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Belmore Square #2
A Gentleman Never Tells
A Gentleman never tells...but some secrets have a way of getting out.
Frank Melrose is on the cusp of taking his father's printing business global—the last thing he needs is the distraction of any woman, let alone the dazzling Taya Winters.
He's under pressure from the newspaper to unmask the mysterious highwayman causing havoc in Belmore Square, but his infuriating clashes with Taya keep slowing him down.
What's more, he's sure that the highwayman is right under their noses—and that exposing their identity will end not only his story, but ruin his family, too...
Frank Melrose is on the cusp of taking his father's printing business global—the last thing he needs is the distraction of any woman, let alone the dazzling Taya Winters.
He's under pressure from the newspaper to unmask the mysterious highwayman causing havoc in Belmore Square, but his infuriating clashes with Taya keep slowing him down.
What's more, he's sure that the highwayman is right under their noses—and that exposing their identity will end not only his story, but ruin his family, too...
304 pages, Paperback
First published July 13, 2023
119 people are currently reading
575 people want to read
About the author
Jodi Ellen Malpas
53 books20.3k followers#1 New York Times & Sunday Times Bestselling Author Jodi Ellen Malpas was born and raised in England, where she lives with her husband, her boys, and Theo the Doberman.
Writing powerful love stories with fierce, memorable characters is her passion – a passion that has taken her on an amazing journey into the world of romantic fiction. Her work is now published in more than twenty-six languages across the world.
Jodi's next release: The Invitation. Check it out on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/...
Writing powerful love stories with fierce, memorable characters is her passion – a passion that has taken her on an amazing journey into the world of romantic fiction. Her work is now published in more than twenty-six languages across the world.
Jodi's next release: The Invitation. Check it out on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
February 11, 2024
A Gentleman Never Tells by Jodi Ellen Malpas
Belmore Square series #2. Historical romance. Can be read as a standalone but the couple in the first story are included as siblings.
Frank Melrose believes he can take his father’s printing business global. Yes, he is disappointed that his sister is awarded the top job, but he knows he can find the stories to continue to increase the print count. He focuses on the mysterious highwayman that is robbing the ton. He’s trying anyway. Tara Winters has him a bit dazzled. So much so that he’s willing to give up his philandering ways.
This was a fun book. Frank and his family is not used to titles but their sister has married into it and now there is just that much more scrutiny over them and their business dealings. Frank has made use of his handsome good looks and status with daughters across the land. Until he sets his eyes on Tara and suddenly those other dalliances have lost the appeal. He doesn’t know quite how to handle that. At heart, he’s a good guy although maybe out of his depth with both finding the story in journalism and what to do when love hits him.
Secrets abound as well as mischief.
Entertaining, steamy and heartwarming.
Belmore Square series #2. Historical romance. Can be read as a standalone but the couple in the first story are included as siblings.
Frank Melrose believes he can take his father’s printing business global. Yes, he is disappointed that his sister is awarded the top job, but he knows he can find the stories to continue to increase the print count. He focuses on the mysterious highwayman that is robbing the ton. He’s trying anyway. Tara Winters has him a bit dazzled. So much so that he’s willing to give up his philandering ways.
This was a fun book. Frank and his family is not used to titles but their sister has married into it and now there is just that much more scrutiny over them and their business dealings. Frank has made use of his handsome good looks and status with daughters across the land. Until he sets his eyes on Tara and suddenly those other dalliances have lost the appeal. He doesn’t know quite how to handle that. At heart, he’s a good guy although maybe out of his depth with both finding the story in journalism and what to do when love hits him.
Secrets abound as well as mischief.
Entertaining, steamy and heartwarming.
July 31, 2023
A Gentleman Never Tells (Belmore Square #2) by Jodi Ellen Malpas is the second instalment in the series, bringing us back to the world of regency romance that promises nothing but under-the-skirt steam, risqué rendezvous, daring desire and plenty of forbidden fruits. Belmore square has more going on than your average regency pocket of society, and its residents are equally as intriguing.
We were first brought to Belmore Square via the first instalment in the series and Jodi's first foray into regency romance, One Night with the Duke . A story about a dashingly dangerous Duke and the woman enamoured and enchanted by him. Johnny and Eliza kicked off the series with a story that has been on the forefront of my mind ever since I read their tale, and remains to this day one of my top reads of all time. Not a regency romance lover by nature, Jodi's bravery in taking the reins with this new direction paid off with myself and resounded with other readers. From the gripping blurb to the stunning cover, every inch of this read screamed success and crossing all fingers, a follow up read.
Our finger crossing paid off, it seems, because here we are! Back with another trip to the most entertaining corner of London and with another Melrose at the helm. Ladies and gentlemen, get ready to know, adore and love Eliza's brother, Frank Melrose.
After getting to grips with Jodi's regency romance writing style, it's clear that she's only strengthening said style as each book comes along. We got a hint, just a taste of Frank here and there in One Night with the Duke , but that was not his time to shine and stand centre stage for us to fawn upon--much as the ladies of the ton do, I dare say. Frank--like Jodi--has his own style, voice and persona in this book that travelled down the talented tips of the author's fingers, through the pages and to our eyes. He, of course, is accompanied by those who we got to know previously, reigniting that sense of familiarity as we see secondary stories progress alongside Frank's. Keeping those characters in this book instead of writing them out was a great decision on Jodi's part, and reading those background stories blend seamlessly (without becoming overwhelmed with the main story), deserves nothing short than a chef's kiss. Or ten.
Much like its predecessor, A Gentleman Never Tells echoes the classical elements of regency romance that we all know and love. It doesn't fall prey to the formulaic nature in which so many books of the genre do--with limited plots and storylines--, but instead something one-of-a-kind was born from the mind of a brit with a brilliant brain. She adds to this genre something...more. Namely, what we don't see in regency romance. We see in this book the forbidden taboos of what we have been educated about that era/period of English history, we're given the spice, the steam and one fiercely independent and badass heroine whom all can champion even in today's day and age. In essence, this is a regency romance rated R for reformed.
One of the 'more' things we were given, reformed and ramped up, was the raw and rampant raunchy nature of our main characters. Johnny and Elisa generated so much heat last year that even on the hottest day of the year, it didn't compare to what I was reading with them. However, it seems that the Duke has been bested in the bedroom department. Frank as a known and notorious ladies man, often frequenting places in which no decent gentleman would ever acknowledge, has it bad for the one woman the entire ton, it seems, has warned him away from. When his hands get on the fruit that is so forbidden to him, all bets are off and so is everything else. There is no sense of propriety once the cat is out of the bag and I lived for every forbidden, naughty moment. This is a unique flavour of desire that only Jodi can master, and I'm thrilled to see it injected here in this novel as it is with all of her romances with a twist. Her voice as an author carries flawlessly from book to book, carrying what we know and love about her with it, while adapting to the surroundings of that world which she is creating or adding to. A talent like this comes along very rarely in a lifetime and I'm proud as a reader that I get to cherish and love it.
