What do you think?
Rate this book
Town Bronze #3
Impeccable Credentials
Outwardly, twenty-one-year-old Julian Buchanan is the epitome of wealth, breeding and good looks. He’s a pink of the ton in Regency London, and his position in society is assured. But beneath his impeccable surface, Julian is riddled with doubt.
Matters come to a head in the autumn of 1812 when his autocratic father, Sir Roger Buchanan, orders Julian to court an heiress and propose marriage. Finally, Julian must acknowledge that he has no interest in women. At the same time, he becomes involved with Rafe Ingles, a radical intellectual whose beliefs concur with Julian’s inward convictions.
With pressure building and so much at stake, can Julian find the courage to break the habit of a lifetime and choose love and freedom over duty?
Matters come to a head in the autumn of 1812 when his autocratic father, Sir Roger Buchanan, orders Julian to court an heiress and propose marriage. Finally, Julian must acknowledge that he has no interest in women. At the same time, he becomes involved with Rafe Ingles, a radical intellectual whose beliefs concur with Julian’s inward convictions.
With pressure building and so much at stake, can Julian find the courage to break the habit of a lifetime and choose love and freedom over duty?
114 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 6, 2024
About the author
Ellie Thomas
64 books77 followersEllie Thomas lives by the sea. She comes from a teaching background and goes for long seaside walks where she daydreams about history. She is a voracious reader especially about anything historical. She mainly writes MM historical romance.
Ellie also writes historical erotic romance as L. E. Thomas.
Ellie also writes historical erotic romance as L. E. Thomas.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 12, 2024
I had to know about Julian from the first scene with him in a previous book, lounging against the mantelpiece as his boys are rolling up for an evening out. This scene and many others in Barney and Julian’s stories brought home the indolent lifestyles of these young men.
I can’t blame them as this is what they are used to. For most of them, any free thinking would be quashed under parent planning of their futures.
Julian was a prime example of this. His father’s overbearing iciness had me nervous for Julian. Julian is that Greek god MC that I enjoy in MM romances, but he was a mess inside from hiding his true self. He was well written and I could understand his motivations. Rafe was the gentle political firebrand that he met and to whom Julian was drawn, mentally and physically. I like how Rafe offered him a way out from under his father’s heavy thumb. Julian didn’t take it, but it set in motion his independence and final happiness. He and Rafe had fire chemistry in some good scenes.
I like how this was an other side story, as we get glimpses of Rose and Barney from Julian’s point of view. Rose was lovely and I enjoyed her interaction with Julian. Barney was a brick for Julian giving him a helping hand and a willing ear. I wonder if Barney will aid Jasper in any way in his book?
I noticed that I am reading these out of order. I’m looking forward to Jasper’s story after all the tantalizing glimpses of his silver fox daddy who is a member of the ton.
I liked Julian and his story. The HEA ending was uplifting.
I can’t blame them as this is what they are used to. For most of them, any free thinking would be quashed under parent planning of their futures.
Julian was a prime example of this. His father’s overbearing iciness had me nervous for Julian. Julian is that Greek god MC that I enjoy in MM romances, but he was a mess inside from hiding his true self. He was well written and I could understand his motivations. Rafe was the gentle political firebrand that he met and to whom Julian was drawn, mentally and physically. I like how Rafe offered him a way out from under his father’s heavy thumb. Julian didn’t take it, but it set in motion his independence and final happiness. He and Rafe had fire chemistry in some good scenes.
I like how this was an other side story, as we get glimpses of Rose and Barney from Julian’s point of view. Rose was lovely and I enjoyed her interaction with Julian. Barney was a brick for Julian giving him a helping hand and a willing ear. I wonder if Barney will aid Jasper in any way in his book?
I noticed that I am reading these out of order. I’m looking forward to Jasper’s story after all the tantalizing glimpses of his silver fox daddy who is a member of the ton.
I liked Julian and his story. The HEA ending was uplifting.
January 4, 2024
A beautiful story to round out this trilogy. Julian finally gets his story and it is fraught with ups and downs in dealing with his overbearing father and his wishes to see his son wed. However, his father doesn't respect his wishes to not marry and therefore Julian must escape. He hides in plain sight, which is rather brilliant, and becomes a working man while nursing his broken heart.
For several chapters I thought that Julian wouldn't get his happily ever after, but I knew that I wouldn't be disappointed in the ending, and that held true. It was heartwarming when Rafe called upon Julian and they were reunited.
