Genre: Romance, Historical, Regency
LGBTQ+ Category: Bi, Gay
Reviewer: Rari
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About The Book
In a game of secrets and spies, love ignites between bitter enemies.
Lord Buckworth, a renowned libertine, is infamous for his daring exploits and insatiable appetite for risk. But when he rigs a card game to win the services of Frederick Thorndyke, a man with whom he shares a painful past, his devious plans may cost him more than he bargained for.
Thorn despises his reckless brother-in-law, who gambles the family fortune away to the brink of financial ruin. Now, sold into service by one of the gambler’s lost wagers, Thorn finds himself in the power of the very man he once loved and lost. He’s determined to resist the allure of the libertine lord, yet their shared past and unresolved feelings ignite a desire that’s impossible to fight.
Amidst the opulence of Regency London and the treacherous world of espionage, Buckworth and Thorn must navigate through their fiery past and the secrets that bind them. Will their love story be rewritten, or will their past betrayals prove too great to overcome?
The Review
This is a regency romance, but gay. That says it all, I think.
I have to preface this review by saying I’m not the best reader for romance, gay or otherwise. The part where the two are getting to know each other, and the relationship is building slowly usually bores me. The only author whose books haven’t bored me is Georgette Heyer, but every other romance book, at one point, I’m like, please stop with the pining and do something.
This one has an espionage subplot so that was intriguing.
Okay, to start at the beginning. The Libertine of the title is Lord Martin Buckworth otherwise called Buck. The protagonist of the book, Frederick Thorndyke has a fraught past with Buck. When they were in school, Thorn had a crush on him, which appeared to have been reciprocated. But circumstances intervened and Thorn was forced to assume Buck never cared.
Fast forward a few years and Thorn’s older brother died in a race which Thorn believes was initiated by Buck. He holds him responsible for his brother’s death, but when his no good brother-in-law forces him to become the man’s secretary, Thorn has no choice. Because the alternative is Buck gets to do what he wants with Thorn’s sister.
Buck is a notorious Libertine, but as he starts living under his roof and works for him, Thorn discovers a side to the man that’s vulnerable, appealing, and soon, the two become lovers. I say soon, but it takes a looong time.
Things are complicated because Eustace, Thorn’s brother-in-law, wants some documents he is sure are in Buck’s custody and he’s ready to blackmail Thorn into getting them. This is regency England where being gay was a crime, and Eustace knows that Thorn is gay.
Of course, that aspect gives their relationship an extra dimension since they will both be hanged if caught.
Did I say I’m NOT the target reader for any romance? I’m not. Which is why I rated the book five stars, because it’s a well written book with some good character work and an intriguing plot.
If you’re into historical gay romances, you will definitely love this one.
The Reviewer
Rari is an author and editor writing under the name of Niranjan K. She is an avid reader of all things fantasy, and loves to discourse at length about her favourite books as well as shows. This blog is the space where she will be sharing her views and insights of the books, shows and movies that she likes.
