*** Copy provided to the reviewer via NetGalley for my reading pleasure, a review was not a requirement.***

Theodore Swann is the owner of The Matrimonial Advertiser, through which the lonely hearts in London try to find love at the cost of a shilling, and a scribe writing romances under the pen name Dorothea Swann. The last thing he expects is to be confronted by Mr. Martin St. Vincent in regards to some of the posts he's received, although after some haggling he decides to help Mr. St. Vincent out. It is a little too late, though, and they will need to take a road trip in pursuit of a couple of eloping lovers.

Theo and Martin didn't have quite the sizzling chemistry that could be found in her Society of Gentlemen couples, but they had the camaraderie and seemed good for one another. I liked Theo more than Martin, even if he wasn't exactly a paragon of virtue, or maybe because of that? Still, flawed as he was, he was witty and smart and could weave a good tale in seconds, so long as it was from the villain side of the equation.

Wanted, A Gentleman is fantastically written, as KJ Charles has us used to. She definitely has a way with words that just transports the reader back in time. This book was fun, entertaining and had some twists and turns that I didn't see coming and that made it even more interesting.

Very recommendable!

Rating: 4 Stars!

I committed the cardinal reviewer sin with this. I read it and didn't write my review right away. While I enjoyed this a lot, I didn't love it like I usually do this author's work. I couldn't quite put my finger on why so I decided to think about it. And.....here we are two months later and I still don't know.

The world building and atmosphere are excellent as usual. I can always count on a rich historical setting by this author. I liked the unique plot line and the fact that it was a inter-racial couple in a historical setting was another unique twist. I also liked both of the MC's. They were very different personality wise and were an interesting mix when together. I think the thing that was lacking to me was I didn't really feel a love between them. There was a budding friendship and their steamy scenes were smoking hot, but I just didn't feel the romance and the love aspect.

So, overall I enjoyed it. It was not bad by any means just didn't quite work for me as well as I'm used to when reading this author.

**ARC provided through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

As with all Ms. Charles novels the story is clever, the principals unique and interesting, and the romance intense. I loved the interplay between Theo & Martin - and the wonderful nuanced perspective their pasts brought to bear on the men they are when they meet. It's a delightful slow burn story despite its short length, with the perfect amount of sex, flirtation and intrigue.

Random aside: I love it when Ms. Charles picks nicknames for her principals. They're so perfectly suited to the men they describe, and convey so much depth of feeling each time they're used. Tomcat, Martin's nickname for Theo when they are alone together, is deliciously evocative of the way he views his lover when he says it. My other favorite of her nicknames, Black Mamba, from Think of England, is deployed in much the same way.

Sexy, clever and entertaining, I loved every moment of Wanted, A Gentleman.

Another entertaining historical mm story from KJ Charles!

Martin St Vincent is a freed slave. He has done well for himself and lives a comfortable life in London. He keeps his desires secret and he keeps his anger at slavery secret as well. He channels his anger and his life into his businesses and into helping others who haven't been as fortunate as him.

Theodore Swann is enslaved to the mistakes of his youth. He gets through life using his writing and through the Marriage Advertiser which is the lonely hearts paper which he writes and sells.

The two men meet and their adventure begins when the daughter of Martin's former owners (Miss Jennifer Conroy) decides to elope!

Martin was brought up by his former owners. He was always treated well and he genuinely cares for their daughter even if she is a spoilt brat. He seeks out Theo because he needs to track down the person who has been sending Jennifer love letters through the Marriage Advertiser.

Theo manages to put two and two together and suddenly finds that he is roped into helping Martin find the errant Jennifer and the chase begins!

And as the two men adventure across the country they get to know much more about each other, and about true freedom, attraction, love, duty and honour.

Once again KJ Charles has written an excellent historical mm which doesn't underplay the social challenges of the time but manages to reflect the historical reality and illustrate it through the lives of her characters.

I enjoyed reading this because it is an entertaining story, but it is also creative, fresh and well thought out and it is clearly grounded in solid historical research. This gives the story a realistic edge. I appreciated the way the author depicts the issue of slavery and social injustices through the lives of her characters, and how she depicts the social norms of the day with regards to gender, marriage and societal expectations. None of this is done in a preachy or obvious manner, but as the characters lives unfolds so does the context in which they live. I think this enriches the story and this is what makes KJ Charles one of my go to authors.

And there is a frisson of humour running through the story as well. Who knew that on line dating went back so far in history?

It is a highly imaginative and creative story which I really enjoyed.

Copy provided by Riptide Publishing in exchange for an unbiased review.

K.J. Charles never disappoints. Sometimes, as with the wonderful Society of Gentlemen series this author exceeds expectations, but she never disappoints.

Wanted A Gentleman is a perfect read with which to start 2017. Curl up in a chair and let her unfold this story for your delight. It involves a humble Scribbler and Advertiser for love, Theodore Swann and the suave Martin St. Vincent, …a merchant with a Mission, also a Problem.

Theo owns a daily publication called the Matrimonial Advertiser possibly the Tinder or Grindr of its day. For a shilling, he includes the lonely heart notices of London and just about makes a living. He also writes romance novels of the more salacious type but under a pseudonym.

Into his offices and life comes Martin St. Vincent, a well-built, well-educated, well-dressed, wealthy black man. Though not initially impressed with Theo and his publication, Martin needs his help. He has a problem, or rather the family Martin grew up with has a problem. Their underage daughter seems to be conversing with a gentleman via Theo’s lonely heart ads. Her parents have engaged Martin to find the man, ascertain his intentions, and express their disapproval.

The problem evolves into a road trip chase after a runaway bride, as Martin and Theo try to stop the young lady and her beau reaching Gretna Green. Gretna Green in Scotland is famous for conducting quickie, legal marriages without parental approval. There also seems to be something suspicious about the haste of this marriage and a certain day approaching when all debts have to be paid.

Through Martin’s eyes, K.J. Charles manages to shed thought-provoking light on the subject of slavery and its abolition in England. She writes accurate historical prose that whilst addressing racism, inequality of status and the position of women in society, enlightens and entertains, but never preaches. The theme of strangers to friends to lovers develops through wonderful conversations and incidents including the joint suffering of uncomfortable travel.

There are some very enjoyable, sexy and erotic scenes, and the relationship between Theo and Martin is thoroughly believable and - eventually - fun. The emotion and empathy Ms. Charles brings to her writing always captures me. I loved both characters and had a few ‘oh no!’ moments and giggles too.

This novella just failed to reach the rating heights of previous books by this author only because it is a shorter story and a simpler plot. The writing is still fabulous and I highly recommend Wanted A Gentleman.