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callidoralblack's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Classism
Minor: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Outing, and Abandonment
stormeno's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Classism
crystalisreading's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Ableism, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and War
quiet_reader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Child abuse, Death, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Murder
hex_meghead's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
One of Charles' weakest storylines. The main antagonists were flat, mustache-twirling cartoon villains and the "dramatic" climax of Luke getting trapped in the coffin felt very forced.
The writing and main characters were still very enjoyable but this is the first book by the author I was rolling my eyes at during multiple parts of the story.
The writing and main characters were still very enjoyable but this is the first book by the author I was rolling my eyes at during multiple parts of the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Murder, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Minor: Bullying, Rape, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
saltycoffee's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, and Classism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Murder, Abandonment, and War
tuhkasirius's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, and Death of parent
kimalah's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A Nobleman’s Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel is a feast of twisty, gothic, atmospheric mystery and hot, forbidden love on the marsh. It is the second of The Doomsday Books duology, and an excellent follow-up. I did like it quite as much as The Secret Life of Country Gentleman, but it is still a good mystery with twists and turns and two hurt men who find comfort and ultimately forgiveness. I won’t say more because the journey is the best part of the book.
I listened to the audiobook. Martyn Swain did an excellent job in characterization and interpretation.
KJ Charles continues to be a favorite historical author for me. I look forward to (and try not to be impatient for) her next book.
I listened to the audiobook. Martyn Swain did an excellent job in characterization and interpretation.
KJ Charles continues to be a favorite historical author for me. I look forward to (and try not to be impatient for) her next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Confinement
so_many_books's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
You can easily tell if I loved a book by the number of sleepless nights I stay up reading it. Well, this book caused me two sleepless nights because I couldn't put it down and flew through it. I absolutely loved this one!
KJ Charles is royalty when it comes to historical queer romances. The way the historical setting is intertwined with modern storytelling makes all her book wonderfully unique.
In The Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel, we get a glimpse into that wonderful storytelling with an exciting mystery, a good portion of angst and loveable characters.
Rufus, a newly inherited earl of Oxney, is out of his depth in his new home and estate. The tenant affairs are neglected, the books are chaotic, the family wants him gone, and the servants don't know who to side with. To put it lightly, it's not looking good.
After spending months in legal battle with his uncle about the inheritance, the last thing he needs is a Doomsday showing up with an unproven story about his mother being briefly married to Rufus's father, an causing the inheritance claims to rise up again.
Luke Doomsday goes to Stone Manor with a purpose, to find a place after his last employment going up in flames. Though he doesn't expect easily winning the position as a secretary while people are looking for the truth about his estranged mother, he loves the position from day one.
The story goes pretty straightforward after the chaotic beginning. Rufus and Luke's friendship grows quickly and deeply during the efforts to get the estate affairs in order. However, apart from the doubts regarding Rufus's earldom, there's one or two more mystery at Stone Manor that could wipe away the happy bliss between them.
There were actual plot elements I didn't expect at all, which resulted in my staying up way past my bedtime to find out what was actually going on.
While the storytelling is always marvellous in KJ's books, the characters are the ones that make you stay. This book also has a loveable and "hateable" set of characters.
Our two MCs are the highlight.
Rufus is the honest, quick tempered soldier, turned earl. His character is this strong pillar. And while he seems rather charismatic and forceful with his words, he is also very good and kind at heart who doesn't want to hurt anyone. Not even his dreadful uncle and cousins who hurt him with words all the time.
Luke is the perfect balance to Rufus. He's also good intentioned at heart, but he's not afraid to cunning and a bit manipulating to reach his goals. He's also a little broken by his past, which leads him to make questionable choices. I think he's the one who developed more in character ut of the two of them.
Their love story is very sweet. They start out as quick friends who just make each other's lives better. But their affection turns into romance and attraction rapidly. There are some spicy scenes in the book, but they are not too much (but spicy hot).
I loved how the tender love between them is depicted as strong and long-lasting. Even through the angst and the hurt and the drama.
The other significant characters are Rufus's family, his uncle, aunt, and three cousins. All of them have a substantial part in the story. His uncle and aunt are adamant about finding a way to get the title and kick Rufus out. They are so appalling that I had the urge to just shake them to their senses. Goo characters to hate.
The cousins are more in the grey area. While they don't trust Rufus, they also have countless issues with their parents, which create delicious family drama. That dram escalates through the book, and I absolutely ate it up.
