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Rescued from Ruin #7
Anything but a Gentleman
A spinster hatches a plan (with a smattering of blackmail)
Miss Augusta Widmore has no time for proprieties. She must force her sister’s ne’er-do-well betrothed to the altar with all haste—or watch her sister bear the scandalous consequences. But with the blackguard resisting his duty, she needs leverage. And only one man can provide it.
A giant holds all the cards (or so he thinks)
Sebastian Reaver has no time for presumptuous women. He has a club to run. So, when a perfect nuisance invades his office, demands a fortune in markers, and refuses to leave until he relinquishes them to her, he knows just the thing to send her scurrying back to Hampshire: Exact a price this prim country spinster would never agree to pay.
A fiery battle begins (with both sides playing for keeps)
Ordinarily, Augusta would never agree to become the mistress of a notorious club owner—whether he’s a lowborn ruffian or the wealthiest man in London or the most intriguing, ill-tempered giant she’s ever encountered … or all three. Calling his bluff raises the stakes (and the heat), but retreat will mean ruin for Augusta. Now, Sebastian wants her total surrender, and he has a few tricks up his sleeve—soul-stealing kisses, unexpected honor, and electrifying persuasion for the woman he never saw coming.
Miss Augusta Widmore has no time for proprieties. She must force her sister’s ne’er-do-well betrothed to the altar with all haste—or watch her sister bear the scandalous consequences. But with the blackguard resisting his duty, she needs leverage. And only one man can provide it.
A giant holds all the cards (or so he thinks)
Sebastian Reaver has no time for presumptuous women. He has a club to run. So, when a perfect nuisance invades his office, demands a fortune in markers, and refuses to leave until he relinquishes them to her, he knows just the thing to send her scurrying back to Hampshire: Exact a price this prim country spinster would never agree to pay.
A fiery battle begins (with both sides playing for keeps)
Ordinarily, Augusta would never agree to become the mistress of a notorious club owner—whether he’s a lowborn ruffian or the wealthiest man in London or the most intriguing, ill-tempered giant she’s ever encountered … or all three. Calling his bluff raises the stakes (and the heat), but retreat will mean ruin for Augusta. Now, Sebastian wants her total surrender, and he has a few tricks up his sleeve—soul-stealing kisses, unexpected honor, and electrifying persuasion for the woman he never saw coming.
274 pages, ebook
First published December 29, 2017
646 people are currently reading
1301 people want to read
About the author
Elisa Braden
25 books1,750 followersReading romance novels came easily to Elisa Braden. Writing them? That took a little longer. After graduating with degrees in creative writing and history, Elisa spent too many years in “real” jobs writing T-shirt copy ... and other people’s resumes ... and articles about giftware displays. But that was before she woke up and started dreaming about the very unreal job of being a romance novelist. Better late than never.
Elisa lives in the Pacific Northwest, where you're constitutionally required to like the colors green and gray. Good thing she does. Other items on the "like" list include cute dogs, strong coffee, and epic movies. Of course, her favorite thing of all is hearing from readers who love her characters as much as she does.
If you're one of those, get in touch on Facebook (@authorelisabraden), visit her website (www.elisabraden.com), and - most importantly - be the first to hear about new releases, price specials, and awesome free bonuses by signing up for her email newsletter (bit.ly/ElisaNewsletter). It's easy, quick, and FREE.
Elisa lives in the Pacific Northwest, where you're constitutionally required to like the colors green and gray. Good thing she does. Other items on the "like" list include cute dogs, strong coffee, and epic movies. Of course, her favorite thing of all is hearing from readers who love her characters as much as she does.
If you're one of those, get in touch on Facebook (@authorelisabraden), visit her website (www.elisabraden.com), and - most importantly - be the first to hear about new releases, price specials, and awesome free bonuses by signing up for her email newsletter (bit.ly/ElisaNewsletter). It's easy, quick, and FREE.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 346 reviews
December 10, 2023
Note: Some of my goodreads shelves can be spoilers
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Humor: A bit
Perspective: Third person from Reaver (main hero), Augusta (main heroine), and Augusta’s sister, Phoebe (secondary heroine) – there may have also been a bit from Shaw (the secondary hero)
When mains are first on page together: I didn’t mark it but think it was pretty soon in
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes
Format: listened to audiobook from library (Hoopla)
(Descriptions found at end of my review)
Should I read in order?
Ideally, yes. There are quite a few characters from prior books. If you don’t mind that it might be okay to pick up alone. Reaver has some page time in the prior book. There is quite a bit of mention of other characters though, and to get into those other characters stories, you really have to start at the beginning 😄
Basic plot:
Augusta is out of options – she simply MUST secure her sister’s ‘betrothed’s’ markers from the gaming club to assist in some heavy persuasion. But to get those markers she must make a deal with Reaver...
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency (1819)
- tall heroine but taller hero (Augusta is several inches taller than average height but Reaver is a foot taller than her – he can barely squeeze himself into carriages)
- bargain – Augusta wants a man’s gambling markers from Reaver’s club – Reaver says he’ll give them to her if she becomes his mistress for 6 weeks
- bespectacled hero
- celibate hero
- medium steam – there’s 4 scenes but it feels slower because 3 of them are after 80%
Ages: (for main couple)
- Heroine is 28, didn’t catch hero but would guess mid 30s?
First line:
“I’ll keep it, the whole lot.”
My thoughts:
I started out REALLY loving this one. I adored the premise (I mean, telling someone they need to be your mistress in exchange for what you want is right up my alley), I loved the characters and plot. But...I wasn’t expecting a secondary romance. And with this series, I wasn’t quite sure for awhile if it was a secondary romance or a preview of the relationship dynamic of the next book…
Personally I’m not a big fan of secondary romances. I don’t like being pulled away from the main couple. I am usually left wanting more from both stories. And I kind of felt that here, though I individually loved both relationships. I think both deserved a full book and they would have been amazing. Especially with Shaw’s background.
I really loved all 4 characters here, so I think if you don’t mind, or prefer, secondary romance plots, this will really work for you. There was a lot of sweetness in both relationships. I felt like there was a lot of protectiveness and romantic things (like how Reaver carried around a special license for 3 weeks because HE KNEW) so I really enjoyed that aspect of it.
I guess about halfway through (maybe when it started giving more time to Shaw and Phoebe) my interest started to dwindle a bit and I wasn’t as excited to pick up the book and finish it. By the end, I was basically ready for it to be over. So, I did like it, but I didn’t love it.
Endearments
Not really endearments but nicknames...
Quotes/spoiler-y thoughts:Any mistakes/typos are my own
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes: I was bad with noting which couple was which...I THINK all the steam was for Augusta Reaver except one scene between Shaw and Phoebe
Extra stuff like what my review breakdown means, where to find me, and book clubs
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Humor: A bit
Perspective: Third person from Reaver (main hero), Augusta (main heroine), and Augusta’s sister, Phoebe (secondary heroine) – there may have also been a bit from Shaw (the secondary hero)
When mains are first on page together: I didn’t mark it but think it was pretty soon in
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes
Format: listened to audiobook from library (Hoopla)
(Descriptions found at end of my review)
Should I read in order?
Ideally, yes. There are quite a few characters from prior books. If you don’t mind that it might be okay to pick up alone. Reaver has some page time in the prior book. There is quite a bit of mention of other characters though, and to get into those other characters stories, you really have to start at the beginning 😄
Basic plot:
Augusta is out of options – she simply MUST secure her sister’s ‘betrothed’s’ markers from the gaming club to assist in some heavy persuasion. But to get those markers she must make a deal with Reaver...
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency (1819)
- tall heroine but taller hero (Augusta is several inches taller than average height but Reaver is a foot taller than her – he can barely squeeze himself into carriages)
- bargain – Augusta wants a man’s gambling markers from Reaver’s club – Reaver says he’ll give them to her if she becomes his mistress for 6 weeks
- bespectacled hero
- celibate hero
- medium steam – there’s 4 scenes but it feels slower because 3 of them are after 80%
Ages: (for main couple)
- Heroine is 28, didn’t catch hero but would guess mid 30s?
First line:
“I’ll keep it, the whole lot.”
My thoughts:
I started out REALLY loving this one. I adored the premise (I mean, telling someone they need to be your mistress in exchange for what you want is right up my alley), I loved the characters and plot. But...I wasn’t expecting a secondary romance. And with this series, I wasn’t quite sure for awhile if it was a secondary romance or a preview of the relationship dynamic of the next book…
Personally I’m not a big fan of secondary romances. I don’t like being pulled away from the main couple. I am usually left wanting more from both stories. And I kind of felt that here, though I individually loved both relationships. I think both deserved a full book and they would have been amazing. Especially with Shaw’s background.
I really loved all 4 characters here, so I think if you don’t mind, or prefer, secondary romance plots, this will really work for you. There was a lot of sweetness in both relationships. I felt like there was a lot of protectiveness and romantic things (like how Reaver carried around a special license for 3 weeks because HE KNEW) so I really enjoyed that aspect of it.
I guess about halfway through (maybe when it started giving more time to Shaw and Phoebe) my interest started to dwindle a bit and I wasn’t as excited to pick up the book and finish it. By the end, I was basically ready for it to be over. So, I did like it, but I didn’t love it.
Endearments
Not really endearments but nicknames...
Quotes/spoiler-y thoughts:Any mistakes/typos are my own
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes: I was bad with noting which couple was which...I THINK all the steam was for Augusta Reaver except one scene between Shaw and Phoebe
Extra stuff like what my review breakdown means, where to find me, and book clubs
March 2, 2018
I've given this a B- at AAR, so that's 3.5 stars rounded up.
In Elisa Braden’s Anything but a Gentleman, readers are treated (finally) to Sebastian Reaver’s story, which sees the gruff, brooding giant of a man meet his match in the form of a woman who refuses to be cowed by either his size or his manner. Sebastian – the owner of one of London’s most popular and exclusive gaming clubs – is a self-made man who doesn’t suffer fools gladly, and prefers to turn a deaf ear to the matchmaking attempts of his friends and the advice from the redoubtable dowager Lady Wallingham (his aunt) whose letters he mostly ignores. In a previous book, Sebastian, who had believed himself to be a lowborn ruffian or some nobleman’s by-blow, discovered he was in fact Elijah Kilbrenner and heir presumptive to his (distant) cousin James Kilbrenner, Earl of Tannenbrook. Sebastian has no interest in being an heir, an earl or in getting married so he can start producing babies; Tannenbrook and his wife are young and sure to fill their nursery with strapping boys, and besides, Sebastian likes his life just the way it is. Even if he has been feeling a little restless recently.
