A Society of Gentlemen Novel (Society of Gentlemen Series Book 1)

A new release from an autobuy author is always good news. That the new release is the first part of a three book series is just excellent.

Fashionable Indulgence is the first novel of the Society of Gentlemen series from K J Charles, a series following a group of friends with a story arc that continues over all three books while each volume concentrates on the development of one relationship. For those of us who like the whole story, the tale begins in The Ruin of Gabriel Ashley, initially released as part of the anthology Another Place in Time but also released as a short story.

This is historical fiction of the finest kind. It is set in the Regency period and so often the term Regency is applied to a particular set of props – tight pantaloons, highly polished hessians, high waisted frocks, marking ladies’s dance cards at opulent balls – with a focus solely on the relationship of the protagonists. It’s easy to forget that the term actually refers to the short but tense period between 1810 and 1820, when the country was enduring a horrible and protracted war, the King was too sick to reign so the country had no choice but to appoint his bloated pleasure-loving and ineffectual son as Regent to reign in his stead. England was at war with France until 1815 and after that, the uppercrust settled down to do some serious partying while the politically aware ground their teeth in fury at the injustice of the widespread poverty and social disruption.

Young Harry Vane’s parents always seemed to be one hop ahead of the law. Radical political agitators dedicated to the cause of democracy they were constantly on the run, and Harry had a price on his head by age twelve, guilty by association. Orphaned at 17 he was cared for by their radical friends, men and women who believed that the only thing to do with a broken society is to knock it all down and build it up along more egalitarian lines. Harry sort of agrees, but then he sort of wants a nice warm home, plenty to eat, and not to have to spend quite so much time avoiding arrest. While he might be on the books as a threat to the nation, Harry is the least fire-breathing of radicals so Harry is as delighted as his mentor Silas is gobsmacked when Harry is summoned to meet his ailing grandparent who intends to make him heir to a great fortune.

“I hate politics. I never want to hear about politics again. I want to be a gentleman-“

“Then do as I tell you.”

Enter the Ricardians, a group of discreetly gay gentlemen of the wealthier sort who support each other under the protective wing of Harry’s cousin Lord Richard Vane. Harry must not be allowed to embarrass the family so Lord Richard calls in an expert – Julius Norreys, perhaps the second most beautifully dressed man in London [the first is Richard but for that Cyprian the valet takes the credit. Julius is all Julius’s own work] but he definitely the foremost for manners, address and deportment.

Julius takes on the project with poor grace but finds himself warming to Harry, just as Harry finds he has a deep need to please Julius in every way. Both would like more but both are properly wary and Julius is very well aware of the responsibilities of being in a master-pupil relationship.

Will young Harry be able to shrug off his old political leanings, will he be able to take a wife, will he make a fool of himself amongst the sly wits of the ton, will he keep his hands to himself? Will Julius allow the steely veneer he assumed after the heartbreak of Waterloo to crack and show the sweet man within? Also – oh joy – who wants who dead?

This isn’t light fare. It’s a long book and has a lot of excellent ideas in it. There’s a fabulous cast of secondary characters, some of who will be examined more closely in subsequent books. I adore Lord Richard, gruff Silas the radical bookseller, foxy Cyprian, the delightful Verona. Quotable passages abound:

“If you can’t be happy, then be something else. Be useful, that would be good. Decorative, if you like. Selfish, if you must. But don’t whine about it.”

“He was wearing his new gray satin waistcoat, after all. If he fired his shot on it, the stain would never come out.”

All in all, as the start of a new series, this book is an absolute joy.

Reviewed by Sally for Sinfully...Addicted To All Male Romance

Synopsis

Harry Vane is a freedom fighter, seen as a radical, pushing back against the monarchy in favor of democracy. It's what he's known his whole life. His parents were leaders in the movement, and it follows that he would carry on their legacy.

