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theatrealpaca's review
adventurous
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? It's complicated
4.5
A beautiful, thrilling lovestory a with criminal suspense swirl throughout. The conflict and the stakes of Jos and Gareth's love felt real and rooted the the period. The story was twisty and suspenseful while allowing for a ton of growth from all of the main characters. Plus, it was nice and spicy throughout! The narrator of the audiobook was wonderful and did a tremendous job with all of the accents.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Child abuse, Violence, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Blood, Alcohol, Confinement, Classism, Outing, Homophobia, Cursing, and Sexual content
Moderate: Racism
purplepenning's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
An open-door, LGBTQ, Regency romance between a new baronet and the leader of a smuggling operation. High-stakes adventure, high-heat encounters, family support and family betrayal, lovely respectful communication (after requisite miscommunication), marshland entomology, Kentish dialect lessons, thoughtful discussions of the philosophies vs realities of war policies... As always, KJ Charles delivers an emotionally resonate, well-researched, entertaining historical with great diversity rep.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Child abuse
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Classism, Cursing, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Confinement, Homophobia, Outing, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Body shaming, and Violence
Minor: Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Deportation, Gun violence, Death of parent, Grief, Pregnancy, Slavery, and Colonisation
bel017's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Re-read: I was initially surprised when this open-door romance was chosen for my book club. But the more we went through it together, the more I realised what a good choice it is. It was even better on re-read, with close scrutiny of every chapter. KJ Charles can really write. If you like your adventures smutty (or your smut with a decent adventure) I'd highly recommend it.
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After how Luke was treated here, I'm looking forward to the next book, to make sure he's doing OK. Which, given he'll be the MC in a KJ Charles romance novel I'm sure he will be. But I'm furious at the whole Doomsday family, especially Ma, for turning a blind eye. She should have known, she should have acted.
Other than that awfulness, it was great. I googled images of Romney Marsh and Dymchurch, and it's much prettier than I expected. Probably the photos are all taken in summer and/or by the tourist board, but it looks lush and green--picturesque.
I get the impression Charles had a lot of fun researching this book, with the language and the bugs and the history.
There is all Charles's trademark excellence - the talky dialogue where people listen to each other, the thoughtful and capable MCs (though Gareth says hewasn't a capable clerk. I'm going to assume his uncle told him that ), the respect and the nuance between not just the MCs but the side characters as well, the explicit sex that is relevant to the plot while not carrying unnecessary emotional weight (or ridiculous euphemisms), the commentary on societal issues, the clear writing and excellent grammar, and an enjoyable story outside of the romance. Basically all those things that ruined me for most other romance writers.
----
Other than that awfulness, it was great. I googled images of Romney Marsh and Dymchurch, and it's much prettier than I expected. Probably the photos are all taken in summer and/or by the tourist board, but it looks lush and green--picturesque.
I get the impression Charles had a lot of fun researching this book, with the language and the bugs and the history.
There is all Charles's trademark excellence - the talky dialogue where people listen to each other, the thoughtful and capable MCs (though Gareth says he
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Sexual content, and Bullying
Moderate: Violence, Kidnapping, and Child abuse
Minor: Blood, Body horror, and Confinement
erynlasbelin's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Gareth Inglis, unwanted child turned dismissed law clerk, unexpectedly inherits his absent father's title and country estate. Tench House is situated in Romney Marsh, a remote wetland not-so-secretly controlled by smuggling gangs. Much to Gareth's surprise, his local area is under the control of the Doomsday clan, led by none other than his one-time lover.
Joss Doomsday is confident, charming, and eminently reasonable - and on the Marsh, his word is as good as law. But he is eager to avoid Gareth, who once spurned him in a fit of melancholy. At least until Gareth unwittingly puts his sister's freedom at stake. As the dust of this treacherous first encounter settles and the two form an unlikely partnership, peril encroaches on them from all sides.
The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen is an adventurous Regency romance populated by swashbuckling smugglers as well as prickly high society. It is also somewhat of a naturalist's book; Gareth's explorations out on the Marsh taught me a surprising amount about the great diving beetle. There are stolen fortunes, dangerous missions under cover of night, a lady scandalously wearing trousers, and murders to boot. But the real heart of the book lies in healing trauma and finding love (in partners as well as family). Gareth and Joss are shaped by their experiences, by their loved ones, and by their relationship to one another, and the end of the book finds them better situated for happiness than they've ever been before.
Joss Doomsday is confident, charming, and eminently reasonable - and on the Marsh, his word is as good as law. But he is eager to avoid Gareth, who once spurned him in a fit of melancholy. At least until Gareth unwittingly puts his sister's freedom at stake. As the dust of this treacherous first encounter settles and the two form an unlikely partnership, peril encroaches on them from all sides.
The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen is an adventurous Regency romance populated by swashbuckling smugglers as well as prickly high society. It is also somewhat of a naturalist's book; Gareth's explorations out on the Marsh taught me a surprising amount about the great diving beetle. There are stolen fortunes, dangerous missions under cover of night, a lady scandalously wearing trousers, and murders to boot. But the real heart of the book lies in healing trauma and finding love (in partners as well as family). Gareth and Joss are shaped by their experiences, by their loved ones, and by their relationship to one another, and the end of the book finds them better situated for happiness than they've ever been before.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Outing, Abandonment, Cursing, Death of parent, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Infidelity, Murder, Grief, Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, Classism, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Kidnapping, and Violence
Minor: Gun violence, Rape, Confinement, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, and Stalking
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