Like Clockwork

by Bonnie Dee

Victoria's work with automatons has gained her renown and changed the face of London. But her concern that the clockworks are taking too many jobs away from humans, creating social unrest, is ignored. Given the ugly mood of the underclass, she fears more outbreaks of violence similar to the murder spree of the notorious Southwark Slasher.

Dash, unemployed thanks to the clockworks, has pledged fealty to The Brotherhood, a group determined to bring about the downfall of the automatons by any means necessary. His plan to kidnap Victoria goes awry when the unorthodox scientist pledges her assistance to their cause.

Despite their opposite social classes, a bond grows between them, and Victoria begins to feel emotions she never expected for the passionate Dash. But when the Slasher strikes close to home, Dash and Victoria realize that the boundaries of polite society are far from the only threat to their happiness...

31,000 words

Genres: Steampunk, Romance, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Historical, Fiction, Adult

137 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2010

About the author

I began telling stories as a child. Whenever there was a sleepover, I was the designated ghost tale teller. I still have a story printed on yellow legal paper in second grade about a ghost, a witch and a talking cat.

I enjoy dabbling in many genres. Whether you're a fan of contemporary historical or fantasy romance, you'll find something to enjoy among my books. I'm interested in flawed, often damaged, people who find the fulfillment they seek in one another. To stay informed about new releases, please sign up for my newsletter. You can join my street team at FB. Learn more about my backlist at http://bonniedee.com and find me on FB and Twitter @Bonnie_Dee.

Reviews

[Lore · Rating 2 out of 5]

Imagine - if you will - a fantastical world where artificial beings made out of inanimate objects have taken the place of humans...


Cogworth and Lumiere:
NOOO! Not again! Oh, the animated-inanimate-objectivity!

In Like Clockwork, these beings called automatons, built with pistons and gears, look just like us and have begun filling most job positions, leaving living humans to fend for themselves in unemployment. Unfortunately, this idea isn't to far off base. It's all too familiar a theme for many people these days. Just replace the automatons with our own modern technology.

Victoria Waters, a young woman working toward a better and more balanced society between humans and automatons, is kidnapped. Her kidnappers intend to hold her for ransom in order to force action within the government. Their end-game is to have the automatons destroyed and jobs returned to the people. Honorable intentions? Yes. Ridiculous expectations? Certainly. Craaaaaaaazy? No doubt.

Right on the very first page, Dee sets up an deeply intense and violent scene of dissection and dismemberment. Immediately, I felt disturbingly interested in this unknown character. Referring to his night of dark deeds as "pleasant", he seems much to satisfied with himself for being such a twisted individual. Needless to say, the prologue drew in me in close. But we are abruptly torn away from this mystery.

I enjoyed learning the scantly few facts about the automaton based society. However, I did not care for Victoria or being inside her head.

Her kidnapper-slash-love interest isn't any better. He gets aroused immediately after abducting her. I think that could be toned down a bit. A hot stab of lust, really? Because you knocked out some chick and are now lugging her around over your shoulder - riiiiight. I'm really sympathizing with you on that one. Kidnapping gets me all worked up, too. It really makes me want to just go completely crazy, get all sweaty and you know.... PUNCH YOU IN THE JUNK!!


Hey, bears have junk too, dude!

Apart from the prologue, the beginning especially was very lack luster and disconnected. Girl running to her meeting. Guy kidnapping her and getting turned on (and getting an imaginary punch in the junk from me). Guy running to hideout.

Meanwhile, I want to know what's with the guy dissecting people in the prologue?!?!

The book is mainly about the relationship which is entirely lackadaisical. It takes much too long to get into the mystery part and when it does - it's predictable and monotonous.

Another INSTA-FOREVER relationship. The so-called romance is dispassionate and banter between the two is cliched and too often blown out of proportion.

There just weren't enough pages in this novella for a true connection to develop. So once again, were stuck with token soul mates. It leaves me wondering if am I missing something.

Is there a machine for this?! Put in a quarter and out pops your soulmate doubloon?



The clockwork world, in general, shows great promise but the characters took it down a notch. Well, more than just one notch. Maybe it was just really not my thing. It's difficult to get invested in something without more time and pages. And without passion.

Then there is an entire epilogue, as long as the chapters, solely for the purpose of another sex scene. Five months after they got together. After the plot is over! I kept expecting craziness to ensue, like a huge gear pops out of her chest or something as they both realize that she is an automaton. That would have been an ending I could go for. But alas no, it was just another languid love scene.