But there's a secret of Harry's past that he doesn't know. He is descended from nobility. And he's the heir to a title and a fortune. Those aren't things that Harry ever set out for in life, but it does seem better than being arrested--or worse--if he refuses to go along with it and someone looks more closely at his activities.

Julius Norreys is assigned to help Harry make his way into society life. He's to teach him how to dress, how to act, and who to know. Although it quickly becomes clear that Julius may be more interested in working with Harry on how to undress. And Harry seems happy to oblige.

But there are a few obstacles in Julius and Harry's path. For one, Harry's grandfather expects him to marry the woman of his choosing. And Julius has made it clear he won't be kept on the side. And there's also the issue of Harry's past--and his radical friends--that he just can't seem to escape.
Review

I have become quite the fan of historicals by K.J. Charles. There's just something about the way the characters and the setting are written that pulls me right in. I can't seem to put the books down (indeed, I read this one in one sitting).

This start of a new series is no different. There's a rich world with a social context. There's strong character backstory and even some unexpected conflict. I certainly give this one a strong recommendation.

In a detail laden opening, the time and the political tumult of 1819 will play a large part in the story, and Charles is careful to give readers sufficient background to set their understanding for the story to proceed smoothly. And then we are off and running!

I couldn’t help but keep making references to Pygmalion (My Fair Lady) with Julius and Harry’s story, although Harry wasn’t quite on the streets selling flowers, his position and lack of connections, title and money made him very much the perfect recipient of the polishing up that Julius could provide.

Harry’s family is impoverished and radicalized, and always had a fascination and desire for more. While his ‘defection’ could have been seen as hypocritical for all he had known, his struggle with his beliefs and the new life and riches he so desperately wants is understandable and easy to understand. He’s not perfect, but he does have a heart and soul, and both are clearly apparent to readers. Julius, on the other hand, is a bit of a tough nut to crack: he’s a snob in every sense of the word, with a single glance he can accurately measure one’s wealth, position and upbringing. But then, it was the time when the smallest missteps in dress or deportment could mark you as coarse, unpolished, or worse; a fraud. So he sets out to polish and school Harry, giving him the gift of his knowledge and insight, as their relationship grows steadily from mentor to friend to lovers. His transformation from aloof and sarcastic man to one who could trust and share his biggest secrets was a wonderful arc and added greatly to the story.

These two grew and developed in a way that felt natural and plausible, all set against the background of political tumult and strife, social upheaval and the tyrannical grip of government and tonne. Readers are more familiar with the ballrooms and machinations of that rather rigidly constrained social group, never truly seeing the lives of those belowstairs or not invited into the drawing rooms. Charles balances the two with this story, giving potential and breath to an unusual and unconventional couple who are sure to enchant readers.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

"Because I love you. And you were so beautiful when you let me love you."

I love historical romance. I really do but I'm not going to lie, I don't read them nearly as much as I'd like to because I'm just not smart enough for the writing. True story. But I love them so much.

And dang, I just loved Julius and Harry so much. It was gradual but oh man, I fell so in love before I even realized it.

"Could we agree that we both behaved disgracefully, and leave it at that?"
"Will you kiss me if I say yes?"
"I'll kiss you whenever you want me to."
"I wish to God you would."

A gentleman and a (reformed) (ish) radical.
The rich guy and the poor guy.

Even though the gist of this story is Julius teaching Harry the gentleman ways, and that they were set apart in class, it just didn't matter. Nothing would have mattered because these two are meant for each other. No doubts about it.

Julius, oh that sarcastic a - - hole. He really was that and I loved every single bit of it. So cold at times. Or so it seemed. That is, until he finds himself falling for his friend's estranged, rebel cousin. Also, the more we get to know Julius, his past shines some light and a bit more understanding on his character.

Harry.
I just adored his character growth and him as a character, of course. I loved him from the shyness, vulnerability, and his almost need to please Julius to his growing confidence, bravery and pure naughty seductive ways.
For his heart and loyalty, even when it got him into a whole lot of trouble.

