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Montclair-de Vere #1
A Perfect Gentleman
From New York Times bestselling author Candace Camp comes a delicious and steamy marriage-of-convenience historical romance in A Perfect Gentleman.
Forced to marry an American heiress to save his family, Graeme Parr, Earl of Montclair, vowed their marriage would be in name only. Abigail Price thought handsome, aristocratic Graeme was her knight in shining armor, rescuing her from her overbearing father. But when she was spurned by her husband on their wedding night, Abigail fled home to New York.
Now, years later, Abigail has returned. But this sophisticated, alluring woman is not the drab girl Graeme remembers. Appalled by her bold American ways but drawn to her beauty, Graeme follows her on a merry chase through London’s elegant ballrooms to its dockside taverns—why is his wife back? What could she want of him now?
Torn between desire and suspicion, Graeme fears that Abby, like her unprincipled father, has a devious plan to ruin him. But is Abigail’s true desire Graeme’s destruction...or winning his love at last?
Forced to marry an American heiress to save his family, Graeme Parr, Earl of Montclair, vowed their marriage would be in name only. Abigail Price thought handsome, aristocratic Graeme was her knight in shining armor, rescuing her from her overbearing father. But when she was spurned by her husband on their wedding night, Abigail fled home to New York.
Now, years later, Abigail has returned. But this sophisticated, alluring woman is not the drab girl Graeme remembers. Appalled by her bold American ways but drawn to her beauty, Graeme follows her on a merry chase through London’s elegant ballrooms to its dockside taverns—why is his wife back? What could she want of him now?
Torn between desire and suspicion, Graeme fears that Abby, like her unprincipled father, has a devious plan to ruin him. But is Abigail’s true desire Graeme’s destruction...or winning his love at last?
377 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 28, 2017
216 people are currently reading
951 people want to read
About the author
Candace Camp
121 books1,250 followersCandace Camp is the New York Times bestselling author of over sixty books.
Her first novel, *Bonds of Love*, was published by Jove Publishing in 1978, under the pseudonym Lisa Gregory. Two pseudonyms (Kristin James and Sharon Stephens)and many books later, Candace writes under her own name Candace Camp and still loves creating stories.
Candace lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and is the mother of Young Adult author Anastasia Hopcus.
Her first novel, *Bonds of Love*, was published by Jove Publishing in 1978, under the pseudonym Lisa Gregory. Two pseudonyms (Kristin James and Sharon Stephens)and many books later, Candace writes under her own name Candace Camp and still loves creating stories.
Candace lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and is the mother of Young Adult author Anastasia Hopcus.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 194 reviews
August 9, 2017
American heiress Abigail finds herself married to a perfect English gentleman, Graeme Parr, Lord Montclair. Thanks to her father’s ruthless mechanisms, she knows this is a marriage of convenience, there is no love between herself, a shy awkward American and the always polite and regal Lord but like any other eighteen year old, she dreams of friendship that might grow to love, a family and a home away from her cold father.
But blackmail, greed and pride rob Abigail of any chance at that wistful dream. A confrontation between her new husband on their wedding night reveals Graeme’s resentment of Abigail and the rage at being manipulated into a marriage he never wanted. It breaks Abigail’s young heart to see the very real loathing directed at her from the always solicitous and soft spoken gentleman she thought she knew. When Graeme reveals he will never love her, as he already loves another and had to give her up in order to marry Abigail for her money she does the only thing she can think of, she leaves. He shatters her with the ugly truth of their marriage and rather than stay and endure the humiliation of knowing the extent of his rejection, Abigail sails back to America.
Ten years pass before Abigail comes back. Gone is the awkward girl, Abigail is now a woman in her own right, with poise and refinement. Abigail navigates the ton expertly, all in the hopes of showing Graeme that she’s changed. She no longer looks for love but realizes that the life she’s been living isn’t enough for her. She wants a child. With her husband.
The Perfect Gentleman was a well written story, the story flowed well, the characters were fleshed out and it is chuck full of angst, drama, and misunderstandings. There is a ton of back and forth, push and pull between the MCs and if you’re a fan of historical romance, this is worth a read.
Although I was sucked into the story, reading it from start to finish and liked the cute HEA ending, everything that happens between getting from point A to point B made this one a romance fail for me.
Safety: Graeme is 33, Abigail is 28. There is a ten year separation, H wasn’t celibate during their time apart. There is a lot of pushing away by the H, OW drama, a virgin h, and a ton of angst. Ends with a HEA and a baby epilogue.
*** ARC provided in exchange for an honest review ***
But blackmail, greed and pride rob Abigail of any chance at that wistful dream. A confrontation between her new husband on their wedding night reveals Graeme’s resentment of Abigail and the rage at being manipulated into a marriage he never wanted. It breaks Abigail’s young heart to see the very real loathing directed at her from the always solicitous and soft spoken gentleman she thought she knew. When Graeme reveals he will never love her, as he already loves another and had to give her up in order to marry Abigail for her money she does the only thing she can think of, she leaves. He shatters her with the ugly truth of their marriage and rather than stay and endure the humiliation of knowing the extent of his rejection, Abigail sails back to America.
Ten years pass before Abigail comes back. Gone is the awkward girl, Abigail is now a woman in her own right, with poise and refinement. Abigail navigates the ton expertly, all in the hopes of showing Graeme that she’s changed. She no longer looks for love but realizes that the life she’s been living isn’t enough for her. She wants a child. With her husband.
The Perfect Gentleman was a well written story, the story flowed well, the characters were fleshed out and it is chuck full of angst, drama, and misunderstandings. There is a ton of back and forth, push and pull between the MCs and if you’re a fan of historical romance, this is worth a read.
Although I was sucked into the story, reading it from start to finish and liked the cute HEA ending, everything that happens between getting from point A to point B made this one a romance fail for me.
Safety: Graeme is 33, Abigail is 28. There is a ten year separation, H wasn’t celibate during their time apart. There is a lot of pushing away by the H, OW drama, a virgin h, and a ton of angst. Ends with a HEA and a baby epilogue.
*** ARC provided in exchange for an honest review ***
March 12, 2017
ARC provide by Edelweiss and publisher for an honest review.
Graeme Parr, Lord Montclair needs to marry to save his estate and cover his father's debts. Abigail Price is an American heiress who's father manipulates/blackmails Graeme into marrying her for his title. Graeme loves another, Laura (remember that name) but duty calls and he does so with a lot of anger and resentment. He believes that Abigail was in on the blackmail/plot and leaves her on their wedding night and disappears.
Abigail has been a pawn in her fathers scheme's and poorly treated for years. She's a sweet but somewhat timid girl. When she meets Graeme he treat's her with respect and is courtesy, it gives her hope for their marriage. But on their wedding night she realizes that he only holds contempt for her and she's devastated when he storms out and leaves England. Heart broken Abigail returns to America.
Ten years later Abigail returns as a beautiful, confident and successful women. Their is something she wants from her husband and if he doesn't give it to her she wants a divorce. Graeme is still holding a torch for Laura the love of his youth. He is furious when he learns Abigail is back in England and wants her to return as he's been content living with her gone. During the ten years he's been discreet with his brothel visits and brief casual affairs. He want Abigail to return and not disrupt his life.
I loved Abigail in her strength and ability to love herself as well as fighting for what she wanted. Abigail's character had tremendous growth from a timid, insecure woman to a beautiful confident businesswoman who fought for what she aspired to and desired. Her bravery in confronting Graeme and not allowing him to demean or belittle her had me cheering. Now Graeme I struggled with as a character. At times I found redeeming qualities in him and plus his softening towards Abigail. But at other times I wanted to smack him silly. He seemed small and petty when he was blaming Abigail for her fathers sins and not being proactive in finding out the truth. His "love" for the other woman seems immature and shallow. His character grew but at a much slower pace and not to the glowing degree that Abigail's character grew. He eventually grew on me and I did come to like him at the half way point of the book.
Abigail reveals to Graeme she is 28, getting older and would like a baby. Graeme is shocked and yet begins to realize his wife has become a beautiful and appealing woman. He has a choice of either helping her father a child or get a divorce. Well as you can guess he finds that fathering a child with Abigail is not a hardship at all and feelings start playing into the equation.
There is a bit of a mystery in Abigail begins receiving secret letters when she returns to England that have clues to Graeme's father and his debt. The two also embark on uncovering the truth.
This was a well written historical romance that I found engaging with great pacing. The characters had depth and were appealing. As I stated at the beginning I was bothered by Graeme at times but he somewhat redeemed himself at one point.
So Laura is the heroine for the next book. And Graeme's cousin, James will be the hero. I was in love with James in this book and Laura seemed intriguing and sweet. So I'm really looking forward to the next book, Momentary Marriage.
Graeme Parr, Lord Montclair needs to marry to save his estate and cover his father's debts. Abigail Price is an American heiress who's father manipulates/blackmails Graeme into marrying her for his title. Graeme loves another, Laura (remember that name) but duty calls and he does so with a lot of anger and resentment. He believes that Abigail was in on the blackmail/plot and leaves her on their wedding night and disappears.
Abigail has been a pawn in her fathers scheme's and poorly treated for years. She's a sweet but somewhat timid girl. When she meets Graeme he treat's her with respect and is courtesy, it gives her hope for their marriage. But on their wedding night she realizes that he only holds contempt for her and she's devastated when he storms out and leaves England. Heart broken Abigail returns to America.
