booksthatburn's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
A NOBLEMAN'S GUIDE TO SEDUCING A SCOUNDREL is tense, witty, and very sexy, existing as a sequel to wrap up few things left hanging from THE SECRET LIVES OF COUNTRY GENTLEMEN while delivering a full story in its own right. I won't be more specific in this review, because it it's pretty far into the book before this is stated explicitly and it operates on several levels. The biggest thing that's continued is that Luke, who was a child in the first book, is a main character now as an adult and is half of the romantic pair at the center of the story. It's interesting because as I was reading the first one I thought that it was a complete story, and then this sequel makes it feel more like the two books are halves of a whole. The weird part for me, when trying to assess whether this can stand on its own, is that if taken from Rufus's perspective, it really does. He doesn't know any of the previous events, and so someone who read this book without reading the first one would have an experience closer to Rufus, and anyone who has read the first one would be closer to Luke's understanding of the situation.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
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
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Confinement, and Child abuse
Moderate: Abandonment, Death, and Murder
Minor: Grief, Physical abuse, and Rape
knitterscasket's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Classism, and Injury/Injury detail
purplepenning's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Gaslighting, Sexual content, Death, Confinement, Cursing, Classism, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Dementia, Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Murder
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: Confinement, Bullying, Sexual content, and Cursing
Moderate: Abandonment and Physical abuse
Minor: Child abuse and Rape
bel017's review against another edition
Just as good as the first one. Well written, romantic, and smutty, with lots of history and witty banter. Somehow Charles balances sensitively handling traumas and gothic villains. Also some excellent cameos and mentions of previous characters--Luke even has a copy of *Jonathon*.
What I would have liked is an author's note. Charles has obviously done a mountain of research then hidden it in the story, it would have been nice to know a little more about the historically accurate parts.
What I would have liked is an author's note. Charles has obviously done a mountain of research then hidden it in the story, it would have been nice to know a little more about the historically accurate parts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Sexual content
Moderate: Death and Abandonment
Minor: Rape, Physical abuse, Murder, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
a_rich_read's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Ableism, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Body shaming, Classism, Grief, Abandonment, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Violence, Murder, Death of parent, Rape, and Confinement
katelynnelawson's review
adventurous
tense
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
4.25
A follow-up to The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen, A Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel *is* a standalone, but reads better having read the first book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Classism
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Abandonment, Death, Physical abuse, Death of parent, and Rape
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