What shouldn't be kept secret, is the stepping forward of Frank Melrose as our main character. Steam aside, he's stepping up from being what he once was--a playboy and a rake--and into new shoes as a new man. He's on the brink of taking over from his father at their family's printing press, and he's not going to let anything--or anyone--get in his way. This includes Taya Winters. The self-same Taya who happens to be the sister of the aforementioned Duke, who also warns Frank away and not to come remotely close or to look her in the eye. Fine by him, would usually be the case. But when presented with a woman so dazzling (and forbidden), how long would it be until he strays from the path of unmasking the highwayman and succumbs to Taya's temptation? As havoc on the square increases by the day, so does his distracting desires for Taya. Strong is his resolve, he must stick to his plan or else, risk his family into ruin.
Taya, on the other-hand, does not share Frank's pressures or pursuits. Instead, she's got secrets. Soon you'll come to learn these secrets along with Frank himself but until those self-same secrets are laid out bare, bask in the barmy and the brilliance of Belmore Square and the lives of its unforgettable residents.
As readers, we all secretly hope that a series so good never comes to an end. Even though all good things do inevitably come to an end. I wish that here with this series in that it won't come to an end any time soon. There is endless potential and direction that it could be taken in and stores that can be told, I'll always keep hoping for 'just one more' until Jodi decides that she is done and the regency chapter comes to a close.
Although she was nervous--her own words, mind--to dip her toes into something completely different, I'll echo what I said in my review for One Night with the Duke . Jodi has skills in spades upon spades, and daring to do something different--albeit nervous and scary both at times--pays off with something as incredible as this book. She continues to stand among those who have written in this genre for two, ten or twenty times as long as she has been in it and her head is held high and proud knowing she's more than worthy of being here too.
Jodi, it's a resounding five stars and a big old internet hug from me. You did good again!
We were first brought to Belmore Square via the first instalment in the series and Jodi's first foray into regency romance, One Night with the Duke . A story about a dashingly dangerous Duke and the woman enamoured and enchanted by him. Johnny and Eliza kicked off the series with a story that has been on the forefront of my mind ever since I read their tale, and remains to this day one of my top reads of all time. Not a regency romance lover by nature, Jodi's bravery in taking the reins with this new direction paid off with myself and resounded with other readers. From the gripping blurb to the stunning cover, every inch of this read screamed success and crossing all fingers, a follow up read.
Our finger crossing paid off, it seems, because here we are! Back with another trip to the most entertaining corner of London and with another Melrose at the helm. Ladies and gentlemen, get ready to know, adore and love Eliza's brother, Frank Melrose.
After getting to grips with Jodi's regency romance writing style, it's clear that she's only strengthening said style as each book comes along. We got a hint, just a taste of Frank here and there in One Night with the Duke , but that was not his time to shine and stand centre stage for us to fawn upon--much as the ladies of the ton do, I dare say. Frank--like Jodi--has his own style, voice and persona in this book that travelled down the talented tips of the author's fingers, through the pages and to our eyes. He, of course, is accompanied by those who we got to know previously, reigniting that sense of familiarity as we see secondary stories progress alongside Frank's. Keeping those characters in this book instead of writing them out was a great decision on Jodi's part, and reading those background stories blend seamlessly (without becoming overwhelmed with the main story), deserves nothing short than a chef's kiss. Or ten.
Much like its predecessor, A Gentleman Never Tells echoes the classical elements of regency romance that we all know and love. It doesn't fall prey to the formulaic nature in which so many books of the genre do--with limited plots and storylines--, but instead something one-of-a-kind was born from the mind of a brit with a brilliant brain. She adds to this genre something...more. Namely, what we don't see in regency romance. We see in this book the forbidden taboos of what we have been educated about that era/period of English history, we're given the spice, the steam and one fiercely independent and badass heroine whom all can champion even in today's day and age. In essence, this is a regency romance rated R for reformed.
One of the 'more' things we were given, reformed and ramped up, was the raw and rampant raunchy nature of our main characters. Johnny and Elisa generated so much heat last year that even on the hottest day of the year, it didn't compare to what I was reading with them. However, it seems that the Duke has been bested in the bedroom department. Frank as a known and notorious ladies man, often frequenting places in which no decent gentleman would ever acknowledge, has it bad for the one woman the entire ton, it seems, has warned him away from. When his hands get on the fruit that is so forbidden to him, all bets are off and so is everything else. There is no sense of propriety once the cat is out of the bag and I lived for every forbidden, naughty moment. This is a unique flavour of desire that only Jodi can master, and I'm thrilled to see it injected here in this novel as it is with all of her romances with a twist. Her voice as an author carries flawlessly from book to book, carrying what we know and love about her with it, while adapting to the surroundings of that world which she is creating or adding to. A talent like this comes along very rarely in a lifetime and I'm proud as a reader that I get to cherish and love it.
Some secrets are too scandalous to keep quiet...
What shouldn't be kept secret, is the stepping forward of Frank Melrose as our main character. Steam aside, he's stepping up from being what he once was--a playboy and a rake--and into new shoes as a new man. He's on the brink of taking over from his father at their family's printing press, and he's not going to let anything--or anyone--get in his way. This includes Taya Winters. The self-same Taya who happens to be the sister of the aforementioned Duke, who also warns Frank away and not to come remotely close or to look her in the eye. Fine by him, would usually be the case. But when presented with a woman so dazzling (and forbidden), how long would it be until he strays from the path of unmasking the highwayman and succumbs to Taya's temptation? As havoc on the square increases by the day, so does his distracting desires for Taya. Strong is his resolve, he must stick to his plan or else, risk his family into ruin.
Taya, on the other-hand, does not share Frank's pressures or pursuits. Instead, she's got secrets. Soon you'll come to learn these secrets along with Frank himself but until those self-same secrets are laid out bare, bask in the barmy and the brilliance of Belmore Square and the lives of its unforgettable residents.
As readers, we all secretly hope that a series so good never comes to an end. Even though all good things do inevitably come to an end. I wish that here with this series in that it won't come to an end any time soon. There is endless potential and direction that it could be taken in and stores that can be told, I'll always keep hoping for 'just one more' until Jodi decides that she is done and the regency chapter comes to a close.
Although she was nervous--her own words, mind--to dip her toes into something completely different, I'll echo what I said in my review for One Night with the Duke . Jodi has skills in spades upon spades, and daring to do something different--albeit nervous and scary both at times--pays off with something as incredible as this book. She continues to stand among those who have written in this genre for two, ten or twenty times as long as she has been in it and her head is held high and proud knowing she's more than worthy of being here too.
Jodi, it's a resounding five stars and a big old internet hug from me. You did good again!
