A review by omgvalkyrie
The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by KJ Charles

adventurous dark emotional hopeful reflective 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

5.0

 I’m so upset with myself for taking so long to read the ARC I was provided (Thank you NetGalley & Sourcebooks Casablanca!), mainly because I am absolutely in love with The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen.

I adored the story of Joss Doomsday & Gareth Inglis on the remote Romney Marsh! Sir Gareth is not only learning what it means to run an estate, but also must provide for his previously unknown family, all while living in an area swarming with a prominent smuggling clan. A clan that just happens to be led by his previous lover, Joss Doomsday.  Despite the two being from extremely different backgrounds they experience parallels in their journey, like being thrust to the head of the family quite suddenly and navigating who they can be vs what they assume they should be. They both just want someone who is theirs and their’s alone. Most importantly, they communicate with one another!!!! 

I do wish we could have had just a little bit more of the romance plotline. I felt like it was overshadowed at times by the smuggling drama/mystery. And they had such a sweet and lovely romance budding despite the fact it was set against all sorts of deceit and violence. 

This was my first KJ Charles and certainly not my last (I’ve already got the next book on pre-order!), and I loved how Charles is able to intertwine the social and political issues of the time (some even ringing true today!) into the story and posed brilliant questions for not only the characters to ponder over but us as the readers too!

-M/M Historical Romance
-Opposites Attract
-Forbidden Romance: Gentleman & his Rogue!
-Found Family
-Mafia-esque..ish (Squint your eyes, you’ll see it!!!)
-"Touch him and you die.”

London & Kent, Gareth & Joss, whatever you decide to call them, are perfection together. They each inspire each to think and to challenge what’s been put in front of them and just want to be on the same side. Their own. They are two sides of a coin and I will forever cherish it.

ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.

 
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