Wesley is up there as one of my favorite characters! My partner likes to say it's because I'm also allergic to feelings but I like to think it's more about his arc, his growth throughout the three books (and sure, that part of him resonate with me). There's a subtlety and nuance to how his character grows, almost as if it sneaks up on him. It's both hilarious and heartwarming.

I don't think I've talked about Allie's talent for blending comedic moments and funny quips with tender, heartfelt actions. I laughed out loud several times while reading this and it made it all the more enjoyable.

Sebastian is possibly the kindest, sweetest person. I understand where Wesley is coming from: what do you do with someone who is so selfless, someone who loves deeply and gives that love so freely?! It's magical. And I also loved seeing moments between Arthur and Rory. Rory is another character I can't get enough of so the vulnerable moments he shares with Wesley and Sebastian were favorites of mine.

Plot-wise, I was once again so invested in the story and the characters that I didn't try very hard to figure things out. Sure, one aspect wasn't a surprise but plenty of others were. Just like in <i>Wonderstruck</i>, Wesley and Sebastian's story ends perfectly. It'd be easy to keep the story going, to give us more of their adventures and their love, but we don't need it for everything to feel complete.

I will never shut up about these books. I will recommend them to EVERYONE and cheer loudly when new people fall in love with them!

<i>Many thanks to NetGalley, Carina Press, and the author for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.</i>

This was the perfect ending for this series!
We got another grilling mystery, all the emotions and mushiness and we got to meet our little gang of misfits all together once again.
I couldn’t have hoped for a better ending, Seb and Wes forever!!!

4.5

This series finale is so satisfying! I fell in love with Seb and Wes in the first book and I’m so proud of them. The way they learned to love each other’s…
And I’m quite happy for everything else: the worldbuiling, the mystery… everything is so well written.
I’m a little sad these series ended but I can’t wait to discover the next series written by this wonderful author!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

This was an absolutely SUPERB time. Allie Therin's characters warmed my heart, I loved seeing all our pals from the other books and the way Seb and Wes are so freaking soft with each other will never not be sweet to me.

This has inspired a desire to reread the other books immediately and I'm so thrilled with the end to these series.

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with an eARC through NetGalley.

This book is a satisfying conclusion to Allie Therin's "Roaring Twenties Magic" series. Sebastian and Wesley team up with some familiar faces from the author's previous series "Magic in Manhattan" to put a stop to a threat to the hidden magical world. While I thought the big-bad for the book kind of came out of nowhere and found their motives to be confusing, the swoony scenes between Sebastian and Wesley definitely make this a must read.

If you read and enjoyed Arthur & Rory's series, but haven't picked this one up yet - what are you waiting for? You'll fall in love with prickly Wesley and sweet-as-pie Sebastian, and there are some great cameos from the previous series. Crossing my fingers the author will continue writing in this world!

4,5 stars!!!

As someone who only recently discovered Allie Therin, I already count myself a devoted fan, and Viscounts and Villainy only deepens that admiration. I first fell for her writing through the Sugar and Vice series (that slow burn! that tension!), but this third installment in the historical spinoff series proves she's just as magical in a faster-paced, full-on romantic and magical whirlwind.

Even though Viscounts and Villainy is technically book three of its own series (and a spinoff of another), it's a captivating read in its own right. I came into it with a summary to guide me through the backstory, and while that definitely helped, it’s still clear that Therin has a gift for grounding readers with just enough context to enjoy the ride. That said, if you have read the previous books, you're in for an even richer experience.

What stands out most is the combination of vivid world-building and intricate magic, laced with snappy banter and intense chemistry between the leads. It’s less of a slow burn than Sugar and Vice, but that’s not a complaint as it works wonderfully here, especially with the emotional stakes already well-established by this point in the series.

If you love queer historical fantasy with heart, heat, and a touch of danger, Viscounts and Villainy is absolutely worth diving into. Just maybe have the earlier books close at hand because you'll want to know everything about this world.

Ohhhh I love this trilogy and I love this final book in it! The mix of witty historical fantasy adventure AND swoonworthy romance is just so intoxicating, and this wrapped it all up so beautifully, drawing back elements from both of the first two books and resolving them in the most satisfying ways. There were scenes I actually stopped and read multiple times in a row, just to savor them! And now that I'm finished with this first read, I'm going to go back and re-read the full trilogy from the beginning (starting with Proper Scoundrels) so that I can enjoy the full experience! This really is my very favorite romantasy trilogy that I've ever read. SO highly recommended!

Gosh. GOSH WHAT A SATISFYING END TO A DELIGHTFUL TRILOGY. Wes and Sebastian deserve all of the happily ever afters, for real 😍

Such a delight!

