A Nobleman’s Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel is the second novel in The Doomsday Books series. While it follows the first novel, The Secret Lives of Country Gentleman, this story could be read as a standalone. The timeline between the two novels is continuous with this one taking place 13 years after the first. There are also crossover characters and some new ones introduced. Luke Doomsday was 13 years old in the first novel and now he is reintroduced as an adult in this novel. By reading both novels in order, readers will gain a better understanding of the characters as you get a great foundation in the first novel. If you read this as a standalone, however, you can still connect to them, but you’d just be missing some of the foundation.

The first part of the novel sets up the inheritance dispute of the new Earl of Oxney, Rufus d’Aumesty. The estate is at the edge of Romney Marsh and is in disarray. Luke eventually lands the role of secretary for Rufus, which brings both characters together. The two have many obstacles, but there is a genuine attraction that develops. I enjoyed that their hurdles seemed plausible yet there were details that gave it a fun fictional element, which was a great balance in a novel. The growing romance is sweet, and I enjoyed the two characters together. I did not quite connect with them as a couple compared to the couple in the first novel, however, I still liked their chemistry. As characters, both Luke and Rufus had interesting backgrounds and a lot of growth.

The story not only highlighted a nice romance, but also included some intriguing mystery elements. As this part of the story progressed, it did overshadow the romance a little too much for my taste, but as an actual plot, it was interesting. The pacing overall was well done as the writing did keep me interested. I think with a little more balance, it would have read a little better for me. There are some nice twists and turns throughout the story, but there is one reveal that I could have lived without. I am not sure why the author chose that one as it needed work, but it did affect my enjoyment of the story. Luckily, there were enough other elements to make this story still worth the read, however, I am not jumping to immediately re-read it. Overall, I think Charles is a talented author and I look forward to reading more in the future.

**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Sourcebooks, for the opportunity to read this novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

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. Luke came to Stone Manor with an ulterior motive, one he's desperate to keep hidden even from the lord he can't resist.
This is the second book in the series & whilst it could be read on its own I’d strongly recommend reading the first book as Luke featured in that when he was thirteen & this book picks up thirteen years later. I loved everything about this book. The characters, the storyline, the chemistry between Luke & Rufus, the twists in the story & of course catching up with Gareth & Joss. A very well written brilliant read that held me enthralled all the way through
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

A Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel is a delightful read that managed to fulfil my high expectations, which came from having loved the first Doomsday Books so much. This a swoony tale of a new earl who values honesty and sees the world more black and white than anything else, and a lad from a smuggling clan who's too clever for his own good and has a talent for stretching the truth. Despite their differences, Rufus and Luke work together perfectly. KJ Charles has a true talent for writing captivating and vivid characters, who make the perfect pair despite being so different.

Rufus and Luke have a sizzling chemistry from the get go, but even more I fell in love with the quiet gestures. They accommodate each other so beautifully. They both offer each other a place to belong, which just makes my heart soar. Besides the stunning romance, there's lots of cunning and secrets. It is a delightful to read how Rufus deals with becoming an earl to a place and family he had never met and whom mostly resent him inheriting the title. KJ Charles weaves an addicting tale, which I loved so much.

I absolutely adored this charming historical romance between the titler Nobleman and Scoundrel. Both Rufus and Luke were such fun characters to read about and they were adorable together. This book is the second Doomsday book although it takes place 13 years after the events of the prior book. Luke is no longer the frightened 13 year old boy he was in the previous book and it was so much fun to see how he had grown up and also read about how the trauma of the events from the first book informed who he has grown up to be.

Rufus is a fun addition to the universe, a newly made Earl who is already having his legitimacy questioned by evil relatives threatening to take away his newfound identity. That is where Luke comes in, offering to help him get his books in order. The two of them make a good team but is Luke really there for the best intentions?

The romance between Rufus and Luke was so tender and lovely, the way Luke really took time to help Rufus with his dyslexia and the way Rufus protected Luke just like he promised. Sometimes I do think that the book focused a bit more on the intricate plot than the romance and during those times my eyes did admittedly glaze over a bit. Especially in the beginning there is a LOT to set up with all the different players and filling in the gaps from the 13 years. However, once it gets cooking and Rufus and Luke begin to heat up their romance the book really takes off.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Historical Romance isn't my go to genre and KJ Charles is actually the first author I picked up to read one! The first book set in Romney Marsh charmed me so much that I picked up A Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel too! It definitely took me to the intriguing world where a taken for dead soldier has come to claim his right as the heir of Oxney family and his deceiving uncle produced a supposed heir to prove him illegitimate..only for that person to end up being his secretary and friend and finally lover! Add the appearance of Doomsday clan and my favorite couple from first book, it was a pretty amazing experience.

