic adventure. Appearances are deceiving - it's one of the main points with these two.

Sebastian and Wesley don't start on the right foot by any means, but every step they take throughout the book is together and at the same pace. Both have wrong opinions of themselves, but they are always trying to improve each other's self-esteem, and in doing so, discover that what they are is more than what they think they are.

I love the importance of the cultural difference that the author uses in her books, but even more so here. I love all the conversations, the Spanish language, the expressions, and the seduction. The magic involves the relationship between the two characters and the story itself—the path to your resolve to try to save the world.

I liked that even though Wes was a "non-magical" character, it was as valuable or more than the magic itself. His aggressive and grumpy manner, good memory, ability to think fast - all this made him a more fantastic character than the appearance we had previously seen. And Sebastian, despite being incredibly strong and powerful, is in a dilemma between reality and sacrifice and must be rescued, so he doesn't get lost in the guilt he feels. Also, he loves animals, especially cats, so all my love for him.

All in all, it's a beautiful book. The story of magic goes on, but what I liked most above all was how the author builds a relationship that seems utterly improbable and impossible - without ruining the beauty of love. It's not something crazy and illogical; it's made and worked and flawed. It is wonderful.

I loved the chance to return to this magical world, it was such a rich idea that it certainly deserves more than just three books.

I think in this one the characters were not quite as believable perhaps because of the shorter story length. We have the rude but otherwise sweetheart ‘grump’ who pays his servants well and is liquidating his estate for charity donations. Then there is the man who survived years of the worst torture imaginable and came out of it with occasional night terrors and an increased do-gooder streak.

It’s hard to get a character arc when both characters start pretty well redeemed from the mostly undescribed and certainly fault free pasts.

So, alas, no scoundrels not even proper ones, which was disappointing. The interpersonals lacked but the action and plot were still enjoyable so overall I think it’s a good read so long as you know the character arc is not the highlight.

!!!!!

yeah those are my feelings. this was one of my most anticipated reads that came out last year and the only reason i didn’t finish reading it the night it finally arrived was because my eyeballs were having a hard time.

this has grumpy/sunshine (with a slant), forced proximity, only one bed, and a paranormal murder mystery. it has self-redemption, a sweet slow burn, action, and a fantastic cast of characters (jade is still an icon).

therin writes the best dangerous bisexual paranormal cinnamon rolls and marshmallows (with a fondness for newsboy and flat caps, respectfully). i adored rory from the main series and i just as easily fell for seb. wesley is jaded and cynical (rightly so tbh) and shields himself by being an ass and i loved seeing the way they softened each other’s edges and fit together in a way no one else could.

this does work as a standalone but i’m not going to tell you to not read the main series, because it’s great and why would you want to skip out on rory and arthur?? but this does have major spoilers for the main series so i would recommend reading that first. (i have already yelled about this series in a previous post).

therin is firmly an insta-buy author for me and i will continue to look forward to any of her future works, whether we remain in the MAGIC IN MANHATTAN universe or travel somewhere new.

Enchanting magical story adding to the Magic in Manhattan series, snuffing away even more bad magic and villain paranormals.

Lord Fine finds his heart and Sebastían finds forgiveness and their love story is so sweet.

And of course there is a good plot, adventure, mystery and bite your nails suspense. Very good.

And Joel giving life and voice to the characters?! Oh my heart! Listening to Joel made me very picky. He is a marvel.

I'll admit I'm a sucker for the "recluse that hates everyone but his lover" trope. However, this was perfection. Wes is just grumpy enough without being a monster and Sebastian is just sweet enough not to be cloying. The both carry their own battle scars and understand that about each other. Both have a sense of obligation that the other understands and supports. It has some genuinely swoon worthy moments. Very romantic in the way I adore. 5 star read.

Proper Scoundrels by Allie Therin is the new standalone spin-off to the Magic in Manhattan series. Sebastian de Leon is trying to make up for the wrongs he caused while under blood magic’s control and believes solving strange paranormal murders in London may help. Thrown into the path of his investigation is Lord Wesley Fine, a jaded viscount who appears to be next on the murderer’s list. Wesley lacks interest in high society and snaps at anyone who tries to force him into that world. Wesley finds himself drawn to Sebastian and as the investigation leads them on the run from London society and magical malice they learn they may need to rely on each other for their unique strengths.

Lord Wesley Fine was hysterical. I loved his sardonic attitude towards his stature in society and his regular bouts of denial when it comes to his attachment to Sebastian. He struggles to be seen as weak by Sebastian and the other paranormals he finds himself involved with even though so much of it is just in his head. His jokes dulled his sharp edges and his running internal dialogue had me falling for him. The last straw that won me over was that underlying need to care for Sebastian while he struggles and the acknowledgment that he may say the wrong things but tries to do what’s right.

