This was my first KJ Charles book, but I highly doubt it will be my last! This was thoroughly captivating and charming, with characters I completely rooted for and enough mystery and danger to keep me hooked. I adore Rufus!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc! Opinions are my own.

"A Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel" is a captivating and exciting follow up to "The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen."

Despite having read the first book in the series only a few months ago, I couldn't really remember much about the book. Reading this definitely jogged my memory and after a while, I remembered most of it. You don't need to read the first to read this one but it also good.

This was a fun book, much like the first. I enjoyed see Joss and Gareth again (although only briefly). The dynamic was fun and the chaos of the extended family made the book interesting beyond the romance plot line.

SPOILER: I am so confused by the ending. I haven't seen this discussed anywhere and if someone can explain, please do. In the last chapter, it's revealed that Luke's mother was legally wed to Rufus' father (which already I'm a little... ew) and then Gareth implies that he could be the Earl. But he could only be the rightful Earl if Rufus' father was also his father -- something that cannot be true unless this book is then about incest. Anyway this really bothered me and I have seen no discussion of it online.

Thank you #NetGalley for the advanced copy of #ANoblemansGuidetoSeducingaScoundrel by KJ Charles in exchange for an honest review.

What a story! This is the 2nd book in the Doomsday Books series and I loved this book even more than the 1st (which I adored). The way Rufus and Luke fall in love during this story is so well written. It's believable and sweet (and spicy too). This book was the perfect mix of fluff and angst that fed both my desire to escape into a fluffy romance and my desire to feel all the angst of a emotions. The plot outside of the romance was well put together as well and with only one small exception (don't want to say what it was so I don't spoil it) kept me on my toes and trying to figure out what was going to happen. Looking forward to the next book in the series (which I really hope is Emily's book).

I liked the characters in this, but I did struggle to get through it. The story was not keeping my attention. This is about an Earl, who wasn’t raised to be an Earl, and him inheriting it when his uncle thought it would be his and didn’t know of his nephew’s existence. Cue vile family members. Trying to get a handle on the earldom and its responsibilities, Rufus ends up hiring Luke Doomsday as his secretary, the very man who may find proof that would make Rufus’ claim illegitimate.

While I thought this was a solid story with good characters, it didn’t stand out to me much. Luke’s arc was the most compelling part of the story, I thought. It seemed more of a typical HR story, which is not what I tend to expect from a KJ Charles story.

I would recommend if looking for an HR that centers around inheritance issues and the landed gentry. It had some themes on black & white versus living in the gray. There were themes that you are not your parents or don’t have to be, and love vs. lust.

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

ALMOST FELT LIKE TWO BOOKS IN ONE

Now, don't get me wrong, I liked this book. It had some really good points (mainly the smut). But it did kind of feel like two books smooshed together.

👍 What I Liked 👍

Smut: Very nice smut, hot!

Rufus and Luke: I really loved how Rufus and Luke explored a friendship before they jumped into bed together. It felt believable and relatable.

Characters: Aside from Rufus and Luke, I also loved some of the other side characters - and loved to hate others. Berengaria was a fast favourite of mine, while I really grew to like Odo as he himself grew.

👎 What I Disliked 👎

2-in-1: As I stated earlier, this kind of felt like two books combined into one. It was as if the plot and the direction changed around the halfway point. The first half focused mostly on Rufus and his issues with the estate, while the second half was more about Luke and the missing money. It was a kind of strange shift.

Once again KJ Charles has penned a heart-felt complex emotional romance with twists and turns, in this novel, perfect for a gothic mystery of old. There is a drafty unkempt manse, a cathedral posing as a lumber repository, and a hidden altar to a bull god concealing a horde of gold. There is murder and mayhem, and twisty deviousness coupled with love and forgiveness so honestly given, with pain, distrust, and sincere regret that it can bring a reader to tears at the gloriousness of love. Not that pasty good times love, but that hard won, painful love from surviving tough times committing to one another intentionally. Simply marvelous.