Although I was intrigued by the attempt at world-building, it was greatly lacking. It begs the question: Do some authors even research the actual technology of automatons and steam-powered devices?

With the recent influx of steampunk and clockwork books, most can leave a lot to be desired. There is such a rich and interesting history when it comes to such things. I feel like people just see this steam-powered engine huffing along and think "I don't know what it is or where its going - but look at all the people on there!! Let's go!" They write steampunk just for the sole purpose of joining the party, not because they are truly passionate about the technology.

However, the struggles of this clockwork world, trying to find a balance between automation and natural life, seems to parallel some of our own dilemmas in this age. With so much going digital, I constantly find myself asking "How far is too far?" Our female lead poses this argument from the start and plants a seed of suspicion in your mind. Be wary of technology, it says. If an automated device causes harm to a human, is it just a freak accident? Or is it subterfuge?


Sorry, Master. I swear that I didn't mean to become the vacuum cleaner from Hell.

Overall, this novel was short but not sweet. In fact, it left a bland taste in my mouth. Maybe had the world been developed further and had it held the deeper atmosphere of mystery that the prologue did, things could have been different.

I've just started another book for review called Badlands and it is already much more intriguing. So I will be crossing my fingers for it throughout the rest of my reading time. Well, maybe not the entire rest of the time, because that would make things rather difficult.

Edit: You can now read my review for Badlands HERE

(I received this book as a free review copy from Netgalley. Thanks Netgalley and Carina Press!)

[Dina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first steampunk book and I didn't know what to expect. I chose this book to be my introduction to this genre for two reasons: the author (I'm familiar with Ms. Dee's writing and I liked what I've already read by her) and the length (If I didn't like the genre, I wouldn't have to struggle to finish a full-length book). I also liked the premise, but that goes without saying.

The Prologue came as a complete and nice surprise: it was creepy and violent, setting a dark tone to the story. The sense of imminent danger was present throughout the whole book, not only with the threat of another attack by a serial killer known as the Southwark Slasher but also with a potential popular uprising against the Commission for Animatronic Affairs. As much as I liked that setup, it was too much for a short story: there was no way Ms. Dee could have delve into all that without hurrying things up, and that prevented me from connecting with the characters.

I liked Dash and Victoria, but their romance felt contrived. Love at first sight is complicated on itself, but some authors can make it work and I was willing to buy it because I knew this was a short story. Having Dash and Victoria come from completely different social classes would be a great point of conflict in a full-length book, but it fell flat on this short story because, once again, there weren't enough pages to delve into that.

So, what I'm saying is, this would have been a great full-length book. As it was, it was an okay read. I was disappointed only because I "knew" this could have been a winner.

Note: I received this eARC from Carina Press via NetGalley. That had no influence on my review/rating.

[♡Karlyn P♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

LIKE CLOCKWORK tells the story of Victoria, an upper-class scientist who helped invent the technology being used to build automatons (android like people), and Dash, a leader of the underground Brotherhood group made up of the working class poor who have all lost their jobs and livelihood after being replaced by automatons.

Victoria and Dash appear to be on opposite sides of the social issue involving the new clockwork industry of automatons, but when Victoria discovers her mentor dead and corruption among The Commission for Animatronic Affairs, she turns to Dash to help stop the corruption and find the identify of a serial killer.

This is the hardest kind of book to review, as it was neither good nor bad. But overall, I found it a short and rather forgettable steampunk themed romance. Set in Victoria London, it gives readers the expected steampunk elements such as mechanical humans and air travel, yet it didn’t resonate as much more than a typical historical romance. The story moved at lightning speed, which at first made it difficult to believe the attraction between these two. But as these two faced danger toward the end, it did make me a believer that these two very opposite people could come to love one another in such a short time.

[Cyna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps I should start paying more attention to these books' stats, because again, I was surprised by the page count. Like Clockwork is a scant 95 pages, and...well, fuck, you know what 95 pages means in a romance novel, right? Ding ding ding, you're correct: Instant and Inexplicable Attraction! Our primary couple's initial meeting involves the hero knocking out the heroine so that he can kidnap her, and almost immediately getting a stiffy as he makes off with her unconscious body. No lie. She's just so hot unconscious! Our heroine responds by waking and dispensing with the whole "anger" formality pretty quickly. They're soon bantering and trading life stories and confiding in and emotionally supporting one another because...the kidnapping was for a noble cause, okay. God.

