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Jaded Gentlemen #1
Thomas
Thomas Jennings arrives to his newly acquired estate to find that his steward has fled under a cloud of scandal, and the property has been held together by Miss Loris Tanner, the steward's daughter. Thomas knows what it's like to not fit in, and he's pragmatic enough to respect results, so he gives Loris a chance to maintain her position in a profession uniformly undertaken by men.
Thomas learns about the complexities of estate management from his unlikely tutor, despite somebody's attempts to drive him off his own land. Mishaps turn into near tragedies, while between Thomas and Loris, respect and liking grow into attraction. Who is sabotaging Thomas's estate, and what choices will Loris face when the malefactor has been revealed?
Thomas learns about the complexities of estate management from his unlikely tutor, despite somebody's attempts to drive him off his own land. Mishaps turn into near tragedies, while between Thomas and Loris, respect and liking grow into attraction. Who is sabotaging Thomas's estate, and what choices will Loris face when the malefactor has been revealed?
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 2, 2015
150 people are currently reading
822 people want to read
About the author
Grace Burrowes
190 books2,937 followersGrace Burrowes started writing as an antidote to empty nest and soon found it an antidote to life in general. She is the sixth out of seven children, raised in the rural surrounds of central Pennsylvania. Early in life she spent a lot of time reading romance novels and practicing the piano. Her first career was as a technical writer and editor in the Washington, DC, area, a busy job that nonetheless left enough time to read a lot of romance novels.
It also left enough time to grab a law degree through an evening program, produce Beloved Offspring (only one, but she is a lion), and eventually move to the lovely Maryland countryside.
While reading yet still more romance novels, Grace opened her own law practice, acquired a master's degree in Conflict Transformation (she had a teenage daughter by then) and started thinking about writing.... romance novels. This aim was realized when Beloved Offspring struck out into the Big World a few years ago. ("Mom, why doesn't anybody tell you being a grown-up is hard?")
Grace eventually got up the courage to start pitching her manuscripts to agents and editors. The query letter that resulted in "the call" started out: "I am the buffoon in the bar at the RWA retreat who could not keep her heroines straight, could not look you in the eye, and could not stop blushing--and if that doesn't narrow down the possibilities, your job is even harder than I thought." (The dear lady bought the book anyway.)
To contact Grace, email her at graceburrowes@yahoo.com.
It also left enough time to grab a law degree through an evening program, produce Beloved Offspring (only one, but she is a lion), and eventually move to the lovely Maryland countryside.
While reading yet still more romance novels, Grace opened her own law practice, acquired a master's degree in Conflict Transformation (she had a teenage daughter by then) and started thinking about writing.... romance novels. This aim was realized when Beloved Offspring struck out into the Big World a few years ago. ("Mom, why doesn't anybody tell you being a grown-up is hard?")
Grace eventually got up the courage to start pitching her manuscripts to agents and editors. The query letter that resulted in "the call" started out: "I am the buffoon in the bar at the RWA retreat who could not keep her heroines straight, could not look you in the eye, and could not stop blushing--and if that doesn't narrow down the possibilities, your job is even harder than I thought." (The dear lady bought the book anyway.)
To contact Grace, email her at graceburrowes@yahoo.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
July 5, 2020
I loved these two! This story was a much better pace for me than the previous one i tried to read.
June 4, 2015
Now that all the Lonely Lords have been taken off the marriage mart, I’m more than ready for the Jaded Gentlemen series! Bring them on Madam Author!
Our first jaded gentleman is Thomas and he is such a good, honest and decent man. What I loved about him was his decisiveness. He knew what he wanted and had no problem expressing it or going after it.
As for the heroine, I loved that she was smart and capable of doing anything that came her way. Oh, and I loved the outward fearlessness she displayed.
As usual, Grace Burrowes takes her time in unfolding her tale to me and that’s what keeps me coming back to every story she writes. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate an author that takes her time in developing not just her characters, but their romance as well.
If you’ve never read this author, and you appreciate a story with solid plot and realistic characters, you have to try her books, and since this is the first in this series, you may as well pick this one up. I promise you that you’ll love it!
Melanie for b2b
Complimentary copy provided by the author
Our first jaded gentleman is Thomas and he is such a good, honest and decent man. What I loved about him was his decisiveness. He knew what he wanted and had no problem expressing it or going after it.
As for the heroine, I loved that she was smart and capable of doing anything that came her way. Oh, and I loved the outward fearlessness she displayed.
As usual, Grace Burrowes takes her time in unfolding her tale to me and that’s what keeps me coming back to every story she writes. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate an author that takes her time in developing not just her characters, but their romance as well.
If you’ve never read this author, and you appreciate a story with solid plot and realistic characters, you have to try her books, and since this is the first in this series, you may as well pick this one up. I promise you that you’ll love it!
Melanie for b2b
Complimentary copy provided by the author
June 10, 2015
GB's historical romances are like written comfort food for the eyes, heart and soul. You always know what you are going to get and I am never disappointed. I loved Thomas and Loris as a couple, they just worked so well together, another couple I would love to live next to. For those Nicholas and Beckman lovers out there, we get the men here trying to run from the parson's noose. (This story takes place prior to Nick and Beckman finding their HEA's.) You know how tricky GB's timeline is when it comes to her Lonely Lords, you need a spreadsheet and sticky notes. :-) They are pretending to be just stable hands. I am looking forward to Matthew and Theresa's story, especially Theresa's wild child background story.
December 12, 2025
Objectively good, subjectively... not so much
Grace Burrowes is great at the historical part of HR, but I've found that the romance part to be inconsistent.
🐎彡.°˖ The Good
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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Grace Burrowes is great at the historical part of HR, but I've found that the romance part to be inconsistent.
🐎彡.°˖ The Good
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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February 29, 2020
This was a fun historical romance with an unusual heroine, Loris Tanner, who has been working as the steward of a country estate. Her father was originally the steward, but he was an alcoholic and Loris got into the habit of covering for him. When a local widow accuses him of rape, he disappears, leaving Loris to manage on her own as best she can.
When the estate’s new owner, Thomas, Baron Sutcliffe, arrives to take possession of his new property, Loris is doing her best to be the competent steward, hoping to keep her position. To her surprise, Thomas treats her like a lady, and of course, they become attracted to each other.
There is a bit of Insta-Lust, but that is countered by enough competence porn to offset it. Although Loris’s position is a plot device that allows her to spend alone-time with the Baron, Burrowes shows Loris actually knows what she’s doing.
Overall, an enjoyable book with sufficient clues to the next book in the series that I will continue. The next hero, Matthew, is a country magistrate, and anything to do with historical law is my catnip.
When the estate’s new owner, Thomas, Baron Sutcliffe, arrives to take possession of his new property, Loris is doing her best to be the competent steward, hoping to keep her position. To her surprise, Thomas treats her like a lady, and of course, they become attracted to each other.
