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k_c_y's review
adventurous
funny
informative
4.25
I really enjoyed this!! (and stayed up till 6 am reading it!) especially liked that the book pays some attention to a non-standard dialect of english (kentish - at least, as made clear on a couple occasions, it's not "the king's english"). I adored joss (and his love for the marsh and his people), and loved sophy enough - from the glimpses we got of her - that I would have read a whole nother book following her story. also really liked that gareth and joss end up working as part of a team and checking in with each other ; it's a kind of dynamic I enjoy and find myself wanting in some other books.
I would be interested in talking with a friend about the depictions of race and class in this book. there's also a lot to be said (+ read !) about the immense space and influence given to cishet women, as both writers and readers - even as a/the marketed-to audience - in the "'m/m' romance industry." and that can't be disentangled from this book: one of many m/m romance books written by a cishet woman author. (kj charles has talked about being cishet, but I'm happy to make corrections if things have changed.) here's a short thread by roan parrish about the writing (and publishing!) part that may serve as a really basic introduction to this topic: https://twitter.com/RoanParrish/status/1487634323339677698
there are reasons for this that are /not/ as simple as "cishet women trying to find an escape from toxic heteropatriarchal romance," and especially because women /are/ often sidelined or subjected to misogynistic tropes in the "m/m" romances I'm speaking about; as readers, I think it's worthwhile for us to think about + interrogate this dynamic!
*also with regency romances you are typically not escaping the heteropatriarchy
I would be interested in talking with a friend about the depictions of race and class in this book. there's also a lot to be said (+ read !) about the immense space and influence given to cishet women, as both writers and readers - even as a/the marketed-to audience - in the "'m/m' romance industry." and that can't be disentangled from this book: one of many m/m romance books written by a cishet woman author. (kj charles has talked about being cishet, but I'm happy to make corrections if things have changed.) here's a short thread by roan parrish about the writing (and publishing!) part that may serve as a really basic introduction to this topic: https://twitter.com/RoanParrish/status/1487634323339677698
there are reasons for this that are /not/ as simple as "cishet women trying to find an escape from toxic heteropatriarchal romance," and especially because women /are/ often sidelined or subjected to misogynistic tropes in the "m/m" romances I'm speaking about; as readers, I think it's worthwhile for us to think about + interrogate this dynamic!
*also with regency romances you are typically not escaping the heteropatriarchy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing
Minor: Racism
sarahmiller98's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
4.0
Classic KJ Charles: compelling protagonists who make bad choices for realistic reasons; an eventful, exciting plot; a beautifully realised setting; nasty villains getting their comeuppance; and, of course, a fantastic romance.
In my opinion, this is one of the gentler love stories the author has done - she is often very good at high friction, high angst romances between strong-willed and difficult people, but I actually really enjoy her softer romances too. In this case, both Joss and Gareth are basically kind and caring people who really like each other and, were it not for external events getting in the way, probably would never have had major issues to begin with. It makes for some refreshingly low-key and tender interactions between the two of them, which contrasts nicely with the high-octane smuggling plot. An all-around pleasure to read.
In my opinion, this is one of the gentler love stories the author has done - she is often very good at high friction, high angst romances between strong-willed and difficult people, but I actually really enjoy her softer romances too. In this case, both Joss and Gareth are basically kind and caring people who really like each other and, were it not for external events getting in the way, probably would never have had major issues to begin with. It makes for some refreshingly low-key and tender interactions between the two of them, which contrasts nicely with the high-octane smuggling plot. An all-around pleasure to read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, and Abandonment
Minor: Racism, Sexual assault, and Xenophobia
20sidedbi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Kidnapping, and Grief
Minor: Gun violence, Homophobia, and Racism
kers_tin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, and Classism
jjjreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual violence, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Outing, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
ninjamuse's review
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Violence
Minor: Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, and Sexual assault
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: Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Outing, Alcohol, and Classism
Moderate: Racism
bug_gwen's review
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Racism
_isabel_'s review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
KJ Charles is a gift to the romance genre.
I've known this for a while now: I'm convinced that she's literally incapable of writing a bad, or even mediocre, book, but despite this, "The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen" managed to surprise me. I was in love, in awe, with this novel from the very start.
I kept thinking "how the hell does she manage it, every single time": KJ Charles is an excellent writer and a brilliant storyteller, and her latest masterpiece is as excellent and brilliant as all her other novels are.
I adored this book with my whole heart: it's a historical romance with a side of mystery and intrigue, plus a dash of social and political critique. Its setting is so damn vivid it made me want to book a trip to the Romney Marsh, and the plot kept me hooked from the very, very start: the mystery and the murders, the smuggling shenaninigans, the Doomsday family dynamics and their dynamics with the whole Marsh people, every single piece of the plot was riveting and gripping and brilliantly constructed.
And the two protagonists, and their romance? *chef kissing noises* GORGEOUS.