Absolutely adored this book! Such a great dynamic between characters, delightfully saucy, with an interesting plot. Looking forward to the rest of the series!

KJ Charles is always top notch, and “A Nobleman's Guide to Seducing A Scoundrel” is positively addictive. Mounting intrigue, heroes who can’t help but get in their own way, and a gentle, but seemingly endangered love affair all nailed me to swipe, page after page, long past bedtime. Book 2 of The Doomsday Books is a standalone, though book 1, “The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen” is equally terrific and does add some depth.

The novel begins thirteen years after Country Gentlemen, when Luke Doomsday (whose face was disfigured by his dad in book 1) answers a summons of Major Rufus, Earl of Oxney. Rufus’ Uncle Conrad had expected to inherit rather than Rufus and has thrown obstacles to scuttle Rufus’ claim. The most recent is the suggestion that Luke’s mother was married to Rufus’ father prior to Rufus’ mother, invalidating Rufus inheritance. Meanwhile, Luke sees Rufus as a man in need of his organizational/secretarial skills, and Luke needs a position. They decide Luke will look through estate records for any mention of his mother, while helping to get the books in order.

Uncle Conrad hadn’t realized he wouldn’t inherit if his theory proved correct. His obnoxiousness increases, realizing Luke would become the new Earl. Rufus and Luke must deal with Conrad’s ongoing fury, alongside Conrad’s wife and three adult children, who live under the same roof, even as the two young men sense a growing, but inconvenient attraction. And just as readers are hoping things might improve, we discover Luke, himself, has many hidden secrets. Uh, Oh!

Ms. Charles makes me consider the nature of Regency life, whether by direct instruction about history, or simple demonstration. Imagine the requirement to live with people you found tedious or even odious over a life time!

“He (Rufus) was supposed to have the assistance of Cousin Odo, Conrad’s younger son… (who) had acted as grandfather’s clerk. Odo was a vague sort of man, nervous to the point of imbecility, who only seemed happy talking about ancient history and the family heritage, subjects in which Rufus had no interest… Odo’s hand was appalling, a chaotic close-written chicken-scratch.” In few words, Ms. Charles has penned a full caricature which enhances my understanding of both men. The aura of a Regency piece is maintained with old-fashioned language that remains sufficiently modern to be easily digested.

Ms. Charles’ intricate exploration of personalities puts her on my top ten author list. The following quotes quickly demonstrate Rufus’ kind-heartedness, even though he had to be self-sufficient by age sixteen and is a combat-seasoned soldier. “Rufus wasn’t going to besiege a harmless castle in the air.” “’You’ll never fall in love in your life,’ one of his partners had told him. ‘That or you’ll do it once and once only, and God help you if it’s a mistake because you’ll be stuck with it.’” Can’t you feel the ominous clouds over his head?

When Rufus actually laughs realizing Luke might inherit, even though it would cost him his title, Luke asks why. Rufus responds, “Honestly? Spite. Oh, If I am to be turfed out I’d rather it was in your favour than Conrad’s. It would be highly entertaining if you took the earldom. The combined blue blood of the d’Aumestys would clot on the spot.” Not only did I smile, but my opinion of Rufus raised immeasurably. Will Luke be his downfall? Oh dear. I was hooked.

The men’s staggered and bumpy path towards one another is a glory to behold. Do yourself a favor and set aside time to enjoy “A Nobleman's Guide to Seducing A Scoundrel.” Each phrase and every scene deserves to be savored! Masterful!