There is a bit of Insta-Lust, but that is countered by enough competence porn to offset it. Although Loris’s position is a plot device that allows her to spend alone-time with the Baron, Burrowes shows Loris actually knows what she’s doing.
Overall, an enjoyable book with sufficient clues to the next book in the series that I will continue. The next hero, Matthew, is a country magistrate, and anything to do with historical law is my catnip.
June 18, 2015
Thomas is the first book in a new series by Grace Burrowes, The Jaded Gentlemen. Anyone who has read The Lonely Lords series has met Thomas Jennings. I was really thrilled when he got his own book.
Thomas is wearing his title under duress. His twin cousins came to a bad end and he is now Baron Sutcliffe. He's bought a lovely estate, and as he visits for the first time, he walks in on an execution... of a horse!
Loris Tanner, Thomas' land steward, is standing firm against the stable master who wants to put her horse down. She's had a hard battle working as the steward because she's a woman. While she knows the land better than anyone else around, there are men who just won't listen. Thankfully, Thomas is not one of those men.
One of the elements of this book that I enjoyed very much were the horses. They all have great names (Evan, Seamus, and Rupert!) and are in the books a lot.
I also like the fact that these characters talk things out. They get to know each other. It tickled me when she would think he was interesting...and then HE would think the same thing. They both came to their attraction because of the same reasons. They are both intelligent, attractive, and lonely. They both are also a bit jaded. They've seen life, and have been hit by some hard knocks. They really do need each other.
While I guessed as to who the bad guys were, the angst didn't have me on the edge of my seat. Thank goodness! The UST was lovely and the culmination even better.
Another point that tickles me about Ms. Burrowes' series...she always brings characters from earlier books back in. It's like old home week! Nicholas! Beckman! David!!! It's always so much fun to visit with characters that I've grown to love. And now I'm looking forward to Squire Belmont's story next.
Thank you, Sandi Layne, for loaning me this book!
Thomas is wearing his title under duress. His twin cousins came to a bad end and he is now Baron Sutcliffe. He's bought a lovely estate, and as he visits for the first time, he walks in on an execution... of a horse!
Loris Tanner, Thomas' land steward, is standing firm against the stable master who wants to put her horse down. She's had a hard battle working as the steward because she's a woman. While she knows the land better than anyone else around, there are men who just won't listen. Thankfully, Thomas is not one of those men.
One of the elements of this book that I enjoyed very much were the horses. They all have great names (Evan, Seamus, and Rupert!) and are in the books a lot.
I also like the fact that these characters talk things out. They get to know each other. It tickled me when she would think he was interesting...and then HE would think the same thing. They both came to their attraction because of the same reasons. They are both intelligent, attractive, and lonely. They both are also a bit jaded. They've seen life, and have been hit by some hard knocks. They really do need each other.
While I guessed as to who the bad guys were, the angst didn't have me on the edge of my seat. Thank goodness! The UST was lovely and the culmination even better.
Another point that tickles me about Ms. Burrowes' series...she always brings characters from earlier books back in. It's like old home week! Nicholas! Beckman! David!!! It's always so much fun to visit with characters that I've grown to love. And now I'm looking forward to Squire Belmont's story next.
Thank you, Sandi Layne, for loaning me this book!
November 6, 2015
If you have read many Grace Burrowes books you know what to expect -- the hero and heroine in a situation allowing for a great deal of interaction, a slow building sexual relationship, genuine respect and admiration on both parts, strong family connections. Thomas is no exception. It was a lovely story with a little intrigue and characters were are already familiar with. I enjoyed it from beginning to end, however, there is nothing new here. If you like GB's writing you will enjoy this one.
December 31, 2015
Rather typical Burrowes fare, which is a shorthand way of saying this was lovely and romantic and kept me thoroughly entertained for several hours. Not her absolute best work but still lovely.
February 15, 2023
Thomas, Baron Sutcliffe, arrives at his newly purchased Sussex estate to find his land steward - the only female land steward in Regency England - being bullied by the stable master and his malevolent staff while she protected her colicky horse. Shall we just say that as he fired the stable master and introduced himself to Loris, his land steward, sparks were flying and not just from all the tension of the situation. There is a plot involving Loris' missing father, the adjacent property owner and her son, and a bit of sabotage around Thomas' estate, but make no mistake, this is a pure romance filled with chemistry, sparks, lust, and ultimately love -- and some wonderfully steamy scenes. Loris is a strong woman, a survivor, and Thomas is her perfect match who also has survived much but is very much a gentleman falling heads over heels.
As with all Burrowes' historical romances, there are interconnections with other series. This is the first of the Jaded Gentlemen quartet with the next centering on two characters introduced here. But this also features a couple whose story has been told in another series (where Thomas no doubt makes his first appearance), and 2 secondary characters here have their own stories in another series -- and their stories while published before this one take place some time after the time of this story. I know there are those who only want to read books 'in order', but that's not really necessary here except perhaps withing each individual sub-series.
As with all Burrowes' historical romances, there are interconnections with other series. This is the first of the Jaded Gentlemen quartet with the next centering on two characters introduced here. But this also features a couple whose story has been told in another series (where Thomas no doubt makes his first appearance), and 2 secondary characters here have their own stories in another series -- and their stories while published before this one take place some time after the time of this story. I know there are those who only want to read books 'in order', but that's not really necessary here except perhaps withing each individual sub-series.
January 28, 2018
I started reading this book well before Thanksgiving, and just finished it today. I did not give it the attention it so richly deserved. Life got in the way and derailed my love of reading for a while. I felt like I lost a beloved friend, one that I feel blessed has finally returned.
But anyhoo.....
As always, Ms. Burrowes has penned a delightful tale of love between two people who have been hurt in the past and are healed by love. I found Loris to be a remarkable character, a woman who could take on men in their world, in a time where women were second class citizens. Thomas was a man whose masculinity was not threatened by a strong, smart woman. As in the Lonely Lords series, I especially enjoyed the friendships and love among the male characters. They weren't just friends, but like brothers.
A book by Ms. Burrowes is a wonderful thing.
But anyhoo.....
As always, Ms. Burrowes has penned a delightful tale of love between two people who have been hurt in the past and are healed by love. I found Loris to be a remarkable character, a woman who could take on men in their world, in a time where women were second class citizens. Thomas was a man whose masculinity was not threatened by a strong, smart woman. As in the Lonely Lords series, I especially enjoyed the friendships and love among the male characters. They weren't just friends, but like brothers.
A book by Ms. Burrowes is a wonderful thing.
