3.5 ⭐️ Jack knows what he wants, doesn’t think he can have it.

Grace Burrowes has done it again! Her Lonely Lords Series provided a great set of stories about men of the peerage but with this new series The Jaded Gentlemen she has excelled at providing a group of respectable and well-respected men. These aren’t rakes or scoundrels. These men are older, some widowed with children, who are respected in their community. They aren’t the men who need or want to consider marriage. They are the ones who attend assemblies just to make sure that no wallflower goes without a dance partner. All of the books in this series focus on an intelligent, honorable and wonderful man.
In this 4th book in the series, we meet Sir John (Jack) Dewey Fanning, bachelor and magistrate who fears nothing but a visit from his mama. He enlists the aid of his neighbors Axel and Abigail Belmont (who have their own lovely story in book 3 of the series). He would like to temporarily borrow/hire their housekeeper/steward/master of all she surveys to be a lady’s companion for his mother. Madeline is not convinced that it is a good idea but Axel and Abigail, as all newlyweds in love are apt to do, think it is a great way for two people they care for to come to care for each other.
As Madeline becomes an essential part of Jack’s household, she also becomes an essential part of his life. He wants to marry her but something is holding her back. Even as they fall in love, she still is reluctant to agree to marriage. Meanwhile, his mother has arrived bringing his brother Jeremy and Lady Lucy Anne DeWitt with her. Lucy has been instructed to set her marriage cap on Lady Fanning’s son. Unfortunately, Jack isn’t interested but Reverend Jeremy is and he is much better suited to Lucy than Jack ever would be.
Throughout the story, Jack, who is also the magistrate, is busy trying to find a petty thief in the neighborhood. The problem comes to a head when the Doctor’s bag is stolen and he accuses Jack’s butler, not because he saw him steal the bag but because Pahdi is Indian. The Doctor escalates his accusations at the local assembly. You’ll have to read the book to find out how the situation is resolved.
I love all of Grace Burrowes books but I really love the men of this series and Jack in particular. You don’t have to have read any of the previous books to enjoy this one but once you read one of these books, you’ll want to go back and read them all.

I am obviously obsessed with Grace Burrowes books, if you had not noticed. But they are just so sweet and the couples talk, oh how they talk! I feel them fall in love.

Jack is the new magistrate. We met him in the previous book and was a set bachelor (to his mother's dismay). He is kind, considerate, a true gentleman, and one who had a rough time in India.

Madeleine was a servant turned ladies companion. She kept the household in check and I liked how she spoke her mind. In this book she must head over to Jack's household and help out since it is a mess.

And of course they will grow closer. There are lots of things to do. And there are poor aunties that need help. There is a thief running around the countryside. There is a meddling mother. And all during Christmastime.

Enjoyable

Narrator James Langton
He is perfect for these. I would not have it any other way. I have also realised that her books work so great as audiobooks. Since people do talk a lot. They are fun to listening too.

Another lovely Grace Burrowes book. The first chapter made me snicker as did some other descriptions and the secondary characters were delightful.

4.5

In one of the funniest opening scenes I have ever read, let alone as the start of a regency romance, Sir Jack as local magistrate finds himself caled to the scene of a rogue amorous ram invading a neighboring flock of ewes, ones owned by an impoverished elderly Widow. From there we have a tale of other petty crimes of a Robin Hood nature calling on the magistrate's crime-solving skills while coping with an sudden extended visit by his matchmaking mama. Of course, he manages to fall head over heels for the lovely young Madeline Hennessy, whom he hires temporarily as a companion for his mother and steward of his home. This was a thoroughly enjoyable end to the Jaded Gentlemen series, with not only a couple of HEA, but much improvement underway for ongoing aid to the village poor.