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The Doomsday Books #1
The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen
Bridgerton meets Poldark in this sweeping LGBTQIA+ Regency romance from award-winning author KJ Charles
Abandoned by his father as a small child, Sir Gareth Inglis has grown up prickly, cold, and well-used to disappointment. Even so, he longs for a connection, falling headfirst into a passionate anonymous affair that's over almost as quickly as it began. Bitter at the sudden rejection, Gareth has little time to lick his wounds: his father has died, leaving him the family title, a rambling manor on the remote Romney Marsh...and the den of cutthroats and thieves that make its intricate waterways their home.
Joss Doomsday has run the Doomsday smuggling clan since he was a boy. His family is his life...which is why when the all-too-familiar new baronet testifies against Joss's sister for a hanging offense, Joss acts fast, blackmailing Gareth with the secret of their relationship to force him to recant. Their reunion is anything but happy and the path forward everything but smooth, yet after the dust settles, neither can stay away. It's a long road from there—full of danger and mysteries to be solved—yet somehow, along the way, this well-mannered gentleman may at last find true love with the least likely of scoundrels.
Abandoned by his father as a small child, Sir Gareth Inglis has grown up prickly, cold, and well-used to disappointment. Even so, he longs for a connection, falling headfirst into a passionate anonymous affair that's over almost as quickly as it began. Bitter at the sudden rejection, Gareth has little time to lick his wounds: his father has died, leaving him the family title, a rambling manor on the remote Romney Marsh...and the den of cutthroats and thieves that make its intricate waterways their home.
Joss Doomsday has run the Doomsday smuggling clan since he was a boy. His family is his life...which is why when the all-too-familiar new baronet testifies against Joss's sister for a hanging offense, Joss acts fast, blackmailing Gareth with the secret of their relationship to force him to recant. Their reunion is anything but happy and the path forward everything but smooth, yet after the dust settles, neither can stay away. It's a long road from there—full of danger and mysteries to be solved—yet somehow, along the way, this well-mannered gentleman may at last find true love with the least likely of scoundrels.
331 pages, Paperback
First published March 7, 2023
About the author
K.J. Charles
62 books9,882 followersKJ is a writer of romance, mostly m/m, historical or fantasy or both. She blogs about writing and editing at http://kjcharleswriter.com.
She lives in London, UK, with her husband, two kids, and a cat of absolute night.
Bluesky @kj_charleswriter.com
Join the lively Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/13876...
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She lives in London, UK, with her husband, two kids, and a cat of absolute night.
Bluesky @kj_charleswriter.com
Join the lively Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/13876...
Sign up to the (infrequent) newsletter at http://kjcharleswriter.com/newsletter
Please **do not** message me on Goodreads as I no longer check the inbox due to unwanted messages.
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September 14, 2022First in my duo of books about a smuggling clan on Romney Marsh. I had immense fun with Gareth, newly promoted baronet, and Joss, overworked smuggler (feels a lot more like a management position than you might think) and the skulduggery and shenanigans they get mixed up in. Also contains beetles.
March 19, 2023
Babe wake up there’s a new KJ Charles book
Edit: I enjoyed it as usual but when will she write another low conflict, plotless fluffy romance like Band sinister 😭
Edit: I enjoyed it as usual but when will she write another low conflict, plotless fluffy romance like Band sinister 😭
December 30, 2022
What an enjoyable m/m historical romance, action-packed but also full of moments of tranquility and tenderness!
I loved everything about it, the MCs and their romantic relationship, their families (great and awful at times), the supporting cast who was fully drawn and interesting. I often complain about KJ Charles' villains being almost cartoonish but here they read as more complex to me and I really like it.
I really liked both Gareth and Joss and the way we gradually learn more about them as they themselves figure out stuff about themselves. The circumstances have made them heads of their families and though their positions in life are vastly different (Gareth inherited a baronetcy, Joss runs an extended family of smugglers), they both find themselves questioning a lot about their assumptions about who they are/can be. Families, even amazing ones, can be a burden sometimes, the struggle between bearing the responsibility for others and the desire to do/want something for yourself. It was an interesting exploration, a journey for both MCs and I as a reader took it with them. We see different aspects of male vulnerability, the blurring of the lines between having someone in your corner and being fully dependent on them (or seen by them and others as incompetent, weak).
There is an ever present threat of outing the MCs. The use of the knowledge of their relationship for extortion and threats made me scared for them and angry at all their ill-wishers. No forced outing, no homophobia that went unchallenged. I was happy to see Joss and Gareth finding support from unexpected corners (though ones that make perfect sense).
The ending was really lovely – no easy HEA but a literal promise of always being there for each other.
As with most of KJ stories we get class struggles, the common man taking care of his people vs the entitled rich who one care about themselves. Gareth’s father – the cruelty of his indifference and care about himself only. The story gives us a poignant criticism on social evils without overshadowing the romance.
And I am already looking for the nest book in the series!
I loved everything about it, the MCs and their romantic relationship, their families (great and awful at times), the supporting cast who was fully drawn and interesting. I often complain about KJ Charles' villains being almost cartoonish but here they read as more complex to me and I really like it.
I really liked both Gareth and Joss and the way we gradually learn more about them as they themselves figure out stuff about themselves. The circumstances have made them heads of their families and though their positions in life are vastly different (Gareth inherited a baronetcy, Joss runs an extended family of smugglers), they both find themselves questioning a lot about their assumptions about who they are/can be. Families, even amazing ones, can be a burden sometimes, the struggle between bearing the responsibility for others and the desire to do/want something for yourself. It was an interesting exploration, a journey for both MCs and I as a reader took it with them. We see different aspects of male vulnerability, the blurring of the lines between having someone in your corner and being fully dependent on them (or seen by them and others as incompetent, weak).
There is an ever present threat of outing the MCs. The use of the knowledge of their relationship for extortion and threats made me scared for them and angry at all their ill-wishers. No forced outing, no homophobia that went unchallenged. I was happy to see Joss and Gareth finding support from unexpected corners (though ones that make perfect sense).
The ending was really lovely – no easy HEA but a literal promise of always being there for each other.
As with most of KJ stories we get class struggles, the common man taking care of his people vs the entitled rich who one care about themselves. Gareth’s father – the cruelty of his indifference and care about himself only. The story gives us a poignant criticism on social evils without overshadowing the romance.
And I am already looking for the nest book in the series!
March 19, 2024
I suppose I'm in the minority here, because reviews are generally positive. This was sold as Bridgerton meets Poldark. As someone that loves both, I got neither. I never got fully invested in the romance. If I hear the word prick one more time, I will riot. Even worse than the romance was the smuggling storyline that overshadowed the entire story.
On another note, what is it about straight women (the pseudonym makes this tricky) writing M/M? This, to me, is on the same level as white people writing about BIPOC main characters. In the past, for things like Memoirs of a Geisha (which I have oddly fond memories of - even though it comes with a host of its own problems), I'm willing to overlook this a little. For a more present option, like American Dirt, no.
🎧 NetGalley
On another note, what is it about straight women (the pseudonym makes this tricky) writing M/M? This, to me, is on the same level as white people writing about BIPOC main characters. In the past, for things like Memoirs of a Geisha (which I have oddly fond memories of - even though it comes with a host of its own problems), I'm willing to overlook this a little. For a more present option, like American Dirt, no.
🎧 NetGalley
April 14, 2024
✨🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀✨
Considering most of the side characters are annoying, frustrating jerks and the lack of respect for women (although relevant for the time period) made me irrationally ready to smack a fictional bitch… 👊🏼
Joss taking Gareth to look for beetles as an excuse to spend time with him, is PEAK romantic cuteness and you can’t change my mind.
On that note: AN MC TAKING AN INTEREST IN THE OTHER MC’S NICHE INTEREST IS THE ULTIMATE LOVE LANGUAGE, again, you can’t change my mind.
That is some like… drop your pants and whip it out level of sexiness right there…
✨THE ATTENTIVENESS MAKES ME FERAL✨
5 feral rats out of 5 feral rats for Joss and Gareth.
May they spend their days happily searching for newts, protecting the marsh, and spending on each other. 🐀🧡
(Also, whose uncle hurt KJ Charles? There’s a strong theme of shit uncles and uncle assholes, and I read the blurb of book 2, and there’s more uncle mentions. It’s giving vendetta 💅🏼)
Considering most of the side characters are annoying, frustrating jerks and the lack of respect for women (although relevant for the time period) made me irrationally ready to smack a fictional bitch… 👊🏼
Joss taking Gareth to look for beetles as an excuse to spend time with him, is PEAK romantic cuteness and you can’t change my mind.
On that note: AN MC TAKING AN INTEREST IN THE OTHER MC’S NICHE INTEREST IS THE ULTIMATE LOVE LANGUAGE, again, you can’t change my mind.
That is some like… drop your pants and whip it out level of sexiness right there…
✨THE ATTENTIVENESS MAKES ME FERAL✨
5 feral rats out of 5 feral rats for Joss and Gareth.
May they spend their days happily searching for newts, protecting the marsh, and spending on each other. 🐀🧡
(Also, whose uncle hurt KJ Charles? There’s a strong theme of shit uncles and uncle assholes, and I read the blurb of book 2, and there’s more uncle mentions. It’s giving vendetta 💅🏼)
April 3, 2023
Read this one for Lawless Book Club and I enjoyed it very much. I listened to the audiobook which I had to speed up to 2.0 speed instead of my usual 1.75, the narrator did long pauses in odd places. But I liked him, he did great with all the voices and accents.
Gareth came across as a fun himbo, even though he was basically described as an ugly duckling constantly by the author. I enjoyed all the scenarios where he would get into misunderstandings and people thought he was just being coy. I though Gareth paired with Joss was a great choice, the bumbling hero with a rogueish hot smuggler? Instant chemistry.
Some characters and plots thrown in seemed to not fit, but maybe it is set up for the next book. This was my first KJ Charles book and I would be happy to read more by this author in the future.
