<i>I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.</i>

Mimi Mathews has a way of bringing my favorite gothic novels to life, in spirit if not in plot. Her books have a way of perfectly capturing all the mood and drama of gothic classics. If her Parish Orphans series reminded me of Jane Eyre, then Gentleman Jim was Wuthering Heights. Nicolas and Maggie’s story, their fated love, and tragic separation is so very reminiscent of Heathcliff and Cathy’s angsty romance. I read this in one sitting; by the time I was done I was startled to look up and realize it was morning already! And if that’s not enough to recommend a book I don’t know what is!

<b>You Should Read This If You Like:</b> gothic romances, friends to lovers OTP, fated lovers or soulmates, case of mistaken identity, persuasion by Jane Austen, etc.  

Gentleman Jim is the love story of Nicolas Seaton, bastard son of legendary highwayman Gentleman Jim, and the wealthy squire’s daughter Margaret Honeywell. The social disparity in their status and jealousy from Maggie’s most ardent suitor Fred, leads our lovers to separate and for Nicolas to flee the country and a death sentence. Fast forward to  years later, Maggie is under Fred’s guardianship, wholly dependent on him. Nicolas is long since presumed dead. She longs to be free from Fred’s control and take ownership of her home. Amidst the turmoil of her life, enters John Beresford, Viscount St. Clare, who bears a striking resemblance to her dead lover. Is the Viscount really Nicolas? And if so, why does he pretend to not know who she is? 

Honestly, when we are first introduced to Nicolas and Maggie I didn’t really buy their relationship. It was evident from the first moment we see them, lying together in the grass and holding hands, all of 16 and so much in love. My main issue with this, as with most Mimi Mathews romances, is that so much of our initial understanding of these characters happens second hand. The reader is informed of Nicolas and Maggie’s lifelong friendship, despite their social disparity. Their differences in class means they both lead widely disparate lives. It is Nicolas who has to bear the weight of transgressing his social boundary while Maggie remains largely ignorant to the daily problems and prejudices he has to deal with. 

This would have made for some excellent character foundation, except that most of this information is told to the reader via info dumping and exposition in the first couple of chapters. We are told Nicolas doesn't have enough money to marry and provide for Maggie.  But we see next to nothing of the life he has had to live. Most of what we know of Nicolas, including his abusive relationship with his mother, we learn through exposition. It makes it very hard to understand how very impossible their relationship is and indeed when it is confronted, to then sympathize with it. I just wish the foundation of their relationship and their character didn’t happen offstage. In any case, it would have made their separation that much more tragic. 

But that’s really my only major complaint. Because once the story gets moving, damn but it’s something to see! I loved everything about Maggie and Nicolas. Maggie with her quiet strength, learning to stand up for herself again and find that fighting spirit in a world that had broken her down was beautiful to read. I loved that she had friends to support her through her issues and give her some breathing room. Her meeting with the viscount, and their subsequent romance was part angst, part forbidden romance, and all sizzling chemistry! Seriously, these two could light a room with the amount of repressed sexual energy they have been hoarding for all these years! 

I loved the mystery of it, even though it was pretty obvious from the get go. My favorite thing about this novel though, is the way both Nicolas and Maggie have to reconcile with the people they have now become as adults and adjust their lives accordingly. They lived as two parts of a whole and evolved as such, never losing their love for one another. And if that isn’t the best kind of fated love I don’t know what is! 

I also appreciate that the stakes in this book feel very real and urgent. The villains do an excellent job of being threatening and a looming concern to our couple’s happily ever after. 

The Gentleman Jim story was also another favorite! The whole highwayman story, just shrouded in mystery and intrigue, coupled with danger and drama always gets to me! This one was a cut above the rest, managing to be both dangerous and incredibly sexy at the same time. Mimi Mathews brought all my gothic fantasies to life and honestly, I couldn't have asked for more! 

I do have a minor complaint about the cover. It just looks seriously terrible, and very wild west and not at all representative of the moody, gothic feel of this book! I just wished we had something to better show how freaking awesome this book is! <b>4 stars</b>. Mimi Mathews has quickly become one of my favorite historical romance authors and I cannot wait to read more from her!

