Reviews

A Gentleman Never Tells by Eloisa James

indolentfop's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.0

iskanderjonesiv's review against another edition

4.0

A witty and sparkling Regency romance novella by Eloisa James, author of My American Duchess, linked to the bestselling Essex Sisters series

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 behaviour . . . once again.

Praise for Eloisa James:

'Eloisa James is extraordinary.' - Lisa Kleypas

'Nothing gets me to a bookstore faster than Eloisa James' Julia Quinn

History has never been this much fun' Australian Women's Weekly

**

About the Author

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.

lifeand100books's review against another edition

5.0

The relationship progresses a bit fast, but I honestly didn't care. This novella was fabulous. Stellar characters and story!!

winterreader40's review

4.0

Oliver is one of the gentlemen who helped coin and spread the name of the Scottish Sausage.
Lizzie is a virgin widow, having been informed after being dropped off in her new home that her husband would be living with his mistress and died in her bed instead of home with his wife.
This is a nice little bit of insta-lust/love fun.

claire_loves_books's review against another edition

4.0

I liked this-It was short and sweet. Oliver and Lizzie are great- despite the short length I felt like they both had well established characters and I really believed in their relationship. It was nice to see how the Essex sisters are getting on a few years down the line (It's set quite a while after so while it does have spoilers for the previous books, but not reading them wouldn't stop you understanding this one).

seeinghowitgoes's review

3.0

A sweet little novella about a Bachelor whose major crime was that he was a bit of a twit when he was younger (making up hurtful names for unfortunate debutants) and a widow who had the misfortune to marry a douche.

Together they flirt, play Pall Mall and banter.

tales_of_a_bookbug's review against another edition

4.0

Review: Even though this is a novella in the Essex Sisters series, it isn't necessary to have read the books to enjoy the story in this novella.Considering the fact that this is the first book of Eloisa James that I have read, I must admit that I enjoyed it immensely.

The story is quite straightforward and funny.Lizzie was married off by a merchant father to Adrian Troutt(a boor and a pig), as he was most concerned with his daughter having a title.He did this inspite of knowing that Troutt was having an affair with "Shady Sadie"-a well-known courtesan.And even Adrian admits to Lizzie after the marriage that he married her for the dowry and to keep her as a companion to his mother.After enduring such a marriage for over four years,Lizzie is now a widow as her husband passed away while -ahem- tupping Sadie.

Even after eighteen months, she is angry,ashamed and doesn't feel inclined to interact with anyone, despite her sister-Cat trying her best to make Lizzie happy.Also as Lizzie's marriage was never consummated she's still a virgin.She is determined never to marry again as she doesn't want to be under the power of a man.Along comes Oliver Berwick-who along with his niece Hattie, has been invited to Cat(Lady Windigham)'s house party.

Oliver hasn't really been spending his days in the society after having quite a rowdy youth.He along with a few friends made up nicknames for Cat and her friend Josie, which affected their marriage chances in the beginning.He feels quite guilty about it, but after some persuasion from his niece Hattie(who is best friends with Cat's step-daughter), he decides to go to the party and make amends.He has been taking care of his niece after her parents dumped her with him to go off as missionaries and though she irritates him at times, he loves her.

When he comes to the house party, he is immediately drawn to Lizzie.When he apologises to Cat, she laughs it off and convinces him to get her sister to laugh.And as he tries his best to get Lizzie to come out of her self imposed shame and insecurities, he starts falling in love with her.Will he get her to see that not all men are bad and that she should take a chance on him?

I really enjoyed this novella.It didn't even feel short to me!Usually in my experience with novellas, the romances are rushed.But here,Eloisa James has managed to portray her characters in a beautiful manner with believable relationships.Lizzie and Oliver's interactions were witty and sizzling.In spite of the events taking place over a span of few days, it didnt feel rushed to me.I loved the relationship between the sisters too!Even the secondary characters like Hattie and Joshua were well done!

I loved how Oliver and Lizzie managed to balance each other out.He was an honest,down-to-earth guy unlike the arrogant,alpha rakes we usually see in historical romances.He managed to get Lizzie to open up and believe in herself again.Lizzie was also a smart,witty and beautiful heroine.
So,if you're looking for a really good historical romance but you want a short one,you should read this!

I really loved Eloisa James' writing and I am going to give the Essex sisters series a tryas it sounds very promising.Thanks to Harper Collins for providing me with an ARC of this novella in exchange for an honest review!! :D

anastasiaadamov's review against another edition

4.0

Cute and short little novella.
Characters were quite lovable and interesting.
Too short for bigger character development

clairetrellahill's review against another edition

5.0

You know, there’s something so refreshing about a dude who immediately decides that he loves you and wants to marry you instead of the typical “lOoOoOove? Not ME” reaction. A+ loved it

desertbookworm's review against another edition

lighthearted medium-paced

3.5