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Wychwood #1
The Demons of Wychwood
London 1860
Felix Lazarus -
I suppose you could say I was a voyeur and what I was doing was wrong, criminal even. But I’d suggest that no hot-blooded man could resist a look after finding peepholes behind the walls of Wychwood. Through the peepholes I saw my most secret desires playing out before my eyes. One of the gents I watched was deliciously handsome with brooding stormy eyes and darling black curls. So taken was I that he haunted my dreams. I knew the comely young man only by a number, 27 as none of the queer fellows who attended Wychwood gave their names.
27 didn’t know I existed.
But when I saw how he got into trouble with a violent partner, I didn’t think twice about rushing to his aid. It was in my nature to help him...even if it cost me my job... and my heart.
This book is a gay historical romance with voyeurism, dub-con, upper/lower classes romance, a dastardly villain, revenge, and a HEA.
The Demons of Wychwood was written by Isobel Starling and NO AI was used in it's creation.
The cover art was painted by artist :Emity ( m.emityy/ ) and NO AI was used in the creation of the cover art.
Felix Lazarus -
I suppose you could say I was a voyeur and what I was doing was wrong, criminal even. But I’d suggest that no hot-blooded man could resist a look after finding peepholes behind the walls of Wychwood. Through the peepholes I saw my most secret desires playing out before my eyes. One of the gents I watched was deliciously handsome with brooding stormy eyes and darling black curls. So taken was I that he haunted my dreams. I knew the comely young man only by a number, 27 as none of the queer fellows who attended Wychwood gave their names.
27 didn’t know I existed.
But when I saw how he got into trouble with a violent partner, I didn’t think twice about rushing to his aid. It was in my nature to help him...even if it cost me my job... and my heart.
This book is a gay historical romance with voyeurism, dub-con, upper/lower classes romance, a dastardly villain, revenge, and a HEA.
The Demons of Wychwood was written by Isobel Starling and NO AI was used in it's creation.
The cover art was painted by artist :Emity ( m.emityy/ ) and NO AI was used in the creation of the cover art.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2024
6 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
About the author
Isobel Starling
67 books236 followersAWARD WINNING AUTHOR OF GAY ROMANCE.
Born in Germany, Isobel Starling spent most of her twenty-year professional career making art in Ireland. Now she writes full-time and runs her publishing company, Decent Fellows Press.
The Shatterproof Bond series is Gay Romance bestseller in the US, Germany and France. It is also a bestseller in audiobook format, narrated by Gary Furlong
Isobel is currently working on "The Dark Harvest", (The Quiet Work #2) The follow up to her successful Fantasy novel "Apple Boy"
When that book is done Isobel will be working on "Infernal Vices" book #3 of the Resurrectionist Historical MM series, and then "The Rebel Candidate " Book #6 in the Shatterproof Bond series.
Born in Germany, Isobel Starling spent most of her twenty-year professional career making art in Ireland. Now she writes full-time and runs her publishing company, Decent Fellows Press.
The Shatterproof Bond series is Gay Romance bestseller in the US, Germany and France. It is also a bestseller in audiobook format, narrated by Gary Furlong
Isobel is currently working on "The Dark Harvest", (The Quiet Work #2) The follow up to her successful Fantasy novel "Apple Boy"
When that book is done Isobel will be working on "Infernal Vices" book #3 of the Resurrectionist Historical MM series, and then "The Rebel Candidate " Book #6 in the Shatterproof Bond series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
March 17, 2025
⭐️ 3 stars ⭐️
TROPES:
🎩 Historical romance
🎩 Upper vs lower class
🎩 Revenge
I haven’t dabbled much in the world of historical romances, but something about this cover and blurb caught my eye. Now, I’m not sure if it was a great pick, but I didn’t hate it so that’s something. Jury’s still out.
Spoilers ahead.
The Demons Of Wychwood started off with a fun bit of voyeurism, a servant who finds a little extra excitement at his side job by peeping on the patrons getting buggered, especially a certain mysterious rich gentleman.
Soon enough though, the plot takes a turn for the worse.
The blurb mentions dub-con, but what occurs between Kit and the General was in no way consensual. The blurb also doesn’t mention any of the other content warnings. I get it, some don’t really care or don’t want spoilers in the blurb, but these are really bad triggers for some people, so a little itty bitty warning would’ve been nice.
Circling back to me not being much of a historical romance reader, how picky are we about accuracy? Do we care if the language or terms don’t fit the time period? ‘Cause my brain won’t shut up about how in the 1860s they wouldn’t say bust a nut (from what I can tell from a 3 second Google search, don’t quote me on this). Got a good laugh at that, though.
After all my babbling let’s finally get to the romance, which was the only thing I quite liked about this book. It was sweet and romantic, a complete 180 from Kit’s previous ‘relationship’. I would’ve liked more of it, of Felix showing Kit how men can love other men. I loved how they saw past their class difference, how they were just two men who found each other.
Overall, this was a mixed bag. I didn’t care for the heaviness of the plot, but the romance was kind of nice. The ending also wasn’t the best, too rushed. This book was a rollercoaster, and mostly I’m just glad I can get off now.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
CW and NSFW info (spoilers):
- Voyeurism
- Mentions of past mental abuse/manipulation of a minor
- Sexual coercion/dub-con/non-con (not between MCs)
- Mentions of rape & SA of minors (not MCs)
- Suicide attempt
- Homophobia & internalized homophobia
- Top/bottom
- Frotting & rimming
“You like to watch, don’t you Felix. Do you want to watch me?”
