Another case of "Kayla doesn't like historical fiction." Why am I like this? I didn't dislike The Secret Lives of Country Gentleman, but I found it to be a bit slow at times. The start of the story was really boring to me and I found Gareth to be a bit insufferable for a while. It made it challenging to root for him or care about his story. I eventually got into the story, and into the characters and came to care for them quite a bit.

I enjoyed the romance and the steaminess. But I also really enjoyed the class dynamics and seeing the gentle care the characters had for each other, particularly Gareth's connection with Luke.

The thing is, I think I actually would have really enjoyed this book had I read it in print (physically/ebook), but I actually listened to the audiobook, and though this may seem shallow (I admit it), I did not enjoy the voice of the narrator. He didn't do the best job in differentiating between the characters, but evenso, for a book full of steamy romantic scenes, he sounded old and unattractive which left me feeling unattracted to the characters.

I would be open to reading the second book in this duo, but would need to be intentional about reading the printed word over listening to the story. I think I may even need to reread this book because I think I would like it better if I read it in my own style as opposed to the audiobook, and I think I could really get to know the story and the characters better that way. I think I missed a bit because I was distracted by the narrator (who sounded more like a creepy villain and not a sexy, queer Englishman.).

The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by KJ Charles is a LGBTQIA+ romance with Sir Gareth Inglis, who has always felt unwanted and unloved. When he meets Joss Doomsday though, he realizes what it's like to be loved and appreciated. This was such a well-written romance with extremely real characters for whom you only wanted the best. I definitely enjoyed this romance and would recommend it. Thanks to NetGalley for the free digital review copy. All opinions are my own.

This story was as much about family as it was the romance, and for the most part the family was a challenge or burden or downright awful, with a couple notable exceptions. The setting for this book was primarily Dymchurch, Romney Marsh, in Kent. The setting was a major part of the story and felt like its own character. Overall, I enjoyed this book. KJC is an excellent storyteller, and I have enjoyed everything I have read by her. This one seemed to have a different feel to it than others I have read.

joss and Gareth originally met at a pub that catered to certain tastes in London. To protect each other they gave no names and used where they were from as how they referred to each other. Joss was “Kent” and Gareth “London”. Gareth’s worthless father died making him the heir to a small estate in Dymchurch and a baronet. The reuniting of the lovers was a rather dramatic affair, but living in the same location meant a deeper and more meaningful relationship could form between them. The romance was touching and heartfelt. I enjoyed the journey from lovers to foes to being the it person for each other. They were a good compliment to the other.

This story had complex family dynamics, Romney Marsh culture and phrases, unique landscape challenges and well-drawn characters. It certainly met my expectations and worked well with my reading mood (sidebar: KJC almost always does — her books standout on the romance landscape). I would recommend checking this one out.

<I>Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book. Views are my own.

They say opposites attract and that seems to be the case here. Joss is a big guy and also the head of a smuggling family that's dysfunctional, but close. Gareth is slight, suddenly a baronet, and his family is... family in name only.

I really enjoyed this. There's opposites attract, there's tromping over the marshes, there's insects and intrigue, danger and mystery. Big feelings and big action. It's KJ Charles all over and I can't wait to read the next book in this set.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

“I want you on my side. I want to be on yours.” // “Just one side. Ours. And us both on it, always.”

THE SECRET LIVES OF COUNTRY GENTLEMEN was my first KJ Charles book and I’m kicking myself for waiting so long to get into her work. This queer historical romance between a baronet and a smuggler was such a delight. Gareth and Joss first meet in London, sneaking liaisons behind the closed doors of an inn, where secrecy and their wounds thwart the relationship becoming something more. When the death of Gareth’s absentee father brings him to Romney Marsh, a low-lying close-knit coastal community, he finds himself suddenly in Joss’s homeland, where he’s the head of a well-known smuggling family. Thrust together as they untangle the mysteries Gareth’s father left behind, the two slowly find their way back together and into a future they’ve both dreamed of.

