LIKE CLOCKWORK by Bonnie Dee

Publisher: Carina Press
Date published: December 2010
ISBN: 9781426890963
Steampunk romance
E-book
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained by: Publisher


CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE! In a Victorian-type London, Victoria has been one of the scientists responsible for the invention of automatons. She invented the exterior of the robots, making them look more human like. What was at first invented to take over the more dangerous jobs has reached into all areas of society. Even nannies have been replaced by automatons. Victoria is alarmed when she hears of some not working properly and even causing danger to humans. She is about to go to the Committee to plead that they be taken from such positions and tested more thoroughly, when she is kidnapped.

Dash, a leader of the underground, a group of people who have been put out of work by these clockwork automatons, thinks that by kidnapping Victoria they can be heard and even get a seat or two on the committee. He is surprised when Victoria not only understands and sympathizes with his cause, but even offers her help.
Then there is that attraction that is brewing between them that is highly inappropriate due to their status. But, Victoria proves that she can and will help, but the Committee is more corrupted than she could imagine and then there is the problem with the Southwark Slasher, who strikes a little too close to home.

Bonnie Dee has created an exciting story that kept me riveted to the pages of this book, devouring every word. This is set in an alternative historical setting with clockwork gadgets thrown in…in other words, your typical steampunk. I really liked Victoria, a woman who has breached conventions and gone into scientific work for the good of mankind. Dash is a hero who although he lives in the underground and is a bit of a rascal, has a heart of gold and is equally concerned about the good of mankind. They match each other perfectly if not for the boundaries of convention. There are several secondary characters, including a colleague of Dash’s whose argument against the suppression is a good old bomb or three.

The plot was somewhat predictable, being an age-old battle of robots and humans, but the identity of the Slasher was a mystery to the end and I loved the twist. The romance is full of sexual tension and I enjoyed that it wasn’t a sex feast, but a really slow sexual simmer until the culmination at the end. This was a real joy to read and I hope that this talented author will take us back to this world for more adventures.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.