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Tenacious Trents #3
A Perfect Gentleman
Matthew Trent always knew what was expected of him, and that was to become the Perfect Vicar and a Perfect Gentleman. When Grace Cooper enters his life he is forced to face what he really wishes to become.
Grace Cooper has three options for marriage available to her in the small village where she resides. However, Grace would rather be placed on the shelf than enter into a miserable union.
When someone threatens her father and then makes an attempt on her life, it is Vicar Trent who vows to protect her and brings scandal to her doorstep, upsetting the delicate balance of both of their worlds.
Grace Cooper has three options for marriage available to her in the small village where she resides. However, Grace would rather be placed on the shelf than enter into a miserable union.
When someone threatens her father and then makes an attempt on her life, it is Vicar Trent who vows to protect her and brings scandal to her doorstep, upsetting the delicate balance of both of their worlds.
253 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 12, 2012
489 people are currently reading
347 people want to read
About the author
Jane Charles
175 books390 followersUSA Today bestselling author Jane Charles is a prolific writer of over fifty historical and contemporary romance novels. Her love of research and history lends authenticity to her Regency romances, and her experience directing theatre productions helps her craft beautiful, touching stories that tug at the heartstrings. Jane is an upbeat and positive author dedicated to giving her characters happy-ever-afters and leaving the readers satisfied at the end of an emotional journey. She is a lifelong Cubs fan, loves wine tastings, and lives in Central Illinois with her two huskies and husband. She is currently writing her next book while planning her dream trip to Europe.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 8, 2018
A Perfect Gentleman (Book 3) By Jane Charles
Four stars...Better endings otherwise I would have given it five stars..Matthew and Grace good storyline love the sensually..But hate the ending..Could have went a little beyond their wedding..I will be reading all of this series to see what happens.
Four stars...Better endings otherwise I would have given it five stars..Matthew and Grace good storyline love the sensually..But hate the ending..Could have went a little beyond their wedding..I will be reading all of this series to see what happens.
April 8, 2019
I liked that this story was set in an English country village and focused on the third son (a vicar) and the daughter of a country gentleman. It's a nice change from reading about the heir and the spare and the upper echelons of society.
Matthew Trent's father was domineering and abusive, so of course, when he decided Matthew would be a vicar, there was no arguing. Matthew set his sights on being the best vicar he could be and tried to be a perfect gentleman to please his father. When his father died, Matthew didn't have any other plans for his life, so he forged ahead with taking up his first position as a vicar in a small village. He's rather miffed when his first sermon is interrupted by latecomer Grace Cooper. But she is a lovely young lady, so maybe he'll let it slide.
Grace is just trying to keep the family farm from going under after her father is injured. Most of the village thinks she needs to marry and her father needs to be sent to an institution. While there are three offers of marriage, Grace doesn't love or trust any of them. Why can't they just leave her alone so she can milk the cows? As her situation gets more dire, Vicar Trent lends a helping hand, and she comes to trust him more than the people she's known all her life.
I liked the mystery and the romance in this story. I had read some of the other Trent books, so I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with the other family members.
Matthew Trent's father was domineering and abusive, so of course, when he decided Matthew would be a vicar, there was no arguing. Matthew set his sights on being the best vicar he could be and tried to be a perfect gentleman to please his father. When his father died, Matthew didn't have any other plans for his life, so he forged ahead with taking up his first position as a vicar in a small village. He's rather miffed when his first sermon is interrupted by latecomer Grace Cooper. But she is a lovely young lady, so maybe he'll let it slide.
Grace is just trying to keep the family farm from going under after her father is injured. Most of the village thinks she needs to marry and her father needs to be sent to an institution. While there are three offers of marriage, Grace doesn't love or trust any of them. Why can't they just leave her alone so she can milk the cows? As her situation gets more dire, Vicar Trent lends a helping hand, and she comes to trust him more than the people she's known all her life.
I liked the mystery and the romance in this story. I had read some of the other Trent books, so I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with the other family members.
April 26, 2019
A sweet and spunky read. Good characters, written well, interesting personalities, emotions, a little suspense, great dialog and dynamics. This was a good read and kept me interested. Great for the snuggle-in comfy kinda book. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and would like to read more in the series to get to know more of the family. There were some 'Heck, Yeah!' moments, along with exasperation, aggravation, laughter and sighing. Good for anytime.
