The Soldier's Scoundrel (The Turners, #1) in #DiverseRomanceBingo Reading Challenge

Nov 05, 2016 Apolishedreader rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mm, historical, military, disabilities, bingo

A lovely debut novel by Cat Sebastian. A historical about Jack, a former servant turned private investigator of a sort and Oliver a wounded former Captain and an earl's second son.
The story has a somewhat slow start, but I thought it was still engaging. I say this because I have a short attention span and I didn't give up on the story.
Oliver and Jack's relationship evolves on an investigative trip to the country. The romance is sweet and steady. There is a slight enemy to lovers feel at first d A lovely debut novel by Cat Sebastian. A historical about Jack, a former servant turned private investigator of a sort and Oliver a wounded former Captain and an earl's second son.
The story has a somewhat slow start, but I thought it was still engaging. I say this because I have a short attention span and I didn't give up on the story.
Oliver and Jack's relationship evolves on an investigative trip to the country. The romance is sweet and steady. There is a slight enemy to lovers feel at first due to their class difference. They are both reluctant to trust each other strictly based on their social standing. As they get to know one another, they realize that there is more gray area in the world; a space where two different classes can coexist, get along and, yes, even love.
As a love story, this worked. They got to know each other, made compromises and reconciled their feelings for their pasts, their expectations and each other. That really works for me. And, of course, the heat factor. This is not erotica, it is a romance. I thought the amount of heat worked well. The dirty talk was fitting and awesome (dirty talk is my thing). That scene with a little lip caress and tongue touching? Hot. And the first kiss? I needed it, wanted it and I reveled in every one of Oliver's blushes along with Jack. Their attraction was palpable.
Other things I enjoyed about this story is the sibling dynamic. Jack has an interesting relationship with his siblings, one that is affectionate and disapproving and tolerant all at the same time. I love them and I can't wait for Georgie's story that is upcoming.
Oliver's relationship with his brother is non-existent. In fact, we never meet that sibling. However, his sister, Charlotte, is a prominent character. His concern for Charlotte is what drives him to even meet Oliver. His affection for her is obvious.

The ending was...interesting? (view spoiler) ...more

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Dec 17, 2017 N.G. Peltier rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-devoured-in-2017

My first Cat Sebastian book and what a delightful read! So fun! The two MCs are such opposites and i loved watching them fall for each other. I think I've only read one other m/m historical romance before this so I was thrilled to try this one and it didn't disappoint at all.

The witty banter was so on point!

i'm excited to read Georgie's story so he shall be up soon :) ...more

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Mar 17, 2017 Jackie rated it liked it

A good first effort from a debut author, who has the added weight of being Avon's first author of m/m historical romance to shoulder. Former thief Jack Turner has, in the way of so much historical romance magic, managed to transform himself into a respectable middle-class investigator, taking on cases for women and the poor, who have little recourse to a law biased in favor of the male and the wealthy. Oliver Rivington, second son of an earl, comes to Jack suspecting him of bribing or extorting A good first effort from a debut author, who has the added weight of being Avon's first author of m/m historical romance to shoulder. Former thief Jack Turner has, in the way of so much historical romance magic, managed to transform himself into a respectable middle-class investigator, taking on cases for women and the poor, who have little recourse to a law biased in favor of the male and the wealthy. Oliver Rivington, second son of an earl, comes to Jack suspecting him of bribing or extorting money from his sister. Just returned from the army, Oliver is grateful to "be in a place with rules and laws that he was going to follow them, come hell or high water"—and force the sketchy Jack to follow them, too.

Oliver doesn't know Jack, but Jack remembers the aristocrat; while he was employed as the valet to the man's brother-in-law, he once observed Oliver on the receiving end of a sexual act with another man: "That had made Rivington of particular interest to Jack. There were few enough men who shared Jack's preferences—let alone sons of earls—that he wasn't likely to forget a single one."

When a lady in distress break in on their first meeting, Jack (rather improbably) allows Oliver to remain, to show him just what kind of work he actually does. And then Oliver ends up becoming involved in the case, first out of worry for the lady and her husband, but then out of concern for Jack.

The two strike sparks of each other, Jack caustic to Oliver's politesse. Sebastian does slow-build attraction (especially of the forbidden kind) well, and the developing relationship between two men with seemingly opposing views of morality and the law is both convincing and compelling.

The mystery plot (or plots, because a second, unconnected mystery pops up later in the story) is not as compelling as the romance one, and its themes don't seem at all connected with the issues Jack and Oliver are facing as they work to figure out how to be lovers, and then how to be in a relationship. Still, there's enough promise here to make me eager to try Sebastian's next book. ...more

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Nov 03, 2016 Sadie Forsythe rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Really lovely, I thought. I enjoyed the way Oliver and Jack rubbed each-other the wrong way (when they weren't rubbing each-other the right way). I enjoyed the way Oliver was almost boyish in his straight forward, goal-oriented pursuit of Jack and the way Jack enjoyed it despite himself. I liked that Jack was a bit older than the average romance hero and I liked the close friendships between the sister and her 'companion.'

I did think the book a little too long, or at least longer than what seems ...more

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Nov 09, 2016 Sheryl Beesley rated it really liked it

I really enjoyed this book...I read it as a buddy read with an online group otherwise I would not have know about this author...and I'm glad I got a chance to read it...This is a MM set in the Regency period, one MC a son of an Earl, wounded in the war and back in London...the other MC is a son of parents of questionable morals and makes his living helping people sometimes by questionable means.

This had everything I enjoy about a Regency.. a sweet romance with a little spice thrown in along sid ...more

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Jul 10, 2017 Rita rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I'm a sucker for reluctant-to-love romances. There's just something about that moment when a character realizes that they've gone and fallen for someone when they swore they wouldn't. This book was as good as everyone said it is. I adored Jack and Oliver and felt they had great chemistry together.

I listened to the audio which I thought was excellent, and the narrator's Kit Harington accent made the story all the more enjoyable <3 ...more

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Mar 20, 2017 Betsy rated it really liked it

Characters: thief-valet-fixer, aristo soldier avoiding chaos
World Building: above/below stairs
Plot: retrieve incriminating letters
Sex: medium, shading to euphemism
Read another: Yes

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