Such a delight, I loved TJ Alexander's writing.
This story made my laugh, swoon, and so emotional. The characters are adorable and deliciously witty.

A t4t queer period drama about a young, introverted earl who likes to stay in his crumbling manor with his two remaining servants, going horseback hiding and reading. He is, however, forced to add a valet to his staff before going to London to look for a wife to fulfill the terms of his father's will.
When the valet arrives, the early is taken in and intruiged by his good looks, yet neither accustomed nor very eager to actually be waited on and dressed.
The story was nicely written, had a bit of drama, coach chases and secrets.
Overall a nice book and a very good narrator with a pleasant voice and of course the currently quite necessary reminder that people of all kinds have always existed.
4.5 stars

Looking for some trans joy? Then look no further! The Earl Meets His Match is a queer Regency romance between Christopher, Lord Eden, and his new valet James Harding. In need of a wife before his next birthday to keep his title and estate, the reclusive Lord Eden embarks on a London season, looking for a loveless marriage of convenience. For appearance's sake, he needs a valet, and he gets more than he gambled for with Harding.
I love queer historical romance, and TJ Alexandern, whose first foray into historical romance this is, delivers a mostly lighthearted romantic comedy with all the extravagant trappings: a visit to the tailor, society events, a hot wardrobe scene, an assisted elopement, and even a haunted old abbey. There were some tragic elements to the history of both main characters, but they were easily offset by the tone and the often funny events. The contrast in character between Christopher and stoic James worked well, and there were some nice twists to the story. This is the first audiobook narration by Harrison Knights I've listened to, and I greatly enjoyed it.

New favorite book alert!! 🚨

This was utterly delightful, funny and so, so tender. My goodness. The initial meeting between Christopher and his tailor, Etienne, had me grinning and feeling all lovey-dovey because of how gentle they were with each other (platonically, just to be clear, which made it all the more wonderful, imo). And then, of course, there's Harding. *swoons* I can't praise Harrison Knights enough; he did such an incredible job with the narration and struck the right balance between gravity and humor in delivering Christopher and Harding's exchanges. Impeccable comedic timing. *chef's kiss*
It's the first book by T.J. Alexander that I've read but it definitely won't be the last. That said, I've already gone back and re-listened to it because it's just SO GOOD, y'all. It's a warm hug, it's beautiful, nuanced, captivating.
CHRISTOPHER EDEN, the man that you are. I was rooting for these wonderful men the whole way through. Everyone go read--or better yet, listen--to this incredible story!

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK Audio for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

(Version with collapsible spoilers available on my blog)

A Gentleman’s Gentleman (or The Earl Meets His Match as it’s titled in the UK) is one of those books that, from chapter one, I knew would be a 5 star read. This achingly slow burn romance is the cure I needed as news in the UK was enveloped by the announcement of the new Supreme Court ruling. For people looking for a remedy for heartache in a damn good book, you’re in the right place: TJ Alexander has the panacea you’ve been searching for.

First off, our main character Lord Christopher Eden, is a triumph. Witty, well-dressed, and wanting of a wife (well…needing, not so much wanting) Christopher is not so unlike the other men his age. Except that he isn’t the first Lord Christopher Eden of his generation; after his family died, Christopher shed his petticoats and took up the role of the man of the house. In short, he’s trans. Because of this, he has kept the world at arms length, never taking on a valet and operating his household on a skeleton staff. But if he’s to be seen in society as a completely unremarkable gentleman at the London Season, he’ll need to make allowances.

An allowance in the shape of James Harding, the most aggravatingly handsome valet around.

Ah yes, one more thing about the elusive Lord Eden: he’d absolutely love James Harding’s tongue down his throat.

This is my perfect kind of story – the stakes are high, but not desperately so. Christopher is in need of a wife before his 25th birthday in a few months if he’s to keep his inheritance, but there’s no looming death on the horizon. Surrounded by his loyal staff – and treacherously good-looking Harding – you spend the book urging Christopher to take the leap of faith and trust someone with his secrets. But it’s also easy to see why he shies away from it.

Luckily, he has master tailor Etienne in London as his confidant – at least in the matter of his “unusual make”. One of the things I loved about this book was their friendship, particularly when they discuss how Christopher worries he will be seen as less masculine if he reveals that he is gay as well as trans. Etienne, bless his soul, is an absolute gem of a character and I would listen to him tell me about fabrics all day – though the narrator’s French accent was questionable at best.

But if Christopher is to succeed in his plans, he’ll need to be honest with more than just Etienne. He’ll need to be honest with Harding.

Overall, this book just gave me so much hope at a time when I really needed it. As I said, it’s painfully slow burn, but the payoff is magnificent and so worth hanging on for. I’d adore a sequel to this, and have word from the author themself that one could definitely be a reality if there’s enough interest from the publishing house (Harper Collins UK I am on my knees begging you).

“Christopher had lived. He lived still. The very fact that he breathed was a miracle. He had not survived merely to suffer; he was certain of that now. For the first time in his life, he was certain.”

As I said on Bluesky, I’m not saying this book is a cure-all for the damage being done to trans people all over the world right now. I’m not saying it will make it stop hurting, but it gave me time and space and trans joy when I desperately needed it. This book is a beautiful story of life after survival, of authenticity and refusing to give up the person you have worked so hard to become. For all the other trans and non-binary people out there who need to hear it, in Harding’s words, “the fact of your existence is a miracle”. Don’t you dare forget that.