Thank you NetGalley for this arc! I rate this 3.75 stars and 1.5 chili peppers for spice. I’m going to write this review without trying to give away any spoilers but that might be impossible. This story revolves around a Trans character who needs to marry to fulfill his father’s will in order to remain the Earl of his estate. The Earl needs to hire a valet for social purposes when he goes to London and there enters our love interest. While I really did enjoy this book, I felt it was more a historical trans book than a romance. The romance doesn’t kick in until well past halfway through and it’s not even that noticeable. And then right at the end there is just this sort of a sudden declaration of love and marriage. Now I loved the idea of the two main characters together so it wasn’t that big of a deal but I sort of wanted more intimate encounters or intimate exchanges leading up to the end. It sort of felt rushed. But I really did love the actual writing style, the character development, and side characters.

Required to marry to retain his inheritance, the reclusive Lord Christopher Eden, “a man of unusual make,” hires valet James Harding to accompany him to London to (fingers crossed) find a wife.

Despite uneven character development and a rushed ending, I love how the author uses aspects of the setting to highlight Christopher’s changing priorities regarding what he’s worth and what he’s willing to sacrifice to live authentically (hint: pay attention to the pivotal scenes that occur in closets).

Overall, A Gentleman’s Gentleman is a fun, satisfying, slow-burn romance that challenges convention and rejects easy answers without ever feeling heavy-handed.

This had the very common third act "breakup" trope of a simple misunderstanding delaying the lovers from their happily ever after... which is never my favorite and pretty much always feels overtly contrived... however, it was short-lived so it didn't bother me too much.

I thought the characters were enjoyable and had enough complexity to keep my interest... I REALLY loved the side characters... Etienne and Lady Verbena were FAB! I'd love an entire book of just the two of them galivanting about London, gossiping and attending balls. PLEASE!

I wish we had gotten a bit more of the relationship development in this story, however. The main pairing was indeed very slow-burn, which is fine for me, but I don't feel like I saw enough of the WHY behind their feelings for each other. Aside from finding each other attractive and generally kind, there wasn't a LOT of chemistry between them. From my perspective, anyway.

I really enjoyed the plot points when they were in London... the scandal and shenanigans! Such fun.

I also did get QUITE emotional when they had to go back to the country estate for an emergency... ! Teared up, for sure.

Overall an entertaining, sweet, lovely book! Not a new favorite, but still a very positive reading experience.

I had intended on this being my last book of the year, and finishing it slowly so that it would end on new year's eve. Instead I couldn't put it down and I finished it two days ago at like three in the morning. I loved this book as a romance lover, as a trans person, as an Our Flag Means Death fan, everything. It's so good. It made me cry. I told several people about it while I was reading. I'd definitely recommend it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Knopf for the chance to read and review this ARC.

This is TJ Alexander’s first historical romance and oh how I hope they write more in the future! The last few years has seen an increase in historical romances with trans characters and this is a wonderful addition to the genre. I found myself reading this so quickly that I forced myself to put the book down so I could enjoy it more. I love Christopher’s character and his new valet coming in and changing his life in more ways than one. Also that cover is exquisite! I loved this book and recommend it completely!

Love is a universal concept. It is all-consuming and all-knowing in its vastness and scope. This tale is ultimately about loving yourself and allowing others to love you too. I wanted to love this story. I found the tale bold in the fact that it showcased a love story that is very rarely viewed. What i found was that the story spent 98% of the time building up to something only to rush, unnecessarily, to a climax that was sterotypical. I felt the ending was not equal to the journey. I wanted to love this book, but in the end, I just felt cheated.

A deeply endearing historical rom-com from an author who has been absolutely killing the game as far as fresh and thoughtful queer romance goes. This was a delightful read - there was banter, there were antics, there were fun side characters (deeply important to me personally - the main couple in a romance cannot be the only people with a personality.)

Not quite a five star read for me personally, as some of the emotional resolution felt rushed, but I am notoriously persnickety about that. I will still be recommending it heartily to friends and library patrons alike. Strongly recommended for fans of Alexis Hall, Joanna Lowell, and Jess Everlee.

This book was more character driven than plot heavy. The story was bit slow in pace and the relationship between Christoper and James *very* slow in burn - like the last dozen pages pre-epilogue. This isn’t a complaint - because it more than kept my interest throughout! - just a heads up, so expectations match reality

Christopher is fairly introspective, unavoidable since he has isolated himself from all except a few close connections - his aging butler and cook in the country, his tailor in the city, and now a new valet. Being in his head that much, we learn a lot about how Christopher feels living as a ‘man of unique construction’ as he puts it.

