A Gentleman Never Tells: A Novella by Eloisa James (Epub)

Description

A witty, sexy novella about a virgin widow and a rake with something to prove.

Eighteen months ago, Lizzie Troutt’s husband died in his mistress’s bed, leaving her determined to never marry again….and unfortunately virginal.

Eighteen years ago (give or take a few) the Honorable Oliver Berwick blackened his own soul, leaving him hardened and resolutely single.

When the chance for redemption in the form of a country house party invitation comes his way, Oliver is determined to prove himself a gentleman.

Until he breaks all the codes of gentlemanly behavior…once again.

User’s Reviews

Eloisa James is a USA Today and New York Times bestselling author and professor of English literature, who lives with her family in New York, but can sometimes be found in Paris or Italy. She is the mother of two and, in a particularly delicious irony for a romance writer, is married to a genuine Italian knight. Visit her at www.eloisajames.com. –This text refers to the mass_market edition.

Reviews from Amazon users, collected at the time the book is getting published on UniedVRG. It can be related to shiping or paper quality instead of the book content:

⭐ I adore most of Eloisa James’s books, but this novella may well be my absolute favorite thus far. Witty dialog, where every scene and frankly every paragraph contributes purposefully to the story’s progress, characters who were ultimately suited for one another. Oliver and Lizzie couldn’t be more perfect for each other, and I found their falling-in-love to be quick and wholly believable. James’s turns of phrase showed me motivation and mindset so I believed the attraction ran far deeper than the physical, far more than mere seduction or simple lust. Oliver showed Lizzie blatant honesty, showed her he was a man to be trusted, a man who’d never hurt her, a man whose attraction to her was far more than genuine and sincere…he wanted her forever. He persuaded her, with unrelenting honesty, to become his wife. And what a feat! Lizzie had paramount reasons to never allow a man control over her life again, and with good reasons. I loved how meaningful Lizzie’s past had become, how hurt she’d been by her father’s betrayal and by her husband’s complete lack of interest in her. An absolute gem in James’s list of titles. Highly recommended to readers who enjoy sexy historical (English Regency-set) romances, don’t mind an occasional profanity (or the Lord’s name in vain), and don’t object to vibrant and hot lovemaking on the page.Sensuality Level: hot (far more than sex or seduction–wholly lovemaking)Language: occasional profanityViolence: none

⭐ I realise I’m going against my esteemed reviewer friends here by admitting to liking this book. I think, unlike a lot of them that I really enjoy a quick short story. The reviews for this little tale really give conflicting opinions so let me add my 2c worth by saying that if you hate insta-love then stop right here and look for something else. Highly improbably, this short story takes place over a few days. Our h is a widow, staying with her sister for a house party. Her sister bullies her into coming because the h is quite happy hiding out at her home reading books. Her late husband died in his mistress’s bed and embarrassed her terribly by his treatment of her, which is well known in society. The h wants nothing to do with men controlling her or anything else. The H is a reformed rake, who is responsible for his sister’s daughter, who tricks him into joining the h’s sister’s house party. He had been part of a crowd who took delight in making up nasty nicknames for young women when the H was much younger. One of the H’s victims is the h’s sister and he wants to apologise to her for his behaviour. He and the h’s sister conspire to bring the h out of her state of melancholy. I enjoyed the story as I had zero expectations after reading the review. Also, although I’d preordered the novella, I hadn’t downloaded it because I was away on business.

⭐ I liked A Gentleman Never Tells. It’s a quick read, that has Oliver trying to make amends for his actions when he was younger. What better way to do so than at a house party. Anyway, he makes his apology and is enlisted to help Lady Windingham pull her sister out of her funk. Now Lizzie has decided that marriage sucks and has no designs to remarried. So, you watch Lizzie and Oliver close together.Yes, this happens quickly. Hey it’s a novella, so it’s going to be quick. I like Oliver, because he realize what he did when he was younger was wrong and he was willing to atone for his actions in whatever form. He’s a rare guy, because how often do you find a bully feeling guilty for his actions. I felt bad for Lizzie, because she got a raw deal when it came to her marriage. I kind of wish her father and her would hash out what happen to her, because he’s part to blame for the situation. Then again it would be all short. Basically, if you are looking for a quick read with a happy ending, A Gentleman Never Tells could be your read.Copy provided by Avon via Edelweiss

