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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Gentleman Jim started out strong and then started to lose me toward the end. As this is a story that would be easy to spoil, I'll try to keep it vague. I became disappointed over time that more wasn't done to develop Maggie and John as characters beyond the set-up we get at the beginning of the novel. They felt flatter as the story went on, which made it really hard to care about what happened to either of them. It also felt like the story was more focused on external conflicts rather than the actual romance between the two characters; this is a gripe I typically have with second-chance romances and maybe the sign that I should finally quit reading them.
Gentleman Jim was absorbing and had a good momentum -- both of which kept me reading even when I started to care less about the characters. I'm definitely considering picking up another book by Mimi Matthews with tropes that might be more up my alley.
Gentleman Jim was absorbing and had a good momentum -- both of which kept me reading even when I started to care less about the characters. I'm definitely considering picking up another book by Mimi Matthews with tropes that might be more up my alley.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence
Minor: Child abuse, Death of parent
Another Mimi Matthew's book. They are quite the guilty please for me. A quick and engaging read. This one has to be in my top 3. I loved how different it was compared to her other novels.
Amazing! A lovely historical romance that kept me up late at night. I have read a few of Mimi Matthew' novels and I find her to be a talented author. I can't wait to read more of her books!
PREORDER THIS BOOK NOW!! I mean it. As much as I love Fair as a Star, I’m pretty sure Gentleman Jim is my new favorite. Lordy. I just read this book straight through and it’s now after 3 AM and I DIDN’T REALIZE IT. That’s the mark of a good book, my lovelies. Whew.
This book has everything I love in a romance! Her books are sexy as heck and she doesn’t need ten page love scenes to make them so. Gentleman Jim is definitely a little more sensual than her previous novels, but not something I wouldn’t feel comfortable recommending to grandma.
I appreciate that this book turns typical stereotypes on their heads a bit. Maggie does an awful lot of rescuing in this book. I am here for it. Even with her illness, she’s in now way a damsel in distress. That said, she still feels like authentic to the 19th century. I love Mimi’s ability to consistently write a heroine who’s relatable to the modern reader but also not anachronistic. I’m not even going to mention Viscount St. Clare, because he’s my new crush and amazing and now I’m going to go to bed and cry about the fact he’s fictional...so...goodnight.
P.S. DO NOT forget to preorder this!
This book has everything I love in a romance! Her books are sexy as heck and she doesn’t need ten page love scenes to make them so. Gentleman Jim is definitely a little more sensual than her previous novels, but not something I wouldn’t feel comfortable recommending to grandma.
I appreciate that this book turns typical stereotypes on their heads a bit. Maggie does an awful lot of rescuing in this book. I am here for it. Even with her illness, she’s in now way a damsel in distress. That said, she still feels like authentic to the 19th century. I love Mimi’s ability to consistently write a heroine who’s relatable to the modern reader but also not anachronistic. I’m not even going to mention Viscount St. Clare, because he’s my new crush and amazing and now I’m going to go to bed and cry about the fact he’s fictional...so...goodnight.
P.S. DO NOT forget to preorder this!
Gentleman Jim was most definitely a tale of romance and revenge. Maggie Honeywell has returned to London after mourning her father and aunt, as well as suffering the long term effects of influenza. For Maggie, this is a short period of freedom before she finally gives in to her persistent suitor, who just so happens to also control her fortune. However, Maggie's reluctant plans are cast adrift when she meets Viscount St. Clare, a man who bears an uncanny resemblance to her childhood sweetheart, Nicholas Seeton, whom she had thought dead. Considering that Nicholas was born to an unwed mother, Maggie is conflicted on whether or not St. Clare is exactly who she thinks he is.
What follows is a tale filled with romance and revenge (and the revenge is sweet, with the villain getting his just desserts). The tension between St. Clare and Maggie is palpable - there is so much standing in the way of their happily ever after. Matthews does an incredible job in calling into question whether or not St. Clare and Maggie will get their happy ending. The claustrophobia of Maggie's circumstances truly came across the page and that tension really propelled the plot. The swoony romance helped too!
A fabulous romance from Matthews!
*Review copy provided via NetGalley.
What follows is a tale filled with romance and revenge (and the revenge is sweet, with the villain getting his just desserts). The tension between St. Clare and Maggie is palpable - there is so much standing in the way of their happily ever after. Matthews does an incredible job in calling into question whether or not St. Clare and Maggie will get their happy ending. The claustrophobia of Maggie's circumstances truly came across the page and that tension really propelled the plot. The swoony romance helped too!
A fabulous romance from Matthews!
*Review copy provided via NetGalley.
*3.5*
A book about romance and revenge from Mimi Matthews? Inspired by Count of Monte Cristo?? Does Mimi Matthews write personally for me?? I swear, she knows the way to my heart.
So... it has been a while since a book made me cry this much. I don't know whether I was in a crying mood or this was just sad. Since [b:The Count of Monte Cristo|7126|The Count of Monte Cristo|Alexandre Dumas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1309203605l/7126._SY75_.jpg|391568] is one of my favourite books of all time, it also made me cry for Edmond Dantes all over again as well.