I loved Barney's take-charge attitude in helping his friend without even thinking twice about doing so. We also got to see Rose and their involvement in Julian's story, which makes me love her even more than I did in her story. And Julian's unassuming acceptance of Rose and her relationship with Barney was just perfect, especially in the final chapter. I also loved the conversation that Julian strikes up with Sir Mortimer and their quiet acceptance of each other.
Seeing these three couples all have their dreams fulfilled and to have such loving relationships in their futures brought this trilogy to a perfect close. The prose throughout these stories is so beautiful and the emotions that are imbued in the words bring each story to life on the page. While I'm sad to say goodbye to these characters, I know that the next ones that are introduced will entrance me as well.
For several chapters I thought that Julian wouldn't get his happily ever after, but I knew that I wouldn't be disappointed in the ending, and that held true. It was heartwarming when Rafe called upon Julian and they were reunited.
I loved Barney's take-charge attitude in helping his friend without even thinking twice about doing so. We also got to see Rose and their involvement in Julian's story, which makes me love her even more than I did in her story. And Julian's unassuming acceptance of Rose and her relationship with Barney was just perfect, especially in the final chapter. I also loved the conversation that Julian strikes up with Sir Mortimer and their quiet acceptance of each other.
Seeing these three couples all have their dreams fulfilled and to have such loving relationships in their futures brought this trilogy to a perfect close. The prose throughout these stories is so beautiful and the emotions that are imbued in the words bring each story to life on the page. While I'm sad to say goodbye to these characters, I know that the next ones that are introduced will entrance me as well.
January 16, 2024
Beautiful sweeping end to the Town Bronze trilogy. I was most interested in Barney's HEA and while it's not explicit, I know he and Rose will end up happy. Barney was such a stand-up guy! His calm and practical handling of Julian's situation was so impressive. I love strong women in my MM romances. I was so impressed by Bella, the woman Julian is told to marry. Her handling of the scheme was masterful. She was definitely not one of those empty-headed young ladies looking for a man. Also loved Julian - multi-dimensional character caught up in society's expectations for a "pink of the ton." Loved his realization that something had to change and applauded his decision. His romance with Rafe was a little lukewarm for me. I think that is because I didn't get a real sense of Rafe as a person - guess I wanted more from him but this did not affect my enjoyment of the book. E. Thomas' writing shines in this book. The bits and pieces of each characters' story is laid out brilliantly. The turns of phrase, the words that evoke images - all wonderful. "It seemed to lurk balefully from the silver platter on the hall table." Love that word. "Well, that a turn-up for the books.." Hah! That was an understatement! And "...the whisper of skirts.." You can just hear the rustle of a woman's clothes. Sorry to see these characters leave us. But Jasper, Mortimer, Julian, Rafe and Barney and Rose will go on living their lives.
January 16, 2024
Impeccable Credentials is Book 3 in the Town Bronze series. This is a beautifully written story about Julian and Rafe. I was so looking forward to this book and I wasn't disappointed. Julian has to decide if he's going to do as his father wants of him, marry a lady his father has chosen, or break free. I loved watching Julian stand on his own two feet and embrace his own interests. While doing so he meets Rafe. I loved Julian and Rafe's chemistry and their sweet interactions. It took a bit of courage but Julian and Rafe got their HEA. It was great seeing some of the other characters and their interactions with Julian. Barney especially really came through to help Julian in his time of need. This was a great story all around and I definitely recommend it.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
February 1, 2024
The premise of the story really grabbed me. I was expecting light and frothy, Julian is a pink of the ton after all, however, it was quite gritty and real, steeped in the world of the 19th C radicals. Julian really shows himself to be a man of principle, wanting to help others, rather than abandoning them when convenient. Becoming involved with political radical academic Rafe, he bravely defies his father and leaves his charmed life behind. I love how he willingly changes his life to aid others, and also how he helps Rose/Ross and Barney, from the last book in the series, accepting them for who they are. Especially interesting if you are interested in the history of the time. A good mix of history, and romance, that keeps you hooked.
January 7, 2024
A truly sweet but at times heartbreaking tale as Julian is bullied and threatened by his overbearing, pompous father to marry, any heiress will as far as he's concerned, while Julian would prefer none. We meet again the men from previous tales in this series, plus a brief sweet visit from dear Jo. Just a lovely read, as always.
February 4, 2024
Satisfying HEA resolution for this enjoyable trilogy. I enjoyed revisiting earlier characters and their partners.
Julian’s own story definitely didn’t disappoint. Several twists and turns and a pleasing degree of suspense!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Julian’s own story definitely didn’t disappoint. Several twists and turns and a pleasing degree of suspense!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 27, 2025
Nice addition to the series. Bits of this was adverted to in earlier books, but I did not predict what happened in this one. I hope she gears up to write longer stories.
February 1, 2024
The third and final book in Ellie Thomas’s utterly delightful Town Bronze series—Impeccable Credentials—is a romantic, heartfelt, and hopeful conclusion for our three protagonists and their romantic loves, with a focus on Julian Buchanan in particular.
Wealthy far beyond the means of his two friends Jasper and Barney, Julian is the youngest son of Sir Roger Buchanan. He’s living as free as a bird during the Little Season in London and everything a twenty-one year old man about town could possibly need—fashion, food, drink, entertainment, sex—is readily paid for with his family’s very large purse strings. But without warning, Sir Roger cuts his son’s party-days short with the command that he is to court a very wealthy young lady in the care of her aunt and uncle. The idea, it seems, is that she accepts a marriage proposal from Julian before her elder brother returns from wartime efforts and can’t intervene in Sir Roger’s strategy to marry his last child off into money and society.
The problem? They’re numerous! Julian isn’t willing to be a pawn in his father’s political games. He’s not even attracted to women and has found himself recently quite taken with an intellectual about town—Rafe Ingles. And what’s more, the heiress has realized the plan and she too wants nothing to do with the proposed marriage!
Julian’s budding relationship with Rafe is everything he’s ever desired in a partner and in life: someone to have intelligent conversations and debate ideas with, who he finds sexually attractive, and who cherishes his heart in return. Compared to the strict life Julian has been forced to live since childhood, Rafe’s freedom is also something he finds particularly alluring and wishes to obtain for himself.
I adored this story. It was historically believable while managing to provide a strong and realistic Happily For Now, if not an Ever After. I prefer the latter, of course. And while I really came to sympathize, respect, and enjoy Julian’s arch, Barney and Rose totally and completely stole my heart in Book 2, so their presence in this story was the best! (Especially—no spoilers—what Julian does for Rose in the final chapters. My heart!)
If you’re looking for quality regency with positive LGBT representation, I highly recommend you pick up this series, get a good snack and beverage, and sit down with a cozy blanket or cat. You won’t regret the experience.
Wealthy far beyond the means of his two friends Jasper and Barney, Julian is the youngest son of Sir Roger Buchanan. He’s living as free as a bird during the Little Season in London and everything a twenty-one year old man about town could possibly need—fashion, food, drink, entertainment, sex—is readily paid for with his family’s very large purse strings. But without warning, Sir Roger cuts his son’s party-days short with the command that he is to court a very wealthy young lady in the care of her aunt and uncle. The idea, it seems, is that she accepts a marriage proposal from Julian before her elder brother returns from wartime efforts and can’t intervene in Sir Roger’s strategy to marry his last child off into money and society.
The problem? They’re numerous! Julian isn’t willing to be a pawn in his father’s political games. He’s not even attracted to women and has found himself recently quite taken with an intellectual about town—Rafe Ingles. And what’s more, the heiress has realized the plan and she too wants nothing to do with the proposed marriage!
Julian’s budding relationship with Rafe is everything he’s ever desired in a partner and in life: someone to have intelligent conversations and debate ideas with, who he finds sexually attractive, and who cherishes his heart in return. Compared to the strict life Julian has been forced to live since childhood, Rafe’s freedom is also something he finds particularly alluring and wishes to obtain for himself.
I adored this story. It was historically believable while managing to provide a strong and realistic Happily For Now, if not an Ever After. I prefer the latter, of course. And while I really came to sympathize, respect, and enjoy Julian’s arch, Barney and Rose totally and completely stole my heart in Book 2, so their presence in this story was the best! (Especially—no spoilers—what Julian does for Rose in the final chapters. My heart!)
If you’re looking for quality regency with positive LGBT representation, I highly recommend you pick up this series, get a good snack and beverage, and sit down with a cozy blanket or cat. You won’t regret the experience.
January 28, 2024
Impeccable Credentials is the third and final book in Ellie Thomas’s wonderful Town Bronze trilogy.
