A Fashionable Indulgence is the first book in K.J Charles’ A Society of Gentlemen series of Regency-era m/m historical romance novels. I ended up reading the series in reverse order, so I was excited about finally reading the beginning.

Harry Vane spent his childhood in hiding because his parents were political agitators who had to flee the country. He is working in a printer’s shop when his grandfather tracks him down. Harry is introduced to his cousin Richard, and plans are made to turn Harry into the gentleman he was born to be.

Richard turns over responsibility for this miraculous transformation to his friend Julius, so Harry and Julius retire to Richard’s country house. Julius is an expert in the art of being a gentleman, but considering that Harry knows absolutely nothing, Julius has his work cut out for him!

They soon discover that they share a mutual attraction, which poses a potential conflict of interest. After all, Julius is supposed to be mentoring Harry. There is a fair bit of angst as Julius contemplates opening up his heart to someone, and Harry wrestles between the expectation that he marry his cousin and following his true feelings. And as if that weren’t enough, there is evidence to suggest that Harry is in danger!

This is a wonderful introduction to the series. Charles immerses the reader into the world of the Regency. Charles focuses on characters from all socioeconomic backgrounds, something that is fairly rare for the genre. The characters are well developed, and the plot is exciting. Harry and Julius have great chemistry, and their scenes together are scorching!

I would recommend A Fashionable Indulgence. I would definitely suggest starting with this book, and then reading the next two books in the series. I have only started reading K.J Charles in the last couple of months, and I have been tearing through her back catalog at an alarming pace. I am looking forward to more of her books in the future!