May 5, 2024
Frank Melrose is a rake and pays little attention to the newspaper business owned by his father. His sister Eliza, now married to a duke, has been the successful writer selling newspapers. Frank finally finds his spark to write when three highwaymen start robbing the wealthy members of the ton and he discovers one of them is a woman. Meanwhile, he is fighting his attraction to his brother-in-law's sister, Taya. He might as well give up and give in to seduction because he's not going to win. As Frank gets closer to discovering the identity of the highwaywoman, the more troubling and threatening it becomes.
A nice read and a steady pace with a rake that causes a lot of heartache. A very clever solution to the problem of a deceptive businessman
Descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.
A nice read and a steady pace with a rake that causes a lot of heartache. A very clever solution to the problem of a deceptive businessman
Descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.
February 5, 2024
This was a DNF for me, which is incredibly rare because usually if I get an arc, I read it whether I like it or not. But this is written in the first person narrative, and I just cannot.
I did try, I read three chapters but no, it just doesn’t work for me.
I did try, I read three chapters but no, it just doesn’t work for me.
January 15, 2025
Nah. Ništa posebno,kao da neko prepričava događaje.
August 11, 2023
Can this person please stop writing historicals? I’m actually begging at this point.
February 4, 2024
A forbidden love between a rake and a lady. This felt like it started up right where book one left off, but switched focus to Frank and Taya. Frank has a reputation of a rake, but one look at Taya and that part of his life is over... except he doesn't even know it yet. And Taya is the mysterious sister of the murdering Duke. Together they make for an intriguing couple who fight the attraction they have for each other until it can no longer be denied. They go through a few bumps in the road with a mysterious highway gang ruffling the Ton's feathers. This made for a fun, fluffy historical romance read. Now I'm curious who Clara is going to be paired with in book three. And will Sampson get a story?
September 26, 2023
Frank Melrose brother of Eliza from book one never wanted to write for the Times but he took credit for his sister’s stories as a woman journalist would be a huge scandal. He's under pressure from the newspaper to unmask the mysterious trio of highwaymen causing havoc in Belmore Square, but his infuriating clashes with Lady Taya Winter, his sister’s sister in law, keep slowing him down.
A well written very enjoyable book with humour interlaced with romance. I really liked both Frank & Taya & I loved how their relationship developed. The pace is very good , there are exciting incidents & also a surprise is revealed when the mystery is solved. An engrossing read, which I thoroughly enjoyed
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
A well written very enjoyable book with humour interlaced with romance. I really liked both Frank & Taya & I loved how their relationship developed. The pace is very good , there are exciting incidents & also a surprise is revealed when the mystery is solved. An engrossing read, which I thoroughly enjoyed
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
April 6, 2024
There’s not one likable character in this book. Also we know barely anything about any of them the whole time. Maybe this book would have been better if it were dual perspectives, but who knows. It just wasn’t for me unfortunately. Giving 2 stars because I did laugh here and there, and it was a short book.
September 6, 2023
Fabulous
As usual, jem does not disappoint. I was hooked from the very first page. Excellent gripping story. Can't wait for the next instalment from Belmore Square.
As usual, jem does not disappoint. I was hooked from the very first page. Excellent gripping story. Can't wait for the next instalment from Belmore Square.
February 5, 2024
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads, so here is my review.
4.5 stars.
I wanted to love Frank and Taya but there was something about them as a couple that just wasn't right for me. I loved the storyline and the intrigue of the Highwaymen and in the end, it was a good story.
I found that I was more interested in the mystery of finding out who the highwaymen were than in the romances of Frank. I was laughing at the antics and saddened by some of the things they had to go through. But you have to remember this is a historical romance and some things didn't happen back then.
In the end, I found that I enjoyed Frank and Taya's journey and their story is one I will enjoy again.
4.5 stars.
I wanted to love Frank and Taya but there was something about them as a couple that just wasn't right for me. I loved the storyline and the intrigue of the Highwaymen and in the end, it was a good story.
I found that I was more interested in the mystery of finding out who the highwaymen were than in the romances of Frank. I was laughing at the antics and saddened by some of the things they had to go through. But you have to remember this is a historical romance and some things didn't happen back then.
In the end, I found that I enjoyed Frank and Taya's journey and their story is one I will enjoy again.
October 27, 2023
This was such a fun historical read! Plenty of action, mystery and scandal to keep me hooked, with some spicy scenes thrown in for good measure! I loved the main character and the fact that he had a reputation with the ladies, and how he grew throughout the book. I also enjoyed how it connected to the first book but I didn’t feel I needed to have read that one in order to enjoy this one and I’m hoping there will be more in this series to come! Perfect balance of drama, sex and new jackets!
April 1, 2024
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
Ever since his family moved into the stylish Belmore Square, Frank Melrose has been on the look out for a story. He's about to take his family's printing business global, but his new obsession of the highwayman causing havoc on the ton is taking his time and energy away from his goal. And the clashes he has with the beautiful Taya Winters, someone completely out of his reach, don't help either. Will Frank risk it all to discover the truth, even risking his heart?
I liked the first book in this series, but wasn't blown away by it. Even so, I felt like continuing the series, so was happy that I was approved to read A Gentleman Never Tells on NetGalley. This time the main couple are the siblings of Johnnie and Eliza. Eliza's brother Frank, who had been the one putting his name to her articles, wants to do his own investigations, mainly into the mysterious highwayman terrorising the ton. He has a feeling that they are linked with Belmore Square, and sets out to discover the truth. But he could never expect that the culprit is a woman, and a Lady at that. Lady Tara Winter may be the sister of the Duke of Chester, but she finds joy in riding, and has someone become involved in the highwaymen. She also has no intentions of doing what society wants, and takes her own pleasure where she can. Again, I liked this book, but something was missing to make it a 4 or 5 star read.
Ever since his family moved into the stylish Belmore Square, Frank Melrose has been on the look out for a story. He's about to take his family's printing business global, but his new obsession of the highwayman causing havoc on the ton is taking his time and energy away from his goal. And the clashes he has with the beautiful Taya Winters, someone completely out of his reach, don't help either. Will Frank risk it all to discover the truth, even risking his heart?
I liked the first book in this series, but wasn't blown away by it. Even so, I felt like continuing the series, so was happy that I was approved to read A Gentleman Never Tells on NetGalley. This time the main couple are the siblings of Johnnie and Eliza. Eliza's brother Frank, who had been the one putting his name to her articles, wants to do his own investigations, mainly into the mysterious highwayman terrorising the ton. He has a feeling that they are linked with Belmore Square, and sets out to discover the truth. But he could never expect that the culprit is a woman, and a Lady at that. Lady Tara Winter may be the sister of the Duke of Chester, but she finds joy in riding, and has someone become involved in the highwaymen. She also has no intentions of doing what society wants, and takes her own pleasure where she can. Again, I liked this book, but something was missing to make it a 4 or 5 star read.
September 3, 2024
Characters- 1/10 ⭐
I hated these characters. Why, you might ask? Let me explain.
