What do you think?
Rate this book
The Lords of Bucknall Club #6
A Scandal for Stratford
He has all he could ask for.
James Lewis, the Earl of Stratford, has precisely what he wants: a quiet existence on his family estate, a thriving horse trade that leaves him plenty of time to work on the final volume of his anonymously published opus, The Maiden Diaries, and a deeply committed albeit unconventional relationship with his stablemaster, Harold Granger. While the shy, awkward earl can barely manage a word in London society, with Harold, he can share anything.
He wouldn’t change a thing.
Harold Granger knows what he and James risk by loving one another. James’s reputation as an eccentric recluse would be twisted into something far worse if anyone learned he was carrying on an affair with a servant. Worse still if anyone learned that Harold puts the earl on his knees and delivers the welts and bruises James begs for. But when it’s just the two of them, everything feels so perfectly right, and Harold is determined to remain a safe harbour to James no matter what.
But a storm is fast approaching.
Their determination to protect each other is put to the test when James’s volatile younger brother, Frederick, returns from a decade abroad, nursing grudges from the past. When Frederick stumbles upon James’s secrets, he sees a means to rid himself of his brother and reclaim his own place in society. His scheming forces James and Harold from their idyllic life and into a web of treachery that can only be untangled by the Bucknall Club circle–if the two can let themselves trust these newfound friendships the way they trust each other.
A Scandal for Stratford is the sixth book in The Lords of Bucknall Club series, where the Regency meets m/m romance. The Lords of Bucknall Club books can be read as standalones but are best enjoyed in order.
James Lewis, the Earl of Stratford, has precisely what he wants: a quiet existence on his family estate, a thriving horse trade that leaves him plenty of time to work on the final volume of his anonymously published opus, The Maiden Diaries, and a deeply committed albeit unconventional relationship with his stablemaster, Harold Granger. While the shy, awkward earl can barely manage a word in London society, with Harold, he can share anything.
He wouldn’t change a thing.
Harold Granger knows what he and James risk by loving one another. James’s reputation as an eccentric recluse would be twisted into something far worse if anyone learned he was carrying on an affair with a servant. Worse still if anyone learned that Harold puts the earl on his knees and delivers the welts and bruises James begs for. But when it’s just the two of them, everything feels so perfectly right, and Harold is determined to remain a safe harbour to James no matter what.
But a storm is fast approaching.
Their determination to protect each other is put to the test when James’s volatile younger brother, Frederick, returns from a decade abroad, nursing grudges from the past. When Frederick stumbles upon James’s secrets, he sees a means to rid himself of his brother and reclaim his own place in society. His scheming forces James and Harold from their idyllic life and into a web of treachery that can only be untangled by the Bucknall Club circle–if the two can let themselves trust these newfound friendships the way they trust each other.
A Scandal for Stratford is the sixth book in The Lords of Bucknall Club series, where the Regency meets m/m romance. The Lords of Bucknall Club books can be read as standalones but are best enjoyed in order.
317 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 5, 2022
57 people are currently reading
422 people want to read
About the author
J.A. Rock
57 books565 followersJ.A. Rock is the author or coauthor of over twenty LGBTQ romance, suspense, and horror novels, as well as an occasional contributor to HuffPo Queer Voices. J.A. has received Lambda Literary and INDIEFAB Award nominations for MINOTAUR, and THE SUBS CLUB received the 2016 National Leather Association-International Pauline Reage Novel Award. J.A. lives in Chicago with an extremely judgmental dog, Professor Anne Studebaker.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Read
August 4, 2022DNF @21%
I love this series and rwant to see the rest of the gang but I can’t push on. At least not now. I don’t like anything about this couple or their relationship. Just really not my jam
I love this series and rwant to see the rest of the gang but I can’t push on. At least not now. I don’t like anything about this couple or their relationship. Just really not my jam
November 10, 2025
This series has been such a hit and miss for me over the past years ... more of the latter alas. Book 2 was the best of the lot with some memorable characters. Neither of the MCs here proved appealing (despite having a non-binary one) and despite the promising threat of a vengeful , never reached 2.5 stars overall IMO. Being the last of the series, almost every MC pairing from the previous books returned to take their bows and this was done quite well (although having spread my reading of these over quite some time - I had to dredge my memory banks for the pairing dramas). Published excepts from the fictionalized Virgin Diaries located at the start of each chapter failed to titillate. Pity - I had hoped for a more rousing finale.
July 19, 2023
DNF 40%
Chciałam to skończyć, naprawdę. Wszystkie poprzednie części weszły mi jak złoto. Nie jest to seria, którą zapamiętam na zawsze, ale przyjemnie i bezproblemowo mi się czytało.
Natomiast ta część...
Dosłownie nic mi się tu nie podobało. Ani główny bohater, ani relacja, ani zawiązujący się konflikt z bratem i zagrożenie reputacji MC. Miałam wrażenie, jakby autorki próbowały wrzucić do garnka wszystko, co im przyszło do głowy: BDSM, płynność płciową, autyzm. I pewnie nie byłoby w tym nic złego, gdyby sklecony z tego główny bohater był interesujący. Niestety, jest jedynie irytujący.
Fatalne zakończenie serii. Szkoda.
Chciałam to skończyć, naprawdę. Wszystkie poprzednie części weszły mi jak złoto. Nie jest to seria, którą zapamiętam na zawsze, ale przyjemnie i bezproblemowo mi się czytało.
Natomiast ta część...