Seriously though, I mean, I understand people can be instantly physically attracted to each other, but call me skeptical for thinking that they can form life-long bonds over the course of like three encounters. Or form instant emotional attachments to people who, say, have just kidnapped them. But this is me, beating the dead horse that is romance relationship development, and really, how many reviews can I do that on? It's a romance novel romance, she's attracted immediately despite the fact that he kidnapped her, he's attracted despite the fact that she...er, helped create the automatons he despises? Yeah, that's it. Also, they are from different classes and this is Ye Olde England, man, and that is a big deal. Moving on.

Read more at You're Killing.Us.

[Ruby · Rating 1 out of 5]

Review first posted on http://rubysreads.com.[return][return]I got this book from NetGalley and so I was able to read it for free, so I am determined not to complain too much. Steampunk Romance is a subgenre I am happy to get behind, so I jumped at this title when I found it on NetGalley. I hadn t heard a peep about it on the blogosphere and had no idea what to expect. One thing I found was that Like Clockwork is more novella than book. I read it on my spanking new Kindle so I can t tell you the page count. Suffice to say, it s very short.[return][return]Like Clockwork tells the story of Victoria Waters, lady scientist. Victoria was raised to her father s son and daughter, all at once. This means that she was able to become a successful scientist in a time when ladies were expected to be mothers and wives. It s a common theme in Victorian fiction, so you can t be surprised. Victoria s role in a group of scientists that made automatons in order to replace workers in dangerous jobs (i.e., mining) has resulted in a great deal of job loss and poverty for the poor. More directly, it leads her to be kidnapped by a man who is fighting for the rights of the underclass, a man named Dash.[return][return]Dash s kidnapping of Victoria doesn t turn out the way he planned. Unexpectedly, he finds that Victoria is willing to support his cause. In fact, she had planned on speaking to a committee about the very issue of worker s rights when he kidnapped her. Now, I don t particularly have a problem with kidnap plotlines, but it doesn t work in a novella. Victoria is never afraid of the man who chloroformed her and brought her to a bizarre underground world in order to further his cause. She is almost immediately attracted to Dash, and he to her. The swiftness with which both characters succumb to lust had me rolling my eyes. Especially since Victoria was supposed to be at once sheltered and a well-educated scientist.[return][return]Dee also fails to capture the flavor of Victorian London. Victoria, for example, never wears gloves. For some reason this really, really bothered me. It stuck out like a red flag. Sure, the characters ride in carriages and Victoria wears her hair in intricate hairstyles and wears fancy dresses, but everything else was lip service. The social mores of the time? Mentioned, but quickly forgotten. The idea of an upper class woman marrying a man who started life as a thief? Quickly resolved and really not much of an obstacle in the end.The short length of the novel means that everything happens too fast, in particular the resolutions. They came too easy for this reader to enjoy.[return][return]The worst offense this novel perpetrated was the ending. It skips ahead five months. Victoria and Dash have their happily ever after and hop into bed together. We miss out on their first time together. After all the tension that was built up in the first part of the book, the next time we see them is after months of marriage. It was kind of like Dee wanted to skip the Victoria s first time scene. In the epilogue, Dash has had an opportunity to teach Victoria all about the delights of the bedchamber. I felt both cheated and bored.[return][return]I didn t hate this novel. It didn t offend me in any way. The writing wasn t great, by far the worst thing the author did was make it so short. On the other hand, it was an ambitious story, and the author wasn t able to pull it off what she did write, so length might not be the answer. I ll have to look for my Steampunk Romance somewhere else.

[Jess the Romanceaholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

What worked for me:
* I love a hero who has clawed himself up from the dregs, and Dash is no exception.
* I liked that Victoria was a spinster who was more than ready to experience physicality, and I admit the anecdote about her wanting to marry her mentor greatly endeared me to her
*I also liked the overall story arc of automatons who were created to help with dangerous jobs like mining and factory work, only to have the technology taken over by the government and misused. This could so easily be a parable for modern times, and I really enjoyed the parallels.

What didn't work for me:
* I really felt like Victoria "let go" of the whole kidnapping thing way too easily. While I appreciate the need to get the story moving, I feel like Ms. Dee could've more fully explored some of the fear and distrust that comes from being forcibly taken and held prisoner, and more slowly allowed attraction, understanding, and a sympathy to the cause to develop.


The pacing was very fast, as is often necessary in novellas, and as such I think we missed out on some of the deliciousness of the development of a new relationship. Also, steampunk fans should be aware that the automatons are really the only "steampunk" element. While this isn't necessarily a negative point, some readers may be disappointed in the lack of airships and welding goggles :P

Overall, I'd say 3.5/5 Stars

[Cee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read on my shiny new Kindle! Yay!