"You've needed a good hard fu.. as long as I've known you. Untouchable Julius." His tongue flicked out, over Julius's parted lips. "Why hasn't anyone given you a proper ride before now?"
"Nobody was sufficiently insolent,"

Together, these two are gorgeous.
Brilliant.
The gradual growth of their relationship; their emotions and true acceptance of what they are to one another.
They made me laugh, they made me swoon and melt and even hurt a little.
I just love them.

"You have entangled me so thoroughly that I doubt I shall ever be satisfied with solitude again. I am well aware that you are storm-tossed, my dear, I merely wish that you will permit me to give you a port when you need it." He kissed Harry, gently. "And I have rarely seen a more precious sight than you lying like a mountebank to save your friend."
"What?"
"Utterly shameless." Julius kissed him again. "Quite magnificent. I was so proud to stand with you. And talking of stands..." He moved his mouth to Harry's ear. "Next time you lie to agents of the crown, I insist you let me watch."
"Julius!" Harry spluttered, as teeth nipped his earlobe. "God, am I corrupting you?"
"Hideously."

A great story with an amazing set of characters.

Verona - while I was definitely wary of her came to be one of my favourite characters. She does not have it easy but continues to fight for the life she wants to live, the best way she can.

Cyprian - So freaking intriguing.

Ash - Loved him so much. He definitely gets a hard time from others but he was truly, a great friend. Especially to Harry.

Excited to read the other two books in this trilogy

"Historical romance is often hit or miss, since the authors have a tendency to use only what they've encountered in other historicals, particularly Regencies. KJ Charles is so thorough with her research, you feel transported rather than merely plopped down in a setting. The feel of the streets, the pulse of London at that time, the mannerisms, the speech patterns, the smallest details of fashion are all so beautifully accurate, so painstakingly verified, I never once felt the need to look up a possible anachronism. Add to that the specific time placement around actual events, and the setting becomes so much more than window dressing.
The characters are fully voiced and fully realized, always flawed as real people are, but with the growth one hopes to see in a romance. The despicable often becomes sympathetic as we're drawn farther and farther into the motives and machinations of a London in social turmoil. A beautifully paced and presented work, A Fashionable Indulgence hits all the right notes to render dry history a lovely, emotional tapestry."

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The intrigue behind the making or breaking of a gentleman in a very tumultuous time had me riveted to the read. KJ Charles takes the reader through the political unrest in both the government and the Ton as easily as silk slides through one's fingers--smoothly and luxuriously, and wanting more. The characters were well rounded and their background stories added to the intrigue to move the plot along at the nice pace.

This historical romance manages to balance out a love story, a social commentary, and a young man's coming of age, and do it well. I loved Julius - his veneer of perfection was clearly hiding something deeper, and I was fascinated to watch it revealed. I also enjoyed Harry. He was in a tough spot, and it was easy to sympathize with his desire after all the hard years, to live a life of ease. Harry's dilemma, choosing between a happy life and the deep ideals of his parents, had no easy solution, and that gave just a touch of bitterness to the romantic resolution.

Very strong Regency with authentic details, solid writing, and steamy m/m relationship. Assured writing from beginning to end and many plot twists make it an entertaining read.

An emotional and entertaining historical romance! I liked the characters a lot, and the plot held my interest throughout.

It features a character who doesn’t know he’s descended from a wealthy family suddenly thrust into high society, and coached by a dandy obsessed with high-quality garments. It’s well-researched and a delightful read.

Full disclosure #1: I won the audiobook of A Fashionable Indulgence via a Twitter contest run by the author. Full disclosure #2: I’m not a regular reader of historical or modern romance, but I’ve read some of K.J. Charles’ speculative fiction romance. I really enjoy the author’s style and decided to take a chance on a more traditional romance. I’m glad I did.

