KJC is back and I couldn’t be happier! I adored this book; it contained all of the joyous plot twists, loveable yet flawed characters and assorted crimes that I could ever want 🥹 Plus my inner-voice is now talking in a French accent; zut alors!

Titus Pilcrow has accidentally inherited a fortune. Previously a shop keeper selling art supplies, he’s now trapped in a nightmare, fending off people who are desperate to get their hands on his newfound wealth. One of those people seems to be the suave, charming French aristocrat Nico, the Comte La Motte, however when the Comte offers friendship instead, Titus is eager to take him up on it.

But something about Nico’s story isn’t sitting quite right with Titus… and Titus has problems of his own, including a terrible ex lover, Henry, who’s threatening to out him if he doesn’t pay him off.

This was just wonderful - I adored Titus and Nico and the sheer drama that seemed to follow both of these men around; I enjoyed their budding relationship and also the slightly nightmarish knowledge that it was definitely all going to go wrong before it got better 🙈 The last 20% of the book was an absolute riot as everything went to hell and the building drama finally exploded!

Read How To Fake It In Society for:
✨ Accidentally inheriting a fortune
✨ Friendship with a sexy French aristocrat
✨ Escaping an abusive ex-lover
✨ Your green jacket is made of arsenic
✨ He’s definitely lying… about something
✨ This is why we don’t go to loan sharks
✨ Genderqueer key side character
✨ Being rich is terrible/ly convenient
✨ Paints & poisons used interchangeably

Thank you so much to PanMacmillan for an ARC, I absolutely loved it! It’s available to in April 2026 💕

KJ Charles’ latest venture is a sweet regency romp, in which a paint maker accidentally inherits a fortune and a charming French aristocrat/con man teaches him to navigate high society.

Titus Pilcrow is in the right place at the right time and ends up marrying a wealthy widow on her deathbed. All of a sudden, the unassuming shopkeeper finds himself the target of every fortune hunter and conman in London, including the charming French aristocrat Nico, Comte de la Motte. But Nico doesn’t start out by asking Titus for money, instead he helps him navigate fashionable society. And in the process, he falls for the man he is supposed to cheat. Their budding relationship is a house of cards built on Nico’s lies – but will the two manage to salvage it when it inevitably comes crashing down?

What a wonderful read – KJ Charles hasn’t missed yet, and I found myself quickly invested in the characters, entertained by their escapades, and by all the random paint facts that were woven into the plot. Pick this up if you want to know which colours were historically made with arsenic, enjoy a splattering of French expletives in your reading, and are willing to fall in love with the main characters and several of the side characters of this regency romance.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Tor Bramble for providing me with an eARC of this title! Review will be posted on my socials a bit closer to publications.

Titus is a paint maker (and a good one), who suddenly becomes one of the richest men in London... which is as much a blessing as it is a curse because suddenly, everyone sees his money before they see him. Actually, Titus isn't too happy with being seen at all. He's not used to putting himself forward.
Nico is a fake in so many ways. His clothes, his demeanour, even his name. Right now, he owes money to dangerous men and he and his cousin are in danger. When Titus offers him a place in his household and an opportunity to make a little money (plus the time and space to work his planned scam), he takes it. But he LIKES Titus. More than likes him... so he doesn't want to cheat him.
I love how Titus is trying to do the right thing by his position and his family, when what makes him happy is thinking about colours and paints and art. Nico gives him the confidence to find boundaries and enforce them. Nico starts off trying to get some money off Titus, but ends up tying himself in an ever more tangled web of lies and danger, especially because he's trying NOT to cheat Titus.
I genuinely enjoyed this story and particularly loved the major dramatic scene at the end where Nico plays to Titus's strengths to get rid of some truly awful men.
This was exactly the thing I needed to get me out of the reading funk that I'd fallen into.

I was given an ARC by NetGalley for an honest review. Thank you!

This was yet another incredible romance by KJ Charles. I particularly enjoyed the character of Nico, the French Comte, a delightfully dramatic and flamboyant man - I might have heard all of his lines of dialogue in Sam Reid's Lestat voice. But there's more than just a peacock to the Comte. Every bad decision he makes feels so logical for him to make, and he's such a lovely character.

And for once - as a French person, for once - the French in the book was perfectly correct, and even, I believe, accurate for the time period. I expected nothing less from KJ Charles, but it is so rare, and so welcome. Thoroughly enjoyable to read Nico lapse into French insults on a regular basis. Loved it.

I also particularly liked seeing the other MC, Titus, flourish into letting himself want good things for himself and allowing himself and his desires and wants/needs to come first. Seeing his journey in that regard was incredible. His nerding out about colours also gave way to a lot of fascinating facts. So much poison!

The emotional resolution was incredible as well, extremely believable and well written. It felt earned and natural and lovely.

As for the plot resolution, it was delightfully over the top in the most perfect way. Loved it to bits.

The cherry on top is the most lovely genderqueer side character. I'd read a whole book about them and their adventures, honestly.

I love when I get to say this - I have a new favourite KJ Charles book!! I binged the whole thing in a day. I adore Titus and Nico, I loved the conflict around money and honesty, I was absolutely howling at the climax, it was all round a brilliant time.

KJ Charles has managed to do it again (I mean, she made me like a rogue and scammer once again). In fact, althought Titus doesn´t get far behind, I think Nico if my favorite character in this one.

That being said, I loved the premise. It has exactly the type o humor I appreciate in this kind of stories: Titus, a humble man who owns a shop, ends up accidentally marrying (I won´t say how, but lol) an old lady. And in doing that, two main things happen. The first, that he inherits a fortune and basically all the problems for a middle class man of the 19th century dissapear... only to be replaced for new troubles, this time for a shy new rich. But hell anyway. The second thing is that, at marrying and soon after getting his money, he attracted a bunch of (maybe) not very nice people who are after the riches. People that includes Nico, the love interest.

There is a lot to unpack here that I liked.

Titus´ background has quite a lot of trauma and abandonment in it. And also, with a former lover that was abusive, I´ll say it was a pleasure to see how his personality evolved all through the plot as he became more and more confident.
Nico, on the other hand, is exactly the opposite. He is (might be?) a count with a rocambolesque family history and is not afraid to walk into society an try be noticed (in whatever form that entains). So imagine my delight when I got to that point in the story where Titus and Nico began to become friends, one trusting too much and the other beginning to think more about the morals of what he intended to do.

This is a story about scammers, murder, awful (and also some good) family members and also the consequences of lying to your partner and trying to comit forgery. Very wholesome, as you can imagine. And very recommended (loved how everything got solved in the end and everyone got what they deserved).

In this queer Regency romance, Titus Pilcrow finds himself coming into fortune in the most unlikely of circumstances. And not a moment too soon. Just a few days earlier, his mean and miserable ex-lover landlord announced a sudden rent-hike which left Titus on the cusp of losing everything: his home, his shop and his livelihood. Little does he know that the miraculous windfall which has solved his immediate problem merely heralds the onset of further difficulties.

This novel was tremendous fun to read with well-drawn characters that I genuinely cared about. I was absorbed in Titus’ journey as he navigated the challenges of transitioning from a shopkeeper to a wealthy and sought-after member of Society. With leisure time, an endless stream of invitations to respond to and no idea what to wear, Titus is hopelessly out of his depth. KJ Charles’ wonderful prose and narrative style truly brought this story to life. Whenever I had to put the book down, I longed to return to the story as soon as possible.

Thank you to Tor Bramble and NetGalley for sharing this eARC with me in exchange for an honest review.

I've read nearly all of KJ Charles books by now and I loved nearly all of them (I have like two that were too short in my opinion to really get into them) so it wasn't a big surprise to me that I loved this one as well! The premise alone was so iconic already and the characters are as always so fleshed out that I wish I could sit together with them and listen to Titus talk about colors. My own love for art played probably some role in liking this book so much but alas I usually don't care for historic settings or royalty and such but make it a KJ Charles book and I can't read it fast enough!

I really enjoyed this. Admittedly there was a few moments at the start of the book I was dubious as to how the plot would unfold but I was very pleasantly surprised and ended up loving it.

The characters are well developed and endearing, I liked how their dynamic developed throughout the story. I also really liked how paint and the artistry of it was woven into the narrative and into Titus's core character.

This was enjoyable and fun, one of the best historical romances I have read in a while.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.

And she's done it again! All the stars for this heartfelt, hilarious romp.

I loved every second of this. Titus and Nico were just so perfect, bringing out the absolute best in each other, and watching Titus growing more and more confident was just everything. I also really loved how he saw the world and would constantly talk about colors (he used to have his own artist supply shop and make his own paints) and poisons. Nico was also really sweet, and I loved watching him starting to care and showing it with actions. These two were just. Couple goals! I mean. Except for the initial lying...

With every new KJ Charles book I'll be like, "this is definitely my favorite!". And then the next book comes out and. I really can't pick a favorite book of hers anymore, she just always delivers.

I love how every KJ Charles book is about someone finding their person - the person who truly sees them and loves them, foibles and flaws and all. But in 'How to Fake It in Society' I was especially reminded that she rarely writes solely about two people finding one another, but about what it is to find one's people - their beloved but also friends, chosen family, community. In doing this, often the protagonist(s) also find a greater sense of self. We see this so beautifully as Titus and Nico find each other, but also as Titus finds the Thorpes (I love them), is reunited with a long-lost brother, and finds friends and community among artists rather than the ton. I loved Titus' and Nico's story - they have fantastic chemistry from the off, but I also greatly enjoyed Titus finding out who he really is, when he is bolstered by care of a lover, family, friends, community.

What an absolute joy this book was! As a lover of (art) history, and art in general, everything in the story about the oils and paints was so interesting. I loved all the characters, though was a bit confused about Eve throughout the book (which was explained in the very last chapter, but perhaps should’ve been mentioned a bit earlier - especially because of the time the book takes place in).

Anyway, I very much enjoyed it, and will definitely recommend it!

Another banger, another banger by the rising star of the genre KJ Charles. But seriously, this delivered on everything I love about KJ Charles' writing - great characters, wonderful romance, a ton of plots and schemes and shenainigans, all in a regency setting. I loved it so much!

This was incredible! I loved everything about it. For anyone who wishes Bridgerton could be a little bit more historically accurate, and a lot more queer, then this is the perfect read for you.

As with every KJ Charles book, the characters are wonderful. Titus and Nico complement each other perfectly. Their backstories and motivations are complex and compelling; it’s honestly such a joy to read their stories gradually unfold.
There’s also a trans/sapphic subplot that mostly happens off-page but was such a lovely added element.

The setting is such a star of the book though. The premise sounds hilarious—and it is, but it’s brilliant. I loved how grounded the historical setting felt, and how much research KJ Charles clearly puts into all of her work to give it an air of realism. What I loved most, though, was how the Regency era feels firmly grounded in history. It’s not a separate, secluded moment in time, there are echoes of the fall-out from the French Revolution (and a subplot focussed around the Affair of the Diamond Necklace, which is one of my most favourite stories from that era), which adds a wonderful depth to the story.

If you love Regency/Georgian era romances and you’re looking for a book bursting with wonderful queer characters, then you’ll love it!

 I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It’s a KJ book, so you know it’s going to be good. KJ Charles is, as so many have said, an absolute master of her craft. I know this firmly because even though this had my nightmare trope for giving me Big Anxiety (‘person tells a lie that will hurt a person, comes to love that person, and then puts off coming clean until the moment the truth must out starts to feel like a ticking time bomb being kicked down a cobbled street with a scary lack of gentleness’) I still devoured it.

What I love about KJ Charles is that I know whatever she tackles, it will be done with the utmost care, and the effect of Henry’s abuse on Titus was this exemplified. The manipulation, the lingering impact, and Titus surviving it and learning how valuable he is through a loving partner? Chef’s kiss.

Obviously, being a KJ book, there are some absolutely killer quotes. But this one stuck with me to the point it sparked a whole entry in my diary (quite the feat given I forget that thing exists for months at a time)

“I don’t like arguments; I don’t do them well. I always feel in the wrong, and then one does make oneself smaller, so as not to offend, but it never stops the argument, does it? It doesn’t matter how little space one takes up, because it’s always too much, and so you give more and more ground till you’ve barely enough left to stand on.”

It’s such a gut punch because anyone who has been made to feel small will know exactly how that feels. In a book with characteristic amounts of sweetness, sex, and incredible levels of historical accuracy, its lines like these that leave a stain like the paint lingering on Titus’ hands. Indelible, bright, and permanent.

Since I'm someone who prefers my romances on the cozier end of things, the last few of KJ Charles's books have been a bit hit or miss for me, but this new release, out at the end of April, is one of my favourites I've read in ages - potentially even up there with Band Sinister! It's extremely fluffy (for her - there's still plenty of blackmail and violence if that's what you're here for) and has a romance that is achingly sweet, with a third act break-up I didn't actually hate! Both leads are utterly enchanting and I absolutely loved learning about the history of paint!

This was probably one of my favorite KJ Charles! It was so much fun, and I loved Titus' job (and special interest tbh) as a seller of colors for artists (part of the research for my first thesis was on colors and pigments so I'm biased) and I loved how Nico could listen to him talk about them all day.

The plot was engaging and well-crafted, the romance superb, and all of the characters shined and were unique in their own ways (both the positive and the not so positive ones). Overall this was a seriously strong book by KJ Charles that I think can be a great introduction for new readers of the genre or of the author, as well as a must-read for lovers of both.

Loved loved loved, one of the very best from KJ Charles, just super fun characterisation, plot, and romance. Sometimes miscommunication/one elaborate lie stories are a bit tiresome but I did think this worked really well.

How to Fake It in Society by KJ Charles How to Fake It in Society by KJ Charles

I really enjoyed this book. In particular I loved the dialogue in this book. I have read a few KJ Charles's books and I really enjoyed this one I really liked the interplay between Nico and Titus and there is a great plot amongst all that romance. Charles writes settings incredibly well and this book is humorous with some angst and great characters. The book is lovely and cosy while still being nicely paced. I think it would be a great introduction to KJ Charles's works and I highly recommend this queer story.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and to Netgalley as always for this ARC.

4.5/5 stars

How to Fake It in Society is the new gay Regency romance from KJ Charles. Shopkeeper and paintmaker Titus Pilcrow finds himself the unexpected heir of an immensely wealthy spinster’s fortune after marrying her on her deathbed to spite her evil nephew, and now he must navigate society and the hanger ons who want something from him. Unfortunately, that marriage was actually the original plan of Nico, the broke son of a disgraced French noblewoman, who needed that inheritance to fend off the moneylenders and restore his family’s reputation. Full of lies, Nico latches on to Titus and helps him establish himself in high society. Despite Titus knowing something’s up, he is drawn to Nico and allows himself to fall, but can their love survive with all of Nico’s lies?

This was just an utter delight to read. It’s fun, low stakes, and incredibly charming. The set-up is so unbelievable and it really leans into it with hilarity, shenanigans, and heartwarming situations. I loved both men. Titus is a rather self-contained man who does not know what to do with his sudden wealth, and this innocence and earnestness to be worthy of his fortune made him a really sympathetic character you can’t help but root for. Nico, meanwhile, can be frustrating, but you know he is doing his earnest best and that’s all I can ask of him. Their romance was cute, wholly charming, and sweet.

How to Fake It in Society is a sweet and charming historical romance that does not disappoint.

*Thank you Pan Macmillan for the eARC via NetGalley

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This was an unexpectedly immersive read. I opened it just to download and was immediately pulled in—the story starts right in the action with Titus and Miss Whitecross and doesn’t waste time getting going.
The pacing is excellent, making it a quick and engaging read while still giving the characters room to breathe.

Nico is a very enjoyable “loveable cad,” and the relationship between him and Titus is the real standout. It develops gradually, with that lovely sense of reluctant but growing care that feels natural rather than forced.
The supporting cast adds warmth without feeling like filler, particularly within the household. A secondary romantic thread works well alongside the main story and adds an extra layer without pulling focus.

One distinctive element is the focus on historical paint-making and art. It can be quite detailed at times, but it ties in beautifully with Titus’ love of colour and gives the book a slightly richer feel.

Spice level: moderate and plot-relevant. The intimate scenes support the characters and story rather than feeling gratuitous.

The ending is satisfying and well-paced, bringing everything together without dragging. Overall, this is a warm, character-driven historical romance that’s very easy to get absorbed in.

Recommended for readers who enjoy: LGBTQ+ historical romance, strong character dynamics, and moderate spice with emotional payoff

How to fake it in society

The world feels quite garbage at the moment, unstable, violent, scary. But, y’know, we have a new KJ Charles book, so it’s not completely stuffed.
This was a classic Regency (Heyer but gayer) set in London with plenty of favourite tropes. A delight from start to finish. It’s a perfect romance where each of the pair sees in the other qualities that no one else does, and they manage to bring out the best in each other.
Titus is a put upon ‘colourman,’ a creator and seller of pigments for artists, who sees the world in terms of colours and chemicals. Nico is a charming handsome con-man (with a French accent most outrageous ) fallen on hard times. Circumstances conspire to bring them together (and if you’ve read Georgette Heyer’s The Reluctant Widow you’ll recognise the circumstances) shenanigans ensue, and the two are drawn together. In true KJ style, the ghastly baddies get their just deserts with utterly delicious amounts of serves-you-right, every plot point is neatly tied up, the lovers end up together having sorted themselves out, and the reader is left blissfully contented. You need this book.

I am a new KJ Charles convert! This was a joyous, emotional and swoonworthy Romance which, once I started, I just couldn't put down. Superb!!

Someone please remind me why I still insist on not liking historical romances because this was so damn good! Then again, it’s KJ Charles, of course it was ❤️

I have to say, this kind of plot where one character is deceiving the other, isn’t usually to my tastes, but the dual third-person narration style was absolutely perfect for making me not only fall in love with Titus, but also sympathize with Nico. It was so satisfying to watch him go from “How can I persuade this man to give me the money I need” to “Must protect dear Titus from all the freaking money-grabbers!” with the guilt slowly settling in.

What made it even better was Titus himself. His quiet, introverted, pragmatic yet ultimately optimistic nature spoke to me. He was taught by life (well, people in his life) to put himself last for the sake of others, and yet he wasn’t naive or hopeless. Titus was very conscious of Nico’s probable motives for spending time with him. Yet still, he was charmed, finding Nico’s attentions and care healing, so why not enjoy his company with no strings attached, right?
Right.

I LOVED the way they were actually getting to know each other ON PAGE through conversations, which I found absolutely riveting - art, the making of paints and oils, travels, society...things actual people might discuss, making it feel so very authentic. THIS is how you write characters getting closer!
Their chemistry might not have been sizzling or explosive, but the genuine care and love they had for each other made me trust their bond will withstand even the lies on which everything was built.

Special shout-out to Henry, the narcissistic, emotionally abusive turd of an ex-lover. Your role was great, and the way it ended even greater. Cheers!

My new favorite KJ Charles, everyone. This book will one day sit on my physical shelf for sure.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC!

A swooney, lighthearted, absolutely delightful romance!

Both protagonists are so endearing; Titus is so sweet and earnest, and Nico is the classic archetype of a rogue with a heart of gold. I love every single one of their interactions, their banter is so fun! Their dynamic is sooo good, Nico is so chaotic but also supportive and caring, while Titus starts off uncertain of himself but learns to become more confident.

Not to mention the drama!! Nico's shady dealings constantly threaten his peace with Titus, and Titus has more than his fair share of goings-on as well. I did find the final act to be a little over the top in terms of drama, but that's just my taste, although I found the ending a little abrupt. Not to be greedy, but I would have loved an epilogue.

I know everyone's in it for the romance, but I had so much fun reading about them spending time together as friends before their romance develops. I find it absolutely vital in a romance that the leads are able to enjoy each other's company outside of having sex and making grand declarations of love, so this book made me very happy. I could read a whole book of Titus and Nico just doing things and going places.

Overall, an excellent romp, one I could read again and again!

Really loved this. I put off reading it for a little while because I wasn't sure it would land with me but that worry was wildly unfounded. The classic tale of two people falling in love but one targeted the other from the start. Titus and Nico's dynamic was so much fun to me, I never wanted to stop reading about them. They quickly find a camraderie as Titus finds his place with new wealth and Nico figures out how to pay his debts. It really felt like two people filling in the blanks of life for one another. Will definitely be seeking out this author in the future.

"...in effect, you must paint what you see, and not what you know to be there. Because what we see and what is there are not always the same thing. I suppose it is important to learn that." [loc. 2026]
My initial mini-review is here: I reread the novel for this full review and can confirm that it is still an utter delight.

Titus Pilcrow is a colourman, a maker and supplier of paints and colours for artists. As the novel opens, he is in despair, because his landlord (also his ex) is evicting him. By a stroke of fortune, the client he visits that afternoon has a once-in-a-lifetime offer for him: she's on her deathbed, after a suspicious accident, and she wishes to marry to deprive her unpleasant nephew of her fortune. She has the license ready, because she was planning to marry a French count -- but he's AWOL, so Titus will suffice.

The deed is done, Mrs Pilcrow (nee Whitecross) is dead, and Titus finds himself in possession of eight thousand a year and a plethora of conmen, beggars, representatives of charities, and other ne'er-do-wells who presume, correctly, that he has no idea how to handle his new-found wealth.

Enter Miss Whitecross's intended: Nicolas-Marc, Comte de Valois de La Motte, exquisitely dressed and outrageously handsome, and more than happy to assist Titus in refreshing his wardrobe (Titus likes bright colours, and Nico persuades him to indulge himself), entering Society, and dealing with importunate friends, relatives and hangers-on. Nico tells Titus that he is hoping to restore his mother's reputation after the scandalous Affair of the Diamond Necklace.

This, regrettably, is a lie. Nico and his beloved cousin Eve are down on their luck, pursued by brutal gangsters for a loan they can't repay. Yes, his first thought was to swindle Titus: no, he didn't expect to like him.

Titus, meanwhile, is not stupid. He is fairly sure that Nico wants something -- and Titus, a decent bloke, is happy to grant it, whatever it may be, in exchange for the pleasure of Nico's company. Nico is kind, and witty, and protective: Nico helps Titus stand up to both his ex and his older brother, and exacts vengeance on those who abuse Titus's good nature. He may be a criminal, but he is also a decent bloke.

This was a highly enjoyable novel, with a setup worthy (and reminiscent) of Georgette Heyer, a satisfying amount of technical detail about 19th-century paint and dye technology, and vivid, witty dialogue. There was a genre-typical 'dip', shall we say, near the end, but I was confident in the author's ability to resolve it in a credible and dramatic manner -- which she did, with a definite emphasis on the dramatic.

I don't think this novel would have worked as well as it did without the dual viewpoints: it did mean that the reader knew more than the characters, but that's better than knowing less (as in, for instance, Any Old Diamonds). And I loved the supporting cast: Eve in particular, who deserves a novel of their own, and the Thorpes who keep house for Miss Whitecross and then Titus, and Titus's nicer brother Vespasian.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the advance review copy, in exchange for this full honest review. UK Publication Date is 30 April 2026.

This was so different from all the other KJ Charles books I’ve read before, but I loved it!

A rich lady offering you to marry her on her deathbed so you can inherit all her money and estate when your ex boyfriend/landlord just threw you out and you HESITATE? You and me are not the same Titus hahaha!
This was such a fun premise, Titus was absolutely overwhelmed and way over his head in society. What first started as a scheme to swindle some money out of Titus ended with Nicolas having an absolute blast with him and deep conversations that got them really close.

This book focussed mainly on Titus and Nicolas building relationship and was so much sweeter than I expected when there’s usually a big (murder) mystery happening in KJ’s books. I absolutely loved that though and I was kicking my feet giggling about these two!

The subplot about Nicholas misery and the end conflict were all super gripping and I loved how it was solved in the end.

Rep: MM romance, genderqueer/nb side character, sapphic side character

This is one of those dual-narrative books where you know the thoughts of both narrators, and get to be frustrated that they don't communicate them, while still enjoying the ride of complex, loveable characters trying to find their way. Seeing Titus' character develop over the course of the book was fascinating, the current of deception in the air was electric, and I had the most fun.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for granting me access to the ARC!