aetherkids's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Child abuse
booksthatburn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I love Luke as a secretary, the characterization is so precise that it firmly establishes his adult self in this new story on his own terms. Rufus fits him well, and I like them as a pair. The worldbuilding is consistent with the first book, but it assumes a familiarity with the Marsh and takes for granted that either the reader won't need a great deal of explanations, or is satisfied with the level of information which Rufus acquires.
Graphic: Cursing and Confinement
Moderate: Ableism, Torture, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Death of parent
Minor: Rape, Abandonment, Child abuse, Miscarriage, and Murder
kal517's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Sexual content, Confinement, and Child abuse
Moderate: Abandonment, Death, and Murder
Minor: Grief, Physical abuse, and Rape
purplepenning's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Abandonment, Gaslighting, Sexual content, Death, Confinement, Cursing, Classism, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Dementia, Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Murder
thecharmofit's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Moderate: Child abuse
madscientistcat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content and Confinement
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: War, Murder, and Violence
so_many_books's review
- 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
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!
Graphic: Confinement, Bullying, Sexual content, and Cursing
Moderate: Abandonment and Physical abuse
Minor: Child abuse and Rape
purrson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Sexual content and Classism
Minor: Death, Death of parent, and Child abuse
Re content warnings: deaths and child abuse are referenced as past events, however there is present emotional abuse from parental figures (not from protagonists).ptaradactyl's review
- 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
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.
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Child abuse
firefly's review
- 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
Graphic: Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Confinement
Moderate: Bullying, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Physical abuse and Rape