Dosłownie nic mi się tu nie podobało. Ani główny bohater, ani relacja, ani zawiązujący się konflikt z bratem i zagrożenie reputacji MC. Miałam wrażenie, jakby autorki próbowały wrzucić do garnka wszystko, co im przyszło do głowy: BDSM, płynność płciową, autyzm. I pewnie nie byłoby w tym nic złego, gdyby sklecony z tego główny bohater był interesujący. Niestety, jest jedynie irytujący.
Fatalne zakończenie serii. Szkoda.
February 5, 2024
This entire series was an absolute triumph - I loved how the vibes of all the books were so different, and yet so cohesive in the wonderful queer-normative regency world that the authors have created. The whole Bucknall club gang were delightful and I loved how we saw them all come together in each other’s books - this one being the culmination of the whole gang working together to help Stratford.
This book focusses on the reclusive James, Lord Stratford, who lives at his country estate breeds and trains horses, writes some *risqué* literature and is deeply, madly in love with his stablemaster, Harold. Harold and James have a quite intense dom/sub BDSM-based relationship, with Lord Stratford as the sub - something absolutely unheard of in regency class system. James is also gender-fluid, and whilst presents the majority of time as male, he sometimes feels female - something that Harold accepts and loves.
James and Harold’s quiet world is thrown into disarray when James’s younger brother Frederick returns from the continent, furious at how James has been conducting himself (reclusive, outside of society) and when he accidentally stumbles upon evidence of James’ out-of-the-norm lifestyle, Fredrick is determined to make his life hell and destroy everything he holds dear.
Terrified for James, Harold turns to the gentlemen of the Bucknall club to help him and we get an absolutely delightful plot where all the characters from previous books come together to help Lord Stratford and Harold. We get a lot of Warry and Hartwell in this book, who I absolutely adore, as well as Gale and Chant and even a little cameo from Lady Becca and Lilley! Absolutely loved it and I’m so sad the series is at it’s end - because of this I have bought all the ebooks and I’m eager to read the whole series through again soon 💕
This book focusses on the reclusive James, Lord Stratford, who lives at his country estate breeds and trains horses, writes some *risqué* literature and is deeply, madly in love with his stablemaster, Harold. Harold and James have a quite intense dom/sub BDSM-based relationship, with Lord Stratford as the sub - something absolutely unheard of in regency class system. James is also gender-fluid, and whilst presents the majority of time as male, he sometimes feels female - something that Harold accepts and loves.
James and Harold’s quiet world is thrown into disarray when James’s younger brother Frederick returns from the continent, furious at how James has been conducting himself (reclusive, outside of society) and when he accidentally stumbles upon evidence of James’ out-of-the-norm lifestyle, Fredrick is determined to make his life hell and destroy everything he holds dear.
Terrified for James, Harold turns to the gentlemen of the Bucknall club to help him and we get an absolutely delightful plot where all the characters from previous books come together to help Lord Stratford and Harold. We get a lot of Warry and Hartwell in this book, who I absolutely adore, as well as Gale and Chant and even a little cameo from Lady Becca and Lilley! Absolutely loved it and I’m so sad the series is at it’s end - because of this I have bought all the ebooks and I’m eager to read the whole series through again soon 💕
July 11, 2022
well written, seems more of an addendum
Rating: 4.5🌈
I had known that A Scandal for Stratton was going to have it difficult as far as the expectations went as it’s preceding story, An Affair for Aument set the bar so very high for any book that followed it. If I could have given that novel a 10 I would have, it was that magnificent.
In An Affair for Aument, a brilliantly written novel, it captures the best of all the characters of every story, who, for all their vagaries in station and personality, form a odd collective of friends bound by events and relationships. Their stories naturally form the basis and universe for The Lords of Bucknall Club series, one I’m deeply fond of.
This book has its own different elements , focuses, and characters that have existed on the outskirts of that circle. A character like Stratton, earning a meager mention or two as a horse seller in all prior books, is now one of the main characters.
A aspect that makes this more a novel that , like it’s men, something that resides just a bit on the edge of the group. In that universe, but very much it’s own different book.
I have to confess I didn’t enjoy it very much. I appreciated the writing but wasn’t finding the deep joy I had in the others. At least until almost until the end.
All the other books were very much within the Regency Romance format while the authors gave them narratively brilliant twists with a new rule on same sex marriages, all still keeping the same cultural rules, gossiping Ton, adding in mystery, exceptional humor and romance. And each book was centered within keeping a character driven storyline. Amazing.
Honestly those books are on constant replay.
Immediately you notice the missing dry wit and humor the preceding stories are noted for. In its place is sexuality . It’s the scandalous stories, The Maiden Diaries, being written by “Anonymous “ that have been discussed all Season. It’s also the D/s pain kink sexual relationship that’s key to the dynamics between the Earl of Stratton, James and his estate manager, Harold. It’s explicit. From whipping, spanking , the huge list of pain kink is introduced here in a way it’s not in any of the other stories.
If BDSM ,D/s, pain kink relationships aren’t your thing, this is not your story. It’s a major element. That’s most of the book and the characters relationship. Again, a departure from the previous books.
There’s no mystery. A simple case of blackmail stemming from a rather nasty brother back from abroad with a large sense of entitlement ( pun intended) who wants the estate and title of Earl of Stratton.
The fun, wit, and liveliness only enters the story with the entry of The Bucknall Club gang, plus the indomitable Lady Rebecca , who gather together to save the day. That’s about 80 percent in. So a fairly long slog without a glint of lightness.
I really missed them Especially Soulden with his wicked sense of humor.
For me, the story sank into my heart when all the Bucknall Club characters were engaged by Harold to help with the blackmail. From there, we got a balanced storyline with strong character driven plot lines, fabulous dialogue full of humor and wry heartfelt commentary on the Ton and society. All our favorites, with their engaging dynamics were there, encircling James and Harold, with their compassion, kindness, and unique outlook, pulling them into the circle of the group.