The plot of Indulgence is that old classic: poor young man (Harry Vane) finds out he’s the long-lost relative of a rich family and drama ensues as he has to decide what world he belongs in. In this tale, that sense of being trapped between two worlds is additionally complicated by the main characters’ homosexuality. KJ Charles very capably maintains the truth of being gay in the Regency era (or really, any era in modern history predating our own): it was a death sentence. At several points in the story, the drama hinges either on someone (usually main character Harry Vane) doing something publicly which will draw unwanted attention to their sexuality or on someone (usually other characters) holding himself back from doing the same.

Of course, if the only drama in the novel was the “will they or won’t they be exposed” sort, the book would get boring quickly. Most of the drama comes from the other aspect of Harry’s life: that he’s grown up poor and on the run thanks to the revolutionary ideas of his late parents and now must rely on Julian Norreys to learn how to fit in to “proper” society. Harry’s conflict is palpable in every scene, even the funny ones. His indecision about where he belongs, about how best to help his friends while still improving his own life situation, is what motivates the book’s key moments and it all flows very well. Subplots involving a few of the other ‘society’ members (they call themselves “the Richardians” after Harry’s cousin Richard) fill out the book and set up plots for the upcoming volumes in the series (except for one subplot that hinges on those characters’ appearance in a previous short story) without feeling intrusive or distracting from the main narrative.

The drama serves the romance well, giving us complications and misunderstandings that stand in the way of a happily-ever-after for Harry and Julius. The two characters are almost polar opposites: Harry is emotionally demonstrative where Julius is cold; Harry wants to trust everyone, Julius trusts no-one. Wondering if they’ll ever find enough common ground to reveal their mutual attraction and then watching how they navigate making that work with all of the conflict going on around them is the main thrust of the book, and Charles spools that story out at just the right pace to keep reader interest. And as is to be expected from a KJ Charles book, the sex scenes are equal parts hot and romantic.

The only character who really comes across a bit one-note is Harry’s bitter paternal grandfather, the arch-villain of the piece. He fulfills his role in the story, but never really rises above the level of stereotype. Every other major and supporting character has some nuance and personality to them and I look forward to seeing some of them developed in future volumes.

The narrator does a wonderful job of differentiating between characters, inflecting just enough differences in accent to help keep them all straight even when the dialogue tags don't make it obvious who is talking. I hope he'll be the narrator for the rest of the series.

This is my first historical mm and my second book by KJ Charles and I can honestly say I was just blown away by the exquisite beauty this story is.

It's a beautifully written, rich and very well research, detailed-oriented story about love and social customs and fashions and politics and intimacies of Regency London.

I loved, loved, loved everything about it. The romance was tender and clever and captivating. Harry and Julius were quite interesting and fascinating on their own but as a couple they were just a joy to read. Theywere total opposites but they fitted so well together and each gave the other of he desperately needed. Ms Charles plays with stereotypes and reader's expectation while developing Harry and Julius' romance - one has all the knowledge of social customs and fashion and war and being a gentleman, yet he is yet a novice when it comes to feelings and matters of the heart. The other is all about openness and sincerity and spontaneity, lacking in socail manners and grace, yet much more experienced in all wordly things.

I'm all team Harry here with his strong passion, love and loyalty, even sense of social justice. And Norrey was the perfect antidote to all that - darker, somehwat disillusioned, resigned and determined to forsake all adn any feelings. Harry restored his passion, his desire to live, to love, to experience life to the fullest.

The strong political aspect was not a burden as it could so easily be in romance. It complemented the love story adding depth and making it real. The reader felt an immediate participant in the events not just a casual observant.

The social background was essential to understand the conflict and all the tensions in the story and was very convincingly presented - being gay was not easy at the time; it was just as dangerous as being a seditionist.

Throughout the story Ms Charles skillfully played with the myth of Galatea and Pygmalion and this made it even more enjoyable fr me.

Recommended read for fans of historical romance!

This is book one of the Society of Gentlemen Series but I actually read it after book two (A Seditious Affair) and didn’t feel like that was a bad thing. I’m usually a stickler for reading books in a series in the proper order. However, A Fashionable Indulgence and A Seditious Affair pretty much take place at the same time. Each book is about a different couple but the timelines are parallel. Because of the overlap, and the fact that each book stands alone, it didn’t bother me that I read book two first.

