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sharonwb's review
3.0
This book could have been so much better. I just didn't feel enough chemistry between H and h. The switch from enemies to lovers was too quick and the steam was too little too late for a great read. I did however really enjoy the angst and love between Phoebe and Shaw now this secondary story was very satifying.
winterreader40's review
4.0
This was my favourite story so far in this series. The female lead is exceptionally strong, the male lead is interesting as are the secondary characters. There’s actually a bit of variation in the smut for once.
samanatha's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I loved this one in the series. So far, it is by far my favorite. While I felt the MCs came together too quickly and easily, they were so loveable and the story so joyful and fun and sweet, that I loved it all. This is likely to be a repeat read (or audiobook re-listen).
jcmbank's review
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
rjordan19's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Humor: A bit
Perspective: Third person from Reaver (main hero), Augusta (main heroine), and Augusta’s sister, Phoebe (secondary heroine) – there may have also been a bit from Shaw (the secondary hero)
When mains are first on page together: I didn’t mark it but think it was pretty soon in
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes
Format: listened to audiobook from library (Hoopla)
Should I read in order?
Ideally, yes. There are quite a few characters from prior books. If you don’t mind that it might be okay to pick up alone. Reaver has some page time in the prior book. There is quite a bit of mention of other characters though, and to get into those other characters stories, you really have to start at the beginning 😄
Basic plot:
Augusta is out of options – she simply MUST secure her sister’s ‘betrothed’s’ markers from the gaming club to assist in some heavy persuasion. But to get those markers she must make a deal with Reaver...
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency (1819)
- tall heroine but taller hero (Augusta is several inches taller than average height but Reaver is a foot taller than her – he can barely squeeze himself into carriages)
- bargain – Augusta wants a man’s gambling markers from Reaver’s club – Reaver says he’ll give them to her if she becomes his mistress for 6 weeks
- bespectacled hero
- celibate hero [Hero hasn’t had a mistress in 6 months (hide spoiler)]
- medium steam – there’s 4 scenes but it feels slower because 3 of them are after 80%
Ages: (for main couple)
- Heroine is 28, didn’t catch hero but would guess mid 30s?
First line:
“I’ll keep it, the whole lot.”
My thoughts:
I started out REALLY loving this one. I adored the premise (I mean, telling someone they need to be your mistress in exchange for what you want is right up my alley), I loved the characters and plot. But...I wasn’t expecting a secondary romance. And with this series, I wasn’t quite sure for awhile if it was a secondary romance or a preview of the relationship dynamic of the next book…
Personally I’m not a big fan of secondary romances. I don’t like being pulled away from the main couple. I am usually left wanting more from both stories. And I kind of felt that here, though I individually loved both relationships. I think both deserved a full book and they would have been amazing. Especially with Shaw’s background.
I really loved all 4 characters here, so I think if you don’t mind, or prefer, secondary romance plots, this will really work for you. There was a lot of sweetness in both relationships. I felt like there was a lot of protectiveness and romantic things (like how Reaver carried around a special license for 3 weeks because HE KNEW) so I really enjoyed that aspect of it.
I guess about halfway through (maybe when it started giving more time to Shaw and Phoebe) my interest started to dwindle a bit and I wasn’t as excited to pick up the book and finish it. By the end, I was basically ready for it to be over. So, I did like it, but I didn’t love it.
Endearments
Heroine calls the hero ‘Bastion’ and hero calls the heroine ‘Gus’. Not really endearments but nicknames...
Quotes/spoiler-y thoughts:Any mistakes/typos are my own
“Mad is not better, you gigantic dunderpate.”
Black eyes glittered with...excitement?
“Take down your hair.”
“I will not.” She ran a hand above her ear, tidying what she could.
“I wish to see it.”
“With the greatest respect, Mister Reaver, your wishes mean less to me than the deposits made into the privy this morning.”
His head tilted, and his mouth curved in a wicked half smile.
I love it!
