There is something about KJ Charles books that doesn't always hit right for me and this book is no exception. It might be the overly complicated language. Or perhaps the complete lack of good dads. Or maybe it's the confusing descriptions of the setting as if we know what the heck any of this stuff is. It's almost as if the book is gatekeeping the reader from fully enjoying the book.

And even if you can get through the gate, the story and the characters aren't worth the effort. I did not believe the two main characters suddenly got over all their bullshit in time for the love declarations. Especially with how snotty, mean, and unwilling to consider other people's positions Gareth was. Use your words and open your heart, dude, and embrace the life of crimes for the hot smuggler!!! Ugh.

The book also had way too much and yet not enough bug and newt content. Lean into the bugs! And the crimes! Not the wandering aimlessly around the marsh being pissed and unreasonable about ridiculous nonsense!!! Get over yourself, Gareth.

rating: 8.5/10
rep: M/M romance, half-black MC

This is a historical romance (English countryside during the Napoleonic Wars) and follows a sweet and well-meaning baronet as he realizes that the man he's been having a romantic fling with is a French goods smuggler. Gareth wants a quiet life being a naturalist and entomologist, but is dragged into his late father's shady affairs with the ride-or-die Doomsday smuggling family.

This book is a lot of fun. It has the simple cozy vibes of a regency romance while also having mystery and action from the smuggler family that Gareth gets dragged into. It's dual pov and has spice.

Thanks to netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Never really read a historical romance before, but I’ve been thinking of trying it out. Then this shows up and I hopped on it. And I’m glad I did!

I just loved Joss, and I really enjoyed Gareth. I loved the action and adventure and the way the storylines wove together. There was a lot going on, but I thought it was interesting enough to make me want to not work for a couple days just to finish it. Haha! I enjoyed this world and I’m excited to see what comes next!

I absolutely loved The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen. I can’t speak to pacing (I read the book in starts and stops on my phone over the span of a few weeks), but once I was in it, I was very invested. I loved both of the main characters and really enjoyed all the different plot elements; the romance, the mystery, the relationships both characters have with their families and the marsh. I feel like the book balanced all these plot threads really well, and I really enjoyed the story.

Garreth and Joss have very distinct voices, and getting to experience both of their POVs really deepened the story; we didn’t just follow the romance, we got to explore the ways in which these two characters interacted with the world around them, and how they grew and changed over the course of the story. The romance itself was also super wonderful to read. The two characters complimented and pushed each other in a really interesting way, and the way their relationship changed and grew as they got to know each other was really beautiful to watch.

All the characters felt very real and fleshed out, with Joss and Garreth particularly sticking out but both of their families really shone as well. The setting of the Marsh was really beautifully described, and the mystery was really interesting and fun to follow. The book also talks about class differences in a way that I really enjoyed and commented on some things I don't normally see in historical romances, which I loved.

I also loved the climax of this book. I find in lots of instances romance books have a really strong emotional climax, but sometimes fall short on high stakes resolutions to the surrounding plots. Not this book. The climax of this book had me on the edge of my seat and combines all the plot threads of the story in a really tense and satisfying way.

I absolutely loved this story. It had mystery, suspense, complex family dynamics, a really compelling world, and a fantastic romance. I will definitely be buying a finished copy of this book.

I've read a lot of historical romance, and a MM story is certainly a rarity. Secret Lives is my first title by KJ Charles and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Gareth and Joss were great together, but I also loved the roles their extended family members and friends played. Gareth was not only navigating his relationship with Joss, but also his newly discovered sister and aunt. Add in mystery, adventure and suspense and you have an entertaining tale.

Thank you to netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for an ARC. A really delightful historical lgbtq romance. I found the characters really interesting and the setting of the Marsh felt like a third character. KJ Charles also explored some interesting social issues as well between the different social classes of Joss and Gareth. I really liked Luke’s character as well. I found the pacing a little slow in the middle third but loved the ending.

After his mother died when he was a boy, Sir Gareth Inglis was sent away to London by his father and promptly forgotten. Gareth has grown up feeling lonely and without anyone who truly cares about him. His one bright spot is a short-lived and anonymous affair, but when that falls apart, Gareth feels even worse. However, just on the heels of that rejection, Gareth’s father dies suddenly and he inherits the title and a home in Romney Marsh in Kent. The Marsh is a place so unlike London; the landscape is both beautiful and dangerous and the area is home to many who take advantage of the remote location to avoid the law.