The book blurb is great so please read it; I’ll concentrate the rest of my review on how the book made me feel.

Historical romantic fiction isn’t usually my first choice to read. However, I’ve found a couple of authors whose books are at or near the top of my must read list and K.J. Charles is one. Her attention to detail in her stories makes her books a pleasure to read. She knows how to evoke many different emotions and as a reader I felt like I was “in” the story.

Men having intimate relations with other men can get you killed during the time period this book takes place; Harry and Julius have to be very careful. The trials that Harry goes through to become a “gentleman” and Julius’ tutelage of him invoked all of my emotions. For me, a book that does this is a great one and A Fashionable Indulgence didn’t disappoint. I can’t wait to read the third book in this series.

I enjoyed Charles previous book - Think of England. It was romantic, filled with humor and a little intrigue. A Fashionable Indulgence sounded like it would be similar, despite being a new series and it was!

I really enjoy how this author writes relationships. It’s a bumpy path and they both make more than a few errors in judgment but her characters show plenty of growth by the end and you believe in their HEA.

Harry and Julius could not be more different and I loved how they came together. Plenty of (good) angst, sexy times and a wonderful supporting cast of characters made for another fun read by K.J. Charles. It dragged out a bit near the end and Harry started annoying me- but that's a minor complaint.

*4.5 stars*

Lesson learned: never doubt K.J. Charles.

There is no getting around the fact that the start of this book is sort of slow. At first, I was feeling a little iffy about the story and having a really hard time connecting to the characters, which was freaking me out because this author is usually SO on point... like ALL of the time.

Then things started to get interesting.

The plot of the book is deceptively simple. A poor man comes into a fortune and needs to be tutored in the ways of London high society. However, the author makes this story so utterly compelling and way more nuanced than you'd expect.

The character development really makes this story come alive. The MCs are such divided, flawed characters and I adored every bit of them. But as much as I loved Henry's rags-to-riches story, it was Julius who stole my heart. Julius was so contained, so in charge, that I just DIED with joy when Henry broke through that exterior, bit by naughty bit.

This series has so much potential. I liked how the side characters were included (and how their own individual stories were teased) but didn't take away from the main couple's story. K.J. Charles struck just the right balance.

The writing was sharp, the story was engrossing... I couldn't ask for anything more.

**Copy provided in exchange for an honest review**

Alexander Gordon, Harry's father, urged people to go against the government, wanting new laws for the people, the end of social differences, the end of injustice. At the time there was a war between the redcoats soldiers against the Blue Jackets police.
Silas, a friend of Harry's parents, advises the couple to leave because his son, even with only 12 years, could now be charged as an adult.

They then leave for Paris.
When Harry was 17, his parents die from cholera. Without family, Harry returns to London in search of help from old friends, the revolutionary friends.

Harry begins to sign the name of his father, Vane.

A man begins to search for him by his former name. Thinking it was someone from the old time, still wanting to arrest him, he tries to stay incognito.
But the search continues, and this time there were three men, one of whom Harry had met at the bar the night before and had talked.
Even that little chat gave men sure who he was.

One of these men was his father's cousin, Lord Richard Vane, and he brought Harry a bombshell news.
Harry was the heir of Gideon Vane, his proud grandfather, who only looked for in recent months because eight months ago he had lost another son and now found himself without an heir.

After living a life of deprivation, Harry would be able to have the luxury he has always dreamed.
His grandfather was not happy with what he found, so placing certain conditions in relation to Harry's behavior there on, he would be made into a gentleman, having a wardrobe and learning to behave as such.
For this task, just as happened in the famous book Pygmalion, was invited Julius Norreys.