TROPES:
🎩 Historical romance
🎩 Upper vs lower class
🎩 Revenge
I haven’t dabbled much in the world of historical romances, but something about this cover and blurb caught my eye. Now, I’m not sure if it was a great pick, but I didn’t hate it so that’s something. Jury’s still out.
Spoilers ahead.
“Oh Felix! You make the demon awaken in me,” his voice was low and secretive.
The Demons Of Wychwood started off with a fun bit of voyeurism, a servant who finds a little extra excitement at his side job by peeping on the patrons getting buggered, especially a certain mysterious rich gentleman.
Soon enough though, the plot takes a turn for the worse.
The blurb mentions dub-con, but what occurs between Kit and the General was in no way consensual. The blurb also doesn’t mention any of the other content warnings. I get it, some don’t really care or don’t want spoilers in the blurb, but these are really bad triggers for some people, so a little itty bitty warning would’ve been nice.
“Even if I’m about to bust a nut I’ll stop.”
Circling back to me not being much of a historical romance reader, how picky are we about accuracy? Do we care if the language or terms don’t fit the time period? ‘Cause my brain won’t shut up about how in the 1860s they wouldn’t say bust a nut (from what I can tell from a 3 second Google search, don’t quote me on this). Got a good laugh at that, though.
“You make me feel good, Felix.” There was something tentative and childlike about his admission. “You make me feel… wonderful.”
After all my babbling let’s finally get to the romance, which was the only thing I quite liked about this book. It was sweet and romantic, a complete 180 from Kit’s previous ‘relationship’. I would’ve liked more of it, of Felix showing Kit how men can love other men. I loved how they saw past their class difference, how they were just two men who found each other.
Overall, this was a mixed bag. I didn’t care for the heaviness of the plot, but the romance was kind of nice. The ending also wasn’t the best, too rushed. This book was a rollercoaster, and mostly I’m just glad I can get off now.
Christopher Havelock always made me feel like I’d been touched by magic, enchanted.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
CW and NSFW info (spoilers):
- Voyeurism
- Mentions of past mental abuse/manipulation of a minor
- Sexual coercion/dub-con/non-con (not between MCs)
- Mentions of rape & SA of minors (not MCs)
- Suicide attempt
- Homophobia & internalized homophobia
- Top/bottom
- Frotting & rimming
October 8, 2024
Likeable historical with cute MC's and an evil villain. I'm definitely going to read the next in this series.
October 29, 2025
Voyeurism should not be fulfilled through tiny peep holes in musty corridors.
This made for quite an uncompelling peep 👀
This made for quite an uncompelling peep 👀
April 17, 2025
4.5 stars for the narration, 3.5 for the story
The Demons of Wychwood is a fairly short Victorian historical romance, coming in at a little under six hours in audio. Its protagonist is Felix Lazarus, a former soldier who now works as a clerk for the General Post Office and who has a side hustle as a kind of general factotum at the very discreet Club 55 in Primrose Hill, a place that caters to the desires of gentlemen who enjoy the company of other gentlemen.
The work pays well and comes with perks Felix has only recently discovered. One day, he’d stumbled across a set of plans for the house which showed a number of secret passages, and when he’d gone to investigate, he’d discovered the peepholes in the walls in some of the upstairs rooms – the rooms to which the gentlemen retire once they’ve dined and had their fill of the other entertainment on offer. Having had little sexual experience – just the odd rushed hand-job from a fellow soldier in a dark corner – Felix takes the opportunity to indulge his curiosity about what goes on behind the closed doors at the club. He sees some kinky stuff, sure, but what interests him most are the obviously loving relationships that some of the men have, the tenderness and affection lying between them something of a revelation given his own furtive experiences. Most of all, however, he’s intrigued by the handsome gentleman he knows only as “number 27”, who Felix has watched having sex with his companion, an older man who dominates him and treats and speaks to him very roughly. Felix doesn’t really understand the dynamic between them, but he’s utterly captivated by 27’s beauty and by the air of desperation he exudes during his encounters with number 45.
But when, at the end of one of these encounters and after 45 has left, Felix sees an agitated and distraught 27 take a knife to his wrist, clearly intending to end his life, he can’t simply stand by and watch. Hurriedly, he runs back through the secret passages and into the room, wrapping the now insensible man’s wound to stanch the bleeding before going to get help. He doesn’t know when – or if – he’ll see 27 again.
A few weeks later, a postal mix-up sees Felix having to hand-deliver a missive to a nob’s house in St. James’s. One of the names on the letter is startlingly familiar – Penheligon. Felix’s sister had been a maid at Penheligon Hall in Devon, and been thrown out when she had become pregnant. Could this Lord Penheligon be connected to that house? Felix’s musings are interrupted by the arrival of a carriage – and the arrival of the man who has haunted his dreams. Who is, according to the address on the letter, Christopher (Kit) Havelock, the Duke of Penheligon.
This is a fairly short story in which the plot boils down to Felix helping Kit to shake free from his step-father’s coercive control and then their working together to deliver a much-deserved comeuppance to the villain of the piece (no prizes for guessing who 45 is.) The pacing is a bit off – the story is slow to start because there’s a lot of exposition in the first couple of chapters and there are a lot of sex scenes and sexual thoughts, which can slow things down. Felix is a likeable character who longs for love without really expecting ever to find it, but Kit is rather two-dimensional and the romance between them is rushed and lacks chemistry. I found it strange that nobody bats an eyelid when Kit - a duke - introduces Felix, clearly a man of the lower classes, as a “dear friend” and there are several instances where the cross-class element of their relationship is just handwaved away. The biggest stretch, however, is in having Kit, whose step-father has been pouring poison into his ear for years, telling him his attraction to men is unnatural and an abomination and that his desire for them is down to some kind of demonic possession that can only be appeased by letting step-daddy pound him into the mattress every so often – could shrug off several years of emotional abuse in just one day.
