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Essex Sisters #4.5
A Gentleman Never Tells
Eighteen months ago, Lizzie Troutt’s husband died in his mistress’s bed, leaving her determined to never marry again….and unfortunately virginal.
Eighteen years ago (give or take a few) the Honorable Oliver Berwick blackened his own soul, leaving him hardened and resolutely single.
When the chance for redemption in the form of a country house party invitation comes his way, Oliver is determined to prove himself a gentleman.
Until he breaks all the codes of gentlemanly behavior…once again.
Eighteen years ago (give or take a few) the Honorable Oliver Berwick blackened his own soul, leaving him hardened and resolutely single.
When the chance for redemption in the form of a country house party invitation comes his way, Oliver is determined to prove himself a gentleman.
Until he breaks all the codes of gentlemanly behavior…once again.
160 pages, ebook
First published June 28, 2016
About the author
Eloisa James
119 books9,214 followersNew York Times bestselling author Eloisa James writes historical romances for HarperCollins Publishers. Her novels have been published to great acclaim. A reviewer from USA Today wrote of Eloisa's very first book that she "found herself devouring the book like a dieter with a Hershey bar"; later People Magazine raved that "romance writing does not get much better than this." Her novels have repeatedly received starred reviews from Publishers' Weekly and Library Journal and regularly appear on the best-seller lists.
After graduating from Harvard University, Eloisa got an M.Phil. from Oxford University, a Ph.D. from Yale and eventually became a Shakespeare professor, publishing an academic book with Oxford University Press. Currently she is an associate professor and head of the Creative Writing program at Fordham University in New York City. Her "double life" is a source of fascination to the media and her readers. In her professorial guise, she's written a New York Times op-ed defending romance, as well as articles published everywhere from women's magazines such as More to writers' journals such as the Romance Writers' Report.
Eloisa...on her double life:
When I'm not writing novels, I'm a Shakespeare professor. It's rather like having two lives. The other day I bought a delicious pink suit to tape a television segment on romance; I'll never wear that suit to teach in, nor even to give a paper at the Shakespeare Association of America conference. It's like being Superman, with power suits for both lives. Yet the literature professor in me certainly plays into my romances. The Taming of the Duke (April 2006) has obvious Shakespearean resonances, as do many of my novels. I often weave early modern poetry into my work; the same novel might contain bits of Catullus, Shakespeare and anonymous bawdy ballads from the 16th century.
When I rip off my power suit, whether it's academic or romantic, underneath is the rather tired, chocolate-stained sweatshirt of a mom. Just as I use Shakespeare in my romances, I almost always employ my experiences as a mother. When I wrote about a miscarriage in Midnight Pleasures, I used my own fears of premature birth; when the little girl in Fool For Love threw up and threw up, I described my own daughter, who had that unsavory habit for well over her first year of life.
So I'm a writer, a professor, a mother - and a wife. My husband Alessandro is Italian, born in Florence. We spend the lazy summer months with his mother and sister in Italy. It always strikes me as a huge irony that as a romance writer I find myself married to a knight, a cavaliere, as you say in Italian.
One more thing...I'm a friend. I have girlfriends who are writers and girlfriends who are Shakespeare professors. And I have girlfriends who are romance readers. In fact, we have something of a community going on my website. Please stop by and join the conversation on my readers' pages.
After graduating from Harvard University, Eloisa got an M.Phil. from Oxford University, a Ph.D. from Yale and eventually became a Shakespeare professor, publishing an academic book with Oxford University Press. Currently she is an associate professor and head of the Creative Writing program at Fordham University in New York City. Her "double life" is a source of fascination to the media and her readers. In her professorial guise, she's written a New York Times op-ed defending romance, as well as articles published everywhere from women's magazines such as More to writers' journals such as the Romance Writers' Report.
Eloisa...on her double life:
When I'm not writing novels, I'm a Shakespeare professor. It's rather like having two lives. The other day I bought a delicious pink suit to tape a television segment on romance; I'll never wear that suit to teach in, nor even to give a paper at the Shakespeare Association of America conference. It's like being Superman, with power suits for both lives. Yet the literature professor in me certainly plays into my romances. The Taming of the Duke (April 2006) has obvious Shakespearean resonances, as do many of my novels. I often weave early modern poetry into my work; the same novel might contain bits of Catullus, Shakespeare and anonymous bawdy ballads from the 16th century.
When I rip off my power suit, whether it's academic or romantic, underneath is the rather tired, chocolate-stained sweatshirt of a mom. Just as I use Shakespeare in my romances, I almost always employ my experiences as a mother. When I wrote about a miscarriage in Midnight Pleasures, I used my own fears of premature birth; when the little girl in Fool For Love threw up and threw up, I described my own daughter, who had that unsavory habit for well over her first year of life.
So I'm a writer, a professor, a mother - and a wife. My husband Alessandro is Italian, born in Florence. We spend the lazy summer months with his mother and sister in Italy. It always strikes me as a huge irony that as a romance writer I find myself married to a knight, a cavaliere, as you say in Italian.
One more thing...I'm a friend. I have girlfriends who are writers and girlfriends who are Shakespeare professors. And I have girlfriends who are romance readers. In fact, we have something of a community going on my website. Please stop by and join the conversation on my readers' pages.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 229 reviews
June 29, 2016
This novella was the perfect little teaser to get me intrigued enough to start reading the Essex sisters series by Eloisa James. This is book 4.5 in the series and while it might be a novella it packs quite a punch. As I said I haven't read the books preceding this one but I definitely kept up with the story and I can safely say that it could be read as standalone. And if like me you were wondering if the series would be something you'd enjoy I would definitely recommend trying A Gentleman Never Tells.
