Allie Therin crafts a magical world where normal and paranormal meet in post WWI England. Proper Scoundrels follows Sebastian de Leon, a Puerto Rican-American former army medic whose paranormal ability had him trapped under blood magic for the last three years. While struggling with past guilt, Sebastian becomes entangled with some friends unraveling the mystery of a paranormal murderer who is systematically killing off humans with ties to the paranormal world. When it's discovered that one of the murderer's targets is Wesley Fine, Sebastian makes it his mission to protect Lord Fine while also uncovering the mystery of the murderer, a murderer who bears striking correlation to a vampire that the de Leon family had previously encountered. Although I hadn't formerly had the experience of reading Therin's previous series Magic in Manhattan, Proper Scoundrels is a novel that left me wishing I had, and will defiantly leave a reader like myself reaching for the start of her series, Spellbound. Proper Scoundrels is the sexy and hilarious follow up to her previous series in which Sebastian is not a villain, but a man struggling through trauma that his abilities have caused. The mystery is engaging, the dialogue is witty, and the characters are powerful. If you've ever thought, "Wow, I'd really like a book in which a character is handcuffed to a bed with a gun shoved in his face, but feels obligated to argue about the morals of foxhunting," then this is the book for you. It's a piece that will for sure keep you flipping pages.

I absolutely adored this book! As a big fan of the Magic in Manhattan series I was really excited for a new story set in this world and it did not disappoint, in fact I think I love it even more than the original trilogy! The characters pulled me in from the start and I enjoyed every single page. Sebastian is as described, a "dangerous marshmallow" -- a genuinely good and softhearted person plagued by a traumatic past. Wesley, aka Lord Fine, Is his complete opposite, a grouchy misanthrope who doesn't care for the feelings of others, at least not until his life gets tangled up with Sebastian's. As with all great couples, the two complement each other and find ways to bring out the best in one another while also working to provide each other much needed comfort and healing. There were so many moments between them that had me melting from the all the tenderness and sweetness.

Honestly this books delivered so many of my favorite tropes that I was grinning almost constantly while reading!
I also really enjoyed getting to see more of Jade and Zhang, as well as Sebastian's sister, Isabel. The historical setting and the different locations were vibrantly described and I especially liked the visit to York, England. The overall plot was riveting and filled with romance, action, and magic. Highly recommend!

This is a spin-off of the Magic In Manhattan series and I do believe it should be read after that series. These characters are featured in the MIM series plus two other characters, Jade and Zhang, who feature heavily in this book, are also prominent characters in the MIM series.

I love the world that Therin has created, I was completely smitten with it when I read Spellbound and I still love it. The way each paranormal has a different type of magic is very clever and introducing unsuspecting non-paranormals into the world of magic is always fun.

Wesley is definitely grumpy but there is something about Sebastian that intrigued him and once they spend more time together not only attraction grows but a friendship and trust neither man has had.

Sebastian has spent years held captive by blood magic and cannot forgive himself for the horrible things he was forced to do. Wesley lives a life of solitude after the war. They comfort each other because they understand each other.

While I enjoyed this I did find myself not being as excited as I was with Spellbound. I can’t say exactly why because the setting is perfect and the writing is impeccable. I loved the admiration and friendship formed between Wesley and Sebastian but there was a spark that wasn’t there for me. I did feel like the climax was over rather quickly and I expected to be more on the edge of my seat.

This is still a fabulous story and I recommend it. I hope we get more from Therin in this magical world.

*ARC received from Carina Press via NetGalley in exchange for review *

Thanks Netgalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review!
It's my first experience with the author but I'll definitely read more of her books! The two main characters are totally different form each other, complex, with their own demons plaguing them, and each of them has traits that win your heart immediately. The romance develops pretty fast, but it gets some time to become deeper and based on more emotional level. The details regarding the magic system took few re-reads, but I guess things will become more clear once I read the prequel to this story. I very much liked the historical setting and the crime story filled with paranormal elements. Totally a must read!