“Come and take it,” he rumbled softly. Her eyes narrowed upon him. Without warning she feinted left and darted right. Perhaps she should have done the opposite, because in a blink, a steely arm snagged her waist, seizing her firmly against him. She squirmed against outlandish muscles, her hands pressing his chest, her hips grinding and arching into his thighs. A warm massive hand gripped her nape, tilting her head back so she could not avoid his gaze. The sight struck her hard and low. Onyx had gone molten. One muscle, impossibly long and thick, had gone hard as stone against her belly. Oh, dear heaven. Did he want her? As his mouth swooped towards hers, she knew. Preposterous as it seems, he wanted her. And nothing could have surprised her more.
---
“Take me home then,” she said, attempting nonchalance. Next was his cravat tied carelessly. She reached to help him but he brushed her hand away and snatched his waistcoat. “Promise me you will comission a taller carriage, Sebastian. The one you currently possess could not be comfortable for you.” As he shrugged into his tailcoat, tugging it into place across massive shoulders, he shot her a heated glare.
“I haven’t been comfortable since the day I met ye, Augusta Whitmore. A right nuisance, you are.”
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- child abuse remembered/seen on children
- child abduction
- man lies and takes advantage of heroine’s sister sexually resulting in pregnancy
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes: I was bad with noting which couple was which...I THINK all the steam was for Augusta Reaver except one scene between Shaw and Phoebe
Safe sex: No
33% - 🔥 kiss, dry humping orgasm for the heroine
49% - kiss
62% - kiss (this one might be Phoebe? Sorry I suck and am too lazy to go back and listen to these)
65% - kiss76%- kiss
80% - 🔥 kisses, fingering for her, missionary
90% - 🔥 kisses, doggy style
96% - 🔥 missionary between Shaw and Phoebe
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Humor: A bit
Perspective: Third person from Reaver (main hero), Augusta (main heroine), and Augusta’s sister, Phoebe (secondary heroine) – there may have also been a bit from Shaw (the secondary hero)
When mains are first on page together: I didn’t mark it but think it was pretty soon in
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes
Format: listened to audiobook from library (Hoopla)
Should I read in order?
Ideally, yes. There are quite a few characters from prior books. If you don’t mind that it might be okay to pick up alone. Reaver has some page time in the prior book. There is quite a bit of mention of other characters though, and to get into those other characters stories, you really have to start at the beginning 😄
Basic plot:
Augusta is out of options – she simply MUST secure her sister’s ‘betrothed’s’ markers from the gaming club to assist in some heavy persuasion. But to get those markers she must make a deal with Reaver...
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency (1819)
- tall heroine but taller hero (Augusta is several inches taller than average height but Reaver is a foot taller than her – he can barely squeeze himself into carriages)
- bargain – Augusta wants a man’s gambling markers from Reaver’s club – Reaver says he’ll give them to her if she becomes his mistress for 6 weeks
- bespectacled hero
- celibate hero [Hero hasn’t had a mistress in 6 months (hide spoiler)]
- medium steam – there’s 4 scenes but it feels slower because 3 of them are after 80%
Ages: (for main couple)
- Heroine is 28, didn’t catch hero but would guess mid 30s?
First line:
“I’ll keep it, the whole lot.”
My thoughts:
I started out REALLY loving this one. I adored the premise (I mean, telling someone they need to be your mistress in exchange for what you want is right up my alley), I loved the characters and plot. But...I wasn’t expecting a secondary romance. And with this series, I wasn’t quite sure for awhile if it was a secondary romance or a preview of the relationship dynamic of the next book…
Personally I’m not a big fan of secondary romances. I don’t like being pulled away from the main couple. I am usually left wanting more from both stories. And I kind of felt that here, though I individually loved both relationships. I think both deserved a full book and they would have been amazing. Especially with Shaw’s background.
I really loved all 4 characters here, so I think if you don’t mind, or prefer, secondary romance plots, this will really work for you. There was a lot of sweetness in both relationships. I felt like there was a lot of protectiveness and romantic things (like how Reaver carried around a special license for 3 weeks because HE KNEW) so I really enjoyed that aspect of it.
I guess about halfway through (maybe when it started giving more time to Shaw and Phoebe) my interest started to dwindle a bit and I wasn’t as excited to pick up the book and finish it. By the end, I was basically ready for it to be over. So, I did like it, but I didn’t love it.
