An Uncommon Betrothal: M/M 1920s Butler/Gentleman Erotic Romance

by Johannes T. Evans

Alexos Fox, an introverted academic and polio survivor, is naturally quite sad when the long-time butler of his household, the man who all but raised him, retires. He is not at all prepared for the old man’s his exceedingly attractive and painfully tempting nephew.

Unbeknownst to Alexos, his old butler chose Henry Sutton hoping the two of them might marry their interests together, and the gentleman is as suspicious as he is entranced when the new butler comes to him with talks of a secret marriage between them.

M/M erotic romance, rated E, 100k. Set 1927, primarily in West Sussex, England.

Featuring themes of disability, chronic pain, piercings and tattoos, loneliness and isolation, bodily autonomy, class dynamics, a butler/gentleman relationship, joyful non-monogamy and casual sex.

Kink-wise, enjoy size difference, switching roles, burgeoning D/s dynamics and mild sadomasochism, the aforementioned piercings and tattoos, and a lot of bathing and massage.

Genres: Historical, M M Romance, Romance, Disability, Historical Fiction, Queer, Historical Romance

369 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 16, 2025

About the author

Johannes T. Evans is a gay trans man from the South of Wales, now living in Yorkshire, and predominantly crafts fantasy, romance, and erotic works featuring complex and layered characters, especially those who are queer and trans, and he has a particular affection for writing disabled, chronically ill, and neurodivergent characters like himself.

When not writing, he spends his time absorbing queer period works & history, petting cats, taking photographs of native insects, or lusting over fictional pirates and non-fictional bearish men.

He began the transition to publishing original work officially with the publication of his first novel, Heart of Stone in July of 2020.

Reviews

[Drache.... (Angelika) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. JTE writes such a wide range of characters and plots, it's astonishing.

What I loved most in this book was the way the author portrayed how Alexios and his butler Harry Sutton (and everyone else really) approached Alexios's limitations because of his disability differently.

I loved that Harry nudged Alexios to befriend other people, and although I hadn't expected Harry to want even more for Alexios, to want Alexios to experience sexual encounters with other men, too, it felt right for both of them. Harry showing Alexios possibilities, helping him open up to people and intimacy was written in a compelling way.
Although this novel is called erotic romance, there aren't any sex scenes in the first half of the book, but lots of thoughts and talk of sex. The first half of the book is more about Alexios learning to trust Harry. The second half brings them together intimately and with other people, too.
I enjoyed Alexios and Harry being intimate with Larry more than I thought I would. It was splendid seeing Alexios feel powerful and in charge.

While reading I initially thought this would be a 3 stars read because of Harry giving me subtle predatory vibes, then I got to know him better and thought about 4 stars. Now that I finished the novel I can't give it less than 5 stars. The plot was different from what I usually read. Harry being so open about what he wanted for himself and for Alexios was so different from the standard romance heroe we usually get, but he was exactly what Alexios needed and I loved him for it.

A quote from one of the many (awesome) instances when Harry massages Alexios and runs hot baths for him to help relax the hurting muscles:

It hurt. It hurt, felt tight, felt pressured and hard and painful, and then it felt like his own muscle and flesh were being turned to heated, fluid wonder, felt like bread kneaded into softness and warm from the baker’s own hand, and the relief was unbearable and like nothing he had ever known before. He was trying not to moan too loudly, trying not to cry out loudly enough that it should be heard in the corridor or in any of the other rooms, and Sutton kept going— Until he stopped.

And a few different quotes..

“Yes,” said Alexos numbly, reaching up and touching his own mouth, assuring himself that it had not been kissed. “Yes, precisely.” Watching Sutton take his leave, Alexos felt quite unsteady, and frowned to himself as he tried to think on the words that had just passed between them, tried to make sense of them. He didn’t know that there was sense to be found – all that was there was want, and want could not be trusted.