Ten years later Abigail returns as a beautiful, confident and successful women. Their is something she wants from her husband and if he doesn't give it to her she wants a divorce. Graeme is still holding a torch for Laura the love of his youth. He is furious when he learns Abigail is back in England and wants her to return as he's been content living with her gone. During the ten years he's been discreet with his brothel visits and brief casual affairs. He want Abigail to return and not disrupt his life.
I loved Abigail in her strength and ability to love herself as well as fighting for what she wanted. Abigail's character had tremendous growth from a timid, insecure woman to a beautiful confident businesswoman who fought for what she aspired to and desired. Her bravery in confronting Graeme and not allowing him to demean or belittle her had me cheering. Now Graeme I struggled with as a character. At times I found redeeming qualities in him and plus his softening towards Abigail. But at other times I wanted to smack him silly. He seemed small and petty when he was blaming Abigail for her fathers sins and not being proactive in finding out the truth. His "love" for the other woman seems immature and shallow. His character grew but at a much slower pace and not to the glowing degree that Abigail's character grew. He eventually grew on me and I did come to like him at the half way point of the book.
Abigail reveals to Graeme she is 28, getting older and would like a baby. Graeme is shocked and yet begins to realize his wife has become a beautiful and appealing woman. He has a choice of either helping her father a child or get a divorce. Well as you can guess he finds that fathering a child with Abigail is not a hardship at all and feelings start playing into the equation.
There is a bit of a mystery in Abigail begins receiving secret letters when she returns to England that have clues to Graeme's father and his debt. The two also embark on uncovering the truth.
This was a well written historical romance that I found engaging with great pacing. The characters had depth and were appealing. As I stated at the beginning I was bothered by Graeme at times but he somewhat redeemed himself at one point.
So Laura is the heroine for the next book. And Graeme's cousin, James will be the hero. I was in love with James in this book and Laura seemed intriguing and sweet. So I'm really looking forward to the next book, Momentary Marriage.
April 13, 2017
4.5 stars
A Perfect Gentleman combines two of my favourite tropes – an arranged marriage and a second-chance romance – so I had fairly high expectations of the book from the outset, and I’m pleased to report that, apart from a niggle about the secondary plotline, those expectations were met.
The novel opens with a prologue set ten years before the bulk of the story, just before the wedding night of Graeme and Abigail Parr, whose marriage has been arranged by their respective fathers, the Earl of Montclair and American industrialist, Thurston Price. Abigail knows her new husband doesn’t love her and that he has married her in order to gain sufficient funds to be able to save the family estate, but Graeme’s behaviour has always been courteous and gentlemanly towards her, and she hopes that in time, affection - perhaps even love – will grow between them. What she doesn’t know, however, is that Price has taken underhand steps to make sure his prospective son-in-law could not back out of the agreement, threatening to reveal damaging information about his father if he tried to wriggle off the hook. Backed into a corner and further angered by a thoughtless comment made by his new father-in-law, Graeme finally snaps, and, believing Abigail to be complicit in her father’s plots, accuses her of blackmail, informs her that he’s in love with someone else and walks out of their hotel room in a furious rage.
Devastated, Abigail packs up her things and heads back to New York, where she remains for the next ten years.
Even though he later regretted his outburst at his young bride, Graeme was not particularly disturbed by her high-tailing it back to America, even though he’s never completely understood why. He continues to support her financially, but is quite happy to live a kind of bachelor existence, although, of course, he cannot marry the woman he loves or sire an heir, meaning that his title – he has become Earl of Montclair in the intervening years – will pass out of the direct line. The last thing he expects to hear, then, is that his wife is in London and causing quite a stir; not only because of her return after such a long absence, but because she is much sought after and surrounded by attentive gentlemen wherever she goes. This doesn’t fit with Graeme’s remembrance of his bride as rather a mousy young woman, but when first he sees her again, he is forced to acknowledge that the intervening years have seen her transform into a vibrant beauty who captivates all around her. But he’s not especially pleased to see her, and is suspicious of her motives for coming to England after so many years of separation. Their initial meeting, at a ball, is cordial, but Abigail is not forthcoming as to the reasons for her presence until some days later, when she tells Graeme that she wants a baby. He refuses, horrified at the thought of sharing a child with a woman he still dislikes – although he admits to himself that he’s not exactly averse to taking part in the act that would create that child – until Abigail then asks him for a divorce so that she can remarry. Graeme is equally horrified at this prospect; he has striven to do the right thing and act in a gentlemanly manner all his life, and has no wish to incur the scandal that would follow a divorce. He and Abigail reach an agreement; they will live as man and wife until she conceives, and any child she has will be brought up in England.
To say the couple is enthusiastic about the act of procreation is an understatement; the crackling awareness of each other that has been evident since their first meeting after Abigail’s return ignites in the bedroom – and other places – leading to some nicely sensual scenes between them, while they are also coming to a greater understanding of each other and what has led them to this point. Ten years on, this is a couple that is wiser as well as older, and the fact that they actually talk things out is very refreshing in a genre in which misunderstandings and lack of communication are so often used as plot devices. Both Graeme and Abigail have to acknowledge and come to terms with past errors as they learn the truth about what prompted their marriage and separation; and this part of the story, where we get to watch them slowly fall in love is beautifully done.
The secondary plotline, which is a mystery in which it becomes gradually apparent that someone is out to harm Abigail, is less successful, however. The storyline itself is intriguing – concerning the secret Thurston Price had threatened to reveal about the late Earl – but the execution is somewhat clumsy, and while I didn’t guess as to the identity of the culprit until near the end, it was because that person was such an unlikely choice and the motive rather flimsy rather than any clever red herrings on the part of the author.
But don’t let that put you off; the mystery is most definitely a background element to the developing love story, which is front and centre throughout. Graeme and Abigail are attractive and engaging characters, and their romance has a definite ring of maturity about it, which I really appreciated. I came away from A Perfect Gentleman feeling optimistic about their future – and very much looking forward to Ms. Camp’s next book, which will feature Graeme’s somewhat enigmatic cousin, James de Vere.
A Perfect Gentleman combines two of my favourite tropes – an arranged marriage and a second-chance romance – so I had fairly high expectations of the book from the outset, and I’m pleased to report that, apart from a niggle about the secondary plotline, those expectations were met.
The novel opens with a prologue set ten years before the bulk of the story, just before the wedding night of Graeme and Abigail Parr, whose marriage has been arranged by their respective fathers, the Earl of Montclair and American industrialist, Thurston Price. Abigail knows her new husband doesn’t love her and that he has married her in order to gain sufficient funds to be able to save the family estate, but Graeme’s behaviour has always been courteous and gentlemanly towards her, and she hopes that in time, affection - perhaps even love – will grow between them. What she doesn’t know, however, is that Price has taken underhand steps to make sure his prospective son-in-law could not back out of the agreement, threatening to reveal damaging information about his father if he tried to wriggle off the hook. Backed into a corner and further angered by a thoughtless comment made by his new father-in-law, Graeme finally snaps, and, believing Abigail to be complicit in her father’s plots, accuses her of blackmail, informs her that he’s in love with someone else and walks out of their hotel room in a furious rage.
Devastated, Abigail packs up her things and heads back to New York, where she remains for the next ten years.
Even though he later regretted his outburst at his young bride, Graeme was not particularly disturbed by her high-tailing it back to America, even though he’s never completely understood why. He continues to support her financially, but is quite happy to live a kind of bachelor existence, although, of course, he cannot marry the woman he loves or sire an heir, meaning that his title – he has become Earl of Montclair in the intervening years – will pass out of the direct line. The last thing he expects to hear, then, is that his wife is in London and causing quite a stir; not only because of her return after such a long absence, but because she is much sought after and surrounded by attentive gentlemen wherever she goes. This doesn’t fit with Graeme’s remembrance of his bride as rather a mousy young woman, but when first he sees her again, he is forced to acknowledge that the intervening years have seen her transform into a vibrant beauty who captivates all around her. But he’s not especially pleased to see her, and is suspicious of her motives for coming to England after so many years of separation. Their initial meeting, at a ball, is cordial, but Abigail is not forthcoming as to the reasons for her presence until some days later, when she tells Graeme that she wants a baby. He refuses, horrified at the thought of sharing a child with a woman he still dislikes – although he admits to himself that he’s not exactly averse to taking part in the act that would create that child – until Abigail then asks him for a divorce so that she can remarry. Graeme is equally horrified at this prospect; he has striven to do the right thing and act in a gentlemanly manner all his life, and has no wish to incur the scandal that would follow a divorce. He and Abigail reach an agreement; they will live as man and wife until she conceives, and any child she has will be brought up in England.
To say the couple is enthusiastic about the act of procreation is an understatement; the crackling awareness of each other that has been evident since their first meeting after Abigail’s return ignites in the bedroom – and other places – leading to some nicely sensual scenes between them, while they are also coming to a greater understanding of each other and what has led them to this point. Ten years on, this is a couple that is wiser as well as older, and the fact that they actually talk things out is very refreshing in a genre in which misunderstandings and lack of communication are so often used as plot devices. Both Graeme and Abigail have to acknowledge and come to terms with past errors as they learn the truth about what prompted their marriage and separation; and this part of the story, where we get to watch them slowly fall in love is beautifully done.