Between some traumatic losses he’s suffered and feeling like he has to constantly keep his guard up, his life has not been an easy one
The news that he must wed before his next birthday or lose his title is the latest trial.

Even though having to travel to the city in search of a companionable wife was not ideal, it was the catalyst for an unexpected change of circumstances and (without specific spoilers) the story is left on an incredibly hopeful note
I feel like at the end of the story Christopher is in a much better place, and love that for him!

Note - if you’re looking for this book in the UK it’ll be titled The Earl Meets His Match over there

This was such a good book. Initially it did start a little slow, and I found it a bit hard to stay intrigued with the characters and writing, but as I read on, I loved it more and more. The characters in this story are so complex and wonderful that you can't help but sway towards them. The writing, like I mentioned, does start a little slow, but eventually picks up, and you can't help but tear through the pages of this book.

Hi excuse me, what am I supposed to do as an advance reader who has to wait until March before anyone else reads this and I have someone to discuss this with?

Christopher Winterthrope, the Earl of Eden is a very private Regency dandy who prefers to live in his very old manor house in the country with only an old butler and cook for company. Unfortunately, his solicitors have informed him that according to his father's will, he must marry before his 25th birthday or he'll lose the title and inheritance. So they send him a valet (his very first valet ever!) in preparation to his return to London for the upcoming social season when he'll search for a wife who won't mind being married to a peculiar man who does not love her. And what a valet! James Harding is gorgeous and tall and proper, and Christopher can't stop thinking about him. But surely, no man could ever accept Christopher as he truly is, right?

The only other trans historical romance I've read was Alexis Hall's A Lady for a Duke, in which the MC had faked her death in the Battle of Waterloo so she could take on a new identity as a woman. In A Gentleman's Gentleman, the MC took on his brother's identity after losing his family first through illness and then at sea. I would be interested to see which other ways historical romance authors choose when writing a trans character's backstory.

Book includes:
- Secret past
- Upstairs/downstairs
- Gretna Green
- Trans characters
- Gay characters
- Dead parents
- PTSD

This is a slow burn romance with an exciting carriage chase and a misunderstanding, but it did not feel stressful. I was delighted by the big coming out scene. This would be a nice beginning to a new queer romance series, if TJ Alexander were to write a lesbian romance about Miss Montrose? Just an idea.

Thank you to Netgalley and Vintage Books for this ARC. Also shoutout to whomever it was who picked Zach Pinsent for the cover art; I specifically requested this book because I recognized that beautiful photo.

This was a surprise read...a trans, regency-era romance story. "The notoriously eccentric Lord Christopher Eden is a “man of unusual make” and even more unusual habit". Lord Eden enjoys his simple country life, but is now forced to find a wife by his 25th birthday or lose everything. Now, he has to travel to London for the summer "mating" season.

I enjoyed this book. The MC character was likable and the story moved along pretty quickly. Everyone has their secrets that kept you guessing what's next.

I recommend this historical fiction, especially for Pride Month! Add this to your bookshelf!

Okay so I’m not typically into regency romance but i absolutely loved the last two books i read by TJ Alexander! I am so happy I took a chance on this one. If you’re looking for a queer, slow burn, regency romance- this is the one for you!

A gentleman’s gentleman is a Trans Regency Romance that follows the main Character Christopher Eden after he receives a letter detailing that he must marry within a set amount of time or lose everything.

I can’t fathom why this book has such low ratings I absolutely adored this book, I loved the characters and the story, I loved the way the inner struggle of Christopher and being trans was portrayed throughout this book.

This book was so well written it nearly brought tears to my eyes and I have already recommended it to several of my friends to preorder .

I highly recommend this book it’s a beautiful story and will show you some of the struggles that come with being trans .

This was a really fun regency romance but the plot was slightly too episodic and scattered. I loved the side characters especially Lady Montrose and Etienne. If TJ ever decides to write regency romance again I hope they return to Lady Montrose because her scheming was such a joy. I think my problem with this books construction is that the climax of the story feels like it should be the Belinda plot, however that wraps up around 60%. The rest of the plot then feels oddly tacked on. I liked the dynamic between the couple in this book, but I think the structural issues led to it feeling too drawn out and removing some of the romantic tension. I still had a good time though and I think this is a solid foray into the regency romance genre.