⭐ >>>>>>My Synopsis (review follows):Once upon a time a father had a grand plan to marry his daughter off to a titled man. It did not end well. Four years later, the daughter, while titled, emerged from the marriage a widow with low self esteem who was the laughing stock of the ton. Her husband had died in the his mistress’ bed whom he’d abandoned her for. She’s now resolved to never marry again.Her sister, Cat, is determined to bring back the young woman who used to love to laugh at a good joke and ride a horse like the wind. At the center of her plan is the Honorable Oliver Berwick. A man she believes is the perfect person to change her sister Lizzie’s mind about marriage. She’s decided a house party is the perfect way to get the two together.>>>>>>My Review:This was a fun novella that I enjoyed reading from beginning to end. While a short story, it read like a full length book. By that I mean it didn’t feel rushed or lacking as some short stories do.They say the deepest scars are the ones you can’t see, and that is certainly true for Lizzie. She’s been betrayed left and right by the men in her life and her sister’s husband is the only exception. It’s her sister’s marriage that sparks the only hope that marriage can be something wonderful. Rather than risk getting into another horrible marriage, Lizzie has chosen to hide from the world and lick her wounds in private. The girl who once had such high hopes for life now has none.Oliver Berwick has a bit of a Knight in Shining Armor complex. Something about Lizzie speaks to him and he finds himself wanting to make her smile, laugh, and eat. He wants to lure the beautiful woman he sees before him into truly living again. He also finds himself having not so honorable thoughts about her as well.Why is the novella called, A Gentleman Never Tells? It’s because of the following:“Would you mind being seduced by me?”“Mind? Of course I’d mind!” He moved so quickly that she couldn’t stop him. He turned his back so she was shielded from the other players and then kissed her hard so that longing rose in her stomach like a storm, making her knees weak and her breath fast. He didn’t stop until she was boneless, leaning against him like a hussy.(…)“Do you consider me a woman of—of ill repute?” she whispered. She meant to scold him by the question, but it came out a simple inquiry.“Absolutely not.”“You wouldn’t tell anyone?”“A gentleman never tells.”Overall, I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. It was a sweet, sexy, and fun story that left me smiling. I wish it had contained a little more drama and had been extended into a full length novel, but it did what it was meant to do–leave the reader wanting more. If you haven’t done so already, there are four full length stories associated with this series that you can read. They are listed toward the end of the post. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this novella earned a STEAM rating–too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

⭐ Being a novella it was, of course, short. And while it was a full story unto itself, the brevity seemed to put the author at somewhat a disadvantage. We’re basically dropped into a situation where the leading man Apparently has some impulse issues and the leading lady has been through enough with out his sudden decision that he’s madly in love with her. It’s all very whizz-bang sudden from zero to over-the-moon, let’s-get-married-yesterday with out a lot of fuss and bother with things like getting to know each other. Yet somehow the man “just Knows” everything about her with out being told or having any sort of mystical powers. She’s had it rather rough when it comes to men. He doesn’t help that much with his abrupt wooing.In any case, if you decide you want to give it a read, I suggest waiting until it’s on sale because while it may be worth a dollar or two, I certainly wouldn’t buy it for more than three.

⭐ This was the first book I have read by Eloise James and did not know when I originally signed up to review the book that it was part of a series. That said, I will absolutely be going back and picking up the series at book one and this book could definitely be read as a StandAlone. It is clear that we missed out on one relationship but nothing is given away you will still happily be able to go back and pick the series right up with out missing a beat.Widowed Lizzie is falling deeper and deeper in to self exile after her husband’s death and no it’s not because she is sad he’s gone in fact good riddance. The damn man was found dead in the bed of his lover leaving poor Lizzie not only a widow but a virginal widow and deeply ashamed of her self and convinced she could never either make a man happy nor want to.I loved Lizzie! She’s a bit of a feminist in a decidedly un-female friendly era. She is a great reader (another aberration for the time and something that makes me love her all the more), she’s intelligent, kind, and even though she doesn’t feel she has he trait, quick witted.Into her depressed state walks the handsome, quiet spoken, gentleman who has a history of bad behavior and the bearing of man who is fighting his past rakish behavior and striving to be a man that his niece and others can look up to.”Lizzie’s understanding was that polite society was made up of people treating each other in astonishingly impolite ways.”I really enjoyed all the characters (minus perhaps Lizzie’s father, of course I wasn’t a fan of either Shady Sadie or Lizzie’s deceased husband, but none of them play a large role in this story), the banter between characters kept me laughing, the love between the families as sweet, the courtship though fast between Lizzie and Oliver never felt contrived or ingenious. These are people you would have wanted to know and a society you would have throughly enjoyed, I mean who doesn’t want to play rousing (which my auto correct tried to turn into arousing and if you read the story you will know why that is quite apropos, haha) game of cricket in the house.This was a light, fun, sweet, a bit heartbreaking, but also heart warming love story. It’s novella length so you will get it read quickly and if you haven’t read the series before now you will want to start one clicking right away. If you have, I think this will give you jus the little hit of historical romance you need while you wait for more! A Gentleman Never Tells is a wonderful read for any fan of Romance in particular Historical Romance.

⭐ FINAL DECISION: A sweet repentant hero and a woman who no longer finds joy in life find the gentle possibility of love together. This novella is abbreviated but has sweetness and humor.THE STORY: Lizzie Troutt has been left a virgin widow with a poor sense of her own worth as a woman after being subjected to a marriage where her husband preferred his mistress to her. Despite her older sister’s wishes, Lizzie just wants to be left alone to read. Oliver Berwick has come to Lizzie sister’s house party to apologize for his boorish behavior which helped brand Lizzie’s sister as the Wooly Breeder. Ashamed of himself, Oliver agrees to Lizzie’s sister request that he do two things: make Lizzie laugh and get her back on a horse. At the first look at Lizzie, however, Oliver wants so much more.OPINION: This is a novella and as such is not as developed as a full novel would be. Despite that, I simply adored Oliver. He has developed tremendously from the young man who found himself repeating insulting remarks about others. While it is easy to sympathize with the victim of bullying, this story is about what effect bullying can have on a bully. While Oliver certainly was not the worst of his group of friends, he certainly sustained and participated in the bullying. For years, he has been ashamed of that behavior. While his shame caused him to avoid his victims, he finally finds the opportunity and the courage to apologize for his behavior. That apology and the forgiveness that flows from his victim finally allows him to forgive himself. Oliver’s recognition of his mistakes is what makes him so wonderful as a hero. He now devotes himself to caring for others. First his niece and then Lizzie. I absolutely adored how he makes sure that she eats when he sees that she is too thin and only barely picking at her food. His gentle concern and determination to seeing to her well being begins to break through the shell that Lizzie has created for herself.The romance between Oliver and Lizzie is short but these two are sweet together.My negatives are this: I hate the virgin widow trope and this story is no different. Also, because of the length of this novella, the romance between Oliver and Lizzie felt rushed towards the end.WORTH MENTIONING: Indoor croquet.CONNECTED BOOKS: A GENTLEMAN NEVER TELLS is book 4.5 of the Essex Sisters series. It can be read as a standalone as it is only tangentially related to the series. It is a spin-off of PLEASURE FOR PLEASURE, so for background reading that book is more than sufficient.STAR RATING: I give this book 3.5 stars.

⭐ I really like Eloisa James books, but this one doesn’t rate my usual 5-stars for her books. Maybe it is that it is a short novella and things just didn’t have time to develop.The blurb about the book says “Eighteen years ago (give or take a few) the Honorable Oliver Berwick blackened his own soul, leaving him hardened and resolutely single.” That just didn’t work for me — because what he did wouldn’t even leave a slight scuff mark much less blackening his soul. That said, I really liked Oliver. He was a very nice, very caring man — just couldn’t picture him falling in love and marrying within two days!!!Lizzie Troutt is a widow whose husband died eighteen months ago. Lizzie was terribly verbally abused in that first marriage. Her husband never consummated the marriage, dropped her off with his mother and quickly went to live with his mistress. He married Lizzie for her dowry and then blamed all of his shortcomings on Lizzie. She has sworn she’ll never marry.I enjoyed this as a short, quick, light read.

⭐ After the death of her husband, Lizzie Troutt has vowed to never marry again. Sold by her father in exchange for a title, Lizzie’s husband left her on her wedding day and moved in with his mistress. Still virginal, Lizzie looks forward to living a life without men.Oliver Berwick isn’t proud of his jokester past. When he’s cajoled by his niece to attend a house party hosted by the Windinghams, Oliver decides to take the opportunity to apologize to Catrina Windingham for teasing her years ago. At the party Oliver meets Catrina’s sister Lizzie, and their love story begins.There isn’t much to A Gentleman Never Tells. Oliver Berwick is lonely but doesn’t have much interest in romance until he meets Lizzie Troutt. The novella mostly follows Oliver’s attempts to convince Lizzie to marry him. It is a sweet story though and great for a quick read. Oliver is an upstanding and attractive man who regrets his misspent youth. Lizzie is a widow, embarrassed by her husband’s transgressions and angry at her father for making her suffer through them. Her journey to believing in love again is a simple but lovely one.Oliver falls in love with Lizzie pretty much immediately and while I don’t have issues with insta-love, it may bug some readers. Eloisa James has much better, in-depth books out there (see A Duke of Her Own), she also has far worse ones. But, if you are looking for an enjoyable and quick read, A Gentleman Never Tells, may be the perfect distraction.

⭐ A Gentleman Never Tells is a Historical Romance full of humor, wonderful characters that you will fall in love with, and sensual, sexy romance. After eighteen months, Lizzie is still mourning the death of her husband. But truthfully, she’s really in hiding from the humiliation and embarrassment of the way her husband died: in his mistress’s bed. Lizzie’s older sister, Cat, has had enough of Lizzie hiding and sets a plan in motion, asking Oliver Berwick to bring Lizzie back into the land of the living. Oliver, however, wants more than getting Lizzie out among the living again; Oliver wants Lizzie in his bed and to make the beautiful widow his wife. Lizzie is a woman scorned, and being under a man’s control again is the last thing she’s ever going to let happen. But, Lizzie can’t help being drawn to this handsome and sexy man, so his bed might just be the answer to her problem of still being a virgin, since her husband was too busy with his mistress to ever get the deed done. But for Lizzie, marrying Oliver will never happen.Oliver and Lizzie’s romance had me smiling and swooning because of the sexy man Oliver. Oliver is a man already set in his ways, living a bachelor’s life, but when he meets Lizzie the man is tripping all over his feelings for this beautiful woman. Lizzie is also going head-over-heels for Oliver, because she has never had a man flirt with her or a man’s affections before.Lizzie and Oliver’s romance is proof that you never say never. I highly recommend A Gentleman Never Tells as a sexy, fun must read.

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