First off, we have the male main character, Frank. He's your neurotypical white male main character. Self-absorbed, self-involved, and with absolutely no charm, but he does love women, so it is all forgiven, right?🤣
no.
He had no real character, no actual personality, and absolutely nothing lovable in him. His sisters were worse, though. His youngest sister severely pissed me off. She was jeopardizing her entire family's social standing so she could go make out with a stable boy.
Excuse me while I go hit my head against a wall.
To quote my favorite kids movie,
"No one's that dumb."- (Puss in Boots, The Last Wish)
If I could have a rich duke, you wouldn't find me making out with the poor.🤣
Unfortunately, I'm broke, so...🤷♀️
Anyway, the other sister was just urgghhh.
When you write a feministic historical woman, it's either a hit or miss.
This..was a miss.
A complete miss.
Taya, the female main character, was also super annoying. She was horrid to Frank for no reason, and she never bothered to actually show any personality or intelligence. I guess we're supposed to like her because the author made her a blonde, blue-eyed woman with money and a title and boobs?
Woow. Way to go, Malpas.
I really see the feminism in you,
And this is in no way an attack on the author, I don't even know her. Her book characters just really annoyed me.
This character was the final straw- The "scarlet woman." She was the woman who lived in the square and loved bringing men into her house for a night of dark sex, basically.
Good for her.
What pissed me off was the author made this character a stereotype. She has no character beyond her sex appeal. The men love her when they're with her and badmouth her when they leave her, and then everyone calls her a whore.
We could have had an amazing character, but then the author chose the misogynistic route.
Let's get one thing straight.
What a woman does with her bed is none of our business. It doesn't matter if it's a lot of people or if it's none if it's a man or a woman. We do not have the right to dictate what happens behind people's closed bedroom doors.
This really disappointed me, that the author didn't even acknowledge that fact, It might have been Regency England, but women and men still had sense and dignity.
Geography- 1/10 ⭐
The geography of the book was horrible. The author basically created a single square and stuck inside it for almost the entire book. Why?
A) It doesn't make sense.
B) That's really silly.
London is a beautiful, rich, cultured city with so much history and incredible geography. The author could have truly enhanced the story if she'd actually explored London instead of sticking in that square.
It made the story flat and dull.
Geography is important.
Plot- 2/10 ⭐
This plot was weaker than my ex's left hook.
And it was awful.
Basically, Frank wants to now no longer be such a screw-up (don't we all) so he decides to ask his dad to run the literal BIGGEST part of his dad's newspaper company, cuz buddy had his expectations way too high for our world 😆
The conversation basically went like this.
Frank- "Dad, can I run the biggest part of your very influential and important company despite not having proven I'm capable of it at all, just because I'm your male child?"
Dad- "No."
Frank- 😢
Like, buddy.
BUDDY.
In no way was he equipped to run this, especially so soon after being the family mistake, but he doesn't acknowledge that AT ALL.
Another thing?
His sister already ran that part of the company. His sister had to work for YEARS to prove to their dad she was capable of it, and then her brother swoops in with no effort, goes behind her back, and expects their dad to give it to him.
His reasoning?
His sister had it long enough, and she's pregnant, so she shouldn't be working anyway.
EXCUSE ME?
No man has the right to tell women when they can or can't be working. If she wants to work pregnant, that is her choice. Not his. He has NO RIGHT to do or say that! 😡
This made me MAD 😤💢
So now he just suddenly comes up with a crazy plan to prove to his dad he can run the company by making this deal with this rich merchant who visits 'brothels'.
😆😆
I'm sorry, it's just that if the author did her research, she'd know most men frequented brothels, lords, merchants, and commoners. Just different levels.
It's not as big a deal as she made it out to be.
Like, it's still wrong, but it was a cultural norm at the time, not a huge thing to get super crazy over...
I had a point.
What was my point.
Oh!
Yeah, well, he tries to make this crazy deal with a merchant at a brothel by finding the identity of this masked robber who's been stealing from people.
The thing is?
This robbers a woman.
And she's really "enchanting."
We all know who it is, right. 😒
yep.
The plot really is not that complex, it's mostly just a chain of events with no real twists that a kid could come up with if said kid knew way too many inappropriate topics for their age.
Writing Style- 0/10 ⭐
I could not with this writing style. I could not. It was so painful. I could not get into this style. It was pretentious and rambling. The author was obsessed with being the next Shakespeare or Sarah J. Maas when she's really not. I struggled through 75% of the book before I quit and was just like, "Screw that, I can't. I'm done torturing myself."
I couldn't bear the author's writing style and it eventually just made me quit it.
I would not read her writing again, I assure you.
Final Rating- 2/5 ⭐
I hated these characters. Why, you might ask? Let me explain.
First off, we have the male main character, Frank. He's your neurotypical white male main character. Self-absorbed, self-involved, and with absolutely no charm, but he does love women, so it is all forgiven, right?🤣
no.
He had no real character, no actual personality, and absolutely nothing lovable in him. His sisters were worse, though. His youngest sister severely pissed me off. She was jeopardizing her entire family's social standing so she could go make out with a stable boy.
Excuse me while I go hit my head against a wall.
To quote my favorite kids movie,
"No one's that dumb."- (Puss in Boots, The Last Wish)
If I could have a rich duke, you wouldn't find me making out with the poor.🤣
Unfortunately, I'm broke, so...🤷♀️
Anyway, the other sister was just urgghhh.
When you write a feministic historical woman, it's either a hit or miss.
This..was a miss.
A complete miss.
Taya, the female main character, was also super annoying. She was horrid to Frank for no reason, and she never bothered to actually show any personality or intelligence. I guess we're supposed to like her because the author made her a blonde, blue-eyed woman with money and a title and boobs?
Woow. Way to go, Malpas.
I really see the feminism in you,
And this is in no way an attack on the author, I don't even know her. Her book characters just really annoyed me.
This character was the final straw- The "scarlet woman." She was the woman who lived in the square and loved bringing men into her house for a night of dark sex, basically.
Good for her.
What pissed me off was the author made this character a stereotype. She has no character beyond her sex appeal. The men love her when they're with her and badmouth her when they leave her, and then everyone calls her a whore.
We could have had an amazing character, but then the author chose the misogynistic route.
Let's get one thing straight.
What a woman does with her bed is none of our business. It doesn't matter if it's a lot of people or if it's none if it's a man or a woman. We do not have the right to dictate what happens behind people's closed bedroom doors.
This really disappointed me, that the author didn't even acknowledge that fact, It might have been Regency England, but women and men still had sense and dignity.
Geography- 1/10 ⭐
The geography of the book was horrible. The author basically created a single square and stuck inside it for almost the entire book. Why?
A) It doesn't make sense.
B) That's really silly.
London is a beautiful, rich, cultured city with so much history and incredible geography. The author could have truly enhanced the story if she'd actually explored London instead of sticking in that square.
It made the story flat and dull.
Geography is important.
Plot- 2/10 ⭐
This plot was weaker than my ex's left hook.