Absolutely my favorite of Ms. Matthew's stories so far. It kept me guessing for far longer than most books with hidden character backstories. So well-crafted and deftly honed character arcs. As always I am on the edge of my seat waiting for the next book from Mimi Matthews!

Mimi Matthew's never fails to produce exceptional stories which rattle along with strong, likeable characters. Here we meet Maggie, a feisty independent  young lady and St. Clare the erstwhile hero. Their adventure is vastly entertaining  with a comfortable  HEA. I recommend this book for lovers of historical romance. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced copy.

Gentleman Jim took me by surprise, it wasn’t your usual trope of a regency storyline – at least for me, it wasn’t. I liked that Mimi Matthews isn’t afraid to color outside the lines and this is what will keep me coming back to see what else she has in store for us readers.

I liked all the characters (and even the not so nice ones) but I have to mention Jane Trumble, Maggie’s stalwart friend. She wasn’t as fiery as Maggie but she packed a good punch, and as far as best-outstanding (and supporting) characters go, I want to nominate her! 

I thoroughly enjoyed Gentleman Jim, and I will be back for more of Ms. Matthew's writing.

My gratitude to Perfectly Proper Press and Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

In Gentleman Jim, the two young protagonists Margaret Honeywell and Nicholas Seaton are separated by class in Somerset in 1817, as well as the local neighbor's son Fred, who has his eye on Maggie and her land. He's abetted by both his father and hers who want the match so that their estates can be joined. When Fred separates  the best friends, who are on the cusp of a burgeoning romance, by framing Nicholas for theft, it appears as if Nicholas will be gone for good. He manages to escape with Maggie's help, and goes in search of his father, who may or may not be the highwayman Gentleman Jim but not before promising to return for her.

Several years later, Maggie's father is dead and under his wishes, is under the guardianship of Fred until she is married with Fred's approval. She remains unwed, and loathes the idea of marrying Fred but does not wish to see her estate go to a distant relative. The novels kicks with when the mysterious Lord St. Clare challenges Fred to a duel, and Maggie sees a sharp resemblance to her lost Nicholas.

Mimi Matthews has been a welcome surprise for me--she's the definition of a comfort read in historical romance. That said, I did think some of the suspense was unnecessarily drawn out and Maggie's attachment to her home in comparison to her attachment to Nicholas also got drawn out.  4.5 stars.

An ARC of this novel was provided by NetGalley--all opinions are my own.

This is a good contender for my favorite book by Mimi Matthews. I’m very much stuck on the Orphans of Devon series, but this new book has made me doubt my rankings! 

Maggie and Nicholas are childhood sweethearts, separated in their youth when he is framed for a crime by a jealous rival for Maggie’s affections, who is a bully of a higher social rank. She promises to wait for him, though, enduring her coming out, seasons in London, and threats of losing her home if she doesn’t marry the aforementioned bully. Then a Viscount appears, ten years later, and shakes everything up. 

The book was very fun, something I would not normally say I about historical romances! I loved the tropes that showed up, but in creative ways. It was never just longing stares in ballrooms. There was a titillating highwayman scene, daring carriage rides in the park that courted scandal, and a standoff at gunpoint. It was great, and I particularly enjoyed the parallels to other novels. Mimi mentions that she was inspired by the Count of Monte Cristo, and it was apparent, but I could see shades of other books too, like Persuasion, in the long wait for true love, the male lead finding his fortune and worth, etc. Even the old Viscount seemed eccentric and temperamental, reminiscent of Emma’s father in Jane Austen’s classic. I loved these little connections to some of my favorite classic novels, at least within my own perception as I read. 

I found Maggie to be one of my favorite lady protagonists of Mimi's, perhaps the most well-rounded and developed. She can shoot a pistol, ride horses, argue with and verbally best any man she meets in the book. At the same time, she is physically weakened by a strong bout of influenza she contracted years before the events of the book. The dichotomy of that vulnerability and her willful personality, determined to reclaim her agency and identity at every turn, was a delicious mix for me. It made her so human and relatable, as someone also very feisty but limited in daily life by a disabling physical injury. 

