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A review by tales_of_a_bookbug
A Gentleman Never Tells by Eloisa James
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
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