I've been in a life-induced reading slump lately and so, when I saw Allie Therin had a new book out, I all but fell over myself clawing at the proverbial book gods to get my hands on it. And I can honestly say, I was anything but disappointed. I'm going to start this review off by thanking the author for giving me a much-needed reprieve from a world gone upside down and topsy-turvy. Being able to dive head-first into her stories has always been a joy, but in our current climate, and enmeshed with my own personal demons, it was an absolute gift from the bookish heavens above.

We met both of our heroes in previous books, but Therin found a way to make their story fresh and one-hundred percent their very own. I'll admit I was a little disappointed that my boys from the previous story don't show their faces in this one, but in a way, it helped keep this story honest and true to itself. But don't let that fool you into thinking you won't see plenty of your favorite characters from the Magic in Manhatten series, because trust me, most of the rest of the cast of wondrous women and men make an appearance in one way or another.

Even if you haven't read the rest of Therin's Magic in Manhatten series, you could easily read this story as a standalone. But if you have read the rest of the series, you will be delighted by the way she weaves in her unique and creative lore from the previous tales. I want to sink into her world and never resurface.

Oh, and then there was the smexy, yummy, delicious bedroom times that I just... ho boy. Therin has certainly upped her game in that department with this book. Things are a little less fade-to-black and a lot more "oh my good god, get me a glass of water." You will not be disappointed. Trust and believe.

So, do yourself a favor... get your greedy little readerly hands on this book as soon as you can, and be sure to set aside plenty of time. Also, I wouldn't suggest drinking too much while you read, as you might forget even the simplest things, such as taking bathroom breaks. They become second in importance to getting to the next page and finding out what happens next.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

📖 Q: do you *have* to read series in order?

I must have been feeling wild on Netgalley one day because I snapped up Allie Therin’s Proper Scoundrels—book 4 in her Magic in Manhattan universe—without having read the previous 3.

It was a choice that really, really paid off.

Just to be clear, this book is part of a series, but books 1-3 focus on a different couple.

Also just to be clear, this book has so many things that are fantastic.

🖤 A super grumpy to the point of rudeness lead named Lord Wesley Fine. He’s frequently referred to as unlikeable & he thinks that his own heart is made of ice or a similarly inhospitable material.

🖤 Another lead named Sebastian de Leon who is both gentle + deadly, an intriguing personality combo described as a “dangerous marshmallow” by others. Add to that a hefty dose of guilt bc he was forced into doing bad things bc of blood magic & conditions are ripe for a real beautiful pairing.

🖤 There’s at least one scene in here that had me cracking up (and it involves handcuffs!), an only one bed sitch, a fast-moving romance spurred on by danger that still feels based on something solid, scares + entertainment.

Some of the magic stuff took a little work for me to understand at first—maybe that’s why you’re supposed to start reading a series at the beginning 🤔😆—but this book is a real joy & pleasure & I soaked it up.

5 ⭐️. Release date: 12/28.


CW: murders, violence, manipulation & control of lead in past, war references.

[ID: an open hardback book rests on a gray blanket. On top of the book is a crocheted red, pink, aqua, & yellow sweater & on top of that is the ebook.]

I was a little apprehensive about this at first because I *loved * the trilogy this spins off from, but I needn't have worried. Now that I've finished it, I love this one too. Possibly even more, as Wesley was a delightfully cynical curmudgeon gone soft for Sebastian alone and I adore that trope.

This was satisfactory as a standalone, though it would also have been lovely if it had been expanded a bit. I hope we get more from this world in the future. And more Wesley because he's possibly more fun than even Rory.

I enjoyed the mystery aspect, but the best part was Wesley the cynical curmudgeon with a deeply buried heart of gold, and Sebastian the "dangerous marshmallow" as they slowly became closer and let one another see what they let no one else see. (They were terribly entertaining together from practically the moment they met. I highlighted SO many passages.)

Also, paranormal art!

This is a book (along with the series it spins off of) that I will most definitely be reading again because it thoroughly stole my heart. Historical paranormal MM is apparently my thing XD.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Carina Press for providing an e-arc for review.