Our Luke is now grown up..grown beyond the evilness of his father and creating a name as a valuable secretary. Coming to Oxney manor had some ulterior motive for him and that twist and suspense was an integral part of the story. I love how capable and confident he is and how he put Rufus' messy life together. The best kind of master- employee romance. I loved Rufus even better. He endured so much hardship in the war and here, his family isn't making it any easier. He has no similarity with a traditional duke. He is not arrogant or grandiose or snobby. He doesn't think his workers or subjects are his slave. He never want to take advantage of anyone. Including Luke. Luke stayed with excuse of finding evidence of his supposed heirship but then he fell for Rufus.

It was slow burn. A bit too much slow burn for me. I was getting impatient to move forward but the circumstances were taking up too much space. The family drama. The secrets. The suspense. The politics. And it took away from the romance for me.

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily

I hadn’t realized this was a sequel, but I think it works pretty well as a standalone. This is the first KJ Charles I’ve read and I’ll definitely look for others. I had fun!

We return to the Romney Marsh thirteen years after the events of book one, The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen, when the scamp, Luke Doomsday, is all grown up.

While I think A Nobleman’s Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel turned out to be a great follow up story, even tying up one glinting plot intrigue leftover, I do think this one could be read out of order. KJ Charles gives enough backstory that a new reader wouldn’t be lost when this book references older events particularly related to Luke and the situation on the marsh.

Luke’s story was a welcome surprise. I didn’t bother to look at the blurb before I jumped in so I didn’t realize how this one would fit with the previous book. It was wholly separate in ways, but there are also brief look-ins with the people of the marsh particularly Sir Gareth and Joss from the previous books.

Nobleman’s Guide takes a step back from the smuggling and natural world of the Kentish marsh to focus largely on the d’Aumesty household and Stone House, the estate home. For those familiar with Georgette Heyer’s The Unknown Ajax, that is a very similar plot.

Rufus inherited the title as the son of the outcast second son with his Uncle Conrad, the third son, always assuming he’d slip into the title since the closer heirs had passed already. The bitter disappointment leads to a rather acrimonious household aimed at poor Rufus who is not only the new earl, after months of court battles to prove he is indeed the rightful earl, but is unfortunate to have a common mother. He’s also struggling with a reading disability that hinders him now with estate paperwork, but he learned to shift around when fighting as a valiant officer in the Napoleonic War.

Luke comes along with his own agenda for wanting to be on the inside at Stone House, but it isn’t long before he’s conflicted. He truly likes and is attracted to Rufus who is doing his best by the estate workers and the estate in the face of his family’s opposition and his household staff ranged against him. Luke is a skilled nobleman’s secretary and dives in to help Rufus get sorted. And, Rufus is as honest and true as the day is long. He doesn’t mess around and lets Luke right inside his big, gruff heart. He stands by him even when others are wary of having an infamous Doomsday in the house and treated with confidence.

Luke has a personal battle waging inside him. He knows that if he is successful at his scheme then Rufus is likely to feel betrayed and hurt, though Luke tells himself that Rufus will get over it and move on, and with Luke’s help, all the better for the earldom. Sir Gareth, the closest person Luke has to a father challenges him whether his scheme is worth the fallout and the part of Luke that hasn’t gotten over his abusive childhood is determined to see it through. The conflict is more internal than suspenseful and loaded with action like the first book. That said, things get pretty intense.

This second book was as strong and engaging as book one- more so in some ways. I couldn’t put it down and loved Rufus and Luke so hard that I had to keep flipping pages to see what came next. I love the blend of well-developed historical backdrop, romance, and the vein of suspense running through the story. This could be the end as it seemed to wrap things up. Those who enjoy some spice, intrigue, and gay historical romance shouldn’t pass these up.

Luke really stood out in The Secret Lives of Country Gentleman, so I couldn't wait for this book to come out. While this book isn't as specific to Romney Marsh as the first one, it still has a wonderful sense of place, and I was glad the intrigue from Secret Lives continued to play out in this book, which takes place quite a bit later. I was also delighted that Sir Gareth and Joss make an appearance!

If you haven't read The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen yet, do that first before picking this one up, unless you don't mind being spoiled for the entire plot of the first book. It's not that this can't be read on its own, but one of the main characters has a very significant role in book 1, so the emotional impact will be greater if you've already read that.

I tend to love romances where the characters are going through something. Usually it's trauma from their past that they have to deal with, either alone or with the help and support of their newfound partner, and those moments can really hit for me. And there are so many moments in this book.

