Priceless

PRICELESS by Catherine Stein brings independent and somewhat unusual characters as well as humor to a steampunk environment and tackles some serious issues at the same time. It is the second book in the Sass and Steam series and is largely set in Paris, France. So this is both a steampunk mystery as well as a romance. However, it is much more than what it appears to be on the surface.

 Our protagonists, Evan Tagget and Violet Dayton, appear to be very different characters and totally unsuited to each other. Evan was raised in a factory in New York City, but had a knack for inventions. He is now a multi-millionaire, lives in Paris, and runs a global business empire with an emphasis on telecommunication devices, mechanical dragons and clockwork gadgets. Violet makes a living painting forgeries as well as her own paintings and saving her commissions to host a Paris art exhibition. She wants to display her works as well as those of her friends. When a corrupt police inspector coerces Violet into tracking down a master art thief in Europe, she teams up with Evan to help her.

Evan and Violet are both far from perfect, but as a reader, I definitely rooted for their success. I got to know their fears, hopes and obsessions and got a good understanding of why they both have trust issues. The secondary characters are well-rounded and enhance the story with believable relationships that are not contrived.

The author did a great job of creating a strong sense of time and place. I felt like I was living the events alongside the characters. There were a couple of twists in the book that caught me by surprise. The writing was entertaining, witty and poignant at times. I was emotionally involved with the characters as well as the story.

Overall, this an engrossing, fascinating and engaging novel that pulled me in immediately. In addition to the mystery and romance, this novel tackles some tough issues. These include trust, love, friendship, family relationships, support of charities, social standing, fighting ignorance and hatred and much more.
If you enjoy steampunk romantic suspense, then this may be the next series for you. It worked well as a standalone novel, but I am looking forward to reading the first book in the series.

Thanks to BookBuzz.net and Catherine Stein for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for November 20, 2020.

I enjoyed reading this book but it was strange at times with the antics of Evan, who is an inventor. Violet is a different character much easier to understand. There was a good storyline and l will read more books by this author.

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 💔💔💔
Romance: 💞💞
Emotional Depth: 4
Sexual Tension: ⚡️⚡️
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑 and a half 
Number of Sex Scenes: 🍆🍆🍆

I am reading this out of order. Starting with book 2 didn’t not lessen my enjoyment or understand of the story, but characters from book 1 are mentioned and I do think they play a part in developing Evan’s character.

This story is a steampunk novel that takes place in 1905. If you haven’t tried steampunk before, consider giving it a try! It’s fun and different and I enjoy the inventions Catherine Stein places in her stories. There’s also lots of adventure on a dirigible, or airship. 

This story starts in Paris in 1905 (after a heartbreaking prologue). Violet is a painter, but when a police officer knows she dabbles in forgery’s he uses it to blackmail her to assist in catching an art thief. She hunts down Evan to help assist her with the plans, and he is immediately captivated by her.

Give this book a try if you are in the mood for
- Steampunk fun – mechanical rats, some rather amazing medical technology, and dirgibles
- Roadtrip romance and forced proximity – Lots of page time together for this couple as they travel across Europe attempting to catch an art thief
- Moderate steam – lots of kisses and intimate scenes spread throughout the book, but the scenes aren’t overly extended
- Diversity – Evan is bisexual or pansexual (not identified really as it’s just a part of who he is and it’s 1905)
- Experienced heroine – not a nervous virgin here
- Heroine is Australian, which I hardly ever see!
- Fast paced adventure

There’s a lot to love about this story. It’s funny, adventurous, with a couple that’s always on the go. I did have a character disconnect with Vi though. I’m not quite sure what it was that I was left feeling I couldn’t really relate to her. I also thought she was a bit cruel to Evan. However, her cross feelings stem from her wanting independence and a say in her life, and Evan can be very overbearing. This is just me being especially hard on the heroines. I think if you appreciate a heroine that wants to do it herself you will enjoy Vi.