4.25 stars

Well, well, well ... Wesley Collins, the Viscount Fine... apparently, you redeem yourself after being an annoyance towards Rory and Arthur in the previous books, because OMG, LORD FINE, you are DELIGHTFUL!! Wesley is cranky, jaded, rude (but always honest), and a curmudgeon to the very end. But I LOVE HIM SO MUCH!

And of course, reading about Wesley falling in love with the handsome Sebastian de Leon, who has a marshmallow heart, makes this book very charming indeed. Sebastian is kind and think only of others, and he doesn't think highly of himself, after the bad things he did for three years!! I mean, come on, Sebastian, you are UNDER BLOOD MAGIC!! You are practically prisoner of war!! But that is Sebastian -- he doesn't think like that. He thinks he deserves if people hate him. Which of course, frustrates Wesley, and entertains me *laugh*.

Sebastian gets under Wesley's heart of stone. Their romance progress in a lovely, tender, but also amusing way. I just LOVE them together so much!! Dare I say it, even more than Arthur and Rory 🤭

I liked that both Wesley and Sebastian get their time to shine during the battle with the villains, especially because Wesley is the only non-human, and Sebastian fears that his magic is disastrous. BUT I wish the final battle lasts a bit longer though - because my bloodthirsty self want the villains to suffer a bit more.

I absolutely adored Allie's Magic in Manhattan Collection: Spellbound / Starcrossed / Wonderstruck with its 20s setting and a unique system of paranormal abilities and its Film Noir evoking mystery.

But this spin-off? OMG this spin-off is EVERYTHING. I am so in love with Sebastian and Wesley Collins aka Lord Fine.

Both men have been through some serious traumas and are dealing with the fall out. Sebastian was kept for three years as a prisoner through the use of blood magic and forced to use his abilities to harm others, he's suffering with serious PTSD (accurately referred to as Shell Shock here in this world) that he can't even acknowledge.

Wes was an officer during the War and a sharpshooter, he's done things, and ordered his men to do them, that he cannot forget.

On top of that, Wes was dumped by his lover Arthur (see Spellbound) for an antiquarian half his age (Rory you are utterly delightful) and he's only the Viscount Fine because his older brother was killed in the conflict.

He's prickly, rude, entitled, snobbish and oh so very much in need of someone to love.

Thrown together almost by accident, these two former "villains" of the previous series both feel like they can never atone - in Wes' case he really doesn't want to atone for kissing Arthur in front of Rory either 😁 ) but both will find that fate has other ideas in store.

Allie takes the reader to my part of the world - beautiful Yorkshire, York and its imposing Gothic Minster firmly on the horizon - and then leads them into a high-paced, tension-filled ride of an adventure which also brings some old faces along with it.

It was lovely to see Jade and Zhang too, both as committed to each other as they were in the previous books, and we get to catch up with Seb's cousin Isabel and her lover Molly, now both ensconced in Paris for the World's Fair.

The villain is truly villainous, his sidekick is mad as a box of frogs, and I loved how Allie took a mythology which has a very strong Yorkshire connection - that of Dracula - and made it into the basis for a twisted paranormal's very deadly power.

I won't spoiler anything about the actual plot itself, only to say that it had everything I want to read in a romantic suspense, and the relationship element of this book is even stronger than Arthur and Rory's.

It's also more steamy and I was so grateful for that. My one criticism of the previous series had been how the intimacy between Arthur and Rory was never seen on page, other than odd kisses and the beginnings of their amorous encounters, before fading to black.

Here we not only get some of the best UST I've read in a long time, but Wes is also a bit of a secret Dominant (not in a true kink way though, but he has a very powerful personality and a need to "take care" of someone) and Sebastian is all for giving himself over to someone else to make decisions for him.

Wes is an arse, he'll tell you that quite proudly, but his growth and change once he meets Sebastian is a wonderful thing to read. He doesn't change FOR him but BECAUSE of him.