We also have some loved characters from the first book in the series showing up. Garreth, Joss, and Emily all have their moment with Luke on the Doomsday side. They provide a seemless connection between the books.
Honestly, I could talk a lot about all the wonderful things about this book. When I finished, I was thinking about how to rate it and what would I have changed. But I realized I absolutely loved the story as it was and couldn't really change anything about it. It has romance, a great historical setting, and more than one mystery.
If you like historical romance, then you should definitely pick this one up!
KJ Charles is royalty when it comes to historical queer romances. The way the historical setting is intertwined with modern storytelling makes all her book wonderfully unique.
In The Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel, we get a glimpse into that wonderful storytelling with an exciting mystery, a good portion of angst and loveable characters.
Rufus, a newly inherited earl of Oxney, is out of his depth in his new home and estate. The tenant affairs are neglected, the books are chaotic, the family wants him gone, and the servants don't know who to side with. To put it lightly, it's not looking good.
After spending months in legal battle with his uncle about the inheritance, the last thing he needs is a Doomsday showing up with an unproven story about his mother being briefly married to Rufus's father, an causing the inheritance claims to rise up again.
Luke Doomsday goes to Stone Manor with a purpose, to find a place after his last employment going up in flames. Though he doesn't expect easily winning the position as a secretary while people are looking for the truth about his estranged mother, he loves the position from day one.
The story goes pretty straightforward after the chaotic beginning. Rufus and Luke's friendship grows quickly and deeply during the efforts to get the estate affairs in order. However, apart from the doubts regarding Rufus's earldom, there's one or two more mystery at Stone Manor that could wipe away the happy bliss between them.
There were actual plot elements I didn't expect at all, which resulted in my staying up way past my bedtime to find out what was actually going on.
While the storytelling is always marvellous in KJ's books, the characters are the ones that make you stay. This book also has a loveable and "hateable" set of characters.
Our two MCs are the highlight.
Rufus is the honest, quick tempered soldier, turned earl. His character is this strong pillar. And while he seems rather charismatic and forceful with his words, he is also very good and kind at heart who doesn't want to hurt anyone. Not even his dreadful uncle and cousins who hurt him with words all the time.
Luke is the perfect balance to Rufus. He's also good intentioned at heart, but he's not afraid to cunning and a bit manipulating to reach his goals. He's also a little broken by his past, which leads him to make questionable choices. I think he's the one who developed more in character ut of the two of them.
Their love story is very sweet. They start out as quick friends who just make each other's lives better. But their affection turns into romance and attraction rapidly. There are some spicy scenes in the book, but they are not too much (but spicy hot).
I loved how the tender love between them is depicted as strong and long-lasting. Even through the angst and the hurt and the drama.
The other significant characters are Rufus's family, his uncle, aunt, and three cousins. All of them have a substantial part in the story. His uncle and aunt are adamant about finding a way to get the title and kick Rufus out. They are so appalling that I had the urge to just shake them to their senses. Goo characters to hate.
The cousins are more in the grey area. While they don't trust Rufus, they also have countless issues with their parents, which create delicious family drama. That dram escalates through the book, and I absolutely ate it up.
We also have some loved characters from the first book in the series showing up. Garreth, Joss, and Emily all have their moment with Luke on the Doomsday side. They provide a seemless connection between the books.
Honestly, I could talk a lot about all the wonderful things about this book. When I finished, I was thinking about how to rate it and what would I have changed. But I realized I absolutely loved the story as it was and couldn't really change anything about it. It has romance, a great historical setting, and more than one mystery.
If you like historical romance, then you should definitely pick this one up!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, and Sexual content
Moderate: Physical abuse and Abandonment
Minor: Child abuse and Rape
ptaradactyl's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It was a fun read if you don’t stop to think about too much. Luke was a charming rogue, which is to say he had his head up his ass for a lot of the book. Rufus is a little thin; you get a description of who he is, but you don’t really get a sense of why he’s that way
Update: I take back every thing I said about Rufus after a reread. His ability to forgive and let go is just what Luke needs. And also I get a better sense of Luke dealing with his bad decisions
But the book itself is so fun and sweet, and you really want them to find happiness in the giant bed.
Update: I take back every thing I said about Rufus after a reread. His ability to forgive and let go is just what Luke needs. And also I get a better sense of Luke dealing with his bad decisions
But the book itself is so fun and sweet, and you really want them to find happiness in the giant bed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Child abuse