As usual, there were the little touches that remind you you’re reading one of Mimi’s period romances – great attention to costuming detail, chaperoning, all sorts of etiquette, and you just end up fully immersed in the setting. I will absolutely read this again, and highly recommend it for those who like historical romances.

When squire’s daughter Margaret Honeywell’s father dies, her abusive neighbor and prospective husband Fredrick Burton-Smythe gets total control of her. He has challenged a stranger to a duel and Margret finds he looks the spitting image of her childhood friend. Events spiral into a race of jealousy and revenge, where Margaret is stuck in the middle. 

Getleman Jim is the standalone regency romance by Mimi Matthews set in Somerset 1817 about squire’s daughter Margaret Honeywell who has been left in control of her abusive guardian and neighbor Frederick Burton-Smythe. Through his will, her father forces her to marry Fred and have the estates joined or she will lose all her assets. But Margaret has her heart set on illegitimate son and estate groom Nicholas Seaton, who went in search for his father years ago and never returned. 
When Margaret tries to prevent Fred from dueling, she is shocked to meet John Beresford, Viscount St. Clare, who looks just like Nicholas but denies having met him. Fred picks up on a connection between the two and becomes even more bullying and controlling towards Margaret. She finds herself stuck between the two men trying to prevent them from hurting each other.

Main character John Beresford, Viscount St. Clare, has a secret history having grown up in Europe. I feel for him as the plot progresses and he is not able to tell Margaret the truth. 

Secondary character squire’s daughter Margaret Honeywell was verbally assertive but suffered health challenges following her father’s death. Descriptions of her health I felt made her character come alive and be relatable. She is my favorite character of this story.

I felt this plot included some unique elements. The terrible lack of judgment and next level cynicism in the will added excellent dramatic effect. I particularly felt surprised and relieved by how Margaret’s closest friend Jane acted reminiscent to her lawyer in the early parts of the story. She certainly needed one as the plot progressed. The writing was captivating with thoroughly engaging dialogue and great character building. All this made me fly through the pages and wish for more.
 
The best part of this story was when Margaret tried to stop Fred’s duel by visiting his opponent. This serious surprise became the center of the plot. The effects of the will were by far the worst part.

The heart wrenching feelings between St. Clare and Margaret I felt were particularly well written. St. Clare offered Margaret 3 forfeits which I felt gave the story an element of fairy tale I’m sure would appeal to younger readers.

This unique story with several fresh elements would captivate readers of regency romance and fans of Mimi Matthews. Similar authors might be Michelle Griep or Erica Vetsch.

Thank you to publisher Perfectly Proper Press and for this eARC which gave me the opportunity to share my honest review. All opinions in this review are completely my own.

Conclusion: this unique regency romance includes captivating drama, legal issues, mystery and romance as St. Clare and Margaret tackle difficulties of secrecy, jealousy and revenge. I look forward to reading whatever Mimi Matthews releases next because of the enjoyable plots she comes up with.

I want to write a very full review for this... but then again I don't.

I think to enjoy this book you can't go in with too much detail, but instead just have to ride the roller-coaster of it. Given the blurb (and also the first chapter), I think experienced romance readers will quickly intuit some things. It gives a little nod to the Count of Monte Cristo. But the enjoyment is how the plot gets from point A to point B.

This is a very romantic story with a strong, enjoyable heroine and a dashing, very enigmatic hero. It also has plotting rogues and scheming relatives, a parent trying to control a child from beyond the grave and another parent who goes to the grave with a lot of secrets to be uncovered. And through it all you wonder about identity -- mistaken or fraud or real? And it keeps you guessing until the end with an appropriately dramatic climactic scene.

I started this yesterday and did not put it down til I finished. It was a great read with just enough angst (not too much) and adventure (more than enough) and romance (a lot). Also I really appreciate that both the hero and heroine have their own separate high stakes plots that intersect in some ways but are still have separate but equal importance to that character.

Good book.