The secondary plotline, which is a mystery in which it becomes gradually apparent that someone is out to harm Abigail, is less successful, however. The storyline itself is intriguing – concerning the secret Thurston Price had threatened to reveal about the late Earl – but the execution is somewhat clumsy, and while I didn’t guess as to the identity of the culprit until near the end, it was because that person was such an unlikely choice and the motive rather flimsy rather than any clever red herrings on the part of the author.
But don’t let that put you off; the mystery is most definitely a background element to the developing love story, which is front and centre throughout. Graeme and Abigail are attractive and engaging characters, and their romance has a definite ring of maturity about it, which I really appreciated. I came away from A Perfect Gentleman feeling optimistic about their future – and very much looking forward to Ms. Camp’s next book, which will feature Graeme’s somewhat enigmatic cousin, James de Vere.
March 28, 2017
A Perfect Gentleman ' A Perfect Gentleman' by Candace Camp is the story of Graeme and Abby. Ms. Camp is one of my favorite authors so as soon as I saw her name with this book I had to have it. So happy to say that this book did not disappoint! I could not put the book down so I ended up reading it until the early hours of the morning....still worth the book-hangover! Graeme and Abby story actually started about 10 years ago when they were married. Graeme was pretty much blackmailed in to marring Abby by her father. Abby knew her father was very controlling and a harsh business man but did not have a clue what her father was doing to Graeme. So right after the wedding Graeme made it clear that he did not want her nor is she every to hold his heart. That he is in love with someone else. Graeme also told her some of what her father had done. Graeme then walked out. Well Abby being a young 18 year old was heart broken and she up and left London. Abby headed back to NY to make a life for herself. Now 10 years later she is back in London and Graeme isn't happy about it. He at first tries to talk her into leaving and going back but it does not work. Abby has chanced a lot in physical and internal appears which has made it hard for Graeme to resist her. But when Abby starts to get notes telling her there is more going on to her marriage 10 years ago than she knows so goes forward to find out...which puts her in danger. Can Graeme get past his feeling he thought he had for Abby and move forward with the new feelings that are coming out? Can he help keep Abby safe when someone is out to hurt her? This was another great story by Ms. Camp!"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1... https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2H... https://twitter.com/soapsrus68https:/... https://www.tumblr.com/blog/romancebo...
March 26, 2017
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
Summary
Graema Parr, the Earl of Montclair, was forced to marry an American Heiress. Graeme believed at the time that his new bride was working with her father to force him into the marriage. What he didn't realize that Abigail was in her own sort of prison with her father, and marrying him was her escape and freedom. But Abigail learned in a very painful way that Graeme loved another woman but had little choice to marry her if he wanted to save the title, his family's name and any hope of survival for the future because of the loss of his fathers investments. But after a horridly painful truth that Graeme informed her of, she fled to America, all of her hopes dashes on that night. Now Abigail has returned to England. Wanting to move on with her life and have the family she has always dreamed. As Graeme and Abigail muddle through and discover the truths of the past together they also discovered a endearing love for each other...
The Hero
Graeme has had to make some tough decisions in his life. Graeme was once pretty close to his father, and respected him highly even if there were certain things he didn't approve of. But Graeme's relationship with his father really struggled when he learned about the loss of money and then Graeme was blackmailed by Abigail's father into marriage and to let the woman he truly cared for to let go. Graeme was a hero I wanted to like but there were times I really want to slap him. Especially in the beginning, with how hateful he is toward Abigail who was an innocent bystander of all the manipulation. But I began to soften toward him, especially with the way he is when Abigail returns and they begin anew with each other. What I did like about him was how realistic his character is in many ways, he makes mistakes but he also tries his hardest to improve and be a better human being.
The Heroine
Abigail I just loved from the very beginning of the story. We see her at a young age, much in love and admiration of her new husband until he breaks her heart. Then we see her years later, more self assured and confident. I love her personality, and how more carefree she is in this one. She doesn't let other influences keep her from being happy and going after her dream of being a mother. I really respected her attitude and she is such a likable heroine. From the beginning, you know you are going to like her. She does have some faults though. She tends to jump to conclusions and is a bit stubborn toward the end, but I do like seeing a character that you like but you can also see their vulnerabilities as well.
Plot and Story Line
A Perfect Gentleman is a beautiful and tender romance that will keep you fascinated from page one. I honestly didn't want to put this one down. The writing was typicl Candace Camp....compelling and sweeps you off your feet. I honestly didn't want to put this one down. Now Camp's books have always been able to do this for me. I always know that I can be in for a quick and stunning ride. And this book was no disappointment. I will warn you that it does in some way involve a love triangle but not in the way you expect. Graeme fell in love when he was a young man, but because of what happened with his father he had little choice but to marry for funds to save the title and the family name and had to give up the girl he once loved. Now its years later, and he and his wife reconcile. As they do and go on a mystery hunt to discover the truth about what really happened with his father. I really loved seeing Graeme and Abigail learn each other and explore, and solve this mystery together. There is such a flirtation dialogue that exists between them that is enchanting
"I've a bit of experience with feminine items."
"So you have," Abby stepped closer, settling her hands on either side of his waist.
"Yes," He brushed his lips across her cheek "And they're a damned nuisance."
"Hmm." Abby slid her hand up the front of his waistcoat. "One can only wonder why you continue to deal with them, then."
"Because..." He nipped playfully at the lobe of her ear "The prize is well worth the trouble."
It really brings a certain intimacy between them that is stunning. And one of my favorite side characters is Laura. Laura happens to be the woman that Graeme once loved years previous. And she does get involved in the story toward the end here. But we also discover that everything is not as it seems. I really liked her character so much (and I believe she is the heroine in book 2!) She is kind and likable and the type of woman you want to be your friend. She looks out for Abigail and I don't think she has one mean bone in her body.
The truth is, I want it all---marriage, children...and most of all you."
The Cover
This is such a pretty cover...I just love her pink dress and I love the whole "dancing" set up they have going on. There is such a joyful and romantic feel to it.
Overall View
A Perfect Gentleman is a romantic tale that leads us on a merry chase of a mystery...delving into past emotions and discovering new depths and layers....brilliant and charming!
Summary
Graema Parr, the Earl of Montclair, was forced to marry an American Heiress. Graeme believed at the time that his new bride was working with her father to force him into the marriage. What he didn't realize that Abigail was in her own sort of prison with her father, and marrying him was her escape and freedom. But Abigail learned in a very painful way that Graeme loved another woman but had little choice to marry her if he wanted to save the title, his family's name and any hope of survival for the future because of the loss of his fathers investments. But after a horridly painful truth that Graeme informed her of, she fled to America, all of her hopes dashes on that night. Now Abigail has returned to England. Wanting to move on with her life and have the family she has always dreamed. As Graeme and Abigail muddle through and discover the truths of the past together they also discovered a endearing love for each other...
The Hero
Graeme has had to make some tough decisions in his life. Graeme was once pretty close to his father, and respected him highly even if there were certain things he didn't approve of. But Graeme's relationship with his father really struggled when he learned about the loss of money and then Graeme was blackmailed by Abigail's father into marriage and to let the woman he truly cared for to let go. Graeme was a hero I wanted to like but there were times I really want to slap him. Especially in the beginning, with how hateful he is toward Abigail who was an innocent bystander of all the manipulation. But I began to soften toward him, especially with the way he is when Abigail returns and they begin anew with each other. What I did like about him was how realistic his character is in many ways, he makes mistakes but he also tries his hardest to improve and be a better human being.
The Heroine
Abigail I just loved from the very beginning of the story. We see her at a young age, much in love and admiration of her new husband until he breaks her heart. Then we see her years later, more self assured and confident. I love her personality, and how more carefree she is in this one. She doesn't let other influences keep her from being happy and going after her dream of being a mother. I really respected her attitude and she is such a likable heroine. From the beginning, you know you are going to like her. She does have some faults though. She tends to jump to conclusions and is a bit stubborn toward the end, but I do like seeing a character that you like but you can also see their vulnerabilities as well.
Plot and Story Line
A Perfect Gentleman is a beautiful and tender romance that will keep you fascinated from page one. I honestly didn't want to put this one down. The writing was typicl Candace Camp....compelling and sweeps you off your feet. I honestly didn't want to put this one down. Now Camp's books have always been able to do this for me. I always know that I can be in for a quick and stunning ride. And this book was no disappointment. I will warn you that it does in some way involve a love triangle but not in the way you expect. Graeme fell in love when he was a young man, but because of what happened with his father he had little choice but to marry for funds to save the title and the family name and had to give up the girl he once loved. Now its years later, and he and his wife reconcile. As they do and go on a mystery hunt to discover the truth about what really happened with his father. I really loved seeing Graeme and Abigail learn each other and explore, and solve this mystery together. There is such a flirtation dialogue that exists between them that is enchanting
"I've a bit of experience with feminine items."
"So you have," Abby stepped closer, settling her hands on either side of his waist.
"Yes," He brushed his lips across her cheek "And they're a damned nuisance."
"Hmm." Abby slid her hand up the front of his waistcoat. "One can only wonder why you continue to deal with them, then."
"Because..." He nipped playfully at the lobe of her ear "The prize is well worth the trouble."
It really brings a certain intimacy between them that is stunning. And one of my favorite side characters is Laura. Laura happens to be the woman that Graeme once loved years previous. And she does get involved in the story toward the end here. But we also discover that everything is not as it seems. I really liked her character so much (and I believe she is the heroine in book 2!) She is kind and likable and the type of woman you want to be your friend. She looks out for Abigail and I don't think she has one mean bone in her body.