Sutton had swiped his tongue over Alexos’ nipple and then sucked at it with his mouth, tugged on it with his teeth. It was an electrifying sensation, sent thrills through the whole of Alexos’ body that almost made him dizzy, but then, Sutton pulled back and put his lips into a little O, blowing cool air over it and making it stiffen like a fucking meringue, and crumbling Alexos’ ability to speak intelligently rather like a meringue as well. He was meringue all over, which was excellent, as Sutton seemed keen to devour him.


“That flusters you,” Alexos remarked, not bothering to hide his feelings of pleasure and superiority. Harry pressed his lips harder together as if he could flatten the smile out of them. “Aren’t you used to tenderness?” “Not delivered so earnestly,” said Harry mildly. “Men don’t often act like they’re in love with me.” “I’m afraid that when you propose marriage, Mr Sutton, someone acting like they’re in love with you is one of the attendant risks,” said Alexos, and his tone was playful, but he didn’t quite know what Harry meant by it. Was he being too much? Was kissing him on the palm too much, too queer, even for this dynamic between them? “You don’t like it?” “Being engaged?” asked Harry. “Being kissed on the palm.” “Oh,” said Harry lowly, not meeting his gaze. “No, I think I quite like that. I’ve been kissed on the hands before, but never like that.”

[✨Meli the bookworm✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I do want to bugger you,” said Harry. “I have every intention of doing so, Mr Fox – perhaps I will bend you over, over this desk or perhaps the end of your bed, your arms pinned at the small of your back, or perhaps my hand around your throat, pulling you against my breast, that you feel the full weight of my body against yours, and understand yourself overpowered. Perhaps I’ll have you on your back, me between your legs, one of my hands holding your wrists in place as my other tugs at your cock, our gazes locked – in a position like that, perhaps I’d kiss you, too, feel your lips against mine. Lying back, I might bring you to straddle me, that your weight should best drive you down on my cock, or the reverse, perhaps. I’m not ordinarily one to take cock, but I’d be happy to sample yours, and I can assure you I’m capable of doing so without putting too much weight on your hips. I’m afraid I can’t make any particular promises yet, Mr Fox, how I intend to sodomise you, or indeed, be sodomised – I rather plan to tailor our activities to your capabilities, what with your ailing joints. Were I to fuck you in such a way as to give you injury, we might not be able to fuck again.”

FOR MENTAL HEALTH REASONS, I REFUSE TO MOVE ON FROM THIS QUOTE.

EASILY, MY FAVORITE JOHANNES T. EVANS' STORY SO FAR!!!!

[Nicole Field · Rating 5 out of 5]

If one likes Downton Abbey, and was endeared by Thomas Barrow at the end, they're gonna love this. Hell, if one's a little older and enjoyed Jeeves and Wooster, well, you get the point.

Here we have a shortly post WWI romance between a young gentleman of the house and his butler, in what is ultimately called an 'arranged marriage' between the uncle of the butler and retired butler of the house and the aforementioned gentleman.

I absolutely love how repressed Alexos is at the start and how far goes his development as a character. This book may say it's an erotic romance, and it is, but it also somehow manages to be a slow burn which is honestly my favourite way to do erotica. Erotic scenes without intense emotional build up are nothing to me.

I also loved Alexos' being an academic writing on classical Greek texts because it's a special interest of mine and what we got in the book was about as in depth a depiction of that sort of work as I've so far seen.

And then, of course, there was Harry, Mr. Sutton, the incumbent butler and all round brazen individual. He's about as open as they come, having served in the war and lived to tell the tale. It is also through this character that we get to see a view of a version of the underground goings on in the gay community, such as it was, in the mid-1920s.

Unlike many historical gay novels, this one had hope front and center. In that way, it's honestly what I was hoping You're the Problem, It's You would be like, despite being set a hundred years earlier. I feel like, in this novel, we are shown what historical fiction can be; putting forward an accurate view of the world in the past but also allowing that things might also be a little different if one dared look.

[Victoria (Eve's Alexandria) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5*

I’ve been thinking a lot recently about how rarely mm romance explores or acknowledges queer sex cultures - the monogamous (or committed poly) HEA is almost universal, and perhaps that’s no surprise really, given that it is primarily written by women. What these books reflect is the centrifugal force of heteronormative relationship structures.

But Johannes T. Evans work is not like that. His fiction is always filled with delight at the potential expansiveness of queer life. An Uncommon Betrothal is a rare and beautiful example of an alternative, a book that shows us two men - both perfectly imperfect - falling in love after an arranged ‘marriage’ while continuing to explore and relish sexual relationships/encounters with other people, both separately and together. It’s also brilliant, as usual, on disability, neurodiversity, gender, trauma, and different types of bodies.

Because its JTE its kinky but in a relatively lowkey way - one MMC is heavily pierced and tattooed; there is constant power play, D/s and some light bondage. However, the heart of this story for me was all in the emotional exchange between the characters and their wider network of friends and family. It’s full of tenderness and grace; a kind of gentle erotica that I’ve come to associate with JTE. Did I also mention that the 1920s setting is very good?

In other words, I loved it.

[Sebastian Nothwell]

Dare I say an uncommonly good book?

We've got...
• strong butler x sharp master
• beautiful exploration of the dignity of risk
• hurt/comfort in all directions
• easy wit and genuine heart

Mind the Content Warnings - ultimately everyone is consenting but it did push my limits.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Bildungsroman about a 35 yo scholar who isn’t so much introverted as closed off due to pain and disability. And the sexy butler who pulls him into the world. Lots to chew on here. Really looking forward to Larry’s story.

[River Cooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well here we are, he’s done it again. Johannes has been a favourite of mine for many years for his ability to create interesting, three dimensional characters who are well thought through, have a strong voice, and impact the narrative around them in engaging ways. This story, about the nascent relationship between a disabled academic of means Alexos Fox and his new butler, the stocky and alluring Harry Sutton, evokes common JTE staple tropes from stories like Heart of Stone and Gellert’s New Job, with the catty and skinny young man confronted by the blunt and stocky gentleman, but this is a lovingly original story that kept my keen attention throughout, especially in the back half where the true unique qualities of this story shine through.

It is an interesting question to engage with, the question of Johannes’ house style, because there are significant elements which do crossover between his stories and help me consider them as more of a Canon than simply a collection of stories by the same author. The story is very sensual, very erotic, and very invested in the aesthetics of its historical setting, However alongside subtly distinct characters Johannes is always able to bring new ideas to each story even while staying within the same genre. Heart of Stone, which also features the relationship of a young rich man with his butler, is a useful comparison. In that instance, the story heavily concerned itself with the neurodivergence and navigating the problem of other minds in respect of people navigating matters of propriety and professionalism. This is not something that concerns this book, wherein Harry very quickly has erotic designs on his employer which (to a strictly professional understanding) are nominally improper, and acts on them quickly once he believes Alexos has become sufficiently agreeable. This sort of directness that is displayed by Harry throughout the book would have been completely out of place in Heart of Stone however here, given the interests of this book like much more in matters of coming into one's own as a sexual being, as someone who is worthy of desire, and as someone who is welcome in and cherished by a loving queer community, it fits like a glove.

And, to head it off, this book is very erotic, much moreso than Heart of Stone and I feel more than Powder and Feathers. It deals in characters who speak of and engage in sexual acts and activities explicitly, frequently, and directly, both in their inner monologues and in their actions on the page. If this isn't for you then I don't think I can convince you to read this book since it is a very large feature of it, but I do not feel it is gratuitous (not that it would be wrong if it were, but I do feel that the display of sexuality and sexual agency in this book is driving at something valuable and broader). I should elaborate on this point, but it suffices to say here that there is no shortage of hot sensual and stimulating scenes which, to give my opinion, are genuinely titillating and very well written. You can feel the pleasure and excitement as well as the unique characterizations coming through in how they each engage carnally with each other. As erotica, it gets the tick of “this sure is hot, and evocatively written.”

