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First off, I have to admit this is the first book I have read by this author, but on the strength of it, I’m going to seek out her entire backlist, because A Fashionable Indulgence is an utterly fantastic read and I was really impressed. It hooked me in from the first page and kept me that way until the very end; the story is well-developed with plenty of historical detail, all the characters are very strongly drawn, and the two protagonists are captivating and intriguing. In short, I couldn’t put the book down.
The story begins in 1808, when twelve-year-old Harry Gordon and his parents – who are dyed-in-the-wool radicals – have to flee across the English Channel to avoid arrest for sedition and inciting a riot. Even though Harry’s father is the cousin of a Marquess, he and his wife have, for a number of years, been responsible for writing and printing pamphlets and books on the subject of the abuse of privilege and the plight of the lower classes and have become notorious for their willingness to speak out in the cause of radical reform. But with the effects of the revolution in France still at the forefront of people’s minds, such outspokenness is reviled and anyone espousing radical ideals is a target for the authorities.
Over a decade later, after his parents have both died in a Cholera outbreak, Harry Vane – Gordon was his mother’s maiden name – returns to London penniless and with nowhere to go other than to Silas Mason, a former associate of his parents’ who continues to write and print radical pamphlets in the cellar of his City bookshop. The thing is that Harry doesn’t want to spend the rest of his life looking over his shoulder or jumping out of his skin every time there is a knock on the door. He loved his parents, but can’t help feeling somewhat resentful of the constant danger to which they exposed him as a child.
It seems, however, that Harry is going to get his wish to live a more comfortable life away from the fear of discovery when a well-dressed, authoritative gentleman arrives at the shop and introduces himself as his father’s cousin, Lord Richard Vane. Richard tells Harry that their grandfather, Lord Gideon has been looking for him and that he, Richard, is to take Harry home.
One of the things their grandfather has charged Richard with is turning Harry into a gentleman. He may be of noble birth, but Harry has not been brought up as a gentleman and his manners, his dress and his knowledge of how to behave in society are all sorely lacking. Richard enlists the help of one of his closest friends, Mr Julius Norreys, known throughout society as an “exquisite” for his excellent taste and flamboyant clothes, and asks him to turn Harry into a gentleman so that he can be introduced into society and then do as his grandfather wants and find a suitable wife.
Julius isn’t keen on the idea at first, but Harry’s charm and natural joie de vivre begin to win him over and Julius soon finds he enjoys the time he spends in Harry’s company. He is also feeling the first stirrings of attraction that he has felt for anyone in a long time – ever since Waterloo, in fact – but the danger inherent in making an ill-advised advance holds him back; and in any case, once Harry is launched into society and starts his bride hunt, they will be nothing more than distant acquaintances.
But Harry is just as attracted to his mentor, the most elegant, beautiful man he has ever seen, and when the opportunity presents itself, he is not shy about making that interest known. Knowing of Gideon Vane’s insistence that Harry marry his cousin in order to continue to receive his financial support and, eventually, become his heir, Julius insists that their relationship must end once Harry’s betrothal is official –and Harry reluctantly agrees.
As well as the slowly-developing relationship between the two protagonists, the story includes a lot of fascinating detail about the political situation of the time; the Peterloo Massacre takes place (off screen) during the timespan of the book, and Harry finds it increasingly difficult to stop himself expressing his disgust over the murder and injury of so many innocents. His friends, while not disagreeing with him, are well aware that, given his parentage, if he does not curb his instincts, Harry could find himself in very deep trouble with the authorities – not to mention with his domineering grandfather, who despises such radical ideas.
One of the things I enjoyed so much about this story is the fact that although the author has set it in the Regency period, she has brought a strong political element to it, which is something that is rarely done in historical romance. She sets up the story incredibly well, right from the first page, and later, Harry’s struggle to work out exactly who he is, who he wants to be and what is his place in the world is so superbly realised that it is easy for the reader to relate to and sympathise with him, even when he is acting selfishly or naively. He is torn between wanting a comfortable life and his ideals; he can’t but abhor injustice of the privations endured by so many, but he has endured much himself and it’s easy to understand his inner conflict.
I adored the character of Julius, a man famed as much for his sharp wit and sang-froid as for his dress-sense. A tragic loss has caused him to retreat behind a shell of cold unapproachability, his concern with the superficialities of life his way of coping with that pain he continues to endure. Harry’s open-heartedness, his zest for life and the warmth and depth of his affection start to gradually thaw Julius’ icy reserve, and that was incredibly touching to read. The romance between them is really well-written and imbued with a great deal of warmth and tenderness. It’s not all plain sailing naturally, and not just because discovery could lead to the gallows; they have problems and disagreements to work through which serve to make their relationship realistic and believable.
If I have a complaint – and it’s a very small one –it’s that the ending is perhaps a little too pat, but honestly, I wanted Harry and Julius to have their HEA so much that it really didn’t matter – and in any case, it’s no more implausible than the endings in so many of the other books I’ve read!