Gareth came across as a fun himbo, even though he was basically described as an ugly duckling constantly by the author. I enjoyed all the scenarios where he would get into misunderstandings and people thought he was just being coy. I though Gareth paired with Joss was a great choice, the bumbling hero with a rogueish hot smuggler? Instant chemistry.
Some characters and plots thrown in seemed to not fit, but maybe it is set up for the next book. This was my first KJ Charles book and I would be happy to read more by this author in the future.
December 1, 2023
I love K.J. Charles, but I haven't read her in a couple of years (I knooooowww), so I was ready to get back into one of her legendary stories. I think I chose a good one with The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen, even if it was a little more suspense-y than I'm used to.
First of all, the audiobook of this story started off kind of meh, but then, oddly, it kept growing on me, and before I knew it, I was loving it. I was a bit annoyed by the accent for Joss (it sounded like an oafy caricature), but then I got used to it over time. I love me a historical romance, so I was prepared to enjoy this, but the mystery element threw me a bit. The relationship between these two takes a bit of a backseat to the local community action and drama, so I had to change my focus while listening. I think the romance part isn't in your face but (like the accent), grows over time to become something special.
While not a super high steam or highly romantic story, I think I got the big feelings I was looking for (in the end) with some highly atmospheric local flavor to boot. I'm pretty excited to continue this series (in audio), and see what else the marsh has in store for me.
goodreads|instagram
First of all, the audiobook of this story started off kind of meh, but then, oddly, it kept growing on me, and before I knew it, I was loving it. I was a bit annoyed by the accent for Joss (it sounded like an oafy caricature), but then I got used to it over time. I love me a historical romance, so I was prepared to enjoy this, but the mystery element threw me a bit. The relationship between these two takes a bit of a backseat to the local community action and drama, so I had to change my focus while listening. I think the romance part isn't in your face but (like the accent), grows over time to become something special.
While not a super high steam or highly romantic story, I think I got the big feelings I was looking for (in the end) with some highly atmospheric local flavor to boot. I'm pretty excited to continue this series (in audio), and see what else the marsh has in store for me.
goodreads|instagram
March 13, 2024
Sir Gareth Inglis' newfound baronetcy in a Kentish marsh is not up to a good start. An unhappy half-sister, a smuggler family in the immediate neighbourhood, a town set on antagonising him for merely being "outmarsh", and his estranged father's mistress seemingly his only ally... was definitely not part of the protagonist's dreams for a better life.
The unexpected bout of blackmail from a scorned ex in the courtroom, much less so...
As much as my teen-aged self would get excited by the clichéd coup de foudre meet-cutes , my adult (hah!) self can rarely get into a romantic mood, unless she starts from the beginning. If I can't experience the mounting excitement of the relationship development, no amount of spice can entice me.
Luckily, Sir Gareth and Joss Doomsday manage to reacquaint themselves on Romney Marsh, and provide me with plenty of swoon-worthy tension and sneaky courting. For some reason I always expect this preaching undertone when faced with the author's insistence in placing all her heroes in healthy relationships, and I'm always delighted to be proven wrong. Turns out, I can have my dashing but morally grey love interest (tax evasion be sexy, y'all), even without needing to sacrifice trust and open communication in the process.
As always, the underlying layer of (murder) mystery is a welcome addition, so I guess my tastes haven't completely dulled. I admit to being a bit disappointed by the lack of complete resolution, but unlike the case of young Luke Doomsday that had more to do with my completionist tendencies (...and white privilege), than any actual love of gold.
Score: 4/5 stars
Despite the shaky beginnings, K.J. Charles' healthy relationship tropes - can it even be called that?! - has once more proved itself as the saving grace.
The unexpected bout of blackmail from a scorned ex in the courtroom, much less so...
As much as my teen-aged self would get excited by the clichéd coup de foudre meet-cutes , my adult (hah!) self can rarely get into a romantic mood, unless she starts from the beginning. If I can't experience the mounting excitement of the relationship development, no amount of spice can entice me.
Luckily, Sir Gareth and Joss Doomsday manage to reacquaint themselves on Romney Marsh, and provide me with plenty of swoon-worthy tension and sneaky courting. For some reason I always expect this preaching undertone when faced with the author's insistence in placing all her heroes in healthy relationships, and I'm always delighted to be proven wrong. Turns out, I can have my dashing but morally grey love interest (tax evasion be sexy, y'all), even without needing to sacrifice trust and open communication in the process.
As always, the underlying layer of (murder) mystery is a welcome addition, so I guess my tastes haven't completely dulled. I admit to being a bit disappointed by the lack of complete resolution, but unlike the case of young Luke Doomsday that had more to do with my completionist tendencies (...and white privilege), than any actual love of gold.
Score: 4/5 stars
Despite the shaky beginnings, K.J. Charles' healthy relationship tropes - can it even be called that?! - has once more proved itself as the saving grace.
March 1, 2023
Well this was just delightful! Tell me why I've not tried KJ Charles before? Clearly an oversight on my part. The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen is a M/M historical romance that is a rollicking good time.
We begin the book with Sir Gareth having a week long anonymous fling with a man he meets in London before they break things off. Gareth grew up with a cold and distant father who left him in the care of his uncle, but now his father has died leaving him a baronetcy. An estate that is in a swamp where most of the nearby town is connected to a thriving smuggling business during the war with France. And as it turns out, Joss Doomsday, the leader of the smugglers is none other than Gareth's mystery man. Because of course!
This book was so much fun to read. The banter between Joss and Gareth is excellent and I loved their romance, but there's also danger, adventure, and a secret plot to be unraveled. This is the best sort of light historical romance that acknowledges some of the harsher realities of the time (such as racism and homophobia) yet shows the ways that queer people have always found to live and love, AND delivering a solidly entertaining plot with great side characters. The audio narration is excellent as well and gives a strong sense of the different personalities of the main characters. This won't be my last KJ Charles book! I received an audio review copy of this book via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
We begin the book with Sir Gareth having a week long anonymous fling with a man he meets in London before they break things off. Gareth grew up with a cold and distant father who left him in the care of his uncle, but now his father has died leaving him a baronetcy. An estate that is in a swamp where most of the nearby town is connected to a thriving smuggling business during the war with France. And as it turns out, Joss Doomsday, the leader of the smugglers is none other than Gareth's mystery man. Because of course!
This book was so much fun to read. The banter between Joss and Gareth is excellent and I loved their romance, but there's also danger, adventure, and a secret plot to be unraveled. This is the best sort of light historical romance that acknowledges some of the harsher realities of the time (such as racism and homophobia) yet shows the ways that queer people have always found to live and love, AND delivering a solidly entertaining plot with great side characters. The audio narration is excellent as well and gives a strong sense of the different personalities of the main characters. This won't be my last KJ Charles book! I received an audio review copy of this book via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
March 15, 2023
This is the kind of book that makes me glad I’m sticking with this genre. Despite all the been-there-read-that stories that are popping up left and right, there are still authors who can deliver a well-crafted story and two MCs with great characterization.
I loved how refreshing Gareth and Joss were both as characters and as a couple. Gareth’s open-mindedness, Joss’s everything, their dynamic, the way they messed things up and still had amazing communication, it all felt new and real in a way that’s not easy to find after hundreds of books, especially when paired with an original setting, the humor that permeates the entire book and the great secondary characters.
Another win by KJC and another great BR with Moony and Teal. Definitely the right book to welcome you back after almost 3 weeks without reading. 😁
I loved how refreshing Gareth and Joss were both as characters and as a couple. Gareth’s open-mindedness, Joss’s everything, their dynamic, the way they messed things up and still had amazing communication, it all felt new and real in a way that’s not easy to find after hundreds of books, especially when paired with an original setting, the humor that permeates the entire book and the great secondary characters.
Another win by KJC and another great BR with Moony and Teal. Definitely the right book to welcome you back after almost 3 weeks without reading. 😁
March 29, 2023
I had no doubt this would be fabulous and fabulous it was ! I’m so incredibly charmed by these 2 MCs I can’t even begin to explain. Such a quirky and entertaining historical read !! 5 well deserved stars.
March 22, 2023
I'll hold off on writing a real review until after my next read. Because, yes, this went right onto my "want to reread" shelf. Gareth and Joss are likely to rank among my all-time favorite KJC couples. She's brilliant at addressing relationship power dynamics, and this story delivered exactly what I want from a romance.
Thank you to Elena and Moony for the buddy read. Mark your (our) calendar for book 2 in September!
Thank you to Elena and Moony for the buddy read. Mark your (our) calendar for book 2 in September!
April 14, 2024
My armpit accidentally bought this book and I’ll forever be grateful 😌
So hear me out, my hands were full with snacks so I was holding my kindle under my arm and when I put it down, it had spent $16 for this book 🤷🏻♀️ nothing left to do but rejoice that I have a new book on my kindle!
This book is perfection. It has the perfect level of cuteness and coziness, but also has a good level of angst and tension to keep it engaging. For every stressful situation, there’s an adorable interaction to follow and for every enraging uncle, there’s a lovely sister/niece/stepmom/grandad/nephew to comfort you. Everything is balanced just right 💗
Keeping with the theme, I love both Joss and Gareth equally. Joss with his burly man facade and a sensitive heart and Gareth with his open mindedness and willingness to learn. They both listen to each other, communicate their feelings well and support each other to be a better version of themselves - how do I send this book to some of the men I know?? 🤔
Josh and Gareth belong together forevermore at the Marsh surrounded by their lil insects 🦗🐜🪲
“… I want you on my side. I want to be on yours.”
“Just one side,” Joss said. “Ours. And us both on it, always.”
🥹🥹🥹💕
So hear me out, my hands were full with snacks so I was holding my kindle under my arm and when I put it down, it had spent $16 for this book 🤷🏻♀️ nothing left to do but rejoice that I have a new book on my kindle!