Of enormous impact is the compassionate Warry , along with Chant, who endeavor to help James with their social anxiety, their other issues and offers of friendship. How I adore that crew.The last section helps with my connection to the main couple. It includes a far better understanding of the personality and character of James as they try to recover from the shattering events that free them from their brother. It’s also a far clearer picture into the dynamics between James and Harold as they weigh their future and try to get back to the stability they had enjoyed before everything fell apart. James trying to resolve the emotional turmoil the painful past that his brother has awakened, as well as all the damaging fallout it’s caused, this section of the story brings everything back into The Lords of Bucknall territory in an amazing way.
However, while all the other couples got their HFN in a satisfying manner, I can’t help but feel that James and Harold were still in recovery, trying to see where they and their relationship went next, if it could handle the next stages of growth Harold needed. For me, A Scandal for Stratton is an extremely well written book, one that exists more as an addendum to the series The Lords of Bucknall Club then as strictly a part of it. It’s strongly character driven, with its main relationship bases around a BDSM D/s pain oriented dynamic that’s constantly being explored throughout the storyline.
Rating: 4.5🌈
I had known that A Scandal for Stratton was going to have it difficult as far as the expectations went as it’s preceding story, An Affair for Aument set the bar so very high for any book that followed it. If I could have given that novel a 10 I would have, it was that magnificent.
In An Affair for Aument, a brilliantly written novel, it captures the best of all the characters of every story, who, for all their vagaries in station and personality, form a odd collective of friends bound by events and relationships. Their stories naturally form the basis and universe for The Lords of Bucknall Club series, one I’m deeply fond of.
This book has its own different elements , focuses, and characters that have existed on the outskirts of that circle. A character like Stratton, earning a meager mention or two as a horse seller in all prior books, is now one of the main characters.
A aspect that makes this more a novel that , like it’s men, something that resides just a bit on the edge of the group. In that universe, but very much it’s own different book.
I have to confess I didn’t enjoy it very much. I appreciated the writing but wasn’t finding the deep joy I had in the others. At least until almost until the end.
All the other books were very much within the Regency Romance format while the authors gave them narratively brilliant twists with a new rule on same sex marriages, all still keeping the same cultural rules, gossiping Ton, adding in mystery, exceptional humor and romance. And each book was centered within keeping a character driven storyline. Amazing.
Honestly those books are on constant replay.
Immediately you notice the missing dry wit and humor the preceding stories are noted for. In its place is sexuality . It’s the scandalous stories, The Maiden Diaries, being written by “Anonymous “ that have been discussed all Season. It’s also the D/s pain kink sexual relationship that’s key to the dynamics between the Earl of Stratton, James and his estate manager, Harold. It’s explicit. From whipping, spanking , the huge list of pain kink is introduced here in a way it’s not in any of the other stories.
If BDSM ,D/s, pain kink relationships aren’t your thing, this is not your story. It’s a major element. That’s most of the book and the characters relationship. Again, a departure from the previous books.
There’s no mystery. A simple case of blackmail stemming from a rather nasty brother back from abroad with a large sense of entitlement ( pun intended) who wants the estate and title of Earl of Stratton.
The fun, wit, and liveliness only enters the story with the entry of The Bucknall Club gang, plus the indomitable Lady Rebecca , who gather together to save the day. That’s about 80 percent in. So a fairly long slog without a glint of lightness.
I really missed them Especially Soulden with his wicked sense of humor.
For me, the story sank into my heart when all the Bucknall Club characters were engaged by Harold to help with the blackmail. From there, we got a balanced storyline with strong character driven plot lines, fabulous dialogue full of humor and wry heartfelt commentary on the Ton and society. All our favorites, with their engaging dynamics were there, encircling James and Harold, with their compassion, kindness, and unique outlook, pulling them into the circle of the group.
Of enormous impact is the compassionate Warry , along with Chant, who endeavor to help James with their social anxiety, their other issues and offers of friendship. How I adore that crew.The last section helps with my connection to the main couple. It includes a far better understanding of the personality and character of James as they try to recover from the shattering events that free them from their brother. It’s also a far clearer picture into the dynamics between James and Harold as they weigh their future and try to get back to the stability they had enjoyed before everything fell apart. James trying to resolve the emotional turmoil the painful past that his brother has awakened, as well as all the damaging fallout it’s caused, this section of the story brings everything back into The Lords of Bucknall territory in an amazing way.
However, while all the other couples got their HFN in a satisfying manner, I can’t help but feel that James and Harold were still in recovery, trying to see where they and their relationship went next, if it could handle the next stages of growth Harold needed. For me, A Scandal for Stratton is an extremely well written book, one that exists more as an addendum to the series The Lords of Bucknall Club then as strictly a part of it. It’s strongly character driven, with its main relationship bases around a BDSM D/s pain oriented dynamic that’s constantly being explored throughout the storyline.
September 2, 2022
I knew I wouldn't like this book before I started it. I regret wasting my time on it. One of the worst books I've read this year.
But I wanted to see more of Aumont & Darling and Gale & Chant. Unfortunately, this book barely had any of the other characters in it. And when they did show up, the writing was so sloppy. I'm not sure why, but it sucked. Like "time is of the essence" BUT "lets wonder around aimlessly and do nothing for an hour or two" like what?
