CW: PTSD (Drowning/Overboard a Ship)
For the sex averse, there are two well-telegraphed sex scenes that are skippable.

Full disclosure, I am not a fan of many romance books, but I find Alexander always delivers. This historical romance follows Lord Christopher Eden, a trans masc individual who must marry soon in order to retain his family inheritance. His primary problem is that he must protect his secret; his secondary problems include not being attracted to women and not wanting to leave his comfortable, less formal estate for London’s strictly ordered society. To keep up appearances, he must also finally hire a valet to accompany him. James Harding, handsome, severe, and pragmatic, is not at all what Christopher expects in a valet—or in someone to whom he becomes attracted.

Alexander once again delivers high quality writing and an engaging love story in this book. Their sensitive writing of this trans for trans (t4t) romance is coupled with well-rounded and likeable characters and richly described settings. I loved how the romance was integral to the book but it wasn’t the sole focus; there are personal and societal trials and adventures that Christopher must overcome that are equally important and interesting.

I think anyone who likes KJ Charles or Cat Sebastian's writing styles would really like this book. It has that posh, kind of pompous writing style that isn't for me but a lot of people really like in their historicals. Again, it just wasn't for me but that's just a writing style preference and has nothing to do with the story itself.

This was everything I expect from a TJ Alexander book and more. I was never a huge historical romance reader, and even now the only ones I enjoy are super specific, but this one checks every single box.

The trans rep was so beautiful. And it really made me interested in the medical care and communities that surrounded trans folks in the time. I wanted to know more. It was a beautiful introduction to a history I didn’t know about.

The characters are lovely and the romance is paced to perfection. I’ll read any historical romance TJ writes, gladly.

Thank you to Pantheon books and to NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for a review. I really really enjoyed this historical regency romance. Lord Christopher Winterthorpe would much rather stay at home with his skeleton staff than involve himself in society life. But when his father’s will says he must take a wife to keep his title and land, he’s forced into the London party scene.

I don’t normally read a lot of historical but this caught my eye. There is amazing queer representation here showing trans people have always existed!! The story is written thoughtfully and with really lovely exposition. The climax/revelation is told beautifully. I can’t wait to go back and read TJ Alexander’s backlist too.

This was my first ever regency romance book! 😳 I never thought I would enjoy them, but I had to give this a try because I have loved this author’s contemporary romances.

The whole polite society and courtship thing isn’t inherently appealing to me, but the queer and trans representation here added layers and complexity that drew me into the setting. Seeing how the MC navigated daily life and how he was able to transition in this society was super interesting.

The romance was slow burn. A bit understated for my taste, but it fit well with the story. I like how TJ Alexander’s books have realistic obstacles but they center queer joy and I find the characters genuinely likeable. They’re sweet and witty without being over the top. This one had a great side character too - Plinkton! 😭💕

Also really good 🌸 spring vibes 🌸 because the MC is a recluse coming out of hibernation, wearing his cute outfits, and heading to the big city.

A Gentleman's Gentleman is a beautiful book. It follows some classic Romance beats, like marrying for inheritance, but provides a refreshing perspective - a very needed perspective in books: a trans perspective! The characters are soft - no dominant Alphas here - and the journey from strangers to lovers is gentle and hopeful. There are stakes, of course, but I found myself smiling while reading. The compulsion to finish the book was less about tension created by plot, and more about wanting to see the characters happy and fulfilled. That said, the characters are complex and flawed. They deal with heavy, emotional topics, including death and guilt. Despite that, it's a sweet story. One I love so much that I bought myself a copy, and I'm so glad I did because the feel of the book was as delightful as book itself. The page quality and cover made the book nice to hold. Plus the cover design is wonderful and unlike anything I've seen in recent Romance trends.

Trans joy forever! This historical romance was easy to get into with a very likable and relatable MMC, Christopher. You learn more about his daily life, his household as an Earl, and his family before you're introduced to his new valet, James Harding, the second MMC.

Harding is another great character from the start and jumps into taking care of Christopher in ways Christopher isn't used to. It was lovely to see their connection and trust build as their friendship did. There's beautiful revelations, trans affirmation, and resistance to cultural norms.

No spoilers, but there is a HEA. Queer historical romance is one of my favorite genres, and Alexander does a great job here.

Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Homophobia

TJ Alexander doesn't miss for me, which is why I stepped out of my comfort zone to read this regency romance. I truly couldn't put this book down. It was a beautifully written story and just a delight to read. I especially adored Christopher's character. He's such a genuinely kind and loyal person, even while not allowing anyone to get close to him. Christopher and James' romantic relationship was definitely a slow burn, but so worth the journey. Their story is full of humor, but there's also emotional depth and soooo much heart to their story. Seriously one of my favorite reads so far this year.

A Genleman's Gentleman follows Christopher, a trans earl in the regency era of London. Christopher has closed himself off from nearly everything and everyone, prefering to protect his peace and live alone on his estate in the countryside. But, when his solicitors bring a line in his father's will to his attention: that he will have to marry before his 25 birthday if he wishes to keep his title and fortune. Now tasked with spending the season in London, Christopher must hire a valet to keep up appearances. Enter: James Harding. James is unlike anything Christopher expected and the two start to form a tentative bond, which eventually develops into a friendship, and maybe, subsequently an ill-advised crush. But, can Christopher trust James enough to let him into his ultimate confidence?

I loved this story with my whole heart. It was well-written, campy, and so much fun. Christopher was a hilarious narrator, and I enjoyed being in his head so much, even when he was being daft. And JAMES. The best love interest of all time. I was so happy that he and Christopher found each other. Such a lovely, fun regency romance with great representation!