And it was awful.
Basically, Frank wants to now no longer be such a screw-up (don't we all) so he decides to ask his dad to run the literal BIGGEST part of his dad's newspaper company, cuz buddy had his expectations way too high for our world 😆
The conversation basically went like this.
Frank- "Dad, can I run the biggest part of your very influential and important company despite not having proven I'm capable of it at all, just because I'm your male child?"
Dad- "No."
Frank- 😢
Like, buddy.
BUDDY.
In no way was he equipped to run this, especially so soon after being the family mistake, but he doesn't acknowledge that AT ALL.
Another thing?
His sister already ran that part of the company. His sister had to work for YEARS to prove to their dad she was capable of it, and then her brother swoops in with no effort, goes behind her back, and expects their dad to give it to him.
His reasoning?
His sister had it long enough, and she's pregnant, so she shouldn't be working anyway.
EXCUSE ME?
No man has the right to tell women when they can or can't be working. If she wants to work pregnant, that is her choice. Not his. He has NO RIGHT to do or say that! 😡
This made me MAD 😤💢
So now he just suddenly comes up with a crazy plan to prove to his dad he can run the company by making this deal with this rich merchant who visits 'brothels'.
😆😆
I'm sorry, it's just that if the author did her research, she'd know most men frequented brothels, lords, merchants, and commoners. Just different levels.
It's not as big a deal as she made it out to be.
Like, it's still wrong, but it was a cultural norm at the time, not a huge thing to get super crazy over...
I had a point.
What was my point.
Oh!
Yeah, well, he tries to make this crazy deal with a merchant at a brothel by finding the identity of this masked robber who's been stealing from people.
The thing is?
This robbers a woman.
And she's really "enchanting."
We all know who it is, right. 😒
yep.
The plot really is not that complex, it's mostly just a chain of events with no real twists that a kid could come up with if said kid knew way too many inappropriate topics for their age.
Writing Style- 0/10 ⭐
I could not with this writing style. I could not. It was so painful. I could not get into this style. It was pretentious and rambling. The author was obsessed with being the next Shakespeare or Sarah J. Maas when she's really not. I struggled through 75% of the book before I quit and was just like, "Screw that, I can't. I'm done torturing myself."
I couldn't bear the author's writing style and it eventually just made me quit it.
I would not read her writing again, I assure you.
Final Rating- 2/5 ⭐
February 22, 2024
*I received a free ARC of this ebook from the publisher.*
I hadn't read the previous book, but aside from missing initial acquaintance with some of the characters, I don't feel like that hindered my understanding of this installment. Enough back story was provided about the events that had already happened, and I believe each book is meant to be able to stand on its own anyway.
The story itself was fun, but the execution felt a bit sloppy. I'm not sure if it was the author's writing style or simply Frank himself, but it was filled with unnecessarily long sentences containing a multitude of appositives and asides. (I counted the words in one sentence: 88. That's right, folks--the same number as the keys on a piano.) I would almost say that it bordered on stream of consciousness, which has never been my favorite form of narration. That's not to say I don't like seeing into a character's head or that well-executed long sentences don't exist. These, however, felt messy and long winded. It made Frank come across as a fast-talking teenager with a serious lack of focus. Perhaps it was cleaned up in editing prior to final publication? I'm not sure that would be possible without a complete rewrite, so I am assuming it's just the author's style.
Although it was easy to get to know Frank (early 20s), it was less so to get a good picture of Taya (19?). Frank becomes infatuated with her from the start and thinks about her quite a bit, but the two of them don't have much opportunity to truly get to know one another. The majority of their non-romantic interactions are filled with hostility.
By the end of the book, we know the identities of two of the three highwaymen. Who is the other? Will that person feature in the next book? I have my suspicious, but I will have to wait and see if anyone is willing to spoil it for me because I do not plan to read what comes next.
How it ends:
Note: Very little language but several f words (they were so out of place, especially when sometimes the same character would say "heck"). Two rather explicit sex scenes, which somehow also ended up just being . . . awkward and overdone. Easy to skip, though--just go to the next chapter.
I hadn't read the previous book, but aside from missing initial acquaintance with some of the characters, I don't feel like that hindered my understanding of this installment. Enough back story was provided about the events that had already happened, and I believe each book is meant to be able to stand on its own anyway.
The story itself was fun, but the execution felt a bit sloppy. I'm not sure if it was the author's writing style or simply Frank himself, but it was filled with unnecessarily long sentences containing a multitude of appositives and asides. (I counted the words in one sentence: 88. That's right, folks--the same number as the keys on a piano.) I would almost say that it bordered on stream of consciousness, which has never been my favorite form of narration. That's not to say I don't like seeing into a character's head or that well-executed long sentences don't exist. These, however, felt messy and long winded. It made Frank come across as a fast-talking teenager with a serious lack of focus. Perhaps it was cleaned up in editing prior to final publication? I'm not sure that would be possible without a complete rewrite, so I am assuming it's just the author's style.
Although it was easy to get to know Frank (early 20s), it was less so to get a good picture of Taya (19?). Frank becomes infatuated with her from the start and thinks about her quite a bit, but the two of them don't have much opportunity to truly get to know one another. The majority of their non-romantic interactions are filled with hostility.
By the end of the book, we know the identities of two of the three highwaymen. Who is the other? Will that person feature in the next book? I have my suspicious, but I will have to wait and see if anyone is willing to spoil it for me because I do not plan to read what comes next.
How it ends:
Note: Very little language but several f words (they were so out of place, especially when sometimes the same character would say "heck"). Two rather explicit sex scenes, which somehow also ended up just being . . . awkward and overdone. Easy to skip, though--just go to the next chapter.
October 6, 2023
A Gentleman Never Tells by Jodi Ellen Malpas is the second standalone book in her regency romance series, Belmore Square. We were huge fans of the first book, One Night with the Duke and couldn’t wait to dive into the world of the ton again. This time it’s Frank Melrose’s story, the brother of Eliza Melrose from book one. Frank is a bit of a saucy rake. His reputation precedes him, and whilst he makes the ladies swoon in naughty establishments and boudoirs alike, he’s been neglectful and quite disinterested in the family business, The London Times newspaper. That is until he becomes somewhat obsessed by the three highwaymen, one of them in particular whom Frank is convinced is a woman. We had a girl crush on her too! Oh, and we have now added bearded highwaymen to ‘the list’, and you fellow naughty readers know exactly what list that is…we’re sure!
‘Is this infatuation simply because she is strictly forbidden? I should give myself some credit. No, it is not that. It is because her smile makes me tingle. It is because she talks and my ears beg for more of her words. It is because she touches me and my body comes alive. I. Am. In. Trouble.’