The narration by Cornell Collins is excellent, of course. His performance is well-paced, and expertly differntiated; he has a good range of character voices and a voice type I always feel is particularly appropriate for historicals. I particularly liked his interpretation of Felix; he rounds out the character extremely well, his rough, London accent marking him clearly as a no-nonsense working man and serving as a good contrast to the softer, cut-glass tones used to portray Kit. The raspy, gravelly growl he gives the villain is the perfect reflection of the man’s horrible personality, and the handful of secondary characters are all clearly differentiated.
The Demons of Wychwood was a quick and entertaining listen, but I’d have liked there to have been more development of the central love story and a slower, more plausible recovery from trauma for Kit. The villain is a real lip-smacking moustache-twirler and I was pleased to see him get his just desserts, but like Kit, he’s a pretty one-note character and could have been more strongly characterised. I enjoyed Cornell Collins’ performance but when it comes to the story, I’d have liked a bit less sex and a bit more plot.
The Demons of Wychwood is a fairly short Victorian historical romance, coming in at a little under six hours in audio. Its protagonist is Felix Lazarus, a former soldier who now works as a clerk for the General Post Office and who has a side hustle as a kind of general factotum at the very discreet Club 55 in Primrose Hill, a place that caters to the desires of gentlemen who enjoy the company of other gentlemen.
The work pays well and comes with perks Felix has only recently discovered. One day, he’d stumbled across a set of plans for the house which showed a number of secret passages, and when he’d gone to investigate, he’d discovered the peepholes in the walls in some of the upstairs rooms – the rooms to which the gentlemen retire once they’ve dined and had their fill of the other entertainment on offer. Having had little sexual experience – just the odd rushed hand-job from a fellow soldier in a dark corner – Felix takes the opportunity to indulge his curiosity about what goes on behind the closed doors at the club. He sees some kinky stuff, sure, but what interests him most are the obviously loving relationships that some of the men have, the tenderness and affection lying between them something of a revelation given his own furtive experiences. Most of all, however, he’s intrigued by the handsome gentleman he knows only as “number 27”, who Felix has watched having sex with his companion, an older man who dominates him and treats and speaks to him very roughly. Felix doesn’t really understand the dynamic between them, but he’s utterly captivated by 27’s beauty and by the air of desperation he exudes during his encounters with number 45.
But when, at the end of one of these encounters and after 45 has left, Felix sees an agitated and distraught 27 take a knife to his wrist, clearly intending to end his life, he can’t simply stand by and watch. Hurriedly, he runs back through the secret passages and into the room, wrapping the now insensible man’s wound to stanch the bleeding before going to get help. He doesn’t know when – or if – he’ll see 27 again.
A few weeks later, a postal mix-up sees Felix having to hand-deliver a missive to a nob’s house in St. James’s. One of the names on the letter is startlingly familiar – Penheligon. Felix’s sister had been a maid at Penheligon Hall in Devon, and been thrown out when she had become pregnant. Could this Lord Penheligon be connected to that house? Felix’s musings are interrupted by the arrival of a carriage – and the arrival of the man who has haunted his dreams. Who is, according to the address on the letter, Christopher (Kit) Havelock, the Duke of Penheligon.
This is a fairly short story in which the plot boils down to Felix helping Kit to shake free from his step-father’s coercive control and then their working together to deliver a much-deserved comeuppance to the villain of the piece (no prizes for guessing who 45 is.) The pacing is a bit off – the story is slow to start because there’s a lot of exposition in the first couple of chapters and there are a lot of sex scenes and sexual thoughts, which can slow things down. Felix is a likeable character who longs for love without really expecting ever to find it, but Kit is rather two-dimensional and the romance between them is rushed and lacks chemistry. I found it strange that nobody bats an eyelid when Kit - a duke - introduces Felix, clearly a man of the lower classes, as a “dear friend” and there are several instances where the cross-class element of their relationship is just handwaved away. The biggest stretch, however, is in having Kit, whose step-father has been pouring poison into his ear for years, telling him his attraction to men is unnatural and an abomination and that his desire for them is down to some kind of demonic possession that can only be appeased by letting step-daddy pound him into the mattress every so often – could shrug off several years of emotional abuse in just one day.
The narration by Cornell Collins is excellent, of course. His performance is well-paced, and expertly differntiated; he has a good range of character voices and a voice type I always feel is particularly appropriate for historicals. I particularly liked his interpretation of Felix; he rounds out the character extremely well, his rough, London accent marking him clearly as a no-nonsense working man and serving as a good contrast to the softer, cut-glass tones used to portray Kit. The raspy, gravelly growl he gives the villain is the perfect reflection of the man’s horrible personality, and the handful of secondary characters are all clearly differentiated.
The Demons of Wychwood was a quick and entertaining listen, but I’d have liked there to have been more development of the central love story and a slower, more plausible recovery from trauma for Kit. The villain is a real lip-smacking moustache-twirler and I was pleased to see him get his just desserts, but like Kit, he’s a pretty one-note character and could have been more strongly characterised. I enjoyed Cornell Collins’ performance but when it comes to the story, I’d have liked a bit less sex and a bit more plot.