September 1, 2016
Thomas Jennings, Baron Sutcliffe, came into possession of a title he never wanted a while ago and has recently purchased a new estate to go along with it. Said estate, he finds, has been managed by Miss Loris Tanner as de facto steward for the past two years, ever since her father (who technically held the position) disappeared. While Loris instructs him in how to manage the estate and he endeavours to teach her how to conduct herself in polite society, an attraction grows between them. While dealing with that, they're also kept busy by the fact that someone's causing trouble on the estate for some nefarious purpose.
I don't really read much in the way of historical romance, but every once in a while I feel tempted to pick one up. Sometimes, I get lucky and end up with a book that makes he think I should be reading more of this stuff, other times I end up with one that makes me roll my eyes and reminds me why I tend to stay away from it. This one, unfortunately, proved to be of the latter variety. I'm sure we're supposed to think Thomas terribly charming, but mostly I found him to be a condescending jerk. The way he started calling Loris "sweetheart" and taking liberties before there was ever a hint of romantic feelings on her part on the horizon really rubbed me the wrong way. Patronizing git. I liked Loris until she started turning into a simpering ninny every time Thomas crossed her path. The whole backstory with Loris's mother and her previously unknown family connections seemed unnecessarily complicated, while the villains of the story were so very obvious that there wasn't the slightest hint of mystery to be found. Also: his breeding organs?! Ugh. *shudder* Rarely have I seen those particular bodyparts described in a less appealing way. I'm glad this was a freebie, I'd consider it a terrible waste of money otherwise.
I don't really read much in the way of historical romance, but every once in a while I feel tempted to pick one up. Sometimes, I get lucky and end up with a book that makes he think I should be reading more of this stuff, other times I end up with one that makes me roll my eyes and reminds me why I tend to stay away from it. This one, unfortunately, proved to be of the latter variety. I'm sure we're supposed to think Thomas terribly charming, but mostly I found him to be a condescending jerk. The way he started calling Loris "sweetheart" and taking liberties before there was ever a hint of romantic feelings on her part on the horizon really rubbed me the wrong way. Patronizing git. I liked Loris until she started turning into a simpering ninny every time Thomas crossed her path. The whole backstory with Loris's mother and her previously unknown family connections seemed unnecessarily complicated, while the villains of the story were so very obvious that there wasn't the slightest hint of mystery to be found. Also: his breeding organs?! Ugh. *shudder* Rarely have I seen those particular bodyparts described in a less appealing way. I'm glad this was a freebie, I'd consider it a terrible waste of money otherwise.
June 5, 2015
Burrowes is an auto-buy for me, so I was pleased when "Thomas" was released.
Since her father's disappearance, Loris has been acting as Linden's steward. Now that Thomas, Baron Sutcliffe, the new owner, has arrived, she's worried that he'll make her leave..and she couldn't bear to leave the beautiful estate that she considers to be her home. Thomas, new to being an aristocrat, just wants Linden to be productive -- and if Loris can do that, then she's welcome to stay, despite the fact that she's a woman. As Loris teachers Thomas about estate management, Thomas teaches her the importance of self-respect and trust...and their friendship develops into love.
It's easy to empathize with Loris. She's had to succeed in conservative, rural society where women are second-class citizens, and where her father deserted her under a cloud of scandal. She uses her forceful personality to get results, but she's actually pretty fragile...something that she's buried..at least until Thomas makes her confront her fears. Thomas is such a good guy -- he's kind, caring, funny and resourceful!
There's some pretty good mystery and suspense to keep the plot rolling along -- though it's not too difficult to figure out the villain.
As always, Burrowes makes reading her stories such a treat. The descriptions, the dialogue, the imagery...all first rate. And it's fun to catch up with characters from Burrowes's other works as well.
A wonderful way to spend a cool rainy Sunday.
Since her father's disappearance, Loris has been acting as Linden's steward. Now that Thomas, Baron Sutcliffe, the new owner, has arrived, she's worried that he'll make her leave..and she couldn't bear to leave the beautiful estate that she considers to be her home. Thomas, new to being an aristocrat, just wants Linden to be productive -- and if Loris can do that, then she's welcome to stay, despite the fact that she's a woman. As Loris teachers Thomas about estate management, Thomas teaches her the importance of self-respect and trust...and their friendship develops into love.
It's easy to empathize with Loris. She's had to succeed in conservative, rural society where women are second-class citizens, and where her father deserted her under a cloud of scandal. She uses her forceful personality to get results, but she's actually pretty fragile...something that she's buried..at least until Thomas makes her confront her fears. Thomas is such a good guy -- he's kind, caring, funny and resourceful!
There's some pretty good mystery and suspense to keep the plot rolling along -- though it's not too difficult to figure out the villain.
As always, Burrowes makes reading her stories such a treat. The descriptions, the dialogue, the imagery...all first rate. And it's fun to catch up with characters from Burrowes's other works as well.
A wonderful way to spend a cool rainy Sunday.
October 28, 2024
I couldn't get past the unlikability of the heroine. Loris is my least favorite romance character--the woman who makes stupid, stupid choices until the final moment. There is nothing about her (except her eagerness to have lots of premarital sex) that would entice a smart, thoughtful man like Thomas. She is rude, snappish, obnoxious, narrow-minded, and foolish.
The only thing that I truly enjoyed about this book was the return (is it supposed to be a "return" or is this a prequel? What is the timeline here?) of Nick and Beckman.
I usually really, really enjoy Grace Burrowes' books (as evidenced by my preorder of this one). I wish this had been worth the read.
UPDATE: second reading via audiobook intensified dislike for this horrid heroine. There is no way someone in her role could have behaved so abominably toward her employee. Obnoxious and offensive. (And, quite beside the point—the male narrator of the audio version chose to voice her with a falsetto. Ugh.)
The only thing that I truly enjoyed about this book was the return (is it supposed to be a "return" or is this a prequel? What is the timeline here?) of Nick and Beckman.
I usually really, really enjoy Grace Burrowes' books (as evidenced by my preorder of this one). I wish this had been worth the read.
UPDATE: second reading via audiobook intensified dislike for this horrid heroine. There is no way someone in her role could have behaved so abominably toward her employee. Obnoxious and offensive. (And, quite beside the point—the male narrator of the audio version chose to voice her with a falsetto. Ugh.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2016
I liked the story of Loris and Thomas, but I didn't love it. I'm not really sure why. Something was just missing for me or maybe the reason why the H/h couldn't be together felt weak. Thomas pursued Loris without reservation. He was endearing and honest and refreshingly straightforward in sharing his intent.
If the H had no objections to the h's status (i.e. a commoner / land steward), then it bugged me when she did. Thomas already knew Loris' father was a wastrel and, despite that knowledge, still wanted her. So I couldn't understand why that mattered to Loris. I get the whole idea that she couldn't count on men to be there for her in the long run, but still. It left me feeling - Eh.
