A Gentleman Never Keeps Score: Seducing the Sedgwicks

Written by Cat Sebastian

Narrated by Joel Leslie

If you haven’t read Cat Sebastian, what are you waiting for?”—Lorraine Heath, New York Times bestselling author

Once beloved by London's fashionable elite, Hartley Sedgwick has become a recluse after a spate of salacious gossip exposed his most-private secrets. Rarely venturing from the house whose inheritance is a daily reminder of his downfall, he’s captivated by the exceedingly handsome man who seeks to rob him.

Since retiring from the boxing ring, Sam Fox has made his pub, The Bell, into a haven for those in his Free Black community. But when his best friend Kate implores him to find and destroy a scandalously revealing painting of her, he agrees. Sam would do anything to protect those he loves, even if it means stealing from a wealthy gentleman. But when he encounters Hartley, he soon finds himself wanting to steal more than just a painting from the lovely, lonely man—he wants to steal his heart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: Aug 6, 2019
• ISBN: 9780062967237

Cat Sebastian

Cat Sebastian writes queer historical romances. Cat’s books include We Could Be So Good and the Turner series, and have received starred reviews from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Booklist. Before writing, Cat was a lawyer and a teacher and did a variety of other jobs she liked much less than she enjoys writing happy endings for queer people. She was born in New Jersey and lived in New York and Arizona before settling down in a swampy part of the South. When she isn’t writing, she’s probably reading, having one-sided conversations with her dog, or doing the crossword puzzle.

Reviews for A Gentleman Never Keeps Score

[Tea Rix · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved the story.
My only complaint is about the female voices in Cockney. They all sound like the characters are constantly drunk. Too slow. Either someone fiddled with the audio-tracks in these parts or else, but it's slightly disturbing.

[Воробьёва Александра · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

adorable warm and yet hot book. Loved that they didn't make a big fight precipitating the reunion was missing& It was very realistic

[diana · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

the biggest plot-twist is harvey becoming a favourite character & me adoring him to no end. he deserves the world!!

[jorgeousjotts · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was very nice. Good romance, good steam, a fair amount of unexpected humor thrown in. There's character growth (though it's primarily focused on one of the characters), and a well developed supporting cast. I liked both main characters and enjoyed watching their relationship develope.

[nannyogg13 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Cat Sebastian's writing was excellent & Joel Leslie's narration did it justice. Hartley & Sam were very sweet and their growth throughout the book was well done, especially Hart's. The thing with Martin being found in the attic was kind of ridiculous, but *shrug* everything can't be perfect.

[akbouterse · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

3.5 Stars!

This is my first book by this author and I did enjoy it. I didn't know much about the plot going in but I had seen this author and this series recommended a lot before. This is book two and there are definitely some things I think I would have understood more of the background if I had read them in order but overall it wasn't too confusing. I liked these characters but I did have a little bit of trouble getting into the relationship. I think this was partially because I liked Sam way more than I liked Hartley, but so much more of this book was dedicated to Hartley. Both characters have a tragic background, though Hartley's is very serious. I would have like the plot parts more if it focused equally on both characters.

I also felt like plot stuff would happen and then relationship stuff would happen and it just never felt well integrated. The plot was the inciting incident to get these characters together but then it felt like it didn't continuing to be used to grow the relationship. I would have liked to see more of the plot elements helping to build the relationship because as it was written I didn't feel like I had a good foothold in why these two started having feelings for each other.

I think the author did a reasonably good job showing Hartley healing from the trauma that led to him not wanting to be touched. I personally felt like he got over some of it a bit too quickly, but other people might have different opinions as everyone heals at different rates and in different ways. The author did show them building trust so it didn't feel like magical relationships-heal-trauma nonsense, which I do appreciate.

I will probably read more from this series, especially since the relationships Hart's brothers had were much more interesting to me. I liked Sebastian's writing, even in I didn't love this relationship and there was enough here that I liked that I'm hopeful I'll enjoy some of her other work.