Augusta Widmore has repeatedly requested an appointment with Sebastian and repeatedly been refused. But she is undeterred and instead, resorts to sneaking into the club (with the aid of a street urchin who distracts the doorman) and making her way to his office. She can’t take no for an answer if she’s to save her sister Phoebe from ruination; she needs to obtain the markers (for gambling debts) signed by Lord Glassington in order to force him to do the right thing by Phoebe, who is pregnant with his child. Sebastian holds those markers, and Augusta is willing to do anything in order to obtain them – but she can’t tell him why she needs them and risk her sister’s already shaky reputation. When Sebastian catches Augusta sneaking into the club a second time, he’s annoyed and angry and hits upon an idea to get rid of her once and for all. Assuming Augusta wants to force Glassington into marriage herself, Sebastian makes an outrageous demand; he’ll allow her to make use of the markers if she’ll be his mistress for six weeks. Of course, he’s bluffing. Augusta is clearly a respectable female who will naturally be horrified at such a disgraceful suggestion and will run away screaming - but Sebastian has reckoned without Augusta’s determination or deep love for her sister and is stunned when she agrees to his proposition.
Now his bluff has been called, Sebastian can’t back down, so he installs Augusta in the almost empty town house he owns but never spends time in, intending to leave her to her own devices. The few times they’ve met, Augusta’s luscious, Junoesque figure and her willingness to stand up to him have him thoroughly fascinated, but he believes she is angling to marry Glassington; and besides, Sebastian is married to his business and has no desire for a wife. Or so he tells himself. Until he doesn’t.
Augusta is similarly intrigued by Sebastian and when, after a few days of their agreement, he shows no sign of doing… well, the things men are supposed to do with their mistresses, she is miffed to say the least. It’s not just that they struck a bargain and she’s not being allowed to uphold her part of it – she finds Sebastian attractive and as she comes to know the compassionate, loyal and honourable man that lies beneath the forbidding exterior, realises that she is falling for him and wants to be his in truth.
Ms. Braden writes an entertaining story and peoples it with likeable characters. Sebastian and Augusta each give as good as they get when it comes to the verbal sparring, and they have strong chemistry, but on the downside, they fall for each other quickly and most of their romance consists of Sebastian thinking Augusta wants another man and Augusta wondering why Sebastian is so keen to keep away from her. Now, I haven’t read all the previous books, but I believe Sebastian has been painted as a dangerous, ruthless giant of a man who makes others quake in their boots by the merest raise of an eyebrow. Here, however, he’s a pussy cat. A big pussy cat, it’s true, but a pussy cat nonetheless. He growls and scowls at Augusta, he throws her over his shoulder and out of the club – but it’s all bluster, and while I understand the appeal of the ‘big bad’ falling completely for his heroine, I found it impossible to believe Sebastian was so feared by all.
The biggest problem with the book though, is the weakness of its premise. Augusta has been like a mother to Phoebe since they were children, and has spent her entire life trying to ensure her sister’s happiness and comfort, even in their straitened circumstances. On the one hand this is admirable – siblings should look out for one another and it’s natural that the older sister should want to take care of the younger. But for all that, Augusta somehow forgot to tell Phoebe about the birds and the bees or warn her that lifting her skirts for the guy before he’d put a ring on it wasn’t the best idea. Phoebe’s pregnancy drives the whole story, and the author then compounds an already weak plotline by drawing it out for too long and having Sebastian find out the truth – that Augusta wants to force Glassington to marry Phoebe (and not her) – from someone other than Augusta herself. However, I did quite like the way the author shows us that what one may believe is the best for someone does not always equate with what they want for themselves. Augusta is so blinkered that she is prepared to force a marriage between her sister and a man who obviously doesn’t want her, and it’s not until fairly late in the book, that Phoebe finally grows a backbone and asserts her own wants and desires. Those desires involve Sebastian’s Anglo-Indian business partner, Adam Shaw, and in fact, I often found the secondary romance in the book to be more interesting than the primary one. Ms. Braden makes no bones about the sort of prejudice Shaw faces, or that he and Phoebe and their children are likely to face in future – and I rather wish he had got book to himself.
I’m going to give Anything but a Gentleman a cautious recommendation, as I’m sure that fans who have been waiting for Sebastian’s book will enjoy it, and it’s an easy, readable story featuring attractive characters. Ms. Braden writes with warmth and intelligence, the relationships are well-drawn and the dialogue is witty – I just wish the premise had been stronger and the misunderstandings between the hero and heroine hadn’t been so flimsy and drawn-out.
In Elisa Braden’s Anything but a Gentleman, readers are treated (finally) to Sebastian Reaver’s story, which sees the gruff, brooding giant of a man meet his match in the form of a woman who refuses to be cowed by either his size or his manner. Sebastian – the owner of one of London’s most popular and exclusive gaming clubs – is a self-made man who doesn’t suffer fools gladly, and prefers to turn a deaf ear to the matchmaking attempts of his friends and the advice from the redoubtable dowager Lady Wallingham (his aunt) whose letters he mostly ignores. In a previous book, Sebastian, who had believed himself to be a lowborn ruffian or some nobleman’s by-blow, discovered he was in fact Elijah Kilbrenner and heir presumptive to his (distant) cousin James Kilbrenner, Earl of Tannenbrook. Sebastian has no interest in being an heir, an earl or in getting married so he can start producing babies; Tannenbrook and his wife are young and sure to fill their nursery with strapping boys, and besides, Sebastian likes his life just the way it is. Even if he has been feeling a little restless recently.
Augusta Widmore has repeatedly requested an appointment with Sebastian and repeatedly been refused. But she is undeterred and instead, resorts to sneaking into the club (with the aid of a street urchin who distracts the doorman) and making her way to his office. She can’t take no for an answer if she’s to save her sister Phoebe from ruination; she needs to obtain the markers (for gambling debts) signed by Lord Glassington in order to force him to do the right thing by Phoebe, who is pregnant with his child. Sebastian holds those markers, and Augusta is willing to do anything in order to obtain them – but she can’t tell him why she needs them and risk her sister’s already shaky reputation. When Sebastian catches Augusta sneaking into the club a second time, he’s annoyed and angry and hits upon an idea to get rid of her once and for all. Assuming Augusta wants to force Glassington into marriage herself, Sebastian makes an outrageous demand; he’ll allow her to make use of the markers if she’ll be his mistress for six weeks. Of course, he’s bluffing. Augusta is clearly a respectable female who will naturally be horrified at such a disgraceful suggestion and will run away screaming - but Sebastian has reckoned without Augusta’s determination or deep love for her sister and is stunned when she agrees to his proposition.
Now his bluff has been called, Sebastian can’t back down, so he installs Augusta in the almost empty town house he owns but never spends time in, intending to leave her to her own devices. The few times they’ve met, Augusta’s luscious, Junoesque figure and her willingness to stand up to him have him thoroughly fascinated, but he believes she is angling to marry Glassington; and besides, Sebastian is married to his business and has no desire for a wife. Or so he tells himself. Until he doesn’t.
Augusta is similarly intrigued by Sebastian and when, after a few days of their agreement, he shows no sign of doing… well, the things men are supposed to do with their mistresses, she is miffed to say the least. It’s not just that they struck a bargain and she’s not being allowed to uphold her part of it – she finds Sebastian attractive and as she comes to know the compassionate, loyal and honourable man that lies beneath the forbidding exterior, realises that she is falling for him and wants to be his in truth.
Ms. Braden writes an entertaining story and peoples it with likeable characters. Sebastian and Augusta each give as good as they get when it comes to the verbal sparring, and they have strong chemistry, but on the downside, they fall for each other quickly and most of their romance consists of Sebastian thinking Augusta wants another man and Augusta wondering why Sebastian is so keen to keep away from her. Now, I haven’t read all the previous books, but I believe Sebastian has been painted as a dangerous, ruthless giant of a man who makes others quake in their boots by the merest raise of an eyebrow. Here, however, he’s a pussy cat. A big pussy cat, it’s true, but a pussy cat nonetheless. He growls and scowls at Augusta, he throws her over his shoulder and out of the club – but it’s all bluster, and while I understand the appeal of the ‘big bad’ falling completely for his heroine, I found it impossible to believe Sebastian was so feared by all.
The biggest problem with the book though, is the weakness of its premise. Augusta has been like a mother to Phoebe since they were children, and has spent her entire life trying to ensure her sister’s happiness and comfort, even in their straitened circumstances. On the one hand this is admirable – siblings should look out for one another and it’s natural that the older sister should want to take care of the younger. But for all that, Augusta somehow forgot to tell Phoebe about the birds and the bees or warn her that lifting her skirts for the guy before he’d put a ring on it wasn’t the best idea. Phoebe’s pregnancy drives the whole story, and the author then compounds an already weak plotline by drawing it out for too long and having Sebastian find out the truth – that Augusta wants to force Glassington to marry Phoebe (and not her) – from someone other than Augusta herself. However, I did quite like the way the author shows us that what one may believe is the best for someone does not always equate with what they want for themselves. Augusta is so blinkered that she is prepared to force a marriage between her sister and a man who obviously doesn’t want her, and it’s not until fairly late in the book, that Phoebe finally grows a backbone and asserts her own wants and desires. Those desires involve Sebastian’s Anglo-Indian business partner, Adam Shaw, and in fact, I often found the secondary romance in the book to be more interesting than the primary one. Ms. Braden makes no bones about the sort of prejudice Shaw faces, or that he and Phoebe and their children are likely to face in future – and I rather wish he had got book to himself.
I’m going to give Anything but a Gentleman a cautious recommendation, as I’m sure that fans who have been waiting for Sebastian’s book will enjoy it, and it’s an easy, readable story featuring attractive characters. Ms. Braden writes with warmth and intelligence, the relationships are well-drawn and the dialogue is witty – I just wish the premise had been stronger and the misunderstandings between the hero and heroine hadn’t been so flimsy and drawn-out.