The story did take some unforeseen twists that were rather enjoyable. And the characters always acted rationally and without tantrums or drama - which I'm always glad for. Grace Burrowes' words flow so effortlessly, too.
If the H had no objections to the h's status (i.e. a commoner / land steward), then it bugged me when she did. Thomas already knew Loris' father was a wastrel and, despite that knowledge, still wanted her. So I couldn't understand why that mattered to Loris. I get the whole idea that she couldn't count on men to be there for her in the long run, but still. It left me feeling - Eh.
The story did take some unforeseen twists that were rather enjoyable. And the characters always acted rationally and without tantrums or drama - which I'm always glad for. Grace Burrowes' words flow so effortlessly, too.
June 15, 2016
This one started out a bit slow and I was annoyed by what I thought was going to be a Pygmalion plotline. Luckily, that's not entirely where she took it.
Could have done without the suspense subplot, and I'd like to see a woman who wasn't either a heroine in a Burrowes book or a former heroine who wasn't a one-note manipulative bitch.
Loris was definitely one of my favorite Burrowes heroines, though. I loved that she took no shit and was vulnerable. I'm hoping that I'll like Theresa just as much in the next book.
Could have done without the suspense subplot, and I'd like to see a woman who wasn't either a heroine in a Burrowes book or a former heroine who wasn't a one-note manipulative bitch.
Loris was definitely one of my favorite Burrowes heroines, though. I loved that she took no shit and was vulnerable. I'm hoping that I'll like Theresa just as much in the next book.
June 12, 2015
Yet another sweet Regency from Grace Burrowes. The heroine made me mad for a minute because she was seriously considering leaving the hero to run away with her irresponsible drunk of a father, because she felt obligated to take care of him. If there's one thing that I can't stand, it's a martyr! Good thing that she wised up and grabbed at her chance for happiness before hurting the hero's feelings too bad.
Read
June 22, 2016I'm not going to rate this. I remembered reading several other books by the same author, and once I had finished 'Thomas' I went back and read those as well, and then realised they were all more or less the same plot. Sigh. Even the sex scenes seemed to follow the same pattern. :(
June 4, 2015
Review to follow soon!
December 20, 2015
Unfortunately these books are all starting to feel exactly the same. I didn't even bother to finish this one. No more Grace Burrowes books for me, I think.
October 9, 2018
DNF at 33%.
I just can't stand his insufferable condescension and amusement about the things she takes very seriously.
I just can't stand his insufferable condescension and amusement about the things she takes very seriously.
November 8, 2017
THOMAS: Explores Honorable Behavior, Traditional Roles & Backlash
http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/201...
At some point in the past it became okay not to be a shrinking violet and realizing one’s abilities as a strong, intelligent woman became, just unusual, then okay, and – only lately – fully the social norm. Sadly, Loris, this story’s heroine, doesn’t live in any enlightened age. Romance Literature doesn’t treat women as disposables, rather it points out how far we’ve come and where society needs to move on. The official line of the Regency and Georgian periods was that women did not have the ability to focus their brains enough to do complicated jobs. So – yeah running the households of myriad estates was the woman’s domain as long as the concern stayed in household affairs. That is SO MUCH LESS complicated than running a farm, right?
This is the way life for women is presented in most Regency Romance. I am told it wasn’t as bad as all that: George IV’s heir was to have been his daughter who died in childbirth, and there were several ruling queens in the history of the country. But, given what we continue to face as women, it’s easy to imagine a time when women were held just slightly above livestock in importance. The system depended on men being honorable. Much of this genre depends on the human condition of imperfection.
I don’t know what was really true: in reading fiction or, even, popular history, one would imagine all women were meek and, it is true they ceased to be legal entities once they married, but were they really so trounced and subjugated? My guess is that they probably achieved their needs in many ways and in some cases just did what had to be done and were listened to.
Loris is somewhere in the middle. She is an unofficial estate manager, or steward, filling in for her missing father. The problem with stepping out of bounds for a woman then was that then the boundaries in your treatment were also loosened. There are a lot of subtleties to this particular area of thinking, and a complex plot with intrigue galore in this one.
Loris’ story is a bit contrived, but her decisions are hard to make. The chemistry between the characters seemed a little forced.
Langton has a particularly listenable voice- just the right pitch and a lovely variety of reasonable accents. I think his breathy female voices are growing on me – or he is working at making them sound less vapid.
I enjoyed this one for the issues, and the location felt removed from the realities of normal Regency life.
http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/201...
At some point in the past it became okay not to be a shrinking violet and realizing one’s abilities as a strong, intelligent woman became, just unusual, then okay, and – only lately – fully the social norm. Sadly, Loris, this story’s heroine, doesn’t live in any enlightened age. Romance Literature doesn’t treat women as disposables, rather it points out how far we’ve come and where society needs to move on. The official line of the Regency and Georgian periods was that women did not have the ability to focus their brains enough to do complicated jobs. So – yeah running the households of myriad estates was the woman’s domain as long as the concern stayed in household affairs. That is SO MUCH LESS complicated than running a farm, right?
This is the way life for women is presented in most Regency Romance. I am told it wasn’t as bad as all that: George IV’s heir was to have been his daughter who died in childbirth, and there were several ruling queens in the history of the country. But, given what we continue to face as women, it’s easy to imagine a time when women were held just slightly above livestock in importance. The system depended on men being honorable. Much of this genre depends on the human condition of imperfection.
I don’t know what was really true: in reading fiction or, even, popular history, one would imagine all women were meek and, it is true they ceased to be legal entities once they married, but were they really so trounced and subjugated? My guess is that they probably achieved their needs in many ways and in some cases just did what had to be done and were listened to.
Loris is somewhere in the middle. She is an unofficial estate manager, or steward, filling in for her missing father. The problem with stepping out of bounds for a woman then was that then the boundaries in your treatment were also loosened. There are a lot of subtleties to this particular area of thinking, and a complex plot with intrigue galore in this one.
Loris’ story is a bit contrived, but her decisions are hard to make. The chemistry between the characters seemed a little forced.
Langton has a particularly listenable voice- just the right pitch and a lovely variety of reasonable accents. I think his breathy female voices are growing on me – or he is working at making them sound less vapid.
I enjoyed this one for the issues, and the location felt removed from the realities of normal Regency life.
June 4, 2017
I always enjoy Grace Burrowes' books - I like some better than others, but I have liked all I've read. One of the things I really like about her books is that the characters all occupy the same time period and they are interconnected. For instance, in this book Val from the Windham series is mentioned and we also have Nicholas Haddonfield, David Fairley, etc. Her books are like I picture London society being -- they all know or know of each other.
