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fritz42's review
4.0
This was another enjoyable read. I had inadvertently read [book:The Lawrence Browne Affair|30226770], which is Georgie Turner's story, first, so it was interesting to see how Jack, Georgie's brother, got together with Oliver.
Jack was the son of a confidence man and a mother. He grew up in the streets and was bound and determine to work his way off from them. He worked hard to raise himself up to a level of respectability that his childhood didn’t have. He helped society women with problems that even their stations in life wouldn't solve for them. He had helped Oliver's sister with one such problem, and Oliver showed up on his doorstep, angry about the sum of money his sister had paid to Jack.
Even when they clashed, the two of them were attracted to each other. Unfortunately, they were from very different levels in society and in life. Oliver was the son of an earl, and was society’s golden boy. Handsome and charming, he was sought after with invitations galore. But a decade in the military, injured while fighting in a war, had showed him the underbelly of human kind, and when he returned back to England, he just wanted to get back to law and order and his old life. Only his old life didn’t interest him anymore.
But Jack did, even though he disagreed with Jack’s methods. Oh, these two.
So when Jack had to track down some incriminating letters for a woman who had money but not the station in life, Oliver weaseled his way into the case, telling himself and Jack that he wanted to protect the good name of her husband. It didn’t take long on the road before they succumb to their obvious desire. Both were surprised at the underlying feelings that come along with that.
Now I’m going to have to go back and re-read the scenes in [book:The Lawrence Browne Affair|30226770] that Jack and Oliver are in to really appreciate their part in that book.
Jack was the son of a confidence man and a
Spoiler
fortune-tellingEven when they clashed, the two of them were attracted to each other. Unfortunately, they were from very different levels in society and in life. Oliver was the son of an earl, and was society’s golden boy. Handsome and charming, he was sought after with invitations galore. But a decade in the military, injured while fighting in a war, had showed him the underbelly of human kind, and when he returned back to England, he just wanted to get back to law and order and his old life. Only his old life didn’t interest him anymore.
But Jack did, even though he disagreed with Jack’s methods. Oh, these two.
So when Jack had to track down some incriminating letters for a woman who had money but not the station in life, Oliver weaseled his way into the case, telling himself and Jack that he wanted to protect the good name of her husband. It didn’t take long on the road before they succumb to their obvious desire. Both were surprised at the underlying feelings that come along with that.
Spoiler
But it was the ending and seeing the lengths that Oliver had planned to go to in order to be with Jack, socially, that had me in its grips. I was never so happy to see Jack show up and pull him away from total ruin.Now I’m going to have to go back and re-read the scenes in [book:The Lawrence Browne Affair|30226770] that Jack and Oliver are in to really appreciate their part in that book.
momotaa's review against another edition
4.0
I did enjoy this even though historical is not my favorite kind of thing. I loved these guys-Oliver was so sweet and trying so hard to be what he considered an upstanding citizen, he could not have had a more perfect match than Jack. I liked this little mystery unraveling also, it was like a light Agatha Christie or something, it carried things along but our romance stayed center. I will continue because I am definitely curious about Georgie!
momotaa's review
4.0
I enjoyed this quite a bit, even though I don't usually run toward historicals. I adored Oliver, he was trying so hard to be what he considered an upstanding citizen and Jack could not have been a more perfect match for him for so many reasons. Jack was fabulous and he broke my heart a little bit. I am very curious for Georgie's book! Looking forward to continuing!
maellemaud's review
3.0
Jack & Oliver
Really enjoyable historical mm romance: quick paced, interesting secondary characters, captivating enough plot... Sometimes a bit too quick on the chemistry building but real nice overall!
Really enjoyable historical mm romance: quick paced, interesting secondary characters, captivating enough plot... Sometimes a bit too quick on the chemistry building but real nice overall!
ellygsreads's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
tenou0's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
roonilxwaslib's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
elfduchess's review
5.0
Reread October 2023
It strikes me as funny that I have this shorthand of how I mentally refer to Sebastian's books. Like, there's the one with the slightly mad scientist, or the one with the female thief, or the one with the male thief, or, one of my favorites, the one with the adults adulting. (ect) It amuses me to no end that I don't really have that for this book - except in the loosest sense. This was my first Sebastian read and is forevermore referred to in my mind like that. Because that has absolutely nothing to do with the romance or the main characters, I tend to forget just how well this (moderately trope free) romance words for me, as well as Jack and Oliver. (Who I adore.) And I deeply love how feminist this book is. (Definitely one of my Sebastian favorites.)
Edited February 2020
I think by the third read of a book, I really no longer need to write a review. In short, everything I said previously is still true. Adore this book.
Edited February 2018
Another reread because I'm not feeling well enough to actually pay attention to anything new. Anyway, because of how awesome the guys in the two sequels are, I tend to forget about how great these two are together. (Because there are certain aspects of their relationship that I just love and adore, possibly more than the other two.) And, I am pleased to say, the strong women still hold up. Sadly, it's difficult to find historical fiction where the women are as strong as these ladies are.
Original 'review'
It's not often that a romance novel (much less one between two guys) is as flat-out feminist as this one is. There are so many strong, capable women in this book that don't tear each other down and it's amazing to see. (And the guys are awesome together, so, yay!)