Another wonderful story by KJ Charles! This book follows Luke Doomsday, now all grown up, and his misadventures at Stone Manor, the seat of the d'Aumesty family. Here Luke becomes entangled with Rufus, the new earl. Rufus inherits the title and lands, much to the d'Aumesty family's intense dislike, and finds his life turned into a nightmare of paperwork, scheming relatives, and endless repairs. Thankfully Luke, his new secretary, is more than up for the challenge! Luke and Rufus' relationship is a delightful slow burn and full of intense moments and feels. I zoomed right through enjoying all their interactions, Luke's plotting, the heart-wrenching bits, and the never ending family drama. Gareth and Joss make appearances, and it's nice to get a look at how things are going for everyone on the marsh. I also loved all the references to famous Gothic novels and other interesting historical bits. Overall, it made me so happy to see Luke grow and find a place where he feels safe, loved, and at home!

KJ Charles has created a really vivid, interesting, fully fleshed world in Romney Marsh, and characters more than live up to the world building. I really liked the first book, so I was excited to discover there was a follow up. There’s a decent time jump between the two books, and we follow Luke Doomsday, who was a boy during the previous novel. But the intrigue and drama and passion pick up without missing a beat, and I love seeing queer romance (with a HEA!) acknowledged as a part of history.

Luke and Rufus are complete opposites, but utterly charming in their own ways. The rule-following, former military man who discovers he’s an earl and the son of smugglers, whose own grasp of the rules is much looser. They’re working together out of necessity to prove Rufus is the true earl and keep his cruel uncle from claiming to be the heir. But their attraction creates sparks from the first page they’re together, and it’s obvious they’re going to be so much more than employer and secretary. Their scenes are spicy and romantic in turns, and both sides of the coin totally work for these two.

When there’s a mystery to solve, I love trying to get ahead of the narrative and figure it out. Usually I can make a pretty good guess. But the beauty of this book was that just when I was cheering myself for figuring one thing out, the other shoe dropped and there’s another surprise I couldn’t have predicted. The pacing is great, the plotline is fun and dramatic and will keep you guessing. There are surprises up until literally the last page, which was almost too much for me, but ultimately was the perfect ending for these two characters and their story.

I’d jump back into Romney Marsh anytime. The leads are charming and you can’t help but root for them, even when they’re making terrible choices. The supporting characters are so well crafted, whether they’re wonderful or so obnoxious I can’t stand reading their scenes. This world is just so much fun.

I have enjoyed every book I have read by this author and this one did not disappoint. This book was spicy and full of conflict. I am a huge fan of found family and this has that in spades. This one will also get you in the feels. I just loved it. I cannot wait to read more from this author. Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

I found it really cute! I definitely think I was like... unready for this. I read the description I found it cute. I was like why not. Read it and honestly my only thing is that I want this to be me.

Consider me thoroughly SEDUCED!!!

A Nobleman’s Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel by K.J. Charles and
narration from Martyn Swain released today!!

The Doomsday family is back, and this time it’s the younger generation is up to no good and finding love along the way!

There’s a new Earl on the marsh and he has had nothing but trouble after inheriting. His uncle has protested his inheritance in every way possible… to no avail. Even so, his uncle’s family continues to live with him and plague his very existence.

The only relief comes in the form of another usurper of the title, Luke Doomsday. His claim is flimsy, but since he’s already at the manor, he might as well put his secretarial skills to use and assist the current Earl of Oxney.

Oxney finds an ally in Luke, and their liaison only grows from there… and at the moment they finally recognize each other as essential to their happiness, Luke’s secrets are revealed and puts into question their entire relationship.

This is such a sweet story of two lost souls finding each other, and realizing that they can’t exist in the world by themselves. They need people and in specific, each other. I loved watching both Oxney and Luke figure out what is most important to them and shift their priorities to make that a reality.

Thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca for my ebook review copy. Opinions are my own.

#ANoblemansGuidetoSeducingaScoundrel #KJCharles

This is a review of the audiobook.

I've yet to come across a KJ Charles book I didn't enjoy reading. Her historical romances always have plenty of intrigue and action alongside a good plot. A Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel was no different. It had all those elements, as well as the inclusion of some gothic vibes.

The plot of A Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel was fairly straightforward, but I was invested almost immediately. The first main plot thread involved the machinations of the earl's family to oust him from his position. The aunt and uncle were truly insufferable and just downright horrible people. I wanted Rufus to throw them out with nothing so, so bad. The story also focused on a treasure hunt inside the family manor, which connected to the first book. I think it took a little too long for this part of the story to become important. Adding some scenes of treasure hunting in the first half of the book would have helped break up the relentless family drama a bit.

While the first book in this series took the characters on a wild adventure throughout Romney Marsh, A Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel felt more subdued. Most of the story takes place inside the manor. I really loved the descriptions of the old house, and the setting in general. However, the writing didn't give me the gothic atmosphere I wanted. I wish the author had leaned a bit more into creating those vibes. I did love the focus on family, though, as well as how the story explored the lasting emotional impacts of the events from the first book. The confined setting, along with the emphasis on the characters' inner journeys, made the reading experience an intimate one.

Little Luke was all grown up in A Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel. I became so attached to his character in the first book, and I loved getting to continue following his story as an adult. Unsurprisingly, the horrible things that happened to him as a child left some serious scars, both physical and mental. He still had some unresolved conflict with the Doomsdays to put to bed, and boy did he ever know how to hold a grudge. lol. He also used some fairly shady methods to get the restitution he thought he deserved, which caused all sorts of delicious drama.

Rufus, the Earl of Oxney, was in so far over his head. He had no idea how to run the manor, and his family was driving him bonkers by thwarting his attempts to fix things at every turn. I really liked Rufus. He was a good man down to his very core and wanted to do best by all the people depending on him, even the ones who wanted to see him fail. He had a bit of a temper, but it was mostly because he cared so much that people being mistreated really bothered him.

Luke arrived at the manor and ingratiated himself quickly by using his superb skills as a secretary to help put things in order. The relationship between Rufus and Luke was the star of A Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel. Rufus provided Luke with the safety and love he's always craved, and Luke helped Rufus see that people were complicated and messy with both good parts and bad parts, which challenged Rufus' black and white view of the world. Their partnership helped each of them grow and changed things at the manner for the better. As always, Charles also wrote hot steamy scenes that provided a beautiful window into the emotional lives of the characters.

Overall, A Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel was a great second installment in The Doomsday Books series. I'm not sure if there will be more, but I'd definitely read them. The dynamic between Rufus and Luke had great chemistry, and the treasure hunt in the ramshackle manor was fun to read. I just wish the gothic vibes had been enhanced and the treasure hunt had played more of a role in the first half of the story. Therefore, I rate this book 4.25 out of 5 stars.

I loved A Nobleman’s Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel. It is a sequel to The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen, set several years later. In Secret Lives, Luke Doomsday is an adolescent, the abused and neglected nephew of Joss, whom Gareth saves. In Nobleman’s Guide, Luke is an adult, educated and working professionally as a secretary. Major Rufus d’Aumesty has unexpectedly (to the rest of the d’Aumesty family) inherited the title of Earl of Oxney. After a year of defending his inheritance from his uncle, Rufus is trying to get a handle on the very neglected estate. The war for power continues within the manor house though as his uncle and aunt still control the servants. Rufus’ uncle brings in Luke to undermine Rufus’ claim to the title, but Luke isn’t there to disinherit Rufus, he is looking for treasure.

There’s some of the honest/twisty dynamic from The Will Darling Adventures happening between Rufus and Luke. Rufus is kind and honorable, but gruff and shouty. Luke sees that Rufus is flailing in his attempts to wrest control of the estate from his aunt and uncle, and offers to work as Rufus’ secretary. The two men become allies and watching them work together while also pining for each other is a joy.

I loved The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen. While reading Nobleman’s Guide I thought a lot about the different ways to love a book. Secret Lives engaged my imagination and intellectual curiosity. Nobleman’s Guide went right for the heart. It has a little bit of murder mystery to it, but the focus is on healing past hurts. Luke was scarred physically and emotionally by his father, and even though Joss and Gareth gave him a home, love, and security, that didn’t erase the damage done. Rufus has his own hurts, but he is kind hearted and generous.

I don’t have an issue with 3rd act break ups in romances, as long as they make sense. The break up here made sense, and happened early enough that they are able to repair the relationship in a way that made them stronger individually and as a couple. I wanted so much for them to find joy and happiness with each other. I got everything I wanted out of this book. It was such a joy to read.

CW: Mental and physical abuse of a child in past, sexual assault in past, parental abandonment, verbal abuse by a parent on page (challenged), off page murders in past, toxic families, attempted murder on page, claustrophobic spaces.

I received this as an advance reader copy from Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.

Luke Doomsday has held on to a lot of grudges in the 13 years that went by since The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen. Thankfully, in Rufus, he finds the perfect balance to pull him into the present. I couldn't be happier with this incredibly paring! After what happened to him as a child (so yes, you should read book 1 before this, as a lot of Luke's everything makes more sense if you know exactly where he comes from), he deserves his rainbow over the marsh. (You'll get if when you read the book :))
And as for Rufus... He is one of the nicest people ever (and damend if his family doesn't try very hard to make his life hell), and seeing him and Luke together is just everything!

Another perfect historical romance from K.J. Charles! A perfect blend of gothic atmosphere, humor, and heart.

This is the second book in the Doomsday Book series. This book was fabulous and getting to see Luke from the first book in the series all grown up was just a bonus. I loved the first book in this series, so I was thrilled when I heard about this book. The characters are spot on and the pace is wonderful, it is hard to stop reading. I loved how the author wrapped up some of the mysteries in the first book with this story.

As should surprise absolutely no one, I adored every minute of this book. KJ Charles has such a way with words, and is so deft at creating characters who are either utter scoundrels (with good hearts) or thoroughly honest and good, and then bringing them together to complete each other.

I was expecting a continuation of Gareth's and Joss' story, though I was puzzled as to how she was going to manage that, and was surprised to find a time jump and Luke as one half of the featured couple. I quickly came to love that choice. Rather than putting more obstacles in the way of Gareth's and Joss' happiness, we get snapshots of their continued contentment as Luke and Rufus find theirs.

The mystery of the ten thousand guineas does get wrapped up, but otherwise it's a totally new story, and a very satisfactory one. I love the found family Luke and Rufus are beginning to build with his cousins.

I loved every minute of it and have preordered the audio so I can listen to it again once it comes out. (And probably fairly frequently after that, given my track record with KJ Charles' books.)

I loved how Luke and Rufus together managed to slowly bring Berengaria and Odo and Fulk around to their side and recognize their value as the story progressed. I think they'll all be quite happy together.

Absolutely recommend to anyone who falls for lovable rogues and brutally honest characters with good hearts falling in love despite themselves. It was utterly delightful. I loved it.

The characters are wonderful and complex and the way Luke and Rufus come together and complement each other perfectly while still having plenty of arguments and disagreements feels very real. KJ Charles is a master at characters who are perfect for one another despite appearances. Of course it always takes them a while to come around to the fact.

The audiobook performance was once again excellent. The narrator does a fabulous job bringing the characters and events to life and each character has a distinct and recognizable voice.

This, along with the previous book, are going onto my 'absolute favorite comfort reads' shelf. I know I will listen to them again and again - which, to be fair, is what happens with *all* of KJ Charles' books.

*Thanks to NetGalle, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and Dreamscape Media for providing an early copy for review.