Joss Doomsday has been leading his family’s smuggling ring for years. The Doomsdays are well known on the Marsh, and most of the folks there are content to leave them be. People are just as happy to get the goods the Doomsdays can provide, and the family takes care of one another and those that live in the Marsh. Joss had been enjoying his dalliance in London, but when it came time to return home, things ended badly. However, when his sister gets caught for smuggling, Joss is shocked to find that the man who is to testify against her is none other than the man with whom he was having his affair, Sir Gareth Inglis. Joss will do anything to get his sister out of trouble, even if it means resorting to some blackmail to make sure Gareth doesn’t testify.

Gareth is furious at Joss, even as he is shocked to find that the man and his family are a huge part of Gareth’s new home. At first, things are incredibly tense between them. But when some men come around stirring up trouble, Joss is the only one Gareth can think of that might be able to help. And while Joss may still be angry at Gareth for getting his sister in trouble, he also isn’t going to let Gareth be hurt. As Joss gets more involved in Gareth’s predicament, it gives the men a chance to rekindle their relationship. The pair are so good together; Joss gives Gareth the affection and caring he has long been missing, while being with Gareth is a chance for Joss to put aside some of his familial obligations for someone who wants Joss the man, not Joss Doomsday the smuggler. However, even as the men are falling hard for each other, someone wants something from Gareth and they are willing to go to great lengths to get it. It will take all the men have to stop those looking to do harm before it’s too late.

I am a huge K.J. Charles fan and the author never disappoints, but some of her books are just next level for me, and that was definitely the case for The Secret Lives of Country Gentleman. I just loved everything about this story and I couldn’t put it down. Part of what made this one stand out for me is the really amazing sense of place. Charles just brings Romney Marsh to life and it is almost its own character. The land is hard, filled with swampy ground and dangerous terrain, and surviving out there isn’t easy. The community is very insular; people in the Marsh take care of one another, but have little interest in those that are “outmarsh.” They are practical people living hard lives and no one is particularly fussed about the fact that the Doomsdays are smuggling, especially because the family looks out for everyone. Gareth enters this community as an outsider, having never lived there and suddenly inheriting the title. Not to mention his immediate gaffe of implicating a Doomsday in smuggling, thus pitting himself against pretty much everyone. I loved watching Gareth fall in love with the Marsh, as well as seeing it through Joss’ eyes. Slowly, Gareth goes from an outsider to one of them and it is lovely to see him finally finding a real connection and a place he belongs. The Marsh also makes a fabulous backdrop to the danger and intrigue going on around Gareth and Joss, and it is just such a wonderful setting for the story.

We first meet the men when they are involved in a brief and anonymous affair in London. Neither man expects to ever see the other again and they part on bad terms… only to meet again on even worse ones. Yet the connection between Joss and Gareth is still there, and though it takes a bit, they begin to reconnect. I just loved these two together. These are both men who so badly need someone just for them. Gareth has never felt wanted; his father abandoned and rejected him, the uncle who raised him made clear he didn’t want him, and he is an outsider in the Marsh. Joss is surrounded by a family he loves and who loves him in return, but he also spends his whole life taking care of everyone else. Gareth is the one person who wants Joss just for who he is, not the Joss who runs the Doomsday family. They are sexy together and just so sweet; their affection for one another shines through and I loved the sense of awe these men have around one another.

In addition to the lovers-to-enemies-lovers vibe, this story has some suspense and intrigue. Soon after Gareth arrives in the Marsh, someone comes after him looking for information — information he doesn’t have or know anything about. As the story continues, the threats increase, and we slowly begin to untangle just what it is these men want and why. It adds some nice intensity, as the danger is real, and things get increasingly serious. But it also gives a chance for Joss and Gareth to work together to discover what is going on and continue to build their bond. I don’t want to give too much away other than to say it allows Gareth to discover more about himself and it adds some real excitement and intensity to the story.

I absolutely adored this book and fell in love with Joss and Gareth. Charles just released some information the next story, and I’d suggest holding off learning too much until you have read this one. It features a new couple and I am really excited at the direction things are going. If you a fan of historicals, or just are looking for an incredibly well developed story with wonderful characters, check out The Secret Life of Country Gentlemen.

3.5, rounded up. K.J. Charles' plotting meanders too much for my taste, but her romantic pairings are always full of chemistry and steam. (The banter between Joss and Gareth is my favorite aspect of this book.) I also found the antagonists believably terrifying without becoming caricatures, which ramps up the tension--it made me want to keep reading. I'm looking forward to reading the other books in this new series!

