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helen's review
4.0
A great sense of time and place, clever plotting, and an interesting cast of characters (it's a shame sophy isn’t getting her own book).
The romance plot was fine, but not one of my favourites from KJC, i.e. my heart wasn't being ripped out of my chest (see Jackdaw and A Seditious Affair).
The romance plot was fine, but not one of my favourites from KJC, i.e. my heart wasn't being ripped out of my chest (see Jackdaw and A Seditious Affair).
Although the romance plot is resolved, I was disappointed that the main mystery won't be until book two (the author talks about this in the cover reveal for book two: https://www.bookpage.com/features/cover-reveal-a-noblemans-guide-to-seducing-a-scoundrel-by-kj-charles/). If I'd known this I might have waited to read them together.
Favourite line: ""I won't lie," Joss went on inaccurately.""
Content warnings from author's website: References to racism. Previously enslaved minor character. Parental neglect and estrangement. Physical and emotional abuse of a child. Threat of sexual assault. Kidnapping, violence, and murder on page. Societal homophobia and threat of blackmail.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Kidnapping, and Murder
elliott_roi's review
4.5
Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen is a sweet and spicy tale full of danger, both physical and emotional. I adored all the characters and their complexities, and the mystery kept me engaged throughout.
I went into this book not knowing anything about it except that it was by KJ Charles and I would recommend doing the same. But for those okay with more details, here is my full review:
This book is best described as a historical romance between a baronet with daddy issues and a smuggler with a heart of gold. I loved how immediately Gareth and Joss were drawn to each other, but still taking their time to figure out how to be truly vulnerable and to lean on one another.
KJ Charles always writes the perfect balance of spice, mystery, and truly heartfelt moments. There is also lovely humour woven throughout the story, which I always appreciate, especially to lighten some of the tougher topics.
Fans of historical fiction, mystery, and queer romance will appreciate this well-crafted story about two men trying to find themselves and each other in a world that is harsh and dangerous. I highly recommend The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen for your next read as you wander the Marsh hunting for beetles (or true love).
The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen is a sweet and spicy tale full of danger, both physical and emotional. I adored all the characters and their complexities, and the mystery kept me engaged throughout.
I went into this book not knowing anything about it except that it was by KJ Charles and I would recommend doing the same. But for those okay with more details, here is my full review:
This book is best described as a historical romance between a baronet with daddy issues and a smuggler with a heart of gold. I loved how immediately Gareth and Joss were drawn to each other, but still taking their time to figure out how to be truly vulnerable and to lean on one another.
KJ Charles always writes the perfect balance of spice, mystery, and truly heartfelt moments. There is also lovely humour woven throughout the story, which I always appreciate, especially to lighten some of the tougher topics.
Fans of historical fiction, mystery, and queer romance will appreciate this well-crafted story about two men trying to find themselves and each other in a world that is harsh and dangerous. I highly recommend The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen for your next read as you wander the Marsh hunting for beetles (or true love).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Violence, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual assault, Torture, and Outing
Minor: Infidelity and Pregnancy
craftyhilary's review
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
Gareth and Joss, under pseudonyms, meet in London and pursue a brief but passionate affair with an ugly ending. They meet again, unexpectedly and in unfortunate circumstances, on Romney Marsh. Gareth, abandoned by his father and nominally raised by his unwilling and unkind uncle, has been thrust into the role of country baronet upon his father's untimely death. Joss, who also lost his father young, is clashing with his own uncle and his mother as he manages his family's smuggling operation.
Both men are complicated, with difficult histories and in challenging circumstances, and have sometimes been less than kind and honest with one another in the past. But in spite of all this, and of their class differences, the two find themselves drawn together. In the midst of the cautious and nuanced relationship building between Gareth and Joss, danger is pursuing them both on the Marsh. Lies, theft, betrayal, and violence surround them, and if they can't trust one another as allies, they may not survive.
KJ Charles is a master at mixing complex, fascinating plots with believable and equally complex romance. Here she offers up a twisty, dramatic mystery inextricably intertwined with the story of two men reaching out from loneliness to find both love and themselves.
Both men are complicated, with difficult histories and in challenging circumstances, and have sometimes been less than kind and honest with one another in the past. But in spite of all this, and of their class differences, the two find themselves drawn together. In the midst of the cautious and nuanced relationship building between Gareth and Joss, danger is pursuing them both on the Marsh. Lies, theft, betrayal, and violence surround them, and if they can't trust one another as allies, they may not survive.
KJ Charles is a master at mixing complex, fascinating plots with believable and equally complex romance. Here she offers up a twisty, dramatic mystery inextricably intertwined with the story of two men reaching out from loneliness to find both love and themselves.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Physical abuse and Kidnapping
Minor: Murder
skudiklier's review
adventurous
emotional
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
5.0
I really enjoyed this! There was more mystery/tension than I was expecting, and the climax was a bit scarier than I was ready for, but if anything that just raised the stakes for the book overall. It was really good and I was fully rooting for their relationship.
Minor spoilers ahead: I felt really bad for Luke, and also the end had me forgetting that they couldn't really get married 🥲🥲🥲
I definitely want to read more by this author! Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Netgalley for the chance to read and review this ARC.
Minor spoilers ahead:
I definitely want to read more by this author! Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Netgalley for the chance to read and review this ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Outing, Abandonment, and Classism
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, and Child death
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: Cursing, Death, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Outing, and Abandonment
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, and Classism
Minor: Confinement, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Stalking, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail