Gentleman Jim

SOMEBODY HOLD ME!

So, as standard, I got super excited when I saw the new Mimi Matthews book on Netgalley. It was approved for me to read almost immediately and I had to tell myself, very sternly, that 2am was not an appropriate time to start a new book. I knew I wouldn't be able to put it down and I was right!

As is always the case when I finish reading one of her books, I am convinced that these two may be favourite pairing yet (although, again, I say that after literally every single Mimi Matthews book).

This story is heartbreaking and uplifting all in one breath and, despite the fact that I knew Ms. Matthews would not let me down, I worried that there was no happy ending in store for Nicholas and Maggie.

I admit, I did doubt whether Maggie was right to begin with, purely because of how things were written from St. Clare's side of things but, like Maggie, I hoped soooo badly that she wasn't mistaken!

I loved Allendale and was thrilled to see Jane get her happy ever after too (I was shipping her and Mattingly hard when I was sighing over Nicholas).

Mimi Matthews is up there with the likes of Lisa Kleypas, Julia Quinn and Eloisa James in my all time historical romance authors playlist and this book just solidifies the reason why I get so bloody excited every time I see a new release of hers!

Yesterday I was blessed by the NetGalley gods and Perfectly Proper Press with an e-ARC of Mimi Matthews’s new Regency Romance, Gentleman Jim.

This was my first Mimi Matthews, and certainly not my last. For the past few months I’d been kind of circling her work, but not really diving in because I am a shameless hussy who loves smut and I had heard her books are *clean*. I really enjoy her Twitter presence, and her depth of knowledge on the Victorian era, but I just could not move past the lack of smut.

Wow do I feel stupid currently for having put off her books for so long. Gentleman Jim was such a joy for me! I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump for the past few weeks, and have been unable to get interested enough to finish any of the books I’ve been picking up lately. That was not the case with Gentleman Jim; I was immediately sucked in and in fact getting really annoyed at anyone that needed my attention and made me book down the book.

I adored all of the references to The Count of Monte Cristo and The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling. Not to mention both the heroine and hero had amazing chemistry and depth, I felt they leapt off the page!

I’m going to re-read and then come back with a bit of a longer post really getting into the nitty-gritty, as we get closer to the publication date.

Gentleman Jim is due out November 10, 2020.

I was provided an ARC by NetGalley and Perfectly Proper Press in exchange for a fair and honest review.

https://fleawithadegree.tumblr.com/post/627196499771752448/first-thoughts-on-gentleman-jim-by-mimi-matthews

Just when you think Mimi Mathew's books are already perfection, she writes another one that is more amazing than all the rest. Gentleman Jim is action-packed, romantic, and nail-bitingly suspenseful.

Maggie is a headstrong spunky daughter of a squire who is always hanging out with the bastard-born Nicholas Seaton. He has always had her love but her father means for her to marry the neighbor's son, Fred. Nicholas is framed by Fred and flees for his life.
A decade goes by and Nicholas has still not returned but Maggie can not give her heart to another. When the Viscount St Clare comes to town, Maggie sees secrets from the past hidden behind his eyes that others can't see.

There is so much going on in this book I did not want to put it down. I read it in a day. It was that good!
Nicolas and Maggie reminded me of Anne and Wentworth. You just know they were meant to be together.
This book is an absolute must-read! I can already guarantee I will be rereading it for years to come.

This was my FAVORITE Mimi Matthews book yet! I've said it before and I'll say it again: There is no need to read any other authors of regency romance except Jane Austen and Mimi Matthews.

Oh My.....My Gosh.....Dang Girl! Man alive that was a good romance! Swooning, sighing and so happy and sad it's done. Mimi out did herself with this one. There was tension and romance on every page. I never felt for one moment I was not getting thoroughly entertained. I did not want to put this down, I was so mad when I had to go to work. Set this aside if you have that kind of will power and wait till you have a whole Sunday or Saturday to read this. I have loved almost all of Mimi's books, but this is by far my favorite. The two leading characters were so well done. The love story pulls you in from the first pages and doesn't let you go. I was so worried and really wondering at one point and then it all began to click together and I could see how it would all work out. It is a rare author that can get me to feel stressed that things won't work out. I also love how real it all is that you can see that everything won't be sunshine and roses but if the choose they can make the best of it. So wonderful! I can't say enough good:} Mimi if you ever need a cheerleader just message me girl, you are a new favorite of mine.

