Truly blessed to have a second Allie Therin book out in the same year. We’re back with Lord Fine and his fine fella.
Title: Once a Rogue (Roaring Twenties Magic #2)
Author: Allie Therin
Genres: Romance, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, LGBTQ+
Pub Date: August 22, 2023
Publisher: Carina Press
Content Warnings: Homophobia, PTSD, Gun Violence, Murder
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy.
★★★★★
Two reformed scoundrels have renounced the battlefields and scandals for one another, but their troubled pasts could destroy everything they hold dear…
Cranky and jaded Lord Fine—Wesley, now, to the kindhearted lover he cynically doubts life will let him keep—arrives in Manhattan with one goal: find the American paranormals and get their help with the relic burdening Sebastian. His plans are upended when the other paranormals seem to have vanished, and a mysterious letter warns Wesley that he’s in danger.
Sebastian has no doubts when it comes to his feelings for Wesley, but he’s still haunted by the time he spent enthralled by blood magic right here in New York. And now, his magic is unstable, bolstered by a relic that seems to drain energy from his very blood. But there is a threat to Wesley, and Sebastian needs control of his magic to protect him—even if former Great War captain Wesley wants Sebastian to rely on him for a change.
Chasing a trail that leads from Fifth Avenue’s bootleggers to a Halloween masquerade at a Tarrytown mansion, they must race to find their friends before devastation is unleashed on New York—and on magic everywhere.
We are back with Sebastian and Wesley and the boys are headed back to where it all began: NYC. This leads straight off of where book one, PROPER SCOUNDRELS, left off so definitely read the first book if you haven’t. (And read the original trilogy MAGIC IN MANHATTAN that this is spin-off of. You don’t need to read Rory and Arthur’s books to follow along, but why would you skip them? You should have both the dangerous cinnamon roll and dangerous marshmallow paranormals and their respective non-paranormal amours in your life. And the cross-over supporting cast as well. Jade and Zhang, I also love dearly.)
Since waiting for this book, I’ve really missed Wesley’s snark. Therin writes the best snarky grumps who go soft for their beloved. (But Wesley will not admit he’s anywhere near soft or nice.) The boys are together but still working through things on personal levels, plus solving paranormal crimes and mysteries and dealing with troublesome relics and people. The boys are as lovable as ever in their own ways. Sebastian has his unbroken positivity despite the terrors of his past, Wesley continues to pretend he does not have an emotion.
As usual in Therin’s works, this is full of sweetness, softness, comedy, and tension and suspense. I personally am not a fan of miscommunication tropes, however, the way it was used in this and carried over from part of book one was light and funny and had a great pay-off. There’s also some spicy scenes, particularly if you enjoy when magic/powers are used in intimate situations. There’s really great discussions of boundaries, consent, and kink. I also loved seeing more of Therin flipping perceived weakness, the idea of who is the protector or able to protect and who is protected in different situations.
Obviously, super keen to see where this ends in the next book (recently confirmed! But in 2025, it’s so far away 🥲), and how the outcomes of this one will develop and change things going forward for everyone involved. Therin is among my top 5 romance and historical fantasy authors and I love every book of hers I’ve read. Also, August come faster so I can have the paperback in my greedy little hands!!
escapistlit 