The story for all intents and purposes is quite short, obviously since its a novella. Lizzie is a widow, her husband having died while attempting to tupp and I quote "Shady Sadie". She's a proud bookworm but lately she's been using books to hide from the rest of the world. Something prior to marriage she would have never done. So when her sister forces her to join family and guests at her home while she entertains them. You can imagine how distressed she is. Until she meets Oliver.
I'll stop right there because I don't want to giveaway the entire story. But I thoroughly enjoyed this little story. There was some lovely humor and some sweet and sexy moments too. I've added the Essex sisters to my never ending TBR!
ARC kindly provided by publisher via Edelweiss in return for an honest review
July 4, 2016
This charming novella is loosely related to Eloisa James’
Essex Sisters
series by virtue of the fact that the heroine’s sister is friends with Josie, Countess of Mayne. The central romance develops quickly – over the space of a couple of days – but it’s well done, with plenty of humour and crackling chemistry between the two leads which enables the reader to buy into this whirlwind courtship without the need for the suspension of too much disbelief.
Lizzie, Lady Troutt has been a widow for just over eighteen months. Not unusually for the time, her father chose her husband for her and chose badly; Adrian Troutt only wanted Lizzie’s money so that he could continue to live with his long-term mistress. Poor Lizzie had no idea of that until her wedding day, when her new husband unceremoniously dumped her at his mother’s home, told Lizzie to look after her and waved goodbye. Hurt and disillusioned, Lizzie ran back to her father – who sent her right back and basically told her to get on with it.
Adrian’s unorthodox living arrangements were widely known, which naturally made Lizzie into a figure of fun or pity, and his death ‘on the job’ only served to increase her notoriety. In the year and a half since his death, all Lizzie has wanted to do is to fade into the background, stay at home and read her beloved books.
Her older, happily married sister Cat, Lady Windingham, is worried about her, though. Lizzie used to be vibrant and quick-witted but has become entirely self-effacing and reclusive; she seems to be holding herself responsible for her late husband’s faults, and Cat wants to shake her out of her gloom. She extracts a promise from Lizzie to attend the house-party she and her husband are holding and hopes to find a way to bring Lizzie out of her shell.
Oliver Berwick still feels guilty over some youthful indiscretions that caused hurt to a couple of young women in society. When the opportunity to offer both ladies an apology presents itself, he grabs it, accompanying his fifteen year-old niece (and ward) to Lady Windingham’s houseparty. Cat makes Oliver very welcome, but Lizzie is quiet and aloof, making a reluctant appearance at the dinner table that first evening and skipping breakfast the next day, simply to avoid meeting him again. Oliver is funny, charming and far too handsome for Lizzie’s peace of mind; and besides, she doesn’t want a man. Widowhood comes with certain benefits, one of which is not having to be subject to the dictates of any man ever again, even a gorgeous, amusing and surprisingly straightforward one.
Both Lizzie and Oliver are such well-rounded, engaging characters, that it’s not hard to get to know them quickly and to feel that they’re part of a longer story. It’s easy to understand what has driven Lizzie to want to hide herself away and to sympathise with her insecurities; and it’s clear that Oliver has grown up to be a conscientious, caring man. He is sweetly smitten with Lizzie from the start and determined to coax her out of herself and show her that not all men are selfish bastards. Lizzie is wary and at first wants nothing more than to hide away; but – and here I thoroughly applaud the author – Lizzie starts to realise ON HER OWN that she is doing herself down by dressing in drab clothes and living vicariously through the books she loves. I loved watching her succumbing to the warmth of Oliver’s personality and his gentle teasing, but I also loved that she was finally standing up for herself and discovering the women she was supposed to be.
In spite of the short page count, Ms. James manages to create a genuine connection between her central couple and to add in some swiftly but ably drawn secondary characters, too. A Gentleman Never Tells is a fun, quick read that can be enjoyed by fans as well as those new to the author’s work.
Lizzie, Lady Troutt has been a widow for just over eighteen months. Not unusually for the time, her father chose her husband for her and chose badly; Adrian Troutt only wanted Lizzie’s money so that he could continue to live with his long-term mistress. Poor Lizzie had no idea of that until her wedding day, when her new husband unceremoniously dumped her at his mother’s home, told Lizzie to look after her and waved goodbye. Hurt and disillusioned, Lizzie ran back to her father – who sent her right back and basically told her to get on with it.
Adrian’s unorthodox living arrangements were widely known, which naturally made Lizzie into a figure of fun or pity, and his death ‘on the job’ only served to increase her notoriety. In the year and a half since his death, all Lizzie has wanted to do is to fade into the background, stay at home and read her beloved books.
Her older, happily married sister Cat, Lady Windingham, is worried about her, though. Lizzie used to be vibrant and quick-witted but has become entirely self-effacing and reclusive; she seems to be holding herself responsible for her late husband’s faults, and Cat wants to shake her out of her gloom. She extracts a promise from Lizzie to attend the house-party she and her husband are holding and hopes to find a way to bring Lizzie out of her shell.
Oliver Berwick still feels guilty over some youthful indiscretions that caused hurt to a couple of young women in society. When the opportunity to offer both ladies an apology presents itself, he grabs it, accompanying his fifteen year-old niece (and ward) to Lady Windingham’s houseparty. Cat makes Oliver very welcome, but Lizzie is quiet and aloof, making a reluctant appearance at the dinner table that first evening and skipping breakfast the next day, simply to avoid meeting him again. Oliver is funny, charming and far too handsome for Lizzie’s peace of mind; and besides, she doesn’t want a man. Widowhood comes with certain benefits, one of which is not having to be subject to the dictates of any man ever again, even a gorgeous, amusing and surprisingly straightforward one.