While teaching Harry how to behave in society, Julius also showed the dirt that existed behind the scenes; the question of what to man everything was allowed and justified.
Richard Vane and friends were part of Quex, great club of select game. On the second floor, one of the rooms, Richard meets his friends privately. There, Harry meets the Ricardian, a group of men who gathered for their licencieux. Like everything else in society, if you act discreetly, everything was ignored.

Harry was no innocent in this regard. He had already some dates with other men, and when he meets Julius, he is delighted with his personality.
But Harry was still in test phase before his grandfather, and he needed to have a spotless reputation, and deny any anarchist friendship from the time his parents were alive.

There was much work ahead. He didn't want to miss the opportunity that life was giving him, but when he sees news in the newspaper that several revolutionaries were attacked and killed, he feels guilty for having given them away. And there was the huge attraction to Julius.
Could he be kept in two so different worlds and enjoy the best of each? Or would he give up everything, and even more of his love?

A story surrounded by secrets and conflicts. On the one hand the working society, demanding their rights, fighting for an egalitarian society, while the nobles wanted to continue with their luxurious lives without working. On the other, closely guarded alcoves, with their love nests prohibited by law but tolerated, provided they are kept out of sight.
A society in which differs little from the current time.
And Harry, as a person who has suffered so much and now have the opportunity to live without hardship, is obliged to make choices, to take sides, to be considered a traitor.

A romance with a great ending.
First time I read a historical gay romance and I did like.

5 stars.

A Fashionable Indulgence by K.J. Charles is the start of her new Regency series, The Society of Gentlemen. Harry Vane, son of socialist revolutionaries, has just discovered that he could be the heir to a fortune. But first he has to win over his grandfather, who has big plans for the young man, including marrying his cousin to keep the whole fortune in the family. But first he has to pass muster with society, a not inconsiderable task for a guy who not only has no experience of the upper crust, but had been actively raised to disdain it.

Enter Julius Norreys, a former soldier and current dandy, recruited by Harry’s relatives to outfit him properly and teach him the rules of being an aristocrat. Julius drills him on aristocratic relationships and titles, advises him on fashionable clothing choices and introduces him to the pleasures available to the relatively idle set. It’s all very My Fair Lady. What Harry and Julius did not expect was their strong mutual attraction.

One of the aspects of Charles’ writing I like best is that she doesn’t shy away from the difficulties inherent to love between two men in the various historical periods in which she writes. And yet she manages to give believable resolutions to the dilemmas they face, both social and legal. The relationships she writes about are never going to be exactly what we would hope for such lovely couples (since there are plenty of things they’ll never be able to do together within the strictures of their societies), but their happy endings are both credible and uplifting.

Charles also manages the subplot well, that of a series of raids on Harry’s former employer and friend by the government looking for Radical propaganda. It gives a great deal of context to the story (via history I had no idea of, like the Peterloo Massacre), but also serves as a major point of contention between the lovers provides a very real conflict of interest for Harry. There’s a moment in the story where I really did wonder and worry whether he might give up and go back to his old life. The whole book was completely engrossing, to the point where I was actually able to concentrate on it while my husband was having surgery. (For the record, it wasn’t serious, but it didn’t keep me from being crazy nervous.)

For history buffs and lovers of stories with realistic, believable conflict, I can’t recommend this book highly enough. And it looks as if the rest of the series will be similarly fraught with both political conflict and opposites-attract romances. Another 5 star read from K.J. Charles.