If KJ Charles does one thing well, it's banter. And found family. Okay that's two things. Whatever, don't judge me. The Doomsday family is hilarious and fiercely loyal to one another. It's definitely a fun read but it was a little slow for me and I had a harder time staying focused on it as a result.

This book was so amazing! There was so much action that I was biting my nails until the very last page, but so much swoony romance that kept it balanced. The many antagonists were properly threatening, and the many allies were each uniquely lovely. And there’s beetle hunting!

I cannot WAIT for the sequel, which deals with one of the amazing side characters, since this is a book with many amazing side characters you want to see again.

My first time reading a KJC book and I’ll definitely be back for more!
A historical enemies-to-lovers that’s been compared to Bridgerton more than once.
A story that dives into family dynamics and how they affect the decisions these characters make. Honestly, I instantly felt super attached to these characters right away. The ending of course, wow. I can definitely tell it’s a book that will be talked about.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

A huge thank you to NetGalley, SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca, and of course, KJ Charles for providing me with an eARC of this book. I am voluntarily leaving a review, all opinions are my own.

This book was fantastic, I flew through the second half in no time because I had to know how this one ended. I loved Joss and Gareth and watching their relationship unfold- the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The time period was gold for this story and I loved the setting- the marshes really gave it that extra layer and it was wonderful.

I will definitely read the next book and absolutely cannot wait.

One of my favorite series of all time is A Charm of Magpies by KJ Charles. Not only did I read the books, but I also bought the audiobooks and listened to them as well. I just loved them! I was thrilled to be able to review The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen, the first book in her new series The Doomsday Books. I figured no way would I be able to love her newest even half as much as "Magpies". Or could I? Well, ladies and gentlemen, lightning CAN strike twice! We've got another winner here!

When Gareth Inglis was a young child, he was abandoned by his baronet father and sent to live with his hateful uncle and cousin. He was used to being lonely and disappointed, but he fell into a passionate anonymous affair with a handsome stranger; unfortunately, it ended as quickly as it started and he's left alone again. He doesn't have to long to fret, however, as his father suddenly dies and Gareth goes from being a London clerk to being Sir Gareth, with a grand house on remote Romney Marsh and a family he doesn't know. The Marsh is an entirely different world than Gareth is used to; it's an empty place known for its smugglers...and one is VERY familiar! Joss Doomsday has run the Doomsday smuggling clan since he was a boy, and his family means everything to him. When new baronet Sir Gareth testifies as a witness against Joss's sister for a hanging offense, Joss blackmails Gareth with the secret of their former relationship to force him to recant. So much for a happy reunion! When things calm down, though, Gareth and Joss can't stay away from each other. Things become dangerous and there's a mystery to solve. Will an often-disappointed baronet survive the danger and finally find the love of his life with a smuggler?

This Regency romance is a LGBTQIA+ one. If you think that you won't enjoy reading this type of story and avoid it, you will be doing yourself a great disservice. For as you read this book, you will just see it as simply a beautiful romance, not one with a label to define it. Ms. Charles can spin a yarn of romance, humor, danger and mystery like nobody's business! Her characters are finely drawn and she brings them to life. Gareth has always been lonely. After his mother died, he was sent to live with his uncle and cousin and worked as a clerk in their law office; he was very hurt when his father wanted nothing to do with him. He had occasional bright spots with men he met at a special bar; but nothing like the feelings he had for "Kent", who was actually Joss. (Gareth was "London".) When he was told that Kent had to leave for a while, Gareth took it as the rejection he was used to. When he ended up in Romney Marsh and being blackmailed by Joss, his pain took on a whole other level! While the two mended their relationship, Gareth found he actually had something in common with the father who sent him away: Gareth realized he was interested in being a naturalist like his father. Who would have guessed he would be interested in great diving beetles and crested newts?! I loved how Gareth found he was much stronger and protective than he ever imagined. Joss was the perfect foil for Gareth. His entire life revolved around his family. His Ma was head of the family business since her husband and oldest son died, but Joss basically ran the smuggling business. He was very protective of those on the Marsh. He hated having to blackmail Gareth, but he had to save his sister. Even though there was much anger on Gareth's part, Joss worked hard to regain his trust and show Gareth just how much he cared. The attraction was palpable, and when they were together they ignited. Love scenes were very passionate but also sweet. Supporting characters were very entertaining; I especially liked Joss's sister Sophy and his granda Asa, and Catherine, who had been the mistress of Gareth's father (and sister of his first wife!). The mystery of the treasure everyone thought Gareth possessed had me glued to the pages. I loved this first Doomsday book and have no patience waiting for the next installment!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Intrigue? Check. Smugglers? Check. Bad blood and family drama? Check. A blossoming romance between two “bad” but beautiful (inside and out) boys? Check. This is my first read from KJ Charles, but it probably won’t be my last. I came to this read expecting a strong spice factor, but instead found a thoroughly researched historical. Many thanks to Sourcebooks and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.