Both Lizzie and Oliver are such well-rounded, engaging characters, that it’s not hard to get to know them quickly and to feel that they’re part of a longer story. It’s easy to understand what has driven Lizzie to want to hide herself away and to sympathise with her insecurities; and it’s clear that Oliver has grown up to be a conscientious, caring man. He is sweetly smitten with Lizzie from the start and determined to coax her out of herself and show her that not all men are selfish bastards. Lizzie is wary and at first wants nothing more than to hide away; but – and here I thoroughly applaud the author – Lizzie starts to realise ON HER OWN that she is doing herself down by dressing in drab clothes and living vicariously through the books she loves. I loved watching her succumbing to the warmth of Oliver’s personality and his gentle teasing, but I also loved that she was finally standing up for herself and discovering the women she was supposed to be.
In spite of the short page count, Ms. James manages to create a genuine connection between her central couple and to add in some swiftly but ably drawn secondary characters, too. A Gentleman Never Tells is a fun, quick read that can be enjoyed by fans as well as those new to the author’s work.
October 25, 2022
A charming novella. You have a great recipe in this book. A repentant rake, a virginal, young and widowed heroine, a house party and teenagers to create mischief. Some of the writings got me teary-eyed (maybe I'm just being maudlin'). The self-doubt that Lizzie faced and her anger towards her father for selling her for a mere title was just heart-wrenching to read. However, I loved the way Oliver tried to draw her out. It was fun to read about his antics. I'm thinking 4.5 stars just for the writing and the emotions the book has wrought out of me.
July 15, 2023
After initial sister pep talk to get Lizzie out of her room by her older sister Cat that takes up about 17% of the beginning of the book, things heat up with Oliver and start rolling.
Story becomes cute then heated and then almost obsessed. But in a good way.
I love Oliver and how into Lizzie he is.
Nice little novella.
Story becomes cute then heated and then almost obsessed. But in a good way.
I love Oliver and how into Lizzie he is.
Nice little novella.
June 21, 2021
Dit verhaal is eigenlijk alleen interessant wanneer je het direct leest achter Pleasure for Pleasure boek 4 in de serie over de Essex zusters . Het verhaal is maar 130 pagina's lang , toch is de romance tussen Lizzie en Oliver nog best goed uitgewerkt .
March 6, 2017
Thanks to the publisher for an advance reader's copy.
Oh feminist romance writers, you are so fun to discover at this point in my life. Even though the short format required instalove, I liked these characters and their baggage. I didn't know it was part of a series when I requested it, but didn't have any issues understanding the backstory. Plus, there's a literal bodice-ripping, which made me laugh out loud.
Oh feminist romance writers, you are so fun to discover at this point in my life. Even though the short format required instalove, I liked these characters and their baggage. I didn't know it was part of a series when I requested it, but didn't have any issues understanding the backstory. Plus, there's a literal bodice-ripping, which made me laugh out loud.
July 11, 2016
I loved it! I wanted more of Oliver and Lizzie and wish this had been a full length novel! It drives me CRAZY, however, that I could enjoy a novella by Eloisa James SO MUCH but know that her novels aren't usually my thing.
April 8, 2024
This was a fun and quick little story that has me wondering about the full series.
June 25, 2016
4 "The Widow Finds Her Match" Stars.
Eloisa James' latest release is a romantic novella built around a second chance at love motif. Demonstrating her signature creative talent and adeptness at weaving in some comical, witty scenes (remember the rented pineapple in My American Duchess!) into her romances, A Gentleman Never Tells, was a short and entertaining read. For example, some of my favorite scenes included certain "plum" references and rather inventive croquet game playing.
Married off to gain a title, her "husband" never quite treated Lizzie Troutt as more than a means to money -- though it wasn't for her lack of trying to gain his affections, even if she wasn't attracted to this older man. So when he passes away, in bed with his mistress no less, Lizzie is more than happy to never marry again. Instead preferring to escape into the fantasy world of her books, Lizzie has shunned society for over a year. Her sister, however, is determined to see her happy again and enlists the help of the Honorable Oliver Berwick, a man with his own past woes, to make it happen.
But when a person's spirit is broken, is it ever possible to break through and make them believe that second chances at happiness are truly possible?
All in all, lovers of Ms James' special, funny and sweet romances will not want to miss A Gentleman Never Tells.
Source: Review copy provided in exchange for an honest review.
Eloisa James' latest release is a romantic novella built around a second chance at love motif. Demonstrating her signature creative talent and adeptness at weaving in some comical, witty scenes (remember the rented pineapple in My American Duchess!) into her romances, A Gentleman Never Tells, was a short and entertaining read. For example, some of my favorite scenes included certain "plum" references and rather inventive croquet game playing.
Married off to gain a title, her "husband" never quite treated Lizzie Troutt as more than a means to money -- though it wasn't for her lack of trying to gain his affections, even if she wasn't attracted to this older man. So when he passes away, in bed with his mistress no less, Lizzie is more than happy to never marry again. Instead preferring to escape into the fantasy world of her books, Lizzie has shunned society for over a year. Her sister, however, is determined to see her happy again and enlists the help of the Honorable Oliver Berwick, a man with his own past woes, to make it happen.
But when a person's spirit is broken, is it ever possible to break through and make them believe that second chances at happiness are truly possible?
All in all, lovers of Ms James' special, funny and sweet romances will not want to miss A Gentleman Never Tells.
Source: Review copy provided in exchange for an honest review.
