Utterly charming!

I'm a fairly recent fan of K.J. Charles, and I find everything she writes witty and charming. So far both her historical fantasy series and an Edwardian mystery I read proved to be very entertaining, and so as her high octane contemporary thriller.


This new series, A Society of Gentlemen, will take a little more time to warm up to, but I've no doubt, will be just as successful.


A Fashionable Indulgence starts with Harry working in a bookshop which secretly prints radical literature. He is a Radical at heart just as his parents were, but not averse to becoming rich and titled which is what might happen if his grandad who disinherited his rebel father deems him worthy. All Harry needs to do is learn how to behave like a gentleman, marry a good noblewoman and continue the family line.



Easier said than done. Essentially, this book reenacts Pygmalion/My Fair Lady on a more subtle and complex level. Julian Norreys who becomes Harry's teacher on a bet, is an epitome of an accomplished gentleman - elegant, confident, witty and striking. Harry is not only awestruck, he is plagued with untoward thoughts about his mentor the more time they spend together.


On the other hand, Julius, tired, jaded and in mourning after a tragic loss, is in need of inspiration, and his new project suddenly becomes his salvation. Harry is exuberant, drunk on life and new experiences, clever and direct. Julius can't help but fancy his pupil.


Both hide their thoughts not knowing if they share same inclinations until something happens to bring it all out in the open.


There is a slight mystery plot going on which I loved as it's not often the topic of sedition and revolution and problems English people battled with after the war ended brought up in Regency romances, but mostly the book is full of rich dialogues, both Harry and Julius's sharp observations and gorgeous background. The secondary characters are fabulous as well.


The narrator, Matthew Lloyd Davies (about whom I'm in two minds), certainly adds to the atmosphere with his stuffy upper class British accent, but at the same time he doesn't have much fluidity. He sounds the same as Harry, his cousin, his valet, or his grandad, which dampened my enjoyment from the narration. To my surprise and delight it's Harry who is driving force in couple's relationship, he is the catalyst of all changes.


Overall, a lovely quick listen, witty, intimate and comforting. Enjoyed it and recommend it as a start of a promising series.

10 people found this helpful

No sensuality with sex

Overall is more like a 2.75
All of the technical parts needed for a good book were there, it seems. Yet, it was lacking. I appreciate the story told and the way it was told. And maybe it would've been better if it didn't include sex, regardless whether it was M/M or M/F. It wasn't the type of sex but that it all just seemed so mechanical and lacked any sensuality. And with this narrator, it almost seemed like it was missing lust. Words of lust were there, but this narrator is unable to portray lust, sensuality and romance. He was great in all of the other parts but not in the sexual parts, which deterred from the story. There are several sex acts in the story, and it's a central element. So a narrator who did those parts properly was needed to really carry this tale.
The ending—not related to the romance—was a bit of a surprise, and that was good. It didn't redeem the story fully, in my eyes, but still appreciated. Ended on a higher note than most of how I experienced the book.

8 people found this helpful

I'm crying in a good way

I'm not great with words, but I must say that this is only recommended if you want to feel giddy for probably the rest of your life.

7 people found this helpful

really really really good!

Would you listen to A Fashionable Indulgence again? Why?

Definitely. I was stuck to the story from beginning to end. The characters are incredibly real and the story very very interesting. Amazing performance of the reader as well.

Any additional comments?

I Immediately looked for the rest of the serie and... well, I will wait patiently!

6 people found this helpful

LOVE this narrator!

What does Matthew Lloyd Davies bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I would have enjoyed this book if I just read it, but having the awesome narration made me love it.

4 people found this helpful

I need more historical m/m in my life!

But seriously, why haven't I read or listened to more historical m/m books? I so enjoyed this story. I loved the story and the characters, I especially loved the prose! I got such a kick out of some of the sayings and the way they phrased things- so entertaining! I adored Harry adn thought Julius was wonderful. They had their ups and downs and bumps along the road, but everything worked out as it should.
The audiobook was awesome, but I definitely want to go back and read this as well. And I can't wait to move on to the next book.
Matthew Lloyd Davies narration was really outstanding.

***Borrowed through Audible Romance Package

2 people found this helpful

If historical accuracy makes you hot under the cravat...

Engaging, steamy, and with the historical accuracy that makes my toes curl with pleasure. Lovely narration, the story is more than just a historical romance, it has nuance and true acknowledgment of the era’s politics, mores, and customs. This was my second time listening to this series and as with the first, I could not stop. The whole series is wonderful but Harry’s joy makes him one of my favorites.

1 person found this helpful

Historical Treat

I love this series. It's a perfect combination of steam and story. The character development is well done. The narrator is amazing! the passionate parts are performed well.

1 person found this helpful

A Fashionable Indulgence, INDEED!!!

I am starting to wonder if I should simply create a form review for KJ Charles' writing. It would basically be me saying, "I LOVED THIS STORY AND THE CHARACTERS AND THE..." and so on and so forth.

The first book in the Society of Gentlemen series, "A Fashionable Indulgence" introduces us to Harry Vane, born of a noble father turned sedition-enthusiast and an educated by not well-born mother. He has nowhere to go, no way to get out of an existence of poverty and hunger, until he is found by his nobleman of a grandfather, and his entire world is tossed upside down. He's tossed into a world he never dreamed could be for him, and finds himself on the radar of one Julius Norreys.

What follows is a tale of romance, but it isn't without it's peaks and valleys of sedition, mixed loyalties, lies, deceit, and even -- dare I say -- no... no, I won't say it. I'll keep you in SUSPENSE. The who's and why's are yours to discover. What I can say is that this is another proof of Charles' ability to write engaging plots, compelling characters, well-thought-out development arcs, and the right amount of steam to keep it all together.

1 person found this helpful

Excellent story, bewildering performance

The reading wasn't neat. It feels the narrator wanted to force an English accent but ingloriously failed in the middle and totally gave up. The dynamic between the main characters was decently depicted though. Love the writer, so just gonna buy hte kindle edition of the last two books.

1 person found this helpful