I loved it! What a tale! We all know that romances have HEAs, but this time I genuinely was not sure how they could possibly have an HEA. So beautifully written and wonderfully compelling. I devoured this book in a matter of hours.

Oh. My. Goodness.

Everytime I read a Mimi Matthews book, I feel so content and fulfilled by the end of it. I know that the whole promise of the romance genre is to deliver that HEA, but a Mimi Matthews story does it with a grace that just sweeps me away.

Her newest book, releasing Nov 10, is the story of Maggie and Nicholas. It's childhood friends, first love, and forbidden love tropes from the start but then turns into much more. Maggie is the daughter of a country squire and Nicholas is the stable boy. Neighbor Fred also grows up with them, the son of a Baron, and he despises Nicholas and wants Maggie for himself. Fred schemes to frame Nicholas for theft, and Maggie helps him escape. Nicholas disappears to search for his legendary highwayman father, Gentleman Jim. That's all in the prologue.

It's 10 years later, and Maggie is being "forced" through her father's will to marry Fred or lose everything. She has 6 months to find her way out of the mess. She visits a friend in London where she meets Lord St. Clare. He's a mysterious grandson of an Earl who was born and raised in the continent and returns to the ton to find a wife. And Maggie is positive he is Nicholas. He assures her that he is not.

This book has adventure, mystery, multiple villains, and so much heart. Maggie is a great main character who has found herself in a tough spot but fights for her own happiness. There's definite nods to The Count of Monte Cristo and Tom Jones in the story, which adds to the feeling of reading an epic and classic love story. I highly recommend any book by Mimi Matthews, and this is one of her best!

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

Mimi Matthews has more talent in her little finger than most writers can eek out in a lifetime. Her stories are always super entertaining, compelling, and swoony; Gentleman Jim is no different. This book has all the elements a reader looks for and then some. I will note, however, a slight trigger warning for some. Because of the Count of Monte Cristo themes, there is some gaslighting going on by the hero to the heroine. This made me slightly uncomfortable, although I knew why he did it. But for someone that’s been a victim of gaslighting before, they may have a problem with this element of the book.

Another excellent read by Mimi Matthews!

I first started reading this story when the author shared the serial chapters on her blog. I quickly became engrossed in it and was very happy when she announced the novel.

Nicholas and Maggie practically grew up together but were then separated. It's been 10 years since he left and Maggie has never heard from him again. Imagine her surprise when she goes to meet Viscount St. Clare and she finds Nicholas. Only St. Clare denies he's Nicholas Seaton. He's the grandson of the earl of Allendale and has never heard of the man Maggies thinks him to be.

I loved the story, the hints to The Count of Monte Cristo, to the past between Maggie and Nicholas, and the new attraction between her and St. Clare, and the new friendship that forms from there. There's a lot at stake for Maggie and St. Clare and even though it would be better for them to stay apart, the more time they spend together, the more they can't deny their feelings.

As I've come to expect, it's beautifully written and expertly researched. The settings and secondary characters complete the story but of course it's Maggie and St. Clare who are perfect for each other.

The epilogue was a treat!

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

As always Mimi Matthews never disappoints. She has crafted another captivating and intriguing romance that kept me turning the pages. The story was so unique compared to her other novels, but equally as good. St. Claire is one of the most complex heroes that I have read from this author. She really knows how to capture the essence and emotions of characters and transfer them to the pages. The romance in this story was slightly less I would say than her previous books, but was completely fitting for the story that was told. I loved this book and would absolutely recommend it to historical romance fans!

Wonferful! I don't know how she does it book after book, but this was amazing. I've loved every Mimi Matthews book I have read. She never disappoints.

5 stars

Excellent story and a clean read for those that are bothered by such things. Nicholas and Maggie have been childhood friends and as teenagers the romance was hotting up. Fred, the local squires son, is jealous, a bully and frames Nicholas who believes he's the illegitimate son of a highwayman: Gentleman Jim of the title. In dire straits, Maggie helps him flee. Ten years later she meets someone who she believes is Nicholas and thus the story progresses. The tale is well told and engaging. I like Mimi's work and I heartlily recommend this tale.