 
A Fashionable Indulgence, A Society of Gentlemen Novel, K.J. Charles
 Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre:  Romance, women’s literature
I adored K.J.Charles Magpie series so much that I was a bit concerned that it might overshadow this when I began reading. Once again it’s a historical read, but this time without the side of magic that made Magpie so entrancing for me. The characters here though as so well drawn, so vivid that I was soon pulled in to their world.
Harry – who couldn’t like him. He’s so enthusiastic even though control of his life has been out of his hands for most of the time, and he’s verged on losing his life due to his circumstances. He’s been supported by his parents radical friend Silas since they died, and he returned to England. Silas gives him work, though it isn’t just running the bookshop but helping with the printing of illegal leaflets.....What can he do though? He owes his life to Silas, was brought up by very radical parents, and its a time when one is stuck in the world one’s born into. Without money or work he can’t do anything else. Plus of course these are his friends and he feels loyalty to them. He believes that people should have more rights, more protection, and this kind of protest is all he can do. Then he gets a complete change of fortune, and is brought into a different world, the moneyed classes from which his father sprung. Last of the line, his grandfather wants to see it continued, and he seeks to mould Harry into someone worthy (in his eyes) of the Vane name, and wants him to continue it.
His grandfather Gideon is a very strict, conventional and harsh man, but before he settles money on Harry he wants him properly presented. Harry’s cousin Richard is tasked with making the change, and seems the help of his good friend Julius. When Harry sees Julius he’s astonished at his beauty, entranced by this man. Harry loves sex, with ladies or men, and has to work hard to keep his attraction to Julius secret. He doesn’t know that Richard and Julius belong to a secret group, the Ricardians, that share a love of men, illegal in this time, and so the need for secrecy is paramount. Then Harry sees something he shouldn’t and all is revealed.....
Julius, I so felt for him, such a lonely man ( in fact most of the characters are in a way, lots of stiff upper lips, hidden feelings, and outward shows of content that mask so much unhappiness – it’s going to be interesting to see the series develop, there’s lots of scope with this group). Julius is drawn to Harry’s simple happiness. He’s someone who’s had such a traumatic upbringing, is now pulled into a world in which he wants to belong but struggles to reconcile his radical thoughts, and yet he’s always happy, finds pleasure in such simple things. They make a great pair, him and Julius but they know once he’s engaged it all comes to an end. Richard has made that very clear, his help comes only while Harry is single. Then an arranged marriage gets put forward by Gideon, and poor Harry can’t face losing Julius...
Its a real heart wringer at times, not just from Harry and Julius, but from the other characters too. Men with desires forbidden by law and yet all they want to do is love and be loved...and there’s no prospect of change, so an unhappy future all round is faced. Harry’s fiancée seems to despise him, Julius will withdraw back to the shadow person he was before Harry came along, someone superficial and lost. Among all the romantic drama is also some real danger for Harry, from his prior upbringing that risks him losing everything. 
Once again its a fabulous read, that had me engrossed and really caring, worrying about the characters, just rooting for everything to work out for them. There’s a richness of language as ever from this author that had me using the kindle lookup function to see exact definition – its easy to guess from the context, but I like to know more about words. Language has a genuine beauty of its own properly used, and its a real treat to find someone that brings in forgotten words, and this enhances the historical feel of the story. I’ll definitely be looking out for more in this series  
.
Stars: Five, a wonderful read, full of emotion, and beautifully written
ARC supplied by Netgalley and publishers 
If you enjoyed my review I'd love it if you would please click “Like” and if you didn't I'd love to know why, in case I've inadvertently added a spoiler and need to edit.

What a terrific romance novel. All the elements were in place-- interesting, well-motivated, well-described characters; an intriguing plot with a few twists and turns; and excellent writing, including some very hot, sexy scenes. The historical atmosphere and details seemed spot-on and overall I'd highly recommend this book.

A great introduction to the Society of Gentlemen series. Harry is an interesting character, layered and complex, and I love the way he and Julius complement one another; they have enough commonalities to get along well, but enough differences to provide a few sparks. While the story is mostly focused on Harry and Julius, the other Ricardians are fully developed, three-dimensional characters, as well, and I look forward to reading more about them in future books.

(I have to admit that this isn't a historical period I know much about, so I got the added bonus of a thorough and fascinating history lesson on the Peterloo massacre.)

What a terrific romance novel. All the elements were in place-- interesting, well-motivated, well-described characters; an intriguing plot with a few twists and turns; and excellent writing, including some very hot, sexy scenes. The historical atmosphere and details seemed spot-on and overall I'd highly recommend this book.