The romance was not really there? By that I mean, the story started and ended on the note, so wasn't it all kinda pointless? WAY TOO MUCH SEX. Which of course I knew before I started, but I thought I could skim through it to the more fulfilling gooey stuff, but in the first 2/5 of the book, there was literally 3 scenes that weren't sex. I wanted to abandon the book, but I really hate not finishing the last in a series.
The gender stuff was also completely random. There's never much explanation and it doesn't add anything to the story or the characters. It felt like an avenue to legitimize James being a sub, which is really misogynistic. The only part of it that made any sense was when the brother found the dress and told Harold that James was courting a woman. But honestly, it added almost nothing to the story.... so why?
I REALLY HOPE there's another book thats like, a joint adventure of Gale & Chant and Aumont & Darling. I feel like the authors have set that up really well, but I don't have any confidence in them at this point.
But I wanted to see more of Aumont & Darling and Gale & Chant. Unfortunately, this book barely had any of the other characters in it. And when they did show up, the writing was so sloppy. I'm not sure why, but it sucked. Like "time is of the essence" BUT "lets wonder around aimlessly and do nothing for an hour or two" like what?
The romance was not really there? By that I mean, the story started and ended on the note, so wasn't it all kinda pointless? WAY TOO MUCH SEX. Which of course I knew before I started, but I thought I could skim through it to the more fulfilling gooey stuff, but in the first 2/5 of the book, there was literally 3 scenes that weren't sex. I wanted to abandon the book, but I really hate not finishing the last in a series.
The gender stuff was also completely random. There's never much explanation and it doesn't add anything to the story or the characters. It felt like an avenue to legitimize James being a sub, which is really misogynistic. The only part of it that made any sense was when the brother found the dress and told Harold that James was courting a woman. But honestly, it added almost nothing to the story.... so why?
I REALLY HOPE there's another book thats like, a joint adventure of Gale & Chant and Aumont & Darling. I feel like the authors have set that up really well, but I don't have any confidence in them at this point.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2022
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
A Scandal for Stratford is the sixth and final book in the Lords of Bucknall Club series and it brings the series to a really satisfying conclusion. These books each feature different couples, but the timelines overlap and they weave in and out of each other’s books. While this story could probably stand alone from a plot perspective, your experience will be much richer if you have read at least some of the other books and had a chance to meet the men. James also appears as a distant side character throughout the series, so we have had a chance to get some hints about him along the way. But here the book really delves into his character and all the many secrets he has been trying to keep hidden. This story has a bit of a darker tone than some of the others — though I do find the series fluctuates in terms of heavier and lighter tones across the books. There are some very intense emotional moments, as well as dark points where things look very bleak for James, so I found this one very an emotional read at times. But it is balanced out by the sweetness of the love between Harold and James, as well as James’ new realization that he has people who care about him and are in his corner.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
A Scandal for Stratford is the sixth and final book in the Lords of Bucknall Club series and it brings the series to a really satisfying conclusion. These books each feature different couples, but the timelines overlap and they weave in and out of each other’s books. While this story could probably stand alone from a plot perspective, your experience will be much richer if you have read at least some of the other books and had a chance to meet the men. James also appears as a distant side character throughout the series, so we have had a chance to get some hints about him along the way. But here the book really delves into his character and all the many secrets he has been trying to keep hidden. This story has a bit of a darker tone than some of the others — though I do find the series fluctuates in terms of heavier and lighter tones across the books. There are some very intense emotional moments, as well as dark points where things look very bleak for James, so I found this one very an emotional read at times. But it is balanced out by the sweetness of the love between Harold and James, as well as James’ new realization that he has people who care about him and are in his corner.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
October 26, 2024
I enjoyed this series more than I expected to and this was a wonderful end to it. I wish they would write a f/u, even a short to give us a peek into where they all are now. I loved how accepting Harold was of everything James, what a gift to those you love to love every part of who they are. I should have expected James was the writer, but I don't remember him from the other books. It was great to see people get exactly what they deserved.
Audio: he is a wonderful narrator.
Audio: he is a wonderful narrator.
May 28, 2025
“Do you know,” Slyfeel said with a sigh, “I rather think I’ve already relieved every single one of these debutantes of their virginity, and it’s barely a month into the Season. What the blazes is one supposed to do now?” “There’s a military seminary in Sandhurst,” Nelson said.
Woah that dude wrote all that smut? no wonder the society is addicted to the series.
This book is heavier on the x side, full of BDSM scenes.
the HORSE!
Woah that dude wrote all that smut? no wonder the society is addicted to the series.
This book is heavier on the x side, full of BDSM scenes.
the HORSE!
October 15, 2022
How are you going to say you have a gender fluid character then never change the pronouns they use, even when they're saying that they're a different gender than they were two pages ago????
June 9, 2024
Unfathomable. Ridiculous. Exhausting.
The last of the Lord of Bucknall Club! And the worst one yet!
I was most excited about this premise. THIS WAS the one book I was looking forward to. After the no-smut fiasco that was An Affair for Aumont, THIS ONE promise to have endless sex scenes, consensual BDSM and a proper pervert of a lead. One of the reviews I read that made me want to read this book said something like "This book is pure sex."
But it isn't! It's 3 sex scenes in the beginning, then the ridiculous plot begins.
Lord James Stratford and his stablemaster Harold Granger have been in love and in a deeply passionate relationship for years. They live in seclusion, have everything they need, and have established a pretty hot I-give-you-take-you-give-I-take dynamic featuring whips and all sorts of harnesses and it's all consensual so it's cool. I liked this a lot. I can't fault it because as always, the smut these authors write is always well-written.
HOWEVER. THE PLOT. IS SIMPLY. MIND-NUMBINGLY STUPID. I'm appalled to say this, but it's probably even dumber than A Husband for Hartwell.