Okay, on topic now. I picked this novella up because it was available for free for a while, and I quite liked the cover. I'm still new to the steampunk genre, but so far the steampunk books I read were pretty awesome, so I started this book full of good hope.

In Like Clockwork, the automatons are taking over the jobs of the lower classes, resulting in massive unemployment. Victoria, the inventor of the synthetic skin that makes the automatons look so human, finds herself kidnapped by an organisation called The Brotherhood, a group that is determined to give all jobs back to humans. What her kidnapper didn't know is that Victoria regrets her own invention too...

I wasn't disappointed. This was a fun quick read, and as it's not a full length novel, I wasn't expecting a full length plot either. In a novel there could have been more attention to the background of the story, and the surroundings in which our main characters live, but with the glimpse we get of this world, I was quite satisfied. There are basically three plot lines, that all three tie up nicely by the end of the book.

What I didn't really get was the whole kidnapped falling in love with the kidnapper. It was explained properly throughout the book, but still I would be pretty upset with someone that drugged me and than carried me into an underground chamber. Doesn't seem romantic to me.

I really liked the characters, especially Victoria. I guess that could be my feminist side cheering for the female scientist in a male dominated field. But I also thought her to be very brave to not be stopped by the difference in social standing between her and her true love. Particularly in a time like the Victorian era, where appearance is more important than anything else.

This book has gotten so many bad reviews, but I couldn't find any obvious flaws in its story. I would love to see this author write a full length novel in this same world; I'd definitely read that.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do enjoy a good steampunk novel. I like the intricacy of a well-thought out world powered by steam and cogs. I find the idea of mechanical men and Victorian society to be fascinating and fun.

I liked this book quite a lot. I do wish the mystery of the Slasher had been played up a bit more. We're put into the Slasher's mind in the first scene and then we're not put back into it until the big reveal. Even then, we're not put into it so much as given the reveal. I really liked the relationship between Dash and Victoria. It unfolded quickly but there was something that I really liked about it. It doesn't go much beyond stolen kisses and secret caresses until the end, but that ending was very, very satisfying. *wink*

Overall, I liked the book. I liked that the mechanical advances were hurting the common folk of London. That's something that you don't see all that often in steampunk. I liked that Dash grew up on the mean streets and wasn't a gentleman. Victoria wasn't afraid to follow her heart. She flouted convention to become a scientist. She threw what Society expected of her out the window to pursue Dash. It was... cool.

And the ending was pretty sexy. :)

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot, but sometimes I couldn't help but wonder if the author had a checklist of what to write in a steampunk novella. An automaton, check. Gaslights, check. Steam rail, check. A dirigible, check. Of course, these are elements that often make steampunk, but that's how I felt.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Publisher: Carina Press
Publish Date: 12/13/10
How I got this book: NetGalley


I was super excited to get this book from NetGalley, as most Steampunk Romance I’ve read as of late has been super awesome, but this one just fell short for me. The story itself was only novella length, and those who do not like short stories should probably steer clear of this one.

For me, the story line itself was really interesting: robots or “automatons” have been developed to work for humans in high-risk settings (i.e. factories) but have become mainstream and started taking over jobs all across the city. Bartenders, nannies, butlers, etc have all been kicked to the curb for the new cheap labor of automatons. To me the concept of artificial intelligence and robots is so exciting, but the controversy that could arise is also something to think about.

From that aspect, I really enjoyed this story. The steampunk elements of advanced technology in the Victorian era is spot on, and I loved the way Dee hit some of the ways that social class structures can create chaos in that kind of situation. It was great seeing a female heroine struggle with the constraints of the time frame, but also be independent enough to have a profession.

However, the romance fan in me found the story somewhat lacking. I didn’t really find the romance between Dash and Victoria to be believable. While Victoria seemed to be completely devoted to a potential relationship, it seemed as if Dash was only half heartedly committed to her. It could have just been the way that Dee portrayed Dash’s feelings regarding their differences in social class, but I just had a hard time connecting to the two as a couple.

Although I didn’t relate to the two as a couple, I did enjoy both Victoria and Dash’s characters separately. I loved that Victoria was this amazingly strong and smart woman who found a way to make a name for herself in the field that she loved. I was also partial to the fact that although Victoria had some emotional struggles in her past, she was not hard emotionally. From a totally different end of the spectrum, I did like the way that Dash’s character was still somewhat honorable regardless of his upbringing. For a street kid, it was nice to see that he made a way for himself, and still wanted to fight for the lower class, even after the automatons took all of their jobs.

