The Rat-Catcher’s Daughter

The Rat-Catcher’s Daughter (2019) K.J. Charles (Lilywhite Boys)

Set in London in 1893.

Miss Christiana is in trouble. She’s all but owned by Kammy Gizzard, and she failed in the task he set out for her, that might have allowed her to buy her way out of debt, so now Kammy is coming to make an example of her.

Stan has had a crush on Miss Christiana since her first saw her, so when he learned she was in danger, he asked a favor to try and get her out of trouble. Now Stan isn’t sure he isn’t in trouble.

Miss Christiana would be sure he was some sort of exploitative swine— of course she would, with Temp cheerfully saying, I told her she didn’t have to fuck you as if anyone could hear a sentence like that without panicking.

This is NOT a boinking book. One or both of the characters are on the ace spectrum. But there is danger and excitement and discussion of boinking.

Kissing people gave them the wrong idea, and it was hard to enjoy touching anyone when you were constantly wondering where they’d stick their hands.

This story has little to do with Jerry and Templeton, although they do pay a part, and what I like about that part is that it allows the two main characters to be themselves, and to behave in a way that they should.

It’s a sweet romance short story, with a dose of menace and violence.

Publisher: KJC Books

Rating: 7.5/10

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