October 8, 2014
Matthew grew up being groomed to be a minister. His oldest brother would be titled and inherit, Matthew would be a minister and the 3rd brother had no expectations put on him. Matthew is at his first church. As he is giving his 1st ever sermon, he is interrupted as a young woman enters with a big smile on her face. It takes him a while to pull himself together and get back on track with his sermon. Grace is trying to take care of her father who had a stroke, milk the cows, gather eggs, and sell them and to earn some extra money. Soon her uncle shows up insisting that her father be sent to an asylum and that he be named owner of the property and guardian of Grace. Grace has 3 men wanting to marry her, but she cannot see herself married to any of them and none of them have bothered to even ask her. They just insist that she choose. None offer to help with her father. Matthew happens across their home and comes in to meet her father. Her father manages to slowly write replies for the new minister. Matthew offers to testify on behalf of her father. The uncle has employed Matthew's other brother to help him get Grace's land and control of her and her father. It seems he went to school and is a lawyer. The older brother and his wife show up as well. An attempt is made on the father's life. Then a couple attempts on Grace's. Matthew can't leave her alone and unprotected. His brothers also decide to help out. Is the uncle to blame? One or more of her suitors? Matthew's presence at her home is a comfort to her, but it also sets tongues wagging. Matthew resigns his church post. He insists that he and Grace marry, since it was his actions that ruined her reputation. Grace feels awful about what the town has forced him to do. She wants to marry him, lean on him, but it isn't right. Can he convince her that he would have married her eventually anyway? Will their marriage stop the attempts on her life?
May 20, 2019
This book has some interesting twists in it. I liked it and read it all in one sitting. Let’s be honest this is not great literature like Tolstoy but it’s pretty good for historical romance. I liked it enough that I bought the the next book in the series to read. There were several annoying grammatical errors and typos. For instance at one point the author uses the word ‘conscious’ when she means ‘conscience’. Her beta readers and editors need to do a better job to catch those errors I think.
As for sex, there is some of it in the book, mostly kissing and some petting and I remember only one scene of full on sex.
Anyway, it was a decent book and I’ll finish out the series. I read this book first, out of sequence and didn’t find it very confusing. There were references to events between various characters that I didn’t understand but that’s the price you pay when you read out of sequence.
As for sex, there is some of it in the book, mostly kissing and some petting and I remember only one scene of full on sex.
Anyway, it was a decent book and I’ll finish out the series. I read this book first, out of sequence and didn’t find it very confusing. There were references to events between various characters that I didn’t understand but that’s the price you pay when you read out of sequence.
April 18, 2019
I throughly enjoyed this book! You have an excellent mystery with romance and bits of humor. Grace meets Vicar Matthew Trent at church but she arrives after the service has begin. Matthew sees Grace as she creates noise during her Sunday school class. Vicar Trent stems about to meet his parishioners and gets more than he originally bargained for. It seems he is attracted to Grace. The mystery involves Grace,some suitors,her father and an obnoxious uncle. So the fun part has started and the mystery is not far behind. With plenty of twists you will learn how greedy her uncle and others are. Meet Jordan fro the start and John and Elizabeth as the mystery begins.
Enjoy this book as I highly recommend it!
Enjoy this book as I highly recommend it!
June 2, 2019
Predictable story with some interesting plot twists
Any reader would know as soon as Vicker Trent saw Grace that they would end up married. However, we were treated to Grace’s three unsuccessful suitors, a wicked uncle, and Vicker Matthew’s unusual brothers along the way. To say more would present spoilers. This might have rated four stars except for some grammatical errors and misused words, such as super instead of supper being served.
Any reader would know as soon as Vicker Trent saw Grace that they would end up married. However, we were treated to Grace’s three unsuccessful suitors, a wicked uncle, and Vicker Matthew’s unusual brothers along the way. To say more would present spoilers. This might have rated four stars except for some grammatical errors and misused words, such as super instead of supper being served.
April 5, 2024
This is a fun, entertaining, good read. Matthew and Grace are interesting, relatable, intriguing, entertaining, complex, strong characters. I enjoyed their romance and the path that it took to get to their HEA. The mystery was an entertaining subplot. The secondary characters added to the fabric of the story and my enjoyment. I love that we got to see the couple from the first book and Jordan (the remaining bachelor brother). The story is easy to read and get into.
April 28, 2019
Temptation!
This is the second time I have read
This book! And just like the first time, I enjoyed reading every page
Mathew is the new Vicar of Grace,s village, and it seems like temptation for them both from there very first eye contact, when Grace was late for church.And Grace and Mathew end up being each other's saving grace!
Thank you!❤️
This is the second time I have read
This book! And just like the first time, I enjoyed reading every page
Mathew is the new Vicar of Grace,s village, and it seems like temptation for them both from there very first eye contact, when Grace was late for church.And Grace and Mathew end up being each other's saving grace!
Thank you!❤️
September 4, 2018
Enjoying this series, except for editing issues.