I like the heroine, Loris Tanner, very much. Her father is a habitual drunk and she is a classic enabler. She constantly covers for him, straightens out his messes, etc. However, he got himself into trouble two years ago and disappeared. He left Loris behind with no means of support and no idea of what had happened to him. She's been acting as the estate steward ever since. She got away with that because the owner of the estate was an absentee owner and almost never visited the estate. But then, the estate was sold to a new owner.
Thomas Jennings, Baron Sutcliffe, hates having a title. He hates how he came to have the title and he'd had it for over a year before anyone discovered that he had one. Thomas has just purchased a new estate, Linden, sight unseen. He's excited to arrive and learn all about how to manage his estate, lands, tenants, etc. So, he's a bit disconcerted when he first arrives at his estate and finds no an altercation between a woman and the stable hands. He watches, unseen, for a while and appreciates the woman's courage and determination -- and he knows she is right. So he steps in and manages the situation and fires the stable manager.
Thomas could have turned Loris out because women didn't perform those kinds of jobs. However, Thomas used to manage a brothel for his former employer and he knew how strong and smart women could be. So, he kept Loris in place and was determined to learn to be a good landowner from her.
There are mysteries and romance in the book and I enjoyed the read!
I like the heroine, Loris Tanner, very much. Her father is a habitual drunk and she is a classic enabler. She constantly covers for him, straightens out his messes, etc. However, he got himself into trouble two years ago and disappeared. He left Loris behind with no means of support and no idea of what had happened to him. She's been acting as the estate steward ever since. She got away with that because the owner of the estate was an absentee owner and almost never visited the estate. But then, the estate was sold to a new owner.
Thomas Jennings, Baron Sutcliffe, hates having a title. He hates how he came to have the title and he'd had it for over a year before anyone discovered that he had one. Thomas has just purchased a new estate, Linden, sight unseen. He's excited to arrive and learn all about how to manage his estate, lands, tenants, etc. So, he's a bit disconcerted when he first arrives at his estate and finds no an altercation between a woman and the stable hands. He watches, unseen, for a while and appreciates the woman's courage and determination -- and he knows she is right. So he steps in and manages the situation and fires the stable manager.
Thomas could have turned Loris out because women didn't perform those kinds of jobs. However, Thomas used to manage a brothel for his former employer and he knew how strong and smart women could be. So, he kept Loris in place and was determined to learn to be a good landowner from her.
There are mysteries and romance in the book and I enjoyed the read!
April 18, 2020
Some inconsistencies with character behaviour stopped me giving this a higher rating.
Loris is said to be a sensible lady, supposedly incapable of small talk and typical feminine fluttery behaviour, yet half way through the book she does a complete one eighty. It’s a shame. It would have been a nice change from what seems to be a standard GB trope, if she had kept to her original awkwardness and shyness and be loved for that instead of throwing caution to the wind and throwing herself at the Hero. Sex outdoors in the rain? Really? In that era?
Other details may make sense to US readers, but not to me.
And any book set in England should not include “is all” instead of “that’s all”. Shudder.
Also, while, according to Wikipedia, they may have used group efforts to build structures in England, it would have been a rare thing and definitely not referred to as barn raising. The English psyche is different from America with its Amish and European influences. Including things like that tend to detract from a credible picture of the period.
Given the propensity of rain, I also doubt, even in a rural village that they would have assemblies on the green at night. That’s what church halls were for. The men might have stayed outside to drink, but all dancing would be inside. Rural areas would have tried to create the scenes as close as possible to those in towns. They may have had fairs and garden parties on the green during the daytime. But more likely in the grounds of one of the larger houses.
Then doubt is cast on a character because he came from 2 miles away. Smoke would have been visible from a lot further away than that.
I get tired of all the lies too or withheld communication. As a plot device to create conflict, they grow wearisome. As does the whole drama queen behaviour of two protagonists who started out as anything but that.
Loris is said to be a sensible lady, supposedly incapable of small talk and typical feminine fluttery behaviour, yet half way through the book she does a complete one eighty. It’s a shame. It would have been a nice change from what seems to be a standard GB trope, if she had kept to her original awkwardness and shyness and be loved for that instead of throwing caution to the wind and throwing herself at the Hero. Sex outdoors in the rain? Really? In that era?
Other details may make sense to US readers, but not to me.
And any book set in England should not include “is all” instead of “that’s all”. Shudder.
Also, while, according to Wikipedia, they may have used group efforts to build structures in England, it would have been a rare thing and definitely not referred to as barn raising. The English psyche is different from America with its Amish and European influences. Including things like that tend to detract from a credible picture of the period.
Given the propensity of rain, I also doubt, even in a rural village that they would have assemblies on the green at night. That’s what church halls were for. The men might have stayed outside to drink, but all dancing would be inside. Rural areas would have tried to create the scenes as close as possible to those in towns. They may have had fairs and garden parties on the green during the daytime. But more likely in the grounds of one of the larger houses.
Then doubt is cast on a character because he came from 2 miles away. Smoke would have been visible from a lot further away than that.
I get tired of all the lies too or withheld communication. As a plot device to create conflict, they grow wearisome. As does the whole drama queen behaviour of two protagonists who started out as anything but that.
July 4, 2025
I am being generous with a four stars owing to the consistent fluidity of the authors writing, which in certain sentences or descriptions, touches inspiration
Began voraciously reading during trump’s first administration
Now in his second administration, the comedic horror needs more to overcome it than the formulaic regencies
The story was solid as were the characters,
Especially found the land stewardship of interest even the details were not boring
The characters of Nick and Brent are of course met up with later and could not place them immediately
The romance went along as expected, all heroes seem to come from the same cookie cutter
the return of the absentee father and the drunken dreams of the childhood friend at the end, got a little too long
The story within a story about the misused stud Johnny was done well and we applaud his final freedom
as we do the final banishment of the overbearing Mrs whose name cannot remember Placing the estate under better stewardship, and a promise for the son
Series, the jaded gentlemen does allow for a respite from the Trump administration people like Pete Hegseth, and by the way we just bombed Iran
Looking back over 10 years at the end of our democracy that most of the country feels indifferent towards I think that I my aging Will only permit me to see the initial horrors of the fascist government. Trump has already installed in in 186 days.
Obviously, once the books are read, they are completely forgotten, which is why the reviews are here to remind myself of what is going on in our poor battered thoroughly disrespected America
History before our eyes has collapsed the legislative and the judicial branches of government under the powers of a president whose mental disturbances will be studied for decades
The most fascinating beside the fact that we are totally fucked is that you could not write this stuff if you sat down and tried. Trump just erected a flagpole. completely disturbing the aesthetic qualities of our White House. Certain covers of the New Yorker. Tell the story as the picture is always worth 1000 words.
