I loved A Nobleman’s Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel. It is a sequel to The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen, set several years later. In Secret Lives, Luke Doomsday is an adolescent, the abused and neglected nephew of Joss, whom Gareth saves. In Nobleman’s Guide, Luke is an adult, educated and working professionally as a secretary. Major Rufus d’Aumesty has unexpectedly (to the rest of the d’Aumesty family) inherited the title of Earl of Oxney. After a year of defending his inheritance from his uncle, Rufus is trying to get a handle on the very neglected estate. The war for power continues within the manor house though as his uncle and aunt still control the servants. Rufus’ uncle brings in Luke to undermine Rufus’ claim to the title, but Luke isn’t there to disinherit Rufus, he is looking for treasure.
There’s some of the honest/twisty dynamic from The Will Darling Adventures happening between Rufus and Luke. Rufus is kind and honorable, but gruff and shouty. Luke sees that Rufus is flailing in his attempts to wrest control of the estate from his aunt and uncle, and offers to work as Rufus’ secretary. The two men become allies and watching them work together while also pining for each other is a joy.
I loved The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen. While reading Nobleman’s Guide I thought a lot about the different ways to love a book. Secret Lives engaged my imagination and intellectual curiosity. Nobleman’s Guide went right for the heart. It has a little bit of murder mystery to it, but the focus is on healing past hurts. Luke was scarred physically and emotionally by his father, and even though Joss and Gareth gave him a home, love, and security, that didn’t erase the damage done. Rufus has his own hurts, but he is kind hearted and generous.
I don’t have an issue with 3rd act break ups in romances, as long as they make sense. The break up here made sense, and happened early enough that they are able to repair the relationship in a way that made them stronger individually and as a couple. I wanted so much for them to find joy and happiness with each other. I got everything I wanted out of this book. It was such a joy to read.
CW: Mental and physical abuse of a child in past, sexual assault in past, parental abandonment, verbal abuse by a parent on page (challenged), off page murders in past, toxic families, attempted murder on page, claustrophobic spaces.
I received this as an advance reader copy from Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.