The development of their romance was lovely; Joss and Gareth have powerful chemistry, respect each other immensely, and consistently learn from each other. Their class and political differences are beautifully integrated into their love, as well-educated city boy Gareth comes to find a home in Romney Marsh and rural, overly-responsible Joss allows himself to depend on someone else. There’s also a shocking amount of beetle and newt hunting paired with long meandering walks through the marshland, which was a treat. I lost some enthusiasm for the plot as the novel progressed; it felt a bit convoluted and also repetitive. But that will absolutely not prevent me from reading more of Charles’ work. Thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Dreamscape Media for the review copies!

Content warnings: toxic family, loss of a parent, period-typical homophobia, sexual assault, physical violence

I really loved the setting and the smuggler aspect of this book as it was so unique. The Doomsday and Inglis family dynamics were extremely compelling to read about, and I really liked both Gareth and Joss's characters but I felt that the main relationship between them fell a bit flat. I thought that the emotions in both of them throughout the plot weren't present enough even though the stakes were high, and their relationship felt a bit flat even though they had arguments and made up afterwards. Overall I did really enjoy this book and the resolution was very satisfying, and I would love to read more about this world!

Just a lovely story about two gentleman who find and fight for love. I haven’t read many LGBTQ historical books but this one just pulled me in and I just adored this lovely story. I hope to read more like this very soon.

Full of romance and adventure, this book is perfect for those readers who are looking for a great m/m historical that takes place in a fully developed world. Joss and Gareth met up at a pub while on travel and agreed to casually hookup. The book opens with a bang (literally) which is great; however, soon after we meet them the two agree to part ways as each returns home. Little do they know their lives will completely intersect once Gareth learns of his father's death prompting him to leave London for his estate in the country.

Part of the greatness of this story is the world that Joss and Gareth live in. While they come from two completely different backgrounds and classes, they wind up in the same area geographically and end up working together to solve a mystery. There is a ton of adventure that is just as much a part of the story as the romance. The additional characters in the story are wonderful and really fill out the worlds that Joss and Gareth belong to. The relationship between them is full of chemistry and steam but what I really loved is the way they loved one another. They made me laugh and swoon and just feel so much. I adored every minute and cannot wait to return to this world with the next book in the series.

This was a great historical romance. I love the setting and the characters felt so whole and real, this book would be amazing for any fans of Bridgerton but make it queer.

4.5 rounded up. A great start to a new series from this author! The chemistry between Gareth and Joss was genuinely my favorite thing, even if the mystery itself became less interesting at certain turns. But I loved the marsh setting and really appreciated the change of pace it offered from the typical historical romance. I’m excited to see that the sequel is actually grown-up Luke’s book, too! I read this one as part of the new monthly Kissing Books Club on Fable.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was my first KJ Charles book and I have gone on an enthusiastic binge ever since. It was also an instant buy for me when it was released, so that I could have the physical copy on my shelf. As I've had time to consider the other KJC books I've now read, her formula just works well for me and I am ever thankful I picked this up!

An entertaining, touching, historically fascinating romance. Set in a period I particularly enjoy reading about (England during the Napoleonic Wars, which provide a significant though distant background to the story's events), The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen feels at once slow-paced and full of action. It takes its time, drawing out the development not only of its protagonists and their relationship, but of the rich cast of side characters that populate the world of Romney Marsh. Yet it's got plenty of plot going on beyond the complicated romance between newly fledged baronet Gareth and smuggler Joss. The ways in which the romance plot and the smuggling adventure plot interact and intertwine, each building the other - there is no romantic development without the adventure plot, and there is no dramatic smuggling adventure without Gareth and Joss's relationship development - are what elevate this book above many other historical romances of the period I've read before. The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen is thoughtful, richly detailed, swoony and steamy, and full of heart.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca for the advance review copy.

The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen was a fun historical read. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters and watching them fight against each other until they finally give into their connection. I am very much looking forward to next book in the series.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with arc for an honest review.

This book was so good, I read it twice and listened to the audiobook and it became available. The setting of kent is so integral to the plot and the feeling of the book, it really made me feel connected to a place I've never seen and desperately want to visit it. KJ Charles is one of my favorite authors and if you've read her previous books you will enjoy this one as well. The characters are well developed and deeply likeable, except for the ones you're not supposed to like who I deeply enjoyed hating. I'm really looking forward to the next of the series.

