In its review of Temporary Kings in 1973, The Times said the book was an improvement on the previous installment, Books Do Furnish a Room, which it said 'showed a certain staleness'. It added: "With 11 out of the 12 books in the series now before us, it is possible to speak fairly confidently of the work as a whole.
In 1973, The Times reviewed "Temporary Kings" and found it an improvement over its predecessor, "Books Do Furnish a Room," which they felt was outdated. They noted that with eleven of the twelve books in the series now available, a comprehensive view of the work could be formed.