Gareth and Joss owned my whole heart from the very start: both of them are absolutely unforgettable characters. Gareth, obviously, stole my heart with his eagerness, his vulnerability, his slow but sure growth throughout the novel, his hearbreaking insecurities, his quiet bravery. I absolutely adored him and I loved being in his head. And Joss? He reminded me a bit of Will Darling (another of KJ Charles' protagonists and my one true love) with his ruthless competence and his steadfastness, but he's also very much his own person. He's funny and lovely and protective, and I loved him nearly as much as Gareth.
Their romance was as unforgettable as they were individually: it had all the heartbreak and bitter antagonism of a second-chance romance, and their dynamic literally owned my soul. Lovers to enemies to reluctant allies to lovers, once again? I live for that, and I lived for every single one of their interactions, even when they were bickering and fighting.
Their romance was such a joy to follow: it soothed my soul, it made me swoon and laugh, it made blush and scream and screech. I loved them SO MUCH.
And the side characters? WHERE DO I START. Sophy and Catherine, Asa and Ma Doomsday and Luke, all the eccentric, fiercely protective Marshmen and women. I absolutely adored them, and the found family dynamic among the Doomsdays was my absolute favourite thing.
I cannot wait to read Luke's book: I have literally no idea what to expect, and that little glimpse at the end has me already so, so excited.
I've known this for a while now: I'm convinced that she's literally incapable of writing a bad, or even mediocre, book, but despite this, "The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen" managed to surprise me. I was in love, in awe, with this novel from the very start.
I kept thinking "how the hell does she manage it, every single time": KJ Charles is an excellent writer and a brilliant storyteller, and her latest masterpiece is as excellent and brilliant as all her other novels are.
I adored this book with my whole heart: it's a historical romance with a side of mystery and intrigue, plus a dash of social and political critique. Its setting is so damn vivid it made me want to book a trip to the Romney Marsh, and the plot kept me hooked from the very, very start: the mystery and the murders, the smuggling shenaninigans, the Doomsday family dynamics and their dynamics with the whole Marsh people, every single piece of the plot was riveting and gripping and brilliantly constructed.
And the two protagonists, and their romance? *chef kissing noises* GORGEOUS.
Gareth and Joss owned my whole heart from the very start: both of them are absolutely unforgettable characters. Gareth, obviously, stole my heart with his eagerness, his vulnerability, his slow but sure growth throughout the novel, his hearbreaking insecurities, his quiet bravery. I absolutely adored him and I loved being in his head. And Joss? He reminded me a bit of Will Darling (another of KJ Charles' protagonists and my one true love) with his ruthless competence and his steadfastness, but he's also very much his own person. He's funny and lovely and protective, and I loved him nearly as much as Gareth.
Their romance was as unforgettable as they were individually: it had all the heartbreak and bitter antagonism of a second-chance romance, and their dynamic literally owned my soul. Lovers to enemies to reluctant allies to lovers, once again? I live for that, and I lived for every single one of their interactions, even when they were bickering and fighting.
Their romance was such a joy to follow: it soothed my soul, it made me swoon and laugh, it made blush and scream and screech. I loved them SO MUCH.
And the side characters? WHERE DO I START. Sophy and Catherine, Asa and Ma Doomsday and Luke, all the eccentric, fiercely protective Marshmen and women. I absolutely adored them, and the found family dynamic among the Doomsdays was my absolute favourite thing.
I cannot wait to read Luke's book: I have literally no idea what to expect, and that little glimpse at the end has me already so, so excited.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Violence
Minor: Racism
purrson's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
A totally adorable story, and (as an American who’s rarely visited) I loved this new setting in the UK that KJ Charles explores. The foray into local ecology and the period’s expansion of natural sciences gave an interesting context to the setting, which has plenty of atmosphere on its own. The characters were lovable as always—so much so that I couldn’t help reading the teaser chapter of the following book set in the same place, 13 years later.
While I generally prefer to read queer stories written by openly queer authors, I always make exceptions for Charles (who’s ID I don’t know): She’s so good at research that the historical settings ground and enrich the stories she tells so well I can’t help but love them. The period’s contexts of politics, class, various war times or law changes the characters are shaped by or responding to, in all of these different, sometimes insular communities and locations, she says ‘queer people existed here, queer communities were here, queer people deserved to be happy here, here’s how it maybe/could have looked’.
While I generally prefer to read queer stories written by openly queer authors, I always make exceptions for Charles (who’s ID I don’t know): She’s so good at research that the historical settings ground and enrich the stories she tells so well I can’t help but love them. The period’s contexts of politics, class, various war times or law changes the characters are shaped by or responding to, in all of these different, sometimes insular communities and locations, she says ‘queer people existed here, queer communities were here, queer people deserved to be happy here, here’s how it maybe/could have looked’.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual content, and Abandonment
Minor: Death, Gun violence, Homophobia, Racism, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
mild spoilers of subplots: