A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK
A PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BEST BOOK OF 2025
MOST ANTICIPATED: BOOK RIOT • THE NERD DAILY • WBUR • ALL ABOUT ROMANCE
“[A] classically-constructed, spicy romance novel. . . . Fans of Downton Abbey and Bridgerton will like the queer take on this era.”
—American Library Association Rainbow Round Table
“This is a tender confection of a book, full of witty blundering and rich emotional payoffs.”
—The New York Times Book Review, “100 Notable Books of 2025”
“A witty romp replete with lush historical details and defiant queer joy.”
— Publishers Weekly
“A Gentleman’s Gentleman is all shy emotion amid an orgy of historical men’s wear. . . . It’s the most savory kind of anticipation, a very readerly having your cake and eating it too.”
—Olivia Waite, The New York Times Book Review, “4 Shattering Romance Novels With Glorious Payoffs”
“Wish Bridgerton was more queer? This newly released trans Regency-era romance is for you.”
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today
“A delightful, slow-burning love story between a lord and his new valet, with amazing transmasc representation. Come for the suppressed longing, stay for the intricate buttons.”
—Emma Rath, People, “10 Swoony Regency Romance Novels Perfect for Bridgerton Fans”
“What’s better than countless scenes of two people putting on extremely fussy clothing and maybe falling in love? There’s just so many buttons!”
—CT Jones, Rolling Stone, “5 Escapist Books to Help You Ignore the Fact That the Country’s on Fire”
“TJ Alexander genuinely does not miss for me . . . I absolutely devoured this trans m/m. . . . It’s so full of charm and characters you desperately want to find happiness and love in all its forms, and it’s just… so delightfully gay.”
—Dahlia Adler, Smart Bitches Trashy Books
“Full of yearning and hope, A Gentleman’s Gentleman brims with feeling. A wonderful new voice in historical romance, Alexander brings trans and queer joy to the Regency era with deft depth, romance, and fun. I couldn’t put it down!”
—Emma R. Alban, USA Today bestselling author of Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend
“[An] extraordinary addition to the queer romance genre. . . . Christopher’s awkward joviality combined with Harding’s extremely proper comportment makes for a pairing that is laugh-out-loud funny, as well as devastatingly tender. This is an unadulterated delight.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“A charmingly offbeat queer Regency romance. . . . Thoroughly delightful.”
—Norah Piehl, BookPage (starred review)
“This Regency trans romance is everything I want out of a historical romance novel.”
—Rachel Brittain, Book Riot, “The Best Books of 2025 (So Far)”
“A Gentleman’s Gentleman is a total delight from beginning to end. You will adore Lord Christopher and his quest for love and authenticity.”
—Alison Goodman, author of The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies and The Ladies Road Guide to Utter Ruin
“A Gentleman’s Gentleman is a thoroughly charming confection of a romance. If you’re looking for a tender, gentle slow burn, this is the book for you.”
—Cat Sebastian, author of We Could Be So Good
“TJ Alexander offers delightful surprises in their first Regency romance. . . . Pathos and painful backstories provide a heartaching emotional heft to this tender and witty love story.”
—Christie Ridgway, BookPage (starred review)
“With a quick wit and the slowest of burns, A Gentleman’s Gentleman is intimate, lively, and perfectly measured—much like a well-tailored, eccentric wardrobe fit for the unusual, charming sort of man at the novel’s center. The instant connection but patiently built trust between Christopher and Harding, his new, mysterious valet, was a thrill to read. TJ Alexander has given us daring carriage races through London, elaborate bird-themed balls, and a delightfully trans rendition of the Historical Romance Tiny Delicate Buttons Scene—a gift all around.”
—KT Hoffman, author of The Prospects
“A Gentleman’s Gentleman is a delicious romp through Regency England and exactly the romance we need right now. TJ Alexander builds the heat between their unforgettable heroes with an achingly slow sweetness while giving tropey historical hijinks the most sumptuous queer flair. A love story for the ages!”
—Joanna Lowell, author of A Shore Thing
“Full of dry wit and a slow-burn romance, A Gentleman’s Gentleman might just redefine the historical romance genre. . . . A thoughtful exploration of trans identity and relationships.”
—Alex Faccibene, Geek Girl Authority
“If you’re looking for queer historical romance with a transmasc lead, your prayers are answered!”
—Julia Rittenberg, Book Riot
“A Gentleman’s Gentleman is exactly the sort of historical romance I love, featuring two deeply lovable characters, a seemingly insurmountable obstacle, wonderful period detail, and a happy ending that feels so perfectly, wonderfully right. Alexander’s writing is lovely and their characters are incredibly carefully drawn, while the quick pace makes this book difficult to put down. This is a beautiful—and wonderfully queer—romance that reminds us of all the many sorts of love stories this genre can encompass, and reading it felt like a gift.”
—Martha Waters, author of To Love and to Loathe
“This breakout contemporary romance author is giving us their first Regency romance, and it’s hella exciting! . . . I love mess! And I love queer authors approaching historical romance, especially Regency, in ways that are new and full of hope for our queer brethren in times before.”
—Jessica Pryde, Book Riot
“A Gentleman’s Gentleman is an endearing and tender romance which delivers the unique joy of finding that person who can love you for exactly who you are. This book was a delight and TJ Alexander a welcome and exciting voice in historical fiction.”
—Adriana Herrera, USA Today bestselling author of An Island Princess Starts a Scandal
“TJ Alexander’s first foray into historical romance blew me away. A Gentleman’s Gentleman is Alexander at their best: witty, romantic, gorgeously queer, and frequently poignant. I inhaled this story in two sittings, and I know I’ll be reading it again.”
—Rachel Runya Katz, author of Whenever You’re Ready
“Witty, exhilarating, and achingly tender, A Gentleman’s Gentleman lavishes its trans hero with the elegant waistcoats he desires and the love and acceptance he’s resigned himself to living without. His reserved valet stole my heart. I adored this!”
—Felicia Davin, author of The Scandalous Letters of V and J
“A thoughtful, wholehearted exploration of trans life in another era. . . . Alexander’s witty writing and excellent imagining of both the challenges and fierce joys of trans life in 1819 England are enthralling. . . . A charming, compelling, and very queer Regency.”
—Kirkus Reviews
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