But there is a great deal else to note on this book. Alexos and his journey through self-resentment and internalised ableism towards a place where he no longer flees from the world in an embittered cloistering, achieve through the power of love, was sincerely touching to me. As a character, I loved following him and all this particularities, his cattiness, his cruel streak, his fascination with the classics, his ability (drawn out and refined over the course of the story as he finds more and more his voice and his authentic sense of self) to offer a devastating read or exercise a little bit of sadistic pleasure. It is almost joyful, even when it is painful, to watch him become himself, become more defined and less a sort of withdrawn model of what he thinks he can get away with within the strictures of mundane life.

Harry is an effective, though less captivating, co-lead, in part owing to the fact that he enters the story with less about him that is going to change. He knows, for the most part, the community, his place in it, he knows himself and what he wants, and so there is less to unravel about him, however for his role in the story as the agent to incite change in Alexos he fits this story perfectly as an imposing, confident, authoritative foil who knows how to push through the inertia of Alexos’ closeted constructed life and outlook.

The side characters though, here, were the true standout. Johannes always does vivid, lively characters who stand out and have a clear and recognisable voice very well, but this may be his best work in that respect. Every character who is even tangentially referenced is given an aside that with loving care outlines how they fit into this world and what role they play in relation to one of the named characters in the fashion of a broad spider web in which everyone is linked and to which everyone belongs. This idea of a broad network of community is brought full circle when the resolution of the story comes in Harry, having dug the little invert out from under Alexos’ skin and allowed him to experience and unashamedly enjoy sensual affection, inviting other queer folks to Alexos’ house and eventually bringing him to Brighton to meet a troupe of queer theatre actors who he is welcomed into, feels a sense of belonging amongst, and has his own way with.

This is my favourite part of the book, and taps into ideas that I've been thinking about for quite some time in respect of the true liberation of understanding oneself as part of a broad tradition. The third act of this book is an incredible articulation of what this feels like and means and I could go on about it for weeks did I not have to stop. The relevant point, that I will draw further on, is that it works as well as it does in large part thanks to the attention paid to making the characters distinct interesting and all in possession of their own traits that make their interactions compelling. As is common with Johannes, characters are often extreme or exaggerated but they always maintain an essential humanity and reactive dynamism. Lawrence Kidd is probably my favourite (He’s so like Zhalyth it’s crazy) and the tattooist also sticks out in my memory in this regard, but they're all great. They all have different opinions about and understandings of one another based on their particular traits and how they overlap, intersect, and react. It is, straightforwardly, delightful, and I think this section may well be Johannes’ best work for how effectively it taps into that feeling of being invited into your local queer scene for the first time and seeing just how many people there are like you and just how much you have a place where you belong.

This story also deals with disability and chronic pain incredibly well. You are never allowed to forget about the limits of the body that Alexos occupies, because he cannot himself. Anytime he wants to do something or engages in some activity, sensual or otherwise, it is always framed and discussed within the limits of what his body can do and within the context of the pain that those activities induce. The consistency with which this theme is brought up again and again really hammers home the point of this as a constant experience. It really evokes the sense of living with it in a very detailed way, with a lot of attention paid to the minor details of how you would navigate this within the context of the world that Alexos lives in, which creates an incredibly authentic sense of Alexos’ life.

Furthermore, I really appreciated that this book doesn't undermine itself towards the end by either forgetting about this disability and ceasing to mention it or imagining that Alexis, even by the end when he is actualized and desirous, won't have to deal with these issues going forward, even in the last chapter, mentions are made of the pain that different things do still involve, and will involve going forward, with the only difference being that he now knows the pain is worth pushing through for things which he earnestly wants to pursue in and with others. Again, it is very beautiful in this way. Some things won't go away, but you will find things which you enjoy which will make them worth it.

I love this story. I love this book. It is a beautiful tale of self actualising through connection with others in a community of belonging. It is clever, sexy, and overall just a really lovely story that I am really grateful can exist and articulate these ideas which, though I've been thinking about them, truly find coherence within the way Johannes articulates them here. As a writer, I could only wish to express these feelings about belonging in anything like as effective away as it's done here. The Tehanu rule is the only reason this isn't getting a ten.

[tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful piece of fiction, as usual with this author. Lovely way of writing characters that feel real and lived and human. Everything this author writes is soo very human and character driven. I enjoy the diversity always found and the care therein. I enjoyed the non-monogamy and its lighthearted-ness. I enjoy the lack of contrived conflict between the characters and in their romance that is oft found in romance especially cishet mainstream romance. The eroticism is erotic and the romance full of care and softening.

[Nina W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! I greatly enjoyed the frank discussion and presentation of Alexos' daily life and disability, especially as it fits into the time period. His understanding of himself wasn't static because Harry introduces and brings to the forefront facets of sexuality and pleasure. I really appreciated the character development and Alexos' burgeoning sexuality. That development is the crux of the story, really, the plot aspects are very 'quiet' and remain internal and that's a caution I'd tell anyone who prefers a 'louder' or more explicit plot. I was pleasantly surprised at Alexos' confidence and willingness to sort of 'jump right in' and try new things with Harry and other partners as well. I loved not just the way that Harry appreciates Alexos' body, but also the way Alexos appreciates Harry's. They each clearly view sex differently, including how they interact with their sex partners-- Alexos especially takes a rather endearing 'academic' approach to observing and talking about his partners. The banter between Alexos and Harry is wonderful, as is the banter among all characters throughout the book. I have to point out how happy Alexos' father made me. He's only a side character but I grew very fond of him.

There are very, very minor things I can critique about this book and most of them are personal preference, I think, but that being said, I didn't realize that this book is part of a series, and that already helps address things. For one, I did feel like the ending happened much faster than the rest of the book. The vast majority of the story takes place over months, but then the last stint right up to the ending all happens within a few days. It wasn't a classic open-ending either, meaning the story is believably stand-alone. If that were the case, I was a little disappointed by it, but now it makes more sense. I also wish there were more instances of Alexos being as mean or difficult other people in the house say he is; he even describes himself that way too. They all continue to mention it throughout the book, but we really only get glimpses of him cursing loudly or retreating into himself or burying himself in his work. And, when he does have outbursts, he tends to lose track of what he says. Of course, part of the difficulty there is that the story is told either through Alexos' pov or Harry's and they behave differently around each other than they do with others, understandably. Alexos' thoughts about the others in the house can be short-tempered, but the long-term staff all seem fond of him despite how mean they say he can be, and that kind of push-and-pull is interesting to me and I wish there was a chance to observe and dissect it more. Lastly, I feel like the character development was lopsided in Alexos' favor. Harry enters in confident in himself already and Alexos may catch him off-guard, but it's hard for me to say in what ways Harry specifically changes thanks to his relationship with Alexos.

I have so much love for this book, I knew early on that it'd become one of my re-reads. The setting doesn't feel merely happenstance, but shapes both the constraints and opportunities for the characters. I can't get enough of these characters and the author is clearly so skilled at characterization, it's really amazing to read from that kind of technical lens as a novice writer.

[BAG of Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alexos Fox (33) had polio as a child, and he survived, but has a weaker left side than right. He works from home, translating ancient Greek texts. Possibly autistic. His father, the older Mr. Fox, is more obviously autistic, and lines his food up and stuff like that.

The Foxes have an avuncular butler, Reginald Sutton, who is now retiring. Reginald recommends his nephew, Harry Sutton, as his replacement.

Harry is 39. He served as a medic in WWI. The rest of the time, he's been in domestic service.

The reader is clued in pretty early that Harry is gay. Alex is gay but in the closet, but the Reginald was aware of it. Uncle Reginald sent Nephew Harry there on purpose. They are hoping that Harry can convince Alex to enter into basically what amounts to an arranged marriage with Harry. Reginald thinks they would be good for each other. Being master of the house and butler would allow them to spend lots of time alone together with no one suspecting anything.