January 12, 2018
Four and half stars -- I thought it was delightful.
I wasn't all that interested in Sebastian Reaver after the previous books. Shadowy gaming club owner, whatever. I've seen that character type before. Ho hum.
BUT - he's awesome! Actually a very likeable, sympathetic character.
And Augusta Whidmore... well, I just love Braden's female characters. Some of them are among my absolute favorite romantic leads of all time. Augusta is a hoot. She's stubborn, capable, compassionate, loving, loyal ... everything. And she's funny to boot.
These two are cut from the same cloth, which is why they're both perfect together and also why they drive each other crazy. They admire each other's traits -- Sebastian is everything I've noted about Augusta -- and their physical chemistry is combustible. The way they end up together is actually a result of both of them calling each other's bluffs until they're pretty much boxed in.
There's a secondary romance in this one that I won't say more about. It unfolds very nicely as well. I'm not sure if it could have had its own full novel, but it definitely could have been a novella. It works as a side romance, but there are things I'd like to see play out and I'm afraid we won't see much of them in later books. A slight half-star disappointment there.
We see some characters from earlier books, but they don't hamper the story or cause confusion. This entire series can be read as stand alones.
I've been mostly very pleased with this new-to-me historical romance author. Possibly my favorite find of 2017.
I wasn't all that interested in Sebastian Reaver after the previous books. Shadowy gaming club owner, whatever. I've seen that character type before. Ho hum.
BUT - he's awesome! Actually a very likeable, sympathetic character.
And Augusta Whidmore... well, I just love Braden's female characters. Some of them are among my absolute favorite romantic leads of all time. Augusta is a hoot. She's stubborn, capable, compassionate, loving, loyal ... everything. And she's funny to boot.
These two are cut from the same cloth, which is why they're both perfect together and also why they drive each other crazy. They admire each other's traits -- Sebastian is everything I've noted about Augusta -- and their physical chemistry is combustible. The way they end up together is actually a result of both of them calling each other's bluffs until they're pretty much boxed in.
There's a secondary romance in this one that I won't say more about. It unfolds very nicely as well. I'm not sure if it could have had its own full novel, but it definitely could have been a novella. It works as a side romance, but there are things I'd like to see play out and I'm afraid we won't see much of them in later books. A slight half-star disappointment there.
We see some characters from earlier books, but they don't hamper the story or cause confusion. This entire series can be read as stand alones.
I've been mostly very pleased with this new-to-me historical romance author. Possibly my favorite find of 2017.
May 28, 2022
Horrid book. So disappointing! I was very excited by the premise—I love the gambling hell heroes and the pairings are usually very well-done—but this book was horrible. I just recently discovered Elisa Braden, in the last week or so, and the other three books of hers I've read were overall great, so I don't know how this was such a flop! (Those books were: The Truth About Cads and Dukes, The Devil Is a Marquess, and
Twelve Nights as His Mistress
—highly recommend them all!).
It read very amateurish. Main complaints:
— Heroine acts stupidly; her decision to furnish his house and hire a bunch of staff is random
— Hero falls in love at the drop of a hat and mentions wanting to marrying her about a hot second into the book
— Heroine's plan MAKES NO SENSE!! why ON EARTH would you want your sister to marry that prick?! you wouldn't—if the sister was the heroine, then I can see some dastardly relative who only cares about a title pushing her to marry him, but it's not some dastardly relative, it's our supposed heroine, and the entire thing makes absolutely no sense. Why would you want your beloved sister to marry a guy who has washed his hands of her now that she's pregnant and who has to be BLACKMAILED into marrying her? What life is she going to live with THAT guy for the rest of her life??
— Stupid cutesy nicknames hero and heroine give each other, with him randomly starting to shorten her name to Gus (or did I skim a part where that happened?) and her calling him Bastian. Because Sebastian is just way too long.
— Didn't like how Augusta reacted to Shaw's interest in Phoebe; bitch, you want your sister to marry a complete asshole, so get off your high-horse about any-relationship-of-theirs-being-difficult-because-he's-Indian—at least he loves her and wants the child she's carrying!!
Maybe I should be giving this 1.5 star ...
SERIES. I recommend reading the series in order, though I honestly would say to skip this one; of course it's always completely subjective, but the fact that I'm saying skip it while also saying read the whole series in order ... well, that tells you something about how much I disliked it. The others were GREAT!!
#0.5 — Ever Yours, Annabelle (TBR)
#1 — The Madness of Viscount Atherbourne (3.75 stars)
#2 — The Truth About Cads and Dukes (4 stars)
#3 — Desperately Seeking a Scoundrel (TBR)
#4 — The Devil Is a Marquess (4-4.5 stars)
#5 — When a Girl Loves an Earl (TBR)
#5.5 — Twelve Nights as His Mistress (4 stars)
#6 — Confessions of a Dangerous Lord (TBR)
#7 — Anything but a Gentleman (2 stars)
#8 — A Marriage Made in Scandal, this book (4 stars)
#9 — A Kiss from a Rogue (4 stars)
It read very amateurish. Main complaints:
— Heroine acts stupidly; her decision to furnish his house and hire a bunch of staff is random
— Hero falls in love at the drop of a hat and mentions wanting to marrying her about a hot second into the book
— Heroine's plan MAKES NO SENSE!! why ON EARTH would you want your sister to marry that prick?! you wouldn't—if the sister was the heroine, then I can see some dastardly relative who only cares about a title pushing her to marry him, but it's not some dastardly relative, it's our supposed heroine, and the entire thing makes absolutely no sense. Why would you want your beloved sister to marry a guy who has washed his hands of her now that she's pregnant and who has to be BLACKMAILED into marrying her? What life is she going to live with THAT guy for the rest of her life??
— Stupid cutesy nicknames hero and heroine give each other, with him randomly starting to shorten her name to Gus (or did I skim a part where that happened?) and her calling him Bastian. Because Sebastian is just way too long.
— Didn't like how Augusta reacted to Shaw's interest in Phoebe; bitch, you want your sister to marry a complete asshole, so get off your high-horse about any-relationship-of-theirs-being-difficult-because-he's-Indian—at least he loves her and wants the child she's carrying!!
Maybe I should be giving this 1.5 star ...
SERIES. I recommend reading the series in order, though I honestly would say to skip this one; of course it's always completely subjective, but the fact that I'm saying skip it while also saying read the whole series in order ... well, that tells you something about how much I disliked it. The others were GREAT!!
#0.5 — Ever Yours, Annabelle (TBR)
#1 — The Madness of Viscount Atherbourne (3.75 stars)
#2 — The Truth About Cads and Dukes (4 stars)
#3 — Desperately Seeking a Scoundrel (TBR)
#4 — The Devil Is a Marquess (4-4.5 stars)
#5 — When a Girl Loves an Earl (TBR)
#5.5 — Twelve Nights as His Mistress (4 stars)
#6 — Confessions of a Dangerous Lord (TBR)
#7 — Anything but a Gentleman (2 stars)
#8 — A Marriage Made in Scandal, this book (4 stars)
#9 — A Kiss from a Rogue (4 stars)
August 16, 2025
4 yearning ⭐️
This was fun, cute and sweet. A perfect palate cleanser. It’s not super steamy but hits the spot with a very romantic set up.
The characters are 🙌
Should you read it? Yes it’s like an ice cream sundae.
This was fun, cute and sweet. A perfect palate cleanser. It’s not super steamy but hits the spot with a very romantic set up.
The characters are 🙌
Should you read it? Yes it’s like an ice cream sundae.
July 26, 2025
I loved both the MCs and secondary characters who fell in love with the little angst.
November 13, 2023
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻♀️🦸🏻♀️🦸🏻♀️🦸🏻♀️🦸🏻♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨✨
First Impressions
Anything But a Gentleman is the seventh installment in the "Rescued from Ruin" series and in this one we get a bad boy type of hero. And I was all in for this one. And this author immediately pulled me from the first page, I was so hooked and literally kept me up late reading, that is how delectable this story was. I do think the writing style of Elisa Braden is my catnip and is ruining me for all other historical romance authors haha I am not sure why I was sleeping on this author, but I am all in for her and will always support her if her stories are anything like this here. I really adored this one and moments in which we see our couples come together. And this story does feature two couples. We have our primary couple, and then a side couple involving Augusta's sister and Reaver's best friend.
First Line
"I keep it? The whole lot." Thick, dark grime upon the boy's face failed to mask his skepticism.
The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Sebastian Reaver
-Alpha Self Made Hero
-Connected to Aristocracy
-Bad Boy and Grumpy
The Heroine: Augusta Widmore
-A genteel lady
-Protective of her baby sister
-Feisty, hardworking and strong willed
Summary
Augusta has come to London to help protect her sister. Her sister became pregnant and she is determined to bring the father to heel so her child isn't born a bastard. So she knows that Reaver holds the notes for the gambling debts and needs to attain those to issue some justice of her own. But what she doesn't count on is entangling herself with Reaver or that he would be so exasperating or a will to match her own. But what starts out as some healthy competition turns into something more when Reaver offers her a solution, become his mistress for 6 weeks and he will hand over the notes or leave. So she is determined to do whatever it takes and before Reaver realizes it, this tiring woman is controlling his life, furnishing a home he never lives in and even housing a pickpocket and he is falling hard for this strong woman who has a heart to match his own...
What I Loved
This book *sigh* I feel like I am really getting into the Elisa Brade vibe and these books are just like catnip for me. I absolutely adored everything about this one here. It was delectable, sexy and so much heart was being conveyed here. I loved the moments that we see with this couple and their chemistry was so well built. And this is what I love and miss in modern age historicals. And this is why I am really wanting to explore more indie authors. (so if you know of authors like this one here who write this type of historical please send me to them). Anything But a Gentleman is a story of a grumpy heroine and a feisty heroine who calls his bluff haha their bantering is delectable and I couldn't get enough of seeing them build a relationship together. And the heart felt moments between these two just delivered so much for me. I couldn't get enough nor could I put this one down. This author has such a beautiful talent in easily sweeping you up in a story and its done so well. In fact, once I finish with her backlist, I am going to do a reread of these books especially the earlier books.