It strikes me as funny that I have this shorthand of how I mentally refer to Sebastian's books. Like, there's the one with the slightly mad scientist, or the one with the female thief, or the one with the male thief, or, one of my favorites, the one with the adults adulting. (ect) It amuses me to no end that I don't really have that for this book - except in the loosest sense. This was my first Sebastian read and is forevermore referred to in my mind like that. Because that has absolutely nothing to do with the romance or the main characters, I tend to forget just how well this (moderately trope free) romance words for me, as well as Jack and Oliver. (Who I adore.) And I deeply love how feminist this book is. (Definitely one of my Sebastian favorites.)
Edited February 2020
I think by the third read of a book, I really no longer need to write a review. In short, everything I said previously is still true. Adore this book.
Edited February 2018
Another reread because I'm not feeling well enough to actually pay attention to anything new. Anyway, because of how awesome the guys in the two sequels are, I tend to forget about how great these two are together. (Because there are certain aspects of their relationship that I just love and adore, possibly more than the other two.) And, I am pleased to say, the strong women still hold up. Sadly, it's difficult to find historical fiction where the women are as strong as these ladies are.
Original 'review'
It's not often that a romance novel (much less one between two guys) is as flat-out feminist as this one is. There are so many strong, capable women in this book that don't tear each other down and it's amazing to see. (And the guys are awesome together, so, yay!)
tshepiso's review
4.5
It's been a age since I finished a novel and The Soldier's Scoundrel was the perfect antidote to a painful reading slump. In it we fallow Jack Turner the titular scoundrel who uses his wits and knowledge from a childhood in the underbelly of London to help people with problems that can't call the police to solve. Through that he meets (former Captain) Oliver Rivington a high strung gentleman and exactly the kind of man Jack avoids. The two become entangled and work together to solve a mystery falling in love along the way.
What I loved most about The Soldier's Scoundrel was Jack and Rivington's push and pull relationship. Oliver is the classical starchy hero who balks at the unsavoury nature of Jack's profession. Jack on the other hand deeply resents Oliver's social position and especially his claims to a higher morality as someone raised in abject poverty. But the two despite themselves are inexorably pulled to each other. Seeing two people slowly learn how to be vulnerable with each other and shed the misconceptions they have for each other is so beautiful. From Oliver learning to accept help after being disabled by war to Jack allowing himself to let someone in after building up walls to protect himself. Cat Sebastian threads that tension throughout the story masterfully.
Sebastian is also great at weaving in a mystery plot with the romance. While I think the seasoned mystery reader may find this one slower paced I was thoroughly engaged by the subplot and appreciated how well mystery itself laid out set pieces for the romance to develop.
The Soldier's Scoundrel is a perfect iteration of this type of story and if Cat Sebastian other books are as good as the two I've read she'll easily become a favourite romance author.
What I loved most about The Soldier's Scoundrel was Jack and Rivington's push and pull relationship. Oliver is the classical starchy hero who balks at the unsavoury nature of Jack's profession. Jack on the other hand deeply resents Oliver's social position and especially his claims to a higher morality as someone raised in abject poverty. But the two despite themselves are inexorably pulled to each other. Seeing two people slowly learn how to be vulnerable with each other and shed the misconceptions they have for each other is so beautiful. From Oliver learning to accept help after being disabled by war to Jack allowing himself to let someone in after building up walls to protect himself. Cat Sebastian threads that tension throughout the story masterfully.
Sebastian is also great at weaving in a mystery plot with the romance. While I think the seasoned mystery reader may find this one slower paced I was thoroughly engaged by the subplot and appreciated how well mystery itself laid out set pieces for the romance to develop.
The Soldier's Scoundrel is a perfect iteration of this type of story and if Cat Sebastian other books are as good as the two I've read she'll easily become a favourite romance author.
8_angie_8's review
4.0
Ebook on hoopla. I knew there was some hidden gems on hoopla, looks like there's some lovely gay romances if you look really hard! I love my library cards.
So this was really sweet with a fantastic romance plot alongside a great detective type plot. I guess I see Jack as a PI who cares for people who would otherwise be powerless. Both Oliver and Jack are adorable and sweet and, of course hot 😉. It's great to see a gay story that focuses on the beautiful parts of a relationship instead of the traumatic parts. Obviously in a period piece they do have to hide their relationship, and this is done well without having them outed etc.
I must say, the writing was a little jarring at first. It definitely feels like things don't get much time to breathe. Things move overly quickly at times. Like I don't get a sense of time passing between events, which took me a while to get used to and I'm still not a big fan of that aspect to be honest. But I did still enjoy my time with these two. I'm a huge fan of an MC who blushes so that was one of my favourite parts ha! And it was very funny at times. Anyway I'll definitely read more from this author.
Oh! And the cover is terribly photoshopped. Luckily I learned long ago to ignore cheesy and cheap looking covers and just read things anyway 😭
So this was really sweet with a fantastic romance plot alongside a great detective type plot. I guess I see Jack as a PI who cares for people who would otherwise be powerless. Both Oliver and Jack are adorable and sweet and, of course hot 😉. It's great to see a gay story that focuses on the beautiful parts of a relationship instead of the traumatic parts. Obviously in a period piece they do have to hide their relationship, and this is done well without having them outed etc.
I must say, the writing was a little jarring at first. It definitely feels like things don't get much time to breathe. Things move overly quickly at times. Like I don't get a sense of time passing between events, which took me a while to get used to and I'm still not a big fan of that aspect to be honest. But I did still enjoy my time with these two. I'm a huge fan of an MC who blushes so that was one of my favourite parts ha! And it was very funny at times. Anyway I'll definitely read more from this author.
Oh! And the cover is terribly photoshopped. Luckily I learned long ago to ignore cheesy and cheap looking covers and just read things anyway 😭