The truth is, I want it all---marriage, children...and most of all you."
The Cover
This is such a pretty cover...I just love her pink dress and I love the whole "dancing" set up they have going on. There is such a joyful and romantic feel to it.
Overall View
A Perfect Gentleman is a romantic tale that leads us on a merry chase of a mystery...delving into past emotions and discovering new depths and layers....brilliant and charming!
April 4, 2023
“I am my own woman, and I’m happy to be so. Proud. I don’t need a husband. And I don’t need your apology.”
Graeme set the glass of brandy down on the table with a thud. “Well, you have it, anyway. You also have a husband.”
I've never masked my love for the estranged married couple trope in historical romance books and I'm glad this one delivered. A misunderstood heroine and a hero who seems cold and calculating at first but is in fact just a huge pathetic idiot (affectionate) i love idiot heroes even though he got on my nerves sometimes it was just endearing. And i loved Abigail yes i wanted her to stand up some times but i think that lies in the fact that she is written to be a kind and generous character and she is my little meow meow.
March 19, 2022
A second chance romance where the hero was such an idiot that I was cheering when someone told some truths on his face and moreover, punched him! I am not inclined to violence but it was so satisfying to have him punched!
This story was very heavy on seduction and I was just a bit bored about the lack of communication.
I actually was surprised when I realized that I already read the second book and they are both great reads with a mystery on the mix. I believe I like the second book a tad bit more, but both are super nice.
One point less because I just can't with idiot heroes. He was so clueless that it bordered on idiotic.
This story was very heavy on seduction and I was just a bit bored about the lack of communication.
I actually was surprised when I realized that I already read the second book and they are both great reads with a mystery on the mix. I believe I like the second book a tad bit more, but both are super nice.
One point less because I just can't with idiot heroes. He was so clueless that it bordered on idiotic.
August 15, 2017
The plot was entertaining, and the secondary characters added some interesting dimension. However, the hero was a sniveling, selfish, childish, pr#$%. The heroine should have run far away, or into the arms of the "OM", who (IMHO) was the real hero.
April 4, 2022
3/25/22
3.5 stars Pretty good!
The story begins when Graeme is forced to marry Abgail after her father blackmails his family. On their wedding night, he tells her he'll never consummate the marriage and that he's in love with another woman. Then the jacka** leaves her at the hotel door. A heartbroken Abigail runs away.
Now, ten years later, Abigail has returned to England. She's changed herself from a shy little girl to the toast of New York society. An angry Graeme returns to London to confront his estranged wife. He would never guess her real reason for returning. She wants a child. Someone she can love. Graeme seeing the beautiful woman his wife has become eventually gives in to her request. Though, he did resist her for awhile before caving in.
Problem is is that someone is trying to blackmail Abgail. When she goes to pay him, he is shot before he can tell her any information. Soon the couple discovers that Graeme's father might not be responsible for the theft of the missing money all those years ago. The couple begin to bond together while trying to solve the mystery. But a villian will stop at nothing to end their search.
I must say that Abigail was fantastic! I love her confidence and that she doesn't conform to society. She's strong, clever, and resourceful. Her only weakness is Graeme. After all these years, she still loves him.
Graeme was harder to like for me. He's honorable but a bit of a prig. In the beginning, he was annoyingly self-righteous. He was so sure that Abigail was a participant in her father's blackmail scheme. Therefore, she wasn't to be trusted. Once the couple reunited, I started to like him.
Positives:
1. The mystery was fun even if it was predictable.
2. I liked how the romance slowly developed
3. The sex scenes were pretty steamy
4. I enjoyed Abigail's humorous interactions with Graeme's grandmother.
5. Well written and good character development
Negatives:
1. The miscommunication between the couple got old
2. Why 10 years? That's a long a** time to wait for a married couple to get back together. Was 5 years too soon?
All in all. This was a good entertaining book!
3.5 stars Pretty good!
The story begins when Graeme is forced to marry Abgail after her father blackmails his family. On their wedding night, he tells her he'll never consummate the marriage and that he's in love with another woman. Then the jacka** leaves her at the hotel door. A heartbroken Abigail runs away.
Now, ten years later, Abigail has returned to England. She's changed herself from a shy little girl to the toast of New York society. An angry Graeme returns to London to confront his estranged wife. He would never guess her real reason for returning. She wants a child. Someone she can love. Graeme seeing the beautiful woman his wife has become eventually gives in to her request. Though, he did resist her for awhile before caving in.
Problem is is that someone is trying to blackmail Abgail. When she goes to pay him, he is shot before he can tell her any information. Soon the couple discovers that Graeme's father might not be responsible for the theft of the missing money all those years ago. The couple begin to bond together while trying to solve the mystery. But a villian will stop at nothing to end their search.
I must say that Abigail was fantastic! I love her confidence and that she doesn't conform to society. She's strong, clever, and resourceful. Her only weakness is Graeme. After all these years, she still loves him.
Graeme was harder to like for me. He's honorable but a bit of a prig. In the beginning, he was annoyingly self-righteous. He was so sure that Abigail was a participant in her father's blackmail scheme. Therefore, she wasn't to be trusted. Once the couple reunited, I started to like him.
Positives:
1. The mystery was fun even if it was predictable.
2. I liked how the romance slowly developed
3. The sex scenes were pretty steamy
4. I enjoyed Abigail's humorous interactions with Graeme's grandmother.
5. Well written and good character development
Negatives:
1. The miscommunication between the couple got old
2. Why 10 years? That's a long a** time to wait for a married couple to get back together. Was 5 years too soon?
All in all. This was a good entertaining book!
April 3, 2017
copy received for review consideration
This book was a surprise in many ways. Having read one short story and one novel from the author, I thought I knew what to expect. However, Candace Camp has written a winner with a great change of direction.
Usually in historical romance novels the authors follow a typical outline that includes the proper attitude and required stiff upper lip, a fight or disagreement, the realization of attraction, a lot of anticipation, and maybe one or two steamy scenes. This book was a complete change of pace that was appreciated and highly entertaining.
The author brought us a married couple who had never lived together and were basically strangers. The ensuing story did include some of the typical features, but the added marriage aspect allowed for a lot more heat and passion between the two characters.
With some trust building to be developed, the two had many struggles to overcome. Can they trust each other and learn the history of their fathers along with accepting their developing feelings for each other?
The author has brought us a strong and heated story that is not the typical historical romance in many ways. A fabulous read with a plethora of the romance we love and not a whole lot of angst, which I hate! A Perfect Gentleman by Candace Camp is a delightful read that will change they way you feel about historical romance regency novels. Love this – 5 star review from me!
Full review - http://amidlifewife.com/a-perfect-gen...
This book was a surprise in many ways. Having read one short story and one novel from the author, I thought I knew what to expect. However, Candace Camp has written a winner with a great change of direction.
Usually in historical romance novels the authors follow a typical outline that includes the proper attitude and required stiff upper lip, a fight or disagreement, the realization of attraction, a lot of anticipation, and maybe one or two steamy scenes. This book was a complete change of pace that was appreciated and highly entertaining.
The author brought us a married couple who had never lived together and were basically strangers. The ensuing story did include some of the typical features, but the added marriage aspect allowed for a lot more heat and passion between the two characters.
With some trust building to be developed, the two had many struggles to overcome. Can they trust each other and learn the history of their fathers along with accepting their developing feelings for each other?
The author has brought us a strong and heated story that is not the typical historical romance in many ways. A fabulous read with a plethora of the romance we love and not a whole lot of angst, which I hate! A Perfect Gentleman by Candace Camp is a delightful read that will change they way you feel about historical romance regency novels. Love this – 5 star review from me!
Full review - http://amidlifewife.com/a-perfect-gen...
July 22, 2019
The mystery irritated me, the characters were good, and the dialogue was ok. I will read this author again. (Because overall sweet, likeable characters)
This has been a snapshot review by Sam.
This has been a snapshot review by Sam.
March 4, 2022
This was a delightful story. Arranged marriage that never really even gets started. The American wife runs to her homeland after her English husband snubs her on their wedding night. He fills forced into their union and he refuses to play any further into the scenario. So he is cruel to her and she flees.
Now it's ten years later and Abby is an elegant and beautiful lady. She is back in London and she is ready to become a mother. So it's time to seduce her husband. He is a bit stunned by this new creature before him and though resistant at first, he sees sense in creating an heir with her and they enter into a dalliance to make a baby. Which ends up being more fun than they could have expected.
As truths from the past start to come to light, they must try to stay together and not let the hurts of their history ruin their future.
I really enjoyed this marriage in trouble, second chance romance. It was so lovely watching them fall in love. They were so into each other and I loved it.
It was also very sensual and I loved that too.
Side note, I listened to the audio for this one. The narration got a little aggressive for me at parts and there was often where the narrator seemed to be yelling too often... it was a pit off putting at time.
4.5 Stars
3 on the spice scale. (Lots of good sex scenes, but the words used were a bit flowery. Still very romantic though.)
Now it's ten years later and Abby is an elegant and beautiful lady. She is back in London and she is ready to become a mother. So it's time to seduce her husband. He is a bit stunned by this new creature before him and though resistant at first, he sees sense in creating an heir with her and they enter into a dalliance to make a baby. Which ends up being more fun than they could have expected.