This book is perfection. It has the perfect level of cuteness and coziness, but also has a good level of angst and tension to keep it engaging. For every stressful situation, there’s an adorable interaction to follow and for every enraging uncle, there’s a lovely sister/niece/stepmom/grandad/nephew to comfort you. Everything is balanced just right 💗
Keeping with the theme, I love both Joss and Gareth equally. Joss with his burly man facade and a sensitive heart and Gareth with his open mindedness and willingness to learn. They both listen to each other, communicate their feelings well and support each other to be a better version of themselves - how do I send this book to some of the men I know?? 🤔
Josh and Gareth belong together forevermore at the Marsh surrounded by their lil insects 🦗🐜🪲
“… I want you on my side. I want to be on yours.”
“Just one side,” Joss said. “Ours. And us both on it, always.”
🥹🥹🥹💕
April 4, 2024
Chapters 23-24 were very long and very stressful, but Gareth made up for it by being a bad bitch. Plus their relationship was actually the sweetest thing I’ve ever read.
*Spoiler*
I thought he was gonna be like noooo don’t shoot him but he was like noooo please shoot him and god that was a glorious moment for me.
I will say the narrator was QUESTIONABLE
*Spoiler*
I thought he was gonna be like noooo don’t shoot him but he was like noooo please shoot him and god that was a glorious moment for me.
I will say the narrator was QUESTIONABLE
March 28, 2023
Excelente!
My first 5Star read of the year.
The Worldbuilding was perfect!
I fell in love with the marsh, its people and the way they talked.
Joss and his love for the marsh was so compelling.
So good to know Luke's story is next!
I hope it is not the last one about this unique family.
My first 5Star read of the year.
The Worldbuilding was perfect!
I fell in love with the marsh, its people and the way they talked.
Joss and his love for the marsh was so compelling.
So good to know Luke's story is next!
I hope it is not the last one about this unique family.
March 8, 2023
So good with so many twists and turns!
Enemies to lovers
A swoon-worthy smuggler
A stronger than imagined baron
The threats
Many threats
A lost treasure?!
Beetles
Love
Love
Love
I adored this one!
Enemies to lovers
A swoon-worthy smuggler
A stronger than imagined baron
The threats
Many threats
A lost treasure?!
Beetles
Love
Love
Love
I adored this one!
May 27, 2023
Well now that was a pleasant surprise of a read. I will admit its strongest selling point was its countryside setting. At least for me. I’ve been craving to get out of the bustle of London and just spend few days in the countryside, better yet find a job out of London but the Lady of Luck has not been looking my way for a while.
Gareth and Joss made a pleasant couple. Their relationship was somewhat already established by the time the book starts so there wasn’t much of a burn but the smuggling and all reminded me a lot of Jamaica Inn and that was a book I truly loved.
To be truthful the next book has my attention more with it being Luke’s book. He stole the limelight in this one too being a sweetheart and I can’t wait to see him get his own happily ever after.
Gareth and Joss made a pleasant couple. Their relationship was somewhat already established by the time the book starts so there wasn’t much of a burn but the smuggling and all reminded me a lot of Jamaica Inn and that was a book I truly loved.
To be truthful the next book has my attention more with it being Luke’s book. He stole the limelight in this one too being a sweetheart and I can’t wait to see him get his own happily ever after.
September 18, 2023
Reread-18th Sept 2023-Because the next book is coming tomorrow 😁😁
————————
"Because you need to be afraid or weak or wrong or vulnerable now and then, if only to balance out how marvelous you usually are. And if you want to be those things with me, if you can just be you with me—I’d love that.”
You can say I am biased, I am always biased about anything written by KJ. But, it's still an awesome feeling to wait for a new release, then end up ditching any prior commitments to read it and end up loving it.😍😍
Actually, some friends of mine are calling it her best work so far. But, I think it will be unfair to all my other fav books by her. Still, this is KJ at its best. And, I am definitely gonna reread it at least 5 times. Dont judge me thats what I do everytime she writes a new book.😂😂
Recommended to every romance reader, even if you don't like reading MM or Historical romances. And, the good news is I have to wait just few months for the next book.
————————
"Because you need to be afraid or weak or wrong or vulnerable now and then, if only to balance out how marvelous you usually are. And if you want to be those things with me, if you can just be you with me—I’d love that.”
You can say I am biased, I am always biased about anything written by KJ. But, it's still an awesome feeling to wait for a new release, then end up ditching any prior commitments to read it and end up loving it.😍😍
Actually, some friends of mine are calling it her best work so far. But, I think it will be unfair to all my other fav books by her. Still, this is KJ at its best. And, I am definitely gonna reread it at least 5 times. Dont judge me thats what I do everytime she writes a new book.😂😂
Recommended to every romance reader, even if you don't like reading MM or Historical romances. And, the good news is I have to wait just few months for the next book.
July 12, 2023
✰ 4.5 stars ✰
“Gareth’s eyes were wide with much the same look of wondering joy Joss felt. He was so lovely that Joss couldn’t breathe either, and then they both moved at once and the problem only got worse because kissing that hard didn’t allow for much air. He grabbed Gareth’s hair and arse, pulling him close.
Pulling them together because you had to pull that much harder when the world wanted you apart.”
After reading The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen, I've accepted that K.J Charles is an author that I can look forward to reading. Another excellent gem of a historical romance that had the added bonus of being written in a writing style that I appreciate and featuring a couple with a dynamic of opposites attract, but somehow, fit together perfectly.
I loved reading this - just absolute swashbuckling entertainment of an excitement and romance and a galloping mystery of intrigue that pulls you in. Gareth and Joss met as London and Kent, doomed from the start, driven further by misunderstood hatred, and then fueled forever by their fervent feelings for each other. (Wow, what a sentence!) 😄
My point is, historical romance can be a hit or a miss with me - it can either be over the top, grandiose and verbose words of affection, pointless drivel or even worse - dialogue that doesn't fit the time period. What makes K.J Charles reads so fun is that she can capture all that, dismiss the shame of two men being together and create a story so fun and fresh, with characters that radiate personalities that you can't help believe you're back in 1810 with them. Cheers to that! 🥰🥰🥰
“Joss was a smuggler, Gareth a baronet, and neither of them really knew the other at all.”
Gareth has been stung by the hurt Joss Doomsday made him feel under the guise during their throes of passion - the last thing he needs is for him to be his neighbor, when he returns to his God-given birthright at Romney Marsh. But, alas, here he is, bringing along with him a whole fresh load of exploitations and explorations into the smuggling business, he absolutely has no desire of being a part of. 😔 Nor does he want to rekindle the flame in his heart that is still burning for the man that pleasured him in unforgettable nights. He scorns the very idea - so inconceivable is it such that their worlds could ever collide.
But, the past can't stay in the past and the pain can be driven away in time, because sometimes, the feelings of love can overpower hate. And I loved how wonderfully it came across - how through mutual understanding and necessary cooperation, their lives became entwined again, Joss never having to win over his heart, because he never lost it in the first place. 🥹🥹
“I don’t feel steady,” Gareth assured him. “I’m bouncing between thinking about you and wanting to dance, and thinking about my family and wanting to cry.”
“I know that feeling.”
Joss' loyalty has always been to his family and maintaining order in the smuggling business - but being with Gareth awakens the heart of a man who wants more - he wants to live for himself and be free with his feelings. And he tries so hard to keep a steady balance, a watchful eye over double dealings that can threaten the peace that they've protected in this place they call their home. 🥹🥹 I loved how steadfast he was in his principles, how he didn't waver in his ideals and was so determined to prove to Gareth that he was a man of his word and worthy of his affection. That he could finally be the person who would be at Gareth's side, when no one has ever been there for him before.
“I’ll have to see how things are, but I’ll try. I’d be here every night if I could. If you’d have me.”
“I’d have you.”
“Ah, Gareth,” Joss said, leaning back a little to see his face. “I love you.
It’s stupid how I love you. Baronet, for mercy’s sake. I’ve got no business loving you, and I can’t seem to do a blessed thing else.”
“It’s not my fault my great-grandmother was a trollop by royal appointment. And I love you so much, it’s hard to breathe.”
How can someone write dialogue like this, without it bordering sappy? That captures the intimacy of how much you can feel for the other, and still stay sensible with your words, but still evoke all that you feel for the other? ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥 That there was just so much fire when they were just London and Kent, and yet they could still find a way to meet in the middle and somehow make it work - just for them - Gareth and Joss. 🫠🫠 There were so many beautiful declarations of love that were so pure and innocent, but immediately countered with how passionate they were acting out those declarations of love! And she definitely writes some delightful steamy scenes - it really had me turning red! 🙈
“Let me be on your side, London. I want to be.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know how long we’ve got, you and me, but I want all of it. I want to talk with you and eat with you and sleep with you.”
Gareth looked at him for a long moment. “On my side. Really?”
“Promise.”
Slim fingers interlaced with his. “I’d like that. I’d like that more than I can say.”
Joss squeezed back. “Good thing I’m here, en.”
The marsh had a mind of it's own - what happens in the marsh, stays in the marsh, but the beautiful imagery and descriptive words the author used to evoke such presence to it, made it stand out even more so for me. ✨✨ And the side story that revolved around all the supporting characters with the inside dealings of smuggling that inadvertently correlated both Gareth and Joss' family was also excellently done. There was double crossings, hidden agendas, blackmails and kidnappings, past scorn and questionable loyalty - all the dazzling ingredients that charmed 1810 into a world I could completely picture in my mind. 😊
And dare I say, I cannot wait for the next book. The little tease of Luke into the future promises that it's going to be a very interesting romance.
Does this review read a little manic to you? I had just seen something that upset me, and then, I felt a little strange while writing this, so apologies if it doesn't fit my usual style of reviews. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
“Gareth’s eyes were wide with much the same look of wondering joy Joss felt. He was so lovely that Joss couldn’t breathe either, and then they both moved at once and the problem only got worse because kissing that hard didn’t allow for much air. He grabbed Gareth’s hair and arse, pulling him close.
Pulling them together because you had to pull that much harder when the world wanted you apart.”