Sebastian is the biggest (and most dangerous) cinnamon bun with a marshmallow soul, he's so desperate to atone for things which were beyond his control that you want to wrap him up in a fluffy blanket and never let the world hurt him any more.

The first time they finally kiss is stunningly effective in the narrative. It's an understandable slow burn but oh my lord, is it worth the wait! There aren't loads of sex scenes, the story doesn't really need it, but when they happen, they're beautifully written.

As you can tell, I absolutely adored this book. Allie has such a grasp on her plots that before you can blink, you've read half the book and it's gone midnight 🤣 I did not want to put this one down from the minute I started reading it and that's the mark of a wonderful writer.

I hope this isn't the end of this wonderful world Allie has created. I would happily while away more hours with this bunch of disparate people time and time again.

Proper Scoundrels is a spin off from Therin’s Magic in Manhattan series. The adventures of Sebastian and Lord Fine won’t make much sense if you haven’t read the series, but you should read the series. It is excellent and Therin built a wonderful world while writing it. I’m so glad she’s writing past Arthur and Rory, and that we get to spend more time with Jade and Zhang.

Wesley, Lord Fine, feels separated from the world by his title, and by his experience as a sniper in WWI. Sebastian de Leon feels separated from the world by his magic and by his years under the control of blood magic. Lord Fine doesn’t know that magic exists, but he and Sebastian are connected. In the aftermath of the defeat of the Baron in Wonderstruck, Sebastian has been keeping an eye on Lord Fine, trying to keep him safe from the magic world he unknowingly brushed against. Wesley is suspicious of Sebastian until Sebastian saves his life.

The two men who feel so broken and undeserving fall in love while hunting down dangerous magical artifacts and trying to stop a mad man. It’s an excellent adventure with family secrets, daring rescues, and people who have no hearts catching feelings while running for their lives.

I enjoyed the Magic in Manhattan series enormously. Therin takes full advantage of writing in a well built world. She balances plot and character, dishing out adventure and feelings in equal measure. I’m looking forward to seeing where Therin takes her world next.

I received this as an advance reader copy from NetGalley and Carina Press. My opinions are my own.

Heat Factor: Well hello, on page sex, I did not expect to see you here

Character Chemistry: Uh, grumpy cynic is soft for tortured cinnamon roll. YES PLEASE

Plot: The relics are BACK! With an aura-sucking vampire paranormal, a rude English Viscount who finds himself in the middle of a situation he knows nothing about, and a Puerto Rican nullification magic paranormal who has an overdeveloped sense of responsibility and a tragic past

Overall: I am so delighted I might go back and read Magic in Manhattan all over again so I can get some more vibes

This story follows English Viscount Lord Fine (the aforementioned Arthur’s ex) and nullification paranormal Sebastian de Leon as they try to figure out who is murdering non-paranormals in such a magically unusual way. It is a spinoff from the Magic in Manhattan trilogy, so if you have read that series, you have met the cast of characters. If you haven't… There are a ton of tie-ins to the trilogy, but Therin does explain relevant details, and at the end of the day what makes this book such a delight is the capers and the characterizations, so I wouldn't say that you should read the trilogy first. That said, if you’re a purist stand-alone reader, this might not be it for you because the tie-ins are not simply passing comments that can easily be ignored.

What is so great about this book? If I had to choose one thing, it would be the characterizations of Lord Fine and Sebastian and how they work together. Both Lord Fine (Wesley is his name) and Sebastian have pretty serious trauma in their pasts. Wesley absolutely hates himself, and he projects that to hating the entire world. Sebastian also hates himself a little bit, but it’s because he was ensorcelled for three years and can’t forgive himself for what he did during that time and how he failed in his family’s mission to protect non-paranormals. But Wesley is a curmudgeon while Sebastian is pure cinnamon roll.

I wouldn’t call Sebastian a sunshine character - he’s a little too dark for that for me - but if you lose it for a grumpy character that goes soft for a sunshine character, you will absolutely get that vibe in this book. Wesley is such an absolute jerk, but he’s oh-so-soft for Sebastian’s softness. He just cannot believe that anyone would ever want him because they sincerely like him, but once Sebastian sees through his grumpy exterior and doesn’t accept his bad behavior, Wesley just dives right off the grumpy romantic high dive into big feelings and it was EVERYTHING.