The mystery element surrounding the Southwark Slasher was great, and I was actually surprised with how it ended up playing out. I was glad to see it resolved the way it was. It gave the plot a “real” element to me, and proved that nothing as is it seems, even in this crazy alternate past.


All in all, I give Like Clockwork 2.5 out of 5 mysterious automatons.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really psyched to read this one. I read another one of Dee's Carina titles last summer, Jungle Heat, and enjoyed it quite a bit. Throw in some steampunk, and I'm there! I was a little disappointed when I found out that this was a novella, because they generally aren't my favorite. But I decided to give this one a go.

This was a very crowded story. We've got steampunk, we've got civil unrest, we've got a kidnapping, we've got a nefarious government agency, and a Jack the Ripper-like serial killer on the loose. Then we've got the lovers, two people who've never met each other before and have to overcome significant class differences to get to their happy ending. All in just under 90 pages. That's a lot of ground to cover. One of the biggest plot points isn't even resolved on screen; we just hear about it later.

With all the other stuff going on, there just wasn't time for the romance to develop. There were some nice moments in the middle of the story between Victoria and Dash, but the beginning just wasn't believable. He kidnaps her, and within an few hours she's totally on his side. (So, OK, politically she was pretty much on his side to begin with. But I'm sorry, I don't care how much we agree philosophically, it's going to take more than a few hours to get over the desire to scream and bash my kidnapper over the head with my handbag. I'm not going to invite him in for a drink and let him kiss me.) And then we skip forward five months for the epilogue and the happy ending.

If there's going to be this much story in my story, it really needs to be about three times the page length. Barring that, I would have liked to see Victoria and Dash's romance play out more naturally on the page, with some of the other threads left to be picked up in another book. This could have been an excellent introduction to a new world and a new series, but I see nothing on the author's website about any planned follow up books. There's certainly enough going on here, enough not satisfactorily resolved, to support more than a 90 page novella.

There were positives. I liked the premise, and I liked Victoria and Dash, as much as I got to know them. It wasn't a total dud. I just wish there had been enough breathing room for the positives to really develop.

While it's an A for creativity and story building, I have to give this one a D for execution. It was a very interesting idea, but it's too much story shoehorned into too few pages.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

In my search for a short and interesting read, I happened upon Like Clockwork on NetGalley. Of course you know that as soon as I saw the words "Steampunk" and "Romance" I was in. This is a subgenre I truly feel love for, and so I dove right in.

Now I probably should have noted at the beginning that I didn't realize the page count was so low. I'm not complaining, as I wanted a short read anyway, but that means this story has to wrap up quickly. Barbara Dee packs a punch into these 95 pages for sure. However people who are uncomfortable with inexplicably quick attractions may not be happy with the romance aspect. I, on the other hand, actually quite enjoyed the fact that there were no really messy parts. Attraction is enough for me.

At the heart of this Steampunk novel is a rather interesting story about automotons and their continued widespread use. Victoria is at the forefront of this movement, but not by choice. It was interesting to see how people so willingly accepted these humanoid lookalikes as replacements for actual humans. I don't deny what draws me to steampunk in the first place are ideas like this. Although she much build it quickly, Barbara Dee does build a nice world for the reader to be immersed in. Victorian London meets steampunk. Delicious.

Character wise, I liked Victoria and Dash equally. I enjoyed the fact that there were from two different parts of society, and yet they found so much in common. My one gripe was that in such a short book there seemed to be a lot of focus on their inner monologues. I realize it helps the reader get to know them better. However I wanted much more Victoria/Dash interaction time. Much more stolen time under the trees. That was the part of this book that really drew me in.

Honestly I rather enjoyed this read. My only gripe is that it was so short. Had it been 200 pages, I still would have read and probably enjoyed it that much more. Still, Barbara Dee has written a hidden gem that I see lovers of steampunk, and romance, thoroughly enjoying.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