What I Struggled With
Honestly??? Nothing haha It was perfect in every way for me
Overall View
Anything but a Gentleman was brililantly mastered, with charm and elegance and soul touching romance to leave you breathless and eager for more!
Favorite Quote(s)
Loving someone meant standing in stinging rain and bellowing wind, knowing how much it hurt and doing it anyway. Because the one who needed shelter mattered more.
Perhaps he did, because when he returned to earth, he felt as though he’d been reassembled into a new form. Broken into pieces and remade by Augusta’s gentle, callused hands.
Book Details (also on my shelves)
Sub Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Era
Character Types: Bad Boy, Gambler, Self Made Hero
Themes: London Underground, Laughs, Gambling Hell
Tropes: Forced Proximity, Grumpy Sunshine
Book Perspective
3rd POV
Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Relationship Conflict
Recommendation For Reading Order
I do recommend reading in order if you can, but can be read as a standalone if needed
Steam/Spice Explanations
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
January 22, 2018
3.5/5. This latest one is a bit of letdown, compared to the other consistently 4 stars reads in the series. Tough guy club owner Reaver who featured in past books turns out to be too nice in this one. He is just play-dough in the heroine's hands. Heroine is 28 years old spinster, Augusta Widmore, who comes from a respectable family, but she and her sister has fallen on hard times since the death of their parents. Her sister has landed herself in trouble and Augusta takes her big sis role seriously, so she approaches Reaver to obtain the markers of the man who has wronged her sister, in order to get the culprit to do right by her. Reaver is not a man to grant random favours, but the spirited and resourceful Augusta is hard to shake off and she arouses his interest in more than one way. His attempts to intimidate her into giving up her objective backfire when instead of repelling in horror, she accepts his indecent proposal of trading the markers for six weeks as his mistress. Only to her disappointment, she never gets to fulfill mistress duties, because Reaver is nothing but a gentleman around her.
These are a few reasons why this book did not work for me:
1. She fell for him so quickly and defended his decency even though he had done little at this early stage to warrant her high regard.
2. He was too nice so there were little romantic sparring and tension.
3. He was a man of the world, but had to resort to ask numerous people for courting advice.
4. Why would Shaw, Reaver's business partner, and again another experienced and intelligent man fall for her sister, who showed not much sense and maturity.
5. "Gus"? Really??? I might offend the female Guses out there, but that nickname really does not appeal to me at all. Not even for a male.
What I do like:
1. The writing as usual.
2. Shaw, the part Indian best buddy and partner of Reaver. He was dignified, calm, effective but still one of the few who could make fun of Reaver's predicament and get away with it, because he did so affectionately.
3. Ash, street urchin taken in by Augusta.
4. The traditional words of wisdom from society dragon and Reaver's aunt heralding each chapter, as has been ever present throughout the series.
“You will note the first part of the word is ‘gentle.’ The second part is ‘man.’ Though it has been my observation that wives do occasionally favor the latter over the former.”
—The Dowager Marchioness of Wallingham to Mr. Elijah Kilbrenner in a letter discussing the complexities of wifely preferences.
These are a few reasons why this book did not work for me:
1. She fell for him so quickly and defended his decency even though he had done little at this early stage to warrant her high regard.
2. He was too nice so there were little romantic sparring and tension.
3. He was a man of the world, but had to resort to ask numerous people for courting advice.
4. Why would Shaw, Reaver's business partner, and again another experienced and intelligent man fall for her sister, who showed not much sense and maturity.
5. "Gus"? Really??? I might offend the female Guses out there, but that nickname really does not appeal to me at all. Not even for a male.
What I do like:
1. The writing as usual.
2. Shaw, the part Indian best buddy and partner of Reaver. He was dignified, calm, effective but still one of the few who could make fun of Reaver's predicament and get away with it, because he did so affectionately.
3. Ash, street urchin taken in by Augusta.
4. The traditional words of wisdom from society dragon and Reaver's aunt heralding each chapter, as has been ever present throughout the series.
“You will note the first part of the word is ‘gentle.’ The second part is ‘man.’ Though it has been my observation that wives do occasionally favor the latter over the former.”
—The Dowager Marchioness of Wallingham to Mr. Elijah Kilbrenner in a letter discussing the complexities of wifely preferences.
August 3, 2025
4.5⭐️
I don’t know what kind of drug this series is but I’m addicted, and I’m not even pretending to quit.
This book delivers exactly what it promises: sharp banter, blazing tension, and an irresistible mix of honor and heat. Augusta is the kind of heroine I adore—fierce, clever, loyal to a fault, and absolutely unbothered by convention. She storms into a den of vice like she owns it, all in the name of protecting her sister.
Respect.
And Sebastian? Be still my gentle-giant-loving heart. He’s the perfect grumpy, growly, reluctantly smitten hero equal parts intimidating and secretly soft. Watching him unravel under Augusta’s fire was everything. He may run London’s most infamous club, but when it comes to Augusta, he doesn’t stand a chance.
This series has soulmate catnip energy. It’s witty, sexy, emotionally satisfying, and absolutely unskippable if you love strong heroines and secretly soft heroes with rough exteriors.
🎶“Cowboy Like Me” – Taylor Swift
🎶“Love Me Like You Mean It” – Kelsea Ballerini
I don’t know what kind of drug this series is but I’m addicted, and I’m not even pretending to quit.
This book delivers exactly what it promises: sharp banter, blazing tension, and an irresistible mix of honor and heat. Augusta is the kind of heroine I adore—fierce, clever, loyal to a fault, and absolutely unbothered by convention. She storms into a den of vice like she owns it, all in the name of protecting her sister.
Respect.
And Sebastian? Be still my gentle-giant-loving heart. He’s the perfect grumpy, growly, reluctantly smitten hero equal parts intimidating and secretly soft. Watching him unravel under Augusta’s fire was everything. He may run London’s most infamous club, but when it comes to Augusta, he doesn’t stand a chance.
This series has soulmate catnip energy. It’s witty, sexy, emotionally satisfying, and absolutely unskippable if you love strong heroines and secretly soft heroes with rough exteriors.
🎶“Cowboy Like Me” – Taylor Swift
🎶“Love Me Like You Mean It” – Kelsea Ballerini
March 24, 2023
Minor spoilers.
No real conflict keeping these two main characters apart.
The hero wants to woo and persuade the heroine to marry him early on.
Every time he calls her a nuisance in his life, I smile, because I'm confident it's a compliment. lol
2 love stories!
There was no 3rd act breakup, yay!!!
No real conflict keeping these two main characters apart.
The hero wants to woo and persuade the heroine to marry him early on.
Every time he calls her a nuisance in his life, I smile, because I'm confident it's a compliment. lol
2 love stories!
There was no 3rd act breakup, yay!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2021
Really liked it! Loved Augusta and Sebastian. Wish that the secondary love story had its own book or at least a novella. I needed more of that relationship!
October 27, 2024
5☆ A blue collar historical that’s funny, heartfelt, and tastefully sexy.
➳❦ “You are a devil,” she panted, yanking him closer, pulling him down.
“And you are a nuisance,” he rumbled, crushing her against him, tossing the letter to the floor, and cupping her nape with his newly freed hand. “God, how ye plague me, woman.”
This was such a delight, and I loved the variety of POVs. Sebastian Reaver (Bastian) won me over early; he’s the extremely grumpy, intimidating, giant gambling club owner who has definitely met his match. The spirited, determined, unflappable Augusta Widmore (Gus) drives him absolutely crazy! But mostly in a good way. 😂 Their banter and tension are quite entertaining. I appreciated how they eventually made safe spaces for each other after such harrowing circumstances. And their bed games? 🔥🔥🔥 hotter than hot. That fancy mirror has seen some things…🤭
➳❦ “Look at us,” he growled. “Look.”
She did. And her body was seized by lightning. It came so suddenly, she screamed through gritted teeth. Her back arched and she clawed the hand on the carpet beside hers. The pleasure was too much. He was too much. She turned her head and opened her mouth against the muscles of his arm, tasting salt and Bastian. 🥵
We actually get 2 romances for the price of 1, since Augusta’s persistent efforts are to save her pregnant little sister from ruin. Adam and Phoebe were such a sweet couple. I worried that reading about them developing simultaneously might distract me, but it actually worked well. And it makes sense to do it this way, since the sisters’ stories are so intertwined, as are Bastian and his BFF, Adam.
In addition to some fun cameos of earlier couples, Lady Wallingham is brilliant. I’m convinced she’s related to the Dowager Countess of Grantham. Her snarky anecdotes and letters of advice to Bastian on how to become a gentleman were gold.
➳❦ “A kind word, affectionate gesture, or humble apology soothes many aggravations a wife might suffer over the course of a day. Being awakened too early, for example. Or being married to a man.” 😂 Too true, Your Ladyship.
➳❦ “You are a devil,” she panted, yanking him closer, pulling him down.
“And you are a nuisance,” he rumbled, crushing her against him, tossing the letter to the floor, and cupping her nape with his newly freed hand. “God, how ye plague me, woman.”
This was such a delight, and I loved the variety of POVs. Sebastian Reaver (Bastian) won me over early; he’s the extremely grumpy, intimidating, giant gambling club owner who has definitely met his match. The spirited, determined, unflappable Augusta Widmore (Gus) drives him absolutely crazy! But mostly in a good way. 😂 Their banter and tension are quite entertaining. I appreciated how they eventually made safe spaces for each other after such harrowing circumstances. And their bed games? 🔥🔥🔥 hotter than hot. That fancy mirror has seen some things…🤭
➳❦ “Look at us,” he growled. “Look.”
She did. And her body was seized by lightning. It came so suddenly, she screamed through gritted teeth. Her back arched and she clawed the hand on the carpet beside hers. The pleasure was too much. He was too much. She turned her head and opened her mouth against the muscles of his arm, tasting salt and Bastian. 🥵
We actually get 2 romances for the price of 1, since Augusta’s persistent efforts are to save her pregnant little sister from ruin. Adam and Phoebe were such a sweet couple. I worried that reading about them developing simultaneously might distract me, but it actually worked well. And it makes sense to do it this way, since the sisters’ stories are so intertwined, as are Bastian and his BFF, Adam.
