Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by KJ Charles

30 reviews

garbage_mcsmutly's review against another edition

emotional hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

This book was quite spicy, like there were many scenes and they were all graphic. Also there was just a lot of like.... smuggler intrigue? It was sort of an action/thriller but without the action? IDK how to describe it. The relationship between the MCs was realistic and tender and just really nice.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Sexual content, and Abandonment

Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Gun violence, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, and Classism

Minor: Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Dementia, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail

yulia's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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

4.5

Very enjoyable romance with quite a bit of tension and conflict for the main couple to overcome. I loved Joss' persistence and charm and how much growth Gareth has gone through within the book.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Homophobia, and Physical abuse

megnut's review

adventurous emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Homophobia, Physical abuse, and Murder

Minor: Kidnapping and Death of parent

onefineelephant's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

10/10. I accidentally read the second book (about Luke) first before reading this one but I'm not necessarily mad at the order since they are fairly standalone books. I do think it was an interesting perspective to have so much knowledge of Luke when he was not so much in this book until the end. Because I read the other book first, I more or less knew what was going to happen in this one but somehow I was still so surprised by the events. There is something about this author's writing style that makes me think about the characters and plot non-stop and yet also not have any idea where the story is going (in a good way). I love the genuine connection but also faults between Joss and Gareth. Their love is so wonderful, especially set in this time period. I also enjoyed the supporting characters quite a bit including the other Doomsdays and Gareth's new family. Overall, I highly recommend this book as well as the second. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Outing, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Ableism, Alcoholism, Misogyny, Medical content, and Abandonment

There is potential incest because a cousin implies to want to court his cousin but nothing actually happens. Also, at one point there is a threat of sexual assault/rape of a woman but this threat is not made to the woman and does not actually happen.

frenchpants's review

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content

Minor: Child abuse, Death, Physical abuse, and Death of parent

kathyq10's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful 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? Yes

4.0

Healthy communication, 3/5 spicy, lovely character development, and a sweet love story?? Hell yes. Will be reading this again as a comfort book in the future. Not particularly deep or groundbreaking prose / writing style, but the story and the characters are excellent! The mystery and how the MCs deal with both that and their relationship is engaging to follow. The romance genuinely made me feel things and played out in a heartwarming way (if a little fast-paced but whatever I’m here for it). Chemistry between the MCs was swoony and they had really fun banter when they were still figuring each other out. I would have liked one or two more chapters immediately after the mystery comes to a head to wind down the story but I liked it all the same. 

The character development and self-healing that the MCs went through was the best part of the book for me, especially with how it tied into their romance. I love love to see romance where the MCs are generous and empathetic with one another, wear their hearts on their sleeves, and grow both individually and as a couple bc they actually LISTEN to each other. I really dislike the miscommunication trope and the typical third-act breakup paired with an overly quick and simplistic resolution, so this book delivered by complicating and elevating the relationship development. I also have a feeling the author has done some therapy or something bc the inner-child work, self-reflection, and “I want to be better for my romantic partner but most of all for MYSELF” vibes were prominent and drew me even more into the story and characters. There are little Easter eggs for the CBT girlies and I ate them up. 

Last but far from least: the BADASS SIDE CHARACTERS round out the story very well, bringing humor and depth (specific shoutouts to fabulous queer allies Sophy, Asa, and Catherine). This book scratched my hyper-specific spicy-gay-regency-romance itch, and I finished it wanting to spend more time with ALL the characters.

Tropes:

MLM; lovers to enemies to lovers; second chance romance; opposites attract; nobility x working class / class divide romance; “touch him and you die”; nerd x jock (but the 1810 version); found family; better together; HEA :)

 

On the language used in the s3x scenes:

yes, the author uses the words “prick” and “stand” which are ridiculous but I assume what people said in that time period? I didn’t mind it bc the steamy scenes are otherwise well done with both their heat and intimacy, but I know some people get the immediate ick.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual content

Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Death, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Abandonment

Minor: Alcoholism, Racism, and Classism

ladythana's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Outing, Abandonment, and Classism

Moderate: Gun violence and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Sexual violence

crystalisreading's review

adventurous emotional hopeful

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

More violence and tension than i expected, but nevertheless absolutely delightful. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Grief, and Outing

Minor: Misogyny, Slavery, Pregnancy, and Colonisation

tuhkasirius's review against another edition

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Outing, and Abandonment

bcope84's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Outing, and Classism