Reviews

The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by KJ Charles

cardiac_cat's review

adventurous emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

s0apysam's review against another edition

funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

adrig19's review against another edition

2.25

It was just kind of meh. I wanted to enjoy it more but I’m wondering if maybe historical where they could still get in trouble for the relationship isn’t for me? Idk it also felt like too much was going on outside of their relay 

wulfhorstmom's review

dark emotional funny hopeful tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

astrozombies's review

adventurous funny hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

esmuldi's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

soren4713's review against another edition

adventurous emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

stacyaj's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Blood, Violence, and Death of parent

gillianw's review against another edition

5.0

4.5 stars

A solid, entertaining read by an author who rarely fails to deliver a quality book. I was in two minds as to whether I was going to borrow this book from my local library or purchase my own copy, but since I’ve spent the better part of 2023 rereading my favourite KJ Charles’ books, I figured I would splurge and get my own. I’m glad I did as I will definitely be enjoying this again in the future.

As to the story, I really liked Joss and Gareth, and I enjoyed the atmospheric Kent setting with its moors, its local parlance and the colourful characters who make up the village of Dymchurch. Family is the central theme of this novel, whether it’s the pressure to be loyal no matter what, or to break the cycle of apathy and abuse and forge your own path to create your own loving support system. Of course, there’s smugglers, greedy baronets, shifty lawyers and missing money to contend with, and all of that, combined with Joss and Gareth’s developing relationship, makes for a fun read with an edge of your seat finale. Basically, your typically excellent KJ Charles novel.

figsofpeach's review

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content and Death

Minor: War and Death of parent