Read
July 10, 2016This was great! This author never disappoints, and this novella was adorable. Loved the ending. Loved the silly niece and her shenanigans. If you're not sure you like historical romances, this little nugget of love will convince you that you should.
Read
June 26, 2017Haha I don't even know how to rate this! It's so good but so bad but so good. It made me laugh both at it and with it so I'm perfectly content with this quick read.
October 17, 2016
This is a novella in Essex Sisters series which I’ve read a very long time ago, and I liked all four books.
As novella’s go, this was a well told story within the constraints of the size they usually come in. My heart went out to our heroine, Lizzie who was married to Adrian, a man who’s never given her much of his time, yet he had plenty of it to spend with his mistress, in whose bed she breaths his last.
Of course, this is a huge embarrassment to Lizzie and she withdraws from society. Her sister has just about had enough of it and after over eighteen months of this self enforced “exile”, she aims to draw Lizzie out and make her enjoy life once more.
Our hero, Oliver is a complicated and very interesting man who had done some questionable things in his youth and takes advantage of attending a house party to offer his apologies for it. I liked him a lot!
You don’t have to have read the other books in this series in order to enjoy this wonderful, fast pacing and utterly romantic story, but I would recommend you do because all of them were truly great.
Melanie for b2b
Complimentary copy provided by the publisher
As novella’s go, this was a well told story within the constraints of the size they usually come in. My heart went out to our heroine, Lizzie who was married to Adrian, a man who’s never given her much of his time, yet he had plenty of it to spend with his mistress, in whose bed she breaths his last.
Of course, this is a huge embarrassment to Lizzie and she withdraws from society. Her sister has just about had enough of it and after over eighteen months of this self enforced “exile”, she aims to draw Lizzie out and make her enjoy life once more.
Our hero, Oliver is a complicated and very interesting man who had done some questionable things in his youth and takes advantage of attending a house party to offer his apologies for it. I liked him a lot!
You don’t have to have read the other books in this series in order to enjoy this wonderful, fast pacing and utterly romantic story, but I would recommend you do because all of them were truly great.
Melanie for b2b
Complimentary copy provided by the publisher
July 12, 2016
I really like Eloisa James books, but this one doesn't rate my usual 5-stars for her books. Maybe it is that it is a short novella and things just didn't have time to develop.
The blurb about the book says "Eighteen years ago (give or take a few) the Honorable Oliver Berwick blackened his own soul, leaving him hardened and resolutely single." That just didn't work for me -- because what he did wouldn't even leave a slight scuff mark much less blackening his soul. That said, I really liked Oliver. He was a very nice, very caring man -- just couldn't picture him falling in love and marrying within two days!!!
Lizzie Troutt is a widow whose husband died eighteen months ago. Lizzie was terribly verbally abused in that first marriage. Her husband never consummated the marriage, dropped her off with his mother and quickly went to live with his mistress. He married Lizzie for her dowry and then blamed all of his shortcomings on Lizzie. She has sworn she'll never marry.
I enjoyed this as a short, quick, light read.
The blurb about the book says "Eighteen years ago (give or take a few) the Honorable Oliver Berwick blackened his own soul, leaving him hardened and resolutely single." That just didn't work for me -- because what he did wouldn't even leave a slight scuff mark much less blackening his soul. That said, I really liked Oliver. He was a very nice, very caring man -- just couldn't picture him falling in love and marrying within two days!!!
Lizzie Troutt is a widow whose husband died eighteen months ago. Lizzie was terribly verbally abused in that first marriage. Her husband never consummated the marriage, dropped her off with his mother and quickly went to live with his mistress. He married Lizzie for her dowry and then blamed all of his shortcomings on Lizzie. She has sworn she'll never marry.
I enjoyed this as a short, quick, light read.
June 29, 2016
At this point, I'd forgotten all about the Essex sisters. There have been a lot of books under the bridge since then, as it were. However, this book achieves something a novella rarely does--the ability to stand alone. Oliver and Lizzie's story is the perfect confection for a miserable summer day. Though they do fall in insta-love, it's believable. I may change my mind upon reading it a second time, so we'll see how it holds up.
January 31, 2024
The main purpose of a romance novel or novella is to convince the reader that they have just witnessed two people fall in forever love, whatever path they travel to get there. That task is a bit harder to accomplish in a novella because an author has to do the same amount of convincing in less time. This story had charm and almost, almost accomplished the job, but I think it pushed a little too hard a little too quickly. Still a good read, though not outstanding.
March 19, 2023
3.5. This is a fine little EJ novella. Makes me desperate for more EJ and I’m pretty sure I’ve read her entire back catalogue already 🥲🥲🥲
June 30, 2016
Originally published at Reading Reality
This one was just good fun. And sometimes that’s exactly what a reader, or at any rate this reader, is looking for.
Oliver is just so earnest. He really needs the element of whimsy (and occasional hair-pulling insanity) that his niece Hattie brings into his life. She lightens him up, and he needs that lightness, even as both he and the reader want to shake his sister. Oliver has become Hattie’s guardian not through the usual tragedy, but because his sister and brother-in-law have run off to Africa to convert the locals to their version of Christianity.
Hattie is much, much better off with Oliver. And is old enough to understand that she is. She also seems to be permanently plotting to bring him out of himself, and to get her own way. She and her best friend connive to do both, dragging Oliver to a house party at Lady Windingham’s two days early, so that she has more time with her best friend.
Fifteen-year-old Hattie has yet another ulterior motive. Back when Oliver and his friends were young and insufferable, they put about a whole series of cruel witticisms about various young ladies in the ton. Those witticisms set back the victims marriage prospects considerably at the time, even though all was well that ended well.