LIKE CLOCKWORK by Bonnie Dee is an interesting historical romance set in 1898,London. It is written with details and depth. It has automatons, romance,love,trust, social unrest, mild violence,murder, The Brotherhood,murder,a killer that will sup rise you,sweet sensuality at the end,friendships and surpassing social class to find true love and happiness.This is an interesting story of automatons that I did not know even existed in 1898,London,however,it makes for an exciting storyline.What ifs are abundant.The characters jump off the page at you and will remain in your thoughts.It surpasses social classes by putting a Lady with a lower class citizen and love blooms.As together they try to find out what is happening with the "slasher",who kills a friend of Dash.He will also try to kill Victoria,who is one of the inventors of the automatons. She realizes that they have some issues with these automatons.Not only are they taking over human jobs,but they have also malfunctioned in some cases. Dash and a group of citizens from the under society is trying to get the Commissions attention to help dissolve the automatons.For many of London's people are starving,stealing and being deported for such crimes if not hanged.This is a fast paced,short read with a lot of attention paid to the automatons.Together Dash and Victoria will find their answers,find love,happiness and start a new life together.They finally find that dreams can come true,if you only find the right motivation.If you enjoy a fun read,quick read with a bit of exciting drama,this is for you.This is the first I have read if this author,but will not be the last. This book was received for the purpose of review from Net Galley and details can be found at Carina Press and My Book Addiction and More.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like Clockwork by Bonnie Dee
Carina Press, 2010
94 pages
Romance; Steampunk
3.5/5 stars

Source: Received a free e-copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a pretty enjoyable novella. Victoria Waters helped invent automatons but has since regretted the rapidity with which they have spread through society, taking on roles far beyond the scope she had imagined. Dash is part of the Brotherhood, a group of concerned citizens who may take radical action to raise awareness about the plight of the unskilled masses who have been displaced by automatons. Their first radical act is kidnapping Victoria...until it turns out that she willingly agrees to help, eager to do right and to spend more time with the charming Dash.

This is pretty much a case of love at first sight, which I think works in a novella because there's only so much space. Although their classes are basically opposite, the two struggle against expectations (she was supposed to be a wife and mother while he is a thief yet both aspire to more academic lifestyles) separately and together. Thus although their romance was quick, they had least had some commonalities.

The other aspect is the steampunk; although the issue of automatons grips society, I didn't feel that steampunk elements played a very big role. It is much more about human emotions, a point made very clearly.

This all occurs against the background of the Slasher, a sort of Jack the Ripper serial killer who cuts the hearts out of female prostitutes. I briefly fingered the culprit but quickly dismissed that idea focusing on someone who seemed more likely-shows what I know!

Overall: A quick little romantic read with a very steamy conclusion.

[Leyla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Victoria is a young scientist who contributed to the invention of the automatons, a great innovation that quickly expanded to the industrial area, causing the dismissal of hundreds of people. Being a woman doesn't help in the scientific department but she's ready to fight to defend her opinions.

Dash is one of the leaders of the Brotherhood, a group of unemployed people forced to live underground and eager to take revenge.

From their first meeting, when Dash kidnaps Victoria in the hope that the Brotherhood's needs will finally be considered, they both feel an undeniable attraction for each other, but they both try to put it aside for obvious reasons. Victoria agrees to help Dash's cause and two of them are obliged to spend more and more time together, not that they seem to mind.

At the same time, a serial killer is acting in the shadows, tearing the heart out of his victims, and the two protagonists will get in his way.


This book expressed an interesting concept that we will probably be forced to face in a not-so-distant future: will technology get hold of our lives? It surely has its positive aspects, but the Brotherhood was the perfect example of the other side of the coin.

Victoria and Dash were both great characters, I love the way they interacted with each other and the fact that he kidnapped her only to realize that she was an ally. Like Clockwork was fast-paced and enthralling, although pretty short. The end was a bit rushed and out of place, but it was still a good read.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to admit that this was another case of my becoming intrigued by a book because of the cover. When I read the description and confirmed it was a steampunk romance, I became even more intrigued. That said, I feel that this novel was 'steampunk light'. That's not a criticism, as I think this novel would be a great introduction to the genre if you're not sure where to start.

I really enjoyed the main characters, especially Victoria. She's a no-nonsense scientist who works on the automatons who have taken over a lot of the jobs in London. Her meeting with Dash is quite auspicious and the relationship that forges between the two is a wee bit unrealistic, but I guess to be fair, so are automatons! Regardless of how they met, I really enjoyed the chemistry between Dash and Victoria. There's real passion between them, and it's hard not to get caught up in their romance.

My only real complaint about this novel is that, well, it's not really a novel. It's a novella, clocking it at ninety-eight pages. I really wish that it was at least twenty pages longer, to give the reader time to get to know the characters and to delve a bit deeper into the story and for some additional steampunk details. The ending felt a bit rushed as well.