Taya Winters is a wonderful heroine, but our cheeky Frank can’t have her no matter how much he wants to, because …. rake and reputation, right?! Also, there’s the ‘minor’ detail that she’s the Duke’s sister and soon to be sister-in-law when the Duke marries Frank’s sister, Eliza. Taya is quiet, but ‘wild’ and we really liked her, but who is the real Taya? She comes across a bit naïve but only in the sense that befits the era and society standards, but we just knew there was more to her! Frank Melrose is desperate to find out, all whilst penning articles about the mystery of the Highwaymen/woman as well as keeping his little sister Clara in line. Frank is swoony and we loved that this Author penned his story entirely in his voice. We fell in love with this boyishly charming rogue. He has such wonderful qualities but was still ‘all-man’ which is a balance that’s not always easy to achieve, but Jodi Ellen Malpas nailed it.
‘My experience of true love was a rare and precious thing, and I did not handle it with the delicacy it deserved, so it serves me right that Taya got up and walked out of town, taking my one and only chance of true love with her.’
Forbidden love is catnip to us and Jodi Ellen Malpas gave us a fabulously addictive story that we whizzed through in one sitting. It was such an easy and entertaining read that swept us away with moments of humour, exciting drama, scandalous affairs of the heart as well as a moment or two of angst and regency steam. Another fabulous instalment in this wonderful series!
“I hear it is to be a beautiful sunset this evening,” I say, and she stills. “Perhaps we should ride into it later.”
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October 5, 2023
A Gentleman Never Tells by Jodi Ellen Malpas is the second standalone book in her regency romance series, Belmore Square. We were huge fans of the first book, One Night with the Duke and couldn’t wait to dive into the world of the ton again. This time it’s Frank Melrose’s story, the brother of Eliza Melrose from book one. Frank is a bit of a saucy rake. His reputation precedes him, and whilst he makes the ladies swoon in naughty establishments and boudoirs alike, he’s been neglectful and quite disinterested in the family business, The London Times newspaper. That is until he becomes somewhat obsessed by the three highwaymen, one of them in particular whom Frank is convinced is a woman. We had a girl crush on her too! Oh, and we have now added bearded highwaymen to ‘the list’, and you fellow naughty readers know exactly what list that is…we’re sure!
‘Is this infatuation simply because she is strictly forbidden? I should give myself some credit. No, it is not that. It is because her smile makes me tingle. It is because she talks and my ears beg for more of her words. It is because she touches me and my body comes alive. I. Am. In. Trouble.’
Taya Winters is a wonderful heroine, but our cheeky Frank can’t have her no matter how much he wants to, because …. rake and reputation, right?! Also, there’s the ‘minor’ detail that she’s the Duke’s sister and soon to be sister-in-law when the Duke marries Frank’s sister, Eliza. Taya is quiet, but ‘wild’ and we really liked her, but who is the real Taya? She comes across a bit naïve but only in the sense that befits the era and society standards, but we just knew there was more to her! Frank Melrose is desperate to find out, all whilst penning articles about the mystery of the Highwaymen/woman as well as keeping his little sister Clara in line. Frank is swoony and we loved that this Author penned his story entirely in his voice. We fell in love with this boyishly charming rogue. He has such wonderful qualities but was still ‘all-man’ which is a balance that’s not always easy to achieve, but Jodi Ellen Malpas nailed it.
‘My experience of true love was a rare and precious thing, and I did not handle it with the delicacy it deserved, so it serves me right that Taya got up and walked out of town, taking my one and only chance of true love with her.’
Forbidden love is catnip to us and Jodi Ellen Malpas gave us a fabulously addictive story that we whizzed through in one sitting. It was such an easy and entertaining read that swept us away with moments of humour, exciting drama, scandalous affairs of the heart as well as a moment or two of angst and regency steam. Another fabulous instalment in this wonderful series!
“I hear it is to be a beautiful sunset this evening,” I say, and she stills. “Perhaps we should ride into it later.”
October 14, 2023
Her way, or the Highway!
Yet another fabulous story from one of my favourite writers. This follow up to Eliza and Johnny’s tale of love against all odds in Regency London society certainly did not disappoint as we find ourselves pulled back into the world of status, pomp and expectation.
Eliza’s brother, Frank Melrose is the focus of this mesmerising tale of the forbidden feelings between a man of wealth but not position and the woman he has been sworn to stay away from. For Lady Taya Winters is not only the sister of his new brother-in-law, The Duke of Chester but also by her birthright. Taya is a woman of great standing that should be promised to a man much more worthy of her than the notorious rake and womaniser, Frank Melrose… but the heart what the heart wants… and their hearts beat only for each other.
The running theme however is one that ultimately seals their fate. Frank’s obsession in discovering the identity of the Highwaywoman and her accomplices tests the very foundations of their relationship before it has the chance to flourish… and with potentially fatal consequences, will their love be strong enough to survive the inevitable scandal.
With this being a period piece, it is inevitably slower paced and the prim-and-proper values of the time makes their courtship a more delicate affair than what we are used to with Jodi’s usually intense and heat filled stories, but I promise you that this story develops into a certified bodice-ripper once our two head-over-heels-in-love characters allow themselves to indulge in their forbidden romance. Until then it’s a dance of stolen glances, passionate stares and chaste moments, all the while filling the reader with the hope that true love will know no bounds for this inevitable pairing.
Fantastic story. Can’t wait for more. Which resident of Belmore Square will succumb to the power of love next?
Yet another fabulous story from one of my favourite writers. This follow up to Eliza and Johnny’s tale of love against all odds in Regency London society certainly did not disappoint as we find ourselves pulled back into the world of status, pomp and expectation.
Eliza’s brother, Frank Melrose is the focus of this mesmerising tale of the forbidden feelings between a man of wealth but not position and the woman he has been sworn to stay away from. For Lady Taya Winters is not only the sister of his new brother-in-law, The Duke of Chester but also by her birthright. Taya is a woman of great standing that should be promised to a man much more worthy of her than the notorious rake and womaniser, Frank Melrose… but the heart what the heart wants… and their hearts beat only for each other.
The running theme however is one that ultimately seals their fate. Frank’s obsession in discovering the identity of the Highwaywoman and her accomplices tests the very foundations of their relationship before it has the chance to flourish… and with potentially fatal consequences, will their love be strong enough to survive the inevitable scandal.
With this being a period piece, it is inevitably slower paced and the prim-and-proper values of the time makes their courtship a more delicate affair than what we are used to with Jodi’s usually intense and heat filled stories, but I promise you that this story develops into a certified bodice-ripper once our two head-over-heels-in-love characters allow themselves to indulge in their forbidden romance. Until then it’s a dance of stolen glances, passionate stares and chaste moments, all the while filling the reader with the hope that true love will know no bounds for this inevitable pairing.
Fantastic story. Can’t wait for more. Which resident of Belmore Square will succumb to the power of love next?
October 27, 2025
Some things worth noting:
-If you go into this wanting a full-fledged romance, you'll be disappointed.
-This is my first JEM read (but not my last...)