It’s like:
“What kind of scoundrel would cross the English Channel with me so I can take my brother to get help?”
“Oh.” Wesley straightened. “That is what I’m doing, isn’t it? That’s actually terribly romantic of me—are you absolutely swooning?”
“A bit, yes,” Sebastian admitted.

Me too, fellas. Me too.

Meanwhile, Wesley’s ruthlessly pragmatic worldview doesn’t give Sebastian much space to wallow in his perceived failings, instead guiding him to view and accept his three years of ensorcellement as similar to being a former prisoner of war with PTSD (though since this is set in the 1920s it’s referred to as shell shock). With Wesley’s own unconventional nurturing, Sebastian is able to move forward. Classic example of two protagonists helping each other see the good and value in each other so they can see the good and value in themselves and be better together.

It’s like:
“Look,” Lord Fine went on gruffly. “You know what the war was like. Whatever badness you think you’ve done, you did it under blood magic. I’ve done plenty without that excuse.”
Sebastian half glanced over his shoulder, seeing only the edge of Lord Fine’s back. “Are we actually going to compete over who is the bigger scoundrel?”
“I would win,” Lord Fine said decisively. “Because you’re an angel, while I’m an actual beast.”
Sebastian pursed his lips. “You’re really not so bad, you know.”
“Ugh, you are such a menace with those rose-colored glasses”

Aww.

So just...come have a completely charming adventure with an absolutely fantastic cast of magical characters that are just so easy to love.

This is a lovely LGBTQ+ historical urban fantasy. It's pleasure to read; the characters are delightful, the sex scenes are smoking (whooo-hooo!!) and I really loved how the romance came together naturally of two people getting to know one another. The world is well developed and, although I was a little lost because I hadn't read the previous trilogy, Therin gives enough backstory for the reader to get along. In this case, I'm going for the highest compliment I can give an author. I'm going back to read the first trilogy because now I want more! I hope Therin continues to write in this world.

I got to read the NetGalley ARC! Here's my review!

Sebastian is a worrying delight, and Westley is beyond grumpy. The hunt they're forced into is scary and creepy. To understand this world, you need to read the first two books, but it's well worth it, trust me.

Poor Sebastian. He was used through blood magic to be a puppet for an evil man, and when he's free, he still feels it in his blood. In the last series, Wesley was in the dark about the existence of magic, and he finally found out in this book. This is because Wesley is used as bait for a new magic danger, and Sebastian has to protect him. It doesn't take long for Wesley to find out about the world of magic. Finally.

This has more romance instead of action than the Magic in Manhattan series. Considering how guilty Sebastian feels for the things he did while under someone else's power, the time needed to be devoted to them falling in love. Watching Wesley go from not trusting Sebastian (because he didn't know about the whole puppet thing) to trusting him to falling in love was a wonderful and sweet progression. Also wonderful was how much Wesley denied that he could be thoughtful. And Sebastian needed someone thoughtful in his life.

As always, it was good to see Jade and Zhang being their awesome selves. As this is a spin-off, I'm hoping for more spin-offs of this series.

Review based on an advanced reader copy provided through Netgalley for an honest review.

I have 100% fallen in love with Allie Therin's books! This book exists in the same universe as the Spellbound books - and focuses on Wesley, Lord Fine and Sebastian de Leon. Both have complicated histories - both within the previous books and within their own lives.

Sebastian de Leon was under the control of blood magic and forced to do things his very kind soul would have never considered. He is still dealing with the trauma of that experience and doesn't feel safe anywhere. He has been looking out for Lord Fine ever since the end of the last book - even though Lord Fine has no idea about it or about the supernatural world. Sebastian really is a very dangerous marshmallow.

Wesley is also a very complicated man. He is basically - an asshole - but a very likeable one. He has absolutely no filter and keeps everyone around him at arms length. He is also almost completely alone in life. I adored every bit of him. He is one of those characters who is so unique and utterly delightfully, unrepentantly himself that you can't help but love him.