I would recommend Like Clockwork to fans of romance and steampunk fans who are okay with a book that isn't as in-depth with details as others in the genre.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

As Like Clockwork starts London is filling up with automatons that are taking over many of the jobs that people used to do. Victoria Waters is one member of a group of scientists who helped develop the automatons. She is very concerned about the many uses these untested units are being put to. On her way to voice her concerns to the Commission for Animatronic Affairs she is kidnapped by Dash, a member of a group that opposes the wide spread use of the automatons. The two are from totally different social classes but find they share similar views about how the automatons are being used. Add a group of murders by the Southwark Slasher, the secret actions of the Commission for Animatronic Affairs and you have a set up for danger and suspense. Of course there is also the attraction between Dash and Victoria to add spice to the story.


Like Clockwork is a novella of 90 pages but Bonnie Dee has used each page to great advantage producing a well-rounded and complete story. Dash and Victoria are well thought out fully developed characters. The story has a great pace and moves smoothly from start to finish. Like Clockwork is a very good short read and I hope Bonnie Dee writes more of the same.

[Cid Tyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for steampunk. What can I say?

Like Clockwork is set in Victorian England during a time when automatons have begun to replace the lower cogs of the workforce, displacing them into poverty and creating a new set of problems. It’s happened time and time again in history, and while some people might call that a cliche in a story, I think it gives credibility to the idea; a sense of this-could-really-happen.

I was surprised from the beginning how exciting this book was. Like Clockwork is a novella, around 100 pages. Unlike other novellas, this one doesn’t skimp on the elaborate plot. There are several facets to the story that I found myself wondering as the pages ticked down: how is all of this possibly going to be wrapped up? It’s an engaging and exciting read. The characters, Victoria and Dash, feel natural and not tossed together for the sake of a mixed social romance. In a world pushing forward, why wouldn’t it be the scientist woman that defies social standing for someone she sees potential in?

I really enjoyed Like Clockwork; I’m only sad that it was over so quick and there isn’t more. I want more!!

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want more! Bonnie Dee, please write more steampunk novella’s.

Victoria is a 28 year old woman who is strong, feisty and very smart. Living in the Victorian Era as an intelligent woman who wants to change the world is very though, but she stands her ground.

The other main character is Dash. He has grown up on the streets of London, is intelligent and stands up for the workers who lost their jobs because of the robots.
I like this character a lot and love to know more about him and his troubled past.


With 137 pages the plot is really good. It is as almost if there are two plots. One with the mystery of the murders and one of the robots. There is suspense and a bit of action.

The ending left me a bit unsatisfied. It skips a few months and then there is a graphic scene that for me should not have been there. It felt like the ending was rushed and therefore it didn’t fit completely with the rest of the story.

Even tough the ending didn’t do it for me, Like Clockwork is still a enjoyable read. And I hope that Bonnie Dee will write some more steampunk novels.

[holly quigley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Blah. I always have to remind myself that being less than 100 pages is no excuse for a subpar story. I've read shorter stories that had better developed romances.

That said, this wasn't a wall-banger. It wasn't the worst-written thing I've read. But, for being published under a better-known name like Carina Press, I guess I expect certain things. Like cleaner editing. A clean sense of the difference between past and perfect past tense. Smoother writing in general, without repeated words within the same paragraphs. And that's just the technical end of it. Plot-wise, this read like a sketch. It could have been a decent story, with more fleshing out. But the short length rushed the romance and left no development. Oh, and let's not forget to throw in a gratuitous smut scene at the very end - completely transparent afterthought. Also? The smut and even just the kisses were about as mechanical as the automatons. Blech.

Not sure if they're actually selling this one for money or if it's still a freebie, but I'd have been pissed if I'd paid money for this.

[Anaiz · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I first started reading this I didn't realize it was a short story. That explains the rush through the ending, everything is "resolved" with a few snaps. I liked the characters though, Victoria has a good head on her shoulders and she is a scientist (kudos). Dash is a "streetrat" but he still has morals and works towards what he believes in, he also has a cute dream for his future. The attraction between them is instant (too instant for my taste, but I have to remind myself again that this is a short story) without giving anything away I will say that they way these two ah *meet* is my favorite part of the whole story. Their relationship is sweet, he thinks she's too good for him and she doesn't care... even though I've read plenty of relationships like this, they still get me every time. A quick romance murder mystery read!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who decided romance novellas were a good idea? They're just too damn short and the actual romance part almost always gets glossed over! Unfortunately, that's the case with this one. Fortunately, it had an intriguing plot and characters that, at least the parts I got to know, I enjoyed. Although I kind of saw it coming that the automaton butler was really the serial killer slicing women open and stealing their hearts, I didn't really see how it fit into the story until it was revealed at the end.

I just wish that I'd gotten to know them better and gotten to see their relationship develop naturally over time rather than...suddenly they're in lust but also in love.