Lady Windingham was one of those young ladies, and Oliver needs to apologize for helping to attach “The Woolly Breeder” to her name.
But when Oliver discovers Cat Windingham’s beautiful but withdrawn sister Lizzie Troutt, he develops more than a few ulterior motives of his own.
As part of his apology to Cat, he makes a deal with her. He will make Lizzie laugh before the rest of the guests arrive. Including a man that Cat hopes will convince her sister to marry again.
Oliver plans to get there first.
Escape Rating B+: A Gentleman Never Tells is light, frothy and just plain fun, even though I haven’t read the rest of the series. (But now I plan to!)
Both Lizzie and Oliver very seriously need to lighten up, and the best way they can do that is with each other. While Oliver’s tenacious courtship and the sparkle of their banter carries the story, one of the underlying points is the often exasperated but always loving relationship between the sisters Cat and Lizzie. Even though they are currently driving each other crazy, they clearly want the best for each other. And Cat will stop at nothing to make sure that her sister gets a chance at happiness.
There is also a deeper layer underneath the froth about the way that guilt eats away at a person. Oliver feels guilty about the young ladies whose lives he and his friends attempted to ruin through their cruelty. And he has become an old sobersides to punish himself for his youthful peccadilloes. Those ladies deserve an apology, but he needn’t wallow in guilt for the rest of his life. If Cat and her best friend Josie (see Pleasure for Pleasure for details) are any indication, he seems to have accidentally done them each a very big favor.
Lizzie is also wallowing in guilt, along with a much healthier dose of anger. But being angry at dead people never gets a person anywhere at all. Her husband was an ass, and dying in his mistress’ bed was his last act of asshattery. But not before he blamed poor, inexperienced Lizzie for his inability to consummate their marriage. As I keep saying, and as Oliver says, her dead husband was an ass.
That Lizzie is both a widow and a virgin is its own delicious and shameful secret. It also fires Oliver’s desire to make Lizzie his and only his. Before his would-be rival appears on the scene.
But his real opponent is Lizzie. After her experience, she has absolutely zero willingness to trust another man with her fate or her future. Her father knowingly bartered her into the arms of her late asshat husband, a man who openly intended to spend her dowry and his nights with his mistress, while leaving her to care for his dying mother in a run-down house with few servants and even fewer comforts. When her father wouldn’t take her back, she swore off the entire male gender and was prepared to make it stick.
It takes more than a bit of persuading for Lizzie to see that either Oliver is an exception, just like her sister’s loving husband, or that her late, unlamented husband was just a singular ass and not a representative of his whole species.
Watching Lizzie and Oliver come out of their respective shells and find each other is just oodles of fun.
Reviewer’s Note: I will admit that the virgin widow trope is a personal pet peeve. It always seems like a contrivance to arrange for the ritual romantic deflowering by the hero, even when the heroine is no longer a dewy debutante. My two pence.
This one was just good fun. And sometimes that’s exactly what a reader, or at any rate this reader, is looking for.
Oliver is just so earnest. He really needs the element of whimsy (and occasional hair-pulling insanity) that his niece Hattie brings into his life. She lightens him up, and he needs that lightness, even as both he and the reader want to shake his sister. Oliver has become Hattie’s guardian not through the usual tragedy, but because his sister and brother-in-law have run off to Africa to convert the locals to their version of Christianity.
Hattie is much, much better off with Oliver. And is old enough to understand that she is. She also seems to be permanently plotting to bring him out of himself, and to get her own way. She and her best friend connive to do both, dragging Oliver to a house party at Lady Windingham’s two days early, so that she has more time with her best friend.
Fifteen-year-old Hattie has yet another ulterior motive. Back when Oliver and his friends were young and insufferable, they put about a whole series of cruel witticisms about various young ladies in the ton. Those witticisms set back the victims marriage prospects considerably at the time, even though all was well that ended well.
Lady Windingham was one of those young ladies, and Oliver needs to apologize for helping to attach “The Woolly Breeder” to her name.
But when Oliver discovers Cat Windingham’s beautiful but withdrawn sister Lizzie Troutt, he develops more than a few ulterior motives of his own.
As part of his apology to Cat, he makes a deal with her. He will make Lizzie laugh before the rest of the guests arrive. Including a man that Cat hopes will convince her sister to marry again.
Oliver plans to get there first.
Escape Rating B+: A Gentleman Never Tells is light, frothy and just plain fun, even though I haven’t read the rest of the series. (But now I plan to!)
Both Lizzie and Oliver very seriously need to lighten up, and the best way they can do that is with each other. While Oliver’s tenacious courtship and the sparkle of their banter carries the story, one of the underlying points is the often exasperated but always loving relationship between the sisters Cat and Lizzie. Even though they are currently driving each other crazy, they clearly want the best for each other. And Cat will stop at nothing to make sure that her sister gets a chance at happiness.
There is also a deeper layer underneath the froth about the way that guilt eats away at a person. Oliver feels guilty about the young ladies whose lives he and his friends attempted to ruin through their cruelty. And he has become an old sobersides to punish himself for his youthful peccadilloes. Those ladies deserve an apology, but he needn’t wallow in guilt for the rest of his life. If Cat and her best friend Josie (see Pleasure for Pleasure for details) are any indication, he seems to have accidentally done them each a very big favor.
Lizzie is also wallowing in guilt, along with a much healthier dose of anger. But being angry at dead people never gets a person anywhere at all. Her husband was an ass, and dying in his mistress’ bed was his last act of asshattery. But not before he blamed poor, inexperienced Lizzie for his inability to consummate their marriage. As I keep saying, and as Oliver says, her dead husband was an ass.
