Gentleman Jim

Somerset Stories, Book 2

By: Mimi Matthews

Narrated by: Alex Wyndham

Length: 8 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's Summary

"A vigorous, sparkling, and entertaining love story with plenty of Austen-ite wit." (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) 

"One of the most highly anticipated books of the fall historical romance lineup." (Austenprose) 

She couldn't forget....

Wealthy squire's daughter Margaret Honeywell was always meant to marry her neighbor, Frederick Burton-Smythe, but it's bastard-born Nicholas Seaton who has her heart. Raised alongside her on her father's estate, Nick is the rumored son of notorious highwayman Gentleman Jim. When Fred frames him for theft, Nick escapes into the night, vowing to find his legendary sire. But Nick never returns. A decade later, he's long been presumed dead. 

He wouldn't forgive....

After years spent on the continent, John Beresford, Viscount St. Clare has finally come home to England. Tall, blond, and dangerous, he's on a mission to restore his family's honor. If he can mete out a bit of revenge along the way, so much the better. But he hasn't reckoned for Maggie Honeywell. She's bold and beautiful - and entirely convinced he's someone else. 

As danger closes in, St. Clare is torn between love and vengeance. Will he sacrifice one to gain other? Or, with a little daring, will he find a way to have them both?

©2020 Mimi Matthews (P)2020 Bee Audio

Critic Reviews

"Matthews ups the ante with a wildly suspenseful romance...." (Library Journal, starred review)

"Readers who love lots of intrigue and historicals that sound properly historical will savor this one." (NPR) 

I'll read the book

I read the reviews of the audio book and thought I'd give it a try. I made it to the first chapter and I had to stop. When the narrator got to the last word in every sentence, he would raise the pitch or sound of the last word. It didn't flow naturally. I really wanted to listen to this book because I've heard rave reviews about it. I even went back to listen to it again at another time to give it a second chance but I just couldn't do it.

Five Star Narration, However...

As a fan of Matthews + Wyndham, I'm disappointed to say that I was disappointed by "Gentleman Jim". On a positive note, the narration is wonderful and perfectly done. Some of the other Matthews books have prompted listeners to complain that Mr. Wyndham has whispered too much or has an odd cadence. ***That is not the case here.*** Pitch, tone, accents, timing, are all excellent.

However, I'm sorry to say that the plot fails repeatedly. For about the first third of the book, I thought, wow, this story is super romantic! Then the plot holes came in to play and ruined the experience. Unfortunately, this romance is "instalove", softened only by a prologue that sets up the main characters as soul mates. After that, their relationship is extremely superficial. SPOILER ALERT: If they are soul mates, why does St. Clair not try to find Maggie upon his return to England? His excuse is that she must already be married. That makes no sense based on other plot elements.

What Ms. Matthews needs is a better editor. For example, she refers to the characters going upstairs to the "second floor". In England, the floor above the ground floor is referred to as the "first floor"; "second floor" is an American term. This is basic to writing about England that a decent editor should know. Furthermore, the plot relies on cliched devices, such as an over dependence on the villains to move the plot forward, and the scene at the tavern. I have read approximately 642 other historical romance novels where the couple must visit the shady tavern to resolve all the overly contrived issues impeding their happily ever after. It also would have been more interesting if there had been a chapter devoted to each of the character's lives during those 10 years apart, with the author SHOWING the reader what happened to them, rather than TELLING about it afterwards. Other readers should also note that this is a regency romance, not a Victorian romance.

I will revisit Ms. Matthew's books in the future, especially if Alex Wyndham continues to narrate, but I hope her writing will develop to the next level.

Nothing special

I love Mimi Matthews so I immediately snapped up this book when Audible released it. I was disappointed. It didn't have the depth that her other books contained. It seemed superficial and shallow. The story line was ok, the characters were fine but neither were captivating or well developed. It was a superficial romance book. I would recommend her earlier books offered by Audible.

She’s done it again

I so delight in Mimi Matthews audiobooks! Great story, great narration. Some of it was a little predictable but it was all very enjoyable. If you like clean Regency Romance, you’ll love it. (Little bit of swearing and the kissing gets pretty steamy)

Revenge for both imagined and true wrongs

Mimi Matthews is a favorite author and Alex Wyndham is a fantastic narrator. Wyndham has really done this tale justice. The tale starts out bittersweet, then heartbreaking as the hero is forced to run away and leave our heroine. Our heroine Margaret Honeywell never forgets her first and only love, Nicholas Seaton, and still misses him years after he disappeared and is presumed dead. Her father always expected her to marry their neighbor Frederick Burton-Smythe, to unite the two properties but she has always loathed him. She's forced to deal with Frederick though, because her father left her money and home in Frederick's guardianship. She cannot keep her home unless she marries him, and cannot wed anyone else without his permission. Thanks a lot, Dad. Following an illness that swept through the surrounding area Margaret is left weak in body and unable to fight for herself. She has one true friend Jane, but together they are not strong enough to completely protect Margaret from Frederick. Although Nicholas is thought to be the bastard son of a local barmaid, IMHO Freddie boy is the real B_____d here.

Enter Viscount St. Clare. His grandfather is pressuring him to marry somebody young, biddable, rich and with connections. Not St. Clare's cup of tea and he resists this pressure. However, he is keeping a great secret. He meets Margaret at a ball, where she is unable to dance, just watch and meet people. Margaret thinks she knows him, not realizing that if she convinces other people of what she believes is true, it would ruin St. Clare and his Grandfather. St. Clare looks remarkably like her childhood sweetheart, Nicholas Seaton. St. Clare's grandfather is trying to keep a secret too, and has been working his grandson hard for years to be able to take his place when he dies. He doesn't want the title, lands and money to go to a fop of a great nephew and his grasping, gossiping mother.

There is a great intrigue to be solved here and I enjoyed following along for the (bumpy in places) ride. I would've taken 1/2 star away for a bit of a dragging slow part about half-way through, but I wouldn't have wanted to skip any part of this story.

Recommended. Mimi Matthews fans will love this especially, since so many of her followers, including me, seem to feel like they discovered a great new star in the heavens of the romance novel world. If you haven't read Matthews yet I'd suggest the Orphans series, or another 'one-off' first. That's just my own opinion.

SOOO Good!!

I have already read Gentleman Jim on my Kindle but I decided to listen to it here as well and OH my, I loved it. Alex Wyndham was perfect to read this book.

another glorious story from Mimi Matthews

A fantastic adventure from one of my favorite authors. A great romance wrapped up in a compelling mystery. Alex again narrates superbly. What a treat!

Shades of The Count of Monte Cristo

Part traditional regency with some modern flare. Our lady, for instance, is no soft spoken damsel. Also, the narrator is male, with a gravelly, rough voice. That worked for me in this lighter rendition of the Count of Monte Cristo. Even better, the revenge side is outweighed by romance. The romance side is clean, with the only explicit act being kisses. The revenge side is all duels, honor, and bluster, with no more than a flesh wound or two. This is for those who like Hallmark level regency... which I occasionally do.

At 8 hours, not worth a full credit. But with the daily discount, I am satisfied.

So good

This book was so good! I did not want it to end. Like all Mimi Matthews books this was a totally captivating story full of suspenseful romance and just enough intrigue. This was the best book I have listened to in a long time.

Love Mimi Matthews stories

4.5 stars. Another wonderful romance from Mimi Matthews! I loved Maggie and Nicholas, the romance was passionate and exciting and the story had a fair bit of action that I very much enjoyed. The fact that I got to experience it all in the swoon-worthy voice performance of Alex Wyndham just made everything that much better. 💕

Brilliant book

I really enjoyed this book. I often find this genre filled with fluff and poor writing, but Mimi Matthews is a great author. I was sucked into the story and the character development, and enjoyed it so much I didn’t stop listening to it and was up until 7am after listening through the night. I really liked this author’s “The Work of Art” book in the past too, so I’ll definitely be getting more from this author now. Alex Wyndham is a fantastic match for this story too, and his narration was perfect. Mimi Matthews builds the chemistry and intimacy between the characters, and writes chemistry fuelled kissing scenes, without feeling the need to do porn scenes. There’s no awkward “fade to black” that you get in some more prudish stories, and there’s not the forced in sexy scenes to tick the “erotic” box which sometimes feels a bit awkward in other stories. Mimi writes exactly what’s needed to build the story and the relationship very naturally. If she ever chose to write sex scenes I have no doubt they’ll be far better than other books - but she doesn’t need to. If you like this author, you’ll probably enjoy Stella Riley books too. She’s another one that’s a cut above the rest in this genre.

A must for Heyer fans

Lovely story and lots of exciting twists and turns. Alex W gives another stellar performance.
Would recommend other books by Mimi Matthews and also Stella Riley if you enjoy this.

Highly recommended

My first Mimi Matthews having worked my way through all the Stella Riley’s - this is superb - I can’t wait to read the rest of her books

Alex Wyndham's narration makes a good book better.

A good story but Alex Wyndham's narration lifts it above good. I listened all day whilst working in the garden and pottering around the house irritating my husband whenever he wanted to talk to me but it was worth it. I shall definitely be buying more Mimi Matthews as her characters are believable.

Dreadful narration

Story was ok if a bit Mills and Boon, but the narration was awful, he continually made the inflection on the last word of every sentence, while the rest was monotone, almost gave up on it, take heed and listen to the sample before purchase.

Great story

Story has all the elements of a great novel. Romance, danger, intrigue, amusement, laughter and tears.
Alex Wyndham masterly acts out varied accents and range of voices, with impeccable timing.
This is the first Mimi Matthews I had read and is written in a similar style as Stella Riley. High praise indeed as both are truly gifted writers.

Mimi Matthews keeps getting better

I like the Orphans of Devon series but this book is one of her best yet. Great tension throughout and super plot twists.