Gentleman Jim by Mimi Matthews is a story of romantic suspense set in Victorian London. Nicholas Seaton and Maggie Honeywell are childhood sweethearts. Never mind that he is a servant in her father's household and the rumored son of a notorious highwayman, Gentleman Jim. When he is framed for theft by his rival, Frederick Burton-Smythe, for Maggie's affections, he runs away to save himself, but breaks Maggie's heart in the meantime. 

Ten years later, Maggie is orphaned and set to marry Frederick, despite her longing for Nicholas. When she learns Frederick has challenged the mysterious Lord. St. Clare to a duel, Maggie can't help but intervene. But there's something very familiar about Lord St. Clare and Maggie hopes that perhaps the love she lost so long ago may have in fact been resurrected. 

In Gentleman Jim, Mimi Matthews once again proves she's the master of the Victorian historical romance. Her details make you feel as if you are really strolling in London. I love that her heroines are strong women but don't fall out of the historical behaviors of the period. There is more physicality in this book than I have seen in some of Matthews other stories, but none of it feels especially out of place considering the story and the character's emotional arc. 

I did see the twist coming fairly early on but I still enjoyed the path to see how they got there and that is where Matthews shines. I look forward to more of her books with high anticipation. 

Note: I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley and the publishers.

Gentleman Jim is a very good story.  Its main characters are Maggie and Nicholas. They are 2 who have grown up together and loved each other from the start, first love. He a stable boy and she the young lady of the house. They are torn apart by a jealous rival, Fred. He sets Nicholas up to be arrested for stealing. So Nicholas has to flee for his life.  He promises Maggie he will be back for her.
     Flash forward 10 years. Maggie has had a very rough 10 years. She lost her father and then her aunt who was like a mother to her. In between she is laid low by influenza. She never totally bounces bounced back from that. She is now 26 and going back to London after all these setbacks.  She had a season in London and turned down many offers of marriage.  She was waiting for her soulmate to come back.  Now she has given up all hope. Fred still wants to marry her. Should she accept him? 
     When she finds out Fred is challenged to a duel, she tries to stop it by going to the house of the Viscoubt, he is to duel, Visount St.Clare,the grandson of the Earl of Arrandale. Both have just recently returned from Europe. When Maggie gets there, she goes to introduce herself and looks into the eyes of a man she hasn't seen in 10 years.  Of course he denies being this man. Is he or isnt he  keeps you going for a while.  The questions and answers come. The love grows. 
It was a very good story, I really  enjoyed it. But what I found disappointing is that I've been a fan of Mimi Matthews since the beginning.  I live her books because they are extraordinarily different, not your ordinary Regency romance.  This was an ordinary Regency romance.  Dont get me wrong,  it was very good, just not extraordinary. 
I want to thank Netgalley for the chance to review this book. 
4 1/2 stars rounded up to 5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Oh, what a love story -- and what a mystery. This is one of Mimi Matthews' best, and that is saying a lot because her books consistently soar. Well-researched and plotted, they draw the reader in and transport them to another time and place. Gentleman Jim is superb. We meet the main characters as children -- Margaret Honeywell is the daughter of a wealthy squire; Nicholas Seaton is a base-born servant, perhaps the son of highwayman Gentleman Jim. Yet Margaret is supposed to marry the son of a neighbor, Frederick Burton-Smythe, despite her friendship with Nicholas. They are torn apart in a particularly nasty manner and when the story resume, the vibrant, daring Margaret is older and a shadow of herself. She has been sick, stuck in the country and seems to have lost her spark. Enter John Beresford, Viscount St. Clare, back in England and dedicated to restoring his family's reputation. He meets Maggie, finally in London, and the two share an undeniable connection. This is where the mystery comes in, and along with it, a woman who remained true to her first love despite the circumstances of his disappearance. This is a woman who knows who to love. The unraveling of the mystery, the blossoming love story and the most satisfactory conclusion make this a must-read. Just wonderful But that's Mimi Matthews. (This is my opinion; I received an ARC from NetGalley.)

It was pretty clear soon into the novel what the storyline would be and the outcome. While that’s not a bad thing, the shame of it all was telling us that Maggie was a strong heroine, only to have her show up for most of the story a frail, sickly thing. At the beginning, she also seemed to have a good relationship with her father, but then we’re told she actually didn’t and he gave her guardianship over to someone she hated. It was rather inconsistent and marred the whole tale.

I was provided with an ARC of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Every time I see Mimi Matthews has a new book coming, I can't wait to read it!  She brings her readers such great stories from her marvelously talented pen. And this one is no exception.  It just might be my favorite.  But then, I think that with each book she writes.  I am just a forever fan.  

The opening chapter sells you on the book at once, and then the more you read, the deeper you are drawn into the story.  This Regency is so well done and the characters, as usual with Matthews, leap right off the pages.  I think I fell in love a little with St. Clare myself!  His character was so heroic, chivalrous, courageous, romantic (oh!) that a girl just can't help from loving him.  And Miss Maggie Honeywell did, as a young girl, and as a grown woman.  She never stopped loving him.  That's what made their story so precious: they knew from childhood they were meant for each other.  I loved every single minute.  Totally.  I highly recommend this author.

*My thanks to Perfectly Proper Press for an advance copy of this book.  The review is expressly my own.

4.5 stars for Mimi Matthews's latest! Although we generally prefer seriously sexy romances, sometimes we're in the mood to relax with a slower-paced, low-angst historical romance. And when we're in that mood, we turn to Mimi Matthews. ⁠
⁠
Her upcoming release, Gentleman Jim,⁠ doesn't disappoint. Maggie and Nicholas are childhood sweethearts. When Nick leaves town, accused of a crime he didn't commit, Maggie decides never to marry. Years later, Maggie meets Lord St. Clare, a young nobleman with a striking resemblance to Nick. ⁠
⁠
Although Matthews identifies The Count of Monte Cristo and Tom Jones as inspiration for her novel, we saw shades of The Return of Martin Guerre, by Natalie Zemon Davis, and Stranger in My Arms, by Lisa Kleypas, as well. Matthews does a great job of keeping up the suspense of St. Clare's identity throughout the novel. The denouement keeps you guessing until the end, with smaller mysteries solved along the way to keep the reader satisfied. 

In sum, if you're looking for a well-written cozy Regency to add to your fall TBR and you're not looking for anything more explicit than some heavy makeout sessions, Gentleman Jim fits the bill. 
⁠
Our objective review was based on a complimentary ARC provided by NetGalley and Victory Editing.

Once again Mimi Matthews writes a story that presents the h & H with insurmountable odds. However, in the end she resolves conflicts and tension so well it's as if she wrapped the story neatly with a bow for the reader to feel fully satisfied. The story story didn't feel formulaic or on the nose. The h has some spunk and was feisty.  I enjoyed the twists and turns. Mimi Matthews has the ability to write so I can feel the array of emotions the characters are feeling. I would give this a 4 out of 5 stars. The quality of the writing is very much still there for 5 stars. For me personally, this story did get a bit spicier my personal preference in a scene than her other novels. Though things are kept above the belt so to speak. A couple of times I thought does h's actions fit the era. Though, I do know the author is does a lot of research so I'm willining to admit I could be off base.

Margaret Honeywell lost her childhood sweetheart, Nicholas Seaton, due to the actions of Frederick Burton-Smythe, the neighbour that her father intended for her to marry and unite the adjacent estates. She has spurned all advances in the hope that Nicholas would return to her but now feels that she has to fulfil her fathers wishes and marry the odious Fred to save her beloved estate.  John Beresford, Viscount St. Clare has returned to London to satisfy his grandfather’s wishes to marry and continue the family line. However, he is stunned to encounter Margaret and can’t seem to stay away from her despite the danger to himself and his future. Entrancing story, another beautifully written and entertaining story from Mimi Matthews. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Gentleman Jim
By Mimi Matthews
I was a pleasure to read and review Gentleman Jim. Gentleman Jim is a story of patience and redemption. Childhood friends who are separated by society’s rules and cross paths again. 
The uncertainty as to how the author was going to solve the problems that separated them had me on the edge. But the author is a genius, and all worked out: justice, love, redemption.  
 M. Matthews has a way of being so descriptive with her characters that you can easily picture everything in your mind.  Gentlemen Jim is a cross between Gift of the Magi and The Count of Monte Christo. It is a very good read. I truly loved this story.

This is a great read! Mimi Matthews has once again written a story that is romantic, thrilling and well planned out . Her characters always unique and spirited! I loved that Maggie and St. Clare's story was not predictable. Maggie was so stubborn, resourceful and quick  thinking. St. Clare was protective, very physical and had a temper. But it was a story full of love and tenderness.
I loved every line and the story even ended very satisfyingly! The bar fight scene especially was a great romp! And the villain was great. I recommend it highly!
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley . The opinions are entirely my own.

Mimi Matthews' books should be on an IV drip into my veins. So when a new one comes out it just gets replaced and I can just feed off it until the cycle repeats.

This book was intriguing when I read Chapter One after finishing her most recent book. I have a secret obsession with books with heroes with hidden identities, or people trying to rebuild themselves.

Let me just say, Mimi keeps outdoing herself that I finish each book asking how she is going to top the situations, the romance, the characters.

Her women are always my favorite. Maggie/Margaret is someone who can level with men, shoot a man's hand, and could probably wrestle a man to the ground and put him in a headlock. She is that cool and someone you just absolutely gotta love. Nicholas is the perfect match for her, and honestly, the book had me second-guessing and confirming, then second-guessing and confirming. Shows how good she can write intrigue.

I recommend this book when it comes out if you enjoy Count of Monte Cristo, friends to lovers, adventure, and intrigue

3.75/5.

Growing up, Maggie Honeywell and Nicholas Seaton always had each other's back. Their differences in social status (she, the daughter of wealthy squire, and he, a lowly baseborn groom) never stood in the way of their firm friendship-turned-romantic love. A malicious accusation of theft by a petty, jealous bully finally tore the two apart, but Nicholas promised he would come back for her and so she waited. For ten years she waited, rejecting all suitors and defying her father's wish for her to marry the neighbour's son, Fred Burton-Smythe, the odious man responsible for Nicholas's exile. However, time is running out because thanks to her father's oppressive will, Fred has been left in charge of her beloved estate and funds until she marries. Only problem is that her marriage must take place within the next 6 months and be approved by Fred, and the only suitor he will ever approve of is himself.

Maggie heads off to London in a last ditch attempt to find a way out of her predicament. While she despises the loathsome and small-minded Fred with a passion, killing him is not going to solve her crisis, because the estate will default to a distant male relative. So she was most unimpressed when she finds out that an enigmatic viscount, newly arrived from the continent, has engaged Fred in a duel. Drastic measures must be taken to stop the duel and Maggie is just the person up to the task. A prolonged illness has left her a weak and pale version of her previous vibrant self, but where she is now lacking in physical stamina, she more than makes up for it in fortitude and intrepidity.

When John Beresford, Viscount St Clare, accepted the challenge of a country nobody to a duel, he did not expect have a petite, winsome fury scandalously knocking on his door to plea the case of said unworthy nobody. Maggie is beyond his wildest dreams and yearnings and he has had many wild dreams and unfulfilled yearnings for far too many years. But he is his grandfather's heir to a powerful earldom and he cannot allow himself to deviate from his hard-fought goal. Although Maggie might just have shifted those goal posts by a large margin and his disorientation is not helped by her insistence that he is the exact image of her erstwhile youthful first love.

In my opinion, this is the closest Mimi Matthews has come to writing popular HR, because up to this point, her characters are often ordinary unglamorous people and her settings had been away from the ton and fancy ballrooms. This is also more light-hearted than some of her other straight and somewhat gloomy stories. I definitely welcome the humour which I have missed in most of her other books.

Unless...Are you saying that your conduct at dawn hinges on whether or not Mr. Burton-Smythe can refrain from irritating you?" She was incredulous. "If that is so, then he's as good as dead."


There are some gaps in the plot. (view spoiler) The concept of the three forfeits was silly and unnecessary. The plot also got quite predictable and a bit cheesy towards the end and cheesiness is not a criticism that is usually applicable to the work of this esteemed author. Still, it is an enjoyable read and the writing is of high standard as expected.