October 26, 2025
I know hoping for a plot in books like these is a fool's errand, but still...
November 15, 2025
3.5*
Do I recommend this? No. Did I obsessively listen to it over the last week anyway? Yes. Will I read more Isobel Starling? Oh hell yes.
There is no doubt that this is extremely problematic - there is lots of sexual assault and rape (once on page and multiple instances off page); there is an on page suicide attempt; there is non-con voyeurism; there is murder. One of the MMCs is the victim of long term sexual abuse and has strong internalised homophobia. Starling doesn’t have a great deal of time to deal with any of these things, and so a lot gets glossed over or magically resolved. (That said, the story has one of the most realistic portrayals of a serial abuser that I’ve seen in romance, which I respect although YMMV for that level of seriousness.)
Setting all of that aside however, the romance here is sweet and lovely, and the sex and intimacy is so good. I kept having to stop the audiobook when I walked past people in the street because I was blushing.
Do I recommend this? No. Did I obsessively listen to it over the last week anyway? Yes. Will I read more Isobel Starling? Oh hell yes.
There is no doubt that this is extremely problematic - there is lots of sexual assault and rape (once on page and multiple instances off page); there is an on page suicide attempt; there is non-con voyeurism; there is murder. One of the MMCs is the victim of long term sexual abuse and has strong internalised homophobia. Starling doesn’t have a great deal of time to deal with any of these things, and so a lot gets glossed over or magically resolved. (That said, the story has one of the most realistic portrayals of a serial abuser that I’ve seen in romance, which I respect although YMMV for that level of seriousness.)
Setting all of that aside however, the romance here is sweet and lovely, and the sex and intimacy is so good. I kept having to stop the audiobook when I walked past people in the street because I was blushing.
October 13, 2024
Felix has a job setting up a big house for parties involving men. He also has found a hidden passageway where he can spy on the going ons in the room between the members.
He see #27 and one night he gives #27 first aid.
A few days later he has to deliver a letter to a house and it happens to be #27.
I enjoyed this book. #27, Kit was in a relationship with his stepfather and Felix helps him to get out of it.
I look forward to book 2 early in the new year.
He see #27 and one night he gives #27 first aid.
A few days later he has to deliver a letter to a house and it happens to be #27.
I enjoyed this book. #27, Kit was in a relationship with his stepfather and Felix helps him to get out of it.
I look forward to book 2 early in the new year.
December 29, 2025
Narrated by Cornell Collins. Delicious narration by Cornell Collins. *chef’s kiss*. Engrossing plot, with interesting characters, including a dastardly villain, who is well, quite dastardly. I enjoyed the characters and the story.
Bought from audible.
Bought from audible.
May 6, 2025
** 3.5 Stars **
April 8, 2025
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
I know some readers didn’t enjoy this one as much, but I actually really liked it! Of course, there were a few things I would criticize, but overall, this was an enjoyable story with good tension and a lovely relationship dynamic.
I also found the topic super interesting — I’ve never read anything dealing with voyeurism before, so this felt refreshing (and honestly, not nearly as creepy as I expected it to be!).
What didn’t work for me was the revenge part — it felt a bit unnecessary — and I’d say the ending was a little overly dramatic for my taste. But that didn’t ruin the book for me at all.
A quick, entertaining read that I’d definitely recommend if you’re looking for something a little different!
I know some readers didn’t enjoy this one as much, but I actually really liked it! Of course, there were a few things I would criticize, but overall, this was an enjoyable story with good tension and a lovely relationship dynamic.
I also found the topic super interesting — I’ve never read anything dealing with voyeurism before, so this felt refreshing (and honestly, not nearly as creepy as I expected it to be!).
What didn’t work for me was the revenge part — it felt a bit unnecessary — and I’d say the ending was a little overly dramatic for my taste. But that didn’t ruin the book for me at all.
A quick, entertaining read that I’d definitely recommend if you’re looking for something a little different!
April 2, 2025
I'm a fan of the author's historical M-M romances only - and this series stands up well to what's being offered by K.J. Charles, Adella J. Harris and Sebastian Nothwell. The baddie appears somewhat late in the plot but raises the stakes significantly. 3.5 stars.
August 16, 2025
The Demons of Wychwood by Isobel Starling
Length: 279 pages
Source: Gay Romance Reviews eARC
Publication date: March 12, 2025
2 ⭐️
1.5 🌶️
Summary
Felix and Kit are from opposite sides of the 1860s London tracks. Felix is a postal worker, and Kit (Christopher) is nobility. Felix grew up with a dad who trained him to be a thief, and Kit currently serves in the House of Lords. They couldn’t be more different on paper. They connect through Wychwood, a property where an exclusive club of men meet away from society so that they can be with men—Felix as one of the servants who sets up Wychwood’s rooms for their gatherings, and Kit as #27, one of the men in the group.
Felix is also a voyeur, and he has discovered passages within Wychwood’s walls that allow him to move about and watch the couples in secret, spying everything from cuddly kisses to kinky sex. Felix enjoys watching Kit with #45, an older military man, but he quickly starts to feel like the sexual encounters with #45 aren’t coming from a place of shared kink but of coerciveness and abuse. After an especially concerning encounter with #45, Felix and Kit then coincidentally meet outside of Wychwood, and their lives—and stories—quickly intertwine into a fast-paced story that ties together a lot of seemingly unrelated threads.