[richardderus · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Rating: 4* of fiveLIBRARIES...MAN, JUST CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THEIR AMAZINGNESS!My Review: First, read this:“Oh, to hell with decent people. They’re exhausting. Make one feel so evil, when really one simply has one’s own concerns.”–and–“Let me make this equally clear to you, because I think I've failed you on this score. I want to be with you, in rooms above a pub or anywhere you happen to be. A cave, a pirate ship, a desert island, doesn't matter.”–and–“Maybe you need to get rid of your idea of better. Your boots are better than mine, but they won’t fit my feet.”I seriously love a pithy aperçu!I quite like all the interconnectedness of these stories, and was gratified that Ben showed up despite being happily hooked up with his Phillip.Not quite as easy for me was the nature of Hartley's problem barring him from easy intimacy with Sam. Saintly Sam got a smidge saccharine if you want to know the truth. The big problem separating them was, in the end, less resolved than treated with a massive injection of handwavium. I was in the fullness of my go-with-the-flow mood from Ben and Phillip's tale so I bobbed past that rock.Right into the one that holed my boat and resulted in that missing star: Martin. I gather that Martin and Will are next in the series, so I will say nothing except: "Really."My review of the third Seducing the Sedgwicks series, TWO ROGUES MAKE A RIGHT, comes out tomorrow is right here!

[spinsterrevival · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Well this was pretty perfect, and I can’t believe it took me so long to read it after the first one. Hartley was so lovely and has dealt with so much, so I’m glad he found the right family for him with Sam (and more with their chosen family group). Also Sam is one of the dreamiest, most understanding, and loving heroes I’ve read.

[samnreader · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A super pleasant, sweet read, but at times the characters felt slightly flat. Maybe I'll have more to say later...

[lydia1879 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

i liked this one a lot! i really love sam. the writing definitely had its weak points. one of the characters has trauma related to touch which i didn't realise until well into the book when i was like "OH that makes more sense lol"

it was super easy and enjoyable to read. short, sweet and a fun romp but i wish there'd been more depth. i love sam so much! what a character wow. cat sebastian's works can be really hit or miss on a few aspects for me. i know with just few tweaks it'd be PERFECT.

again, i'd die for sam.

[silversurfer_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An exceptional Gay Regency novel by one of my favorite Authors in this genre. Highly recommended

[brianewilliams · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A lacklustre male on male romance set in 1817 London. The protagonist is a mystery man. His love interest is the more compelling character.

[whiskeyinthejar-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

When his godfather leaves his house to him, Hartley's reputation gets banded about in less than complimentary terms. Feeling shunned, Hartley finds himself losing servants and becoming a bit of a shut-in.
Sam just wants to see his brother and his friend Kate finally get married and when he learns Kate fears a scandalous painting of her becoming public knowledge, he sets out to find it for her.
When Hartley and Sam meet, the spark is instant but circumstances, emotions, and life are going to give them a bumpy road.
 
Hartley went utterly still as he contemplated how thoroughly ruinous this was going to be for both of them.
 
Second in the Seducing the Sedgwicks, a series following along the Sedgwick brothers, this book focuses on Hartley, the brother who is deeply conflicted about how he sees trading sexual favors with his godfather for money to help his family. He doesn’t like to be touched and has a little bit of a prickly personality. Maybe because Sam was such a strong character but Hartley didn't leap off the pages for me. He's pretty self-contained and we do get a couple scenes with two of his brothers that highlight his personality but overall, he didn't grab me.
 
There was no reason for Sam to be thinking of Sedgwick at all, in fact. He wasn’t even that handsome unless you had a liking for fragile-looking men with fussy clothes.
 
Sam was the character that shone the brightest to me, he's a strong character but in the most gentle of ways. He has a similar shy, hidden aspect of his personality like Hartley, which due to their sexuality in their place and time is a necessity, but he also has rise to the front proclivity for, simply, caring. It is not an overdone martyr syndrome but no thought, generous, and loving way he makes his choices. The way he acts, responds, and encourages Hartley, is what make this story shine and will fill your heart.
 
And while only a fool would believe that a kitchen table supper between a rich man, a black boxer, and a three-legged dog could be the beginning of something good, maybe Sam was more foolish than he thought.
 