When I read the synopsis, I didn't even realize that this Luke is the same Luke we meet in the first book, all grown up now, which made me feel properly foolish when his scar was described and I had an "OH!" moment. But knowing all these details about how Luke came to be who he is really made seeing his growth something beautiful. I felt so much for him and his pain, and whenever he broke down and looked for support in Rufus my heart just ached. Luke's journey is about healing from trauma, and I loved the way this was handled.

It's also interesting to me that the author didn't do anything with Rufus's involvement in a war, since there was definitely potential for PTSD, but I actually appreciated that it wasn't part of the story.

Part of what I really liked about Rufus is his energy. He's very straightforward and doesn't have the right mindset for getting what he wants through subtlety. This can make him brusque, and he's quick to anger, but it's usually on someone else's behalf, be it Luke, his tenants, or (some) members of his family. I love this kind of protective streak in protagonists. Some of my favourite moments had to do with him reacting in an unexpectedly enthusiastic way, when we see so much of him being frustrated. I do think Luke stole the show for me, though.

Rufus and Luke don't necessarily have the best banter, but they do have a lot of heartfelt conversations. The conflict in their relationship is internal, and I think it took about the right amount of time to resolve, although I can understand that not everyone will feel this way. Some might consider what happened unforgiveable, but I appreciated that understanding the context made a difference in how the characters dealt with it.

This book was such an emotional read for me. The side character Luke Doomsday, and his circumstances, smashed my heart to pieces in The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen. He did it again as the main character in A Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel before he and Rufus managed to put it all back together again.

I loved this book so much; a perfect balance of suspense, action, spice and thoroughly tender and happy moments.

As if I needed another reason to love KJ Charles and compulsively read all of her books!

I love the Doomsday series so much. Like, SO much. It's smart and smutty and funny and I love the adventure and intrigue and it had me turning pages frantically to the end. Absolutely loved.

I hope there are a million more!

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.

Rufus is fighting an ongoing battle against his family for rights to his inheritance. After doubting everything from his parentage to his identity they've decided his father must have been married prior to his birth making him illegitimate, but that makes it possible that there's another claim to the inheritance, Luke. Luke just happens to be park of the local smuggler family with deep local ties. He begins to help Rufus research the family history along with righting the grounds and tenants that have been long ignored as a secretary. But along the way a spark flares and something blooms. However Luke is hiding his true intentions, intentions that may blow everything up. Overall it's a nice smutty, historical romance with a smidge of mystery.

This is a captivating historical MM romance that effortlessly weaves together the intricacies of love, inheritance, and family drama.


We are taken on a journey into the world of Major Rufus d'Aumesty, a man who finds himself reluctantly inheriting the title of Earl of Oxney and a sprawling Norman manor. Rufus never truly aspired to such a position and lacks the knowledge to manage the vast estate. To make matters worse, the former Earl, with whom Rufus won a legal battle for the title, continues to reside in the manor, plotting against him. The household staff despises their new master, and the estate's financial affairs are in disarray. Amidst this chaos, Luke enters the scene, promising to assist Rufus in at least sorting out the paperwork.


While I hadn't read the first book in the series, I found it unnecessary to understand the events in this one. However, readers familiar with the previous story will enjoy reconnecting with beloved characters who frequently make appearances in this one. Parts of the plot continue from the previous book, but as I mentioned, there's no issue if you're new to it; you'll have no trouble comprehending what's going on.


Rufus and Luke are the endearing protagonists who are incredibly easy to root for. The author has skillfully crafted Rufus, who is almost too good to be true, yet instead of rolling your eyes at his perfection, you can't help but find him utterly charming. Luke's devotion and protective nature towards Rufus are heartwarming. Their deepening emotional connection and growing friendship are entirely believable, making them an endearing couple. Together, they form a delightful pair.


I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Rufus's familial misadventures, and I admired his saintly patience with his conniving relatives. The exceptionally well-written dialogues had me laughing out loud on several occasions. This book is a really enjoyable read, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating historical MM romance with a compelling and engaging plot. It left me eagerly anticipating more from this author.

Before The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen I hadn't really heard of KJ Charles before, but after finishing A Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel I will certainly be on the lookout for more of her books. This is at once a sequel and a stand-alone and on both counts I think it does an excellent job. Having read both books in the series (I'm also very sad that there are in fact only two books in the series), I think there were parts of this book I liked better and parts of the previous book I liked better, but overall this was still a fantastic story. It's fast-paced and spicy, while also being heartfelt and romantic, and it's just wholly a delight. It was great seeing Luke again as a grown man, and while he did some infuriating things from time to time that didn't stop me from enjoying him as a character. I also really liked Rufus, who was just so sweet and good. Were there elements of it that were a little far-fetched? Sure, but for the most part the same could be said of a large majority of romance novels, so if that's something that would bother you you've probably already figured out that the genre might not be for you. Personally I found this book to be a real palate-cleanser from the horror novels I've been reading more of; it's just so dang CUTE. But it's also not all fluff, there's some action and adventure in there, as well as some real heart. There's no doubt that I will be recommending this book and it's predecessor to anyone who will listen when I'm at work, and I'll certainly be eagerly awaiting Charles's next work.