Endearments
Quotes/spoiler-y thoughts:Any mistakes/typos are my own
“Mad is not better, you gigantic dunderpate.”
Black eyes glittered with...excitement?
“Take down your hair.”
“I will not.” She ran a hand above her ear, tidying what she could.
“I wish to see it.”
“With the greatest respect, Mister Reaver, your wishes mean less to me than the deposits made into the privy this morning.”
His head tilted, and his mouth curved in a wicked half smile.
I love it!
“Come and take it,” he rumbled softly. Her eyes narrowed upon him. Without warning she feinted left and darted right. Perhaps she should have done the opposite, because in a blink, a steely arm snagged her waist, seizing her firmly against him. She squirmed against outlandish muscles, her hands pressing his chest, her hips grinding and arching into his thighs. A warm massive hand gripped her nape, tilting her head back so she could not avoid his gaze. The sight struck her hard and low. Onyx had gone molten. One muscle, impossibly long and thick, had gone hard as stone against her belly. Oh, dear heaven. Did he want her? As his mouth swooped towards hers, she knew. Preposterous as it seems, he wanted her. And nothing could have surprised her more.
---
“Take me home then,” she said, attempting nonchalance. Next was his cravat tied carelessly. She reached to help him but he brushed her hand away and snatched his waistcoat. “Promise me you will comission a taller carriage, Sebastian. The one you currently possess could not be comfortable for you.” As he shrugged into his tailcoat, tugging it into place across massive shoulders, he shot her a heated glare.
“I haven’t been comfortable since the day I met ye, Augusta Whitmore. A right nuisance, you are.”
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- child abuse remembered/seen on children
- child abduction
- man lies and takes advantage of heroine’s sister sexually resulting in pregnancy
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes: I was bad with noting which couple was which...I THINK all the steam was for Augusta Reaver except one scene between Shaw and Phoebe
Safe sex:
33% - 🔥 kiss, dry humping orgasm for the heroine
49% - kiss
62% - kiss (this one might be Phoebe? Sorry I suck and am too lazy to go back and listen to these)
65% - kiss76%- kiss
80% - 🔥 kisses, fingering for her, missionary
90% - 🔥 kisses, doggy style
96% - 🔥 missionary between Shaw and Phoebe
loverofromance's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻♀️🦸🏻♀️🦸🏻♀️🦸🏻♀️🦸🏻♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨✨
First Impressions
Anything But a Gentleman is the seventh installment in the "Rescued from Ruin" series and in this one we get a bad boy type of hero. And I was all in for this one. And this author immediately pulled me from the first page, I was so hooked and literally kept me up late reading, that is how delectable this story was. I do think the writing style of Elisa Braden is my catnip and is ruining me for all other historical romance authors haha I am not sure why I was sleeping on this author, but I am all in for her and will always support her if her stories are anything like this here. I really adored this one and moments in which we see our couples come together. And this story does feature two couples. We have our primary couple, and then a side couple involving Augusta's sister and Reaver's best friend.
First Line
"I keep it? The whole lot." Thick, dark grime upon the boy's face failed to mask his skepticism.
The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Sebastian Reaver
-Alpha Self Made Hero
-Connected to Aristocracy
-Bad Boy and Grumpy
The Heroine: Augusta Widmore
-A genteel lady
-Protective of her baby sister
-Feisty, hardworking and strong willed
Summary
Augusta has come to London to help protect her sister. Her sister became pregnant and she is determined to bring the father to heel so her child isn't born a bastard. So she knows that Reaver holds the notes for the gambling debts and needs to attain those to issue some justice of her own. But what she doesn't count on is entangling herself with Reaver or that he would be so exasperating or a will to match her own. But what starts out as some healthy competition turns into something more when Reaver offers her a solution, become his mistress for 6 weeks and he will hand over the notes or leave. So she is determined to do whatever it takes and before Reaver realizes it, this tiring woman is controlling his life, furnishing a home he never lives in and even housing a pickpocket and he is falling hard for this strong woman who has a heart to match his own...
