An Unnatural Vice Review: A Fraud, a Journalist and an Ethical Clash That Lasts

The verdict

Recommended for morally complicated enemies, sharp dialogue and suspense tied to a developing relationship. Justin’s behavior can make him difficult to root for, and the larger mystery requires the rest of the trilogy.

★★★★★★★★★★ Provisional Eikna score: 3.8/5. Four core dimensions cover 85% of the quality weight. Ending satisfaction and reread appeal remain unscored; heat is excluded. Researched editorial assessment; no firsthand reading claimed. Evidence confidence: moderate.

Book and edition facts

The author or publisher evidence identifies the work. Publication dates refer to the stated edition or release scope, not automatically the first appearance of the story. Unknown identifiers and formats are left open.

Love does not erase Nathaniel’s objections

Jay appreciates that Nathaniel can care for Justin without becoming comfortable with his occupation. Attraction changes their responsibilities toward each other, not every belief. Joyfully Jay

That distinction gives the trope a useful ethical foundation: the story has to make room for disagreement after hostility begins to soften.

Justin’s history gives context without demanding approval

Lisa finds Justin’s survival skills and revealing dialogue especially compelling. His background gradually alters how Nathaniel understands him. The Novel Approach

Nicky remains irritated by Justin and does not become invested in the couple, despite liking Nathaniel’s protectiveness. Readers who need to admire both leads may share that reservation. The Bibliophibian

Fog and danger shape the romance’s pace

Stevie treats London’s fog as an active obstacle and enjoys the distinctive supporting characters. The Good, the Bad and the Unread

Jay values the way suspense draws the enemies into shared action. The relationship has to develop while they manage a common threat. Joyfully Jay

A middle volume supplies progress rather than full closure

Stevie finds the series reveal overshadows this book’s own conclusion. The Good, the Bad and the Unread

Silas O. distinguishes the unresolved mystery from the relationship’s outcome. Readers can therefore want more answers without treating all romantic development as unfinished. The Queerblr

Heat and content notes

Jay reports intense sexual material associated with the antagonism. Joyfully Jay Silas specifically praises attention to consent. Numeric heat and exact scene frequency remain unknown. The Queerblr

The author flags references to earlier abuse, loss of a lover, depression and attempted suicide, alongside murder, violence, kidnapping and ableism toward a neurodivergent character. These warnings matter even when the relationship’s banter is entertaining. KJ Charles / content warnings Bereaved clients’ vulnerability is also central to the fraud plot. Loveswept

Who should consider it

Choose it for clever, ethically uncomfortable attraction and a historical mystery you intend to follow across volumes. Pass if fraud against mourners is a hard boundary or you want every suspense question resolved here.

What the contrasting responses mean

Lisa admires how characterization turns disdain toward respect. The Novel Approach Nicky finds the leads’ intensity insufficient to create emotional investment. Understanding a character’s motives and wanting that character to find love are separate reader responses. The Bibliophibian

Format, series and purchase guidance

This is Sins of the Cities book two. Jay recommends reading An Unseen Attraction first for fuller context. Joyfully Jay Silas followed it without that background, but the mystery cliffhanger still points onward. Exact HEA/HFN classification remains unverified. The Queerblr

A direct US product edition has not been verified. The Amazon link is a title-and-author search, with no specific format or availability promised. A verified Bookshop or Libro edition link is not yet available for this review.

We may earn a commission from purchases through our links, at no extra cost to you. Search Amazon for the title and author.

Seven-dimension evidence scorecard

Quality scale: 1 substantial weaknesses; 2 weaknesses outweigh strengths; 3 mixed; 4 strengths outweigh limitations; 5 exceptional sustained strengths. Half points are allowed. Weights: romance 30%, characters 20%, writing 20%, emotional impact 15%, ending satisfaction 10%, reread appeal 5%. A provisional overall score divides the supported weighted sum by its supported weight and rounds once to one decimal. Heat is descriptive and excluded. These scores express the evidence-based judgment explained in this review.

Questions before choosing

Is Justin actually supernatural?

The primary description presents him as a fraud, so choose this for historical intrigue rather than verified paranormal powers.

Must I read the first book?

The inspected reviewers differ about ease of entry. Reading An Unseen Attraction first is the safer choice for the ongoing mystery.

Does the cliffhanger mean a failed romance ending?

The inspected Silas review locates the cliffhanger in the mystery. We do not turn that into an exact HEA/HFN guarantee.

Three books worth comparing

The Queer Principles of Kit Webb

For queer historical romance with criminal risk and reluctant cooperation, compare this partnership.

Red, White & Royal Blue

Try public-role conflict and private attraction in a contemporary setting, with very different stakes.

Bride

Compare uneasy cooperation and distrust in a paranormal political marriage; its speculative premise changes the source of danger.

Follow the discovery route

The enemies-to-lovers guide includes this book among other choices. Compare those options if its premise appeals but a limitation gives you pause. The Compare enemies-to-lovers reading routes explains the surrounding reading route and what to check before choosing.

Final recommendation

Recommended for morally complicated enemies, sharp dialogue and suspense tied to a developing relationship. Justin’s behavior can make him difficult to root for, and the larger mystery requires the rest of the trilogy. Choose it for clever, ethically uncomfortable attraction and a historical mystery you intend to follow across volumes. Pass if fraud against mourners is a hard boundary or you want every suspense question resolved here.

Search Amazon for the title and author when this balance matches what you want to read.

Sources and assessment limits

1. Loveswept / Penguin Random House. Inspected for this assessment; source URLs and lineage are retained in the local evidence record.
2. Joyfully Jay / Jay. Inspected for this assessment; source URLs and lineage are retained in the local evidence record.
3. The Novel Approach / Lisa. Inspected for this assessment; source URLs and lineage are retained in the local evidence record.
4. The Good, the Bad and the Unread / Stevie. Inspected for this assessment; source URLs and lineage are retained in the local evidence record.
5. The Bibliophibian / Nicky. Inspected for this assessment; source URLs and lineage are retained in the local evidence record.
6. The Queerblr / Silas O.. Inspected for this assessment; source URLs and lineage are retained in the local evidence record.
7. KJ Charles / content warnings. Inspected for this assessment; source URLs and lineage are retained in the local evidence record.

Checked October 6, 2026. The How this assessment was researched preserves attributions and research limits. Unknown details do not establish absence. Purchasing links use our account.