After reading The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen, I've accepted that K.J Charles is an author that I can look forward to reading. Another excellent gem of a historical romance that had the added bonus of being written in a writing style that I appreciate and featuring a couple with a dynamic of opposites attract, but somehow, fit together perfectly.
I loved reading this - just absolute swashbuckling entertainment of an excitement and romance and a galloping mystery of intrigue that pulls you in. Gareth and Joss met as London and Kent, doomed from the start, driven further by misunderstood hatred, and then fueled forever by their fervent feelings for each other. (Wow, what a sentence!) 😄
My point is, historical romance can be a hit or a miss with me - it can either be over the top, grandiose and verbose words of affection, pointless drivel or even worse - dialogue that doesn't fit the time period. What makes K.J Charles reads so fun is that she can capture all that, dismiss the shame of two men being together and create a story so fun and fresh, with characters that radiate personalities that you can't help believe you're back in 1810 with them. Cheers to that! 🥰🥰🥰
“Joss was a smuggler, Gareth a baronet, and neither of them really knew the other at all.”
Gareth has been stung by the hurt Joss Doomsday made him feel under the guise during their throes of passion - the last thing he needs is for him to be his neighbor, when he returns to his God-given birthright at Romney Marsh. But, alas, here he is, bringing along with him a whole fresh load of exploitations and explorations into the smuggling business, he absolutely has no desire of being a part of. 😔 Nor does he want to rekindle the flame in his heart that is still burning for the man that pleasured him in unforgettable nights. He scorns the very idea - so inconceivable is it such that their worlds could ever collide.
But, the past can't stay in the past and the pain can be driven away in time, because sometimes, the feelings of love can overpower hate. And I loved how wonderfully it came across - how through mutual understanding and necessary cooperation, their lives became entwined again, Joss never having to win over his heart, because he never lost it in the first place. 🥹🥹
“I don’t feel steady,” Gareth assured him. “I’m bouncing between thinking about you and wanting to dance, and thinking about my family and wanting to cry.”
“I know that feeling.”
Joss' loyalty has always been to his family and maintaining order in the smuggling business - but being with Gareth awakens the heart of a man who wants more - he wants to live for himself and be free with his feelings. And he tries so hard to keep a steady balance, a watchful eye over double dealings that can threaten the peace that they've protected in this place they call their home. 🥹🥹 I loved how steadfast he was in his principles, how he didn't waver in his ideals and was so determined to prove to Gareth that he was a man of his word and worthy of his affection. That he could finally be the person who would be at Gareth's side, when no one has ever been there for him before.
“I’ll have to see how things are, but I’ll try. I’d be here every night if I could. If you’d have me.”
“I’d have you.”
“Ah, Gareth,” Joss said, leaning back a little to see his face. “I love you.
It’s stupid how I love you. Baronet, for mercy’s sake. I’ve got no business loving you, and I can’t seem to do a blessed thing else.”
“It’s not my fault my great-grandmother was a trollop by royal appointment. And I love you so much, it’s hard to breathe.”
How can someone write dialogue like this, without it bordering sappy? That captures the intimacy of how much you can feel for the other, and still stay sensible with your words, but still evoke all that you feel for the other? ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥 That there was just so much fire when they were just London and Kent, and yet they could still find a way to meet in the middle and somehow make it work - just for them - Gareth and Joss. 🫠🫠 There were so many beautiful declarations of love that were so pure and innocent, but immediately countered with how passionate they were acting out those declarations of love! And she definitely writes some delightful steamy scenes - it really had me turning red! 🙈
“Let me be on your side, London. I want to be.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know how long we’ve got, you and me, but I want all of it. I want to talk with you and eat with you and sleep with you.”
Gareth looked at him for a long moment. “On my side. Really?”
“Promise.”
Slim fingers interlaced with his. “I’d like that. I’d like that more than I can say.”
Joss squeezed back. “Good thing I’m here, en.”
The marsh had a mind of it's own - what happens in the marsh, stays in the marsh, but the beautiful imagery and descriptive words the author used to evoke such presence to it, made it stand out even more so for me. ✨✨ And the side story that revolved around all the supporting characters with the inside dealings of smuggling that inadvertently correlated both Gareth and Joss' family was also excellently done. There was double crossings, hidden agendas, blackmails and kidnappings, past scorn and questionable loyalty - all the dazzling ingredients that charmed 1810 into a world I could completely picture in my mind. 😊
And dare I say, I cannot wait for the next book. The little tease of Luke into the future promises that it's going to be a very interesting romance.
Does this review read a little manic to you? I had just seen something that upset me, and then, I felt a little strange while writing this, so apologies if it doesn't fit my usual style of reviews. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
March 9, 2023
Happy release day!!!
Thank you very much to Sourcebooks Casablanca via Netgalley for this advanced copy to review! I really enjoyed this very soft story with a hard edge, and a lot of beetles. I give it four full stars.
KJ Charles wrote what I found to be a refreshingly original plot and characters in The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen for a Regency romance. The setting, among the marshy fields of Kent during a time of tension with France, was unique, as was the cast, a mixture of smugglers and country gentry. The romantic leads are familiar with each other from some pseudonymous hookups in a London tavern, but the way they discover each other's true identities created delicious friction and I had to know how they would reconcile. Gangly, pale and awkward Gareth was a nice counter to suave, slippery Joss, who is revealed to be descended from American slaves yet has more nobility than most gentry in the county.
The side plots of smuggling logistics, and the reselling of guineas in France to gain banknotes at a discount that could then be used in England, were really interesting, too. It was complete news to me about the currency gimmicks used to fund Napoleon's wars. The heavier conversations focused around these issues were quite relatable; smuggler Joss notes how even amidst recession or trade blockades, the rent is still due. Now, if that doesn't hit semi post-COVID. There was a grim line about sheep being more valuable than the people who live in the marshes, and that the livestock would be shipped out far ahead of any flooding, with no care for the people. Whew. I absolutely loved how much substance was in the story.
Lastly, the bonding via beetle-hunting and specimen foraging! The inherent eroticism of splashing through marshes and fumbling through grass and fern to find specific insects! The naturalist forays that help the two bond and develop the romance were really charming to me. "Gone beetle-hunting" is totally my new euphemism.
Thank you very much to Sourcebooks Casablanca via Netgalley for this advanced copy to review! I really enjoyed this very soft story with a hard edge, and a lot of beetles. I give it four full stars.
KJ Charles wrote what I found to be a refreshingly original plot and characters in The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen for a Regency romance. The setting, among the marshy fields of Kent during a time of tension with France, was unique, as was the cast, a mixture of smugglers and country gentry. The romantic leads are familiar with each other from some pseudonymous hookups in a London tavern, but the way they discover each other's true identities created delicious friction and I had to know how they would reconcile. Gangly, pale and awkward Gareth was a nice counter to suave, slippery Joss, who is revealed to be descended from American slaves yet has more nobility than most gentry in the county.
The side plots of smuggling logistics, and the reselling of guineas in France to gain banknotes at a discount that could then be used in England, were really interesting, too. It was complete news to me about the currency gimmicks used to fund Napoleon's wars. The heavier conversations focused around these issues were quite relatable; smuggler Joss notes how even amidst recession or trade blockades, the rent is still due. Now, if that doesn't hit semi post-COVID. There was a grim line about sheep being more valuable than the people who live in the marshes, and that the livestock would be shipped out far ahead of any flooding, with no care for the people. Whew. I absolutely loved how much substance was in the story.
Lastly, the bonding via beetle-hunting and specimen foraging! The inherent eroticism of splashing through marshes and fumbling through grass and fern to find specific insects! The naturalist forays that help the two bond and develop the romance were really charming to me. "Gone beetle-hunting" is totally my new euphemism.
February 22, 2023
KJC Backlist Read Part 18*
*(out of order, but I wanted to get my review in before release date/the heat death of the universe when I finally make my way through the entire thing)
As I'm sure is clear from my list of reviewed books, I am a big KJ Charles fan. So I was delighted to get an ARC of The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen. In getting it, I was particularly excited to look for two things. First, having now consumed a significant chunk of KJC backlist, I was curious how her newest would engage the themes and motifs I now easily recognize as hallmarks of her writing. And second, I was curious what the turn to major trad-pub would mean, mostly because I enjoy thinking about how work is positioned for the particularities of its anticipated audience and publishing trajectory.
The short version of these musings is: I am delighted to report that this book has enough of what makes KJ Charles KJ Charles to satisfy her many devoted fans. And it also makes a lot of canny choices to entice and keep a new set of readers. That said, it didn't necessarily land for *me personally* as well as some of her other work- there's a particular alchemy to the balance of romance emotion and plot pressure that hits a very specific way in my favorites of hers, that didn't quite work here. But I still enjoyed it immensely, and think a lot of other readers, both the new and the longtime devotees, will find a lot to love.
There is, as ever, quite a lot of plot, and I'm going to try not to bog my review down with the details. Our two MCs, Gareth and Joss, start out the book known to each other only as "London" and "Kent," two men having a brief tryst and catching unexpected levels of feelings. Unfortunately, both tryst and feelings are interrupted by real life: Joss is called back home, Gareth is too hurt and guarded to admit he wants to keep in touch, and then Gareth himself has some things to face as he discovers his father has died and left him a baronetcy in Romney Marsh.
This is, of course, precisely where Joss has been called home to.
Cue life keeping Joss and Gareth on opposite sides of just about everything: Joss is a smuggler and Gareth is a baronet, Garteth is outmarsh and Joss is a veritable local institution, Gareth's a law-and-order type and Joss is... not, as as the plot unfurls, it turns out Gareth's inheritance includes the repercussions of some VERY unsavory dealings with Joss's family's main rivals.
The biggest thing differentiating them, however, is their relationship to family, and I found the KJ Charles treatment of biological family as a major theme to be really interesting (and not something I think of as a main concern of hers usually?). To put it simply: Gareth has been shaped by an absence of family, and Joss by a surfeit thereof. Gareth was essentially abandoned by his father, shipped off to an uncle who didn't care for him, and then returns to his "family" home to find mostly people who wish he wasn't there, to varying degrees of murderousness. Joss, on the other hand, runs his entire sprawling smuggler family (both biological and non) and is trying to put up with the pressure of being answerable to and responsible for everyone. Both men, from opposite directions of the issue, desperately need and want someone who is "just for them" and find it in each other.