The book is set in 1925ish and I adored being immersed in that period. I also adore the diversity shown in this book (and all the others). And if Allie Therin doesn't write more books in this universe I will be utterly devastated.

This book does stand alone - and you could 100% read it without reading the other books in the same universe - but I really can't recommend the other books highly enough, so you're missing out if you don't read those too!

I was so lucky to receive and ARC of this book from Netgalley, but these opinions are all my own.

oh. Oh this was one of the best things I’ve read in a pile of amazing things I’ve read lately.

The grumpiest grump in Wesley, who I adored the second he told Arthur: “I want one” about Rory (yes you absolutely must go read their series first why wouldn’t you) who thinks the most wonderful things about Sebastian
The purest danger marshmallow fluff sunshine in Sebastian who has to be the most intriguing redeemed (is it redeemed tho? Was he ever bad? No.) who just wants to be good

Visits from Jade and Zhang and Isabel and add in Molly and Mateo, making this even more special
Scary villains

This was unbelievably good and Sebastian and Wesley are at least tied with Rory and Arthur as favorites….probably are favorites tbh but don’t tell Rory

I’d love to see Wesley and Sebastian in Puerto Rico. Can we have that? Please? Please show Wesley that the waters are actually that blue and show Sebastian his home again.

Take every recommendation I’ve ever given and more. This book is magic.

Proper Scoundrels is a superlative read by Allie Therin, and has completely restored my faith in m/m romance after a year of being a little soured on them overall. For the sake of complete transparency, this is the only book I've read in this universe by Therin, and it's my first book by Allie Therin, and I didn't feel like I missed a single thing coming into this series with this novel.

Sebastian de Leon and Wesley Fine are wonderfully written characters. Sebastian as the 'dangerous marshmallow' and Wesley as the crabby, hilarious, 'soft to his staff but very much a straight talker.' I found both of these characters well-drawn and immensely likeable, even with their flaws. These characters had clear growth arcs, which of itself was really satisfying. The softening of Wesley, and the increasing honesty of Sebastian, allowed these two characters to grow together, and to grow *for* each other, which was deftly done.

The story itself was fast paced and well-structured, really enjoyable. There was a really great building of suspense and tension between the villains and our main characters, alongside the building of chemistry and tension between Wesley and Sebastian. Often when we got a chance to rest from encountering 'the bad guys,' Therin would use that quieter moment to build the sexual and personal chemistry between Wesley and Sebastian instead.

This book is by turns very serious, treating the subject of PTSD (shell shock as it's accurately referred to in the book, given the time period) with compassion and thoughtfulness, and then hilarious. The characters get wonderful lines of dialogue, and each shines in their own way. There are moments in the book which will just stay with me, from the way Fine behaves with regards to Powderpuff, to Sebastian's love for his friends and family, to what it means that Wesley can see a certain tattoo.

The magic in this universe was really interestingly thought out, and I think revealed in a really interesting way, that didn't feel overly expository or info-dumpy. The villains were interesting and fascinating in their own ways, and no character felt like a cardboard cut out.

Allie Therin is new to me, but I'm about to chase down everything of hers that she's ever written. So grateful for this review copy. And I'd recommend this to anyone who wants their faith in magic and love restored a little, and who wants to believe in a good old-fashioned high-stakes romance with a lovely side of hurt/comfort to boot.

