A shooting party at the Earl of Witton’s remote country house is a high treat for champion shot Patricia Merton—until unexpected guests turn the social atmosphere dangerously sour.That’s not Pat’s biggest problem. She’s visiting her old friend, the Earl’s heir Jimmy Yoxall—but she wants to spend a lot more time with Jimmy’s fiancée. The irrepressible Miss Fenella Carruth, with her laughing eyes … laughing eyes and lush curves, is the most glorious woman Pat’s ever met, and it quickly becomes impossible to remember why she needs to stay at arm’s length.
But while the women’s attraction grows, the tensions at Rodington Court get worse. Affairs, secrets, betrayals, and blackmail come to light. And when a body is discovered with a knife between the shoulderblades, it’s going to take Pat and Fen’s combined talents to prevent the murderer destroying all their lives.
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I loved this story! Nothing better than murder and mystery along with a beautiful f/f romance set at a house party in the English countryside.
“I didn’t ever imagine I’d meet anybody special; I didn’t think I was the kind of person who had that kind of thing.”
-5 Stars!-
I read KJ Charles’ Think of England years ago and it was one of the best historical M/M novels I’ve ever read — totally recommend!
So I’ve had my eye on Proper English for awhile now. It’s an F/F historical romance set at an Edwardian house party that includes – shocker – a murder!
This book was such a fucking delight. If you want a sweet, sapphic romance set in Downton Abbey (basically) and people saying things like, “I dare say, we cannot allow the chap out in this ghastly weather, now can we?” this book is for youuuu.
This Edwardian novel mixes romance and mystery in the best way. It has a fantastic mood of an English country house. It is only told from one POV, a very practical heroine who is better at shooting than all the men, so at times it feels more like a mystery than a romance, but the romantic element is very strong and has a great HEA.
For the first half, the story is rather quiet, focusing on slowly building feelings.
After the halfway point, it races ahead with blackmail, murder and mayhem.
I read this book before “Think of England” so this is my first introduction to the wonderful and marvelous Patricia Merton and Fenella Carruth. Both women are incredible characters that I enjoyed very much. The romance between the two of them was sweet and lovely, and just so perfect. K.J. Charles is a fabulous writer and her way with prose is delightful. It made for a smooth read that I could hardly put down. The plot was the classic Who-Done-It while trapped in a house. Although it was a bit predictable, it was still fun to see how the characters came to their conclusions, and all the secrets that were exposed during the snooping.
This book is adorable in a “solve a murder and other house party dramas” kind of way.
I will be gushing over this book and re-reading again and again.
This was absolutely lovely. I adored both of the main characters, who are well-written, realistic, complicated women. Particularly Pat, who I identified with waaaaay too hard, but Fen had her own intriguing depths. In some ways, it’s a typical K.J. Charles novel–good characterization, tension, a bit of well-placed humor to lighten the angst, and a dash of Agatha Christie. This one has a bit more Agatha Christie than usual, but that’s only a perk, in my mind. This is one of my favorite reads of the year so far. I highly recommend it.
I have screamed about this book so constantly that I actually thought I’d reviewed it weeks ago. But no – all my reviews have been verbal, in the form of friendly harassment, i.e. “READ THIS F***KING BOOK OR ELSE”. Yes, I am a fun person to know.
Before I get into exactly why this historical f/f murder mystery romance is so great (if you need more than that description, I mean), it seems only fair to mention that this book is dedicated to me. I don’t think I am biased because I read this book early and became obsessed pre-dedication. Also, some might argue that the fact it’s dedicated to me (a person well-known for her maximum coolness, and a close cousin to the sunglasses emoji) is, in fact, the icing on the cake. And when I say ‘some’, I mean ‘me, I, Talia’. Ahem. To continue.
Proper English is about Pat, an excellent lady shooter, going to a house party with her brother, only to find that there is PURE DRAMA, and also that her friend is engaged to the sparkling cream puff woman of Pat’s dreams, also known as Fen. The guests are deliciously dramatic and wonderfully fractious and then A DEAD BODY IS DISCOVERED! WHO DUNNIT?! Pat and Fen decide to find out, in between falling adorably in love and doing the good, good kissy stuff we all came here for.
This story is hilarious and sweet and sexually tense. Also, a racist is murdered. WHO COULD ASK FOR MORE?
My favourite quotes:
“The aim is to bring them in with a bit of boxing and then, when we have them trapped, inflict a spot of literacy on the blighters.”
“Honestly, I think everyone feels terribly awkward inside. It’s the human condition.”
‘She didn’t think Jimmy would serve her such a trick, but he was a man, so her expectations were low.’
“…everything about you is champagne. Bubbling and delicious and special.”
AWWWW. AM I RIGHT?!
(Victoria Singh is the REAL Queen Victoria like if u agree.)
This is one of those delightful surprises you find totally by accident. A wonderful book with interesting characters and a central love story that hooked me from the very beginning. I loved it, and I plan to read more of the author’s books.
Absolutely spiffingly good romance!
I love revisiting characters that we’ve met in previous stories and digging into their juicy backstories and what makes them who they are. That’s exactly what Ms. Charles does so well in this lovely book about two women who find love, validation, freedom, and strength in each other’s arms.
Readers had their first introduction to Pat and Fen in Think Of England, where they were guests at the ill-fated house party and I was intrigued by both of them from the start. Now we finally get to see what brought them together in the first place and learn more about the wonderful people they are.
This story had everything you could want: great characters, intrigue, romance, and enough steam for readers to feel invested and bonded with Pat and Fen. Plus there’s a lovely little additional tryst going on in the background of things that helps bring the whole mystery together.
Proper English is a fantastic f/f romance page-turner full of all the historical detail, witty banter and rich emotions we love KJ Charles for. Can’t wait to read her next release!