I. > Recent Status Updates

Not so sure where this book is going. It feels like a wrap up of the story will come soon, but there's over 60% left. I understand both the people that love the romance and those that can't find any chemistry there. The actions seem quite inconsequential?

I don't like any of the characters. That's probably by design of the author and doesn't mean the story won't be good - it's K. J. Charles after all. I specifically can't stand Zeb (although his neurodiversity is written well) - there have been just too many men like that in my life and they are absolutely enraging.

"Onyx had an endless supply of beauty products in the bathroom. There was shit I hadn't even heard of. [...] Why did he need half this stuff anyway? Didn't he know he was the most beautiful person on the planet?"

Such a toxic masculinity thought. It's fine to know nothing of this and fine not to use any products yourself - but why then not be curious and respectful of the other person's stuff and hobbies?

60% FINALLY one of the MCs got a clue that the other MC might be into men, too.

At this rate, the other MC does not share this knowledge until 80% in.

On 20% the dual POV is still all "I want him but surely he does not want me back and even if this is a bad idea". Annoying enough to hear it from one of them, even more so if this is the only thing both of them think about on every damn page.

Couldn't wait for this book, love it.

Cheap drama at 65%
Daize absolut knows from the beginning that Cassian is incognito but that he is of high station and much money.
Daize now: "How could you lie to me like that and be of high station and much money? I feel so betraaayyyed!"

Damn annoying.

Damn, what a titillating cat and mouse play...

More plotholes than swiss cheese. Sure Micah, go to this big event thinking that nobody will see you at Damons side when you are his date for the event and risk the job that pays barely enough to stay afloat.

So many plotholes (Damon fears Micah is underage who shows him his perfect id (too perfect for the dirt poor sexworker he is playing), later says the id and the name on it are fake and D. never questions the age on it) and thiiiin explanations, but somehow still enjoyable. Although I'm a bit miffed how Damon is displayed as the catch when the whole basis for the plot is that he just can't help himself around Micah.

Victor sounds like a self-righteous asshole:
He sees a sex worker and is awfully sure that one way or another he will get his blood. He gets a no, is so hungry that the assaults the sexworker, snaps out of it the last second, updates his question to something easier and then gets his yes. Sounds coercive to me and Victor is not at all aware that this was not fine.

"All the women in my life, including the horses, were such pains in my ass." - > What am I reading??! On page 3 I really don't have the context to dismiss the thought that I might just have picked up one of the misogynistic MM books.

I might just quit this after the first scene - I think it is meant to excite the reader and therefore it remains mysterious what the hell is going on. Mild spoilers ahead, but more of a summary:
Secret cult meeting, someone is basically sniffing an intruder and conveniently some hard cock is just standing around to rape somebody.
Dubcon is in the trigger warnings, rape not. No way to know that from the opening scene

Saffron, your plan is shit and I don't even get the why. Floorboards and paper, I get a lot of ideas what to do with those instead. And there would be many many more options.

Why are you with valuable goods where your available protection is not, Radek? And who let you do stupid stuff like that?

I'm at only ten percent and I give up. Have you read the book description? The whole thing is like that. As if the protagonists were in an interview, the prompt was "Tell me about yourself" and the protagonists do not stop talking about their everyday life in greatest detail.