As truths from the past start to come to light, they must try to stay together and not let the hurts of their history ruin their future.
I really enjoyed this marriage in trouble, second chance romance. It was so lovely watching them fall in love. They were so into each other and I loved it.
It was also very sensual and I loved that too.
Side note, I listened to the audio for this one. The narration got a little aggressive for me at parts and there was often where the narrator seemed to be yelling too often... it was a pit off putting at time.
4.5 Stars
3 on the spice scale. (Lots of good sex scenes, but the words used were a bit flowery. Still very romantic though.)
March 5, 2017
4.5/5. Love to see Candace Camp back to form - brilliant blend of humour and a little bit of angst when she is at her best. This book is about one of my favourite tropes, the reunion of a married couple after many years of estrangement. Ten years in the case of American heiress, Abigail Price, and the Earl of Montclair, Graeme Parr. Ten years following the arranged marriage between the young and impressionable Abigail and the coerced and angry Lord Montclair, who was both blackmailed and forced to wed to save his estate and in doing so, he relinquished his future with the woman he loved. Their wedding night was a non-event, whereupon he left their honeymoon suite followed by her leaving England altogether. Now Abigail is back, more confident, more beautiful, and completely self-sufficient in all ways, except one. She needs him to give her the one missing thing in her life, a child, and so she proposes an arrangement.
He cleared his throat. “But don’t you think that this is, ah, a trifle . . . cold-blooded?” “Yes, it is, isn’t it?” Abby gave him a bright smile. “I believe I’m getting the hang of being a noblewoman.”
“I understand that it may be . . . difficult for you to perform your, um, duty. Since you love another woman, I mean.” A dull flush reddened his cheeks. “I realize that you find me an object of ridicule.” “Nonsense. I find it admirable, rather, that you have stayed true to your love these many years. Not many men would have remained celibate all this time.” He shifted uncomfortably, and Abby pressed her point. “Most men would have found . . . other outlets, shall we say?” “This is hardly a fit topic of conversation.” His color deepened. She ignored his words. “A willing widow, say, or, perhaps a business arrangement. Yet you—” “You know bloody good and well I didn’t—” he burst out. “I mean, of course there were—I did sometimes avail myself of, um . . .” He faltered to a stop. “Prostitutes?” Abigail suggested brightly. “Yes!” he snapped. “So you have had other women despite your love for the woman you could not have.” “It’s been ten years!” he ground out. “What the devil would you expect me to do?” “I expected precisely that. I was merely pointing out that you have in the past—” “Blast it, that was different! I wasn’t—it was just business.” “Perhaps you could pay me, then, and that would make it all right.” He slammed the glass down on the table. “This conversation is absurd.”
I love Abigail and her endearing mix of vivaciousness, forthrightness, quick wit, and secret frailty. I love her deliberate bluntness and plain speaking designed to upset his attempts to maintain conversation at an acceptable refined and subtle level expected of English nobility. He never stood a chance.
It was no coincidence that she was also an American; there was something decidedly bellicose about those people. Worse, they seemed to have an extraordinary ability to turn him into someone who was just as mad as they were.
He was a reasonable man. An even-tempered, polite sort ruled by logic and duty and practicality. He was not unemotional. He felt everything from love to pity to despair and hatred, but not to such excess . . . and not all at the same time! Yet there he had been, pawing her like some lecher, kissing her as if he would consume her—and, Lord, but he had wanted to do exactly that. He wanted to be inside her, over her, around her, driving into her with all the desperation in his soul. Her, of all people—a woman whom he held in contempt. A woman whom he never wanted to see again. Yet he could not get her out of his mind.
Graeme, yes the stubborn man, took while to remove the blinkers off his eyes. However, I do love that he is inherently decent, although, sometimes he has a rather twisted sense of right and wrong, but he lives by this code. The author wrote him as this somewhat confused man, wanting to do the right thing, but not sure what the right thing was and there were plenty of people around him, happy to point him in the correct direction, taking pleasure in his discomfort at the same time.
The supporting characters are great. The Graeme's grandmother and his cousin, James, in particular are fleshy characters who contribute to many great verbal exchanges. James provides the voice of reason albeit in his dry, humorous and brutally upfront way. Can't wait for his and Laura's story, another troubled marriage.
Thank you to NetGalley for the wonderful opportunity to read this ARC. The opinion is unbiased and my own.
He cleared his throat. “But don’t you think that this is, ah, a trifle . . . cold-blooded?” “Yes, it is, isn’t it?” Abby gave him a bright smile. “I believe I’m getting the hang of being a noblewoman.”
“I understand that it may be . . . difficult for you to perform your, um, duty. Since you love another woman, I mean.” A dull flush reddened his cheeks. “I realize that you find me an object of ridicule.” “Nonsense. I find it admirable, rather, that you have stayed true to your love these many years. Not many men would have remained celibate all this time.” He shifted uncomfortably, and Abby pressed her point. “Most men would have found . . . other outlets, shall we say?” “This is hardly a fit topic of conversation.” His color deepened. She ignored his words. “A willing widow, say, or, perhaps a business arrangement. Yet you—” “You know bloody good and well I didn’t—” he burst out. “I mean, of course there were—I did sometimes avail myself of, um . . .” He faltered to a stop. “Prostitutes?” Abigail suggested brightly. “Yes!” he snapped. “So you have had other women despite your love for the woman you could not have.” “It’s been ten years!” he ground out. “What the devil would you expect me to do?” “I expected precisely that. I was merely pointing out that you have in the past—” “Blast it, that was different! I wasn’t—it was just business.” “Perhaps you could pay me, then, and that would make it all right.” He slammed the glass down on the table. “This conversation is absurd.”
I love Abigail and her endearing mix of vivaciousness, forthrightness, quick wit, and secret frailty. I love her deliberate bluntness and plain speaking designed to upset his attempts to maintain conversation at an acceptable refined and subtle level expected of English nobility. He never stood a chance.
It was no coincidence that she was also an American; there was something decidedly bellicose about those people. Worse, they seemed to have an extraordinary ability to turn him into someone who was just as mad as they were.
He was a reasonable man. An even-tempered, polite sort ruled by logic and duty and practicality. He was not unemotional. He felt everything from love to pity to despair and hatred, but not to such excess . . . and not all at the same time! Yet there he had been, pawing her like some lecher, kissing her as if he would consume her—and, Lord, but he had wanted to do exactly that. He wanted to be inside her, over her, around her, driving into her with all the desperation in his soul. Her, of all people—a woman whom he held in contempt. A woman whom he never wanted to see again. Yet he could not get her out of his mind.
Graeme, yes the stubborn man, took while to remove the blinkers off his eyes. However, I do love that he is inherently decent, although, sometimes he has a rather twisted sense of right and wrong, but he lives by this code. The author wrote him as this somewhat confused man, wanting to do the right thing, but not sure what the right thing was and there were plenty of people around him, happy to point him in the correct direction, taking pleasure in his discomfort at the same time.
The supporting characters are great. The Graeme's grandmother and his cousin, James, in particular are fleshy characters who contribute to many great verbal exchanges. James provides the voice of reason albeit in his dry, humorous and brutally upfront way. Can't wait for his and Laura's story, another troubled marriage.
Thank you to NetGalley for the wonderful opportunity to read this ARC. The opinion is unbiased and my own.
October 4, 2019
2.5 stars.
Our hero was a stuffed shirt and I just couldn’t warm to his hypocritical arse.
Abigail marries him under an arrangement organised by their parents. He storms off in a snit on wedding night, because he is a big man-child who throws a tantrum at being forced to do something he doesn't want to. He is too "woe is me, it's everybody else's fault" and self-absorbed to actually talk about the whole thing with his wife and find out how she feels about it all. Narcissistic behaviour, anyone?
Abigail bails and goes to America for many years, where she becomes a wealthy and successful business woman in her own right. Many years later she returns, because she wants a child and her husband is required for this. In the meantime, hubby has been having a lovely, adulterous sex-life while she has remained pure. So much for the successful, independent gal.
The hero wasn’t an evil person, but he badly needed to grow the hell up. If this had been set in the 21st century, she would have cut him loose years before.
I really wish she had.
Our hero was a stuffed shirt and I just couldn’t warm to his hypocritical arse.
Abigail marries him under an arrangement organised by their parents. He storms off in a snit on wedding night, because he is a big man-child who throws a tantrum at being forced to do something he doesn't want to. He is too "woe is me, it's everybody else's fault" and self-absorbed to actually talk about the whole thing with his wife and find out how she feels about it all. Narcissistic behaviour, anyone?
Abigail bails and goes to America for many years, where she becomes a wealthy and successful business woman in her own right. Many years later she returns, because she wants a child and her husband is required for this. In the meantime, hubby has been having a lovely, adulterous sex-life while she has remained pure. So much for the successful, independent gal.
The hero wasn’t an evil person, but he badly needed to grow the hell up. If this had been set in the 21st century, she would have cut him loose years before.
I really wish she had.
June 28, 2024
Review from 2018
I've given this a B for both narration and content at AudioGals.
I enjoyed A Perfect Gentleman in print when it came out last year, so I was pleased to learn it was to be issued in audio format. I was also pleased to see Gildart Jackson – who I last listened to in Caroline Linden’s The Truth About the Duke trilogy back in 2014 (where did that time go?!) – returning to the genre, and given that the novel combines two of my favourite tropes – an arranged marriage and a second-chance romance – I was looking forward to experiencing it again in audio.