Julian Buchanan has been a bit of a mystery, but we learn this young, beautiful, pink of the ton may be noble by both, but has a scholar’s temperament, and soul of a poet. He was so much more than I expected
His rebellious attendance to an intellectual salon introduces him to independent free-thinker Rafe Ingles.
United by a love of learning and Byronic verse, the two men grow close even as Julian’s father pressures him to secure a match with orphaned heiress Miss Mansfield. (Bravo to her to taking control of her own destiny!)
The attraction between Rafe and Julian is strong, but both are tentative, testing if their feelings might be returned. The sensuality of their first kiss…
Julian has to go through some things, separating from Rafe. It isn’t easy, but he slowly grows into his own man. Their eventual reunion is everything, and where they end up is perfect.
And I fell even more in love with stalwart, steadfast Barney. Never doubt the love these childhood friends have for each other. The heir to a fortune founded on trade and the youngest son of an ambitious, divisive MP always have each other’s backs, and prove integral in each getting their HEA. Julian’s scene with Rose… just lovely.
The lush writing, the vivid Regency setting, and the delicately erotic description of Julian’s relationship with Rafe make this a satisfying conclusion to a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ series.
Make plans to spend the weekend with these enchanting novellas.
Julian Buchanan has been a bit of a mystery, but we learn this young, beautiful, pink of the ton may be noble by both, but has a scholar’s temperament, and soul of a poet. He was so much more than I expected
His rebellious attendance to an intellectual salon introduces him to independent free-thinker Rafe Ingles.
United by a love of learning and Byronic verse, the two men grow close even as Julian’s father pressures him to secure a match with orphaned heiress Miss Mansfield. (Bravo to her to taking control of her own destiny!)
The attraction between Rafe and Julian is strong, but both are tentative, testing if their feelings might be returned. The sensuality of their first kiss…
Julian has to go through some things, separating from Rafe. It isn’t easy, but he slowly grows into his own man. Their eventual reunion is everything, and where they end up is perfect.
And I fell even more in love with stalwart, steadfast Barney. Never doubt the love these childhood friends have for each other. The heir to a fortune founded on trade and the youngest son of an ambitious, divisive MP always have each other’s backs, and prove integral in each getting their HEA. Julian’s scene with Rose… just lovely.
The lush writing, the vivid Regency setting, and the delicately erotic description of Julian’s relationship with Rafe make this a satisfying conclusion to a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ series.
Make plans to spend the weekend with these enchanting novellas.
January 7, 2024
This is the third in the Town Bronze series, and can easily be read as a standalone although some characters from the first two books do appear here. The main character, Julian, we have met before briefly in the first two books but Rafe is a new character.
At first meeting Julian, I thought him to be a typical upper class snob, only concerned with appearance and partying and nothing else. He's so much more than that though, finding his life with his more than overbearing father beyond stifling. I grew to really like Julian, and respect his desire to become his own man away from the influence of his father and the social circle his family so carefully cultivated for him. I liked the development of his relationship with Rafe over the course of the story, they have so much in common and even for a novella, it's relative slow burn. More than that, I loved seeing Barney and Jasper from the first two books again, and getting to see second-hand a happy resolution to both their stories, which was really well done.
I really enjoyed this, as I enjoy all stories in this universe Ellie has created, and loved the easter egg of seeing Jo Everett again too. I'm a sucker for a good historical romance and this has it all. Even Lord Byron.
I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
At first meeting Julian, I thought him to be a typical upper class snob, only concerned with appearance and partying and nothing else. He's so much more than that though, finding his life with his more than overbearing father beyond stifling. I grew to really like Julian, and respect his desire to become his own man away from the influence of his father and the social circle his family so carefully cultivated for him. I liked the development of his relationship with Rafe over the course of the story, they have so much in common and even for a novella, it's relative slow burn. More than that, I loved seeing Barney and Jasper from the first two books again, and getting to see second-hand a happy resolution to both their stories, which was really well done.
I really enjoyed this, as I enjoy all stories in this universe Ellie has created, and loved the easter egg of seeing Jo Everett again too. I'm a sucker for a good historical romance and this has it all. Even Lord Byron.
I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
January 27, 2024
🩵 Impeccable Credentials by Ellie Thomas 🩵
Book one was sexy and kinky, book two was sweet and innocent. But book three… oh, my poor heart, I’m entirely consumed by everything that is Julian and Rafe.
Since I don’t want their amazing love story to end, I made this edit instead. I don’t know how I’ll be able to let them go. 🥹🥹
Ellie’s writing is out of this world stunning. The wit, the subtle pining, the delicate descriptions. And these men. These amazing men, who were forced to love in the shadows of society.
I love them all for their bravery and pure belief in following their hearts. Their fierceness tinged with innocence. Their idealism.
But above all, I love Julian and Rafe. They will live forever in my heart 🩵 forever in love, unafraid and uninhibited, in their belief that there’s a place for their love. That in spite of what society dictates, loving someone can never be wrong.
Regardless of gender, class, color or the artificial laws of man, love is and always will be love. And those who try to deny that or stand in its way, will lead lesser, sadder and lonelier lives until their hearts fade into nothing. Because the heart cannot exist on intolerance and hate. It cannot.
Book one was sexy and kinky, book two was sweet and innocent. But book three… oh, my poor heart, I’m entirely consumed by everything that is Julian and Rafe.
Since I don’t want their amazing love story to end, I made this edit instead. I don’t know how I’ll be able to let them go. 🥹🥹
Ellie’s writing is out of this world stunning. The wit, the subtle pining, the delicate descriptions. And these men. These amazing men, who were forced to love in the shadows of society.
I love them all for their bravery and pure belief in following their hearts. Their fierceness tinged with innocence. Their idealism.
But above all, I love Julian and Rafe. They will live forever in my heart 🩵 forever in love, unafraid and uninhibited, in their belief that there’s a place for their love. That in spite of what society dictates, loving someone can never be wrong.
Regardless of gender, class, color or the artificial laws of man, love is and always will be love. And those who try to deny that or stand in its way, will lead lesser, sadder and lonelier lives until their hearts fade into nothing. Because the heart cannot exist on intolerance and hate. It cannot.
January 15, 2024
Impeccable Credentials - Love in its Purest Form
‘Rafe rested his forehead against Julian’s. For the first time, Julian was truly connected with another. Not from social or familial obligation, or the meaningless slotting together of body parts, but in an intangible way that felt instinctively right. Julian felt entirely enclosed in this small, safe world, surrounded by tenderness and consideration.’
Ellie Thomas has a touch, that has readers feeling as if they are standing amongst her characters, no matter the time period.
As Julian, who have read about in previous stories, although this is a prequel in her Town Bronze trilogy, is visited more in depth and we get to watch him grow as a man and in his relationships.
I find Ms. Thomas’ writing to be one of the most fascinating, as it transcends time and class, and provides a romantic touch to historical traditions. Each read is a joy to behold!
‘Rafe rested his forehead against Julian’s. For the first time, Julian was truly connected with another. Not from social or familial obligation, or the meaningless slotting together of body parts, but in an intangible way that felt instinctively right. Julian felt entirely enclosed in this small, safe world, surrounded by tenderness and consideration.’
Ellie Thomas has a touch, that has readers feeling as if they are standing amongst her characters, no matter the time period.
As Julian, who have read about in previous stories, although this is a prequel in her Town Bronze trilogy, is visited more in depth and we get to watch him grow as a man and in his relationships.
I find Ms. Thomas’ writing to be one of the most fascinating, as it transcends time and class, and provides a romantic touch to historical traditions. Each read is a joy to behold!
January 13, 2024
This is the third book in a series with some familiar faces for those who’ve read earlier installments, but the central story can stand alone. The author’s deft hand with historical detail brings the setting to vivid life, but for me the real shining light of this story is Julian, who is heartwarming and heartbreaking and so, so very much more than the veneer of style and polish. His desire to be his own person is deeply relatable, the slow unfolding of his relationship with Rafe is compelling, and overall it makes for a deeply rewarding read.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
January 14, 2024
I was thrilled to get the latest novel from Ellie Thomas, and that this was a longer book, giving us more of everything Ellie Thomas! As always, Ellie gives us exactly what we need and expect. A forbidden attraction, a stern distant father, a gorgeous stranger and all that delicious pining. We also catch up with Barney and Rose as well as Jasper and Mortimer as the delightfully lovely Julian and his Rafe got their HEA. The Town Bronze series has also given Ellie a chance to show off her talents in the steam department, and I really enjoyed the heat of Julian and Rafe's encounters!
Can't wait for more!
Can't wait for more!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews