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akoala's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
lukka2008's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
rachel_tb's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nidanoorkhan's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
reclusivebookslug's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I'm obsessed with the dynamic between these two.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Homophobia, and Child abuse
heabooknerd's review against another edition
4.0
Even with a slightly more serious tone A GENTLEMAN NEVER KEEPS SCORE is another great Cat Sebastian book full of wonderfully soft heroes and a deeply caring relationship. Sebastian's writing always sucks me in at the beginning of a story and keeps me hooked until my heart is ready to burst with happiness. Hartley Sedgwick wasn't born a gentleman so the sacrifices he's made to bring respectability to himself and his brothers are weighing on his soul. As a teenager, Hartley made the decision to become involved with his Godfather in order to get financial support for his brothers. Though he didn't originally feel like he was being taken advantage of, this early decision has had a long lasting effect on Hartley's self-worth and his comfort with intimacy. This book was especially poignant because of the issues that were being addressed and I felt Sebastian handled them all really well, especially Hartley's history.
Being outed as gay during this time period was very dangerous so Hartley is fortunate that the worst thing that happens is that he's abandoned by everyone he knows. But that loneliness is compounded by Harley's difficult sexual "hangups" that have made finding partners too hard for the minimal amount of satisfaction it brings. But even though Hartley can be grumpy and defeatist about his situation his true nature shines through in the way he treats his household staff and others he cares about. I absolutely loved the little family that Hartley ends up creating and how he learned that the illusion of being a gentleman means nothing if you don't have anyone to share your life with.
This is where Sam comes in -- he shows Hartley that he's worth that happiness and that even with some of his quirks and his issues he deserves love just like everyone else. But there are some hard circumstances between Sam and Hartley, mainly that they come from different social classes and since Sam is black he's also treated differently than even a white man in his social standing would be treated. For a while there I wasn't even sure how they were going to resolve some of these issues and find a long-term option for a relationship but I shouldn't have doubted Sebastian because she always finds a way!
Because of Hartley's history there's more of a slow burn between them but that doesn't mean that these two don't find ways to be together. In fact, I loved Hartley and Sam's more unconventional sexual relationship because it showed that every couple can be different in what they enjoy. Hartley has a lot of particulars about what he needs in order to feel safe and comfortable and the way Sam meets those requests just squeezed my heart every time. Because of his large stature and his history as a ruthless boxer, people might assume that Sam would be rough and aggressive but instead he's a gentle giant and I loved every part of it. Sam is pretty much the perfect hero: understanding of Hartley's limitations, dedicated to his friends and family, and honorable to his core.
Content Warning: Hartley was sexually abused in the past as a young teen
Being outed as gay during this time period was very dangerous so Hartley is fortunate that the worst thing that happens is that he's abandoned by everyone he knows. But that loneliness is compounded by Harley's difficult sexual "hangups" that have made finding partners too hard for the minimal amount of satisfaction it brings. But even though Hartley can be grumpy and defeatist about his situation his true nature shines through in the way he treats his household staff and others he cares about. I absolutely loved the little family that Hartley ends up creating and how he learned that the illusion of being a gentleman means nothing if you don't have anyone to share your life with.
This is where Sam comes in -- he shows Hartley that he's worth that happiness and that even with some of his quirks and his issues he deserves love just like everyone else. But there are some hard circumstances between Sam and Hartley, mainly that they come from different social classes and since Sam is black he's also treated differently than even a white man in his social standing would be treated. For a while there I wasn't even sure how they were going to resolve some of these issues and find a long-term option for a relationship but I shouldn't have doubted Sebastian because she always finds a way!
Because of Hartley's history there's more of a slow burn between them but that doesn't mean that these two don't find ways to be together. In fact, I loved Hartley and Sam's more unconventional sexual relationship because it showed that every couple can be different in what they enjoy. Hartley has a lot of particulars about what he needs in order to feel safe and comfortable and the way Sam meets those requests just squeezed my heart every time. Because of his large stature and his history as a ruthless boxer, people might assume that Sam would be rough and aggressive but instead he's a gentle giant and I loved every part of it. Sam is pretty much the perfect hero: understanding of Hartley's limitations, dedicated to his friends and family, and honorable to his core.
Content Warning: Hartley was sexually abused in the past as a young teen
rellimreads's review against another edition
5.0
*I'm crying bc I wrote out a review and for some reason it didn't save. I'm trying to recreate it... but ugh!*
This is book 2 in Cat Sebastian's Seducing the Sedgwicks series. While this stands fairly well on its own - Hartley and a few relevant events are mentioned in book 1 (It Takes Two to Tumble), making these best enjoyed in order.
I loved this as much as the first but for completely different reasons. Set in the early 1800s, Sebastian explores a variety of difficult topics like racism, homophobia, and class systems. I just loved both Sam and Hartley as individual characters and as a couple. Hartley is struggling with having been "outed" then shunned by society for something he did when underage. Sam is well known and respected within the Black community, but is still targeted by general society and specifically a local inspector. An unlikely duo committed to righting some of the wrongs of Sir Humphrey Easterbrook.
I adored how Sam was able to uncover and soothe Hartley's various PTS responses to touch, affection, and general interactions. Hartley's love of his unconventional household staff was particularly heartwarming. Some drama and angst - but nothing needlessly protracted and it fit the story and characters well. These two were all. the. feels.
I'm excited for Will & Martin's book, Two Rogues Make a Right.
Narration:
Joel Leslie is again perfection. Sebastian has so many unique characters and Leslie performs them with ease. Switching between genders, accents, and personalities seamlessly. It's so easy to get lost in the story with his narration - I'd never consider reading them to myself.
CW (spoilers):
Sexual abuse & exploitation (past), Hartley is dealing with PTS
This is book 2 in Cat Sebastian's Seducing the Sedgwicks series. While this stands fairly well on its own - Hartley and a few relevant events are mentioned in book 1 (It Takes Two to Tumble), making these best enjoyed in order.
I loved this as much as the first but for completely different reasons. Set in the early 1800s, Sebastian explores a variety of difficult topics like racism, homophobia, and class systems. I just loved both Sam and Hartley as individual characters and as a couple. Hartley is struggling with having been "outed" then shunned by society for something he did when underage. Sam is well known and respected within the Black community, but is still targeted by general society and specifically a local inspector. An unlikely duo committed to righting some of the wrongs of Sir Humphrey Easterbrook.
I adored how Sam was able to uncover and soothe Hartley's various PTS responses to touch, affection, and general interactions. Hartley's love of his unconventional household staff was particularly heartwarming. Some drama and angst - but nothing needlessly protracted and it fit the story and characters well. These two were all. the. feels.
I'm excited for Will & Martin's book, Two Rogues Make a Right.
Narration:
Joel Leslie is again perfection. Sebastian has so many unique characters and Leslie performs them with ease. Switching between genders, accents, and personalities seamlessly. It's so easy to get lost in the story with his narration - I'd never consider reading them to myself.
CW (spoilers):
Sexual abuse & exploitation (past), Hartley is dealing with PTS