The book opens with a short prologue set just after the marriage of Graeme Parr, eldest son and heir to the Earl of Montclair, and Abigail, daughter of the wealthy American industrialist Thurston Price. Abigail knows her new husband doesn’t love her and that he has married her principally for the dowry he plans to use to restore his family fortune and estate, but Graeme’s manner towards her has always been kind and gentlemanly, and she hopes that affection – perhaps even love – will eventually grow between them. So when, on their wedding night he accuses her of deception and of trapping him into marriage, all the while knowing he loves someone else, Abigail is devastated. She has no idea what Graeme is talking about and can only watch in shock as he storms out of their hotel room.
Ten years later, it’s Graeme’s turn to be shocked when he learns of his wife’s return to London following a decade spent back at home in New York. Even more infuriatingly, it seems that his errant countess is causing quite a stir in London society – and not just because she has been absent for a decade. She is highly sought after and surrounded by admirers wherever she goes, which doesn’t fit with Graeme’s recollection of the rather mousy, drab young woman he married. He doesn’t want anything to do with her, but he needs to know why she’s returned to England and knows he can’t put off meeting her forever. When Graeme finally sees Abigail for the first time since their wedding, he understands why she is so much admired; the intervening years have seen her grow into a vibrant, confident and captivating woman whom even he –with very good reason to dislike her – is attracted to. Their initial meeting is cordial, but Graeme is still unable to see Abigail as anything other than her father’s daughter; manipulative, deceitful and complicit in the scheme by which Thurston Price blackmailed Graeme into the marriage (a fact of which Abigail had been – and still is – unaware).
After leaving London on her wedding night, Abigail travelled to Europe before going home to America, where she proceeded to make life for herself independently of her father and his continual scheming. Ten years later, Abigail has realised there is something missing from her life – and tells Graeme that she wants a child. He’s stunned by her matter-of-fact request and horrified at the thought of sharing a child with a woman he dislikes – even though the baser part of him recognises he’s not averse to taking part in the activity required to actually make a baby! He refuses – until Abby points out to him that he needs a legitimate heir, and that at present she’s his only means of obtaining one. When Graeme continues to baulk, she asks for a divorce – which brings him up short. All his life, he has striven to do the right thing and has no wish to besmirch his family name with the scandal a divorce would bring, so he and Abigail reach an agreement. They will live as man and wife until she conceives, and their child will be brought up in England.
While establishing the grounds for the couple’s coming together after ten years apart, the author also sets in motion a secondary plotline that concerns Graeme’s search for information relating to the charity for invalid soldiers that his father set up and maintained until his death – which was also the subject of the blackmail Thurston Price had used to make sure that Graeme went through with his marriage to Abigail. Ms. Camp weaves the two plot-threads together quite nicely, although the execution of the mystery leaves something to be desired and the villain’s motivations are somewhat flimsy. The strongest part of the book is undoubtedly the gradual rapprochement between the estranged spouses, who quickly establish their compatibility in bed (and lots of other places!) as they very enthusiastically embrace the task of procreation. Their physical discovery of each other paves the way for the development of a greater intimacy between them, and the way they come to a greater understanding of each other and what has led them to this point is very well done.
Gildart Jackson could read me a moment-by-moment description of the process of paint drying and I’d listen to him quite happily – he’s got that sort of rich, dark and velvety voice a friend of mine describes as the auditory equivalent of melted chocolate, so there’s no question it’s very easy on the ear. His performance here is generally good, although there are a few weaknesses that prevented me from awarding a higher grade. Narrative and dialogue are well paced and clearly enunciated , and his character differentiation is, on the whole, effective, although there are a few places his portrayal of Graeme slips into a different register and he sounds a little too similar to James, who is the other principal male character in the story. This doesn’t happen often though, and for the most part, the two men are easy to tell apart. Mr. Jackson’s female voices are not quite so successful, however, and this is something I recall mentioning in my earlier reviews of his work. His portrayal of Abby starts well; he opts to differentiate via timbre rather than pitch, giving her a soft, husky tone that, together with a slight American accent, creates an image of an attractive, confident woman who is a little more mature (she’s twenty-eight) than the average heroine in an historical romance. The trouble is that both timbre and accent are inconsistent; sometimes the accent disappears, sometimes the timbre becomes harsher, so that I occasionally had to rely on dialogue tags or think hard about who must be speaking when Abby was in conversation, usually with Graeme, but at times, with someone else. Inconsistency is also an issue with the portrayal of Abby’s maid, Molly. The text explicitly states that she’s Scottish, but her accent veers back and forth across the Irish Sea, sometimes within the space of a single sentence! For the vast majority of the time though, the narration was strong enough for me to be able to, if not ignore, then at least bear with, its flaws, and to put it on the ‘win’ side of the equation in the end.
A Perfect Gentleman is an entertaining second-chance romance in which the protagonists – most refreshingly – generally communicate well and work together to solve their problems. There’s a bit of eleventh-hour drama when their wires become crossed, and the resolution of the mystery is weak, but there’s still much to like in terms of the story. And although Mr. Jackson’s narration is somewhat uneven in places, I enjoyed it overall and am looking forward to listening to A Momentary Marriage in the near future.
I've given this a B for both narration and content at AudioGals.
I enjoyed A Perfect Gentleman in print when it came out last year, so I was pleased to learn it was to be issued in audio format. I was also pleased to see Gildart Jackson – who I last listened to in Caroline Linden’s The Truth About the Duke trilogy back in 2014 (where did that time go?!) – returning to the genre, and given that the novel combines two of my favourite tropes – an arranged marriage and a second-chance romance – I was looking forward to experiencing it again in audio.
The book opens with a short prologue set just after the marriage of Graeme Parr, eldest son and heir to the Earl of Montclair, and Abigail, daughter of the wealthy American industrialist Thurston Price. Abigail knows her new husband doesn’t love her and that he has married her principally for the dowry he plans to use to restore his family fortune and estate, but Graeme’s manner towards her has always been kind and gentlemanly, and she hopes that affection – perhaps even love – will eventually grow between them. So when, on their wedding night he accuses her of deception and of trapping him into marriage, all the while knowing he loves someone else, Abigail is devastated. She has no idea what Graeme is talking about and can only watch in shock as he storms out of their hotel room.
Ten years later, it’s Graeme’s turn to be shocked when he learns of his wife’s return to London following a decade spent back at home in New York. Even more infuriatingly, it seems that his errant countess is causing quite a stir in London society – and not just because she has been absent for a decade. She is highly sought after and surrounded by admirers wherever she goes, which doesn’t fit with Graeme’s recollection of the rather mousy, drab young woman he married. He doesn’t want anything to do with her, but he needs to know why she’s returned to England and knows he can’t put off meeting her forever. When Graeme finally sees Abigail for the first time since their wedding, he understands why she is so much admired; the intervening years have seen her grow into a vibrant, confident and captivating woman whom even he –with very good reason to dislike her – is attracted to. Their initial meeting is cordial, but Graeme is still unable to see Abigail as anything other than her father’s daughter; manipulative, deceitful and complicit in the scheme by which Thurston Price blackmailed Graeme into the marriage (a fact of which Abigail had been – and still is – unaware).
After leaving London on her wedding night, Abigail travelled to Europe before going home to America, where she proceeded to make life for herself independently of her father and his continual scheming. Ten years later, Abigail has realised there is something missing from her life – and tells Graeme that she wants a child. He’s stunned by her matter-of-fact request and horrified at the thought of sharing a child with a woman he dislikes – even though the baser part of him recognises he’s not averse to taking part in the activity required to actually make a baby! He refuses – until Abby points out to him that he needs a legitimate heir, and that at present she’s his only means of obtaining one. When Graeme continues to baulk, she asks for a divorce – which brings him up short. All his life, he has striven to do the right thing and has no wish to besmirch his family name with the scandal a divorce would bring, so he and Abigail reach an agreement. They will live as man and wife until she conceives, and their child will be brought up in England.
While establishing the grounds for the couple’s coming together after ten years apart, the author also sets in motion a secondary plotline that concerns Graeme’s search for information relating to the charity for invalid soldiers that his father set up and maintained until his death – which was also the subject of the blackmail Thurston Price had used to make sure that Graeme went through with his marriage to Abigail. Ms. Camp weaves the two plot-threads together quite nicely, although the execution of the mystery leaves something to be desired and the villain’s motivations are somewhat flimsy. The strongest part of the book is undoubtedly the gradual rapprochement between the estranged spouses, who quickly establish their compatibility in bed (and lots of other places!) as they very enthusiastically embrace the task of procreation. Their physical discovery of each other paves the way for the development of a greater intimacy between them, and the way they come to a greater understanding of each other and what has led them to this point is very well done.