I absolutely loved the trans rep as well as the vibes of the regency era !! It felt like a t4t bridgerton and I absolutely ate it UP. The side characters were all loveable and the found family aspect was done so beautifully. I found myself so attached to every character. The writing was so well done as well !

Unfortunately the slow burn was a little too slow. The pining lasted about 90% of the book and when they finally got together it was suddenly over save for the epilogue. I would have loved to see their romantic relationship develop more before the end.

If you’re looking for trans rep and the slowest slow burn that ever did slow burn I definitely think this one is for you !!

A poignant yet humorous LGBTQ Regency romance. Alexander will start a wave in the genre with this book.

Lord Christopher Eden, a man of unique construction, finds himself in a predicament when he must hire his first valet, after dressing himself as he sees fit for so many years, so that he can go to London, fit into society, and procure himself a wife, in order to keep his title and lands from being confiscated by the Crown.

If only he can find an upstanding lady of society with an agreeable demeanor that doesn't expect him to perform the usual husbandly duties! Luckily his valet is better suited to the task than Christopher could ever forsee.

I think that if you like the bridgerton books, the start of this one will not give you the same trouble it did me. I felt like it dragged on for forever, only for the ending to slam into me all at once. That being said, when we did get to the ending, it's everything you could want froma. regency romance. and more because the exploration of what it'd be like to be trans in society was incredibly well done. How Christopher came to be rattled me so effectively I had to take a step back for a second. It absolutely redeemed itself in the last third of the book, but I came so close to DNFing multiple times because of how much absolute nothing it felt like was happening. I can't tell if I just don't have the patience for the genre, or if it really was just uneven pacing. Still, I've been a fan of several other TJ Alexander works and the characters that win you over so completely that I've come to expect from them were absolutely present here. and it was an overall enjoyable read.

I requested and received an eARC of A Gentlemans’ Gentleman by TJ Alexander via NetGalley. Listen, I loved Alexander’s novel Triple Sec, so a queer Regency era romance featuring a trans leading character? Heaven is a place on earth indeed. In A Gentleman’s Gentleman, the eccentric Lord Christopher Eden discovers that he must find a wife by the end of the season to fulfill the stipulations of his late father’s will and maintain a grasp on the Eden fortune and estate. Christopher isn't attracted to women and much prefers his quiet country life to the bustling society of London, but he can't see a way of avoiding it. Putting his best foot forward in the London Season will require new staff, which is how Christopher becomes acquainted with his new valet, James Harding. After a difficult beginning, the two men strike up a friendship that is threatened by their own secrets and the growing spark of attraction between them.

Okay, but this type of romantic pairing is absolutely my favorite. I instantly fell for Christopher. He has a somewhat bumbling, lighter nature than Harding, and the level of affection and concern he shows for Cook and Plinkton was very endearing. I found Harding to be just as alluring with his more conservative nature and the care he showed for Christopher throughout the story. His character remains a bit more of a mystery for the bulk of the narrative, but I think that only further fueled my interest in his character. Christopher and Harding, in their roles as an unwilling lord and the eager to please valet, share a dynamic that has an undercurrent of humor that made them very enjoyable to spend time with. It definitely filled A Gentleman’s Gentleman with the sort of pleasant warmth you want in a fun historical romance.

I was equally invested in the side plots contained in the book. I found Verbena Montrose, Lady Belinda and Étienne to be just as interesting as the protagonists, almost to the point that I wish there had been more space for them in the narrative, but Christopher and Harding remain the heart of the story. They’re both so charming that I didn’t mind the absence of the others. I won’t spoil any plot points, but this book didn’t quite turn out as I expected which was a nice surprise. A Gentleman’s Gentleman is a unique spin on the historical romance and an example of the limitless possibilities of queer storytelling. I can’t wait to read whatever story Alexander comes up with next!

I LOVED this. My new favorite TJ Alexander. SO much yearning, so tender, so full of heart, genuinely made me laugh out loud. Will be recommending this to everyone!!!

This was such a beautifully written and unexpectedly joyous affirmation of queerness and trans-inclusive love against great odds. The way the author writes Christopher's observations is so vivid and relatable, both in his humorous moments and in his more dark or contemplative moods. The setting is impeccably done, and the side characters are fun without taking away from the main plot, But most importantly, the dynamic between our leads just completely stole my heart with how brave and caring they are toward each other (even when they're being idiots haha). Christopher's careful isolation is completely upended by his handsome footman James, and the journey they go on together had me laughing and crying throughout this book. I couldn't put it down.