What I most enjoyed about Charles’s first Doomsday book, The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen, was the descriptions of Romney Marsh’s ‘scape, flora, and fauna. Her second Doomsday book, on the other hand, A Nobleman’s Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel, has an enclosed, mainly interior setting: a crumbling manor, a wracked and ruined estate, a feuding family, gothic atmosphere galore and, suddenly, an order-making secretary, blond, capable, witty Luke Doomsday. He was my favourite secondary character from Secret Lives and I loved seeing him grown up and getting his HEA.

In gothic mystery fashion, things with Luke aren’t what they appear; the publisher’s blurb offers further details:

Major Rufus d’Aumesty has unexpectedly become the Earl of Oxney, master of a remote Norman manor on the edge of the infamous Romney Marsh. There he’s beset on all sides, his position contested both by his greedy uncle and by Luke Doomsday, son of a notorious smuggling clan.

The earl and the smuggler should be natural enemies, but cocksure, enragingly competent Luke is a trained secretary and expert schemer—exactly the sort of man Rufus needs by his side. Before long, Luke becomes an unexpected ally…and the lover Rufus had never hoped to find.

But Luke came to Stone Manor with an ulterior motive, one he’s desperate to keep hidden even from the lord he can’t resist. As the lies accumulate and family secrets threaten to destroy everything they hold dear, master and man find themselves forced to decide whose side they’re really on…and what they’re willing to do for love.

While Charles’s Nobleman–Scoundrel doesn’t possess the evocative setting of Secret Lives (I adored Gareth’s walks through the marsh’s infinite variety), I enjoyed Luke and Rufus’s banter, as well as their relationship’s evolution. Charles has done the opposites-attract trope proud with these two. Luke is self-contained and supremely, frighteningly competent while Rufus struggles with focus, attention, and reading. Luke’s care for Rufus, manifested as “competent secretary,” sees him rewrite and reformat estate documents to help Rufus read them. Luke brings order to Rufus’s grappling with a new role, responsibilities, and a neglected estate; while Rufus, former military officer, offers Luke a sense of belonging and protection he craves. It makes for a terrific romance journey.

Thus far, I’ve given Luke an edge of being the “with-it” one, but we soon realize Luke struggles too: with identity as an illegitimate son, never quite believing he belongs to the Doomsdays (it’s a joy to see them prove him wrong; nothing like someone storming to your defense to make life better) and the great “blow” of his life, his scarred face, a “gift” from his father. As able as Luke is, he also has ulterior motives for being at Rufus’s Oxney manor. They come from a place of inferiority and uncertainty and make him morally ambiguous. (Luke’s story dominates the novel’s second half.)

To follow, in the last third, a spectacular betrayal, a-one memorable, and Luke loses the thing he’s felt he’s never had: being loved and comforted, someone to laugh with and work with and build a life with (the love scenes are intense too: like TMI for my taste, so you’ve been warned). It’s hard to see how Luke can redeem his decisions/actions, but he buckles down and does everything he can. He’s blessed Rufus is as kind and loving as Luke is competent. Luke weeps A LOT; eventually, Rufus offers a shoulder and many clean handkerchiefs. In the end, Luke’s story is more coming-of-age and Rufus’s is of a man who never thought to have much of a personal life finding a glorious love. I quite liked them both and was happy with how things worked out, including an impressive grand gesture on Luke’s part.

Finally, I loved how Charles’s plays with classic gothic tropes. Luke is a reader of gothic novels like Maturin’s Melmoth the Wanderer. To bring the narrative threads together, Charles writes a scene of suspenseful gothic proportions, the stuff of nightmare, only to end, in true romance fashion, with an HEA and vindication. I’m not loving Regency Charles as much as I love WWI and post-WWI Charles, but she’s still great at banter, great scene-setter, and steers the narrative with a wonderful hand. With Miss Austen, we agree A Gentleman’s Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel offers “real comfort,” Emma.

KJ Charles’s Gentleman’s Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel is published by Sourcebooks Casablanca. It releases today, Sept. 19th. I received an e-galley, from Sourcebooks, via Netgalley. This does not impede the free expression of my honest opinion.