This is, I thought, a really compelling conflict, and one which allows the author to spin out a gentle romance built on a lot of love and care. It was also intriguing to me how both men were yearning for a kind of traditional stability within recognizable family structures, even if they have to carve their own pathway into it. It makes sense given their family histories, but it definitely felt like an intriguing thematic departure to me! I won't spoil anything, but the ending plays very closely to a lot of traditional regency HEA tropes - with a twist - in a way that I do imagine will land well for readers with a more mainstream regency reading background. And, of course, it comes with an underpinning of a lot of more usual KJC questions (what can love look like across social class? where do our MCs situate "morality" against "legality" and how do they negotiate that calculus in a fundamentally unjust world?) that her regular readers will revel in.
The one area where this didn't *quite* work for me though is that... while there's clearly a compelling internal emotional arc to this book, and while it's obviously related to the plot (the smuggling shenanigans all have implications for both Joss and Gareth's places in their families).... there's such an incredible surfeit of plot points that they kind of bury the mystery-plot-to-romance-emotions pipeline that I need to sustain real feelings. It left me feeling both vaguely disconnected from the romance at times, and slightly exasperated with the lack of space to invest in any one plot thread at others.
What it comes down to, I think, is this. KJ Charles is always grappling with social class and legality/morality in her work, and that's always coming from a combination of the "internal/emotional/romance" plot and the "external/action-packed/suspense" plot. In her best books, the two are thematically related, and that's the case here. In my *favorite* of her books, the plot-plot is ruthlessly streamlined to serve the emotional impact of the romance-plot, and I didn't find that to be the case in The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen. There was, if nothing else, simply too much else going on for the romance to really shine. That is, it has to be said, a very personal and kind of picky thing! But it's why I found this book enjoyable, well-executed, cleverly pitched for both old and new readers alike, and yet not necessarily a candidate for my pantheon of KJC forever-favorites. Still, a thoroughly lovely reading experience.
Favorite Quote: TK, once final version is released ;)
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review
*(out of order, but I wanted to get my review in before release date/the heat death of the universe when I finally make my way through the entire thing)
As I'm sure is clear from my list of reviewed books, I am a big KJ Charles fan. So I was delighted to get an ARC of The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen. In getting it, I was particularly excited to look for two things. First, having now consumed a significant chunk of KJC backlist, I was curious how her newest would engage the themes and motifs I now easily recognize as hallmarks of her writing. And second, I was curious what the turn to major trad-pub would mean, mostly because I enjoy thinking about how work is positioned for the particularities of its anticipated audience and publishing trajectory.
The short version of these musings is: I am delighted to report that this book has enough of what makes KJ Charles KJ Charles to satisfy her many devoted fans. And it also makes a lot of canny choices to entice and keep a new set of readers. That said, it didn't necessarily land for *me personally* as well as some of her other work- there's a particular alchemy to the balance of romance emotion and plot pressure that hits a very specific way in my favorites of hers, that didn't quite work here. But I still enjoyed it immensely, and think a lot of other readers, both the new and the longtime devotees, will find a lot to love.
There is, as ever, quite a lot of plot, and I'm going to try not to bog my review down with the details. Our two MCs, Gareth and Joss, start out the book known to each other only as "London" and "Kent," two men having a brief tryst and catching unexpected levels of feelings. Unfortunately, both tryst and feelings are interrupted by real life: Joss is called back home, Gareth is too hurt and guarded to admit he wants to keep in touch, and then Gareth himself has some things to face as he discovers his father has died and left him a baronetcy in Romney Marsh.
This is, of course, precisely where Joss has been called home to.
Cue life keeping Joss and Gareth on opposite sides of just about everything: Joss is a smuggler and Gareth is a baronet, Garteth is outmarsh and Joss is a veritable local institution, Gareth's a law-and-order type and Joss is... not, as as the plot unfurls, it turns out Gareth's inheritance includes the repercussions of some VERY unsavory dealings with Joss's family's main rivals.
The biggest thing differentiating them, however, is their relationship to family, and I found the KJ Charles treatment of biological family as a major theme to be really interesting (and not something I think of as a main concern of hers usually?). To put it simply: Gareth has been shaped by an absence of family, and Joss by a surfeit thereof. Gareth was essentially abandoned by his father, shipped off to an uncle who didn't care for him, and then returns to his "family" home to find mostly people who wish he wasn't there, to varying degrees of murderousness. Joss, on the other hand, runs his entire sprawling smuggler family (both biological and non) and is trying to put up with the pressure of being answerable to and responsible for everyone. Both men, from opposite directions of the issue, desperately need and want someone who is "just for them" and find it in each other.
This is, I thought, a really compelling conflict, and one which allows the author to spin out a gentle romance built on a lot of love and care. It was also intriguing to me how both men were yearning for a kind of traditional stability within recognizable family structures, even if they have to carve their own pathway into it. It makes sense given their family histories, but it definitely felt like an intriguing thematic departure to me! I won't spoil anything, but the ending plays very closely to a lot of traditional regency HEA tropes - with a twist - in a way that I do imagine will land well for readers with a more mainstream regency reading background. And, of course, it comes with an underpinning of a lot of more usual KJC questions (what can love look like across social class? where do our MCs situate "morality" against "legality" and how do they negotiate that calculus in a fundamentally unjust world?) that her regular readers will revel in.
The one area where this didn't *quite* work for me though is that... while there's clearly a compelling internal emotional arc to this book, and while it's obviously related to the plot (the smuggling shenanigans all have implications for both Joss and Gareth's places in their families).... there's such an incredible surfeit of plot points that they kind of bury the mystery-plot-to-romance-emotions pipeline that I need to sustain real feelings. It left me feeling both vaguely disconnected from the romance at times, and slightly exasperated with the lack of space to invest in any one plot thread at others.
What it comes down to, I think, is this. KJ Charles is always grappling with social class and legality/morality in her work, and that's always coming from a combination of the "internal/emotional/romance" plot and the "external/action-packed/suspense" plot. In her best books, the two are thematically related, and that's the case here. In my *favorite* of her books, the plot-plot is ruthlessly streamlined to serve the emotional impact of the romance-plot, and I didn't find that to be the case in The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen. There was, if nothing else, simply too much else going on for the romance to really shine. That is, it has to be said, a very personal and kind of picky thing! But it's why I found this book enjoyable, well-executed, cleverly pitched for both old and new readers alike, and yet not necessarily a candidate for my pantheon of KJC forever-favorites. Still, a thoroughly lovely reading experience.
Favorite Quote: TK, once final version is released ;)
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review
November 13, 2023
kj charles reinvented romance with BUGS
April 11, 2023
I've given this an A- at AAR, 4.5 stars rounded up
I’ve yet to meet a book by K.J. Charles that I haven’t at the very least liked – or more usually, loved – and her latest title, The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen is no exception. The story is set in and around Romney Marsh in Kent – a fairly desolate part of the country even today and one that from the seventeenth to the nineteenth centuries, was something of a smuggler’s paradise due to its topography, location and isolation. TSLoCG is a fabulous mix of frenemies-to-lovers romance and mystery boasting a wonderfully evoked setting, lots of interesting historical detail and plenty of the wry humour and sharp observation that I so enjoy about the author’s work.
After the death of his wife, Sir Hugo Inglis sent his six-year-old son Gareth to live in London with his uncle. It very much a case of out of sight, out of mind for Sir Hugo, who married again and ignored his son’s pleas to be brought home. Gareth grew up without love and affection, knowing he was unwanted from the moment Henry Inglis made it very clear to his bereaved, exiled nephew that he had taken him in on sufferance and because he was being paid to. Gareth eventually studied law and has worked as his uncle’s clerk for several years, when, completely out of the blue, Inglis dismisses him for no reason. Just two days later, Gareth learns that his father is dead and that he has inherited the baronetcy, his house in Romney Marsh in Kent and a fairly respectable sum of money.
Going through his father’s books and papers, Gareth finds himself intrigued by his collection of books on natural history, maps of the local area and the collection of notebooks in which Sir Hugo made copious notes about the local birds, wildlife, flora and fauna and his particular interest in insects. Gareth has always been interested in natural history and at first thinks that by reading the notebooks, he might learn something about his father… but there’s nothing by way of personal reflection or insight to be found. Still, his own interest is piqued and he begins to explore his surroundings, starting in his own garden and then going further afield and onto the marshes. Out late one night, he stumbles across a string of ponies laden with packs and barrels; realising immediately what this means, he steps back out of sight, but can’t help overhearing voices raised in argument and then seeing a man pull off the cloth covering his companion’s face. Gareth is surprised to recognise the young woman, but before he can think much about it, she barks a command and the train moves on. The next day, Gareth thoughtlessly mentions this in front of his half-sister Cecilia’s beau, a revenue officer; the young woman is arrested and brought for trial, and Gareth, despite not really wanting to rock any boats, is called to give evidence against her.
The Doomsday family runs a large smuggling operation on the Marsh that provides work, income and goods for many local families, and at its head is Joss Doomsday, who controls the operation with a firm yet reasonable hand. It shouldn’t be his responsibility, though – after his father died, his mother and his uncle Elijah took over, but it quickly became clear that Elijah was reckless, unreliable and too often to be found at the bottom of a bottle, and things were starting to fall apart. So Joss stepped in – much to Elijah’s annoyance – and is now recognised as the “Upright Man”, the de facto head of the family and the go-to for just about everything affecting his family, dependents and those living in and around Dymchurch. Ma Doomsday won’t hear a word against Elijah, so Joss has to put up with the man’s carelessness and his resentment , and his constant complaints to and about him. Joss doesn’t have the time or energy to deal with him once and for all – his responsibilities leave him little time for himself or a life of his own – although when Elijah’s carelessness leads to his sister Sophy’s arrest, Joss has to act quickly to save her. He tries to speak to Sir Gareth privately to ask him to drop the charges, but the man refuses to see him and in the end leaves Joss no choice but to do the very thing he had hoped to avoid. He’s already realised that Sir Gareth is the man he’d known only as “London” during the very pleasurable week of nights they’d spent together some weeks earlier on one of Joss’ regular ‘business’ trips to the city. Joss had felt a real connection with him and had enjoyed his company as much as the sex; he’d even hoped they’d be able to continue to meet on subsequent visits, but those hopes were dashed when his lover became inexplicably cold and dismissive and walked out – leaving Joss angry and disappointed. Since learning the identity of the new baronet, he’s tried to keep out of his way, but now, he’s left with no alternative to a very public confrontation.