I cannot, and don’t ever want to, get enough of the indubitably sweet Lord Fine and his precious Sebastian. I came to this series late so had the undeniable pleasure of binge reading this trilogy and it was amazing! The excellent mysteries, the mysterious magic, the thrills of discovery, and the joys of friendship all combine to make this a top-notch series and one I want to regularly re-read.

“Do you imagine the streets are full of men willing to sacrifice the literal magic in their veins to save my life? You’re irreplaceable, Sebastian. And your lion is mine more than ever now.”

From the moment I met Wesley I recognized a kindred spirit in his prickly personality and fell in love with his dry wit and his hidden softness. I love that he saves it all for Sebastian and that Sebastian, despite their beginnings, has never been anyone other than himself—a true hero who has a heart of gold. And it’s because of everything that makes Sebastian so lovable, so irresistible that Fine fell and fell hard, though he tried to deny it.

Gah, the levels that Wesley goes to make Sebastian happy—squeal—and the many, many ways these two would do anything for the other—swoons—had my heart fluttering, racing, and beating to their tune. Their love is the true magic and I adore every part of them.

Get ready to revel in the feels, magic, and mystery in this smashing conclusion to a lovely and endlessly fascinating trilogy! From book 1, Sebastian and Wesley became some of my favorite characters, and each book has revealed even more wonderful facets of them and their relationship. In Viscounts & Villainy, Sebastian is struggling to adjust to a life without magic and relies on Wesley to help keep him safe and stable. Meanwhile Wesley is grappling with having tender feelings and emotions (the horror!) and how to show affection. As they race against the clock to uncover a conspiracy to destroy magic, Sebastian must enter Wesley's world of aristocrats, tailcoats, and balls to find the answers they seek. I loved every moment with these two! They have such a hardwon trust and mutual respect, and seeing them so happy and comfortable together gave me all the feels. I also enjoyed seeing the rest of the paranormal crew and getting lots of Rory and Arthur moments. The plot kept me guessing, right up to the end. All in all, this was a delightful journey from New York to England, from speakeasies to cozy ship cabins to lavish country estates. Highly recommend!

So here’s my problem when it comes to reading and reviewing Allie Therin books. I love them so much and live in that world so completely that when I finish the book, I am absolutely unable to have a response that isn’t simply just me yelling “I LOVE THEM” and “VIBES” and “Pero mira!” with a million exclamation marks but I’m going to give it a go.

I’ve been looking forward to this book since these characters were introduced four books ago and this book absolutely lived up to expectations. As many of you know, Wesley is one of my favorite characters of all time. He is snarky and witty and a little bit terrible and a lot of bit mean and he is absolutely perfect in his imperfection. I want to just fold him up and put him in my pocket for always.

As always, Allie Therin’s world building is top-notch and the character development is beautiful. The arc of the story absolutely keeps you turning the page from beginning to end. I cannot - CANNOT - recommend this book enough. I will miss these lovely babies so much.

when times are tough, an Allie Therin romance can make it all seem brighter

what joy for Wesley. what happiness for Sebastian. what a ride for us.

I really don’t want the world to be over, but if it is, what a perfect ending.

Viscounts & Villany by Allie Therin is the final book in her Roaring Twenties Magic trilogy, which continues her Magic in Manhattan series. I love the mix of 1920s culture with the magic.

In this book, Wesley and Sebastian must go to England to root out the person behind the plot against magic in book 2. They infiltrate a hunting party with the hopes of uncovering the culprit and discovering an old enemy.

Wesley is adorably awkward with his upright British manner melting to Sebastian's sunshiny personality. I loved his faith in Sebastian and his magic, and how much his actions show his feelings, no matter how much he can't find the words. Sebastian has dealt with a lot and is fighting a fall into surliness, but he always puts Wesley first. I've also loved how adorably oblivious Sebastian is to other people flirting with him.

Therin does such a wonderful job blending the hunting party and the danger of the hunting magic. I also loved learning more about Sebastian's family, seeing Wesley go to any length to make Sebastian happy, and the whole gang working together to close out the chapter on the dangerous relics.

This is a fun series, though you really have to read the first series to understand what's going on. But if you love a diverse and queer fantasy romance mysteries set in the 1920s, filled with speakeasies, dangerous relics, different powers, and wonderful found family moments.

This is the thrilling conclusion to Roaring Twenties Magic and the Magic in Manhattan series and it was sooo good! I really loved the other books and this really just pulled them all together. The plot was intriguing, the character development was superb, the tie ins with the other characters from Magic in Manhattan was perfect. All in all, an epic conclusion to a wonderful series!