I wish I could give this 5 stars, but must take off 1 star due to multiple editing issues. If you can overlook those errors a great story in the series.
I wish I could give this 5 stars, but must take off 1 star due to multiple editing issues. If you can overlook those errors a great story in the series.
April 17, 2019
Oh the requirements for the towns approval
She was a simple young unmarried lady. She lived on a farm with her farther who became disabled after an accident. They were more than content. Then came the new Vicar
She was a simple young unmarried lady. She lived on a farm with her farther who became disabled after an accident. They were more than content. Then came the new Vicar
April 19, 2019
Enjoyable read but poor proofreading
I might have given this 4 stars if the grammar and spelling were of better quality. This is the first one of this series that I have read, and it will also be the last one.
I might have given this 4 stars if the grammar and spelling were of better quality. This is the first one of this series that I have read, and it will also be the last one.
April 20, 2019
Wonderful
This was a wonderful story! It was fun, dramatic, emotional and an overall great plot. Matthew's brothers were all very likeable characters........Grace also a sweet loveable character. Very enjoyable read!!
This was a wonderful story! It was fun, dramatic, emotional and an overall great plot. Matthew's brothers were all very likeable characters........Grace also a sweet loveable character. Very enjoyable read!!
April 27, 2019
Wonderful
Love this book. This is not your average ordinary lord needs a wife and seduces an innocent or some such. This book doesn't even take place in London. Very interesting and very well written.
Love this book. This is not your average ordinary lord needs a wife and seduces an innocent or some such. This book doesn't even take place in London. Very interesting and very well written.
May 4, 2019
A very good read
Can't read just one of from this author. Likable characterrs. Entreaging plot. Fast moving. Takes place out of London. If I come across this book ten years from now, I probably would read it again with pleasure and anticipation.
Can't read just one of from this author. Likable characterrs. Entreaging plot. Fast moving. Takes place out of London. If I come across this book ten years from now, I probably would read it again with pleasure and anticipation.
March 7, 2021
Review
I would recommend this series to anyone who loves reading about a family recovering from a bad childhood with secrets! The interaction between the siblings now that they are adults is seamless. Each story opens a different perspective from each child. Great series!
I would recommend this series to anyone who loves reading about a family recovering from a bad childhood with secrets! The interaction between the siblings now that they are adults is seamless. Each story opens a different perspective from each child. Great series!
April 23, 2019
Well written, easy to read Regency romance.
April 23, 2019
Good read
There were too many characters to keep up with easily, . The story is good, and the ending isn't a cliffhanger.
There were too many characters to keep up with easily, . The story is good, and the ending isn't a cliffhanger.
April 29, 2019
Pretty good
Several spelling errors in here, and some steamy scenes that may make you blush. Pretty good overall, but the villain was obvious.
Several spelling errors in here, and some steamy scenes that may make you blush. Pretty good overall, but the villain was obvious.
January 31, 2020
It is a sweet book
May 27, 2020
A fun little read.
March 6, 2021
3.5/5. Audible, good narration. Story good, but not memorable.
March 28, 2022
Very good Mar 2022
A very entertaining story with a plethora of interesting characters, romance and mystery. The Trent brothers are very unusual but likeable.
A very entertaining story with a plethora of interesting characters, romance and mystery. The Trent brothers are very unusual but likeable.
February 15, 2025
read in book set
February 25, 2020
A perfect love story! Enjoyable read about overcoming parental suffocation for the vicar, and indulging self belief for the heroine.
June 16, 2015
What's the third so of the strict and illustrious Earl of Bentley to do except join the clergy? After all, that is what has always been expected of Matthew Trent since the early days of his boyhood. When his brothers were out cavorting and playing, he was expected to be cloistered in the nursery memorizing verses and studying. But no one ever stopped to ask him what he wanted.
Grace Cooper has never been truly traditional in her approach to life. The lively Sunday School teacher sees things as they are, and much prefers her life of hard work on her father's farm to the possibility of entering into a possibly miserable and definitely loveless marriage. Meeting the new vicar seems both a blessing and a curse as he is determined to protect her from a new and serious danger, but manages to put her reputation at risk in the process. Will both of them manage to survive their new acquaintance with their honors in tact...and their lives.
As always, Jane manages to spin a wonderfully scripted tale of mystery and romance. Matthew is earnest in his desire to do what is right, but he still struggles with his place in the world and all of the psychological damage done to him by his father as a child. This makes him endearing and pretty easy to love. Grace is pretty much Matthew's polar opposite. She is sunshine a daisies and all optimism. She loves her father and will do anything for him, including take care of him for the rest of his life. Her world may have been shaken, but her convictions are still firmly held. I don't recall the last time I read a book where it was just so easy to love BOTH main characters.
