The Clown (Harrow Faire) Paperback – October 9, 2020

What a beautifully written story, Kingsley has made writing villain romances an art. Her characters are lovable and you quickly become invested in the worlds she creates. The Clown is just a sweetie pie whom you want to hug. Simon is murderous yet endearing. Explore more of the world you got taste of in The Contortionist and The Puppeteer as the Clown draws you deeper into the web of this complex and fascinating series. I also love that Kingsley throws in nods to her other books in this series. I love the magician and his tie to Julian Strande. "Power only has meaning when its gifted", and this is truly a gift to us all.

There is no way out and Cora has finally accepted her fate. Stuck in an “inversion”--a pocket dimension--her attraction for a dangerous man deepens. But, acceptance does not mean peace and there are other dangers in the form of smiling faces.The writing in this story is phenomenal. Kingsley has always captured my heart by the poetic way she strings words together. It is modern, dark, but also classic in a “creepy-vintage-circus” way that I love.Cora continues to be my favorite in this series. I am really attached to her and love the way she handles situations. She is growing as a character and really blooming into her new role in the Faire. I also love how organic and sweet her interactions are with Clown. Although his intentions are vague and ominous, his POV was a welcome addition to the story.As for Simon? His wicked antics were amped UP. The reader is reminded again that he is not a “good” man and he is very much still insane. There were moments where I was turned off by his toxic behavior but Kingsley still does a good job stating that these behaviors are NOT right but this is who he is. Despite this, he proved to have other sides that were soft and fluffy.The first two books did not have any sex in them but this book seems to have made up for that fact. The heat level is REAL my friends. If you were wondering when that was going to happen… trust me, you will find it here. However, I was a little disappointed by how it all led to that moment. The first two books were leading up to this and yet, it fell a little flat to me. Not only that, I suppose I read romance for the romance and not the sex and there was an abundance of it. Not only that, it was… NOT vanilla to say the least. Despite this, I still enjoyed it and understand that this is an adult book, a DARK one at that, and those who want that HEAT will be very pleased.Plot-wise, there was not a whole lot going on besides Cora and Simon’s relationship. I really like that but I found that I was not devouring this one as much as the first two. The ending, however, was great and I was pleased by the outcome.In all, I enjoyed it and will come back for more.

You made it this far and you deserve something grand - they finally do it in this book! And oh, are the steamy scenes sinfully juicy. Simon gets a little more ‘normal’, and Cora gains a little more ‘craziness’. They fit each other beautifully and I love watching their relationship blossom. Not sure if there’s going to be much of the sexy stuff happening in the coming books because of how this story progresses - especially with that cliffhanger - but I’ll keep you posted in my next review.Also, don’t be intimidated by the clown on the cover. Clown is absolutely lovable and endearing, and I promise he’s harmless so don’t read this waiting for the ‘other shoe to drop’ with him, because he is truly sincere throughout the book. I don’t want you on edge with him like I was. Also, there are three perspectives in this book, but the characters balance each other perfectly.

I have been devouring this series since the release of book 1 which is both a blessing and a curse. Blessing because this twisted and eerie story is just what I needed but curse for the simple fact that I now have to wait until book 4. 😩 I have loved every book in this series so far but I think this one may be my favorite. So much has happened yet so many questions and riddles are still left unanswered.I am in awe of this author’s ability to write an alluring and engrossing story with dark and demented elements. Simon is probably my favorite character still. I can’t decide if I should classify him as the antagonist or the protagonist at times. He can clearly be seen as both depending on the situation and scenario which I have absolutely loved to read. His mental breaks and walking on the edge of insanity has an unexplainable appeal to me as the reader.When I say this is a villain romance, I mean exactly that. Simon is considered a villain and when he develops feelings for Cora, he is still a villain. He may just be a little softer towards Cora but to everyone else, he’s still the same. I think Simon himself said it the best, “don’t mistake my affection for you as some kind of personal redemption.” Cora knows she isn’t going to fix Simon nor does she even want to. She loves the Puppeteer including all his demented moments and periods of questionable sanity.I have to include that the steaminess ramped way up in this book and it is scorching hot!! And yes, those strings of his are put to good use. 😉

This entire series is playfully psychotic. Absolutely love the characters, world building, and witty dialog. This author has a way of creating reality that you can almost reach out and touch. It's subtle, complex, and enchanting in the strangest ways. As an admittedly harsh judge of books and their content I can and do frequently recommend this book and this series. It's truly worth every moment you spend inside Harrow Faire.

Light and darkness all in one book. This book started like your favorite dream and ended as a creepy nightmare (in a good way). First, KAK description of Simon is so spot on and you can’t help but love him. “He was cruel and caring, sweet and sadistic, gentle and harsh, and he managed it all in the same breath.”Second, while we loved Simon and Cora and the new endeavors they find themselves on, the Clown fully makes him appearance and he really his lovable. My favorite book in the series so far. What other mysteries are in store at Harrow Faire?

I can't stop reading! I just started book one a few days ago and now I'm off to read book 4. What a story! So different and unique. Beautifully told. Absolutely love these books. And I think I may have fallen in love with a madman

This book is one of the best things I ever read. Simon is so deliciously wicked. I don't have words to say how much I love him.

The third book in the Harrow Faire saga is simply fantastic and fulfilled all my expectations.The complete Faire has now gone into inversion and Cora is learning to accept her new role as the contortionist. Her constant companion (as always wanted and unwanted alike) is puppeteer Simon and his freakish shadow. FINALLY we get to see Cora and Simon as we have hoped for two books: The almost unbearable tension between the two reaches its grandiose climax when she finally manages to let go of her fears. And goddammit: The story of these two is just so magnificent, funny, hot and endearingly cute - I read every scene of them with a big, unstoppable grin.Simon has managed to sit at the top of my personal list of anti-heroes. In this book his madness reaches new heights, challenging the fresh "thing" with Cora.And as if a completely insane murderous lover wasn't more than enough, Cora also has to deal with the mysterious clown: Friend? Enemy? That is probably the big question, which finds an incomparable resolution and simply leaves you wanting more.The Harrow Faire Saga gets better with each book and The Clown is my absolute favourite so far, if only because of the cuteness overload Simon and Cora have given me here.The tension in the book is constant - you keep wondering who the antagonist is and are more than surprised at the end.

Another knock out of a book from Kathryn Ann Kingsley.I started reading the second it came out on kindle and finished far too quickly. Again.The book is great, the characters are already so well fleshed out but this book adds to their stories, their character so well it's almost as if these are people you know yourself.Cora is settling into the faire at this point and has finally decided that being attracted to Simon isn't ideal but inevitable. Honestly their chemistry is jumps off the page.I can't wait for book 4 to come out. Or 5. I just want the whole collection.Bravo Kat. I wish all the series I read could be as immersive and fantastic as yours.

Love the Easter egg! Cool tie in from another series briefly.Not sure who to feel more worried for now Simon or Cora.