I love Mimi Matthews' writing, her characters and basically I just love her stories. Even though I really liked the plot of this book, I didn't love this as much as I wanted to. My biggest problem with it was the hero. I could not warm up to Nicholas Seaton. I actually felt betrayed for never reaching out to Maggie for 10 years. I mean, when she said that she forgave him I was screaming for her to dump his ass. I was still rooting for them at the end but I really wanted more from his character. I was never sure of him like I was sure about Maggie. It was obvious how much she loved Nicholas but his feelings didn't feel sincere.
I really liked Maggie as our main character. She was loyal (do you know what that is, Nicholas??), strong, patient and overall lovable. I really wanted her relationship with Jane to be more fleshed out so we could also have a good friendship portrayal in this book and maybe even get to see Jane and Mattingly's romance play out a little bit more.
Overall, this wasn't my favourite Mimi Matthews book (that is still [b:The Work of Art|46133134|The Work of Art|Mimi Matthews|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1560219799l/46133134._SY75_.jpg|71067983].) But it was definitely very different from what she has written so far and I really enjoyed the ups and downs this book made me experience. I can't wait to see (and read) what Mimi Matthews will write next.
A book about romance and revenge from Mimi Matthews? Inspired by Count of Monte Cristo?? Does Mimi Matthews write personally for me?? I swear, she knows the way to my heart.
So... it has been a while since a book made me cry this much. I don't know whether I was in a crying mood or this was just sad. Since [b:The Count of Monte Cristo|7126|The Count of Monte Cristo|Alexandre Dumas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1309203605l/7126._SY75_.jpg|391568] is one of my favourite books of all time, it also made me cry for Edmond Dantes all over again as well.
I love Mimi Matthews' writing, her characters and basically I just love her stories. Even though I really liked the plot of this book, I didn't love this as much as I wanted to. My biggest problem with it was the hero. I could not warm up to Nicholas Seaton. I actually felt betrayed for never reaching out to Maggie for 10 years. I mean, when she said that she forgave him I was screaming for her to dump his ass. I was still rooting for them at the end but I really wanted more from his character. I was never sure of him like I was sure about Maggie. It was obvious how much she loved Nicholas but his feelings didn't feel sincere.
Spoiler
I understand that he was a teenager when he left but I can't understand how he never reached out to Maggie all those years. I mean, wasn't he even curious what happened to her? He could at least check if she was still alive?? And when Maggie accidently found him, his feelings just surfaced back?? Just like that? It just felt unnatural to me. And he even lied to Maggie and told her that he was not Nicholas... Whyyy Nicholas whyyyI really liked Maggie as our main character. She was loyal (do you know what that is, Nicholas??), strong, patient and overall lovable. I really wanted her relationship with Jane to be more fleshed out so we could also have a good friendship portrayal in this book and maybe even get to see Jane and Mattingly's romance play out a little bit more.
Overall, this wasn't my favourite Mimi Matthews book (that is still [b:The Work of Art|46133134|The Work of Art|Mimi Matthews|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1560219799l/46133134._SY75_.jpg|71067983].) But it was definitely very different from what she has written so far and I really enjoyed the ups and downs this book made me experience. I can't wait to see (and read) what Mimi Matthews will write next.
SWEET SECOND CHANCE HISTORICAL ROMANCE
Actual rating: 3.5 ⭐
This is my third Mimi Matthews novel and while she maintains a high standard, I found myself less intrigued by this than the other two, I had read. Still, I very much enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to others, who are fans of clean historical romance.
Actual rating: 3.5 ⭐
This is my third Mimi Matthews novel and while she maintains a high standard, I found myself less intrigued by this than the other two, I had read. Still, I very much enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to others, who are fans of clean historical romance.
1807 Bastard son of Gentleman Jim, Nicholas Seaton, a groom on Beasley Park, owned by Squire Honeywell, has been wrongly accused of theft, by Frederick Burton-Smythe. Friend and lady, Maggie Honeywell helps him to escape. Between these two is a young frustrated love, they feel only complete with each other.
But after ten years apart is it time Maggie married as her father's will instructed. But after the death of her father she visits friend Jane Trumble, in town, where events conspire for her to meet John Beresford, the Viscount St. Clare and heir to the Earl of Allendale.
Can secrets be uncovered, what family mysteries are there to be solved.
A delightful well-written Victorian romance with its hint of mystery. It is wonderful to read a story where the author can write conversations that read so true, and have such well-developed characters.
Received an ARC from the author
Received an ARC from the author.
But after ten years apart is it time Maggie married as her father's will instructed. But after the death of her father she visits friend Jane Trumble, in town, where events conspire for her to meet John Beresford, the Viscount St. Clare and heir to the Earl of Allendale.
Can secrets be uncovered, what family mysteries are there to be solved.
A delightful well-written Victorian romance with its hint of mystery. It is wonderful to read a story where the author can write conversations that read so true, and have such well-developed characters.
Received an ARC from the author
Received an ARC from the author.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This author has never written a bad historical remance in my opinion. Enjoyed it throughly