My Thoughts
While I enjoyed the sweet connection between the two main characters, the writing in The Demons of Wychwood was not for me. Staying in Felix’s point of view the entire book was at times repetitive and kind of boring. I’d have loved to see things through Kit’s eyes, even if only for a couple chapters—or just the epilogue!—to hear another voice. Also: So. Many. Exclamation. Points. SO. MANY. I admit I don’t read a ton of historical romance, or even historical novels in general, so is this a thing that’s particular to this sub-genre? This was extremely distracting the entire time I was reading, and I don’t know why they were so necessary unless this is something specific to historical romance. If they were used to describe Felix’s voice, I’d rather the writing be tightened up so I hear his voice through the words and not through the punctuation.
Bottom Line
The cover of this book is gorgeous and what prompted me to request the ARC. The Demons of Wychwood is probably really appealing to people who read historical romance more regularly. The content warnings mentioned in the ARC summary include voyeurism and dub con. (I have to say, dub con feels generous here.) My trigger warnings would be voyeurism, dub con, rape, SA, grooming, attempted suicide, homophobia, internalized homophobia, and brief mention of various kinks.
— A
Thanks to GRR and Isobel Starling for an eARC of this book. All opinions are mine.
Length: 279 pages
Source: Gay Romance Reviews eARC
Publication date: March 12, 2025
2 ⭐️
1.5 🌶️
Summary
Felix and Kit are from opposite sides of the 1860s London tracks. Felix is a postal worker, and Kit (Christopher) is nobility. Felix grew up with a dad who trained him to be a thief, and Kit currently serves in the House of Lords. They couldn’t be more different on paper. They connect through Wychwood, a property where an exclusive club of men meet away from society so that they can be with men—Felix as one of the servants who sets up Wychwood’s rooms for their gatherings, and Kit as #27, one of the men in the group.
Felix is also a voyeur, and he has discovered passages within Wychwood’s walls that allow him to move about and watch the couples in secret, spying everything from cuddly kisses to kinky sex. Felix enjoys watching Kit with #45, an older military man, but he quickly starts to feel like the sexual encounters with #45 aren’t coming from a place of shared kink but of coerciveness and abuse. After an especially concerning encounter with #45, Felix and Kit then coincidentally meet outside of Wychwood, and their lives—and stories—quickly intertwine into a fast-paced story that ties together a lot of seemingly unrelated threads.
My Thoughts
While I enjoyed the sweet connection between the two main characters, the writing in The Demons of Wychwood was not for me. Staying in Felix’s point of view the entire book was at times repetitive and kind of boring. I’d have loved to see things through Kit’s eyes, even if only for a couple chapters—or just the epilogue!—to hear another voice. Also: So. Many. Exclamation. Points. SO. MANY. I admit I don’t read a ton of historical romance, or even historical novels in general, so is this a thing that’s particular to this sub-genre? This was extremely distracting the entire time I was reading, and I don’t know why they were so necessary unless this is something specific to historical romance. If they were used to describe Felix’s voice, I’d rather the writing be tightened up so I hear his voice through the words and not through the punctuation.
Bottom Line
The cover of this book is gorgeous and what prompted me to request the ARC. The Demons of Wychwood is probably really appealing to people who read historical romance more regularly. The content warnings mentioned in the ARC summary include voyeurism and dub con. (I have to say, dub con feels generous here.) My trigger warnings would be voyeurism, dub con, rape, SA, grooming, attempted suicide, homophobia, internalized homophobia, and brief mention of various kinks.
— A
Thanks to GRR and Isobel Starling for an eARC of this book. All opinions are mine.
March 28, 2025
Felix Lazarus works hard to support his sister and niece. He is forced to work two jobs and one of those jobs is amazing. He comes to Wychwood to prepare the house for the night’s activities. Men arrive for a night of fun and go only by numbers. Felix discovered passages in the house which allow him to see everything going on through peepholes. He knows he is a voyeur but he sees all his own desires played out right before his eyes. He does have one man, 27, who he is attracted to. He cannot resist aiding him when he gets into trouble with his violent partner. When a letter gets dropped at his regular employment, Felix must deliver it and it turns out to be addressed to none other than 27, who happens to be a high ranking noble and goes by Kit.
This was a beautiful love story. There was a class difference and more than a touch of revenge added in. There was also voyeurism and dub-con. It started out slow and quickly became a compelling read. You cannot help but feel for Kit. He may be a rich, entitled noble but their lives are not always easy either, as his relationship with his stepfather demonstrates. Felix had to help him and as a result helped many others as well. Felix may be in the working class but he was just what this noble needed. This story is perfect for those of us who enjoy MM historical romance with the added problems of being gay during a time when it was illegal. Also enjoyable was the suspense and seeing justice served.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
This was a beautiful love story. There was a class difference and more than a touch of revenge added in. There was also voyeurism and dub-con. It started out slow and quickly became a compelling read. You cannot help but feel for Kit. He may be a rich, entitled noble but their lives are not always easy either, as his relationship with his stepfather demonstrates. Felix had to help him and as a result helped many others as well. Felix may be in the working class but he was just what this noble needed. This story is perfect for those of us who enjoy MM historical romance with the added problems of being gay during a time when it was illegal. Also enjoyable was the suspense and seeing justice served.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
March 15, 2025
THE DEMONS OF WYCHWOOD tells the story of Felix and Kit. Felix is a working-class man who has a side job of preparing the evening's entertainment, including food, drink, and any 'accessories' that may be needed. Kit is one of the upper class who attends said evenings. Felix is also a bit of a voyeur and likes to watch Kit in particular. However, he sees more than he bargains for one night and ends up saving Kit's life. This is the event that really starts this story.