This is the third book in a trilogy following Sebastian and Wesley, two "villains" from the first trilogy in the world.
Viscounts and Villainy was just as incredible as I thought it would be! I love Sebastian and Wesley so much, especially how Sebastian is an animal lover and how they will do anything for each other. This was a great conclusion to the trilogy. I hope Allie writes more in this world!

📣 a queer PNR series set during Prohibition

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

📖 if you were dropped off in the early 1920s, would you be up for going to a speakeasy? Who would you go with? I would & I’d love to go with two of my besties 😍.

I’ve been such a big fan of the Roaring Twenties Magic series by Allie Therin. A Probibition setting + Magic + a relationship that develops emotionally over the course of three books is a guaranteed good time in my book.

While book 3, Viscounts & Villainy, isn’t my fave in the series—that honor goes to book 2—this is another very satisfying installment in a series that delivers delicious PNR.

Wesley & Sebastian’s relationship has grown so much over three books, & their sunshine & the grump relationship is *so* well done. Wesley never even stood a chance 😂.

4.5 ⭐️, out 07/01.

CWs: murder, attempted murder

[ID: Jess holds the ebook in front of some raised garden beds that have pink & yellow flowers.]

Last year, I read the first two books in Allie Therin’s Sugar and Vice Urban Paranormal series and loved the characters so when I was offered an early ARC of this book, I jumped on it. Then promptly realized that it is the third in the series…a series that is a companion series to another three-book series…so of course I started at the very beginning (which is my very strong recommendation) and read them all the way through in under ten days. This series takes place in the 1920’s, where many are recovering from the trauma of World War I and magic exists for those that carry it. A ragtag group of friends get caught up in, often complicated, magical plots while falling in love and trying to keep each other safe. The Roaring Twenties Magic series follows Wesley, Lord Fine, and Sebastian, a paranormal, who are both recovering from trauma in different ways. I adore all of the characters in this world and could probably read additional books following them. I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

Viscounts and Villainy by Allie Therin is the third book in the Roaring Twenties Magic series. Wesley and Sebastian are learning to adapt to their new normal after facing down powerful magic and relics in America. Their adventure into magic and mayhem is now leading them back to England and it’s Wesley’s world of titles and hunts. Under the guise of attending high society balls and fox hunts, Wes and Sebastian are looking for the last of the missing relics. Unfortunately these relics are quite dangerous and lead the men and their friends down a treacherous path they hope to survive.

Oh man, I love Wes and Sebastian. The two are so perfectly opposite yet work and I love seeing them adapt to each other’s lives of magic and aristocracy. Wes has found acceptance in Sebastian that he never expected while Sebastian has found safety. Surrounded by their gang of magical friends Sebastian and Wes will fight for a possible future together.

i am upset bc this flew by and before i knew it i was at the end of not just sebastian and wes’ story but rory and arthur and jade and zhang, and every one else in their very queer paranormal relic-hunting, world-saving family. (for now? unless more spin-offs are in the future but this felt quite complete and i’m also super fine with that.)

the development of wes’ character i’ve particularly loved. i just like angsty, grumpy, assholes who are soft (in their way) for the select few who get past their defenses. and sebastian’s light of wes’ life, who has gone through so much and still braves through with kindness and hope (and the ability to level you, dangerous marshmallow that he is).

this was a great conclusion to not just this trilogy but also Magic in Manhattan where all this began - seeing everyone’s happy endings (this is a category romance), and where all the various threads and overarching mysteries have tied up. can’t wait to reread from SPELLBOUND bc i really loved this world and the characters. therin had me with her debut and i’ve loved every book she’s come out with.

thank you @harlequinbooks for the review copy.

A perfectly bittersweet way to end a trilogy that is so, so close to my heart. I've been a Sebastian fan literally since the minute he was introduced in the Magic in Manhattan series, and honestly, there's very few book characters I've cherished as much as him.

The dynamics and the characters remain, by and far, my favourite thing in this book, as they tend to be in Allie Therin's books. I'm a huge admirer of how the ensemble cast all plays off each other, and getting to see Rory and Arthur interact with Wesley and Sebastian honestly had me screaming, it was so perfect.

But narratively speaking, I just don't think I like this book as much as I've liked the other two in the series, or even the rest of the author's books. It might just be on me and my expectations, but I couldn't help but wish the last book in the series had wrapped everything up in a more satisfying manner, with better explanations for why things happened the way they did. One of the things I've loved most about this author's books is how the plot comes together in the end and everything just makes sense, and disappointingly, I felt like I missed out on that here.

Still, I think my love for these characters and these books far outweighs any lingering disappointment. This series remains a comfort series in its entirety, and I cannot wait to reread again and again.