The villain however is just flat out evil and despicable. I loved it! As a reader I hated him from the moment I first read his name, but even I wasn't prepared for the totally horrid acts he pulls off. Bravo! Probably one of my favorite Trent books because of the villain alone!
Grace Cooper has never been truly traditional in her approach to life. The lively Sunday School teacher sees things as they are, and much prefers her life of hard work on her father's farm to the possibility of entering into a possibly miserable and definitely loveless marriage. Meeting the new vicar seems both a blessing and a curse as he is determined to protect her from a new and serious danger, but manages to put her reputation at risk in the process. Will both of them manage to survive their new acquaintance with their honors in tact...and their lives.
As always, Jane manages to spin a wonderfully scripted tale of mystery and romance. Matthew is earnest in his desire to do what is right, but he still struggles with his place in the world and all of the psychological damage done to him by his father as a child. This makes him endearing and pretty easy to love. Grace is pretty much Matthew's polar opposite. She is sunshine a daisies and all optimism. She loves her father and will do anything for him, including take care of him for the rest of his life. Her world may have been shaken, but her convictions are still firmly held. I don't recall the last time I read a book where it was just so easy to love BOTH main characters.
The villain however is just flat out evil and despicable. I loved it! As a reader I hated him from the moment I first read his name, but even I wasn't prepared for the totally horrid acts he pulls off. Bravo! Probably one of my favorite Trent books because of the villain alone!
January 25, 2015
Historical English romance with a 'spinster wallflower' (read: boring) third son who is just taking up his first position as a Vicar in a small town, Mr. Matthew Trent tries extra hard to be perfect because of his abusive childhood. I liked Matthew because he really worked hard to not be a hypocrite in his life although he has to make hard choices about himself and his future in this story. I'd almost say that this was mostly about his emotional and professional development with a murder mystery thrown in which brings him together with Miss Grace Cooper. She is a tough young lady who has been caring for her severely disabled father while trying to keep food on their table as well as fending off mercenary suitors who want her valuable lands.
So the mystery wasn't so mysterious but the emotional journey of Mr. Trent kept me reading to the end.
253 pages and kindle freebie
2 stars
So the mystery wasn't so mysterious but the emotional journey of Mr. Trent kept me reading to the end.
253 pages and kindle freebie
2 stars
January 3, 2020
Matthew Trent’s story . Matthew has just arrived in his first parish & is delivering his first sermon when Grace Cooper arrives late. He can’t take his eyes off her. A perfect gentleman shouldn’t have these thoughts about a parishioner
Grace looks after her father, who had an accident a couple of years previously, she also looks after their ‘farm’ milking the cows & collecting eggs.
Jordan arrives & his relationship with Audrey Montgomery is again touched upon & is a loose end.
There is the wicked uncle who wants to control Grace & take over the land.
It left some loose ends to whet your appetite. I’ll now be reading the next in the series to find out what happens
I’m a great fan of regency & not all authors convey regency England .Jane Charles does this. There are some Americanisms & proof reading has missed some errors but the Trent series is definitely a keeper
Grace looks after her father, who had an accident a couple of years previously, she also looks after their ‘farm’ milking the cows & collecting eggs.
Jordan arrives & his relationship with Audrey Montgomery is again touched upon & is a loose end.
There is the wicked uncle who wants to control Grace & take over the land.
It left some loose ends to whet your appetite. I’ll now be reading the next in the series to find out what happens
I’m a great fan of regency & not all authors convey regency England .Jane Charles does this. There are some Americanisms & proof reading has missed some errors but the Trent series is definitely a keeper
September 12, 2016
I really liked this story. I wasn't sure about reading about a vicar but this was a good one. There was sexual chemistry and a sex scene in this book. I liked the hero and the heroine as well as the rest of the characters. There was a bit of mystery thrown in too. Plenty of dialogue.
I listened to this via audible and the narration was great. I really like Marian Hussey. She gives everyone their own distinct voice, and does the men's voices very well. I do speed it up sometimes to 1.25 speed and its great.
I listened to this via audible and the narration was great. I really like Marian Hussey. She gives everyone their own distinct voice, and does the men's voices very well. I do speed it up sometimes to 1.25 speed and its great.
July 11, 2014
The Grace character keeps getting into all kinds of trouble although she doesn't see it that way. Trent is a serious man and doesn't approve. Both aren't looking for love or change.It is clear that they needed each other to compliment their personalities. The gossip starts up as they always seem to find themselves in sticky but innocent- mostly- situations. I had a few giggles here and there. It was a sweet story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews