This is the second book in the series and I liked it just as much as the first one! It's such a cool idea for a book series with the penny dreadful stories in between the regular chapters. It's like reading three books in one but it totally works! I think this book could be read as a stand alone. There are references to characters from the first book but this story is based on two new main characters.
I really enjoyed the two penny dreadful stories that were in this book and I didn't want them to end. I enjoyed the main story as well and liked both the main characters. The setting felt realistic for the time period as did the language. Only once or twice did a phrase seem like it might not be appropriate for the time period.
There was a bit of suspense when a door gets broken down and I was a bit surprised by the dangerous turn the story took there, but it was exciting and I enjoyed that part.
This was a very enjoyable clean Victorian romance. I would highly recommend it.

Review coming soon on The Literary Club Podcast
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1984185/episodes/10632384 ( )

Honestly, the overall plot of the Dread Penny Society is a bit silly, but I like the characters and I'm amused by their adventures, and the snippets of Penny Dreadfuls inserted in the text. Light and entertaining, like the works that inspired them. ( )

Blog Review: https://trishadoeseverythingbutstudy2.wordpress.com/2021/05/05/april-2021-review...

This is 3.5 stars, rounded down to 3.

I didn't love it, but didn't hate it either?

This was so bland. There was no conflict, nearly no angst, the characters were already in love and maturely dealing with it; I DID NOT COME HERE FOR WHAT A ROMANCE IN THE REAL WORLD IS AND/OR SHOULD BE. I CAME HERE FOR THE ANGSTY JOURNEY.

And there was no angsty journey.

The main conflict, which was Anna being a thief, and Hollis being a philanthropist regularly breaking the law, was solved so fast and so amicably that there was literally nothing left to do in this book. There was no big barrier to overcome, no angst regarding the reveal of their secret identities; there was just nothing interesting.

While I loved the first book for not obsessing over the angst reveal in the end, this one was just way too bland on that front.

I read romance for the conflict and the angst, to feel the struggles and the overcoming of them. I do not read it for stuff that just falls into place without many problems, and is just so plain. If I wanted plain, I would look to the real world. I read fiction for a reason. I read fiction so I can torture people with feelings, but at least they're not real people.

Plot-wise, like the first book, it is fine, but I just don't care that much? I was interested by the plot, but much less than the first one somehow. And the penny dreadfuls themselves were a lot less entertaining too. Maybe it was because only one of our two MCs were writing the dreadfuls, and Mr. King's penny dreadfuls just seemed a bit out of place?

In the first book it made sense for Mr King's penny dreadful to mirror their situation because she was literally the one writing it. now, it's like what the hell is happening and how do you know this much about these two.

I will say this, this wasn't not enjoyable; all the dancing around in the first half was entertaining, not as much as the first one, but entertaining nonetheless. But the second half, and with them getting together, it was like what is even left in this story anymore?

I also loved the writing, the dry humour that Sarah M. Eden incorporates is the reason I read this in the first place. This definitely delivered on that front, but I wish it had on the romance front as well.

On the whole, an alright sequel, but not one the lived up to the first one. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys mutual pining and a romance without much conflict and angst. I wouldn't say that fans of the first book would have enjoyed this completely. ( )

The Gentleman and the Thief by Sarah M. Eden is a 2020 Shadow Mountain publication.

A gentle, sweet story, full of wit and adventure!

Hollis Darby carries a torch for Ana Newport. The difference in their station in life doesn’t matter to him. He’s a gentleman born into wealth, but Ana has lost her place in society after her father lost his fortune. Little does she know that Hollis is no better off financially than she, earning his living by writing Penny Dreadfuls under a pseudonym.

As it turns out, Hollis is not the only one with a secret- What would he think if he discovered that Ana, the sweet music teacher, he is in love with, was in fact, the infamous thief- ‘The Phantom Fox’!!
This is the second book in the Dread Penny Society series.

I do love the premise of this series, and enjoy the light, clean, format. The pacing is brisk, and the dialogue is wonderfully smart and flirty. I enjoyed he chemistry between Hollis and Ana, both of whom were trying super hard to keep their secrets from one another.

Once again, the author gives us snippets of the Penny Dreadful stories, which were so easy to get into and is a nice, unique element, adding more adventure and intrigue to the novel.

The story has all the elements for a fun escape- mystery, adventure, and a sweet romance. While the plot features some heavy topics and crime elements, the tone, as with the first chapter in the series, is very light.

If you are looking for a story that is both heartwarming and entertaining- this one should fit the bill!

3.5 stars ( )

What fun going back to Victorian London to be reading more "Penny Dreadfuls" written by those who belong to the Dread Penny Society. Their true mission is to take care of the poor and young being taken advantage of by ruthless people. Readers are introduced to this world in book one in the Lady and the Highwayman. Beloved characters from this first book are in the second but we quickly become involved in the lives of gentleman Hollis Darby. He secretly writes the penny dreadfuls to keep himself afloat in high society. We also meet music teacher, Ana Newport, who has her own secrets as she tries to reclaim mementos from her past.

The best part of this book is when the two main characters finally team up to solve some unsolved crimes. Their attraction to one another can't be denied as this odd pairing try to bring down a bad guy. Once again in this book, the Penny Dreadful stories are interspersed throughout the novel. I really like these and they are fun to read. Sarah Eden's wit and humor come shining through in her characters making this novel another delightful read for her fans. This being the second book in the series, I strongly suggest you read book one first. ( )