That Lizzie is both a widow and a virgin is its own delicious and shameful secret. It also fires Oliver’s desire to make Lizzie his and only his. Before his would-be rival appears on the scene.
But his real opponent is Lizzie. After her experience, she has absolutely zero willingness to trust another man with her fate or her future. Her father knowingly bartered her into the arms of her late asshat husband, a man who openly intended to spend her dowry and his nights with his mistress, while leaving her to care for his dying mother in a run-down house with few servants and even fewer comforts. When her father wouldn’t take her back, she swore off the entire male gender and was prepared to make it stick.
It takes more than a bit of persuading for Lizzie to see that either Oliver is an exception, just like her sister’s loving husband, or that her late, unlamented husband was just a singular ass and not a representative of his whole species.
Watching Lizzie and Oliver come out of their respective shells and find each other is just oodles of fun.
Reviewer’s Note: I will admit that the virgin widow trope is a personal pet peeve. It always seems like a contrivance to arrange for the ritual romantic deflowering by the hero, even when the heroine is no longer a dewy debutante. My two pence.
August 14, 2016
FINAL DECISION: A sweet repentant hero and a woman who no longer finds joy in life find the gentle possibility of love together. This novella is abbreviated but has sweetness and humor.
THE STORY: Lizzie Troutt has been left a virgin widow with a poor sense of her own worth as a woman after being subjected to a marriage where her husband preferred his mistress to her. Despite her older sister's wishes, Lizzie just wants to be left alone to read. Oliver Berwick has come to Lizzie sister's house party to apologize for his boorish behavior which helped brand Lizzie's sister as the Wooly Breeder. Ashamed of himself, Oliver agrees to Lizzie's sister request that he do two things: make Lizzie laugh and get her back on a horse. At the first look at Lizzie, however, Oliver wants so much more.
OPINION: This is a novella and as such is not as developed as a full novel would be. Despite that, I simply adored Oliver. He has developed tremendously from the young man who found himself repeating insulting remarks about others. While it is easy to sympathize with the victim of bullying, this story is about what effect bullying can have on a bully. While Oliver certainly was not the worst of his group of friends, he certainly sustained and participated in the bullying. For years, he has been ashamed of that behavior. While his shame caused him to avoid his victims, he finally finds the opportunity and the courage to apologize for his behavior. That apology and the forgiveness that flows from his victim finally allows him to forgive himself. Oliver's recognition of his mistakes is what makes him so wonderful as a hero. He now devotes himself to caring for others. First his niece and then Lizzie. I absolutely adored how he makes sure that she eats when he sees that she is too thin and only barely picking at her food. His gentle concern and determination to seeing to her well being begins to break through the shell that Lizzie has created for herself.
The romance between Oliver and Lizzie is short but these two are sweet together.
My negatives are this: I hate the virgin widow trope and this story is no different. Also, because of the length of this novella, the romance between Oliver and Lizzie felt rushed towards the end.
WORTH MENTIONING: Indoor croquet.
CONNECTED BOOKS: A GENTLEMAN NEVER TELLS is book 4.5 of the Essex Sisters series. It can be read as a standalone as it is only tangentially related to the series. It is a spin-off of PLEASURE FOR PLEASURE, so for background reading that book is more than sufficient.
STAR RATING: I give this book 3.5 stars.This review was originally posted on Top10RomanceBooks.com
THE STORY: Lizzie Troutt has been left a virgin widow with a poor sense of her own worth as a woman after being subjected to a marriage where her husband preferred his mistress to her. Despite her older sister's wishes, Lizzie just wants to be left alone to read. Oliver Berwick has come to Lizzie sister's house party to apologize for his boorish behavior which helped brand Lizzie's sister as the Wooly Breeder. Ashamed of himself, Oliver agrees to Lizzie's sister request that he do two things: make Lizzie laugh and get her back on a horse. At the first look at Lizzie, however, Oliver wants so much more.
OPINION: This is a novella and as such is not as developed as a full novel would be. Despite that, I simply adored Oliver. He has developed tremendously from the young man who found himself repeating insulting remarks about others. While it is easy to sympathize with the victim of bullying, this story is about what effect bullying can have on a bully. While Oliver certainly was not the worst of his group of friends, he certainly sustained and participated in the bullying. For years, he has been ashamed of that behavior. While his shame caused him to avoid his victims, he finally finds the opportunity and the courage to apologize for his behavior. That apology and the forgiveness that flows from his victim finally allows him to forgive himself. Oliver's recognition of his mistakes is what makes him so wonderful as a hero. He now devotes himself to caring for others. First his niece and then Lizzie. I absolutely adored how he makes sure that she eats when he sees that she is too thin and only barely picking at her food. His gentle concern and determination to seeing to her well being begins to break through the shell that Lizzie has created for herself.
The romance between Oliver and Lizzie is short but these two are sweet together.
My negatives are this: I hate the virgin widow trope and this story is no different. Also, because of the length of this novella, the romance between Oliver and Lizzie felt rushed towards the end.
WORTH MENTIONING: Indoor croquet.
CONNECTED BOOKS: A GENTLEMAN NEVER TELLS is book 4.5 of the Essex Sisters series. It can be read as a standalone as it is only tangentially related to the series. It is a spin-off of PLEASURE FOR PLEASURE, so for background reading that book is more than sufficient.
STAR RATING: I give this book 3.5 stars.This review was originally posted on Top10RomanceBooks.com
August 28, 2016
Oliver Berwick is a man with a conscience. A conscience which will not rest until a wrong left unrighted for some 18 years, has been addressed. Little does he know that his repentant heart, coupled with the urging of his most vocal niece, and a little old fashioned manipulation will all work to bring his once darkened soul the lasting reprieve that is true love.
