Subtle Blood Novel

Novel: Subtle Blood

Author: K.J. Charles

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Mystery

Released: 2021

Part of Book Series: The Will Darling Adventures #3

Summary: Will Darling is all right. His business is doing well, and so is his illicit relationship with Kim Secretan—disgraced aristocrat, ex-spy, amateur book-dealer. It’s starting to feel like he’s got his life under control.

And then a brutal murder in a gentleman’s club plunges them back into the shadow world of crime, deception, and the power of privilege. Worse, it brings them up against Kim’s noble, hostile family, and his upper-class life where Will can never belong.

With old and new enemies against them, and secrets on every side, Will and Kim have to fight for each other harder than ever—or be torn apart for good.

Post’s Author Opinion:
Note: This is a personal opinion, it does not reflect YaoiOtaku’s official position towards the novel.

*Before you go and read the last book of the series, there is also To Trust Man on His Oath (The Will Darling Adventures #2.5), a short story that I am not going to review here, but that I obviously recommend. And after you read the book I am reviewing below, next up is How Goes The World? (The Will Darling Adventures #3.5) that I am also not going to review. I am only going to mention that the second part is relevant to this series. Both short stories can be found on K.J. Charles’ site, under the ‘Free Reads’ tag.

And I reached the last volume of The Will Darling Adventures. My dears Will and Kim evolved beautifully along the how-many-pages. Particularly Kim who turned, slowly and naturally, from a cold lying bastard to a warm lying swindler, all thanks to the wonder that is Will Darling.

During the first volume and half of the second, I didn’t think Kim can show this much vulnerability and this much love, but with Will’s influence and encouragements, he turned to be this wonderful character who I like a lot. Will too evolved thanks to Kim, he got to see things in a broader way, to not be stuck in the now and dare to dream of what could be.

I said Kim is a lying bastard and while that is true as far as his job is concerned, I love him when he’s open and honest. I love how he let Will fully in, how he kept all of his promises and how Will in turn faced his own shortcomings. They are perfect for one another, they truly belong one next to the other. One of the best type of couples are the ones where the partners lift and better each other, and Will and Kim are exactly that.

The events from this volume are just as intense as the previous two. Surprising things happen, Will and Kim have to fight for the truth, but this time also for their relationship, and they make a great team. I was a little wary at having Kim’s family involved, sometimes things tend to become theatrical and cliché when family drama ensues, but I am happy to say this didn’t happen here. There was no hiccup in Subtle Blood, nothing that felt unreal or forced and it all flowed smoothly. There were a few situations that could have fallen in the ‘ugh’ area, but that did not happen. K.J. Charles planed and executed the trilogy perfectly.

I’m happy I joined The Will Darling Adventures and I plan on reading more books by the same author. It was a joy reading this, I can find no flaws.

What’s your opinion on Subtle Blood novel? Please let us know in the comments below.