A review by yourbookishbff
A Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel by KJ Charles

emotional funny lighthearted mysterious 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? No

5.0

This was the perfect follow-up to Gareth and Joss's story in The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen. I hadn't realized just how much we needed a happily ever after for Luke, but reading this felt like bringing a small bit of justice to him, even so many years later. I loved the role reversal here - our Doomsday is the submissive, "golden-haired" academic and our earl is described as brutish and crass (as well as honest and kind). They are wonderful foils to each other. Where Luke can code-switch between his Kentish country upbringing and his aristocratic clerking with ease, Rufus repeatedly begs people to speak plainly with him, having no ability to sort out insinuation or subtext. Where Rufus is direct, at times painfully so, he's honorable, and Luke realizes through their relationship that he has grown comfortable with deception to a degree that he can no longer justify. Both characters learn from one another in realistic ways, and it makes their happily-ever-after feel secure and just right. I also thoroughly enjoyed the return of our mystery from book one, some on-page appearances of both Gareth and Joss, and a cast of comedic side characters. Loved this.
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