What I Loved
This book *sigh* I feel like I am really getting into the Elisa Brade vibe and these books are just like catnip for me. I absolutely adored everything about this one here. It was delectable, sexy and so much heart was being conveyed here. I loved the moments that we see with this couple and their chemistry was so well built. And this is what I love and miss in modern age historicals. And this is why I am really wanting to explore more indie authors. (so if you know of authors like this one here who write this type of historical please send me to them). Anything But a Gentleman is a story of a grumpy heroine and a feisty heroine who calls his bluff haha their bantering is delectable and I couldn't get enough of seeing them build a relationship together. And the heart felt moments between these two just delivered so much for me. I couldn't get enough nor could I put this one down. This author has such a beautiful talent in easily sweeping you up in a story and its done so well. In fact, once I finish with her backlist, I am going to do a reread of these books especially the earlier books.
What I Struggled With
Honestly??? Nothing haha It was perfect in every way for me
Overall View
Anything but a Gentleman was brililantly mastered, with charm and elegance and soul touching romance to leave you breathless and eager for more!
Favorite Quote(s)
Loving someone meant standing in stinging rain and bellowing wind, knowing how much it hurt and doing it anyway. Because the one who needed shelter mattered more.
Perhaps he did, because when he returned to earth, he felt as though he’d been reassembled into a new form. Broken into pieces and remade by Augusta’s gentle, callused hands.
Book Details (also on my shelves)
Sub Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Era
Character Types: Bad Boy, Gambler, Self Made Hero
Themes: London Underground, Laughs, Gambling Hell
Tropes: Forced Proximity, Grumpy Sunshine
Book Perspective
3rd POV
Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Relationship Conflict
Recommendation For Reading Order
I do recommend reading in order if you can, but can be read as a standalone if needed
Steam/Spice Explanations
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻♀️🦸🏻♀️🦸🏻♀️🦸🏻♀️🦸🏻♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨✨
First Impressions
Anything But a Gentleman is the seventh installment in the "Rescued from Ruin" series and in this one we get a bad boy type of hero. And I was all in for this one. And this author immediately pulled me from the first page, I was so hooked and literally kept me up late reading, that is how delectable this story was. I do think the writing style of Elisa Braden is my catnip and is ruining me for all other historical romance authors haha I am not sure why I was sleeping on this author, but I am all in for her and will always support her if her stories are anything like this here. I really adored this one and moments in which we see our couples come together. And this story does feature two couples. We have our primary couple, and then a side couple involving Augusta's sister and Reaver's best friend.
First Line
"I keep it? The whole lot." Thick, dark grime upon the boy's face failed to mask his skepticism.
The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Sebastian Reaver
-Alpha Self Made Hero
-Connected to Aristocracy
-Bad Boy and Grumpy
The Heroine: Augusta Widmore
-A genteel lady
-Protective of her baby sister
-Feisty, hardworking and strong willed
Summary
Augusta has come to London to help protect her sister. Her sister became pregnant and she is determined to bring the father to heel so her child isn't born a bastard. So she knows that Reaver holds the notes for the gambling debts and needs to attain those to issue some justice of her own. But what she doesn't count on is entangling herself with Reaver or that he would be so exasperating or a will to match her own. But what starts out as some healthy competition turns into something more when Reaver offers her a solution, become his mistress for 6 weeks and he will hand over the notes or leave. So she is determined to do whatever it takes and before Reaver realizes it, this tiring woman is controlling his life, furnishing a home he never lives in and even housing a pickpocket and he is falling hard for this strong woman who has a heart to match his own...
What I Loved
This book *sigh* I feel like I am really getting into the Elisa Brade vibe and these books are just like catnip for me. I absolutely adored everything about this one here. It was delectable, sexy and so much heart was being conveyed here. I loved the moments that we see with this couple and their chemistry was so well built. And this is what I love and miss in modern age historicals. And this is why I am really wanting to explore more indie authors. (so if you know of authors like this one here who write this type of historical please send me to them). Anything But a Gentleman is a story of a grumpy heroine and a feisty heroine who calls his bluff haha their bantering is delectable and I couldn't get enough of seeing them build a relationship together. And the heart felt moments between these two just delivered so much for me. I couldn't get enough nor could I put this one down. This author has such a beautiful talent in easily sweeping you up in a story and its done so well. In fact, once I finish with her backlist, I am going to do a reread of these books especially the earlier books.