Gildart Jackson could read me a moment-by-moment description of the process of paint drying and I’d listen to him quite happily – he’s got that sort of rich, dark and velvety voice a friend of mine describes as the auditory equivalent of melted chocolate, so there’s no question it’s very easy on the ear. His performance here is generally good, although there are a few weaknesses that prevented me from awarding a higher grade. Narrative and dialogue are well paced and clearly enunciated , and his character differentiation is, on the whole, effective, although there are a few places his portrayal of Graeme slips into a different register and he sounds a little too similar to James, who is the other principal male character in the story. This doesn’t happen often though, and for the most part, the two men are easy to tell apart. Mr. Jackson’s female voices are not quite so successful, however, and this is something I recall mentioning in my earlier reviews of his work. His portrayal of Abby starts well; he opts to differentiate via timbre rather than pitch, giving her a soft, husky tone that, together with a slight American accent, creates an image of an attractive, confident woman who is a little more mature (she’s twenty-eight) than the average heroine in an historical romance. The trouble is that both timbre and accent are inconsistent; sometimes the accent disappears, sometimes the timbre becomes harsher, so that I occasionally had to rely on dialogue tags or think hard about who must be speaking when Abby was in conversation, usually with Graeme, but at times, with someone else. Inconsistency is also an issue with the portrayal of Abby’s maid, Molly. The text explicitly states that she’s Scottish, but her accent veers back and forth across the Irish Sea, sometimes within the space of a single sentence! For the vast majority of the time though, the narration was strong enough for me to be able to, if not ignore, then at least bear with, its flaws, and to put it on the ‘win’ side of the equation in the end.
A Perfect Gentleman is an entertaining second-chance romance in which the protagonists – most refreshingly – generally communicate well and work together to solve their problems. There’s a bit of eleventh-hour drama when their wires become crossed, and the resolution of the mystery is weak, but there’s still much to like in terms of the story. And although Mr. Jackson’s narration is somewhat uneven in places, I enjoyed it overall and am looking forward to listening to A Momentary Marriage in the near future.
April 4, 2017
Oh how these second chance romances get me all giddy when they are done right, and trust me, Candace Camp's A PERFECT GENTLEMAN, is done so right.
Finding out on your wedding day that your new husband has no intention of really having you as a true wife and on top of that, insulting you with snide remarks would assuredly have you running from said husband. Such is the case with American heiress Abigail Price, who had stars in her eyes when she stood at the alter marrying Graeme Parr, Earl of Montclair, whose family is in dun territory and has need of Abigail's money. The very young Abigail, eager to get away from under her oppressing father's thumb was all too willing to start her new life with her handsome new husband when Greame's words cut her to the core and have her flee back to America.
Saved by his wife's money, Graeme continues on his merry may, basking in the almost single life for a few years, until word reaches him that his wife has returned to English shores. Now it SEEMS that the earl has been enjoying his continued bachelorhood, but that's the fun of it, has he really enjoyed it?
Abigail Parr is not the same girl who ran away from her husband. This grown up Abigail Parr is a force to be reckoned with and her husband, the earl, had better stand up, or get out of the way. Oh, and there is so much more to the tale that Graeme needed to save his family from debt. As the reader delves into the story the plot thickens with deceit as well as greed. Now years later, it's like Abigail and Graeme actually see each other for the first time, but will all that will be discovered be for the best? Read this book to find out, silly!
March 16, 2017
Full review to come. I quite enjoyed this book. There seems to be a trend with (murder) mysteries in regency romance these days, and plot-wise this one could have used more fleshing out, but ultimately the characters were real, lovely, and self-conscious about their own faults, which was a nice touch. Candace Camp has been a hit-or-miss for me, so I'm pleased to say this was a decently good read.
August 7, 2017
3.5
It was my favourite kind of plot. Writing was perfect. Start chapters raised my hope so much but then it all come down. Why?...because
'10 years' is such a long time! Even after all this time Hero hates her, he still love the other girl. Reading that fact realy makes me wonder who will be the heroine. He is such a weak & bitter character.
Heroine was love in start. The sassy attitude and courage..even I agree with her decision. But she still love that idiot man...oh just why.
Will check other books by this author.
It was my favourite kind of plot. Writing was perfect. Start chapters raised my hope so much but then it all come down. Why?...because
'10 years' is such a long time! Even after all this time Hero hates her, he still love the other girl. Reading that fact realy makes me wonder who will be the heroine. He is such a weak & bitter character.
Heroine was love in start. The sassy attitude and courage..even I agree with her decision. But she still love that idiot man...oh just why.
Will check other books by this author.
August 26, 2018
3.5 stars
First time reading a book by this author and I really enjoyed her style.
The heroine was smart and savvy. However the hero was the weak link and prevented this from being a solid 4 star read. He was superficial and was only interested in spending time with his estranged wife because she turned out to be beautiful. He was also a coward, and did not pursue his wife until other men pointed out to him that he was being an idiot.
I look forward to the second installment. It's about Graeme's first finance, Laura, and his cousin, James. I can't wait to find out how those two fall in love.
First time reading a book by this author and I really enjoyed her style.
The heroine was smart and savvy. However the hero was the weak link and prevented this from being a solid 4 star read. He was superficial and was only interested in spending time with his estranged wife because she turned out to be beautiful. He was also a coward, and did not pursue his wife until other men pointed out to him that he was being an idiot.
I look forward to the second installment. It's about Graeme's first finance, Laura, and his cousin, James. I can't wait to find out how those two fall in love.
February 15, 2021
This was a very nice book. I liked the characters, the setting, and the plot. It did not, however, have the depth that I have come to prefer in HR.
Gildart Jackson narrated, and he is quite good. He is a bit weak on female characters, but his males are simply delicious.
I enjoyed the book, but I'm not likely to listen again.
Gildart Jackson narrated, and he is quite good. He is a bit weak on female characters, but his males are simply delicious.
I enjoyed the book, but I'm not likely to listen again.
April 24, 2020
Nope. Not even gonna try reading this. Already hella annoyed by the bratty male from the preview and first chapter. He’s an immature narcissist. I’m done.
April 15, 2018
I liked the beginning. It's hard not to feel sorry for an18 year old bride who is totally rejected on her wedding night by a snooty groom who tells her that he married her for money but he is in love with someone else. Plus he doesn't like her or her father and he is never going to sleep with her. Ever. She packs up and leaves the next day. She goes back to New York and becomes a social butterfly. How she goes from shy and mousy to the toast of New York is never explained. Nor why her big bad powerful father doesn't ask for his money back from Lord unobleman. Failing that he could have bounced him on his head a few times.
Ten years pass. TEN YEARS. She is back in town. She has inevitably emerged as a beautiful and well dressed butterfly. He meets her at a ball and gets to insult her all over again. He is suspicious as to why she is in London. She tells him. She wants to have his baby. WHAT? Why, why why? Somebody please explain this to me. She even tells him that she is an American. She can get a divorce in America. Probably even an annulment since they have never consummated. Maybe she'll divorce him on adultery since he has already admitted to sleeping all over England. He's not against sex. He's just against sex with her. She'll have to talk it over with her lawyers. That's right she has lawyers. She is filthy rich. But does she call the lawyers. Nope. She calls in a prostitute to take lessons on how to seduce him. Sadly it works.
There is a mystery interwoven. It's not Agatha Christie caliber but it wasn't badly written. If Dumb Dora heroines and an "it's all about me " hero are your thing you can add a star.
Ten years pass. TEN YEARS. She is back in town. She has inevitably emerged as a beautiful and well dressed butterfly. He meets her at a ball and gets to insult her all over again. He is suspicious as to why she is in London. She tells him. She wants to have his baby. WHAT? Why, why why? Somebody please explain this to me. She even tells him that she is an American. She can get a divorce in America. Probably even an annulment since they have never consummated. Maybe she'll divorce him on adultery since he has already admitted to sleeping all over England. He's not against sex. He's just against sex with her. She'll have to talk it over with her lawyers. That's right she has lawyers. She is filthy rich. But does she call the lawyers. Nope. She calls in a prostitute to take lessons on how to seduce him. Sadly it works.
There is a mystery interwoven. It's not Agatha Christie caliber but it wasn't badly written. If Dumb Dora heroines and an "it's all about me " hero are your thing you can add a star.
April 3, 2017
4.5 helms
Please follow me on my blog :) Review originally posted on Vellum Voyages (www.vellumvoyages.com)
I did not want this to end! From start to finish I was enthralled by the characters and their situations and the book just kept getting better and better! Not only is the main relationship between the H/h really well-developed, the subplot of solving a family mystery is also well done and the tentative love triangles tied up quite neatly. Candace Camp manages to make everything come together even though I had my doubts on how she would manage this while making the reader happy too.
What I first noticed as soon as I started reading was Ms. Camp’s vocabulary usage. It was just excellent! I don’t know why her choice of words made me take notice so much, but I did and in turn loved her prose and writing style too.
Our hero Graeme Parr, Earl of Montclair is a paragon of perfection and does the utmost to not bring scandal or shame upon his family. Thus, this is why his marriage has remained intact for ten years despite his bride, Abigail Price, running off on their wedding night and living in New York for the entirety of their marriage. This suited Graeme perfectly, as he was forced into marrying Abigail by her father and he only wanted a marriage of convenience with her. Abigail Price was a shy, naive young girl when she married Graeme Parr and she thought all her dreams had come true with her marriage. But being scorned by Graeme on her wedding night was not something she expected and she flees to New York to carve a new life for herself. Ten years later, Abigail is back in London with her bold American ways, creating a stir, charming the upper echelons of London and rousing old ghosts about the Parr family. Gone is the shy, mousy girl Graeme remembers but in her stead, an enchanting sophisticated woman remains, befuddling and challenging Graeme every step of the way. Why is she back? What does she have to gain after all these years?