I’m giving A Fashionable Indulgence a wholehearted recommendation. Ms Charles has created a cast of memorable characters in her club of “Ricardians”, all of whom are three dimensional ; the writing is superb with a strong feel for time and place, and all the relationships –the friendships as well as the romantic ones – are very strongly written. I will definitely be reading the other books in this series as soon as I can get my hands on them.’
Buy it on Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
Grade: A
Book Type: Historical Romance
Sensuality: Warm
Review Date: 11/08/15
Publication Date: 08/2015
Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.
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I’ve been going back and rereading my KJ Charles collection recently. I’m midway through the Sins of the City series (while listening to The Lilywhite Boys series, which is what made me want to go back to see these characters) and then it’ll be the Society of Gentlemen series.
Caz, “impressed” is definitely the word with this one. A Fashionable Indulgence is the kind of book that makes me ashamed to call myself a writer. Brava to KJ Charles!
When I say I am looking for an HR that has an actual historical basis, this is the kind of book I mean. The characters all feel like people of their time and place, sometimes aggravatingly so. I too enjoyed the political element plus all the interwoven intrigue. This feels not like “Ooh! Pretty ball gowns!” but the real deal. The humor was sparkling as well. When I clear some room on my TBR list, I’ll definitely continue with the series. (I would check out the next title in the series now, but I have some other books checked out with long waitlists that I’d rather not relinquish. So many books, so little time!)
Have I steered you wrong yet? :P The next book – A Seditious Affair – is even better; still the only A+ I’ve ever given here.
Caz is right, Seditious Affair is amazing, and I loved A Gentleman’s position, too. And even an “average” KJ Charles is way better than most out there because her writing is intelligent and her settings so immersive.
“Immersive” is a really good word for it, Carrie. I felt transported, which is what good historical fiction and/or HR should do. And yes, intelligent too!
After an HR slump filled with pseudo history and bullhorn politics, I am finally on a winning streak again with my reading: Aleksandr Voinov with Kate Cotoner, Jeannie Lin, Fae Sutherland with Marguerite Labbe, and now KJ Charles. They have renewed my faith in the HR genre’s possibilities.
I love this series too.
And I’ll give a shout-out to the short story that goes with it – The Ruin of Gabriel Ashleigh! Handsome-but-dim Ash and Francis feature as a couple in the three main books. This story tells how they got together. It is very hot!
And yes, Caz, the portrayal of Silas in A Seditious Affair is heart-stoppingly amazing – the lust, the command, the anguish, the love and passion, the political fervor, the rage…it’s all there.
A Seditious Affair is *amazing*. I’m about halfway through, maybe a little more. This one is definitely not as light as A Fashionable Indulgence. It’s kind of like…all the tensions that the first novel hinted at are blooming full force in this one. And the narration is…you’d almost think the narrator is actually feeling everything he expresses with his voice. ;)
I’m so glad you’re enjoying it. I’ve listened to it more than once, and it’s amazing. The same narrator does a terrific job with her Sins of the Cities series, too, and has recently recorded her Magpie series, which I haven’t yet listened to, but I’m sure is excellent.
I love the Magpie series on audio! So good! It was the first KJ Charles I read/listened to, and I’ve been a huge fan ever since. I recently finished the Sinsin the City series and really enjoyed them,as well. Love the gothicy feel to them, and Charles makes the horrible London fog a character in it’s own right. Such marvelous descriptions.
Robin–Wait until you read A Seditious Affair (to which I would give 4 stars out of 5) and A Gentleman’s Position (also 4 stars out of 5). To quote Dominic Frey, “Oh my stars!” They really are a treat.
Please come back and post your thoughts on the other books in Charles’ Society of Gentlemen series as you read or listen to them.
Oh My Universe!!!! When I first read this review – about 6 months ago – I rushed off, bought the book, then promptly forgot about it. Then, this morning, when I woke up at 3:30 and couldn’t get back to sleep, I decided that, no, I wasn’t going to start another nonfiction book, that it was perfectly fine to want to be entertained. Two and a half hours later, I wrenched myself away from this book. It is positively delicious – lush and decadent (and sexxxxxy), but also thoughtful and interesting. There’s nuance and depth here. I like that. Also, the audiobook narrator can read to me forever! Seriously, he does a fantastic job voicing the different characters. So, Caz, I need to thank you, and AAR, for bringing this book into my life. I am, in a word, delighted!
Oh, what a fabulous surprise you had! This is one of my all-time favourite HR series -the next book, A Seditious Affair is still the only book I’ve ever given an A+ rating here – and it was a book I thought might not be my cup of tea when I first read the synopsis! But my goodness, it’s utterly wonderful and Matthew Lloyd Davies’ portrayal of Silas (in the audio) is outstanding. I am SO glad to know that you’ve discovered it; it’s always wonderful to know that others enjoy books you’ve loved.