Sebastian de Leon feels as though he has to make up for the mistakes he made while under the persuasion of blood magic. He doesn’t feel he deserves the affection of his friends, Jade and Zhang, or his cousin, Isabel. He also can’t imagine why a high society man like Wesley would be interested in him especially once his history is laid out before him in detail, both magically and romantically. When he finally lets down the wall to Wesley, watching them compliment each other's shortcomings was perfect.

I usually check carefully that an arc I’m reading is not either directly part of another series or a spin-off but managed to miss that when requesting this book. I was slightly confused when I started being like am I supposed to know these characters but Therin’s writing managed to catch me up quickly and had me falling down a rabbit hole of needing to know what happened next. I look forward to going back and reading the Magic in Manhattan series.

4 stars for a historical romance with a side of the paranormal.

Really enjoyed this one! I was a fan of Therin's Magic in Manhattan series, so this spinoff was a welcome treat. (Note: This is a standalone, so you don't have to have read the other books, but I recommend that you do.) This was a perfect weekend read - lots of grump combined with a soft marshmallow, some spice, and a guaranteed HEA. As always, I'm looking forward to what Therin has in store for us next!

A danger marshmallow and a grumpy aristocrat running around Europe and falling in love? Sign me up.

I must say I was avoiding reading this book! After Lord Fine’s appearance in the Magic In Manhattan series I had zero interest in following his own story (not to sound like Arthur Kenzie on main, but he was mean to Rory and so I wanted to never hear his name again.)

BUT I kept seeing it pop on when browsing for new books and curiosity got the best of me so I caved. And I’m so glad I did! I fell in love with both these characters so fast (a danger marshmallow guys, how can anyone not love him?!).

A round of applause for Allie Therin because once I set my mind to not liking a character it is VERY hard to change my mind and what do you know, I am not a reformed Wesley Fine hater.

Ich beim letzten mal: „Also geh ich nun die Spinnoff Reihe lesen und lass mich überraschen ob ein Gewisser Lord mich doch noch richtig abholen kann. ;D IYKYK!“

Die Antwort: Ja konnte er und Sebastian auch!

|“Are you serious right now?” said Lord Fine incredulously. “You’re handcuffed to my bed at gunpoint and you’re more upset that the English hunt foxes?” “No,” Sebastian lied. He held his tongue for a moment, then couldn’t help adding, “But you shouldn’t.”|

Ich dachte schon, dass ich die Hauptcharakter der Magic in Manhatten (MiM) Reihe lieben würde. Aber dann kamen Wesley und Sebastian und haben mich eines Besseren belehrt. Die Zwei haben eine wundervolle Dynamik in meinen Augen. Ihre Gespräche, Interaktionen und Ihre Romanze haben mich so oft zum Schwärmen, Lachen und Grinsen gebracht. Der tierliebenden „dangerous marshmallow“ Optimist/Sunshine und einem „herz- und gefühllose“ Realisten/Grumpy haben schnell mein Herz erobert. Die „Spicy“-Szenen waren detaillierter, als in der MiM-Reihe, aber nicht zu explizit. Zusammen mit diesem Gewissen Hauch an Dominanz-Gerangel. Genau mein Geschmack!!

Ich mochte die Reihe sehr. Band 2 war mit zwischendrin etwas zu zäh und die Verstrickungen von Band 3 haben mich am Ende einen Hauch verwirrt. Aber alles in allem lassen sich die Bücher toll lesen und bieten tolle Abenteuer mit Sebastian und Wesley. Insgesamt geht es in den Büchern mehr um die Gefühlswelt der Protagonisten, ihre Beziehung, ihre eigenen Weltansichten und die damit zusammenhängenden Probleme. Ich habe es genossen muss ich gestehen, weil es viele Momente gab, die ich in der MiM Reihe etwas vermisst habe.

Nichts desto trotz gab es auch spannende Fälle und Probleme rund um die Artefakte der de Leon Familie und ich möchte gerne mehr. (Vielleicht ein Buch zu Jade und Zhang? Oder Mateo de Leon?!) Ich finde die Welt, die Allie Therin geschaffen hat so spannend und interessant. Dabei nimmt mich ihr Schreibstil gefangen und lässt mich sofort in die Welt eintauchen und mit Wesley und Sebastian mitfühlen.

Diese drei Bücher werden definitiv auf meine ReRead-Liste wandern.

Gefühl – Was ist das erste Gefühl, nachdem du das Buch beendet hast?

Begeistert

Unterhaltungswert & Pacing

Fesselnd

Charaktere & Originalität

Tiefgründig & Spannend

Empfehlung

Unbedingt lesen!