How is it possible to love ALL the characters in this book?! My fondness for the characters doesn’t just stop at Graeme and Abigail but extends to Abigail’s, fiercely protective friend David Prescott and her maid, Molly too! Oh yeah, let’s not forget Graeme’s loyal and straightforward cousin, James and Graeme’s past love Laura. Even Graeme’s mother, aunt and grandmother were memorable! They each made their own impression on me and they all had their own distinct personalities and parts to play in the novel. I loved Abigail! What a strong woman! Her character really shone through and she was a delight to read about. With Graeme, I was just ready to hate him, for how callously he treated Abigail but, Ms.Camp really does redeem him in our eyes. We really get to understand Graeme and his reasons behind his actions. He has faults and he doesn’t hide behind them, but learns from his mistakes and really does genuinely redeem himself. Now those love triangles! Well I never thought I would like the ex, but Laura Hinsdale is just too darn lovable! We read more about her and James in the upcoming book. Yay!
Absolutely loved this book! I want to re-read this again! The loss of half a star was because some of the prose was noticeably modern at times and three-quarters of the way in, there were a few misunderstandings happening one after the other so it felt a bit rushed. But seriously such minor foibles can be overlooked when the whole book is so so satisfying!
*Thank-you Candace Camp, Netgalley & Pocket Books for the ARC.
April 6, 2017
2,5 stars? it seems the only book I'll truly like by this author will be A winter Scandal.
This one was so full of missunderstandings from the very beginning that I just wanted to shake them both and tell them to TALK TO EACH OTHER, DAMMIT! So much could've been resolved if they had actually talked to each other instead of assuming things *sigh*
This one was so full of missunderstandings from the very beginning that I just wanted to shake them both and tell them to TALK TO EACH OTHER, DAMMIT! So much could've been resolved if they had actually talked to each other instead of assuming things *sigh*
June 19, 2017
3-3.5 stars
Well! Let's just say this had so many of my favourite tropes in one book!!! Did it work? Kinda...it kind of did and it kind of didn't.
I loved their characters and their dynamic at the start. I also liked how strong Abigail and how she stuck to her guns. I also liked Graeme's hesitancy and then later yearning for such a wonderful woman.
ANGST.
This book had angst in spades. I have this thing called phantom heartbreak syndrome or PHS where I legit feel pains in my chest when I come across a heartbreaking situation and I..well..I revel in it. I felt PHS many times in this book and their growth as a couple was just pure awesome sauce.
Why only 3-3.5 stars? That's easy. This book was too neat. The conflict was tied up in a nice bow and even their relationship was too perfect by the end and for me that was not at all how it should have gone. For a couple who was separated for 10 years and hated each other for the whole duration of that time and then fell in love soon after reuniting was kind of a hard pill to swallow. It didn't make sense and I just didn't buy it. I also didn't buy the "villain."
I wanted more but I was thoroughly impressed by this author.
Well! Let's just say this had so many of my favourite tropes in one book!!! Did it work? Kinda...it kind of did and it kind of didn't.
I loved their characters and their dynamic at the start. I also liked how strong Abigail and how she stuck to her guns. I also liked Graeme's hesitancy and then later yearning for such a wonderful woman.
ANGST.
This book had angst in spades. I have this thing called phantom heartbreak syndrome or PHS where I legit feel pains in my chest when I come across a heartbreaking situation and I..well..I revel in it. I felt PHS many times in this book and their growth as a couple was just pure awesome sauce.
Why only 3-3.5 stars? That's easy. This book was too neat. The conflict was tied up in a nice bow and even their relationship was too perfect by the end and for me that was not at all how it should have gone. For a couple who was separated for 10 years and hated each other for the whole duration of that time and then fell in love soon after reuniting was kind of a hard pill to swallow. It didn't make sense and I just didn't buy it. I also didn't buy the "villain."
I wanted more but I was thoroughly impressed by this author.
February 11, 2023
This was not for me, it had too many plot devices I don't care for: forced marriage, bitter betrayal, extortion, attempted murder and worst of all the "big misunderstanding". A decade of estrangement is also far too long for me to find believable for a reconciliation and when we find the reason for the heroine's return, it was so predictable. I would've not been surprised at all had there been a "secret baby" or a "mustache twirling villain", the villain that is so obvious and cliche and the "showdown" and it's aftermath so ridiculous with much left unexplained. There should of been a meeting of the family to discuss the events and outcome, but there was only sex and a "birth epilogue" which I loathe. Ms. Camp has written some very fine romances with fabulous heroines whom are beautiful, intelligent and independent, the heroine in this book lacked sense and that is something I cannot forgive. The hero was a spoiled child for most of the story, but that is pretty standard in most romances, but I never warmed to him. One last thing why in hell do historical authors give the name Abigail to heroines?
February 26, 2018
I really enjoyed the romance aspect of this book, watching the hero start to fall for the heroine that he had despised of the past 10 years. The heroine was a very likeable character to root for, the secondary characters were well written as well. I unfortunately lost interest about right in the middle of the book though. It seemed to me that the love story was all solved and tidied up mid-way, and then the book transitioned into a mystery to solve a murder and an embezzlement issue. I am not much of a murder mystery type of gal, and Goodreads has informed me that I am 4 books behind in my schedule.... so on to my next book!
May 4, 2018
4.5 stars, teetering on rounding up or down.
March 21, 2017
t has been awhile since I have read a Candace Camp Romance and I cannot think of a reason why I stopped. This is a marvelous book and she is an amazing author. Her stories are intricate and compelling. This is a full length novel that will keep you reading late into the night. This book is a must read. Candace is a master at writing a complex plot that has mystery, conflict and always a wonderful resolution. She leads you to the villain by subtle clues that will left me guessing until I was 3/4 through the book.
Graeme Parr, Earl of Montclair is forced to marry an American heiress and give up the woman that he loved. Abigail Price agrees to marry Graeme to escape from her domineering father and finally find some happiness. She knows that Graeme doesn't love her but he is polite, respectful and handsome. Abigail does not know that Graeme is being blackmailed by her father, but Graeme thinks that she does and abandons her on their wedding night. Abigail doesn't know why Graeme hates her so she returns to America and makes a life for herself without her husband.
Now it is ten years later and Abigail has returned to England to try to reconcile with Graeme. She wants a child and hopes Graeme will cooperate. Graeme has always thought that Abigail knew what her father did to him and wants nothing to do with her. He does not trust her but he is a Gentleman and he will protect her because she is still is his wife. To make things more complicated someone is trying to kill Abigail and she is now living with Graeme. They mutually decide to reconcile to provide a baby for Abigail and an heir to the title. The desire is fiery and addictive, they can't seem to keep their hands off each other. Can they let the past stay in the past and make a life together? Love is in the air!!
Received a complimentary copy for an honest review.
Graeme Parr, Earl of Montclair is forced to marry an American heiress and give up the woman that he loved. Abigail Price agrees to marry Graeme to escape from her domineering father and finally find some happiness. She knows that Graeme doesn't love her but he is polite, respectful and handsome. Abigail does not know that Graeme is being blackmailed by her father, but Graeme thinks that she does and abandons her on their wedding night. Abigail doesn't know why Graeme hates her so she returns to America and makes a life for herself without her husband.
Now it is ten years later and Abigail has returned to England to try to reconcile with Graeme. She wants a child and hopes Graeme will cooperate. Graeme has always thought that Abigail knew what her father did to him and wants nothing to do with her. He does not trust her but he is a Gentleman and he will protect her because she is still is his wife. To make things more complicated someone is trying to kill Abigail and she is now living with Graeme. They mutually decide to reconcile to provide a baby for Abigail and an heir to the title. The desire is fiery and addictive, they can't seem to keep their hands off each other. Can they let the past stay in the past and make a life together? Love is in the air!!
Received a complimentary copy for an honest review.
April 5, 2020
well, obviously I'm in the minority here.. (though it seems to be how it always is) . I barely got through this book. I felt the heroine was a total doormat. The hero was also childish. I spent the majority of the book hoping the heroine would end up with her friend "David". Quick synopsis: Possible spoilers ahead......
The heroine and hero marry because her father basically blackmails the hero to marry the heroine unbeknownst to the heroine. The hero is in love with another women whom he can't marry because they are basically both poor.The hero confronts the heroine directly after the wedding, tells her they will live apart and that he loves another. The hero comes back the next morning to apologize for being rude, but she has already flown the coop.
They don't see each other again until years later when she comes to England because she wants a baby. The entire book basically centers around her trying to win back this loser so she could get pregnant, even though she tells him divorce in America is easy. (so why not marry the other guy and get pregnant? makes no sense. ) of course there is a villain that is tied to the blackmail, but honestly I felt the plot line was weak. The hero basically worships his lost love from afar the majority of the book and there seemed to be little to no romance.
Maybe I am just despondent with these books because I have just read a really good historical.
The heroine and hero marry because her father basically blackmails the hero to marry the heroine unbeknownst to the heroine. The hero is in love with another women whom he can't marry because they are basically both poor.The hero confronts the heroine directly after the wedding, tells her they will live apart and that he loves another. The hero comes back the next morning to apologize for being rude, but she has already flown the coop.
They don't see each other again until years later when she comes to England because she wants a baby. The entire book basically centers around her trying to win back this loser so she could get pregnant, even though she tells him divorce in America is easy. (so why not marry the other guy and get pregnant? makes no sense. ) of course there is a villain that is tied to the blackmail, but honestly I felt the plot line was weak. The hero basically worships his lost love from afar the majority of the book and there seemed to be little to no romance.
Maybe I am just despondent with these books because I have just read a really good historical.
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