A Gentleman’s Gentleman by TJ Alexander – Published by Vintage Books, a division of Penguin Random House, 2025

This is the very best trans queer Regency Romance novel ever written in the history of this literary genre!  Let’s start with a definition, what is a Regency Romance?

Regency Romances are a subgenre of romance novels set in early 19^th century England, during the British Regency period and extending to the Georgian/early Victorian era, roughly 1790-1835.  The historical fiction focuses on courtship, marriage, and love within the strict social rules of the upper class, and feature witty banter, balls, dukes, earls, and ladies in distress navigating society.  English novelist Georgette Heyer (1902–1974) established the gendre’s tropes (e.g. reformed rakes, wallflower heroines, societal obstacles) while modern novelists, like Julia Quinn and her Bridgerton books, blend these elements with more explicit passion.  Regency Romances almost always guarantee happy endings.

Now for a quick synopsis of A Gentleman’s Gentleman: 

The notoriously eccentric Lord Christopher Eden (AFAB) has just received word that he must marry before his 25^th birthday or he will lose his family’s fortune and extensive land holdings, Eden Abbey Estate.  Lord Edin’s situation is dire, as women do not appeal to him, and his chances of making a wife happy are slim.  Furthermore, if his quest to find and marry an honorable woman of his standings has any hope for success, he must acquire a traditional valet to accompany him to London for the “social season.”  Once in London, he will need an appointment with a skilled tailor to outfit him with new clothing in the latest fashion (but also clothes that will conceal his bosom and feminine curves).  With a valet at his side, and stylish new clothes, Lord Edin hopes to play the part of a wealthy eligible young bachelor and find an enchanting young socialite (or heroine in distress) who will marriage him, even though he will tell her that he can never love her in a romantic way.  It’s all a bit crazy but lots of fun, many plot twists, and lots of romance.

As the story begins, Lord Eden has written to his solicitors in London, asking that they hire a suitable valet for him, instructing that the man, when found, should be sent to Eden Abby ahead of Lord Edin’s London sojourn.  Lord Edin has only one stipulation, that the valet be on the younger side.  He writes, “I would prefer youthful vigor to experience, as I have a notion that an older man might be quite set in his ways and unable to conform to my particular mode of living.”

Enter James Harding, a young distractingly handsome twenty-nine year old valet who Lord Christopher Eden hires on the spot.  Lord Eden makes it clear to James at the initial interview what his expectations are. 

From Chapter Two:

“I will do you the courtesy of being frank.  I do not require a valet, and yet I find myself in need of one, if only for appearances’ sake… If I’m not tossing around pots of money as I should, people might not take me seriously.  Isn’t that a funny conundrum?  You would just be for show, Harding. …  There might be small tasks here and there that you might be able to handle for me, but as far as my wardrobe is concerned, I do not need any assistance.”

Lord Edin and James strike up a fragile friendship as they head off to London together … a friendship that threatens to shatter again and again amid the throes of the London Social Season, under the looming shadow of Lord Edin’s impending nuptials, and because of the secrets both men keep, including a growing attraction for each other.  With its heady combination of dry wit, slow-burning sexual tension, and an added nuanced portrait of trans identity, A Gentleman’s Gentleman transforms the Regency Romance novel genre as we have known it. 

p.s.  A sequel to A Gentleman’s Gentleman called A Lady For All Seasons will be coming out in 2026.

TJ Alexander (they/them) is a Lambda Literary Award finalist and USA Today bestselling author who writes about queer love.  Originally from Florida, they received their MA in writing and publishing from Emerson College in Boston.  They live in New York City with their wife, cats, and various houseplants.  To learn more about TJ Alexander visit:   https://tjalexander.com  To watch an interview with TJ Alexander about the writing of A Gentleman’s Gentleman visit https://www.youtube.com/live/eqOFhLoPmI8?si=kDlic9vqGW0UzmOl

This book review was submitted by Stand with Trans advocate Barb Shumer,
past board member and retired public librarian.