What I Struggled With
Honestly??? Nothing haha It was perfect in every way for me
Overall View
Anything but a Gentleman was brililantly mastered, with charm and elegance and soul touching romance to leave you breathless and eager for more!
Favorite Quote(s)
Loving someone meant standing in stinging rain and bellowing wind, knowing how much it hurt and doing it anyway. Because the one who needed shelter mattered more.
Perhaps he did, because when he returned to earth, he felt as though he’d been reassembled into a new form. Broken into pieces and remade by Augusta’s gentle, callused hands.
Book Details (also on my shelves)
Sub Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Era
Character Types: Bad Boy, Gambler, Self Made Hero
Themes: London Underground, Laughs, Gambling Hell
Tropes: Forced Proximity, Grumpy Sunshine
Book Perspective
3rd POV
Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Relationship Conflict
Recommendation For Reading Order
I do recommend reading in order if you can, but can be read as a standalone if needed
Steam/Spice Explanations
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
themeadowlibrary's review
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
torilovesheas's review
5.0
Sebastian. Reaver. That is all. That’s the review.
Jk but seriously I loved this book so much.
Sebastian is a gambling hell owner and self proclaimed “rough sort” whose world gets tipped on its axis by Augusta Widmore, a country spinster just trying to save her sister’s reputation.
What’s so great about this is that we get two love stories: Augusta/Sebastian and Shaw/Phoebe!
Sebastian is gone for Augusta almost the second she offers to be his mistress. It’s so funny to see his letters from Lady Wallingham with advice on how to court a lady and then turning around and seeing Augusta notice all the things he’s been doing to win her over on Lady W’s advice. I thought it was so sweet! Augusta was such a strong heroine. She’s had to fight for her and her sister’s survival and it took a lot for her to shift some of that burden to Sebastian. This was more of a slow burn with a good bit of pining on both sides. Their romance was perfect! Passionate and all consuming.
Phoebe and Shaw’s friends to lovers journey was wonderful to see. When he tells her that her baby is his child too even though he’s not the father, I wanted to cry with Phoebe. It was just precious. I did like that realistically, he was worried about how society would treat them as a family, Shaw being half Indian and Phoebe being white. But I also loved that They loved each other enough to not throw it away on the opinions of others. They were so sweet and cute together.
I want a book about Sebastian and Augusta’s little adopted street urchin, Ash. Little dude was ready to kick Sebastian’s ass if he so much as looked at Augusta wrong. I loved him!!
5⭐️
Jk but seriously I loved this book so much.
Sebastian is a gambling hell owner and self proclaimed “rough sort” whose world gets tipped on its axis by Augusta Widmore, a country spinster just trying to save her sister’s reputation.
What’s so great about this is that we get two love stories: Augusta/Sebastian and Shaw/Phoebe!
Sebastian is gone for Augusta almost the second she offers to be his mistress. It’s so funny to see his letters from Lady Wallingham with advice on how to court a lady and then turning around and seeing Augusta notice all the things he’s been doing to win her over on Lady W’s advice. I thought it was so sweet! Augusta was such a strong heroine. She’s had to fight for her and her sister’s survival and it took a lot for her to shift some of that burden to Sebastian. This was more of a slow burn with a good bit of pining on both sides. Their romance was perfect! Passionate and all consuming.
Phoebe and Shaw’s friends to lovers journey was wonderful to see. When he tells her that her baby is his child too even though he’s not the father, I wanted to cry with Phoebe. It was just precious. I did like that realistically, he was worried about how society would treat them as a family, Shaw being half Indian and Phoebe being white. But I also loved that They loved each other enough to not throw it away on the opinions of others. They were so sweet and cute together.
I want a book about Sebastian and Augusta’s little adopted street urchin, Ash. Little dude was ready to kick Sebastian’s ass if he so much as looked at Augusta wrong. I loved him!!
5⭐️
susanpevensie's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Physical abuse