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Gentleman Jim

I love a good yarn (in all senses of the word) and this book delivers a belter. This is an historical romance that feels fresh, vibrant and made me sing the Good Book Noise.

Margaret Honeywell is in love with Nicholas Seaton. But there are so many barriers that stand between them, not least of which is that Nicholas works in the stables on her father’s estate. Their love is pretty much doomed. Especially as Margaret is meant to marry her neighbour, Frederick Burton-Smythe (a more unpleasant bully has not crossed my reading path for some time). All good romances need a pair to believe in, and we have that in Maggie and Nicholas.

After a particularly vicious fight between Nicholas and Frederick – the injustice of which infuriated me – the story then jumps forward 10 years. And with the time jump, we meet someone new: John Beresford, Viscount St. Clare. He’s a strapping man with swoonworthy looks, a fortune and a title; and he is all but consumed by Maggie Honeywell. The man is besotted. But is Maggie?

Lara, I hear you cry, why are you not telling me more? WHY? If you love this book, why have you not written a full review? Dear Reader, I hear you, but trust me on this. You do NOT want any of the plot’s twists and turns revealed to you in my lowly review. You want to experience them while reading. To the extent that even though I knew this was a romance novel, I was still not convinced that a HEA was possible for Maggie. In fact, I have opted to write a lightning review because it is impossible to wax lyrical about the beauty of this plot without giving all the spoilers. This book is an alchemy of opposites: wild and comforting, powerful and gentle. In fact, if I were in your position, I would stop reading this review right now and just immerse yourself in the book. Don’t even read the blurb. Just let the book roll through you, like the perfect ocean wave or the heat from a cosy fireplace.

For those who need a little more convincing, I present for your consideration two additional points.

First, let me tell you about the characters, of which Maggie is my favourite. In between loving Nicholas and meeting John, Maggie’s had a tough time of it: illness, bereavement, and so much more. But her resilience pulls her through these difficult times. When her story becomes enmeshed with John’s, I couldn’t help but fall a little bit in love with Maggie myself. She’s headstrong and stubborn but self-aware enough to know when something is a bad idea or when she owes someone an apology. She is a (slightly) flawed heroine and I love that about her.

Second, here is a mysterious hint about the HEA…. Ultimately, Maggie chooses the right guy, but for a LONG time, I did not know which guy that would be! If you like historical romance, and you like a twisty plot with a great cast of richly-drawn characters, then this book is the one for you. I hope you are as charmed by it as I was.

– Lara

From USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews comes a swashbuckling tale of Regency era romance and revenge.

She couldn’t forget…

Wealthy squire’s daughter Margaret Honeywell was always meant to marry her neighbor, Frederick Burton-Smythe, but it’s bastard-born Nicholas Seaton who has her heart. Raised alongside her on her father’s estate, Nicholas is the rumored son of notorious highwayman Gentleman Jim. When Fred frames him for theft, Nicholas escapes into the night, vowing to find his legendary sire. But Nicholas never returns. A decade later, he’s long been presumed dead.

He wouldn’t forgive…

After years spent on the continent, John Beresford, Viscount St. Clare has finally come home to England. Tall, blond, and dangerous, he’s on a mission to restore his family’s honor. If he can mete out a bit of revenge along the way, so much the better. But he hasn’t reckoned for Maggie Honeywell. She’s bold and beautiful—and entirely convinced he’s someone else.

As danger closes in, St. Clare is torn between love and vengeance. Will he sacrifice one to gain the other? Or with a little luck—and a lot of daring—will he find a way to have them both?