Major kudos to Allie Therin for creating a spinoff as delightful as the first book of her series. This just came out & was my end-of-the-year treat, because I do love romance between two villains. Especially between a grouch & a dangerous marshmallow! Too many magical fantasy series fix their plot problems with annoying deus ex machina "presto new magical rules". But Therin's alt world of the 1920s is beautifully believable, packed with realistic historical detail, and the heroes have a chance to fall in love while saving each other, and the world. Romance, magic, art, and more than a little smouldering!

“You obviously don’t know what’s good for you if you’re giving me a chance to keep you. If I were a nice man, I’d let you come to your senses.”

Sebastian’s lips quirked up. “I’m glad you’re a scoundrel, then.”

My love for this book and Allie Therin's story telling is infinite. Honestly. Proper Scoundrels is a spin off from the Magic in Manhattan series and I wouldn't recommend to read it without reading that series first. That being said, I loved how this book stood on its own. It is very much connected to the MiM series and I read them all back to back and still when reading this it felt different. It has its own feel to it than the previous books even though it's very connected to it. The slow burn / tension was different. The dynamic was different with the MC's. Wesley didn't know about magic and had to learn about it very quickly. I don't know if those things added to the different feeling.

Lord Wesley Fine is an A-hole. He is a grump. Through and through. And I love him. He is a prickly marshmallow. He deserves love and hugs and allll the romantic stuff even if he pretends he doesn't care. He gets stupid for beautiful men and it is wonderful!

Sebastian De Leon is a pure marshmallow. He is squishy and caring and holds the burden of the world and his past on his shoulders. he looks after stray cats. Looks out for grumpy strangers. He's just trying to do the right thing and oh you know making sure the world doesn't crumble due to bad magic and those who are hell bent on doing so.

Sebastian and Lord Fine get off to a bad start but things turn around. The tensionnnn though. Amazing. The humour between the two is dry and fantastic and then!! their connection, their vulnerabilities (the different ways Allie Therin is able to write these vulnerabilities is beautiful), the realisation of what they have found in each other. Honestly my heart was turning to goo. Sebastian and Wesley are so special and look, I'm not going to lie, they're my favourites.

My face was seriously aching from smiling so much. I couldn't stop. For the most part. Because make no mistake, the bad guys and bad situations are there and when the author needs to focus in on the creepy scary bad guys she does. And she does it well. My anxiety had anxiety!! But so gooood.

I think the author has created a magical, enchanting world which I am now completely obsessed with. I know Proper Scoundrels was supposed to be a standalone but I hope it's gonna be a spin off series. With many books because I'm greedy. I want more Sebastian and Wesley. I want to see Arthur and Rory reacting to what's been going on with Lord Fine and when they find out he "got one". I want more Jade and Zhang who I really enjoyed getting more of. I want more Molly and Isabel, more Mateo and I wanna see Stella and Sasha and Pavel again. Allll of it. I'm officially obsessed with this author's writing. I'm so sad I've read all her books now but I really can't wait for more!

How perfect was this???

Grumpy lord x marshmallow catlady is my new favourite trope!

If the meet cute doesn’t includes the MC being chained to the bed (and not in a fun way) and immediately arguing with his kidnapper about why foxes should not be killed because they have cute faces then I don’t want it.

They had amazing chemistry, the plot was gripping af and Lord Fine made me swoon and blush all over!

I guess this could be totally read as a standalone, but…give me more?

A great spin-off from Therin's Magic in Manhattan (one of my favourite series) that brings back two of the villains of that series and gives them they're own story.

Tbh I wasn't entirely certain going in to this how a romance between these two characters would work, and yet it definietly does.

Sebastian is a 'dangerous marshmallow', who is struggling to recover from the traumatic experiences of the MiM series, including being controlled by blood magic and forced to do terrible things. I would go so far as to say he isn't really a scoundrel at all, even if he considers himself one because of what he was made to do. (I mean one of his prime concerns in the book is making sure stray cats get fed... It's as adorable as it sounds!)

Wesley, meanwhile, is a self-proclaimed b****** and lives up to that title. He certainly is a bit of scoundrel. His characterisation, in particular, is excellent, because whilst we do see a hidden softer side of him, and end up rooting for him, his characterisation doesn't do a complete 180 to accomplish this. He's still a just little bit of a b******.

The storyline is similar to those in MiM. Set in an alternative 1920s with secret magic users and artifacts, someone is using these to commit a series of atrocious murders. Jade and Zhang (characters from the OG series who I was very excited to see again) arrive in London searching for answers, and both Wesley & Sebastian are pulled into their investigation. What follows is well-paced and the conclusion satisfying. (I won't say more because spoilers!)

As a Yorkshire lass, I loved that there was a section set in Yorkshire, and Therin has clearly researched the area, which I appreciate.

Overall, this book was a delight that I read in 2 days because I didn't want to put it down. I highly recommend it, especially if you like queer historicals. (And also, the Magic in Manhattan series if you haven't read it yet!)