In addition to some fun cameos of earlier couples, Lady Wallingham is brilliant. I’m convinced she’s related to the Dowager Countess of Grantham. Her snarky anecdotes and letters of advice to Bastian on how to become a gentleman were gold.
➳❦ “A kind word, affectionate gesture, or humble apology soothes many aggravations a wife might suffer over the course of a day. Being awakened too early, for example. Or being married to a man.” 😂 Too true, Your Ladyship.
July 21, 2021
GENTLE BROODING GIANTS ARE MY FAVORITES.
How delightful to watch the mighty fall at the hands of some pesky but determined spinster!
I couldn't get enough of Augusta and Sebastian incessant banter, the growing tension, the perfect slow burn, their kisses, the inevitable angst and the resulting RAVISHING. The romance was so satisfying.
Yes, this was all very predictable, in truth the initial plot was flimsy BUT the author did such a splendid job opposing the main characters in the most delectable manner that I could easily disregard any and all little qualms and just enjoy my way to their HEA. Augusta and Sebastian were that good together. The supporting secondary cast was adorable and endearing, special mention to the dragon dowager Wallingham and her epic verbal sparring. The comic relief and tender moments offered by many second characters is not negligeable, I absolutely adored Ash.
And what if two men at the head of a gaming hell—and I assume no strangers to mistresses and prostitutes and the inherent issues of sexual activity— appeared to be clueless as to what obscure illness was ailing poor Phoebe... LOL, it was still easy to ignore their typical and hilarious men's denseness toward women.
To conclude, if you have a thing for the strong silent type (but also brooding giant with a brogue that slips past when provoked) with a heart of gold, if you like your heroines honorable, selfless and strong, if banter galore appeals to you, if you relish in some angst caused by a marriage of convenience type of trope, if you're not afraid to suffer through a delicious slow burn because you know you'll be rewarded by smoking hot
office desk
bedroom antics... then this book is for you.
I need more from this author.
More reviews and book talk at :
You can find me here too ☞
How delightful to watch the mighty fall at the hands of some pesky but determined spinster!
I couldn't get enough of Augusta and Sebastian incessant banter, the growing tension, the perfect slow burn, their kisses, the inevitable angst and the resulting RAVISHING. The romance was so satisfying.
Yes, this was all very predictable, in truth the initial plot was flimsy BUT the author did such a splendid job opposing the main characters in the most delectable manner that I could easily disregard any and all little qualms and just enjoy my way to their HEA. Augusta and Sebastian were that good together. The supporting secondary cast was adorable and endearing, special mention to the dragon dowager Wallingham and her epic verbal sparring. The comic relief and tender moments offered by many second characters is not negligeable, I absolutely adored Ash.
And what if two men at the head of a gaming hell—and I assume no strangers to mistresses and prostitutes and the inherent issues of sexual activity— appeared to be clueless as to what obscure illness was ailing poor Phoebe... LOL, it was still easy to ignore their typical and hilarious men's denseness toward women.
To conclude, if you have a thing for the strong silent type (but also brooding giant with a brogue that slips past when provoked) with a heart of gold, if you like your heroines honorable, selfless and strong, if banter galore appeals to you, if you relish in some angst caused by a marriage of convenience type of trope, if you're not afraid to suffer through a delicious slow burn because you know you'll be rewarded by smoking hot
I need more from this author.
More reviews and book talk at :
You can find me here too ☞
August 31, 2022
This is definitely my favorite of the series. The best one so far! I don’t want to spoil ANYTHING as I went into it only knowing a tiny bit. Any one who reads this book deserves to be pleasantly surprised.
May 21, 2022
I wanted to like this one so much more! Had such a great start and premise. With some sneaking into the gaming hell owner’s office, a spinster, a deal to become a mistress, 2 different romances happening. But I just had a hard time with this one, actually this and the previous book. Had a difficult time getting invested in the characters and their story. Maybe if I reread at a later date I would enjoy it more, hard to say. But for now, not a fav. Still love the series overall though!
February 18, 2019
Sebastian Reaver and Augusta find love!!!
This is a wonderful historical romance series!! I love all the secondary characters and how they have all intermingled from book 1 till now.
The pregnancy plot was very annoying and took too long to resolve. This would have been a solid 4 star without the unnecessary angst. I'm not a fan of too much angst!!!
Otherwise I loved the characters and how they all interacted together. This is a fun, fast paced series that I highly recommend.
This is a wonderful historical romance series!! I love all the secondary characters and how they have all intermingled from book 1 till now.
The pregnancy plot was very annoying and took too long to resolve. This would have been a solid 4 star without the unnecessary angst. I'm not a fan of too much angst!!!
Otherwise I loved the characters and how they all interacted together. This is a fun, fast paced series that I highly recommend.
September 27, 2019
3.5 stars...
I was was eager to read Reaver's story,and though I enjoyed it,I found it a bit slow at times .Nevertheless, these two were a good match for each other.
I was was eager to read Reaver's story,and though I enjoyed it,I found it a bit slow at times .Nevertheless, these two were a good match for each other.
October 13, 2020
WHY I ask,would you make Sebastian such a pussy cat?WHY?
He was supposed to be bad,witty,rough,rude,debauched etc etc WHYYY would the author do this to us?
Anyway I didn't like it.Something went seriously wrong with the Killbrener family.I was expecting something more dark.He didn't stand up to the expectations.He is super unrealistic as the owner of a gambling den.
Also I hated the "Bastian" and "Gus" nicknames.Super cheesy meh
The whole book didn't make so much sense.I liked Augusta though and I would have liked Sebastian if he would not have been the lord of the underworld in his presentations on his other books.You present him bad KEEP HIM EVIL!
Dissappointed 🥺
Also SUPER UNNECESSARILY SLOW BURN 😥
He was supposed to be bad,witty,rough,rude,debauched etc etc WHYYY would the author do this to us?
Anyway I didn't like it.Something went seriously wrong with the Killbrener family.I was expecting something more dark.He didn't stand up to the expectations.He is super unrealistic as the owner of a gambling den.
Also I hated the "Bastian" and "Gus" nicknames.Super cheesy meh
The whole book didn't make so much sense.I liked Augusta though and I would have liked Sebastian if he would not have been the lord of the underworld in his presentations on his other books.You present him bad KEEP HIM EVIL!
Dissappointed 🥺
Also SUPER UNNECESSARILY SLOW BURN 😥
July 7, 2025
This was great! Our heroine is an amazing woman who deserves to be applauded. This is what I call strong! And even though our hero made some questionable decisions, I truly appreciated how much of a gentleman he was to the very end. It was such a relief seeing a guy waiting and doing what was proper (again, even if he did make questionable decisions). Nobody is perfect hehehe
4.5 stars.
4.5 stars.
December 30, 2017
I waited a long time for Reaver....
I absolutely loved it! I’ve been a Ruin fan from the beginning. There was so much to love about this if you’ve been following the series. If you haven’t, you can read this as a stand-alone but the entire series has some of my favorite books and my all time favorite couple Charlotte and Chatham (Devil is a Marquis) made an appearance! Just....Sigh.
Reaver certainly got a lovely, strong woman. In fact she reminded me a wee bit of Charlotte....They meet because she’s trying to save her Sister Phoebe. Reaver is instrumental in helping. He is the secretive, gruff owner of a gentlemen’s club. I knew right away I’d like Augusta. The lengths she will go to, to get into the club are hilarious. Mr. Broody had no chance.
What starts as a dare to be his mistress, leads to true love. It had a nice slow burn feel to it. I loved the way they fell and how the author progresses it.
We finally find out all of Reavers past. We bond with him and his new family. For those of you that loved James, he has such a great scene with Reaver in this book.
Also, there’s a small love story inside a love story. I don’t want to ruin it by mentioning who, because it’s quite key to the story of our main couple.
Lady Wallingham is ever present and hilarious as ever. We get snippets of what’s happening in other couples lives. Updates I’ve waited for. (I long for some kind of Novella with them all at Wallinghams estate! I would gobble that up!) we also get a sneak at whose next. Looking forward to that.
All in all, for a character I’ve waited FOREVER for I’m really, really happy. If you’re a historical romance reader and you’re not reading this author, you’re in luck. You’ve got 8 great books to settle into, and it continues on......
I absolutely loved it! I’ve been a Ruin fan from the beginning. There was so much to love about this if you’ve been following the series. If you haven’t, you can read this as a stand-alone but the entire series has some of my favorite books and my all time favorite couple Charlotte and Chatham (Devil is a Marquis) made an appearance! Just....Sigh.
Reaver certainly got a lovely, strong woman. In fact she reminded me a wee bit of Charlotte....They meet because she’s trying to save her Sister Phoebe. Reaver is instrumental in helping. He is the secretive, gruff owner of a gentlemen’s club. I knew right away I’d like Augusta. The lengths she will go to, to get into the club are hilarious. Mr. Broody had no chance.
What starts as a dare to be his mistress, leads to true love. It had a nice slow burn feel to it. I loved the way they fell and how the author progresses it.
We finally find out all of Reavers past. We bond with him and his new family. For those of you that loved James, he has such a great scene with Reaver in this book.
Also, there’s a small love story inside a love story. I don’t want to ruin it by mentioning who, because it’s quite key to the story of our main couple.
Lady Wallingham is ever present and hilarious as ever. We get snippets of what’s happening in other couples lives. Updates I’ve waited for. (I long for some kind of Novella with them all at Wallinghams estate! I would gobble that up!) we also get a sneak at whose next. Looking forward to that.
All in all, for a character I’ve waited FOREVER for I’m really, really happy. If you’re a historical romance reader and you’re not reading this author, you’re in luck. You’ve got 8 great books to settle into, and it continues on......
October 10, 2018
I can't believe I am giving another 5 stars to "Anything but a Gentlemen" bk 8 from the "Rescued from Ruin" series. I didn't think I was going to like this story at all, because I usually don't like Spinsters and Untitled Gentlemen stories. I read this because I wanted to read about Sebastian Reaver aka Elijah Kilbrenner the owner of Reaver'sthe finest gentlemen's club in England. He is also the cousin and Heir apparent to James Kilbrenner, Earl of Tannenbrook. We first meet Reaver all the way back in bk1 and he has been mention in every story since then.