The writing showcased here is good and the ease of conversations and interactions between the main couple and secondary characters is the escape into fictional worlds above average quality that will suck you into the world. The first in the series, It Takes Two Tumble, I thought did a great job with the emotional growth in the lead's relationship, here I found that aspect lacking in the beginning. Hartley and Sam's sexual relationship develops pretty quickly, the emotional layers were a ways behind and as a consequence, I found their romance lacking. The sexual play scenes start very early and then when they do have a more solid emotional connection, I thought their sex scene was a bit short and abrupt and didn't deliver the impact (Hartley overcoming his touch issues) I was wanting to feel. The ending did provide some wonderful simple talking between Sam and Hartley that I wish had replaced some of the earlier sex scenes as I felt this showed their attraction and closeness more.
 
Nobody should have that kind of power over anyone, no matter how much money they had or if they had a title in front their name.
 
This story is heavily about relationships, the outer story and catalyst for getting Sam and Hartley together involving paintings is made to seem important only to be casually pushed to the background for most of the story and then a little rushed importance at the end. The secondary characters are superb (love Alf, Hartley's sort of valet) and add immensely to the story and world. This is one of the more realistic fiction romances with social issues realistically playing a role. If you're looking for a lot of action or adventure, this wouldn't be it but if you want sweet and aching emotion, you'll want to dive in.

[unreachableshelf · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A rather quiet, character focused romance. The device that brings the two main characters together, several dirty paintings that Hartley's late godfather had taken advantage of people in order to get them to pose for, drops out of sight for long periods of time. But the characters are delightful and avoid and subvert tropes wonderfully. Hartley is extremely reluctant to be touched; Sam, a former boxer, is used to men who want him to treat them roughly but isn't really into that. And the way that, rather than a socially inferior character being saved and elevated by an upper class lover, Hartley finds acceptance and friendship among the working class, is a beautiful thing.I'm assuming that the third Sedgewick brother will get a book, and although I'm also looking forward to catching up on Cat Sebastian's unrelated work, I can't wait to read it.

[beckymmoe_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Oh, goodness, this series. Heck, who am I kidding? Anything by Ms. Sebastian, apparently. I have no idea how she does it, but she writes the most cozy and delightful non-traditional Regency romances I've ever read. Honestly, even knowing that all of her main characters are going to have to fly under the radar to some extent for the rest of their HEAs, I still finish each and every one of her books with the warmest, most delightful feelings of all-is-right-with-the-world all settled around me--and A Gentleman Never Keeps Score is most definitely not an exception to this rule.I adored Sam and Hartley and the lovable--if somewhat unconventional--family the two end up surrounded by at the novel's end. I always seem to start Ms. Sebastian's books a little unsure--at least one of her main characters always appears to be on the prickly and hard-to-get-to-know side of things--but before I even realize what she's done, she's swept me into the story and I can't imagine that I ever thought they weren't as absolutely lovable as I now find them. It's around that same point that I realize that goodness, I have an awful lot of highlighted bits as well, because OMG she has a way with words that is just beyond delightful, whether its a declaration of love (gah! those declarations of love...) or a simple observation like Hart's rather throwaway (but oh-so-accurate) comment, "Oh, to hell with decent people. They're exhausting. Make one feel so evil, when really one simply has one's own concerns." So. True.It's getting to the point where I suspect I might enjoy junk food lists of ingredients, so long as they're written by this particular author.But I digress.A Gentleman Never Keeps Score is the second in her Seducing the Sedgwicks series, and though reading the first book isn't at all necessary, one will have a more complete picture of the Sedgwick family and situations if one has read the first book already ( It Takes Two to Tumble ). Since that story is pretty much a Regency m/m version of The Sound of Music, really you're doing yourself a major favor by reading it anyway. You're welcome. ;)I'm alternately intrigued and concerned that the next book in this series seems to be about Hart and Ben's brother Will and the infamous Martin Easterbrook, who may or may not have had something to do with ruining Hart's society reputation...mostly intrigued, I think. But since the next two books on the author's Goodreads page are from a different series, I'll have to show some uncharacteristic patience and wait and see... ;)Rating: 4 1/2 stars / AI voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.