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

"Gentleman Jim" is an engrossing Regency romance by Mimi Matthews. Gentleman Jim is central to the plot of this novel, as was Rebecca in Daphne Du Maurier's "Rebecca". However, this story does not have that sinister gothic tone.

Maggie Honeywell, called a "Pocket Venus" -I love that moniker- during her long ago first Season, has eschewed all suitors, faithful to the long-absent love of her life, Nicholas Seaton. Upon meeting Viscount St. Clare, Maggie is shocked. She believes he is her long lost soulmate Nicholas, something the Viscount denies.

The plot moves along quickly, and the resolution is thankfully hard to predict. This is a serious novel, although Jane Trumble's Aunt Harriet provides some comic relief. The characters are well-developed, even Frederick Burton-Smythe, a bully as a child who remains so as an adult. John Beresford, Viscount St. Clare is really just looking for "home"; he reminds me a bit of Alex Archer in "A Convenient Fiction".

Matthews' prose is always a delight. This book is clean, well-edited, and historically accurate.

Thanks to NetGalley and Perfectly Proper Press for an ARC of this wonderful novel.

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. This was another great read by Mimi Matthews! The characters of Nicolas and Maggie has such great gristh, dialogue, and chemistry I was cheering them on from the first page. This was a very clean romance that still conveyed the desire each of the main characters had for the other. I enjoyed the nods to the Count of Monte Cristo throughout. I would love a separate novel about Fred and his wife or Mattingly and Jane. Wonderful 5 star read!!!;

A groom and a Viscount. Could they possibly be the same person?

Gentleman Jim by Mimi Matthews is an emotional, cross-class historical romance where characters had to face their choices and fight to become who they wanted to be without losing their essence.

Our thanks to the author and NetGalley for the advanced reader's copy.

Nicholas Seaton was a groom in a country estate in Somerset, England. He was the son of a scullery maid and an unknown man, but it was said that he was the bastard son of a rogue called Gentleman Jim.

Raised without love, Nicholas found in Margareth Honeywell, the daughter of the estate owner, an unexpected friend. She meant the world to him, but their class difference was an insurmountable barrier.

When unjustly accused of theft, Nicholas fled Somerset, and Margareth never saw him again.

Years later, Maggie was on the verge of succumbing to her neighbor's marriage proposal to keep possession of her estate when she met Lord St. Claire.

St. Claire strongly resembled Nicholas, but he was a Viscount, grandson of the Earl of Allendale.

I loved all the mystery around Lord St. Claire and how complex was his relationship with Maggie and his Grandfather.

Maggie was lovely, so full of energy and loyalty. It hurt me to see the situation she found herself in. I connected to her from the beginning and enjoyed every minute of her journey to HEA.

Mimi Matthews is one of my favorite authors, and Gentleman Jim is another winner for me.

Highly Recommended!

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

*This review will be posted on https://lureviewsbooks.com on 11/10/2020*

Maggie is the only child of a well to do landowner and Nicolas is a lowly groom. Usually I am not a fan of romances between servants and their upper class employers; the social and education differences, society’s acceptance and the unequal power seem too great to overcome. Because of the headstrong, stubborn Maggie, the equally determined Nicolas and their deep love, this romance was believable.

The mystery of Gentleman Jim, Nicholas‘ transformation, Maggie’s wonderful spirit and the villains kept me up reading into the night. Another wonderful historical romance from Mini Matthews

I absolutely loved this historical romance! I was hooked from the very beginning and could not put this down! This is the first book I have read from this author and I can't wait to read more.

Mimi Matthews' books should be on an IV drip into my veins. So when a new one comes out it just gets replaced and I can just feed off it until the cycle repeats.

This book was intriguing when I read Chapter One after finishing her most recent book. I have a secret obsession with books with heroes with hidden identities, or people trying to rebuild themselves.

Let me just say, Mimi keeps outdoing herself that I finish each book asking how she is going to top the situations, the romance, the characters.