This is a slow burn, because of course, Harry can't propose the marriage right away. Alex is grumpy and anti social, so he has to warm up to Harry first, before Harry can just drop the marriage bomb on him. Once Harry proposes the marriage, Alex doesn't agree right away. He agrees to a betrothal, to see how it goes before they consider themselves married.

The next thing Harry wants to do is introduce Alex to other gay men, because any friends Alex had died in the war. But the first person Harry invites to the house is a male prostitute named Larry, who shows up at the house high on cocaine and acts "like a lunatic." But Larry is a people pleaser who would eventually make it easy for Alex to befriend him, as soon as he's sober. But he makes a bad first impression, that's for sure.

So a lot of it is slice of life stuff. During the day, Alex works from home translating ancient Greek texts, and Harry goes about his daily job as house manager, while Larry is their guest. At night, Harry and Alex get better acquainted.

I really enjoyed this book. Alex and Harry speak so matter-of-factly, the dialogue was great.

[Bianca · Rating 3 out of 5]

The representation of disability, the impact on a person's social life, mood, and relationships was believable. While there was no real plot, per se, the story initially seemed to be about Alexos's emergence as he found love and began to express his repressed sexual identity. However, Alexos's character in some scenes did not appear to represent growth but rather seemed inconsistent with the character first presented. Some character and plot elements appeared to be unsupported. Some passages did an excellent job of showing us the characters and their interior world, and others could have used some improvement, as they were more narrative. Based on the author note, the series will focus on a cast of characters mostly introduced quite late in the story. Most importantly, the story did not feel like it had an ending. The characters were certainly interesting, and there are yet many aspects of living as a gay man and a disabled man in this time period and his burgeoning approach to other people that the author could explore, and it will be interesting to see where the series goes.

[Shirin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very charming and well-written book. I loved the connection between Alexos and Harry - they are frank with one another and are aware of each others boundaries. I also especially appreciated the tone of this book. It is rather matter-of-fact of everything. Harry is fat, and that is not a struggle or a point of contention, it simply is. And there are multiple queer characters that appear and, despite acknowledging the danger of being so at the time, they can simply exist and it is not a conflict in this book that needs to be resolved. The setting is just that, a setting, and the conflicts are mainly interpersonal and to do with chronic illness.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was SUCH a delight. The chemistry between Alexos and Harry is absolutely sizzling right from the start, and the tenderness that grows between them along the way is just beautiful. I loved watching Alexos unprickle in the face of Harry's confident seduction and genuine, un-pitying care, and I ADORED how turned on Harry was by Alexos' intellect and mechanical prowess. And then to top it all off with the joyful "coming out" in the old-fashioned sense — into lively, joyous, intimate, queer community. Fantastic.

ALSO LET US NOT OVERLOOK the sheer sexy power of a hot bath and a good firm massage.

[Robert Fontenot · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like Evans’ writing but I always have a problem when he goes for a specific historical setting, particularly one within the last 200 years. I usually find historical romance to be more interesting when it hews closely to reality and explores how the gay characters managed to exist in that setting. I generally get the feeling that very little research was done for this novel and if it had been a fantasy setting, I probably would’ve found it a lot more palatable.

[Nadia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing was superb, the romance was good up to a certain point. This felt more of a coming of age/coming into gay-ness book than a romance. I didn't care for the addition of the Larry fellow into their sexual dynamic and wanted there to be jealously/hurt feelings but there was none of that. Also Alexos sexual encounter with Fell

[Karolina · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 🌟 I was quite enthralled at the beginning but it fell flat later on. I enjoyed their personalities and conversations. However, I couldn't understand Harry's constant push for Alexos to sleep with other men. I get the idea of finding him friends and getting him out of his shell, but do they need to be sexual with everyone in order to be friends/acquaintances? Why?

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Kirstine Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story, warm, slow, and sexy. Beautifully written, too.

[Shulie Charles · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring. I don’t mind slow burn, but this had very little story. DNF page 106

[NTDan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was certainly interesting. Definitely not what I expected... I really dig the historical vibes, but I'm not sure how I feel about the plot.

[peach]

DNF @ 34%