Lord James EARL OF STRATFORD (Earl, ok? Rich, powerful? Has entire multiple households filled with footmen and servants AT HIS DISPOSAL, ok?) He spends his time being a distant Earl and abandons himself to his pleasures. Writing dirty books, fucking his stablemaster, riding horses. I mean, he has the perfect life.
Also, he has a little brother (who he banished from home when he was just a child) who wants to visit him, and this throws James into a fit of nerves because he doesn't want anything to disrupt his life. He suspects his brother is angry at him (for sending him away when he was only a child? really?)
That's an understatement. James was an absolute PRICK to his brother and it's pretty fucking hard to feel sympathy for him. Honestly, Frederick (the little brother, now a man of 23) IS COMPLETELY RIGHT in hating James. James sent him away as a kid because he couldn't "deal with a willful child." What kind of a prick massive giant asshole big brother does that? Just cause a child is difficult, you send him away, even though he BEGS to stay? A newly-orphaned child? So you can write dirty books and ride horses and fuck your stablemaster at your pleasure?
In the mind of any other sensible writer, THIS would be the backstory of the villain!
But no, Frederick is painted as bitter, angry, vengeful and cruel (the cruel part is shown in how he whips horses, which was completely normal in Regency times but don't forget that the Bucknall Club dudes are also members of the Animal Rights Militia) and to make their point, the authors have concocted the most ludicrous plan for revenge that a half-assed villain could ever come up with.
You see, Frederick finds out about James's "secrets" and plans to blackmail him. Keep in mind that James IS the Earl, and Frederick has absolutely NO power.
The following rant contains spoilers.
And if that wasn't enough, at this point in the story, there are still something like 70 pages left. THE CLIMAX ENDS with 70 pages to spare (that's just under TWO HOURS in the audiobook) and what is left to say?
Well, we get to catch up with the gang of course! What they've all been up to! How they become friends! James being an absolute CHILD about not getting what he wants when he wants it and how he wants it and Harold being the single most boring character ever created. Warry loves his horse. Hartwell doesn't like to read. Soulden throws shade on Lord Byron. Fernside is kind. The twinks gush about something. Gale doesn't like his cases being called cases. Chant has a dog. Aumont wants to shoot people and Darling just stands like a nun with concussion by his side, I don't know. Something of the sort. It's just so damn BORING and SELF-INDULGENT from the authors to dedicate ALL THAT SPACE to absolute Nothingness.
K.J. Charles wrote a series of three books called The Society of Gentlemen that starts with A Fashionable Indulgence, where a group of Gentlemen (who all belong to the same club) carry on secret affairs with their male lovers, and in the end, they all work together to solve one major, super-high-stakes, evil problem. This *points around* was just a very weak attempt to write something of that kind. There is even a BDSM couple with a FIERCE backstory and proper development in A Seditious Affair that doesn't depend on the characters being whiny and wayward at all.
Like, I can't. I simply can't anymore. I'm glad this is over.
The last of the Lord of Bucknall Club! And the worst one yet!
I was most excited about this premise. THIS WAS the one book I was looking forward to. After the no-smut fiasco that was An Affair for Aumont, THIS ONE promise to have endless sex scenes, consensual BDSM and a proper pervert of a lead. One of the reviews I read that made me want to read this book said something like "This book is pure sex."
But it isn't! It's 3 sex scenes in the beginning, then the ridiculous plot begins.
Lord James Stratford and his stablemaster Harold Granger have been in love and in a deeply passionate relationship for years. They live in seclusion, have everything they need, and have established a pretty hot I-give-you-take-you-give-I-take dynamic featuring whips and all sorts of harnesses and it's all consensual so it's cool. I liked this a lot. I can't fault it because as always, the smut these authors write is always well-written.
HOWEVER. THE PLOT. IS SIMPLY. MIND-NUMBINGLY STUPID. I'm appalled to say this, but it's probably even dumber than A Husband for Hartwell.
Lord James EARL OF STRATFORD (Earl, ok? Rich, powerful? Has entire multiple households filled with footmen and servants AT HIS DISPOSAL, ok?) He spends his time being a distant Earl and abandons himself to his pleasures. Writing dirty books, fucking his stablemaster, riding horses. I mean, he has the perfect life.
Also, he has a little brother (who he banished from home when he was just a child) who wants to visit him, and this throws James into a fit of nerves because he doesn't want anything to disrupt his life. He suspects his brother is angry at him (for sending him away when he was only a child? really?)
That's an understatement. James was an absolute PRICK to his brother and it's pretty fucking hard to feel sympathy for him. Honestly, Frederick (the little brother, now a man of 23) IS COMPLETELY RIGHT in hating James. James sent him away as a kid because he couldn't "deal with a willful child." What kind of a prick massive giant asshole big brother does that? Just cause a child is difficult, you send him away, even though he BEGS to stay? A newly-orphaned child? So you can write dirty books and ride horses and fuck your stablemaster at your pleasure?
In the mind of any other sensible writer, THIS would be the backstory of the villain!
But no, Frederick is painted as bitter, angry, vengeful and cruel (the cruel part is shown in how he whips horses, which was completely normal in Regency times but don't forget that the Bucknall Club dudes are also members of the Animal Rights Militia) and to make their point, the authors have concocted the most ludicrous plan for revenge that a half-assed villain could ever come up with.
You see, Frederick finds out about James's "secrets" and plans to blackmail him. Keep in mind that James IS the Earl, and Frederick has absolutely NO power.
The following rant contains spoilers.
