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A review by nickartrip102
A Gentleman's Gentleman by TJ Alexander
3.0
I requested and received an eARC of A Gentlemans’ Gentleman by TJ Alexander via NetGalley. Listen, I loved Alexander’s novel Triple Sec, so a queer Regency era romance featuring a trans leading character? Heaven is a place on earth indeed. In A Gentleman’s Gentleman, the eccentric Lord Christopher Eden discovers that he must find a wife by the end of the season to fulfill the stipulations of his late father’s will and maintain a grasp on the Eden fortune and estate. Christopher isn't attracted to women and much prefers his quiet country life to the bustling society of London, but he can't see a way of avoiding it. Putting his best foot forward in the London Season will require new staff, which is how Christopher becomes acquainted with his new valet, James Harding. After a difficult beginning, the two men strike up a friendship that is threatened by their own secrets and the growing spark of attraction between them.
Okay, but this type of romantic pairing is absolutely my favorite. I instantly fell for Christopher. He has a somewhat bumbling, lighter nature than Harding, and the level of affection and concern he shows for Cook and Plinkton was very endearing. I found Harding to be just as alluring with his more conservative nature and the care he showed for Christopher throughout the story. His character remains a bit more of a mystery for the bulk of the narrative, but I think that only further fueled my interest in his character. Christopher and Harding, in their roles as an unwilling lord and the eager to please valet, share a dynamic that has an undercurrent of humor that made them very enjoyable to spend time with. It definitely filled A Gentleman’s Gentleman with the sort of pleasant warmth you want in a fun historical romance.
I was equally invested in the side plots contained in the book. I found Verbena Montrose, Lady Belinda and Étienne to be just as interesting as the protagonists, almost to the point that I wish there had been more space for them in the narrative, but Christopher and Harding remain the heart of the story. They’re both so charming that I didn’t mind the absence of the others. I won’t spoil any plot points, but this book didn’t quite turn out as I expected which was a nice surprise. A Gentleman’s Gentleman is a unique spin on the historical romance and an example of the limitless possibilities of queer storytelling. I can’t wait to read whatever story Alexander comes up with next!
Okay, but this type of romantic pairing is absolutely my favorite. I instantly fell for Christopher. He has a somewhat bumbling, lighter nature than Harding, and the level of affection and concern he shows for Cook and Plinkton was very endearing. I found Harding to be just as alluring with his more conservative nature and the care he showed for Christopher throughout the story. His character remains a bit more of a mystery for the bulk of the narrative, but I think that only further fueled my interest in his character. Christopher and Harding, in their roles as an unwilling lord and the eager to please valet, share a dynamic that has an undercurrent of humor that made them very enjoyable to spend time with. It definitely filled A Gentleman’s Gentleman with the sort of pleasant warmth you want in a fun historical romance.
I was equally invested in the side plots contained in the book. I found Verbena Montrose, Lady Belinda and Étienne to be just as interesting as the protagonists, almost to the point that I wish there had been more space for them in the narrative, but Christopher and Harding remain the heart of the story. They’re both so charming that I didn’t mind the absence of the others. I won’t spoil any plot points, but this book didn’t quite turn out as I expected which was a nice surprise. A Gentleman’s Gentleman is a unique spin on the historical romance and an example of the limitless possibilities of queer storytelling. I can’t wait to read whatever story Alexander comes up with next!