I am now reading Axel
Began voraciously reading during trump’s first administration
Now in his second administration, the comedic horror needs more to overcome it than the formulaic regencies
The story was solid as were the characters,
Especially found the land stewardship of interest even the details were not boring
The characters of Nick and Brent are of course met up with later and could not place them immediately
The romance went along as expected, all heroes seem to come from the same cookie cutter
the return of the absentee father and the drunken dreams of the childhood friend at the end, got a little too long
The story within a story about the misused stud Johnny was done well and we applaud his final freedom
as we do the final banishment of the overbearing Mrs whose name cannot remember Placing the estate under better stewardship, and a promise for the son
Series, the jaded gentlemen does allow for a respite from the Trump administration people like Pete Hegseth, and by the way we just bombed Iran
Looking back over 10 years at the end of our democracy that most of the country feels indifferent towards I think that I my aging Will only permit me to see the initial horrors of the fascist government. Trump has already installed in in 186 days.
Obviously, once the books are read, they are completely forgotten, which is why the reviews are here to remind myself of what is going on in our poor battered thoroughly disrespected America
History before our eyes has collapsed the legislative and the judicial branches of government under the powers of a president whose mental disturbances will be studied for decades
The most fascinating beside the fact that we are totally fucked is that you could not write this stuff if you sat down and tried. Trump just erected a flagpole. completely disturbing the aesthetic qualities of our White House. Certain covers of the New Yorker. Tell the story as the picture is always worth 1000 words.
I am now reading Axel
June 26, 2019
Overall
The more I reread this universe in chronological, the more respect I have for Grace Burrowes and her ability to create characters that may or may not play a larger role in their own books later. We leave the Lonely Lord series behind for a while for a series that Grace Burrowes entitled the Jaded Gentlemen.
In Thomas, we pick up the story of David’s man of business, Thomas Jennings, who apparently became Baron Sutcliffe when David wasn’t looking. Thomas leaves David’s service and takes up the mantle of baron at some point after David and Letty marry, then purchases the estate that Andrew, Lord Greymoor, was thinking of selling to Douglas, Lord Amery.
We’ve also already met Loris Tanner, the heroine, in Douglas, as the daughter of Linden’s steward who ran off without a word two years previous, worried of being accused of forcing himself on a woman. In his absence, Loris has been trying to unofficially carry on her father’s duties, preserving her father’s place in hopes he might return. In Douglas, he advised Andrew of Loris’s situation, and she became the steward in truth.
Thomas purchases the estate, comes to Linden and meets Loris. They fall in love even as she worries over her father’s continued absence, her lack of security in the world, and her problems exerting her authority over the stables. Thomas relies on Loris to get the estate back into order and offers to show her how to get along better as a lady so that she might have a few more options if her father never returns and a future owner turns her away.
There’s also someone making trouble on the Linden estate, so there’s a small mystery that doesn’t drive the plot, merely gives our leads something to do while Thomas tries to convince Loris to take a chance on him. The supporting cast is also a good one and, like Douglas, does a lot to set Grace Burrowes up for at least six or seven more books.
David, Lord Fairly, returns for his fifth straight appearance as the hero’s confidante and friend. I remember reading Jennifer Ashley’s Mackenzie & McBride series and being supremely annoyed every time a Mackenzie brother showed because they never felt like they narratively served the plot. They were there because the author loved them, not because the characters did.
That’s a big difference in Burrowes’ regency universe where what holds these characters together is not merely their family connections but their genuine affection. David grew up without a large family, so it makes sense when he frets about his sisters, Felicity and Astrid, and their husbands, Gareth and Andrew, or Douglas and Thomas. When Letty suggests David visit Thomas to see how he’s going on at Linden, it feels earned and right.
We also meet the Haddonfield brothers, Nick and Beckman, who will also head their own books in the Lonely Lords series. Nick refers later to his sisters, most of whom will be heroines in subsequent series. Nick gets more to do here than Beckman, but I find myself liking both brothers and looking forward to reading their books soon. We’re also introduced to Matthew Belmont whose brother shows up in The Virtuoso.
Sometimes you can see that Burrowes is playing around with the extra characters in her books, just to see if something might tug enough to inspire her to write their story. The extraneous scenes might annoy me (and if I recall correctly, they eventually do) but here, early on, the characters feel useful and interesting. I want to read more about Matthew, Nick, and Beckman, based on their presence here.
This is honestly the best book in the universe thus far, with the best characterization and plot development as well as my favorite romance.
Spoilers
I wasn’t sure at the beginning if I was going to like this book at all actually because Thomas offering to show Loris how to be a lady seemed a bit forced. The more however, I read, the more I became interested in why he was so adamant in giving Loris choices. But we get some glimpses into a troubled childhood and a rough relationship with his sister, Theresa. I wish we’d gotten more but I suspect Burrowes realized she was going to write Theresa’s story next (she’s the heroine in Matthew) and I can respect that since Thomas’s story was really Theresa’s, it was more important that it happen in her book.
One of the things that can often drive me crazy about series is that the some of the best part of the character’s story happens in the book previous. Cathy Maxwell wrote a trilogy about a cursed set of siblings in which the middle brother was a drunk (and possibly drug addict). He sobered up in the first book and it was only alluded to in the second. He doesn’t even tell his heroine about his past. It made that hero seem a lot more flat and uninteresting.
I don’t mind getting pieces of a character throughout several books — we’ve had five books with David and I have the same criticism — his story unfolded more in Gareth and Andrew, so we as readers already knew his tragic backstory. But Burrowes at least took the space to for David to share his story with Letty.
Here, Thomas never really opens up to Loris beyond some vague suggestion that he and his sister quarreled because Theresa embraced a life of vice, throwing away her virtue. He’s refused to talk to her in years, which feels cold and unfeeling. It almost renders Thomas unlikeable — but then, at the end of the story, Thomas admits to himself that he’s realized he’s holding Theresa responsible for her choices as if she’d been an adult at the time, and not only slightly older than him. He invites her to visit. I don’t mind if a character does things that are not likeable, as long as the author motivates it.
So while I’d wish for more detail about Thomas’s childhood, I can live with it ending up in the next book because it means that Theresa’s relationship with her brother still needs repairing. I’m glad she left it out of this book.
The more I reread this universe in chronological, the more respect I have for Grace Burrowes and her ability to create characters that may or may not play a larger role in their own books later. We leave the Lonely Lord series behind for a while for a series that Grace Burrowes entitled the Jaded Gentlemen.
In Thomas, we pick up the story of David’s man of business, Thomas Jennings, who apparently became Baron Sutcliffe when David wasn’t looking. Thomas leaves David’s service and takes up the mantle of baron at some point after David and Letty marry, then purchases the estate that Andrew, Lord Greymoor, was thinking of selling to Douglas, Lord Amery.