I read this story in one sitting! Once I'd started it, I didn't want to put it down. Kit and Felix work so well together, in so many differing ways, I couldn't help but root for them. The General was a real piece of work with no redeeming qualities. I had everything crossed in the hope he would pay for his crimes.
This is the first book by this author I have read, but it won't be the last. A well-written story, with excellent characters and pacing, and a world I want to return to, to see who will be next, I can definitely recommend this work.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 15, 2025
I read this story in one sitting! Once I'd started it, I didn't want to put it down. Kit and Felix work so well together, in so many differing ways, I couldn't help but root for them. The General was a real piece of work with no redeeming qualities. I had everything crossed in the hope he would pay for his crimes.
This is the first book by this author I have read, but it won't be the last. A well-written story, with excellent characters and pacing, and a world I want to return to, to see who will be next, I can definitely recommend this work.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 15, 2025
March 29, 2025
I would like to thank GRR for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Well, given the abysmal ratings for this book I was prepared to DNF fairly early on, BUT it turns out that I really really enjoyed this story and I'm VERY happy that pretty much everything about this atmospheric romance just worked for me!
Sure there were editing snafus and a couple colloquial niggles, but I'm pretty chill about stuff like that, spelling errors, punctuation etc, because what matters to me the most is a fantastic story and i got that here 100%!
I loved that Felix, who was sharp and real and earnest, spoke AND thought in slang! I loved the smooth, aching sincerity of our lovely posh Kit! Overall i think it helps that my being a SUPER fan of MM historicals made this read an absolute delight. None of the plot is new, but i was fully immersed and i enjoyed the journey, and i can see myself rereading this again when i'm in a mood, because i got that cozy feeling that foggy London always gives me and i loved that for me!
The bad stuff was heavier than KJC, and especially Cat by a mile, but I thought this atmospheric love story had solid bones and I ate it up in one sitting! I'm pretty sure i'll be looking at Isobel Starling's historical romances in the future because i really vibed with her characterization and intriguing narrative.
Again YES, SURE, ABSOLUTELY an Editor wouldn't hurt, but I got what i came for because i loved Starling's storytelling energy, tone and style, and that's a win for me!!
Well, given the abysmal ratings for this book I was prepared to DNF fairly early on, BUT it turns out that I really really enjoyed this story and I'm VERY happy that pretty much everything about this atmospheric romance just worked for me!
Sure there were editing snafus and a couple colloquial niggles, but I'm pretty chill about stuff like that, spelling errors, punctuation etc, because what matters to me the most is a fantastic story and i got that here 100%!
I loved that Felix, who was sharp and real and earnest, spoke AND thought in slang! I loved the smooth, aching sincerity of our lovely posh Kit! Overall i think it helps that my being a SUPER fan of MM historicals made this read an absolute delight. None of the plot is new, but i was fully immersed and i enjoyed the journey, and i can see myself rereading this again when i'm in a mood, because i got that cozy feeling that foggy London always gives me and i loved that for me!
The bad stuff was heavier than KJC, and especially Cat by a mile, but I thought this atmospheric love story had solid bones and I ate it up in one sitting! I'm pretty sure i'll be looking at Isobel Starling's historical romances in the future because i really vibed with her characterization and intriguing narrative.
Again YES, SURE, ABSOLUTELY an Editor wouldn't hurt, but I got what i came for because i loved Starling's storytelling energy, tone and style, and that's a win for me!!
September 2, 2025
It’s 1860 in London and Felix Lazarus makes ends meet by juggling a job with the Royal Post and a much more secretive job at Wychwood, a place where wealthy gay men can meet each other. Felix has discovered the secret passages behind the walls of the rooms and isn’t averse to peeking through the cracks, which is how he sees a bereft nobleman attempt to take his own life after a violent tryst. Kit has been under the thrall of the General for years but he can’t take much more of the lies and the violence and Felix is just the person he needs in his corner.
I thoroughly enjoyed this, I found it gripping and mesmerising and the sizzling chemistry between Felix and Kit was perfect. I guess I expected a supernatural romance, but the demons that torment Kit are metaphorical and I liked the inference that our erroneous beliefs can cause us problems. The General was a perfectly dark villain and I was actually creeped out at times by his actions—a classic example of Hell being other people. There is dubious consent here as well as other potential triggers so check those out if you need to. 🎧 British voice actor Cornell Collins gives another strong performance, he’s always excellent on these historical romances!
I thoroughly enjoyed this, I found it gripping and mesmerising and the sizzling chemistry between Felix and Kit was perfect. I guess I expected a supernatural romance, but the demons that torment Kit are metaphorical and I liked the inference that our erroneous beliefs can cause us problems. The General was a perfectly dark villain and I was actually creeped out at times by his actions—a classic example of Hell being other people. There is dubious consent here as well as other potential triggers so check those out if you need to. 🎧 British voice actor Cornell Collins gives another strong performance, he’s always excellent on these historical romances!
March 18, 2025
Plot okay but needs editing😕
I've read novels by the author previously, liked them, so I gave this historical MM romance set in Victorian England a try. The plot got a bit too melodramatic towards the end and the dialogue struck me as off, not period-authentic at times; the clearly growing trust and affection between the two main characters was the strong element that kept me reading.
Yes, I read an advance copy and hope the published version had some major editing. But I was thrown off by the frequent missed words, misspellings and, most of all, the poor use of punctuation. My expectations were higher since I never noted this issue in the other contemporary stories I'd read by Isobel Starling. Again, this may be an non-issue for the final, retail version.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
TW: villain with rape, intimidation and gaslighting as his modus operandi.
I've read novels by the author previously, liked them, so I gave this historical MM romance set in Victorian England a try. The plot got a bit too melodramatic towards the end and the dialogue struck me as off, not period-authentic at times; the clearly growing trust and affection between the two main characters was the strong element that kept me reading.
Yes, I read an advance copy and hope the published version had some major editing. But I was thrown off by the frequent missed words, misspellings and, most of all, the poor use of punctuation. My expectations were higher since I never noted this issue in the other contemporary stories I'd read by Isobel Starling. Again, this may be an non-issue for the final, retail version.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
TW: villain with rape, intimidation and gaslighting as his modus operandi.
March 29, 2025
Wonderfully gritty, then heartwarming MM regency story
I was captivated by this MM regency by Isobel Starling that combines a number of different tropes with a really threatening bad guy. Starling comes up with an interesting twist to what men of this persuasion might have done in order to get together back in times when homosexual behavior was still illegal. The fact that Felix and Kit are from such different classes adds a lot of tension to the story and the house where Kit attends and Felix works gives us a clever idea for where they could meet.
I especially like how Starling has written a story where Felix is so much more confident, particularly because he was a soldier and it doesn’t seem weird that he is the one who looks after Kit, who is a Duke. The whole book kept me interested from the cover until the end and I hardly put it down. I shall be looking forward to reading more from this author.
I was captivated by this MM regency by Isobel Starling that combines a number of different tropes with a really threatening bad guy. Starling comes up with an interesting twist to what men of this persuasion might have done in order to get together back in times when homosexual behavior was still illegal. The fact that Felix and Kit are from such different classes adds a lot of tension to the story and the house where Kit attends and Felix works gives us a clever idea for where they could meet.
I especially like how Starling has written a story where Felix is so much more confident, particularly because he was a soldier and it doesn’t seem weird that he is the one who looks after Kit, who is a Duke. The whole book kept me interested from the cover until the end and I hardly put it down. I shall be looking forward to reading more from this author.
October 31, 2025
sort of a wobbly 4, maybe more like 3.75?
the warnings on this don't cover enough i think, but i did enjoy it. there's an on page suicide attempt and the pov character witnesses what he later realizes are sexual assaults. the other character enters into these encounters "willingly", but he's been groomed and manipulated into it and is afraid of them. pedophilia and grooming + sexual assault is honestly more of a central theme than the romance.
as this is very short, the way that's handled is a bit too abrupt and neat, but i do enjoy a revenge story regarding predators.
i also think the romance was very sweet. it's sort of instalove, in that it takes place over a few days, but i don't think it bothered me that much? i actually enjoyed both of them a lot for how little we spent with them too.
much much heavier and darker than i think it's advertised, so i hope people check the reviews to see that.
the warnings on this don't cover enough i think, but i did enjoy it. there's an on page suicide attempt and the pov character witnesses what he later realizes are sexual assaults. the other character enters into these encounters "willingly", but he's been groomed and manipulated into it and is afraid of them. pedophilia and grooming + sexual assault is honestly more of a central theme than the romance.
as this is very short, the way that's handled is a bit too abrupt and neat, but i do enjoy a revenge story regarding predators.
i also think the romance was very sweet. it's sort of instalove, in that it takes place over a few days, but i don't think it bothered me that much? i actually enjoyed both of them a lot for how little we spent with them too.
much much heavier and darker than i think it's advertised, so i hope people check the reviews to see that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2025
3.5⭐️
I generally avoid period romance as it can be challenging to bring a historical setting to life; but this looked fun and honestly- I liked the cover. I’m not sure I was transported to 1860 and I didn’t think the dialogue always felt of the times, but I did like Felix and Kit. Their romance was a lovely high point amidst some pretty dark and troubling elements happening around them. There is also a truly evil villain in the general, Kit’s stepfather. I was definitely invested in these two and quite enjoyed their relationship. I didn’t love the arrangement they worked out for themselves in the epilogue, it was pragmatic but kind of unsatisfying, for me anyway. Overall, I found this pretty compelling and I would read more set in this world.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of book.
I generally avoid period romance as it can be challenging to bring a historical setting to life; but this looked fun and honestly- I liked the cover. I’m not sure I was transported to 1860 and I didn’t think the dialogue always felt of the times, but I did like Felix and Kit. Their romance was a lovely high point amidst some pretty dark and troubling elements happening around them. There is also a truly evil villain in the general, Kit’s stepfather. I was definitely invested in these two and quite enjoyed their relationship. I didn’t love the arrangement they worked out for themselves in the epilogue, it was pragmatic but kind of unsatisfying, for me anyway. Overall, I found this pretty compelling and I would read more set in this world.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of book.
October 10, 2025
I wish I could rewrite this entire book in third person. The entire experience of having the main character talking directly at the reader about himself made an already fine at best book that much worse. Like when is he telling me all this? "You see I-" no i dont see actually and I'd appreciate it if you weren't right here while I read this book.
Also nothing happens in this book. There are lots of parts where it felt like something might happen but then the next chapter it's all fine again. The BBEG is thwarted with no confrontation whatsoever and the social consequences of everything happening between our main couple are just not explored. Sure its mentioned over and over how one is a Duke and the other a commoner but it never becomes an issue. Nothing ever becomes an issue.
If you must read it, listen to the audiobook because at least Cornell Collins made this not a bad experience
Also nothing happens in this book. There are lots of parts where it felt like something might happen but then the next chapter it's all fine again. The BBEG is thwarted with no confrontation whatsoever and the social consequences of everything happening between our main couple are just not explored. Sure its mentioned over and over how one is a Duke and the other a commoner but it never becomes an issue. Nothing ever becomes an issue.
If you must read it, listen to the audiobook because at least Cornell Collins made this not a bad experience
March 31, 2025
I fell in love with Isobel Starling's suspenseful and emotional M/M stories with the Shatterproof Bond series, but I hadn't read anything by her in a while. This book brought me back to her detailed world-building, intricate and endearing characters, and challenging situations. I really enjoyed the historical setting of this book, and the added risks this time period presented for men who like men. The book includes class differences, voyeurism, and an abusive situation. There are two lovable MCs in Felix and Kit, and delicious steamy scenes, too. I am glad to find this new series rom Ms. Starling.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
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April 17, 2025A difficult start but much more enjoyable once Kit and Felix meet properly. Their relationship is very sweet, if fast moving. IRL I doubt that Kit would have moved so quickly in certain aspects of their physical relationship.
The final third moved more quickly for me, and the ending had the feel of a Penny Dreadful (not a bad thing) mixed with Home Alone (you'll see what I mean when you get there).
Tropes/CW
* high heat
* voyeurism
* sexual assault/grooming/multiple instances of rape/manipulation (not between MCs)
* attempted suicide (on page) MC/suicide (off page/in past) not MC
FYI: I don't know how historically accurate the whole story is, but 'bust a nut' sounded off to me for the time period. Checking I could only find references dating back to the 1930s and in a sexual context the first usage seemed to be 1970s/80s.
The final third moved more quickly for me, and the ending had the feel of a Penny Dreadful (not a bad thing) mixed with Home Alone (you'll see what I mean when you get there).
Tropes/CW
* high heat
* voyeurism
* sexual assault/grooming/multiple instances of rape/manipulation (not between MCs)
* attempted suicide (on page) MC/suicide (off page/in past) not MC
FYI: I don't know how historically accurate the whole story is, but 'bust a nut' sounded off to me for the time period. Checking I could only find references dating back to the 1930s and in a sexual context the first usage seemed to be 1970s/80s.
August 10, 2025
very good book, a compelling plot. and excellent character development. the Duke got over his lifelong indoctrination and trauma a bit quickly, but that wasn't the focus of the book so I'll let it slide. the story itself is exciting in how it unfolded. the topics are a bit heavy, but the entire book is from the lower class characters perspective, and he doesn't have any personal trauma, so the topics feel distant enough from the reader that it doesn't interfere with the enjoyment. the intimate scenes themselves aren't the main focus, and are kind of lackluster, so don't read this book for that reason.
October 28, 2025
Perspicacious!!!
The plot was fresh and edgy, so interesting, the characters were well developed, the vulnerability, the thrill, the excitement, the action, all was perfectly balanced, congratulations to Isobel Starling!!!!
Absolutely superb the performance from Cornell Collins, fully committed, amazing acting, and perfect choice for that kind of story!!!! High praises!!!
5⭐️
Cæsar
The plot was fresh and edgy, so interesting, the characters were well developed, the vulnerability, the thrill, the excitement, the action, all was perfectly balanced, congratulations to Isobel Starling!!!!
Absolutely superb the performance from Cornell Collins, fully committed, amazing acting, and perfect choice for that kind of story!!!! High praises!!!
5⭐️
Cæsar
March 22, 2025
I'd give this book 3.5-3.75 stars, but am rounding up to 4. I really like historical MM romance, so this ticked that box, but something about it made it hard to get into. While nothing in this genre is truly realistic, I think it was how easy it seemed for the MCs to bridge their class divide, the terrible dastardliness of the villain (who somehow ended up as the villain who committed all the unrelated wrongs) and how quickly and tidily it was tied up and justice served. I wanted to like it more than I ultimately did, unfortunately.
March 30, 2025
Great start to a new series
Felix and Kit have a vast societal difference between them.
In spite of those differences, they share a common malady in that anyone can have problems, no matter your stature in society.
They have wonderful chemistry together.
The characters are very well fleshed out and so well written you'll definitely be rooting for the main characters and clamoring for the villian to get his rightly deserved comeuppance.
I can't wait for more from this world.
Felix and Kit have a vast societal difference between them.
In spite of those differences, they share a common malady in that anyone can have problems, no matter your stature in society.
They have wonderful chemistry together.
The characters are very well fleshed out and so well written you'll definitely be rooting for the main characters and clamoring for the villian to get his rightly deserved comeuppance.
I can't wait for more from this world.
April 4, 2025
I love a story with a real villain and we definitely get one of those here. It was fun seeing Felix spying on the men coming to Wychwood and then one night coming out of hiding to protect one from a violent partner. Of course, these two then unexpectedly meet in real life and their relationship develops from there. The author did a good job showing how class differences affected Felix and Kit's relationship as well as the illegality of their relationship in this time and place.
March 29, 2025
I was dubious at first due to the historical setting and trigger warnings but I have to say i thoroughly enjoyed it! Following Felix and first of all his infatuation with no27 and then helping him was so intriguing and quite unique! Looking forward to the next book in this series
I received a free arc copy and this is my honest review
I received a free arc copy and this is my honest review
April 5, 2025
1.75/5 stars! So the cover of this book is really pretty. I haven't read too much MM historical fiction, so I was looking forward to reading this. My issue is there was clearly a SA and suicidality on page and neither were warned about for the reader. dub-con is not the same as SA. Ruined the book for me because it was triggering without a warning.
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