Her women are always my favorite. Maggie/Margaret is someone who can level with men, shoot a man's hand, and could probably wrestle a man to the ground and put him in a headlock. She is that cool and someone you just absolutely gotta love. Nicholas is the perfect match for her, and honestly, the book had me second-guessing and confirming, then second-guessing and confirming. Shows how good she can write intrigue.

I recommend this book when it comes out if you enjoy Count of Monte Cristo, friends to lovers, adventure, and intrigue

First sentence: Beaten and bloody, Nicholas Seaton sat on the straw-covered floor of the loose box, his legs drawn up against his chest and his forehead resting on his knees.

Premise/plot: Margaret Honeywell is head over heels in love with Nicholas Seaton. The problem? Well, he's an illegitimate child of notorious 'Gentleman Jim' and she's the daughter of a wealthy squire. Though they come from different classes, both feel the other is home. When a bully--and her father's pick for her future husband--frames Nicholas Seaton for a crime he didn't commit--theft--Margaret helps him escape in the night before he can be brought before the magistrate and punished. Will she ever see him again? Can she bring herself to marry another?

Flash forward ten years and Margaret Honeywell just has months left to find a husband before she loses everything to that same old bully--Frederick Burton-Smythe. The problem? Well, he has the final say in who she marries. And he has a mind to marry her himself. (Of course he does.) Of course, there's also the fact that she is still very much broken hearted over the man who never came back home--Nicholas.

When she hears that Frederick Burton-Smythe is going to be fighting a duel...against an opponent who has skills...she realizes her position. IF he dies what will happen to her? There's no reasoning with him--she's had most her life to try to talk sense to him--but what about this other fellow, Lord St. Clare???

There meeting is enough to take her breath away...

My thoughts: Gentleman Jim is a Regency Romance. It opens in 1807, but most of the book occurs in 1817. It is a thoroughly satisfying romance. If you like regency romance or historical fiction in general, then this one might prove worth your time.

Is it a clean read? I'd say it was more PG-13. It's more steamy kisses fade to dark.

I think it would make an awesome movie!!!

This is a great read! Mimi Matthews has once again written a story that is romantic, thrilling and well planned out . Her characters always unique and spirited! I loved that Maggie and St. Clare's story was not predictable. Maggie was so stubborn, resourceful and quick thinking. St. Clare was protective, very physical and had a temper. But it was a story full of love and tenderness.
I loved every line and the story even ended very satisfyingly! The bar fight scene especially was a great romp! And the villain was great. I recommend it highly!
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley . The opinions are entirely my own.

Gentleman Jim
By Mimi Matthews
I was a pleasure to read and review Gentleman Jim. Gentleman Jim is a story of patience and redemption. Childhood friends who are separated by society’s rules and cross paths again.
The uncertainty as to how the author was going to solve the problems that separated them had me on the edge. But the author is a genius, and all worked out: justice, love, redemption.
M. Matthews has a way of being so descriptive with her characters that you can easily picture everything in your mind. Gentlemen Jim is a cross between Gift of the Magi and The Count of Monte Christo. It is a very good read. I truly loved this story.

Margaret Honeywell lost her childhood sweetheart, Nicholas Seaton, due to the actions of Frederick Burton-Smythe, the neighbour that her father intended for her to marry and unite the adjacent estates. She has spurned all advances in the hope that Nicholas would return to her but now feels that she has to fulfil her fathers wishes and marry the odious Fred to save her beloved estate. John Beresford, Viscount St. Clare has returned to London to satisfy his grandfather’s wishes to marry and continue the family line. However, he is stunned to encounter Margaret and can’t seem to stay away from her despite the danger to himself and his future. Entrancing story, another beautifully written and entertaining story from Mimi Matthews. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Every time I see Mimi Matthews has a new book coming, I can't wait to read it! She brings her readers such great stories from her marvelously talented pen. And this one is no exception. It just might be my favorite. But then, I think that with each book she writes. I am just a forever fan.