Such a fun, steamy read. Really enjoyed this one and I can't wait to read the next book in the series. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Audiobook Review:
Overall – 5
Performance – 5
Story – 5

I loved this so much!

It’s been way too long since I read a book by KJ Charles. I’m glad I finally jumped back in to her writing with this amazing story. I received a review copy from NetGalley but didn’t get it read as soon as I should have. When I saw the audiobook available from my library I decided to listen to it instead of reading it with my eyes. OMG – Martyn Swain’s performance of this story was wonderful! AFAIK this is the first book performed by him that I’ve listened to. Once I started listening to it I couldn’t stop and stayed up way too late (early? LOL), even for this night-owl.

This isn’t exactly a rich-man/poor-man story because Gareth wasn’t raised with money but he does inherit a title. The blurb explains it better than I can. I’m just going to say that if you’ve enjoyed any of KJ Charles books in the past (particularly her Society of Gentlemen series) I think you will also enjoy this one.

After writing the above review I decided to check out what other people thought of Martyn Swain and was dismayed to find that several reviewers on Audible didn’t like him and complained about his pausing. I can only speculate that they might have enjoyed it if they had sped up the playback. I listened to it at 1.5 and didn’t notice any pauses that were too long.

A review copy of the ebook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley but this did not influence my opinion or rating of the book.

This book was just delightful and so very enjoyable. The characters are written so vividly and beautifully that it felt like being right there on the marsh with them. It's tense, dramatic, and wildly romantic.
The chemistry between the main characters is off the charts. The cast of supporting characters are memorable and charming, and the villains are believable in their motives.
This was actually my first book by K.J. Charles. I can't believe I waited so long to enjoy such a truly fantastic storyteller. I will certainly be reading more.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I loved this story. KJ Charles always knocks it out of the park for me. I really enjoyed how they first "met" and then had their love story. I also thoroughly enjoyed that it was in the countryside and not in London. I really loved the characters - all of them, from the main protagonists to the family members of the protagonists.

After this first entry into the writings of KJ Charles, I am hooked! The romance was both cute and intense, and I will likely be adding it to my "yearly re-read" list. In fact, I've read it twice now already. The characters were intriguing, and while it took me a bit longer than it sometimes does to become invested, once I got there not even flying pigs could have dragged me away.

The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen is the second book by KJ Charles that I’ve read. The first being the audio novella, A Thief in the Night. I found these both similar, but TSLOCG being a full novel, felt more complete and fleshed out. If you enjoyed that novella you were going to LOVE this book!

We are introduced to the characters in London as Gareth Ingles meets his anonymous lover at a bar. They have a lovely time, but afterwards he finds out that the man he’s been falling for has to leave for London for business. Feeling abandoned Gareth pushes him away and decides to move on. Shortly after, Gareth finds that his estranged father has passed, and he now must take on the Welsh Baronetcy and the burden of the attached estate.

Newly arrived in Wales, Gareth meets his half sister that his father has kept him away from for the first time and he immediately starts to muck up his relations with his newfound family and in the close knit community known for its smuggling.

Riding high on his morals, Gareth goes against the smugglers, only to find out that they are led by his secret London lover, Joss Doomsday!

Fearful that their connection will be leaked Gareth backs down … but with Joss in his presence, he cannot resist the temptation of reinstating their relationship. Their journey is fraught with hazards but these two fight outside obstacles and internal fears to find a way to be together. All along the way, finding a family and community for both of them!

I absolutely loved all these characters in this story. Both Gareth and Joss work with their moral compass and fight for what they believe is right, and eventually what they deserve. As well, we have many secondary characters brightening up the story, and really adding a fun element to this star crossed lovers tale. I’m especially excited that this is the start of a series and we will get to see more of this rowdy bunch!

Thanks to sourcebooks for my gifted review copy. Opinions are my own.

#TheTheSecretLivesofCountryGentlemen #KJCharles