I need more of these people - NOW! Oh these characters make my heart so full.
Rufus finally assumes his inheritance - only to have it questioned again. By Luke Doomsday. Acting as Rufus' secretary, Luke clearly hides other motives for being in the manor. Caught sneaking in the dark, Luke can't help but inflame the passion between him and Rufus. And wow does the world catch on fire.
I was thrilled Luke was a main character - with references to Gareth and Joss, of course.
Everything I could hope for in a sequel - very impatient for the next installment.

Another knockout book from KJ Charles! I loved this duology so much -- the writing was superb, the characters were full-realized, and the romance was outstanding. It was fun to see the Joss and Gareth cameos and loved seeing how Luke grew up after the events of the first book. Rufus and Luke were so good together. I have no notes except I will be forcing everyone to read this book.

Another home run by KJ Charles!

Book 2 of the Doomsday Books is all about Luke Doomsday, the bettermy of the Doomsday clan. Luke has grown from the adorable, smart boy from the first book into a smart man and is now a Professional Confidential Secretary. He is also in a pickle – he might be the new Earl of Oxney, but there is no proof. The current Earl of Oxney, an honest ex-soldier, decides to hire him to help with the books and whew, do sparks fly!

As usual, KJ Charles nails characterization and plot. Our two main leads are dissimilar and yet, at the core, meld so well together. Luke is a vivid, fascinating, bright, and broken character who I rooted for from the beginning. And oh, Rufus! I loved Rufus. Those two just worked so well together.

I loved seeing Gareth and Joss and wished they had shown up more (I am greedy). I also liked the evolution of Rufus’s cousins, especially Fulk and Odo. The little we saw of Berry was much fun.

A huge plus of this book was that the conflict was primarily internal. While there were villains, they were almost incidental to the central conflict between the leads, and that was a refreshing change.

I wouldn't say I liked something that came up in the end (read to find out 😊), and I genuinely am conflicted about how to feel about it. I think it was crucial and should have been discussed between the leads. The conclusion to that point did not satisfy me.

In conclusion, of course I recommend this! Read for a rollicking good time.

Huge thanks to Sourcebooks and NetGalley for the ARC.

I loved this! It was hot and sweet and more than a little funny, all in all a very satisfying read! I haven't read KJ Charles prior to this, but consider me a huge fan!

This book is such a fun follow-up to the first in the series -- fun to see a beloved, feisty character back as a grown-up! The characters are believable and unique, the romance is steamy and swoony and sweet, and the story feels steeped in a time and place that is unfamiliar but so fun to inhabit. I am of course recommending this to all my fellow fans of historical romance, but also intend to run around screaming its praises to those unfamiliar with the genre. Sure to please!

KJ Charles once again delivers a satisfying plotty romance, this one with a bit of a gothic undertone.

Rufus inherits an Earldom in disarray with some hostile relatives scheming against him. Luke has some information that might be of use, and gets hired as a secretary, though he has ulterior motives. Both these men carry baggage and are making their way in a life that is well outside the ways they grew up. I enjoyed their romance, and as is typical in a KJC book, I especially enjoyed their conflicts, they ways they fought, and then worked things out.

The themes that stood out to me here were forgiveness and honesty. I liked the way the book dealt with forgiveness: both forgiving others and forgiving yourself. How some folks have a more naturally kind and forgiving heart, the challenges of being open hearted, and the importance of setting down boundaries when lines are crossed. The importance of forgiving yourself, and how to gain closure under difficult circumstances. How holding onto pain only ends up hurting more than directly addressing things and finding ways to heal. I had a bit of a tougher time with the way honesty was handled in the book - hard to discuss without spoilers.

I mentioned early on that this book has a gothic feel. It takes place in a crumbling drafty manor, a relative died in weird circumstances, another relative is literally called Pagan, etc. I really liked this aspect of the story. This book has a very different sense of place compared to the first book in the series, but like the previous book the location here plays a central role in the feel of the story, and very much felt like it’s own character.

Bonus points for giving us a window into Gareth and Joss from the previous book - I love them a lot. The secondary characters in this book were excellent too. Recommended!

Thank you Sourcebooks and NetGalley for the ARC!