We’ve also already met Loris Tanner, the heroine, in Douglas, as the daughter of Linden’s steward who ran off without a word two years previous, worried of being accused of forcing himself on a woman. In his absence, Loris has been trying to unofficially carry on her father’s duties, preserving her father’s place in hopes he might return. In Douglas, he advised Andrew of Loris’s situation, and she became the steward in truth.
Thomas purchases the estate, comes to Linden and meets Loris. They fall in love even as she worries over her father’s continued absence, her lack of security in the world, and her problems exerting her authority over the stables. Thomas relies on Loris to get the estate back into order and offers to show her how to get along better as a lady so that she might have a few more options if her father never returns and a future owner turns her away.
There’s also someone making trouble on the Linden estate, so there’s a small mystery that doesn’t drive the plot, merely gives our leads something to do while Thomas tries to convince Loris to take a chance on him. The supporting cast is also a good one and, like Douglas, does a lot to set Grace Burrowes up for at least six or seven more books.
David, Lord Fairly, returns for his fifth straight appearance as the hero’s confidante and friend. I remember reading Jennifer Ashley’s Mackenzie & McBride series and being supremely annoyed every time a Mackenzie brother showed because they never felt like they narratively served the plot. They were there because the author loved them, not because the characters did.
That’s a big difference in Burrowes’ regency universe where what holds these characters together is not merely their family connections but their genuine affection. David grew up without a large family, so it makes sense when he frets about his sisters, Felicity and Astrid, and their husbands, Gareth and Andrew, or Douglas and Thomas. When Letty suggests David visit Thomas to see how he’s going on at Linden, it feels earned and right.
We also meet the Haddonfield brothers, Nick and Beckman, who will also head their own books in the Lonely Lords series. Nick refers later to his sisters, most of whom will be heroines in subsequent series. Nick gets more to do here than Beckman, but I find myself liking both brothers and looking forward to reading their books soon. We’re also introduced to Matthew Belmont whose brother shows up in The Virtuoso.
Sometimes you can see that Burrowes is playing around with the extra characters in her books, just to see if something might tug enough to inspire her to write their story. The extraneous scenes might annoy me (and if I recall correctly, they eventually do) but here, early on, the characters feel useful and interesting. I want to read more about Matthew, Nick, and Beckman, based on their presence here.
This is honestly the best book in the universe thus far, with the best characterization and plot development as well as my favorite romance.
Spoilers
I wasn’t sure at the beginning if I was going to like this book at all actually because Thomas offering to show Loris how to be a lady seemed a bit forced. The more however, I read, the more I became interested in why he was so adamant in giving Loris choices. But we get some glimpses into a troubled childhood and a rough relationship with his sister, Theresa. I wish we’d gotten more but I suspect Burrowes realized she was going to write Theresa’s story next (she’s the heroine in Matthew) and I can respect that since Thomas’s story was really Theresa’s, it was more important that it happen in her book.
One of the things that can often drive me crazy about series is that the some of the best part of the character’s story happens in the book previous. Cathy Maxwell wrote a trilogy about a cursed set of siblings in which the middle brother was a drunk (and possibly drug addict). He sobered up in the first book and it was only alluded to in the second. He doesn’t even tell his heroine about his past. It made that hero seem a lot more flat and uninteresting.
I don’t mind getting pieces of a character throughout several books — we’ve had five books with David and I have the same criticism — his story unfolded more in Gareth and Andrew, so we as readers already knew his tragic backstory. But Burrowes at least took the space to for David to share his story with Letty.
Here, Thomas never really opens up to Loris beyond some vague suggestion that he and his sister quarreled because Theresa embraced a life of vice, throwing away her virtue. He’s refused to talk to her in years, which feels cold and unfeeling. It almost renders Thomas unlikeable — but then, at the end of the story, Thomas admits to himself that he’s realized he’s holding Theresa responsible for her choices as if she’d been an adult at the time, and not only slightly older than him. He invites her to visit. I don’t mind if a character does things that are not likeable, as long as the author motivates it.
So while I’d wish for more detail about Thomas’s childhood, I can live with it ending up in the next book because it means that Theresa’s relationship with her brother still needs repairing. I’m glad she left it out of this book.
February 12, 2018
Thomas Jennings arrives at his newly acquired estate to discover his steward has been absent for two years, leaving his more than capable daughter, Loris, to fill the roll. However, with discontent among the staff, Thomas makes changes immediately, and now someone is causing mischief on his property, leaving the unprepared Thomas dependent on Loris’s knowledge and advice.
Loris Tanner enjoys her position as steward despite the hard work because she loves the land. She’s comforted to realize the new owner is reasonable and plans to keep her on in her role. However, neither Loris nor Thomas planned on the growing attraction that draws the pair together.
Even though Thomas is the first book in the Jaded Gentlemen series, it’s the second I’ve listened to. Now that I am familiar the author’s voice and storytelling, along with the narrator’s style and vocalization, it all fell into place. I adore Thomas and Loris. I love that both are unconventional for the time. She is a strong female who uses her smarts and wit. She’s happy running the land, doing a man’s job… and she’s mostly accepted, which is not something that would have happened. Likewise, Thomas is kind and generous. He values not only Loris’s opinions but the word of all his honorable employees. He gives Loris time and comfort, recognizing that she has been hurt and needs to be in charge of her own life.
The narration by Mr. Langton is comforting. His voices are soothing and familiar. While none of the characters stand out, each is just different enough that every character is unique and distinguishable from the next. While he never quite comes off as a woman, his female voices are appropriate and feminine.
Even though the story takes place only over the course of a couple months, Thomas is sweeping and almost epic in nature due to the methodical approach to both the romance and the mystery of who is behind the sabotage. I like that story gives equal footing to the romance, the mystery, and the development of the two main characters. Overall, Thomas is a delightful listen.
My Rating: A-
Narration: A-
Loris Tanner enjoys her position as steward despite the hard work because she loves the land. She’s comforted to realize the new owner is reasonable and plans to keep her on in her role. However, neither Loris nor Thomas planned on the growing attraction that draws the pair together.
Even though Thomas is the first book in the Jaded Gentlemen series, it’s the second I’ve listened to. Now that I am familiar the author’s voice and storytelling, along with the narrator’s style and vocalization, it all fell into place. I adore Thomas and Loris. I love that both are unconventional for the time. She is a strong female who uses her smarts and wit. She’s happy running the land, doing a man’s job… and she’s mostly accepted, which is not something that would have happened. Likewise, Thomas is kind and generous. He values not only Loris’s opinions but the word of all his honorable employees. He gives Loris time and comfort, recognizing that she has been hurt and needs to be in charge of her own life.
The narration by Mr. Langton is comforting. His voices are soothing and familiar. While none of the characters stand out, each is just different enough that every character is unique and distinguishable from the next. While he never quite comes off as a woman, his female voices are appropriate and feminine.