I received a copy of this book from Harlequin Carina for an honest and unbiased opinion.
Sebastian de Leon still feels guilty about his actions while under the influence of blood magic and is trying to atone for his actions. So he jumps in to help protect the grumpy and cynical Lord Fine when he becomes the target of a magical serial killer. Unfortunately, Lord Fine remembers Sebastian from his time in Manhattan and is reluctant to trust him. Can they work together to find the magical killer and help each other learn to trust again?
Book review
This book is a standalone book in The Magic In Manhattan series but can be read alone with reading the others( it made no difference to me following the story). The book is told from the points of view of the two main characters – Sebastian who is dealing with PTSD from his time being controlled by blood magic and Wesley, Lord Fine who is dealing with the aftermath of world war I.
Both Wesley and Sebastian are well written and the chemistry between them is real, unforced and beautifully written. The fact that Wesley could understand Sebastian difficulty in the aftermath of his ordeal was dealt with well through the book. I liked the fact that Sebastian wasn’t cured instantly by just falling in love. I have to confess, the grumpy Lord Fine was my favourite but Jade and Zhang, Sebastian’s magical friends were equally fascinating and left an impression despite not having a lot of page time.
The underlying mystery of a magical serial killer is intriguing and the villain is creepy with an interesting backstory of his own
The world-building and magical systems are well described with some unique types of magic. The book has lots of humour mostly provided by Wesley’s grumpy interactions with almost everyone he comes across.
This is the first book of Allie Therin that I have read but I will definitely be reading more and am glad there I can dip straight into the Magic in Manhattan series.
Content Warning
Descriptions of past self-harm
Perfect for Fans of
Paranormal romance

"Proper Scoundrels" was, simply put, magnificent. I've been a HUGE Allie Therin fan since I first read the first in the "Magic in Manhattan" trilogy last year. I loved her world-building and the magic system, her truly marvelous (main and side) characters and also, her wonderful and compelling story-telling. When I found out she was writing a HEA for both Wesley (if you've read her previous books, you'll remember the rude and offensive viscount that goes around kissing exes and trying to pay off dangerous paranormals) and Sebastian (the handsome kidnapper with a dark and broken past) I was ecstatic. In fact, when I saw this title available for request on Netgalley I literally could not click on the request button fast enough.
I'm so so happy I got to read and review this book in advance because it does not disappoint. At all. In fact, it miiiiight actually be my favourite out of Allie's novels.

The story was absolutely riveting. As soon as I started reading, I couldn't physically disentangle from my Kindle. It's a truly action-packed story, full of twists-and-turns and magic and adventure, and it's also deeply romantic (ssh, don't tell Wesley), brimming with hope that (not-so-bad) scoundrels can achieve their hard-fought redemption and that old hurts and scars can be, slowly but surely, healed.

Wesley and Sebastian are magnificent protagonists. Don't tell Arthur or Rory, but I can confidently say I would DIE for Wesley. Lord Fine is as rude and assholish as the previous times he appeared: he's cranky and convinced he's incapable of love and care; he's rude, offensive and can't keep his snark off for more than five minutes. He's also lonely and brave and open-minded and hilarious, and once he decides to care for that one person he can stand, he's utterly marvelous. I loved him, so so much.
Sebastian was the perfect counterbalance to Wesley: he's scarred and scared, hurt and lonely and convinced he doesn't deserve love nor redemption. He's also so incredibly sweet and caring and will fight to keep everybody safe, even bad-mouthed viscounts that can't seem to steer clear of magic.
Together, they were wonderfully compatible and well-matched and their chemistry was off-the charts. The care they have for one another was lovely to see and so damn sweet I actually nearly cried: two lonely ex-villains finding love might be one of my favourite things ever.

We also get to see some very familiar faces (and the love and adoration I have for them is unchanged) and new ones too, all delightful and vividly sketched.
I'm not sure if the author has plans for more books in this universe, but in the meantime I can say I'd sell a kidney to read more of Wesley and Sebastian's adventures together. Although, I'd settle for more books, period.
Brava, Allie Therin

A spin-off from the Magic in Manhatten trilogy, Proper Scoundrels is as delightful as the original works. Readers who enjoy Arthur and Rory's story will enjoy Sebastian and Wesley's happily ever after. This standalone could also be read and enjoyedc by those new to this 1920s paranormal universe. Both protagonists struggle to feel worthy of a happily ever after and their discovery of one another as intimate partners is full of gentle warmth even in the midst of paranormal threat. Highly recommended. Content note: trauma/PTSD related to bothWWI military service and magical kidnapping/torture.