The heroine Augusta Widmore, is a Spinster. Old at 28. When you read how she had to provide and protect her younger sister will make you root for her to succeed in all her endeavors. This story is perfectly written. All the characters are mesmerizing and engaging. I couldn't stop reading this one. This one is one of my favorite storylines. Maybe not my favorite couple but one of my favorite stories in the series. I loved the little street urchin Ash. I hurt for Phoebe, Augusta's younger sister. She has been duped into believing an Earl would marry her and she became pregnant by him. I liked the way Augusta went after the reprobate with the help of Sabastian/ Elijah. I also, loved how Reaver got revenge on the Uncle Sir Philip and his horrible wife Geogiana for the abusive treatment of August and Phoebe as children. One of my favorite characters of the series is Dowager Lady Wallingham. What a lovely old Dragon Lady!! Adam Shaw was a good surprise character in this story carrying a second storyline with Phoebe Widmore. This is a very good addition to whole storyline as a whole.
Now I am off to read bk9 A Marriage Made in Scandal.
The heroine Augusta Widmore, is a Spinster. Old at 28. When you read how she had to provide and protect her younger sister will make you root for her to succeed in all her endeavors. This story is perfectly written. All the characters are mesmerizing and engaging. I couldn't stop reading this one. This one is one of my favorite storylines. Maybe not my favorite couple but one of my favorite stories in the series. I loved the little street urchin Ash. I hurt for Phoebe, Augusta's younger sister. She has been duped into believing an Earl would marry her and she became pregnant by him. I liked the way Augusta went after the reprobate with the help of Sabastian/ Elijah. I also, loved how Reaver got revenge on the Uncle Sir Philip and his horrible wife Geogiana for the abusive treatment of August and Phoebe as children. One of my favorite characters of the series is Dowager Lady Wallingham. What a lovely old Dragon Lady!! Adam Shaw was a good surprise character in this story carrying a second storyline with Phoebe Widmore. This is a very good addition to whole storyline as a whole.
Now I am off to read bk9 A Marriage Made in Scandal.
January 1, 2018
Sebastian and Augusta
I eagerly await each installment of the Rescued from Ruin series. This latest installment was such a delight.
I Love This Heroine
Augusta Widmore is a determined female. She is determined to make a nuisance of herself until she brings Sebastian Reaver to heel. By sheer force of will, she intends to achieve her aim. The London kingpin never had a chance.
Augusta's madcap antics designed to obtain an audience with Reaver left me laughing uproariously. Of course, she is not doing this for her own personal gain. She is a selfless woman. Her concern for others propels her actions throughout the story.
Another Giant Kilbrenner Man to Swoon For
Sebastian Reaver has built an empire along with his partner, Adam Shaw, over the years. His work is his life. He has no time for women and family until an annoying spinster keeps invading his inner sanctum with her ridiculous demands. Before long, he's determined to give her everything.
Although there is a misunderstanding, it was manageable and didn't cause undo angst for our primary couple. A very satisfying bonus romance was provided. I loved both couples.
Elisa Braden truly writes an entertaining story. When I read her books, time is suspended. I'm amazed at how quickly time flies. I cannot wait for the next installment of this outstanding series. I hope it never ends.
I eagerly await each installment of the Rescued from Ruin series. This latest installment was such a delight.
I Love This Heroine
Augusta Widmore is a determined female. She is determined to make a nuisance of herself until she brings Sebastian Reaver to heel. By sheer force of will, she intends to achieve her aim. The London kingpin never had a chance.
Augusta's madcap antics designed to obtain an audience with Reaver left me laughing uproariously. Of course, she is not doing this for her own personal gain. She is a selfless woman. Her concern for others propels her actions throughout the story.
Another Giant Kilbrenner Man to Swoon For
Sebastian Reaver has built an empire along with his partner, Adam Shaw, over the years. His work is his life. He has no time for women and family until an annoying spinster keeps invading his inner sanctum with her ridiculous demands. Before long, he's determined to give her everything.
Although there is a misunderstanding, it was manageable and didn't cause undo angst for our primary couple. A very satisfying bonus romance was provided. I loved both couples.
Elisa Braden truly writes an entertaining story. When I read her books, time is suspended. I'm amazed at how quickly time flies. I cannot wait for the next installment of this outstanding series. I hope it never ends.
August 31, 2024
⭐⭐⭐
3 stars.
➕ What I liked :
A little bit of a “older” heroine. (28)
A tall or tallish heroine.
(The heroine is several inches taller than average height for a woman.)
Bespectacled hero.
Rather interesting main characters.
OK plot.
OK romance/romantic build-up and chemistry.
OK steam.
Interesting side characters.
(The heroines sister and her romance… but it would have been better as a separate romance/story and book…. And the little boy the heroine took in and cared for is also interesting.)
Some funny moments.
The hero is a good man under all his roughness/toughness.
(He actually is a gentleman… in all he did for the heroine and how he treated her….. which makes the title of the book a little funny/silly and paradoxical.)
➖ What I disliked:
The side story/dual romance with the side characters/other couple made the plot/story a bit disjointed…and it took away time/focus from the main couple/main characters.
It would have been better if it was two different and separate stories instead of 2 stories squeezing into 1.
(Both the main couple/main characters and the secondary couple/secondary romance deserved more quality time together…. And they also both deserved a full book/romance.)
Some things the heroine does feels random and nonsensical.
(Like …. why would the heroine want her sister to marry a man that very obviously does not love her sister or respect her or want her...and also used her…. And has to be blackmailed to marry her sister.
That would have been a very very miserable life and marriage for the heroines sister.
And the heroine also has issues with her sister loving and wanting another man…A man that her sister loves very much and a man that is a good man and a man that actually loves her sister…and he can and wants to take care of her sister and her unborn child (by another man)…. and the heroines issues is because he is biracial.
The romance/romantic build-up and chemistry was OK and Good …. but in the beginning of the story the heroes love and also kind of his lust comes out of nowhere and goes from zero to sixty with his feelings and lust for the heroine.
The secret with the heroines sister dragged on for too long and should have been revealed much earlier on.
Believability plausibility issues.
(And why would not Not Mr. Shaw (secondary romance) or the hero figure out the truth about the heroines sister and her secret?
They are Not stupid men (especially not Mr.Shaw) and have both had rough lives and are these clever men… but they could not put two and two together and figure out the heroines sisters secret and situation??? 🤔
It is so so obvious what the secret is… and the hints are also very obvious.
And why does the heroines sister live in a little single room in the gambling club instead of living in the BIG house the heroine is living in with the hero?
And when the heroine was a child and also a teenager why would a governess accept that a child/teenager dismissed her from her job?
And why would any adult take a child/teenager (the heroine when she was 11-13) seriously in business matters/property matters or other serious matters… or take orders from them?
Especially a girl in those historical times…. It makes No sense??)
The heroine was also too self-sacrificing.
(Yes the heroine is the older sister and there was a 8 year age difference between the sisters… but why when the heroines sister became a teenager or/and young adult could the heroines sister not help out with all matter of things?..… and why did she accept that her older sister had all the responsibilities and burdens??
And their father really did not do the sisters any favors… and he more or less did the bare minimum for his daughters...in general… but especially before he died.
When it came to the secondary romance there was a little too much telling and not enough showing… especially with the hero (Mr.Shaw) of the secondary romance.
The OTT size of the hero and how he is described/portrayed.
(The way the heroine describes/portrays and sees the hero.... but also in general how he is described/portrayed….
Is like he is built like a mix/hybrid between The Hulk and Thanos…. Minus their skin color….
The heroine refers to or/and thinks of him like a Big Muscled Giant! And really exaggerates they way she sees his body and size.
Too much misunderstandings and miscommunication.
The heroine was strong/strong-willed and capable…. But unfortunately
she also had some Mary- Sue vibes that made her a little annoying.
There are some problematic undertones in this book. 👎➖🙁
(Racist undertones about the male character in the secondary romance, Stereotyped and clichéd villain and/or bad character…the bad/despicable character was described as fat and in negative ways… but also some weird negative undertones in general about the characters that were fat.)
3 stars.
➕ What I liked :
A little bit of a “older” heroine. (28)
A tall or tallish heroine.
(The heroine is several inches taller than average height for a woman.)
Bespectacled hero.
Rather interesting main characters.
OK plot.
OK romance/romantic build-up and chemistry.
OK steam.
Interesting side characters.
(The heroines sister and her romance… but it would have been better as a separate romance/story and book…. And the little boy the heroine took in and cared for is also interesting.)
Some funny moments.
The hero is a good man under all his roughness/toughness.
(He actually is a gentleman… in all he did for the heroine and how he treated her….. which makes the title of the book a little funny/silly and paradoxical.)
➖ What I disliked:
The side story/dual romance with the side characters/other couple made the plot/story a bit disjointed…and it took away time/focus from the main couple/main characters.
It would have been better if it was two different and separate stories instead of 2 stories squeezing into 1.
(Both the main couple/main characters and the secondary couple/secondary romance deserved more quality time together…. And they also both deserved a full book/romance.)
Some things the heroine does feels random and nonsensical.
(Like …. why would the heroine want her sister to marry a man that very obviously does not love her sister or respect her or want her...and also used her…. And has to be blackmailed to marry her sister.
That would have been a very very miserable life and marriage for the heroines sister.
And the heroine also has issues with her sister loving and wanting another man…A man that her sister loves very much and a man that is a good man and a man that actually loves her sister…and he can and wants to take care of her sister and her unborn child (by another man)…. and the heroines issues is because he is biracial.
The romance/romantic build-up and chemistry was OK and Good …. but in the beginning of the story the heroes love and also kind of his lust comes out of nowhere and goes from zero to sixty with his feelings and lust for the heroine.
The secret with the heroines sister dragged on for too long and should have been revealed much earlier on.
Believability plausibility issues.
(And why would not Not Mr. Shaw (secondary romance) or the hero figure out the truth about the heroines sister and her secret?
They are Not stupid men (especially not Mr.Shaw) and have both had rough lives and are these clever men… but they could not put two and two together and figure out the heroines sisters secret and situation??? 🤔
It is so so obvious what the secret is… and the hints are also very obvious.
And why does the heroines sister live in a little single room in the gambling club instead of living in the BIG house the heroine is living in with the hero?
And when the heroine was a child and also a teenager why would a governess accept that a child/teenager dismissed her from her job?