Even though the story takes place only over the course of a couple months, Thomas is sweeping and almost epic in nature due to the methodical approach to both the romance and the mystery of who is behind the sabotage. I like that story gives equal footing to the romance, the mystery, and the development of the two main characters. Overall, Thomas is a delightful listen.
My Rating: A-
Narration: A-
August 3, 2017
This is a light read that borders on boring.
I think the best part of the book is Loris. There is something endearing in her straightforward attitude. She is earnest and likable. Other than that, I wasn't really interested in the book or the story.
The story revolves around Loris and Thomas. Thomas now owns the estate Loris oversees. She took over her father's job after he disappeared. He was being accused of rape by the neighbour and he fled. The neighbour has a history of claiming rape and she was hateful.
Loris had to take care of herself. She also took care of the horses. However, her authority wasn't really being respected. Thomas stumbled upon her fighting with another worker. There was an outbreak of horse sickness and they were fighting because the worker wasn't taking proper care. Anyways, Loris and Thomas get to know each other. He admires her work ethic. She is wary of men. They start an affair and fall for each other. He tells her that she will have to marry him if they get with child.
Her father returns eventually. The conflict then turns to the missing money. The neighbour stole from her son. Her son thought that Loris' father had something to do with it. He wanted to marry Loris to recover his fortune. He held them at gunpoint. Thomas came to the rescue. He set out a plan for them to follow. The mother would live on a reduced allowance and Thomas was planning on purchasing a commission for the son.
I think the best part of the book is Loris. There is something endearing in her straightforward attitude. She is earnest and likable. Other than that, I wasn't really interested in the book or the story.
The story revolves around Loris and Thomas. Thomas now owns the estate Loris oversees. She took over her father's job after he disappeared. He was being accused of rape by the neighbour and he fled. The neighbour has a history of claiming rape and she was hateful.
Loris had to take care of herself. She also took care of the horses. However, her authority wasn't really being respected. Thomas stumbled upon her fighting with another worker. There was an outbreak of horse sickness and they were fighting because the worker wasn't taking proper care. Anyways, Loris and Thomas get to know each other. He admires her work ethic. She is wary of men. They start an affair and fall for each other. He tells her that she will have to marry him if they get with child.
Her father returns eventually. The conflict then turns to the missing money. The neighbour stole from her son. Her son thought that Loris' father had something to do with it. He wanted to marry Loris to recover his fortune. He held them at gunpoint. Thomas came to the rescue. He set out a plan for them to follow. The mother would live on a reduced allowance and Thomas was planning on purchasing a commission for the son.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2021
After trying a novella by Grace Burrowes, I decided to try a longer book. Frankly, I'm perplexed. Where's the story? From the time that Thomas Jennings arrives, he seems to have the hots for Miss Loris Tanner, Thomas' missing steward's daughter (who seems to run things).
The story jumps from one conversation to another. Thomas' perusal of Loris is only interrupted by some odd occurrences in the stables that could have grave repercussions. Thomas' constant conversations with Loris become more amorous as the reader turns pages. This doesn't seem to be a historical story at all; it seems rather contemporary.
Lots of the dialogue between Loris and Thomas caused me to roll my eyes. He didn't want to disrespect Loris -- as he was pulling off his clothes. Please. They are discussing the possibility of conceiving a child. He offers to marry Loris and she demures. What? In England, at that time, she would not have had a choice. Where is this author's knowledge of English social history?
I'm not interested in reading anything else by this author. Much of this novel seemed to be a bucket of drivel. I skip-read the last third of this miserable book.
The story jumps from one conversation to another. Thomas' perusal of Loris is only interrupted by some odd occurrences in the stables that could have grave repercussions. Thomas' constant conversations with Loris become more amorous as the reader turns pages. This doesn't seem to be a historical story at all; it seems rather contemporary.
Lots of the dialogue between Loris and Thomas caused me to roll my eyes. He didn't want to disrespect Loris -- as he was pulling off his clothes. Please. They are discussing the possibility of conceiving a child. He offers to marry Loris and she demures. What? In England, at that time, she would not have had a choice. Where is this author's knowledge of English social history?
I'm not interested in reading anything else by this author. Much of this novel seemed to be a bucket of drivel. I skip-read the last third of this miserable book.
March 24, 2021
Thomas has purchased a small country estate to go with his new barony. When he arrives to take residence, he finds things under the competent control of his steward--the intriguing Loris, whose dissolute father disappeared two years earlier, leaving her to put the estate to rights and take over management in all but name. Thomas has no issue with a female steward, except an inconvenient attraction to the competent, intelligent, unusual woman. For Loris's part, she has been raised to manage the land, not to be a baroness, so she tries to keep Thomas at arm's length. Soon his friends arrive to meddle, and he and Loris must discover who's sabotaging the estate and endangering the horses. As they grow closer, both must consider what they want from life, and whether they could find it together.
Unlike some of the other books in this series, this one moves along at a decent clip. I enjoyed Thomas and Loris's story very much. Not least because there were many horses involved, and well-meaning friends and neighbors.
Unlike some of the other books in this series, this one moves along at a decent clip. I enjoyed Thomas and Loris's story very much. Not least because there were many horses involved, and well-meaning friends and neighbors.
June 5, 2023
This is regular fair with problems common to the genre.
Thomas (Jaded Gentlemen #1) mostly has POVs from the Hero and Heroine, but other characters do push in and become narrators as well, which bugs me. This is a book where the heroine says, "because I need to take care of myself and be responsible, I want you to not take any more liberties like kissing my forehead (even though I like you I am making the choice to not act on it)." Then the Hero goes, "but what if I love you and I'm really good at seducing you?" Heroine, "Okay, since you're so good at seducing we'll go ahead." It is another common thing in romance novels that bug me. Even with these faults I was able to root for their HEA enjoy most of the book.
I wish that Burrowes provided a timeline of when all of her interconnected series take place, because reading in publication leaves something to be desired. The villains were not sufficiently dealt with in my opinion, but sometimes I am also a little skeptical of who she casts in the role of villain and how.
Thomas (Jaded Gentlemen #1) mostly has POVs from the Hero and Heroine, but other characters do push in and become narrators as well, which bugs me. This is a book where the heroine says, "because I need to take care of myself and be responsible, I want you to not take any more liberties like kissing my forehead (even though I like you I am making the choice to not act on it)." Then the Hero goes, "but what if I love you and I'm really good at seducing you?" Heroine, "Okay, since you're so good at seducing we'll go ahead." It is another common thing in romance novels that bug me. Even with these faults I was able to root for their HEA enjoy most of the book.
I wish that Burrowes provided a timeline of when all of her interconnected series take place, because reading in publication leaves something to be desired. The villains were not sufficiently dealt with in my opinion, but sometimes I am also a little skeptical of who she casts in the role of villain and how.
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