-This is the first time I've read a book fully from the hero's POV
This is very much a character study of Frank and while it's an understatement to say his romance/HEA with Taya is secondary, it's kinda accurate. That being said... I really liked this book. So much so that I bargained with myself to only do 100 pages... but by that point I forgot to bookmark it and I was already 120 into this 296 pages so I decided what the hell?
JEM created a very lived in world in under 300 pages, we got a feel for why Frank feels inferior to Eliza, the family dynamics felt very lived in and can I just say it's so refreshing to see a non-broody hero? Frank really adores his sisters (his comforting Eliza with her surprise pregnancy was so sweet) and understands his parents aren't perfect (particularly his mother; she's very much a social climber) but they really do their best for their own marriage and their kids' well-being.
The smutty delights were few but.... 🪭😍🥵👀👀... I'm a sucker for a certain scene.
All of this is fine and dandy, but the book's not perfect. My biggest "huh?" was why is Taya being the highwayman? Was the reason info dumped and I spaced? But I did like that she was/and haunting Frank's dreams from the jump, nonetheless 😜.
Quick aside: I love the little notion that Frank's coping mechanism for his inadequacies is shopping. Shopping for fancy velveteen waistcoats/jackets that compliment his eyes, to be exact. I pictured the tap dancing Mad Hatter's attire a la the Alice in Wonderland ballet I love so much 🎩🫖.
-If you go into this wanting a full-fledged romance, you'll be disappointed.
-This is my first JEM read (but not my last...)
-This is the first time I've read a book fully from the hero's POV
This is very much a character study of Frank and while it's an understatement to say his romance/HEA with Taya is secondary, it's kinda accurate. That being said... I really liked this book. So much so that I bargained with myself to only do 100 pages... but by that point I forgot to bookmark it and I was already 120 into this 296 pages so I decided what the hell?
JEM created a very lived in world in under 300 pages, we got a feel for why Frank feels inferior to Eliza, the family dynamics felt very lived in and can I just say it's so refreshing to see a non-broody hero? Frank really adores his sisters (his comforting Eliza with her surprise pregnancy was so sweet) and understands his parents aren't perfect (particularly his mother; she's very much a social climber) but they really do their best for their own marriage and their kids' well-being.
The smutty delights were few but.... 🪭😍🥵👀👀... I'm a sucker for a certain scene.
All of this is fine and dandy, but the book's not perfect. My biggest "huh?" was why is Taya being the highwayman? Was the reason info dumped and I spaced? But I did like that she was/and haunting Frank's dreams from the jump, nonetheless 😜.
Quick aside: I love the little notion that Frank's coping mechanism for his inadequacies is shopping. Shopping for fancy velveteen waistcoats/jackets that compliment his eyes, to be exact. I pictured the tap dancing Mad Hatter's attire a la the Alice in Wonderland ballet I love so much 🎩🫖.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2024
Check out our full post for A GENTLEMAN NEVER TELLS on Wicked Reads.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Mary – ☆☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars
I wanted to love Frank and Taya but there was something about them as a couple that just wasn't right for me. I loved the storyline and the intrigue of the highwaymen and in the end, it was a good story.
I found that I was more interested in the mystery of finding out who the highwaymen were than in the romances of Frank. I was laughing at the antics and saddened by some of the things they had to go through. But you have to remember this is a historical romance and some things didn't happen back then.
In the end, I found that I enjoyed Frank and Taya's journey, and their story is one I will enjoy again.
Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
August 27, 2023
A Gentleman never tells is the second regency romp in the Belmore Square series. Frank Melrose, Eliza’s brother from the previous book has never wanted to write for the London times although he has taken the credit for Eliza’s much sought after stories in the newspaper as it would be scandalous for a woman to be writing for a newspaper. A complete philanderer he gets himself into all sorts of scrapes, but suddenly he realises he does want to write particularly at this moment when a trio of highwaymen are causing havoc amongst the ton and Frank is convinced after seeing them one is a woman so he decides to investigate.
Meeting Lady Taya who is Now Eliza’s sister in law he is knocked for six in his attraction towards her and realises he wants to stop his rather debauched lifestyle.
With lots of humour, some exciting moments and a surprise reveal this story with its cast of wonderful characters is a great read. I look forward to the next in this series.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.
Meeting Lady Taya who is Now Eliza’s sister in law he is knocked for six in his attraction towards her and realises he wants to stop his rather debauched lifestyle.
With lots of humour, some exciting moments and a surprise reveal this story with its cast of wonderful characters is a great read. I look forward to the next in this series.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.
August 27, 2023
A Gentleman never tells is the second regency romp in the Belmore Square series. Frank Melrose, Eliza’s brother from the previous book has never wanted to write for the London times although he has taken the credit for Eliza’s much sought after stories in the newspaper as it would be scandalous for a woman to be writing for a newspaper. A complete philanderer he gets himself into all sorts of scrapes, but suddenly he realises he does want to write particularly at this moment when a trio of highwaymen are causing havoc amongst the ton and Frank is convinced after seeing them one is a woman so he decides to investigate.
Meeting Lady Taya who is Now Eliza’s sister in law he is knocked for six in his attraction towards her and realises he wants to stop his rather debauched lifestyle.
With lots of humour, some exciting moments and a surprise reveal this story with its cast of wonderful characters is a great read. I look forward to the next in this series.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.
Meeting Lady Taya who is Now Eliza’s sister in law he is knocked for six in his attraction towards her and realises he wants to stop his rather debauched lifestyle.
With lots of humour, some exciting moments and a surprise reveal this story with its cast of wonderful characters is a great read. I look forward to the next in this series.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.
January 15, 2024
In Jodi Ellen Malpas's captivating regency romance, A Gentleman Never Tells, the enthralling sequel to the Belmore Square series, Frank Melrose takes center stage as he grapples with running his father's printing business and unravels the mystery of a notorious highwayman. The novel seamlessly intertwines with the previous installment, bringing a sense of familiarity and continuity. Malpas's writing style, characterized by its elegance and evocative prose, captures the essence of the regency era while infusing a modern flair. The forbidden romance between Frank and Taya is explored with raw intensity, challenging societal norms and adding a scandalous allure. The novel's impeccable pacing, exciting incidents, and a surprising mystery resolution contribute to a perfect blend of drama, romance, and humor. Malpas's fearless exploration of desire and passion sets this regency romance apart, making A Gentleman Never Tells a must-read, showcasing the author's mastery in pushing genre boundaries and delivering an unforgettable story that lingers in the reader's mind.
February 15, 2024
This is the second book in the BELMORE SQUARE series featuring a rakish hero and the lady heroine that he falls for. The hero has been the acknowledged writer of his sister's writings, but his own desire for being a writer was ignited when he began the journey to unmask the highwaymen causing havoc in Belmore Square. As a bachelor loving his single life, the hero didn't expect to fall in love with the heroine, his sister's sister-in-law. Now the hero must solve the mystery of the highwaymen before he can have his happy ending with the heroine.