And why would any adult take a child/teenager (the heroine when she was 11-13) seriously in business matters/property matters or other serious matters… or take orders from them?
Especially a girl in those historical times…. It makes No sense??)
The heroine was also too self-sacrificing.
(Yes the heroine is the older sister and there was a 8 year age difference between the sisters… but why when the heroines sister became a teenager or/and young adult could the heroines sister not help out with all matter of things?..… and why did she accept that her older sister had all the responsibilities and burdens??
And their father really did not do the sisters any favors… and he more or less did the bare minimum for his daughters...in general… but especially before he died.
When it came to the secondary romance there was a little too much telling and not enough showing… especially with the hero (Mr.Shaw) of the secondary romance.
The OTT size of the hero and how he is described/portrayed.
(The way the heroine describes/portrays and sees the hero.... but also in general how he is described/portrayed….
Is like he is built like a mix/hybrid between The Hulk and Thanos…. Minus their skin color….
The heroine refers to or/and thinks of him like a Big Muscled Giant! And really exaggerates they way she sees his body and size.
Too much misunderstandings and miscommunication.
The heroine was strong/strong-willed and capable…. But unfortunately
she also had some Mary- Sue vibes that made her a little annoying.
There are some problematic undertones in this book. 👎➖🙁
(Racist undertones about the male character in the secondary romance, Stereotyped and clichéd villain and/or bad character…the bad/despicable character was described as fat and in negative ways… but also some weird negative undertones in general about the characters that were fat.)
December 29, 2017
This is hands down one of the best books I have read this year - I LOVED this book! LOVED. IT.
Sebastian Reaver has been an ongoing secondary character for much of the series and we learned more about him in James and Viola's book - but until you read this book, you do not really know Sebastian Reaver/Elijah Kilbrenner. Sebastian is the no nonsense, gruff, extremely large, ruthless owner of the gaming club "Reaver's" he is also presumptive heir to James Kilbrenner, Earl of Tannenbrook and the dowager Lady Wallingham's newest pet project. Both James and Lady W are trying to get Sebastian to accept his fate as heir and get him married and producing children. Sebastian has made it perfectly clear that they can go pound salt. Sebastian is perfectly content with his club, the club is everything to him, it is his passion, his life - if he is feeling a little restless, it will pass and he doesn't need or want a wife.
Augusta Widmore is on a mission, her beloved sister's betrothed has lost his fortune at Reaver's and has cried off marrying Phoebe - this is unacceptable to Augusta and she will do anything to get him to the altar - even make a deal with the devil. Augusta is one of the best heroines I have read in a really long time. She is tenacious, persistence, managing , very amusing and has a soft heart. She sneaks into Reaver's and attempts to get Glassington's markers - she is planning on using them as leverage to blackmail him into marrying her sister. She makes it to Sebastian's office - but he won't listen to her and bodily removes her from the club. Days later she returns, disguised as a maid and again makes her way to Sebastian's office. Sebastian is secretly thrilled that she has returned and this time he lets her state her case. She doesn't want Sebastian to forgive the debt - she just wants to use them to force his hand - she doesn't mention that she is not interested in marrying Glassington or that her sister is pregnant. Sebastian assumes the Augusta wants to marry Glassington and therefore makes an outrageous offer - be his mistress for 6 weeks and he will let her have the markers. He is bluffing, but assumes that she will go running at the prospect of being his mistress. He would be wrong. Augusta agrees and they haggle over the details - she will move into his house and he will furnish her with a new wardrobe. At the end of 6 weeks, he will give her the markers. A very stunned Sebastian agrees and then tries to bluff again - but Augusta neatly sidesteps him - again.
She returns to her lodging and tells her sister what has transpired - Phoebe is shocked and begs her to reconsider. But Augusta is determined to see Phoebe safely wed and won't be swayed. When she leaves the lodging house, she is approached by Ash, the boy she used to help her get into Reaver's - he has attached himself to her and wants to go with her to Sebastian's house. At first she tells him no, but when she sees how thin he is, her soft heart gets the better of her and she agrees.
They arrive at Sebastian's house and she is shocked to find it barely furnished and without a staff. When Sebastian arrives, she makes new demands and they haggle again. Sebastian is fascinated by her and she is more than a little intrigued by him. The chemistry between them is undeniable and the tension between them sizzles. Sebastian shows her the house and then returns to the club. He never planned to really have her be his mistress or live at his house - but she called his bluff and he couldn't back down. So he will just have to stay away from her...
When he arrives back at the club, he learns from his partner Shaw that Augusta's sister is there - she came to confront Sebastian, but became ill and Shaw put her in one of the rooms and called for a doctor. As first she refuses to see the doctor, but agrees when she learns he will not tell anyone about her condition. Sebastian brings Augusta to visit Phoebe, Augusta assures Phoebe that everything will be fine and then returns to Sebastian's office. They share a passionate kiss and then he takes her shopping for furniture for his house. They are both dazed by the kiss and they both want more - but Sebastian still thinks Augusta is trying to marry Glassington. He decides that he wants Augusta for himself and asks his secretary and James for advice on how to woo her.
Augusta wants Sebastian and begins to plot how she can marry him. She also receives a visit from James, Viola and Lady Wallingham - at first she is ashamed, but they treat her with kindness and respect (well James and Viola do) and she puts Lady W in her place when the woman is less than complementary about Sebastian. Augusta sees the resemblance between James and Sebastian and assumes that Sebastian is a by-blow - but she doesn't care - she loves him and wants him.
The two become closer and Sebastian learns more about her past and wants nothing more than to protect her. His attempts at wooing are extremely amusing and Augusta is charmed. Sebastian tells her that they will be attending a dinner party and at first Augusta refuses, but finally relents. At the party, Augusta learns the truth about Sebastian and she has her chance to confront Glassington. Upset by the encounter, she asks Sebastian to take her home. When they arrive home, Sebastian learns the truth about Augusta and Glassington from Shaw and sees the opportunity to force Augusta's hand.
He tells her that he will make Glassington marry Phoebe, if Augusta marries him - tomorrow. They negotiate and Augusta agrees. They marry and finally make love and Sebastian knows that he loves her. It seems like these two will ease right into their HEA, but nothing in HR is that easy!
They will have to deal with a kidnapping, injuries, a sister bent on doing the right thing, a runaway and more advice from Lady Wallingham before they can settle into marital bliss. This book is almost unputdownable, it is well written, flows perfectly, has amusing moments, serious moments, a little heartache, steamy love scenes, great secondary characters as well as a secondary romance and a very satisfying HEA. It is the eighth book in the series, and it really could be read as a stand alone title with no problems, but for the best reading experience, I would recommend reading the series in order.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me*
Sebastian Reaver has been an ongoing secondary character for much of the series and we learned more about him in James and Viola's book - but until you read this book, you do not really know Sebastian Reaver/Elijah Kilbrenner. Sebastian is the no nonsense, gruff, extremely large, ruthless owner of the gaming club "Reaver's" he is also presumptive heir to James Kilbrenner, Earl of Tannenbrook and the dowager Lady Wallingham's newest pet project. Both James and Lady W are trying to get Sebastian to accept his fate as heir and get him married and producing children. Sebastian has made it perfectly clear that they can go pound salt. Sebastian is perfectly content with his club, the club is everything to him, it is his passion, his life - if he is feeling a little restless, it will pass and he doesn't need or want a wife.
Augusta Widmore is on a mission, her beloved sister's betrothed has lost his fortune at Reaver's and has cried off marrying Phoebe - this is unacceptable to Augusta and she will do anything to get him to the altar - even make a deal with the devil. Augusta is one of the best heroines I have read in a really long time. She is tenacious, persistence, managing , very amusing and has a soft heart. She sneaks into Reaver's and attempts to get Glassington's markers - she is planning on using them as leverage to blackmail him into marrying her sister. She makes it to Sebastian's office - but he won't listen to her and bodily removes her from the club. Days later she returns, disguised as a maid and again makes her way to Sebastian's office. Sebastian is secretly thrilled that she has returned and this time he lets her state her case. She doesn't want Sebastian to forgive the debt - she just wants to use them to force his hand - she doesn't mention that she is not interested in marrying Glassington or that her sister is pregnant. Sebastian assumes the Augusta wants to marry Glassington and therefore makes an outrageous offer - be his mistress for 6 weeks and he will let her have the markers. He is bluffing, but assumes that she will go running at the prospect of being his mistress. He would be wrong. Augusta agrees and they haggle over the details - she will move into his house and he will furnish her with a new wardrobe. At the end of 6 weeks, he will give her the markers. A very stunned Sebastian agrees and then tries to bluff again - but Augusta neatly sidesteps him - again.
She returns to her lodging and tells her sister what has transpired - Phoebe is shocked and begs her to reconsider. But Augusta is determined to see Phoebe safely wed and won't be swayed. When she leaves the lodging house, she is approached by Ash, the boy she used to help her get into Reaver's - he has attached himself to her and wants to go with her to Sebastian's house. At first she tells him no, but when she sees how thin he is, her soft heart gets the better of her and she agrees.
They arrive at Sebastian's house and she is shocked to find it barely furnished and without a staff. When Sebastian arrives, she makes new demands and they haggle again. Sebastian is fascinated by her and she is more than a little intrigued by him. The chemistry between them is undeniable and the tension between them sizzles. Sebastian shows her the house and then returns to the club. He never planned to really have her be his mistress or live at his house - but she called his bluff and he couldn't back down. So he will just have to stay away from her...
When he arrives back at the club, he learns from his partner Shaw that Augusta's sister is there - she came to confront Sebastian, but became ill and Shaw put her in one of the rooms and called for a doctor. As first she refuses to see the doctor, but agrees when she learns he will not tell anyone about her condition. Sebastian brings Augusta to visit Phoebe, Augusta assures Phoebe that everything will be fine and then returns to Sebastian's office. They share a passionate kiss and then he takes her shopping for furniture for his house. They are both dazed by the kiss and they both want more - but Sebastian still thinks Augusta is trying to marry Glassington. He decides that he wants Augusta for himself and asks his secretary and James for advice on how to woo her.
