A Gentleman's Position: A Society of Gentlemen Novel (Society of Gentlemen Series Book 3)

This is the third book in this series and it felt more personal than the others. David and Richard are the main focus, with most events surrounding or involving them both. Even the outside pressures on their relationship are more personal, not due to political or government bodies imposing their will but, from close friends and not always so close family ties. Insular. Everything is centered around what’s happening between David and Richard. This approach to telling this story also made it feel, in some ways, less ‘historical’ than the others. Yes, detail is there, but when you’re talking about what’s happening between two people, so intimately, in every sense, the wider setting fades to the edges. This isn’t good or bad, it just is. I think it plays well into how focused the story is on David and Richard. I know it made me feel like I was deeply connected, involved, feeling everything they were feeling. Make no mistake, the life and death restrictions put upon gay people two centuries ago are there, but they appear only now and again, which helps heighten the tension, adding to the highly personal nature of this story. This is such an interesting examination of a relationship, and how it changes or redefines itself over time. Here we have two men who have known each other in nearly every way imaginable for several years. And yet, when they attempt to forge that last river of honesty, they struggle, they stumble, and neither is certain at all how to go about it. How do they relate to one another? Is it realistic or just a folly to hope they can live their lives together? What will each of their roles be, both within the relationship and to outward society? With their friends? David is such a strong person. In his beliefs and convictions, he doesn’t have much room for compromise. He knows what all he’s done, what life he’s built for himself, and he’s not about to lose it or become less than what he is. He’s unrelenting and I love how that plays against Richard’s sometimes stupidity or obtuseness, or simply his being unaware due to his station in life, and what that meant regarding his childhood, what he was taught to expect, and see. Family dynamics are another interesting thing explored, especially when comparing those of Richard and David. Without being overdone, the families of these men play large roles in who they are, how they came to be who they are, and some of the decisions they make about their futures. I find myself wanting to call this story subtle, quiet, subdued, and yet I can’t when I think back the events, and the emotion, and what’s at stake. Despite that, this is how I felt while reading this: quiet, subdued, almost cocooned within it. I think this all means that the storytelling style very well matches this story that is David and Richard. I would almost say this could become a comfort read, given the way it made me feel. You could probably read this as a standalone, given how much of a focus David and Richard are, and that characters from the previous two books have comparatively less page time. Don’t worry, though, your favorites are here and they all make quite the impact. KJ Charles has something inside of her that makes it possible to share a story like this and completely suck me in. Any imperfections are quickly forgotten amidst the emotion, the intricately built characters, and the all-surrounding sense of place on every page. I will read this book again, knowing I’ll be getting to spend time with David and Richard. *Originally reviewed for Prism Book Alliance®

Overall I loved this series. If the second book in the series A Seditious Affair had been a standalone I might not have bought it because I'm not keen on D/s relationships in romance novels. However, it ended up being an extraordinary read and set the bar for this book so high that A Gentleman's Position was slightly disappointing in comparison. I was looking forward to this book so much, given the role that Lord Richard Vane and his valet Cyprian had played in the previous books. Richard was portrayed as a paragon of moral rectitude who would never countenance an inappropriate relationship, regardless of the fact that all the Ricardians' relationships must necessarily be kept secret from the rest of polite society. And Cyprian was utterly devoted to the comfort of his master and relied upon by Richard and his friends to solve any problem that arose by whatever (often morally dubious) means necessary. I started reading this book expecting something epically romantic to match the way Dominic and Silas in the previous book found an utterly unexpected love. But I wasn't really moved the way I'd hoped to be. I've read the five star reviews and I don't disagree with any of the strengths mentioned in those reviews. Richard and David negotiate the problem of class and equality in a realistic way that makes their story much richer than most m/m romances. I was never bored reading this. Yet I wanted more..... I think my disappointment stems from my personal romance tastes; I'm never satisfied by books in which the 'falling in love' part happens before the book begins, and this is one of those books. In hindsight I think it could have been more romantic as the first book in the series, then we could have experienced more of the main characters getting to know each other and developing strong feelings while both being convinced they can never act on their desires. But by this third instalment, Richard and David already have a rock solid bond of devotion and trust, so I felt a bit cheated out of the part of a romance I like best. Sure, they need to work out if there's a way they can be together as a couple and there is heartache along the way for both of them, but their feelings for each other are quickly established. We do learn about their family backgrounds (David's mother and Richard's brother play important roles in the book), but I wanted to know more about David's career prior to entering Richard's service and how he became so omniscient and ruthless. I wanted conversations to show how Richard came to hand over so much responsibility for the security of himself and his friends to Cyprian, and how he could consider his valet his best friend. The second half of the book focusses on an external threat to Richard's friends. The way in which David solves this problem with Richard trusting his judgement implicitly, as well as the nature of the sexual encounters between them, shows Richard that David is capable of being an equal partner in private rather than being made vulnerable by his inferior social status. David is unique, and Richard needs to cast aside his principles and trust David's strength of character, or lose him altogether. This is a very entertaining read (and as always with K J Charles, beautifully written) and judged objectively it's probably better than other books I've given 5 stars. But with all my expectations going into it given the set up in the previous books, this one was a bit of a disappointment. It just didn't go in all the directions I wanted it to go.