And if that wasn't enough, at this point in the story, there are still something like 70 pages left. THE CLIMAX ENDS with 70 pages to spare (that's just under TWO HOURS in the audiobook) and what is left to say?
Well, we get to catch up with the gang of course! What they've all been up to! How they become friends! James being an absolute CHILD about not getting what he wants when he wants it and how he wants it and Harold being the single most boring character ever created. Warry loves his horse. Hartwell doesn't like to read. Soulden throws shade on Lord Byron. Fernside is kind. The twinks gush about something. Gale doesn't like his cases being called cases. Chant has a dog. Aumont wants to shoot people and Darling just stands like a nun with concussion by his side, I don't know. Something of the sort. It's just so damn BORING and SELF-INDULGENT from the authors to dedicate ALL THAT SPACE to absolute Nothingness.
K.J. Charles wrote a series of three books called The Society of Gentlemen that starts with A Fashionable Indulgence, where a group of Gentlemen (who all belong to the same club) carry on secret affairs with their male lovers, and in the end, they all work together to solve one major, super-high-stakes, evil problem. This *points around* was just a very weak attempt to write something of that kind. There is even a BDSM couple with a FIERCE backstory and proper development in A Seditious Affair that doesn't depend on the characters being whiny and wayward at all.
Like, I can't. I simply can't anymore. I'm glad this is over.
October 10, 2022
When the BDSM is too much for me, you know it’s a lot. 😳🫣 but it was quite a story.
July 13, 2022
I don’t know why this didn’t grab me as much as some of the others. It could be I binged read it while also nursing a migraine so I didn’t twice it my full attention… Either way, it was nice to catch up with all the rest of the group, and I very much enjoyed the two MCs, I just expected a little more oomph somehow.
December 8, 2023
So, this got incredibly bleak in places. I honestly wasn't prepared for the forced outing plot, especially accompanied by real violence. This series uses such a deliberately anachronistic and silly tone for so much of the narrative that when things got dark, it felt like running abruptly into a brick wall. I'm still not quite sure how I feel about that.
What I did really like, was the exploration of a long-established relationship. So many romance novels are about meet-cutes, but this book rightly pointed out that there are still so many nuances and potential points of tension to resolve, even between two people who love each other deeply and have already committed themselves to each other.
I also really liked the motley crew all imposing their friendship upon Stratford and coming to the rescue. A scene so ridiculous as to be sublime.
Overall, this was kind of a bizarre series. It felt like it never really quite knew what it wanted to be, and was instead 6 genres wrapped in a trenchcoat standing on each other's shoulders. I enjoyed it very much anyway, so kudos to the authors for pulling that off.
What I did really like, was the exploration of a long-established relationship. So many romance novels are about meet-cutes, but this book rightly pointed out that there are still so many nuances and potential points of tension to resolve, even between two people who love each other deeply and have already committed themselves to each other.
I also really liked the motley crew all imposing their friendship upon Stratford and coming to the rescue. A scene so ridiculous as to be sublime.
Overall, this was kind of a bizarre series. It felt like it never really quite knew what it wanted to be, and was instead 6 genres wrapped in a trenchcoat standing on each other's shoulders. I enjoyed it very much anyway, so kudos to the authors for pulling that off.
October 15, 2023
Audiobook Review:
Overall – 5
Performance – 5
Story – 5
Tied for my favorite in this series!
When I reviewed book 4, A Sanctuary for Soulden, I said it was my favorite in the series and I also said that while the books standalone you might enjoy them more if you read/listen to them in order. Those statements are still true but I have to confess that I messed up and read this book before reading book 5. I also can now say that this one is tied with book 4 for my favorite in the series.
In every book we’ve been teased with discussions and short teasers about a “scandalous” book, The Maiden Diaries – by an anonymous author, that everyone seems to be reading. Well, the author is no longer anonymous (it’s revealed in the blurb) and the story surrounding James, the Earl of Stratford, his writing, and his love of his stablemaster, Harold was a thrilling conclusion to this series.
This book is quite a bit different from the others. James is a willing submissive to Harold, in fact, he needs what Harold gives him in order to function. There is also edge of your seat things going on when the Earl’s brother, Frederick, shows up without warning. The blurb gives you more detail.
A Scandal for Stratford is a thrilling, and at times heartbreaking, conclusion to a different kind of historical romance series and I absolutely loved everything about it!
A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided to me at my request; my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author and/or narrator.
Overall – 5
Performance – 5
Story – 5
Tied for my favorite in this series!
When I reviewed book 4, A Sanctuary for Soulden, I said it was my favorite in the series and I also said that while the books standalone you might enjoy them more if you read/listen to them in order. Those statements are still true but I have to confess that I messed up and read this book before reading book 5. I also can now say that this one is tied with book 4 for my favorite in the series.
In every book we’ve been teased with discussions and short teasers about a “scandalous” book, The Maiden Diaries – by an anonymous author, that everyone seems to be reading. Well, the author is no longer anonymous (it’s revealed in the blurb) and the story surrounding James, the Earl of Stratford, his writing, and his love of his stablemaster, Harold was a thrilling conclusion to this series.
This book is quite a bit different from the others. James is a willing submissive to Harold, in fact, he needs what Harold gives him in order to function. There is also edge of your seat things going on when the Earl’s brother, Frederick, shows up without warning. The blurb gives you more detail.
A Scandal for Stratford is a thrilling, and at times heartbreaking, conclusion to a different kind of historical romance series and I absolutely loved everything about it!
A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided to me at my request; my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author and/or narrator.
March 8, 2023
My least favorite story of this series.
I think it's probably a fitting ending, with the thing about the Maiden Diaries and all, but I just did not care of the overwhelming amount of BDSM scenes at all.
Where the previous volumes sadly lacked at east one little smutty scene, and left me a bit disappointed, this book was just full of it, and I did not enjoy that either.
That's just a personal preference, and I do know there was a significance in those scenes, but I had to skip what felt like the majority of this books. The parts that I did read were alright.
I am not a big fan of how the characters who were MCs in previous volumes of this series, always end up comedic characters in the next, and this book is no exception. I just prefer mostly serious stories, but the way the side characters like Hartwell, Gale, etc, were mostly there to make dumb comments and seem like bumbling idiots wasn't for me.
I also think the way it ended for Frederick was strange and not very satisfying at all.
Altogether the series was well worth the read, though, and some of the better regency MM romances out there.
I think it's probably a fitting ending, with the thing about the Maiden Diaries and all, but I just did not care of the overwhelming amount of BDSM scenes at all.
Where the previous volumes sadly lacked at east one little smutty scene, and left me a bit disappointed, this book was just full of it, and I did not enjoy that either.
That's just a personal preference, and I do know there was a significance in those scenes, but I had to skip what felt like the majority of this books. The parts that I did read were alright.
I am not a big fan of how the characters who were MCs in previous volumes of this series, always end up comedic characters in the next, and this book is no exception. I just prefer mostly serious stories, but the way the side characters like Hartwell, Gale, etc, were mostly there to make dumb comments and seem like bumbling idiots wasn't for me.
I also think the way it ended for Frederick was strange and not very satisfying at all.
Altogether the series was well worth the read, though, and some of the better regency MM romances out there.
November 12, 2023
The final book in the series and I have to admit I’m sad to see the gang go.
This one was harder for me to read for two reasons:
The BDSM is not the lite version that I can normally read at a push, it’s heavy on every letter. But these scenes tell the reader a lot about the love between this couple and they’re not really something you can skip. And the authors don’t skip on these scenes especially in the first half of the book. Which is surprising because the rest of the series is quite light on the sex scenes.
Awaiting Frederick’s arrival and knowing that something terrible would come from it gave me low level anxiety.
Consequently I enjoyed the second half of the book much more. Harold’s determination to get to James and his total belief in his and James’ relationship, was a joy. James’ determination to get himself out of the situation he found himself in. The gang rallying around this shy, reclusive Lord. All this was a joy to listen to.
I’d love a spin off series with Aumont, Darling, Chant, and a very reluctant Gale solving crimes.
This one was harder for me to read for two reasons:
The BDSM is not the lite version that I can normally read at a push, it’s heavy on every letter. But these scenes tell the reader a lot about the love between this couple and they’re not really something you can skip. And the authors don’t skip on these scenes especially in the first half of the book. Which is surprising because the rest of the series is quite light on the sex scenes.
Awaiting Frederick’s arrival and knowing that something terrible would come from it gave me low level anxiety.
Consequently I enjoyed the second half of the book much more. Harold’s determination to get to James and his total belief in his and James’ relationship, was a joy. James’ determination to get himself out of the situation he found himself in. The gang rallying around this shy, reclusive Lord. All this was a joy to listen to.
I’d love a spin off series with Aumont, Darling, Chant, and a very reluctant Gale solving crimes.
March 16, 2026
Well blow me down with a feather, as Hartwell would say.
I was absolutely not expecting this particular gem 5 books into the series.
The author of the Maiden Diaries revealed.
A smorgasbord of kinky BDSM play.
What I did expect, and was glad to receive, was Stratford accepting the support and care of all those Bucknall Lords (and other, less lordly, members - I'm looking at you Darling, and you Fernside). It was honestly heart-warming to see the way Chant stood up for Stratford, smashing that little rat Lewis' head into the wall.
And good god, Harold. What an absolute delight. So sweet, so loving, so willing to tie Jamesy to the rafters and fuck him with a wooden hook. Truly a man to live for.
I must say that the increasing references to various animals throughout the series, the goat purchased to ignite Morgan and Loftus' envy, the horse that Warry loves even more than Chant loves his dog, has been a source of hilarity. I really have been thrilled on how the story has been built and the threads interwoven. I simply cannot say which one I enjoyed more.
I was absolutely not expecting this particular gem 5 books into the series.
The author of the Maiden Diaries revealed.
A smorgasbord of kinky BDSM play.
What I did expect, and was glad to receive, was Stratford accepting the support and care of all those Bucknall Lords (and other, less lordly, members - I'm looking at you Darling, and you Fernside). It was honestly heart-warming to see the way Chant stood up for Stratford, smashing that little rat Lewis' head into the wall.
And good god, Harold. What an absolute delight. So sweet, so loving, so willing to tie Jamesy to the rafters and fuck him with a wooden hook. Truly a man to live for.
I must say that the increasing references to various animals throughout the series, the goat purchased to ignite Morgan and Loftus' envy, the horse that Warry loves even more than Chant loves his dog, has been a source of hilarity. I really have been thrilled on how the story has been built and the threads interwoven. I simply cannot say which one I enjoyed more.
September 25, 2022
There are parts I really enjoyed about this, and parts I wasn't as keen on. Probably my least favourite of a series which is wonderful and will not cease to be so, BUT I wasn't keen on Harold and James' relationship – I just couldn't warm to Harold at all, and the BDSM stuff... Nah, didn't like that. However, I liked the stuff about James' gender identity, his anxiety and extreme shyness contrasting with the fact that he writes the most seedy and sexy book series of the alternate Regency era – that was a lot of fun. My favourite parts involved the other lords of Bucknall Club, though. I thought their intervention and help towards James was very sweet and, in ways, more touching and fulfilling than how Harold treated him. They had all the wit and humour and sensitivity of the rest of the Bucknall Club series, which is why I have enjoyed it so much!