The opening chapter sells you on the book at once, and then the more you read, the deeper you are drawn into the story. This Regency is so well done and the characters, as usual with Matthews, leap right off the pages. I think I fell in love a little with St. Clare myself! His character was so heroic, chivalrous, courageous, romantic (oh!) that a girl just can't help from loving him. And Miss Maggie Honeywell did, as a young girl, and as a grown woman. She never stopped loving him. That's what made their story so precious: they knew from childhood they were meant for each other. I loved every single minute. Totally. I highly recommend this author.

*My thanks to Perfectly Proper Press for an advance copy of this book. The review is expressly my own.

Oh, what a love story -- and what a mystery. This is one of Mimi Matthews' best, and that is saying a lot because her books consistently soar. Well-researched and plotted, they draw the reader in and transport them to another time and place. Gentleman Jim is superb. We meet the main characters as children -- Margaret Honeywell is the daughter of a wealthy squire; Nicholas Seaton is a base-born servant, perhaps the son of highwayman Gentleman Jim. Yet Margaret is supposed to marry the son of a neighbor, Frederick Burton-Smythe, despite her friendship with Nicholas. They are torn apart in a particularly nasty manner and when the story resume, the vibrant, daring Margaret is older and a shadow of herself. She has been sick, stuck in the country and seems to have lost her spark. Enter John Beresford, Viscount St. Clare, back in England and dedicated to restoring his family's reputation. He meets Maggie, finally in London, and the two share an undeniable connection. This is where the mystery comes in, and along with it, a woman who remained true to her first love despite the circumstances of his disappearance. This is a woman who knows who to love. The unraveling of the mystery, the blossoming love story and the most satisfactory conclusion make this a must-read. Just wonderful But that's Mimi Matthews. (This is my opinion; I received an ARC from NetGalley.)

This is a good contender for my favorite book by Mimi Matthews. I’m very much stuck on the Orphans of Devon series, but this new book has made me doubt my rankings!

Maggie and Nicholas are childhood sweethearts, separated in their youth when he is framed for a crime by a jealous rival for Maggie’s affections, who is a bully of a higher social rank. She promises to wait for him, though, enduring her coming out, seasons in London, and threats of losing her home if she doesn’t marry the aforementioned bully. Then a Viscount appears, ten years later, and shakes everything up.

The book was very fun, something I would not normally say I about historical romances! I loved the tropes that showed up, but in creative ways. It was never just longing stares in ballrooms. There was a titillating highwayman scene, daring carriage rides in the park that courted scandal, and a standoff at gunpoint. It was great, and I particularly enjoyed the parallels to other novels. Mimi mentions that she was inspired by the Count of Monte Cristo, and it was apparent, but I could see shades of other books too, like Persuasion, in the long wait for true love, the male lead finding his fortune and worth, etc. Even the old Viscount seemed eccentric and temperamental, reminiscent of Emma’s father in Jane Austen’s classic. I loved these little connections to some of my favorite classic novels, at least within my own perception as I read.

I found Maggie to be one of my favorite lady protagonists of Mimi's, perhaps the most well-rounded and developed. She can shoot a pistol, ride horses, argue with and verbally best any man she meets in the book. At the same time, she is physically weakened by a strong bout of influenza she contracted years before the events of the book. The dichotomy of that vulnerability and her willful personality, determined to reclaim her agency and identity at every turn, was a delicious mix for me. It made her so human and relatable, as someone also very feisty but limited in daily life by a disabling physical injury.

As usual, there were the little touches that remind you you’re reading one of Mimi’s period romances – great attention to costuming detail, chaperoning, all sorts of etiquette, and you just end up fully immersed in the setting. I will absolutely read this again, and highly recommend it for those who like historical romances.

Absolutely my favorite of Ms. Matthew's stories so far. It kept me guessing for far longer than most books with hidden character backstories. So well-crafted and deftly honed character arcs. As always I am on the edge of my seat waiting for the next book from Mimi Matthews!

This is a fabulous historical novel that captures the romance of Jane Austen and the adventure and intrigue of Count of Monte Cristo. This prolific author once again swept me off my feet with her storytelling and plopped me back in time to meet a delightful cast of characters. For an avid fan of history this book was a veritable treat. Never once while reading the book could I guess how the author would resolve the obstacles in the hero and heroine’s path.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. This review is my honest opinion.

