Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by KJ Charles

35 reviews

amyteurhour's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.5

Content warning: homophobia, outing, classism, racism, violence, death, infidelity, neglect, abandonment, child abuse, sexism, sexual assault, kidnapping, torture

This was super steamy from the get-go. I thought the two main protagonists were likable and easy to root for. The last quarter was super tense, but it kind of ends rather abruptly. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

readnoot's review

Go to review page

Nothing was wrong with this book. I thought Charles was an excellent writer who clearly did their research on the time and place, but about halfway through the book I just could not maintain my interest in what happened to the characters or in the plot. I can, however, see myself trying to read this novel to completion in the future.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

onefineelephant's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous hopeful mysterious reflective 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

10/10. I accidentally read the second book (about Luke) first before reading this one but I'm not necessarily mad at the order since they are fairly standalone books. I do think it was an interesting perspective to have so much knowledge of Luke when he was not so much in this book until the end. Because I read the other book first, I more or less knew what was going to happen in this one but somehow I was still so surprised by the events. There is something about this author's writing style that makes me think about the characters and plot non-stop and yet also not have any idea where the story is going (in a good way). I love the genuine connection but also faults between Joss and Gareth. Their love is so wonderful, especially set in this time period. I also enjoyed the supporting characters quite a bit including the other Doomsdays and Gareth's new family. Overall, I highly recommend this book as well as the second. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

wanderingtales's review against another edition

Go to review page

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? It's complicated

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

rhall19's review

Go to review page

adventurous emotional hopeful sad 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? It's complicated

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

ajb24's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

5 stars bc we looooveee unexpectedly-supportive family members and cheesy happy endings (despite hostile times) for our mixed-race, M-M couple!!! 
there's just something about the proposal/vows at the end that makes me sooo!!!! they're saying such cheesy things, but considering the era they live in, it's just so special to me that they would still make these "traditional" promises to each other!! they just love each other that much!!!

Small things I NEED to mention:
1. kind of obsessed with how Gareth's truth (that he was just wandering the marsh looking for bugs) from an outside perspective literally sounds like a bad lie 🤣
2. I found it v funny when Gareth was telling Cecilia "I'd hope that a man would be on my side....if I was a young lady, of course!" like...hahaha,,,,gay 😂

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

kathyq10's review

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective 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

4.0

Healthy communication, 3/5 spicy, lovely character development, and a sweet love story?? Hell yes. Will be reading this again as a comfort book in the future. Not particularly deep or groundbreaking prose / writing style, but the story and the characters are excellent! The mystery and how the MCs deal with both that and their relationship is engaging to follow. The romance genuinely made me feel things and played out in a heartwarming way (if a little fast-paced but whatever I’m here for it). Chemistry between the MCs was swoony and they had really fun banter when they were still figuring each other out. I would have liked one or two more chapters immediately after the mystery comes to a head to wind down the story but I liked it all the same. 

The character development and self-healing that the MCs went through was the best part of the book for me, especially with how it tied into their romance. I love love to see romance where the MCs are generous and empathetic with one another, wear their hearts on their sleeves, and grow both individually and as a couple bc they actually LISTEN to each other. I really dislike the miscommunication trope and the typical third-act breakup paired with an overly quick and simplistic resolution, so this book delivered by complicating and elevating the relationship development. I also have a feeling the author has done some therapy or something bc the inner-child work, self-reflection, and “I want to be better for my romantic partner but most of all for MYSELF” vibes were prominent and drew me even more into the story and characters. There are little Easter eggs for the CBT girlies and I ate them up. 

Last but far from least: the BADASS SIDE CHARACTERS round out the story very well, bringing humor and depth (specific shoutouts to fabulous queer allies Sophy, Asa, and Catherine). This book scratched my hyper-specific spicy-gay-regency-romance itch, and I finished it wanting to spend more time with ALL the characters.

Tropes:
MLM; lovers to enemies to lovers; second chance romance; opposites attract; nobility x working class / class divide romance; “touch him and you die”; nerd x jock (but the 1810 version); found family; better together; HEA :)
 

On the language used in the s3x scenes:
yes, the author uses the words “prick” and “stand” which are ridiculous but I assume what people said in that time period? I didn’t mind it bc the steamy scenes are otherwise well done with both their heat and intimacy, but I know some people get the immediate ick.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

bibliomania_express's review

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional funny 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


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

ladythana's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

crystalisreading's review

Go to review page

adventurous emotional hopeful
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

More violence and tension than i expected, but nevertheless absolutely delightful. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings