Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Finishing Touches
AUTHOR: Rebecca Cohen
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 233 pages
RELEASE DATE: July 2, 2026
BLURB:
Amid London’s brass and steam, one apprentice and one inventor risk everything for a love society would deny.
If Marcus Tanner can prove himself worthy of inventor William Collier’s workshop, he can claim a future he’s never dared allow himself to imagine when growing up in the slums of London.
For William, Marcus is meant to be only an apprentice: brilliant, steady-handed, and entirely too easy to admire. But long nights among brass and steam turn respect into longing, and longing into something far more dangerous, with class and propriety standing between them at every turn. And for all William thrives within the Inventors’ Guild—among minds like his own, where wit, invention, and a taste for trouble are rewarded—it is not a world that makes room for a man like Marcus at his side.
Then William draws Marcus into the sort of mischief the Guild delights in most: outwitting polite society and stealing a priceless ruby. As Marcus begins to believe he might truly have a place in William’s life, the return of William’s former lover stirs old doubts and new wounds. Marcus has fought too hard for this life to risk his heart on a man whose world was never built for him—especially when every fear he has ever carried whispers that he will never be enough to be chosen.
Finishing Touches is a gay steampunk romance novel with a backdrop of the elite London members’ club, The Inventors’ Guild.
REVIEW:
William Collier is man with inherited wealth who likes to invent things. He’s a bit absent minded and could use some assistance. Marcus Tanner is a smart man, but he comes from a much lower class and in London society that is an obstacle.
Marcus comes to apprentice for William and they spend many hours together. As they work together, their relationship changes. The attraction is there, but the social barrier is an issue – particularly for Marcus. William is patient with Marcus as he finds him to be very smart and they work well together. William does not want to rush any relationship.
Of course there are some communication issues, but they are able to get past those. Then they participate in a heist for the Guild, which adds another level of interplay for these men and the other members.
This is an interesting story with two likeable characters. I generally enjoy steampunk and I like this one. There isn’t much angst, which was welcome given the real world these days. I liked both the setting and the supporting characters (shout out to Emma). I don’t know if this is planned to be a series or not, but I’d be interested in reading more. This is a new genre for Ms. Cohen from what I can determine and I’ve loved both her historical and contemporary work so this new world was fun to see. Recommended.
RATING: 
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