I saw trans Regency romance and immediately added this to my TBR and I have no regrets. When they said slow burn romance here, they absolutely meant it so anyone coming to this for "spice" will likely be left disappointed. However, if you want a nuanced look at trans identities with a deeply relatable lonely protagonist, this is absolutely the book for you. Lord Christopher Eden needs to find a wife by the end of the Season in order to inherit, which is a problem for him because he'd much rather live by himself in his country estate. And also because he's gay and trans. His plan is to enter a marriage of convenience but doing that means going to London for the Season, which means he needs a valet. Enter James Harding. While the plot follows a lot of tried and true historical romance beats, what shines to me is the characterization. The book is entirely in Christopher's point of view and he is such a well developed character. He is anxious and incredibly kind and I loved his development throughout the story. I have enjoyed some of TJ Alexander's books in the past, and I love this pivot from contemporary to historical, especially in a time where it seems like publishers aren't buying historicals to the extent they were in the past.

Am I glad I read it? I am! This T4T Regency romance featuring two men of "unique construction" was a soft delight that was highly enjoyable for this seasoned historical romance reader and that will also work really well for newer readers of the subgenre. I really enjoyed the dash of humor injected into the otherwise quite restrained story through Christopher's perspective. To that end, the limited third person POV works really nicely for this story; the introspective tone highlights the loneliness Christopher feels in the isolated life he constructed to protect his secret. It was lovely to watch the tight fist of his life slowly unclench to welcome in the support and acceptance of people he loves, both new and old.

It's got several beloved tropes of Regency histroms—inheritance plot; elopement to Gretna Green; marriage of convenience—and I enjoyed how Alexander played around with those through a trans lens. Most notably, I was pleasantly surprised by how Alexander upended my expectations for how the inheritance plot would resolve and what that says about trying to live a life that suits your needs and desires within institutions (here, marriage & primogeniture) that don't.

A GENTLEMAN'S GENTLEMAN evoked feelings akin to a hot bath at the end of a long day—relaxing, warm, tender—more so than any kind of chest-clutching emotional achiness. And that's not a bad thing at all, which is why I'll be perfectly pleased to read more historical romance from Alexander.

Very slow burn, ultimately quite low heat, slow build relationship.

Rating: 👍🏻 (liked)

Thank you to Vintage (Knopf) and Netgalley for the advance copy of this title!

4.5 stars

I enjoyed this book a lot. The banter and slow burn was so well done. I loved Christopher and Harding. The characters were so dimensional and I loved their scenes together. The side characters were so unique and funny. I usually don’t love a slowburn but this one was amazing. I love the trans representation and how that fit into the story.

*Thank you netgalley and Vintage publishing for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I must confess I don't normally read historical romances. I rarely read romances at all. But this one called to me for some reason. Perhaps it was the mystery behind Harding's history, perhaps it was the depth of Christopher's emotions, I'm not sure. But I really enjoyed this one and I look forward to seeing what else TJ Alexander writes.

I would have enjoyed this book more as a novella than full length novel. I didn't feel any tension or heat or really even attraction between the MCs outside of Christopher saying he found Hardley handsome. This seemed more of a coming of age type story than romance to me.

Wonderful addition to queer historical romances, with identities that are less explored. While the ending may have some readers wishing for a 'happier' ending, it matches the time and bucks the 'requirement' that all romances meet the current definition of happily-ever after.

I loved this. Just hands down loved it, so much so that after I finished A Gentleman's Gentleman I ran out and asked my local bookstore to order me a copy so I could have it on my shelves. TJ Alexander has brought everything I have always loved about the historical romance subgenre to this wonderfully queer, joyful novel, and I couldn't be more delighted.

More queer/trans historicals please!! This was cute and fun. I loved the slow burn romance and then was kicking my feet when they finally expressed their feelings for each other. I hope TJ Alexander writes more historicals.

Typically, by the time I'm halfway through a book set in this era, I'm annoyed with all the formalities and gowns and balls and such. Because Christopher spends most of his time trying to avoid society stuff, he's already my favorite. He spends his time with the cook and butler until he learns he has to find a wife by his next birthday. This means he has to hire a valet and travel to London for the season.

I enjoyed Christopher's observations and humor. The side characters are also terrific. The Gretna Green scene took me by surprise and made me laugh out loud. The end is full of sweet and vulnerable moments. I really want an epilogue to the epilogue to find out what happened next. This was just a wonderful story and I guess I can't say I don't like *all* historical fiction because I really liked this one a lot.

Thank you to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Vintage and NetGalley for the advance reader copy. I am required by law to disclose this.

#AGentlemansGentleman #NetGalley.

"The world is wide and full of grace, I promise you."

🥹🥹🥹

I loved this. The entire time I was thinking "oh, what if-" and then the "if" in question happened and I was GIDDY.

Christopher and James were such wonderfully soft characters. This was a slowwww burn but I ate up the tension and yearning that radiated between these two. And the entire cast of side characters were so delightful.


T.J., Please, I'd like 3 more queer Hist Roms just like this! 😁🩷 (Verbena Montrose needs a hot wife, I BEG 🙏🏻)

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy*

TJ Alexander is one of my favourite authors, and this is another banger! Definitely not my favourite (it's the only 4-star I've given to their books), but damn it was still so good!

I loved this T4T regency romance. I love queer historical romances, but make it trans? I'M IN LOVE!