Good heavens. I don’t even know what to say. Gentleman Jim is more than I ever expected from author Mimi Matthews. I want to read it again, starting right now. So yeah... gotta go.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Count me as one of Mimi Matthews' die-hard fans! Gentleman Jim was fantastic...I'm pretty sure I read it in one day. (Yay for Saturday reading!) I loved how the story kept me guessing (one minute I was sure I knew what was up with John and the next minute I was all, "But wait...hmm...I don't know...") and it was paced so well. I so appreciate a story in which the plot moves along quickly enough to keep you turning pages but slows down in poignant moments to let you savor the romance and/or the emotional journey of the characters. And speaking of romance, this one has it in spades and it. is. splendid. LOVED IT!!

Mimi Matthews is the master of Victorian romance and Gentleman Jim is a perfect example. Maggie is a strong, lovable heroin who knows her own heart, regardless of what others try to press upon her. I love the backstory of Maggie and Nicholas and how their love surpasses all obstacles. I enjoyed the transformation of Viscount St. Clare and the way all the loose ends came together. The passion is tampered, but palpable, and thoroughly enjoyable. This story leaves you feeling warm and satiated from head to toes. You do not want to miss this one by Mimi Matthews.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own, freely given.

When I first read A Holiday by Gaslight I never knew it was going to start a love of all things Mimi Matthews. I can’t think of one of her books that hasn’t made me fall in love with the characters. The same can be said for Gentleman Jim. It doesn't disappoint.

Margaret Honeywell is the daughter of a wealthy squire. She is warm and kind and has a heart for Nicholas Seaton, a stable boy on her father’s estate, and rumored son of highwayman Gentleman Jim. They grew-up best friends and loving each other, but it has always been assumed that she was meant to marry her neighbor Frederick Burton-Smythe...not that she wants to, but her father has different plans. Jealous of Margaret and Nicholas’s relationship Fred ends up framing him and causing them to separate for many years. Margaret has never forgotten and 10 years later John Beresford, Viscount St. Clare appears. Someone who very much looks like Nicholas, someone she is convinced is him. What is the story between these men and what does the future hold for Margaret and her lost love?

I feel like Mimi Matthews always delivers. Her books are so enjoyable. Margaret is a intelligent heroine who doesn't jump to make stupid decisions. She is delicate and fierce and nobody’s fool. Nicholas is suave and sweet and has grown into a man that anyone would be proud of. The angst is there, but it doesn't overtake the story. It's not one of those books where you have to worry about waiting six chapters before something big is revealed or a secret is divulged... It's dealt with succinctly. The main characters are smart and you don't have to spend a lot of the book worried about unnecessary angst. This is a loving and beautiful story.

This book is definitely five out of five stars.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Perfectly Proper Press for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for my honest review.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Gentleman Jim is very different tonally from the previous Mimi Matthews book I read, and I found myself surprised by how much I still enjoyed it. While it still being on the sweet side in terms of steam level was a given, I was concerned about the parallels being drawn to works like The Count of Monte Cristo, and the subheading denoting the story one of “romance and revenge.” Revenge plots have never been my thing, and they almost always reflect badly on the “hero.”

But I need not have worried, as Matthews deftly handles these themes, while also managing to make it a believable sweet romance (although this is probably her most sensual, without being super-explicit). Nicholas/John is at heart a good person and he never fully loses that, even as he seeks vengeance against those who wronged him. There’s also a delightful mystery surrounding his circumstances and double identity, and I love the way that was conveyed.

Maggie is also a wonderful heroine, constantly fighting for her own happiness. I loved her unfailing belief in Nicholas also being John, even as he tries to deny it.

With lots of twists and turns, this is a compelling story that had me swept up in the sense of adventure and intrigue. It’s a delightful addition to Matthews’ catalog, and perhaps the one that will have the most broad appeal among historical romance readers.