Overall, a pleasant way to spend the morning, but also slightly unsatisfying in that there wasn't enough to the story to really satisfy.

[L (Sniffly Kitty) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the premise of the story a lot. I was pretty excited about automatons and civil unrest being part of this story. The story though didn't really live up to its promise.

The pacing of the story can best be described as hurried as the author attempted to cram a lot of plot points into a small book. This led to a feeling of shallowness to the events which occurred.

I enjoyed reading about Dash and Victoria, but their romance and dialogues often left a flat taste in my mouth. Love at first sight kind of deal with some hemming and hawing for class restrictions, but no real depth to be found.

I will grant that this is a romance novel, and plots can be somewhat secondary to the mindless attractions of the main characters, but I can't help feeling disappointed that the ideas of this plot were squandered thusly.

[Lynn Spencer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novella was hard for me to rate. On the one hand, the worldbuilding and the plot revolving around the role of automatons in daily life was really interesting and I thought it well done. The ideas that robots may replace too many human functions or that they may end up having too much control over human masters definitely kept me reading. I really liked the non-romance aspects of this story.

However, the romantic plot in this novella just didn't do it for me. Everything was based on instant attraction, and the lack of development of the relationship just didn't work for me. There was obviously a huge gulf in social standing between the well-to-do heroine and Dash, who grew up on the streets. I could see this issue making for major conflict in a story, but somehow it just didn't get developed here very much at all.

[Linda Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I too, received this book through netgalley and was very surprised to find that it was a novella (not my usual choice in reading length). That being said, I thought it was very competently written and covered all the necessary bases. The characters of Victoria and Dash are very well defined and likeable and a world in which automatons are replacing laborers and servants well described. The length necessitates a fast pace and an instant attraction between the two main characters. To be truthful, I think there was enough material in the book to develop into a full length novel with more dramatic tension than is seen in Like Clockwork.

If you are looking for a quick evenings read and like steampunk romance, Like Clockwork just might be thing for you.

[Minh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like Clockwork is a streampunk novella featuring a plucky heroine who has defied the social norms and has become a renowned scientist who has had no small part in creating autonatroms, human like robots who have overtaken the lower workforce.

Its this plotline that starts us off before serial killers, kidnappings and mass plotting by the government all come tumbling down in this rather short story. It's an interesting concept which ultimately suffers because of it's length, it just wasn't believable to have our Heroine be kidnapped, released and of course fall in love with the hero in the space of a day!

I'd be interested to see what this author is capable of with a longer plotline that would allow for some more believable pacing.

Received as an ARC via NetGalley.

[Carol Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good story but short. There's a lot going on in the world Dee's created but it's not explores very much. Events happen quickly and there's not much depth. The end is too quick too. We find out who the slasher is. I will say that I found his motive interesting. It went quite well with the rest of the story. Then fast forward five months to an epilogue when most of the issues seem to have been resolved to some degree and there's the obligatory sex scene. It's like she skipped the wrap-up. Everything got taken care of, assume a happily ever after.

It's fun but not memorable. At heart, it's a rich girl-poor boy romance with steampunk trappings.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVE Steampunk, so this was a great short story for me. Victoria was part of the group that invented automatons, human-like machines that are replacing low-level workers. Dash is part of the group trying to stop automatons from taking all the jobs folks like him used to do.

Victoria and Dash's interactions were cute. I had no idea where the 'mystery' part was going until everything was revealed, so that was nice. Usually I figure it out right away.

I wish this had been longer because it was so good and I hope Bonnie Dee continues with steampunk in the future. She has a knack for it.

[Kristin (MyBookishWays Reviews) · Rating 2 out of 5]

You may also read review here: http://www.mybookishways.com/2011/02/...

Quickie Review
This was a quick, fun read. There are obvious similarities to Jack the Ripper, but sometimes, for me, it's all in how the story is written, and Bonnie Dees' style is easy to read and enjoyable. She keeps the pace brisk and the steampunk elements added a bit of fun and color to the story. I couldn't help picturing scenes from "I, Robot" while reading this, and I liked the little twist at the end. Nothing new here, but a nice diversion!

[Tez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A serial killer, automatons, and a potential uprising in a steampunk novella - what's not to like? But the murderer's motive feels a bit half-arsed, and the uprising doesn't really explode on the page like it should. The rich woman/poor man relationship is enjoyable until the completely unnecessary epilogue, which thus seems rather gratuitous. Otherwise, the story doesn't overextend its stay, and is a great way to fill an evening.