A Gentleman Never Keeps Score: Seducing the Sedgwicks

Cat Sebastian

Jul 2018 · Seducing the Sedgwicks Book 2 · Sold by HarperCollins

About this ebook

If you haven’t read Cat Sebastian, what are you waiting for?”—Lorraine Heath, New York Times bestselling author

 

Once beloved by London's fashionable elite, Hartley Sedgwick has become a recluse after a spate of salacious gossip exposed his most-private secrets. Rarely venturing from the house whose inheritance is a daily reminder of his downfall, he’s captivated by the exceedingly handsome man who seeks to rob him.

Since retiring from the boxing ring, Sam Fox has made his pub, The Bell, into a haven for those in his Free Black community. But when his best friend Kate implores him to find and destroy a scandalously revealing painting of her, he agrees. Sam would do anything to protect those he loves, even if it means stealing from a wealthy gentleman. But when he encounters Hartley, he soon finds himself wanting to steal more than just a painting from the lovely, lonely man—he wants to steal his heart.

Ratings and reviews

Far more complex and interconnected than I expected: Sebastian managed to mix in a recognition that all were not created equal, and that color, class and cash often determined reception and treatment in this time. It was Sam who was instantly empathetic, who provided a way to see Hartley’s flaws, when his own perspective only brought (at first) his need for revenge that seemed to fuel his every move. By the time Sam is well and truly hooked, coming to the servant’s entrance on Sundays, Hartley’s inner conflicts and issues are starting to show themselves, and Sam becomes a balance to his often distressed and tense being. With the addition of a valet and cook, both rescued from the dangers of the streets, and a curious attachment to a 3 legged dog that isn’t winning any contests for beauty OR smell, there are momentary flashes of the man Hartley wants to be, it just takes a bit to get him there. With a lovely conclusion, plenty of heart and huge growth for Hartley as both he and Sam, and while not an easy read because of Hartley’s obsession with revenge, one that is a favorite for the clever way the story allowed each to find a way to hope together. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

3.5 stars--A GENTLEMAN NEVER KEEPS SCORE is the second instalment in Cat Sebastian’s SEDUCING THE SEDGWICKS adult, M/M historical romance series focusing on the Sedgwick brothers-Ben, Hartley, Will, Percy and Lance. This is twenty-three year old, recluse Hartley Sedgwick, and bar owner Sam Fox’s story line. A GENTLEMEN NEVER KEEPS SCORE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. NOTE: A GENTLEMAN NEVER KEEPS SCORE is a M/M romance story line with M/M sexual situations. Told from dual third person perspectives (Sam and Hartley) A GENTLEMAN NEVER KEEPS SCORE follows the forbidden relationship between recluse Hartley Sedgwick, and bar owner Sam Fox. The year is 1817, and homosexuality is illegal; a sin, and punishable by law but the rumors abound about Hartley Sedgwick in the wake of his ‘inheritance’ from his godfather Sir Humphrey Easterbrook, a man known to partake of the sins of the flesh including dalliances with young men, a rumor purported to have been started by the man’s only son Martin. Spurned by London society for his flamboyant and effeminate persona, and rumoured attraction to men, Hartley Sedgwick found himself secluded in his new home, a home once owned by Humphrey Easterbrook. Enter bar owner and former boxer Sam Fox, a black man who’s hoping to help his brother’s future wife Kate by retrieving a rather intimate portrait thought to be in the possession of Martin Easterbrook. What ensues is the racially forbidden, and sexually illegal relationship between Hartley and Sam, and the potential fall-out as they go in search of Kate’s portrait, keeping secret their attraction to one another in the wake of more than one offense punishable by law. A GENTLEMAN NEVER KEEPS SCORE focuses on the frightening reality of racism, sexism, classism and the fear of homosexuality in the early 1800s-not unlike the realities of many of today’s societies. While Hartley Sedgwick must accept or ignore the rampant rumors that have destroyed his standing in London society, Sam Fox knows only too well the effects of discrimination for all of his life. As the two men battle their attraction to one another, Sam must do battle with local law enforcement as it pertains to his bar license and former prowess as a boxer, while Hartley continues to search for Kate’s missing portrait. The relationship between Hartley and Sam is one of immediate attraction, an attraction deemed forbidden by God and by law but an attraction that forces Hartley and Sam to seek out one another in secret and in the dark. Hartley keeps secret a darkened past that has all but destroyed his faith in most men, a past that controls his relationship with the man that he loves. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. The colorful secondary and supporting characters include Hartley’s brother Will, who may or may not be attracted to Martin Easterbrook; Hartley’s stubborn valet Alf; his young cook Sadie; Sam’s brother Nick, and Nick’s fiancé Kate. The requisite evil has many faces, most of whom reject Hartley based upon rumors and his sexual preference. A GENTLEMAN NEVER KEEPS SCORE is a story of sexual challenges, discrimination, racism and class. The premise is engaging and compelling; the romance is forbidden but intense; the characters are enterprising, tireless and spirited.

M/M romance involving class difference, baggage, and charming characters.

About the author

Cat Sebastian writes queer historical romances. Cat’s books include We Could Be So Good and the Turner series, and have received starred reviews from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Booklist. Before writing, Cat was a lawyer and a teacher and did a variety of other jobs she liked much less than she enjoys writing happy endings for queer people. She was born in New Jersey and lived in New York and Arizona before settling down in a swampy part of the South. When she isn’t writing, she’s probably reading, having one-sided conversations with her dog, or doing the crossword puzzle.