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A review by just_one_more_paige
A Gentleman's Gentleman by TJ Alexander
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.0
I told you I would be back for more from Alexander! After reading their novel Triple Sec last year, and not quite loving it as much as I wanted while simultaneously recognizing that it might have been subjectively a "me problem" and that Alexander's writing was objectively something I liked, I said I'd be open to reading more from them. And here we are. This most recent publication, a trans historical romance, had me fondly remembering my time reading Alexis Hall's A Lady for a Duke (an absolute fav book of mine), so I requested it from my library asap.
Anddddddd yes. This was delicious and sweet, and a heartwarmingly tender slow burn. Christopher and Harding's development together was great. I don't want to necessarily call them opposites attract, but I will say, both hesitant to engage in a relationship (well, mostly and especially Christopher, as his is the POV from which the novel is narrated) - for legitimate reasons - and so it takes some time to break down/through those barriers. But when it happened, and there two were able to be *seen* fully by each other...the freedom and contentment in that is beautiful.
The dialogue was fantastic. Dry and witty, my most preferred style. And there was just so much excitement throughout. Lots of drama and turns of plot, many of which I thought I expected where’d they’d lead, but then they went elsewhere! So fun and wonderfully unexpected. Yet still with the cheering and gladdening final feelings that come from myriad happy endings (many more than just Christopher and Harding's, which was an unanticipated, and greatly appreciated, joy).
Let me just also say, right here at the end, that I DID catch that Jane Eyre meet cute vibes scene. And I was here for it. Altogether, this reading experience was an absolute, lighthearted, pleasure.
Graphic: Death, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content
Minor: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Slavery, Transphobia