When Gareth sees his former lover “Kent” enter the courtroom, it doesn’t take him long to put the pieces together and understand exactly what his presence there means – that he could ruin him with a well-chosen word. Furious and humiliated, he retracts his statement, Sophy is saved and Joss is… tired.
Gareth would be pleased to never see Joss again, but when it becomes clear that he has stumbled into the middle of something both bewildering and dangerous, Joss is the only person he can turn to for help. The Sweetwaters – the gang that operates on the other side of Romney – seem to think Gareth is in possession of something they want, but he has absolutely no idea what it could be and is sure he doesn’t have it anyway. This McGuffin kicks the mystery plot into gear, as Joss and Gareth begin searching for answers, turning up clues and slowly putting the pieces together to reveal a bigger picture that not only reveals what the Sweetwaters are after, but also sheds light on some long unanswered and increasingly disquieting questions about Gareth’s family.
The plot is clever and fast-paced, with a thrilling, edge-of-the-seat climax, and the cross-class romance is beautifully done, with lots of tenderness and moments of recognition between Joss and Gareth, who are both thoroughly decent men dealing with the difficult hands life has dealt them. Both have become heads of their respective families at a young age, and are finding that responsibility weighing on them. Gareth has no idea how to be part of a family and struggles to know how to interact with his newly-found relatives, while Joss is the man everyone looks to for help, for guidance, for a plan, and has little to no time to just be himself. Life at the top is lonely and he has no-one to share his burdens, no one who is really “on his side”. Gareth has never had that either; he’s been alone for most of his life – alone or surrounded by those who didn’t want or didn’t care for him. His deep-seated fear of abandonment is what caused him to reject “Kent” and bring their affair to an end, and he believes himself to be weak because he doesn’t like confrontation. Despite the inauspicious beginning to their romance, Gareth and Joss are drawn together, finding a kind of refuge in each other, a respite from the pressures they face in their everyday lives, and I enjoyed watching them learning things about themselves as they question their assumptions about who they are and who and what they can be. The author explores the dichotomy between wanting a life of one’s own while one bears responsibility for others, and I really enjoyed the way Joss challenges Gareth’s perception of himself as weak, showing him that he’s so much stronger than he thinks, and the way Gareth encourages Joss to set down his burdens while they’re together: “if you can just be you with me – I’d love that.”
The historical background is, of course, impeccably researched and integrated into the story, and the way the realities of ‘free trade’ (smuggling) are presented is very thought-provoking. The theme of the commoner who takes care of his people versus the self entitlement of the aristocrat who doesn’t give a stuff for anyone but himself is a recurring one in K.J. Charles’ books, but given the current political climate in the UK, it’s one that is as relevant now – if not more so – as it ever was. That said, the very valid social commentary never overshadows the romance or the plot; this book is absolutely NOT full of intrusive authorial tub-thumping at the expense of the story.
The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen is book one in the Doomsday Books duology, with the second due for release later this year. Gareth and Joss are easy to like and root for, and their romance is warm, tender and utterly charming. The secondary cast is beautifully drawn, the mystery is intriguing and the imagery pertaining to the desolate, forbidding marshland where one wrong turn could spell disaster creates an atmosphere so strong it’s almost a character in itself. The author’s decision to take this series to a mainstream publisher rather than to self-publish has meant it’s been a while since we’ve had a new full-length K.J. Charles novel to enjoy, but I can attest that it’s been worth the wait.
I’ve yet to meet a book by K.J. Charles that I haven’t at the very least liked – or more usually, loved – and her latest title, The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen is no exception. The story is set in and around Romney Marsh in Kent – a fairly desolate part of the country even today and one that from the seventeenth to the nineteenth centuries, was something of a smuggler’s paradise due to its topography, location and isolation. TSLoCG is a fabulous mix of frenemies-to-lovers romance and mystery boasting a wonderfully evoked setting, lots of interesting historical detail and plenty of the wry humour and sharp observation that I so enjoy about the author’s work.
After the death of his wife, Sir Hugo Inglis sent his six-year-old son Gareth to live in London with his uncle. It very much a case of out of sight, out of mind for Sir Hugo, who married again and ignored his son’s pleas to be brought home. Gareth grew up without love and affection, knowing he was unwanted from the moment Henry Inglis made it very clear to his bereaved, exiled nephew that he had taken him in on sufferance and because he was being paid to. Gareth eventually studied law and has worked as his uncle’s clerk for several years, when, completely out of the blue, Inglis dismisses him for no reason. Just two days later, Gareth learns that his father is dead and that he has inherited the baronetcy, his house in Romney Marsh in Kent and a fairly respectable sum of money.
Going through his father’s books and papers, Gareth finds himself intrigued by his collection of books on natural history, maps of the local area and the collection of notebooks in which Sir Hugo made copious notes about the local birds, wildlife, flora and fauna and his particular interest in insects. Gareth has always been interested in natural history and at first thinks that by reading the notebooks, he might learn something about his father… but there’s nothing by way of personal reflection or insight to be found. Still, his own interest is piqued and he begins to explore his surroundings, starting in his own garden and then going further afield and onto the marshes. Out late one night, he stumbles across a string of ponies laden with packs and barrels; realising immediately what this means, he steps back out of sight, but can’t help overhearing voices raised in argument and then seeing a man pull off the cloth covering his companion’s face. Gareth is surprised to recognise the young woman, but before he can think much about it, she barks a command and the train moves on. The next day, Gareth thoughtlessly mentions this in front of his half-sister Cecilia’s beau, a revenue officer; the young woman is arrested and brought for trial, and Gareth, despite not really wanting to rock any boats, is called to give evidence against her.
The Doomsday family runs a large smuggling operation on the Marsh that provides work, income and goods for many local families, and at its head is Joss Doomsday, who controls the operation with a firm yet reasonable hand. It shouldn’t be his responsibility, though – after his father died, his mother and his uncle Elijah took over, but it quickly became clear that Elijah was reckless, unreliable and too often to be found at the bottom of a bottle, and things were starting to fall apart. So Joss stepped in – much to Elijah’s annoyance – and is now recognised as the “Upright Man”, the de facto head of the family and the go-to for just about everything affecting his family, dependents and those living in and around Dymchurch. Ma Doomsday won’t hear a word against Elijah, so Joss has to put up with the man’s carelessness and his resentment , and his constant complaints to and about him. Joss doesn’t have the time or energy to deal with him once and for all – his responsibilities leave him little time for himself or a life of his own – although when Elijah’s carelessness leads to his sister Sophy’s arrest, Joss has to act quickly to save her. He tries to speak to Sir Gareth privately to ask him to drop the charges, but the man refuses to see him and in the end leaves Joss no choice but to do the very thing he had hoped to avoid. He’s already realised that Sir Gareth is the man he’d known only as “London” during the very pleasurable week of nights they’d spent together some weeks earlier on one of Joss’ regular ‘business’ trips to the city. Joss had felt a real connection with him and had enjoyed his company as much as the sex; he’d even hoped they’d be able to continue to meet on subsequent visits, but those hopes were dashed when his lover became inexplicably cold and dismissive and walked out – leaving Joss angry and disappointed. Since learning the identity of the new baronet, he’s tried to keep out of his way, but now, he’s left with no alternative to a very public confrontation.
When Gareth sees his former lover “Kent” enter the courtroom, it doesn’t take him long to put the pieces together and understand exactly what his presence there means – that he could ruin him with a well-chosen word. Furious and humiliated, he retracts his statement, Sophy is saved and Joss is… tired.
Gareth would be pleased to never see Joss again, but when it becomes clear that he has stumbled into the middle of something both bewildering and dangerous, Joss is the only person he can turn to for help. The Sweetwaters – the gang that operates on the other side of Romney – seem to think Gareth is in possession of something they want, but he has absolutely no idea what it could be and is sure he doesn’t have it anyway. This McGuffin kicks the mystery plot into gear, as Joss and Gareth begin searching for answers, turning up clues and slowly putting the pieces together to reveal a bigger picture that not only reveals what the Sweetwaters are after, but also sheds light on some long unanswered and increasingly disquieting questions about Gareth’s family.
The plot is clever and fast-paced, with a thrilling, edge-of-the-seat climax, and the cross-class romance is beautifully done, with lots of tenderness and moments of recognition between Joss and Gareth, who are both thoroughly decent men dealing with the difficult hands life has dealt them. Both have become heads of their respective families at a young age, and are finding that responsibility weighing on them. Gareth has no idea how to be part of a family and struggles to know how to interact with his newly-found relatives, while Joss is the man everyone looks to for help, for guidance, for a plan, and has little to no time to just be himself. Life at the top is lonely and he has no-one to share his burdens, no one who is really “on his side”. Gareth has never had that either; he’s been alone for most of his life – alone or surrounded by those who didn’t want or didn’t care for him. His deep-seated fear of abandonment is what caused him to reject “Kent” and bring their affair to an end, and he believes himself to be weak because he doesn’t like confrontation. Despite the inauspicious beginning to their romance, Gareth and Joss are drawn together, finding a kind of refuge in each other, a respite from the pressures they face in their everyday lives, and I enjoyed watching them learning things about themselves as they question their assumptions about who they are and who and what they can be. The author explores the dichotomy between wanting a life of one’s own while one bears responsibility for others, and I really enjoyed the way Joss challenges Gareth’s perception of himself as weak, showing him that he’s so much stronger than he thinks, and the way Gareth encourages Joss to set down his burdens while they’re together: “if you can just be you with me – I’d love that.”
The historical background is, of course, impeccably researched and integrated into the story, and the way the realities of ‘free trade’ (smuggling) are presented is very thought-provoking. The theme of the commoner who takes care of his people versus the self entitlement of the aristocrat who doesn’t give a stuff for anyone but himself is a recurring one in K.J. Charles’ books, but given the current political climate in the UK, it’s one that is as relevant now – if not more so – as it ever was. That said, the very valid social commentary never overshadows the romance or the plot; this book is absolutely NOT full of intrusive authorial tub-thumping at the expense of the story.
The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen is book one in the Doomsday Books duology, with the second due for release later this year. Gareth and Joss are easy to like and root for, and their romance is warm, tender and utterly charming. The secondary cast is beautifully drawn, the mystery is intriguing and the imagery pertaining to the desolate, forbidding marshland where one wrong turn could spell disaster creates an atmosphere so strong it’s almost a character in itself. The author’s decision to take this series to a mainstream publisher rather than to self-publish has meant it’s been a while since we’ve had a new full-length K.J. Charles novel to enjoy, but I can attest that it’s been worth the wait.
September 23, 2023
Note: Some of my goodreads shelves can be spoilers
Overall: 3.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Yes
Perspective: Third person from both heroes
Cliffhanger: No
Format: audiobook checked out on Hoopla
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
This is the first of The Doomsday Books series.
Basic plot:
Sir Gareth finds a new home when he claims the family title upon his father’s death. He is rather shocked when the local smuggler is the same man he had met in London for a brief affair.
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency (1810)
- Country setting
- mystery to solve
- class difference – Gareth is a baronet and Joss is a smuggler
- found family
- refreshing communication between the mains including apologies
- M/M pairing
- touch of enemies to lovers
- medium to high steam – 4 full scenes (I didn’t count the beginning one because it felt a bit short to me)
Ages:
- Joss is 26, didn’t catch Gareth
My thoughts:
This is my first KJ Charles and I’ll definitely be back for more.
I enjoyed the characters so much. Both Gareth and Joss wove their way into my heart. I adored their relationship. So, so many unexpected sweet scenes between them. I never thought I'd be swooning over scenes with beetle hunting but it was so. damn. cute!
The narrator...I was not in love with. He sounded a bit stilted to me in some parts with unnecessary pauses that I focused on and couldn’t stop. But, his dialogue and voices were fantastic. And I adored the sexy scenes, I thought he did a really great job with the emotions there. It was more the general description scenes I struggled with his speech.
The plot did get a little too much for me about halfway. I felt like I lost the two of them in the immense amount of danger and drama between the two families. But I’m excited to try more.
Content warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Overall: 3.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Yes
Perspective: Third person from both heroes
Cliffhanger: No
Format: audiobook checked out on Hoopla
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
This is the first of The Doomsday Books series.
Basic plot:
Sir Gareth finds a new home when he claims the family title upon his father’s death. He is rather shocked when the local smuggler is the same man he had met in London for a brief affair.
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency (1810)
- Country setting
- mystery to solve
- class difference – Gareth is a baronet and Joss is a smuggler
- found family
- refreshing communication between the mains including apologies
- M/M pairing
- touch of enemies to lovers
- medium to high steam – 4 full scenes (I didn’t count the beginning one because it felt a bit short to me)
Ages:
- Joss is 26, didn’t catch Gareth
My thoughts:
This is my first KJ Charles and I’ll definitely be back for more.
I enjoyed the characters so much. Both Gareth and Joss wove their way into my heart. I adored their relationship. So, so many unexpected sweet scenes between them. I never thought I'd be swooning over scenes with beetle hunting but it was so. damn. cute!
The narrator...I was not in love with. He sounded a bit stilted to me in some parts with unnecessary pauses that I focused on and couldn’t stop. But, his dialogue and voices were fantastic. And I adored the sexy scenes, I thought he did a really great job with the emotions there. It was more the general description scenes I struggled with his speech.
The plot did get a little too much for me about halfway. I felt like I lost the two of them in the immense amount of danger and drama between the two families. But I’m excited to try more.
Content warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
March 16, 2023
2 stars
There is something about KJ Charles books that doesn't hit right for me and this book is no exception. It might be the overly complicated language. Or perhaps the complete lack of good dads. Or maybe it's the confusing descriptions of the setting as if we know what the heck any of this stuff is. It's almost as if the book is gatekeeping the reader from fully enjoying the book.
And even if you can get through the gate, the story and the characters aren't worth the effort. I did not believe the two main characters suddenly got over all their bullshit in time for the love declarations. Especially with how snotty, mean, and unwilling to consider other people's positions Gareth was. Use your words and open your heart, dude, and embrace the life of crimes for the hot smuggler!!! Ugh.
The book also had way too much and yet not enough bug and newt content. Lean into the bugs! And the crimes! Not the wandering aimlessly around the marsh being pissed and unreasonable about ridiculous nonsense!!! Get over yourself, Gareth.
I received an ARC copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
There is something about KJ Charles books that doesn't hit right for me and this book is no exception. It might be the overly complicated language. Or perhaps the complete lack of good dads. Or maybe it's the confusing descriptions of the setting as if we know what the heck any of this stuff is. It's almost as if the book is gatekeeping the reader from fully enjoying the book.
And even if you can get through the gate, the story and the characters aren't worth the effort. I did not believe the two main characters suddenly got over all their bullshit in time for the love declarations. Especially with how snotty, mean, and unwilling to consider other people's positions Gareth was. Use your words and open your heart, dude, and embrace the life of crimes for the hot smuggler!!! Ugh.
The book also had way too much and yet not enough bug and newt content. Lean into the bugs! And the crimes! Not the wandering aimlessly around the marsh being pissed and unreasonable about ridiculous nonsense!!! Get over yourself, Gareth.
I received an ARC copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Read
February 10, 2023The publicity touts Bridgerton as a comparison, I guess because of the TV show, and its diversity. I think the comparison to Poldark is closer to the mark. K.J. Charles seems to be working more in the well-loved path of the likes of Jeffrey Farnol than the silver fork tradition of Georgette Heyer in this m/m mystery romance. Only of course there is far more on-page sex.
I really enjoyed Charles' evocation of the smuggling coast of England at that time. I loved the smuggling family, and I even came to like the isolated, alienated Sir Gareth, abandoned early in life, even before he discovered that he was again an outsider in preferring men.
The villains are despicable, the mystery intriguing, the action quick-paced and the atmosphere, especially the descriptions of the marshes, pulling me right into that insular world. I hope the author comes back to this setting!
I really enjoyed Charles' evocation of the smuggling coast of England at that time. I loved the smuggling family, and I even came to like the isolated, alienated Sir Gareth, abandoned early in life, even before he discovered that he was again an outsider in preferring men.
The villains are despicable, the mystery intriguing, the action quick-paced and the atmosphere, especially the descriptions of the marshes, pulling me right into that insular world. I hope the author comes back to this setting!
April 7, 2023
I usually do not read HR, but KJC pulled me in. I loved the story, especially the main characters. Joss and Sir Gareth. They were certainly from different worlds, but they were exactly what each other needed. Together they fought not only with their families, but the bad guys too.
There are secrets, lies and family drama. The last 25% was tense and I didn’t want to move. All in all, I would give 4 stars for the story and 5 stars for the narration.
There are secrets, lies and family drama. The last 25% was tense and I didn’t want to move. All in all, I would give 4 stars for the story and 5 stars for the narration.
March 16, 2023
4.75 stars
I have very few auto-buy authors, and even fewer pre-release auto-buy at list price rather than waiting for the inevitable post-release sale authors. KJ Charles isn’t just the latter; she is also, almost exclusively, an auto-reread and auto-love author. Not because her books are formulaic (and in this context, I don’t mean that as shade – there are some authors that do exactly what they do super-well, and the reason they’re auto-buy is because we love knowing they’ll scratch the itch). KJ Charles doesn’t do formulaic. She does expertly plotted, exquisitely written, tightly paced, clever, contained-yet-sweeping romances that feel emotionally authentic, no matter how outlandish the circumstances may be. And in Secret Lives, she does it again.
No need to summarize the plot, since I can’t do it justice and, anyway, being swept along by its twists and turns is part of the joy of a KJC novel. Instead, I’d like to bow a knee to the tropes. It’s funny, since I never think of KJC as a particularly tropey author. But this is a woman who cut her editorial teeth at Mills and Boon, which is to say, she knows tropes and how to use them to maximum effect. So in SLoCG, we have:
Class difference (a consistent KJC concern)
Competence porn (happily, likewise)
Insta-attraction/ connection but NOT insta-love
A week of hot encounters where feelings are caught, real names never exchanged, and everything goes horribly awry when the week is up because, well, feelings (and also issues central to one of the MC’s characters, per below). I LOVE THIS TROPE!!!! (See relatedly: Seditious Affair)
Dramatic scene where the thwarted lovers meet again in the most horrifying way possible (I LOVE THIS TROPE EVEN MORE!!!!!) (Ibid.)
Second-chance romance, my sweet summer child
MC with childhood trauma (abandonment, neglect, bullying) who deals with it using the time-tested method of emotional repression and trust issues, but who slowly starts to believe in and stand up for himself in no small part due to the friendship, support, and love of the other MC
That scene where MC2 finally realizes the extent of what MC1 has been through and channels the reader’s horror and sympathy and empathy in their reaction and TAKE ALL MY MONEY FOREVER, KJ CHARLES!!!!
Beetles (ok, this one’s not a trope, unless the trope is “strangely specific preoccupation that dovetails neatly into the plot”, which now that I think about it, is kind of a trope?)
Private nicknames. PRIVATE NICKNAMES!!!! Seriously KJ Charles, you are just forking with us now.
We also get: supporting characters who know Joss and Gareth’s secret and support them through actions as well as words; a confused, traumatized boy taken under Gareth’s wing and protection (Luke! Coming soon to book 2!); lush, closely observed descriptions of Romney Marsh and its people; Marsh dialect that gives a distinctive voice to the writing; and a large supporting cast where every last character is clearly thought through and carefully drawn.
AND: never say KJ Charles doesn’t know her audience. The sex is hot and, for both Gareth and Joss, revelatory. There is nothing better than sex scenes that read joyous because of the genuine liking and trust and desire and pleasure between the parties, and that is definitely the case here.
AND: nefarious villains that are believably desperate and believably threatening, never tipping into farce or over-the-top dramatics.
AND: dry, clever wit that is often self-deprecating but doesn't kick down. I laughed more often and more genuinely reading this than pretty much any rom-com I’ve read in the last two years – which, yes, says a lot about what’s being sold as rom-coms these days, but is also a testament to how incredibly good KJ Charles is at what she does.
AND: Joss and Gareth in the middle of an argument, but instead of blindly escalating, Gareth pulls back and says he wants to think, really think, about what Joss is saying and why he feels the way he does, and tl;dr KJ Charles is now my life coach.
For all that, I’m not giving this quite a full pot because I would have liked more of an ending. I believe in Gareth and Joss’s relationship and buy their HEA 100 percent, but I can’t help wondering how it would work. Given that there is no plausible pretext for a Doomsday and a baronet to set up house together, do they live separately or do they just do as they please and abandon pretexts and plausible deniability? Does Gareth write the book? Does Cecilia stick with her Preventive? Does Catherine ever get her week in Tunbridge Wells???
(I’m less curious as to whether they found what the villains were looking for. Partly because Joss and Gareth were so emphatic about it being more trouble than worth – although I cherish the wish that they stumbled across it while newt-hunting one day – but mostly because I suspect it was found and will re-appear in the sequel, where we are re-introduced to a grown Luke. Can’t wait.)
Also, while Gareth and Joss are wonderful, if forced I’d have to place them one rung under my most beloved KJC pairings: Silas and Dominic (I swear I will review you one day), Richard and Cyprian, Will and Kim, Simon and Robert, better known as Feximal and Caldwell, and Jonah and Ben. For me, Gareth and Joss aren’t quite as emotionally resonant. And again, I feel like an epilogue might have helped here – we see them so much in the becoming that we don’t get to experience them in the being.
But overall, this is a hugely delightful, exciting, intelligent, heartfelt book that I devoured and then immediately re-read. Bring on Luke and Rufus!
ETA: Fanshawe watch: none
______________________________________
Immediate reaction first-read: Low-key jealous of yesterday-Kathleen who still gets to read this for the first time.
I have very few auto-buy authors, and even fewer pre-release auto-buy at list price rather than waiting for the inevitable post-release sale authors. KJ Charles isn’t just the latter; she is also, almost exclusively, an auto-reread and auto-love author. Not because her books are formulaic (and in this context, I don’t mean that as shade – there are some authors that do exactly what they do super-well, and the reason they’re auto-buy is because we love knowing they’ll scratch the itch). KJ Charles doesn’t do formulaic. She does expertly plotted, exquisitely written, tightly paced, clever, contained-yet-sweeping romances that feel emotionally authentic, no matter how outlandish the circumstances may be. And in Secret Lives, she does it again.
No need to summarize the plot, since I can’t do it justice and, anyway, being swept along by its twists and turns is part of the joy of a KJC novel. Instead, I’d like to bow a knee to the tropes. It’s funny, since I never think of KJC as a particularly tropey author. But this is a woman who cut her editorial teeth at Mills and Boon, which is to say, she knows tropes and how to use them to maximum effect. So in SLoCG, we have:
Class difference (a consistent KJC concern)
Competence porn (happily, likewise)
Insta-attraction/ connection but NOT insta-love
A week of hot encounters where feelings are caught, real names never exchanged, and everything goes horribly awry when the week is up because, well, feelings (and also issues central to one of the MC’s characters, per below). I LOVE THIS TROPE!!!! (See relatedly: Seditious Affair)
Dramatic scene where the thwarted lovers meet again in the most horrifying way possible (I LOVE THIS TROPE EVEN MORE!!!!!) (Ibid.)
Second-chance romance, my sweet summer child
MC with childhood trauma (abandonment, neglect, bullying) who deals with it using the time-tested method of emotional repression and trust issues, but who slowly starts to believe in and stand up for himself in no small part due to the friendship, support, and love of the other MC
That scene where MC2 finally realizes the extent of what MC1 has been through and channels the reader’s horror and sympathy and empathy in their reaction and TAKE ALL MY MONEY FOREVER, KJ CHARLES!!!!
Beetles (ok, this one’s not a trope, unless the trope is “strangely specific preoccupation that dovetails neatly into the plot”, which now that I think about it, is kind of a trope?)
Private nicknames. PRIVATE NICKNAMES!!!! Seriously KJ Charles, you are just forking with us now.
We also get: supporting characters who know Joss and Gareth’s secret and support them through actions as well as words; a confused, traumatized boy taken under Gareth’s wing and protection (Luke! Coming soon to book 2!); lush, closely observed descriptions of Romney Marsh and its people; Marsh dialect that gives a distinctive voice to the writing; and a large supporting cast where every last character is clearly thought through and carefully drawn.
AND: never say KJ Charles doesn’t know her audience. The sex is hot and, for both Gareth and Joss, revelatory. There is nothing better than sex scenes that read joyous because of the genuine liking and trust and desire and pleasure between the parties, and that is definitely the case here.
AND: nefarious villains that are believably desperate and believably threatening, never tipping into farce or over-the-top dramatics.
AND: dry, clever wit that is often self-deprecating but doesn't kick down. I laughed more often and more genuinely reading this than pretty much any rom-com I’ve read in the last two years – which, yes, says a lot about what’s being sold as rom-coms these days, but is also a testament to how incredibly good KJ Charles is at what she does.
AND: Joss and Gareth in the middle of an argument, but instead of blindly escalating, Gareth pulls back and says he wants to think, really think, about what Joss is saying and why he feels the way he does, and tl;dr KJ Charles is now my life coach.
For all that, I’m not giving this quite a full pot because I would have liked more of an ending. I believe in Gareth and Joss’s relationship and buy their HEA 100 percent, but I can’t help wondering how it would work. Given that there is no plausible pretext for a Doomsday and a baronet to set up house together, do they live separately or do they just do as they please and abandon pretexts and plausible deniability? Does Gareth write the book? Does Cecilia stick with her Preventive? Does Catherine ever get her week in Tunbridge Wells???
(I’m less curious as to whether they found what the villains were looking for. Partly because Joss and Gareth were so emphatic about it being more trouble than worth – although I cherish the wish that they stumbled across it while newt-hunting one day – but mostly because I suspect it was found and will re-appear in the sequel, where we are re-introduced to a grown Luke. Can’t wait.)
Also, while Gareth and Joss are wonderful, if forced I’d have to place them one rung under my most beloved KJC pairings: Silas and Dominic (I swear I will review you one day), Richard and Cyprian, Will and Kim, Simon and Robert, better known as Feximal and Caldwell, and Jonah and Ben. For me, Gareth and Joss aren’t quite as emotionally resonant. And again, I feel like an epilogue might have helped here – we see them so much in the becoming that we don’t get to experience them in the being.
But overall, this is a hugely delightful, exciting, intelligent, heartfelt book that I devoured and then immediately re-read. Bring on Luke and Rufus!
ETA: Fanshawe watch: none
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Immediate reaction first-read: Low-key jealous of yesterday-Kathleen who still gets to read this for the first time.
April 17, 2024
I’m an old fan of KJ Charles and love her writing style. This features many things she does so brilliantly; accurate historical setting, solid main characters, dry humour, emotional depth, interesting well rounded side characters, intriguing plot, good romance, well paced and not too much fluff. I do feel that the plot to romance ratio was a smidge plot heavy in this and although the smuggling was interesting I could have done with slightly less time on it. Joss and Gareth were wonderful I but didn’t absolutely adore them as much as I have others by KJ, but reading this has made me want to go back and re-read some of those favourites.
Very keen for Luke’s story in book 2 and to see how our main characters are getting on together 13years later.
Very keen for Luke’s story in book 2 and to see how our main characters are getting on together 13years later.
October 30, 2023
The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen was a pure pleasure to read! KJC is a truly captivating author and this book was fun and dynamic and charming and the perfect start to a duology that has me wanting to chuck my ARCs and just dive into Charles’ backlist and not resurface until I’m properly sated. But needs must.
Ahhh I just absolutely LOVED how Joss and Gareth were both gone for each other from the first page, and how perfect they were for each other, shoring each other up and the lessons of humility each underwent in service to their relationship.
I very much love the way this author writes romance because no matter what’s happening around the MCs, it really is about that, and nothing detracts from the lovers. Only enhances it, and them. Joss and Gareth were so lovely to read, truly, and KJC is always a soothing pleasure to my brain.
Top marks for a wonderful and charming duology (which I’ve read in reverse but doesn’t matter in the slightest), one that I know I will reread as many times as I can because it’s lovely charismatic work that has impeccable class and easily top tier of my list of favourite romances I’ve read to date!
Ahhh I just absolutely LOVED how Joss and Gareth were both gone for each other from the first page, and how perfect they were for each other, shoring each other up and the lessons of humility each underwent in service to their relationship.
I very much love the way this author writes romance because no matter what’s happening around the MCs, it really is about that, and nothing detracts from the lovers. Only enhances it, and them. Joss and Gareth were so lovely to read, truly, and KJC is always a soothing pleasure to my brain.
Top marks for a wonderful and charming duology (which I’ve read in reverse but doesn’t matter in the slightest), one that I know I will reread as many times as I can because it’s lovely charismatic work that has impeccable class and easily top tier of my list of favourite romances I’ve read to date!
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