Lizzie Troutt is a woman who has made herself at home on the shelf of widowhood. Denied the chance to be a wife, by her now dead philandering husband. Lizzie believes herself to be content to lose herself in books. Sure in the knowledge that she will never again dare to lose her heart to any man.
Until fate, a house party, and her sister Cat's good karma, step in to shift the winds of change Lizzie's way for the better...and this time, forever.
The story told in this enchanting novella is brimming with the same detailed and seamless story craft that Ms. James employs when writing her full-length novels. Because A Gentleman Never Tells has been streamlined to a mere 112 pages. The story presented offers a very detailed glimpse of the how's when's and why's of Oliver and Lizzie, and makes for a much more whimsical tale.
Though Lizzie's sister, Cat, is a worthy catalyst for this rather impromptu romance, readers are able to quickly transition from Oliver's past transgression against the now happy Cat, and his present attraction to her very wary sibling.
To say that things between our leading man and his lady happen suddenly, is a huge understatement.
These two are practically ripping each others clothes off within hours of their meeting. Who knew that a game of Croquet could be so...arousing?
In this case however, Oliver and Lizzie's passions are a double-edged sword for the plot. While their steamy and lightening fast romance does hold reader interest. It also tends to overshadow all other nuances of the story until the epilogue.
A Gentleman Never Tells is a charming testament to the belief that there really is a "home for every heart." Even if you have to play Croquet in the house to find it.
Lizzie Troutt is a woman who has made herself at home on the shelf of widowhood. Denied the chance to be a wife, by her now dead philandering husband. Lizzie believes herself to be content to lose herself in books. Sure in the knowledge that she will never again dare to lose her heart to any man.
Until fate, a house party, and her sister Cat's good karma, step in to shift the winds of change Lizzie's way for the better...and this time, forever.
The story told in this enchanting novella is brimming with the same detailed and seamless story craft that Ms. James employs when writing her full-length novels. Because A Gentleman Never Tells has been streamlined to a mere 112 pages. The story presented offers a very detailed glimpse of the how's when's and why's of Oliver and Lizzie, and makes for a much more whimsical tale.
Though Lizzie's sister, Cat, is a worthy catalyst for this rather impromptu romance, readers are able to quickly transition from Oliver's past transgression against the now happy Cat, and his present attraction to her very wary sibling.
To say that things between our leading man and his lady happen suddenly, is a huge understatement.
These two are practically ripping each others clothes off within hours of their meeting. Who knew that a game of Croquet could be so...arousing?
In this case however, Oliver and Lizzie's passions are a double-edged sword for the plot. While their steamy and lightening fast romance does hold reader interest. It also tends to overshadow all other nuances of the story until the epilogue.
A Gentleman Never Tells is a charming testament to the belief that there really is a "home for every heart." Even if you have to play Croquet in the house to find it.
July 6, 2016
ARC REVIEW
A Gentleman Never Tells is a continuation of Eloisa James’ The Essex Sisters series. That was a great series it was one of the first series I had read by her, it’s what hooked me, so I’m ecstatic that it is continued with this one. It fits in perfectly with the others in the series with its romance and humor with just the right amount of angst. It’s a short and cute little book, well novella.
Lizzie Troutt was forced to marry a man for his title by her Father. Her father wanting all his girls to marry well, arranged her marriage in hopes that he would fall madly in love with her. Little did her Father know that right after the wedding her new husband would dropped her off at the house without touching her and left to live with his mistress. It’s been eighteen months since his death and Lizzie isn’t mourning his death as much as the life she could have lived. Lizzie’s deliriously happy sister keeps pushing her to join society again but Lizzie just doesn’t have the motivation to do so.
Oliver Berwick life is now different than it was in his youth. He was left the guardianship of his niece by her two parents who left to Africa to do missionary work. Oliver has always regretted how he behaved in his younger days and when his niece gets invited to a house party he finds his chance to finally make amends with one of the people he hurt. Oliver was asked to do two things make Lizzie laugh and get her to go out riding. It was no hard task for him, Oliver is drawn toward the beautiful Lizzie and wants nothing more than to see her smile. But Lizzie has spent far too long, way too many years believing she is far from desirable that, while Oliver’s attentions are nice, she doesn’t quite believe him.
Overall, I really enjoyed this new story from The Essex Sister’s series. It was nice to see some of the characters again and Oliver really is a sweetheart. I really like his seduction technique.
A Gentleman Never Tells is a continuation of Eloisa James’ The Essex Sisters series. That was a great series it was one of the first series I had read by her, it’s what hooked me, so I’m ecstatic that it is continued with this one. It fits in perfectly with the others in the series with its romance and humor with just the right amount of angst. It’s a short and cute little book, well novella.
Lizzie Troutt was forced to marry a man for his title by her Father. Her father wanting all his girls to marry well, arranged her marriage in hopes that he would fall madly in love with her. Little did her Father know that right after the wedding her new husband would dropped her off at the house without touching her and left to live with his mistress. It’s been eighteen months since his death and Lizzie isn’t mourning his death as much as the life she could have lived. Lizzie’s deliriously happy sister keeps pushing her to join society again but Lizzie just doesn’t have the motivation to do so.
Oliver Berwick life is now different than it was in his youth. He was left the guardianship of his niece by her two parents who left to Africa to do missionary work. Oliver has always regretted how he behaved in his younger days and when his niece gets invited to a house party he finds his chance to finally make amends with one of the people he hurt. Oliver was asked to do two things make Lizzie laugh and get her to go out riding. It was no hard task for him, Oliver is drawn toward the beautiful Lizzie and wants nothing more than to see her smile. But Lizzie has spent far too long, way too many years believing she is far from desirable that, while Oliver’s attentions are nice, she doesn’t quite believe him.
Overall, I really enjoyed this new story from The Essex Sister’s series. It was nice to see some of the characters again and Oliver really is a sweetheart. I really like his seduction technique.
August 20, 2017
Lizzie is a virgin widow, natch, and hurting from the inattentions of her late husband. Oliver, meanwhile, very much wants to give her all his...attentions.
1. Another James novella that didn't do it for me, pacing-wise. 30% of the novella is all set-up: Lizzia's self-esteem issues and not-eating issues and staying-in-her-room issues and Oliver's needing to apologize issues. And the insta-lust dissolves into insta-love that destroys all Lizzie's issues like so much butter on a hot pan.
2. Ugh, babies.
3. It was fine, I guess. Just not a well-balanced story of people falling into feelings. More a story about damaged people succumbing to sex-induced amnesia.
1. Another James novella that didn't do it for me, pacing-wise. 30% of the novella is all set-up: Lizzia's self-esteem issues and not-eating issues and staying-in-her-room issues and Oliver's needing to apologize issues. And the insta-lust dissolves into insta-love that destroys all Lizzie's issues like so much butter on a hot pan.
2. Ugh, babies.
3. It was fine, I guess. Just not a well-balanced story of people falling into feelings. More a story about damaged people succumbing to sex-induced amnesia.
August 7, 2016
A solid 3.5 - I found the seduction to be very hurried but I liked the characters. It could have been a full story instead of novella and I think I would have enjoyed it more. When it is so quick, logic intrudes on my romantic notions and I can't help but find it unbelievable. But since a novella, I get it. This in no way deters me from Eloisa James though - she is one of my favorite historical romance writers.
October 7, 2016
Look beyond the 'widow virgin' and you'll find an endearing historical romance novella between a bookworm many may relate to and a hero that knows what he wants.
Thank you, Christina, for recommending this book for a buddy read! :)
Thank you, Christina, for recommending this book for a buddy read! :)
September 29, 2017
Cute!
Second of Eloisa James's novellas I have read (I don't have time for a full length novel rn) and it was enjoyable, very insta-lovey but super cute
Second of Eloisa James's novellas I have read (I don't have time for a full length novel rn) and it was enjoyable, very insta-lovey but super cute
June 29, 2016
This hero is too good to be true... And I love him!
July 2, 2016
Delightful! It has been a while since I read a book by Elosia James. I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
September 10, 2018
This is my second read of Eloisa James, and also my second novella, next will be a novel for sure by I was looking for a short read.
It did the job but I do preferred Winning The Wallflower.
I learned it was related to a previous series, but it can be perfectly read as a standalone.
The heroine is a widow who suffered under the yoke of her late husband, nothing physical but rebuffs, belittlements and scandals shaped her in a very different woman she was before her wedding.
She lost her life’s sparkle, now hiding behind books and refusing to face society, if not for her sister’s insistence to attend a country party at her sister’s estate, she would still be licking her wounds.
Oliver is there to try to redeem his youth’s errors. Never he expected to meet the one woman he never dreamed to encounter. He is a very charming man, true to himself, and he will stop at nothing to bring Lizzie back in the world of the livings.
It was a nice and entertaining fast read, Oliver, Cat, Lizzie’s sister and Hattie, Oliver’s ward and niece were definitively enjoyable characters, while Lizzie lacked of peps!
It did the job but I do preferred Winning The Wallflower.
I learned it was related to a previous series, but it can be perfectly read as a standalone.
The heroine is a widow who suffered under the yoke of her late husband, nothing physical but rebuffs, belittlements and scandals shaped her in a very different woman she was before her wedding.
She lost her life’s sparkle, now hiding behind books and refusing to face society, if not for her sister’s insistence to attend a country party at her sister’s estate, she would still be licking her wounds.
Oliver is there to try to redeem his youth’s errors. Never he expected to meet the one woman he never dreamed to encounter. He is a very charming man, true to himself, and he will stop at nothing to bring Lizzie back in the world of the livings.
It was a nice and entertaining fast read, Oliver, Cat, Lizzie’s sister and Hattie, Oliver’s ward and niece were definitively enjoyable characters, while Lizzie lacked of peps!
September 27, 2022
Loved this novella so much❣️Oliver & Lizzie were hilarious & steamy hot together. Loved the vintage Eloisa James's fuzzy warm 🤗 beautiful happy ending scene to the max❣️
. . . waiting until the plum fell asleep, looking as round and fat and plum-like as only a much-nurtured, much-loved, and much-fed baby can look.
That allowed his parents to work on their next project, a little plumlet to go with the plum.
"This one will have your hair," Oliver murmured.
Lizzie was laughing, the sound drifting across the gardens. "How can you be so sure? . . . and look at the plum. Your hair, exactly." . . .
"I just know," he said.
And he was right.
. . . waiting until the plum fell asleep, looking as round and fat and plum-like as only a much-nurtured, much-loved, and much-fed baby can look.
That allowed his parents to work on their next project, a little plumlet to go with the plum.
"This one will have your hair," Oliver murmured.
Lizzie was laughing, the sound drifting across the gardens. "How can you be so sure? . . . and look at the plum. Your hair, exactly." . . .
"I just know," he said.
And he was right.
October 15, 2022
Not a fan of her writing style
October 27, 2023
This was fine. James’ writing is smooth and it was an easy read but not real deep. I’ve already forgotten most of it which makes me a little sad.
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