Augusta wants Sebastian and begins to plot how she can marry him. She also receives a visit from James, Viola and Lady Wallingham - at first she is ashamed, but they treat her with kindness and respect (well James and Viola do) and she puts Lady W in her place when the woman is less than complementary about Sebastian. Augusta sees the resemblance between James and Sebastian and assumes that Sebastian is a by-blow - but she doesn't care - she loves him and wants him.
The two become closer and Sebastian learns more about her past and wants nothing more than to protect her. His attempts at wooing are extremely amusing and Augusta is charmed. Sebastian tells her that they will be attending a dinner party and at first Augusta refuses, but finally relents. At the party, Augusta learns the truth about Sebastian and she has her chance to confront Glassington. Upset by the encounter, she asks Sebastian to take her home. When they arrive home, Sebastian learns the truth about Augusta and Glassington from Shaw and sees the opportunity to force Augusta's hand.
He tells her that he will make Glassington marry Phoebe, if Augusta marries him - tomorrow. They negotiate and Augusta agrees. They marry and finally make love and Sebastian knows that he loves her. It seems like these two will ease right into their HEA, but nothing in HR is that easy!
They will have to deal with a kidnapping, injuries, a sister bent on doing the right thing, a runaway and more advice from Lady Wallingham before they can settle into marital bliss. This book is almost unputdownable, it is well written, flows perfectly, has amusing moments, serious moments, a little heartache, steamy love scenes, great secondary characters as well as a secondary romance and a very satisfying HEA. It is the eighth book in the series, and it really could be read as a stand alone title with no problems, but for the best reading experience, I would recommend reading the series in order.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me*
dnf
September 21, 2024DNF at 44%. The story is just too improbable. Nothing makes sense. Am I really supposed to believe that a spinster would leap at the chance to become the mistress of a gaming hell owner, all to redeem her sister’s yet-to-be-announced fiancé’s markers? In previous books, Sebastian was portrayed as this mysterious and ruthless figure, but now he's revealed to be a softie? If you’re going to make him a tough, hardened character, commit to it. Don’t backtrack like this. What a disappointment!
February 15, 2020
This is a slow burn for both romances, sisters who have troubles. The h is very protective of, well everyone, especially the H, and he's falls madly in love with her almost at first sight.The secondary love story has many layers, a weak OM, father of the 2nd h's child, and an Indian/English H also madly in love. I loved seeing people from previous books in this book. The pacing was a bit slow, and some honest conversations would have helped, but I loved it anyway.
May 23, 2024
After a few weeks away from reading, I’ve finally gotten to this book! Just don’t let the 3 star fool you - this was a really enjoyable read for me, and is definitely closer to the 4 star mark.
I just love a bit of steam.. and because of the way the characters were portrayed, not only in this book but throughout the series, I was expecting some more “hot and heavy” scenes between these two really interesting characters. When “it” finally happened within the last 40-30% of the book, it just wasn’t good enough for me! Yes the scenes were great, just weren’t enough of them, so I felt as though they were done dirty (🤣) and let down by the author.
Other than that, it was a sweet and easy read with some lovely dialogue ❤️ I’m just not sure I would read it again though, hence the 3 star.
I just love a bit of steam.. and because of the way the characters were portrayed, not only in this book but throughout the series, I was expecting some more “hot and heavy” scenes between these two really interesting characters. When “it” finally happened within the last 40-30% of the book, it just wasn’t good enough for me! Yes the scenes were great, just weren’t enough of them, so I felt as though they were done dirty (🤣) and let down by the author.
Other than that, it was a sweet and easy read with some lovely dialogue ❤️ I’m just not sure I would read it again though, hence the 3 star.
January 2, 2023
Don’t you just love a decent rogue with a kind heart, and a spinster whose feisty and doesn’t give an inch? I loved all parts of this story including Ash the small ragamuffin Augustus befriends, or rescues.
Sebastian Reaver and Gus’s story is magic. And sister Phoebe gives Adam Shaw a run for his money. Their relationship is endearing.
I must say how much I’m enjoying the correspondence gems of the Dowager Marchioness of Wallingham. They feature at the beginning of each chapter in all of the series. They ooze with contempt, irony and good sense. Priceless!
Sebastian Reaver and Gus’s story is magic. And sister Phoebe gives Adam Shaw a run for his money. Their relationship is endearing.
I must say how much I’m enjoying the correspondence gems of the Dowager Marchioness of Wallingham. They feature at the beginning of each chapter in all of the series. They ooze with contempt, irony and good sense. Priceless!
December 31, 2019
Different story & slow burn
September 15, 2020
2 stars for adorable Ash and the chemistry between Reaver and Augusta
To say that I was disappointed with this book would be an understatement. I have liked everything by Elisa Braden so far. This rating hurts me a lot, but it embodies my sentiments towards this story. The entire premise of Anything but a Gentleman is based on a weak foundation of the "secret pregnancy and secretly pregnant with another man's baby" trope, one I absolutely despise.
The plot is thin and weak at best because literally everything that happens in this book is centered on this despicable trope. Take away the secret pregnancy trope from this book, and you've got a whole pile of nothing. I am not even kidding. That's how weakly constructed the plot is.
Reaver and Shaw, especially, deserved better than this contrived and abhorrent trope. Hell, even Augusta deserved better, despite the fact that she never revealed the truth to Reaver herself. In her own words:
Even Reaver's marriage proposal was based on this trope (nope, I am not kidding). His proposal was so unromantic because he blatantly told Augusta to marry him in exchange for blackmailing Glassington into marrying Phoebe. Yes, they love each other so it didn't really matter because each wanted to marry the other. But it still left a bad taste in my mouth.
Overall, I did like Reaver and Augusta together. Their chemistry is great, but it is really grating that these two would never have gotten together if it were not for the loathsome secret pregnancy. I completely understood the secrecy in the beginning, but my God, it should have been revealed early on. Shaw and Reaver should not have had to find out from their own investigation.
Shaw deserved so much better than this. I have loved both Reaver and Shaw ever since they were introduced. I am appalled that this was the story that was handed to Shaw. I was irritated when Shaw told Phoebe that he was nothing to Phoebe and didn't deserve to know the truth. Please! Enough! Shaw and I both know he deserved the truth. Shaw's intelligence was also heavily insulted, in my opinion. This is a man, who by all means, has seen everything, yet he never once suspected that Phoebe was pregnant, despite all the open hints. Give me a break. Furthermore, it was disturbing how Phoebe was briefly compared to Shaw's mother. Also, why is his skin colour described as "tea coloured skin"?? I guess, from now on, I should refer to my own skin colour as "tea coloured skin." Spare me, please. I don't quite remember this descriptor being used in the previous books, but if it was, then I am glad it went over my head because it would have affected my ratings of those books.
The characterization of Phoebe is also weak. She slept with Glassington to please her sister? I don't get that at all. There is also so much more to Shaw's backstory that should have been explored in depth. His past in India, with his mother, was briefly and vaguely mentioned. Reaver kept saying how Shaw has fought harder than anyone to be where he is. Shaw himself kept saying how he has seen everything. Please stop telling me. Show me instead. Shaw deserved better than this inadequate and incomplete love story. Shaw deserved better than an airheaded pregnant heroine who lied to his face. Reaver and Augusta deserved more quality time together. Reaver and Augusta deserved a love story built on a solid foundation.
I rest my case.
To say that I was disappointed with this book would be an understatement. I have liked everything by Elisa Braden so far. This rating hurts me a lot, but it embodies my sentiments towards this story. The entire premise of Anything but a Gentleman is based on a weak foundation of the "secret pregnancy and secretly pregnant with another man's baby" trope, one I absolutely despise.
The plot is thin and weak at best because literally everything that happens in this book is centered on this despicable trope. Take away the secret pregnancy trope from this book, and you've got a whole pile of nothing. I am not even kidding. That's how weakly constructed the plot is.
Reaver and Shaw, especially, deserved better than this contrived and abhorrent trope. Hell, even Augusta deserved better, despite the fact that she never revealed the truth to Reaver herself. In her own words:
"So deeply she had come to trust him, she'd even contemplated revealing the truth about Glassington and Phoebe, wondering if he still believed she had pursued the earl for herself."At this point in the story, I think she'd learned enough about Reaver to trust him with the dooming secret, but nope, she never revealed it to him. She lost points there for me.
Even Reaver's marriage proposal was based on this trope (nope, I am not kidding). His proposal was so unromantic because he blatantly told Augusta to marry him in exchange for blackmailing Glassington into marrying Phoebe. Yes, they love each other so it didn't really matter because each wanted to marry the other. But it still left a bad taste in my mouth.
Overall, I did like Reaver and Augusta together. Their chemistry is great, but it is really grating that these two would never have gotten together if it were not for the loathsome secret pregnancy. I completely understood the secrecy in the beginning, but my God, it should have been revealed early on. Shaw and Reaver should not have had to find out from their own investigation.
Shaw deserved so much better than this. I have loved both Reaver and Shaw ever since they were introduced. I am appalled that this was the story that was handed to Shaw. I was irritated when Shaw told Phoebe that he was nothing to Phoebe and didn't deserve to know the truth. Please! Enough! Shaw and I both know he deserved the truth. Shaw's intelligence was also heavily insulted, in my opinion. This is a man, who by all means, has seen everything, yet he never once suspected that Phoebe was pregnant, despite all the open hints. Give me a break. Furthermore, it was disturbing how Phoebe was briefly compared to Shaw's mother. Also, why is his skin colour described as "tea coloured skin"?? I guess, from now on, I should refer to my own skin colour as "tea coloured skin." Spare me, please. I don't quite remember this descriptor being used in the previous books, but if it was, then I am glad it went over my head because it would have affected my ratings of those books.
The characterization of Phoebe is also weak. She slept with Glassington to please her sister? I don't get that at all. There is also so much more to Shaw's backstory that should have been explored in depth. His past in India, with his mother, was briefly and vaguely mentioned. Reaver kept saying how Shaw has fought harder than anyone to be where he is. Shaw himself kept saying how he has seen everything. Please stop telling me. Show me instead. Shaw deserved better than this inadequate and incomplete love story. Shaw deserved better than an airheaded pregnant heroine who lied to his face. Reaver and Augusta deserved more quality time together. Reaver and Augusta deserved a love story built on a solid foundation.
I rest my case.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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