December 5, 2025
Throughout the Bucknall Club books there's references (and excerpts) from the raunchy in-world Maiden Diaries, featuring the legendary amorous exploits of Slyfeel. Well there are plenty of those before each chapter here. The author of the Maiden Diaries books is revealed as James, the shy Earl of Stratford, who appears to be on spectrum. He doesn't like crowds, he doesn't like the City, he often doesn't like many people. But he does love Harold, his stablemaster. And the feeling appears to be requited, though I got through about 21% of this before giving up. Most of the first 20% were various scenes of Harold spanking, whipping, dominating James (or worse). It just got really boring for me and I gave up.
I'd rate this barely 1 star.
I'd rate this barely 1 star.
October 9, 2023
WOW 😱 DNF
I truly loved the first 5 books, they were brilliant, different and oh so enjoyable. Audible was done brilliantly. They were so entertaining. Loved how all the characters showed up in all the books and how they all really do become friends.
But this one is not my type of story. First chapter talking about boys not young men boys thats just no. The bondage not my cup of tea and James did not seem to be enjoying anything. So I skipped to the end. I was really looking forward to this story as I didn’t want the series to end.
It was just no for me, or could of started different.
I truly loved the first 5 books, they were brilliant, different and oh so enjoyable. Audible was done brilliantly. They were so entertaining. Loved how all the characters showed up in all the books and how they all really do become friends.
But this one is not my type of story. First chapter talking about boys not young men boys thats just no. The bondage not my cup of tea and James did not seem to be enjoying anything. So I skipped to the end. I was really looking forward to this story as I didn’t want the series to end.
It was just no for me, or could of started different.
November 7, 2025
Of all the Lords of Bucknall Club books I have read so far (four of them), I enjoyed this one the most. The BDSM topic is one I enjoy, and it was very well handled in this hand. The relationship between the two main characters is shown as one of great care, and each role, the sub and the dom, made complete sense within each character. The sex was not just trotted out in a generic fashion but very specific and very sexy. This is the last book in the series, and towards the end there was a lot in the way of all the characters from the other book appearing in a kind of grand finale. I found the profusion of characters and allusions to earlier plots confusing but I can see the series!logic.
I do enjoy the covers of these books, designed by Mitxeran. https://dribbble.com/distudio_mitxeran
I love the vector-style drawings with blank faces, the dark blue ground and the framing garlands.
Read via KU. Read as part of research for my own regency romance.
I do enjoy the covers of these books, designed by Mitxeran. https://dribbble.com/distudio_mitxeran
I love the vector-style drawings with blank faces, the dark blue ground and the framing garlands.
Read via KU. Read as part of research for my own regency romance.
August 7, 2022
I didn't enjoy this as much as the previous because, like many other of those who have commented, I'm not as into the BDSM aspects. The Bucknall Club characters show up relatively late in the book, and I missed them. I didn't care for closeted young lord and his lover the horseman nearly as much. I did like that the conflict was handled relatively quickly, instead of dragging it out just for drama, but I'll reread previous volumes of the series more than I will this one. Still, always good to see these characters, even if this is for the last time.
July 6, 2022
This isn't really a romance, more a belated coming-of-age. Despite the dual POV, it's entirely focussed on James trying to deal with his anxiety and his disastrous relationship with his brother. Harold's needs, thoughts and feelings are secondary at best - it's like he only exists at all as a prop to help tell James's story. It was great seeing the rest of the Bucknall crew, though.
July 9, 2022
This one started with an established relationship which is a bit different than the other books in the series. For that reason I think there was less romantic suspense. The extremely satisfying conclusion to the evil brother situation more than made up for it though. The authors are really good at writing absolutely detestable yet plausible villains.
Read
August 22, 2022I really enjoyed this series set in an alternate universe with same-sex marriage legally existing in the UK from 1783.
While I enjoyed the love story, setting, and characters very much, I learned that I personally do not enjoy detailed scenes of BDSM. It's totally fine that this is what fulfills these characters' sexual needs, but it is not my cup of tea. So now I know.
While I enjoyed the love story, setting, and characters very much, I learned that I personally do not enjoy detailed scenes of BDSM. It's totally fine that this is what fulfills these characters' sexual needs, but it is not my cup of tea. So now I know.
September 10, 2024
This one had a bit more of a serious tone than the others in the series. I didn’t anticipate James being quite so kinky or Frederick being such a villain but I still quite enjoyed it. I also like the whole Bucknall gang getting together for the final rescue mission. This series has been so good and this was a great finale.
July 21, 2022
Not my cup of tea
I love this series, but this one isn't really my thing. I don't enjoy reading about S&M.
However, the characters are engaging and the story is interesting and the writing is very good.
I love this series, but this one isn't really my thing. I don't enjoy reading about S&M.
However, the characters are engaging and the story is interesting and the writing is very good.
March 29, 2023
Who would’ve guessed Hartwell and Warry would turn into one of my favourite couples? I love their bickering in all these books - also the sheer chaos that ensues any time these 10 idiots come together
July 4, 2025
2.5
Still well-written, but there were simply too many BDSM sex scenes for my taste. To be clear, the issue wasn't BDSM itself, but the sheer frequency. The redeeming half star is for the thoughtful exploration of Stratford's sexual identity.
Still well-written, but there were simply too many BDSM sex scenes for my taste. To be clear, the issue wasn't BDSM itself, but the sheer frequency. The redeeming half star is for the thoughtful exploration of Stratford's sexual identity.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews