Grace Burrowes has done it again! Her Lonely Lords Series provided a great set of stories about men of the peerage but with this new series The Jaded Gentlemen she has excelled at providing a group of respectable and well-respected men. These aren’t rakes or scoundrels. These men are older, some widowed with children, who are respected in their community. They aren’t the men who need or want to consider marriage. They are the ones who attend assemblies just to make sure that no wallflower goes without a dance partner. All of the books in this series focus on an intelligent, honorable and wonderful man.
In this 4th book in the series, we meet Sir John (Jack) Dewey Fanning, bachelor and magistrate who fears nothing but a visit from his mama. He enlists the aid of his neighbors Axel and Abigail Belmont (who have their own lovely story in book 3 of the series). He would like to temporarily borrow/hire their housekeeper/steward/master of all she surveys to be a lady’s companion for his mother. Madeline is not convinced that it is a good idea but Axel and Abigail, as all newlyweds in love are apt to do, think it is a great way for two people they care for to come to care for each other.
As Madeline becomes an essential part of Jack’s household, she also becomes an essential part of his life. He wants to marry her but something is holding her back. Even as they fall in love, she still is reluctant to agree to marriage. Meanwhile, his mother has arrived bringing his brother Jeremy and Lady Lucy Anne DeWitt with her. Lucy has been instructed to set her marriage cap on Lady Fanning’s son. Unfortunately, Jack isn’t interested but Reverend Jeremy is and he is much better suited to Lucy than Jack ever would be.
Throughout the story, Jack, who is also the magistrate, is busy trying to find a petty thief in the neighborhood. The problem comes to a head when the Doctor’s bag is stolen and he accuses Jack’s butler, not because he saw him steal the bag but because Pahdi is Indian. The Doctor escalates his accusations at the local assembly. You’ll have to read the book to find out how the situation is resolved.
I love all of Grace Burrowes books but I really love the men of this series and Jack in particular. You don’t have to have read any of the previous books to enjoy this one but once you read one of these books, you’ll want to go back and read them all.
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