5 perfect ⭐️
You know the sad feeling you get when your favorite author gives you her latest book and you finish it?? And you’re wondering how you can possibly read anything else?? That’s mmmeeee! How can anything compare??
It was wonderful. Her best work yet! But who am I kidding, all of her books are excellent! Matthews has done it again! *Sigh* I. Loved. It. A passionate, heartfelt, historical romance with all the things I love.... friendship, chemistry, angst, long glances and passionate kisses.
A romantic connection that cannot be explained, only felt!
Reading Matthews books are always a pleasure. The characters were well-developed and I can’t express enough how much I love the writing. If you’re like me, you will love it from beginning to end.
Quote from the book:
“His concerned gaze moved over her face. Every curve and contour was as precious to him as his own life.” 💗

This book lived up to the hype. It also had a exhilarating scene (brawl) that reminded me of the movie, The Quiet Man, starring John Wayne. Anybody else see this oldie? I can’t say enough how special this was. I wish so badly it could be made into a movie. I highly recommend this book. Ok, I’m done I think. I’m a happy girl. Thank you Mimi Matthews for blessing me with this precious book. Thank you for all of them.
Please don’t pass up this special gem, romance reader. I purchased my copy months ago. Happy Reading.

“There is neither happiness nor misery in the world; there is only the comparison of one state with another, nothing more. He who has felt the deepest grief is best able to experience supreme happiness.”
-Edmond Dantès, Count of Monte Cristo.

Thank you NETGALLEY and the publisher for this ARC, in exchange for my honest review. ♥️

What happens when you meet your soulmate as a child? What do you do when your beloved is of a lower class in Victorian England? Mimi Mathews answers these questions and tells a delightful tale of true love and happily ever after in her novel Gentleman Jim.

This novel is one of those romances that I crave. I couldn’t stop reading and read through in one sitting. I hung on every word that Mimi Matthews wrote. My emotions were all over the place. I just knew deep down in my heart that the first time Margaret met St. Clare that he was her true love. No matter how many obstacles muck things up, I knew it in my gut!

I was not familiar with Mimi Matthews when I chose this novel, but I can guarantee that I will be picking up more of her work. She is a great storyteller who knows how to hook the reader and not let go.

If I could have any wish granted, I would love to get a prequel of this book. I would love to know the story of Gentleman Jim and Jenny. I think this would make for a great read!

I am thrilled to award Gentleman Jim a full 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend this novel to anyone who loves cozy romance. The Victorian England setting makes for great drama.

The release of a new book by Mimi Matthews is always cause for celebration. It's like hitting the lottery...on Christmas! Each one is an absolute joy to read. Haven't read any of her work? Why not? Seriously, what is wrong with you?! Of course I jest (kind of). If you love romance in general and historical romance in particular, you will get lost in the beautiful stories created by this talented writer. If she is new to you, this is the perfect book with which to start, as it is a stand-alone story.

Margaret Honeywell is the daughter of a wealthy squire, said squire wanting his daughter to marry neighbor Frederick Burton-Smythe when she is grown. Maggie, however, wants nothing to do with him. Her heart and soul belong to Nicholas Seaton, a bastard who works for her father. Fred frames Nicholas for stealing Maggie's jewelry in order to get rid of him. Nicholas escapes with Maggie's help, and he's determined to find his reputed father, an infamous highwayman known as Gentleman Jim. Ten years later Maggie presumes that her love has died. Enter handsome and dangerous John Beresford, Viscount St. Clare. He is recently returned from Italy and is helping his grandfather restore family honor; a little revenge wouldn't go amiss, either. When Maggie meets St. Clare, she believes him to be someone else. St. Clare wants his revenge, but he cannot help but be drawn to fiery Maggie. Will they find the love they each crave, or will danger tear them apart?

SO. DARN. ROMANTIC. I'd swoon if I was the swooning type. This was such a beautiful story! Both the heroine and hero were strong characters, and neither overshadowed the other. Maggie was incredible - she was in mourning for two years and suffered from frail health after a dreadful bout of influenza, yet she never lost her boldness and strength. No withering wallflower was our Maggie! St. Clare was so focused on revenge and helping his grandfather keep his estate from falling into the hands of an odious cousin, yet Maggie's beauty and strength called to him. He was a hard man, but allowed Maggie to soften his heart. Besides passionate kisses, intimacy was behind closed doors. However, the passion was real; it was tangible and permeated the story. The romance was perfect, but we also had the excitement of a mystery, fisticuffs and even a duel. Dive into this divine book, and I guarantee you will be a fan of Ms. Matthews for life.

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.