This was my first KJ Charles read, and won’t be my last! A M/M regency romance with superb banter, well written and engaging supporting characters, and a SOLID plot. The Secret Lives of Country Gentleman really delivers!

I absolutely LOVED this book, and I can't wait until book 2 comes out later this year. I thought Gareth and Joss were great characters, I absolutely adored the development of their relationship. This story had a lot more depth than what I was expecting from a regency romance novel, but I was completely blown away by the plot and characters. It was really great seeing how much Gareth came into his own throughout the book, learning not only how to rely on others but how to be someone others can rely upon.

Thank you NetGalley and Source Books Casablanca for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest view. I rate this book 3.75 stars
Overall this was a good book. It's a historical MLM romance that takes place on a marsh in the UK, run by a group of smugglers, the Doomsdays, namely Joss Doomsday. Joss is a handsome, very sure of himself, biracial young man who rules the roost. Enter newly appointed (also known as outmarsh) baronet Sir Gareth who comes to the marsh after his father (who abandoned him in childhood) dies. Sir Gareth is the opposite of Joss, tall, pale, academic, and someone who is not very confident in himself. It's not enemies to lovers but, certainly opposites attract and I enjoyed them as a couple.
It has some mystery, danger, a bit of violence and a few spicy scenes. The marsh is a lovely backdrop to make the situations Joss and Gareth find themselves a bit more foreboding. And the book tackles the struggles of being gay during this time period, as well as biracial.
My issue with this book was the length. The middle was very bogged down (no marsh pun intended), I kept thinking we must be further along than we were! And I wasn't impressed with Joss making the same mistakes over and over again, even right after he said he wouldn't do that anymore. His character still needed some growth even by the end of the novel.
Overall I would recommend and would love a sequel of Sophy because she is so badass!

This book had me, mind, body, and soul, in the first chapter. K. J. Charles' prose is lovely and so fiercely evocative that London and Kent wholly absorbed my thoughts for the weekend.

To equate this to Bridgerton and Poldark is fair, but there is an emotional thread through the novel that pulls on something distinctly different. Through the trial of the characters, the mad world spinning around them, and the dread at their circumstances driving them to extremes, there is a sense of hope whenever the pair find themselves together. When quarreling, at odds, and fiercely determined to ignore the spark, hope lingers and it is beautiful thing.

Beyond the romance and emotional journey, Charles utilizes place and history to a delightful degree. Plot points hinge on the use of a single word, the Marsh becomes the world. This is a masterclass in storytelling and when I tell you how quickly I recommended this to my romance-reading friends, you will be appalled, because it was roughly halfway through Chapter 2.

Well this is really good. Smugglers! Marshes! Beetles! Recovering legal clerks! A big noisy family! Awful family! Genuine peril!

If you ever read The Unknown Ajax and thought “well this is good but I want more of the smuggling, less rich people problems and lots of walking on the very atmospheric marsh” then this might be the very thing - as long as you don’t want closed door of course, because maybe don't read this on public transport. Gareth and Joss have plenty of issues to work through but they both grow and come into their own as they find a way though everything. Lovely.

4.5 out of 5 Stars
I really enjoyed The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen, I think it's the first LGBTQ Regency romance that I've read and I want to read more in this genre. I have read LGBTQ romances and Regency romances and putting them together was just excellent. Obviously there have always been people who were queer in history, but because of the way the world has been they've had to be hidden and The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen is a great example of that. Throughout the story the two male leads, baronet Gareth Inglis, and smuggler Joss Doomsday are falling in love with one another but they can never tell anyone around them, even their loved ones.
I really enjoyed Gareth's character, in the beginning of the story I did not care for him because of one interaction he had with Joss before he went back home. He said ugly things that didn't make him look good. But once you get to know more about him and his past you start to sympathize with Gareth. You also begin to realize all those ugly things were said out of anxiety and that he was actually angry at his father who abandoned him as a child, that he could no longer confront.
Joss was an equally entertaining character, as a smuggler he dealt with a some interesting characters, including the entire Doomsday Clan. While Gareth's feelings towards his family were EXTREMELY complicated, Joss truly loves the majority of his family. And so much of what he does, including the family business of smuggling, he does for his family. I mean he blackmails someone for his little sister to keep her out of jail.