Two men, a valet and his master, develop a close dependency on each other yet are forced to keep their distance by convention. David, a valet leaves his poaition, when his advances are refused. Lord Vane finds he is miserable, his life disintegrating around him. When Lord Vane and his coterie of like-minded friends are threatened David can't allow disaster to befall and returns to help. A sparkling mixture of period detail, suspense and romance with a satisfying finale

Don't get fooled by the weird and cheap cover, the book is actually quite good and mature. Really enjoyed it.

Loved all three books. Enjoyed everyone. Loved the storyline and the characters I like reading a set of Books the bring in The other character from previous books. Great author really highly recommended. Look forward to reading more from this author.

I discovered this book in a list of 30 best romances. It was an addition after the 30 as voted by the compiler of the list. So I read the reviews and it was clear to read all three stories in sequence. First book A Fashionable Indulgence. This was the story of Harry and Julius. Harry plucked from radicalism and poverty on discovering he is titled and in line to inherit. Julius is tasked with bringing Harry up to scratch. Yes we have a Pygmalion story. What a wonderful story it was. This story sets the plot that twines through all three books. What a plot it is. The second story is Silas and Dominique’s tale. The seditionist and the Tory. Exploring each other’s sexuality unaware they are on opposing sides of the law. Finally the last story A gentleman’s position was the story of the two puppet masters through the plot finally recognizing and accepting that their love can breech societal boundaries. There is also a touch of Pride and Prejudice in this tale. Well loved themes of books reappearing. Trust me if you enjoy regency romance with a touch of forbidden love and political upheaval then you will adore this series.

Ah, what pleasure! What a brilliant end to the series (any chance for more if I beg pretty please???). Finally, Sir Richard, the noblest of them all, the protector, the omnipotent, the unflappable has to face his own fears, feelings and down-falls. Well, if you can count an over active sense of duty and propriety a down-fall. Sir Richard needs some 'humanising' - he is so set in his role as lord and so anxious not to abuse his position he forgets there is more to life than to do everything by the book. Thank God David is up for some 'humanising.' He is a wonderful character, the king of 'fixers' and a perfect match for Richard. I loved how K.J. Charles has the two of them tip-toeing around each other, how she has them discuss their respective positions - who is in power, who is vulnerable (it turns out they both are in their own way) - and how the two men sort out their differences step by step. I guess Richard has a lot more learning to do than David who is pretty self-assured in what he wants on and what terms. Richard and David are amazing together, not only when they make love, but their conversation are just delightful. Meeting all the characters of the previous books was a real treat (and I quietly promised myself to reread this in order at one point again). I particularly enjoyed seeing Silas and David becoming firm friends, and Silas starting to fit better into this crowd of gentlemen. With the threat of exposure over all their heads all the men move a bit further together, but I wonder how Richard's friends would deal with the knowledge of Richard and David's love affair. They all respect him highly for what he does, but would they accept him as Richard's lover? It seems to be a total no-go. (well Dom has an idea and so does Julius, but I'm not sure what their honest reactions would be) K.J: Charles is one of my most favourite authors ever. I have thoroughly enjoyed every single book she has written, and this is no exception. Witty, sensual, angsty and gripping, and beautifully written. And I will go and reread this slowly very soon- a thing of impossibility the first time round! Highly recommended.