This second book in this particular Jodi Ellen Malpas series is a solid addition that brings romance and mystery together in an entertaining story. The book can be read by itself, but it would be better if read in order. The characters were likable, and the story is a solid one. There were instances where I would have liked a bit more details for smoother transitions, but overall, it's been an enjoyable read.
** Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. All opinions and thoughts in the review are my own. **
This second book in this particular Jodi Ellen Malpas series is a solid addition that brings romance and mystery together in an entertaining story. The book can be read by itself, but it would be better if read in order. The characters were likable, and the story is a solid one. There were instances where I would have liked a bit more details for smoother transitions, but overall, it's been an enjoyable read.
** Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. All opinions and thoughts in the review are my own. **
December 8, 2023
I found myself captivated by Frank Melrose's journey to navigate love, family obligations, and societal norms in Regency London. As heir to a printing business, Frank's pursuit of Taya Winters unfolds amidst the pressures of unmasking a mysterious highwayman in Belmore Square. The narrative, expertly crafted with a delightful mix of humor and romance, skillfully explores the intricacies of forbidden love. Having previously concealed his sister Eliza's journalistic endeavors to avoid scandal, Frank faces a compelling internal struggle. The story masterfully weaves through the slower-paced Regency era, balancing stolen glances, passionate stares, and chaste moments with a looming mystery. Jodi's storytelling prowess shines through, offering a satisfying blend of historical romance and suspense. This is a delightful addition to the Belmore Square series, leaving me eagerly anticipating the next installment.
December 12, 2023
A Gentleman Never Tells us the 2nd book in the Belmore Square Series but can be read as a standalone.
While I must admit that historical romances are not my go to, as this storyline progressed I was very intrigued, engaged and besotted with this story. Frank and Taya’s forbidden romance was full of cheeky banter, temptation, scandals, mystery, plot twist, and a who done it element to it. While it was a slow burn at the beginning the back half of this story was romantic, a story of hope, love and redemption. Loved the push and pull between these two. They had a great arc. They say once you meet the right one, you will change. While Frank used a rake, a beautiful woman like Taya made him a better person, and a gentleman till the very end. Great listen on audiobook. Story was narrated by Daniel de Bourg, and he was just perfect. His accent, his characterization changes were welcomed and kept me engaged.
Thanks to Valentine and JEM for this complementary listen
While I must admit that historical romances are not my go to, as this storyline progressed I was very intrigued, engaged and besotted with this story. Frank and Taya’s forbidden romance was full of cheeky banter, temptation, scandals, mystery, plot twist, and a who done it element to it. While it was a slow burn at the beginning the back half of this story was romantic, a story of hope, love and redemption. Loved the push and pull between these two. They had a great arc. They say once you meet the right one, you will change. While Frank used a rake, a beautiful woman like Taya made him a better person, and a gentleman till the very end. Great listen on audiobook. Story was narrated by Daniel de Bourg, and he was just perfect. His accent, his characterization changes were welcomed and kept me engaged.
Thanks to Valentine and JEM for this complementary listen
December 29, 2023
This is only my second read by this author, the first being the first book in this series and I have to say I am a fan of her writing style.
The quick hilarious chaos that is Frank really made the pacing so easy to just race along with. It seemed like he faced one thing after the other.
I loved the sass and strength of Taya, the perfect match for dear old Frank, a rake just awaiting the right woman to tame him.
I have to say, I did guess the twist but I was still here for all the revelations and renaissance gasps.
I loved the after ever after check in we got with Johnny and Eliza, I always love when we get to see a couple navigate marriage in a Sequel. Even in the background they were gold!
I really adore how this series seems to give a voice to women in a time where they had none. Perhaps not very realistic but idealistic all the same.
I am hoping there is to be a book 3 but will it be Sampson or Clara? Or indeed both, if the theme of Winters and Melrose is to be kept up.
The quick hilarious chaos that is Frank really made the pacing so easy to just race along with. It seemed like he faced one thing after the other.
I loved the sass and strength of Taya, the perfect match for dear old Frank, a rake just awaiting the right woman to tame him.
I have to say, I did guess the twist but I was still here for all the revelations and renaissance gasps.
I loved the after ever after check in we got with Johnny and Eliza, I always love when we get to see a couple navigate marriage in a Sequel. Even in the background they were gold!
I really adore how this series seems to give a voice to women in a time where they had none. Perhaps not very realistic but idealistic all the same.
I am hoping there is to be a book 3 but will it be Sampson or Clara? Or indeed both, if the theme of Winters and Melrose is to be kept up.
April 24, 2024
“This is better. Air to breathe freely. My focus reset. The nerve of that woman. Dislike her. I must dislike her, and she has given me good cause. It will be a hell of a lot easier than lusting after her.” 📰
I thoroughly enjoyed this one—namely for the fact that it was told in the first-person point of view of the MMC. I don’t think I’ve ever read a Regency romance with that. It was great! 📰
I thought the writing by @jodi_ellen_malpas was great. Wit, humor, drama. A family’s newspapers business, writing engaging stories, mysterious highwaymen. I did have the big reveal figured out from the beginning, so that wasn’t as thrilling for me, but I thought the whole story was great overall and I liked the ending. 📰
Thanks again to @readforeverpub for the copy! It was such a pleasant surprise, and I very much enjoyed my reading experience. Thank you for introducing me to a new author! 📰
I thoroughly enjoyed this one—namely for the fact that it was told in the first-person point of view of the MMC. I don’t think I’ve ever read a Regency romance with that. It was great! 📰
I thought the writing by @jodi_ellen_malpas was great. Wit, humor, drama. A family’s newspapers business, writing engaging stories, mysterious highwaymen. I did have the big reveal figured out from the beginning, so that wasn’t as thrilling for me, but I thought the whole story was great overall and I liked the ending. 📰
Thanks again to @readforeverpub for the copy! It was such a pleasant surprise, and I very much enjoyed my reading experience. Thank you for introducing me to a new author! 📰
September 4, 2023
A Gentleman never tells is the second book in the regency Belmore Square series. Frank Melrose, Eliza’s brother from the previous book never wanted to write for the London Times, even though he took all the credit for Eliza’s stories in the newspaper, as it would be improper for a woman to be writing for a newspaper. He is a complete philanderer who gets himself into all sorts of situations, but then decides he wants to write when a trio of highwaymen are causing mayhem amongst the ton.
He meets Lady Taya, Eliza’s sister in law, that he is so attracted towards her and realises he wants to stop his rather cad lifestyle, but she is viewed as family and off limits!
Jodi has written this book with lots of humour, many exciting moments and a surprise reveal, this truly is another great book from Jodi.
He meets Lady Taya, Eliza’s sister in law, that he is so attracted towards her and realises he wants to stop his rather cad lifestyle, but she is viewed as family and off limits!
Jodi has written this book with lots of humour, many exciting moments and a surprise reveal, this truly is another great book from Jodi.
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September 16, 2023A Gentleman Never Tells is the second Regency romp in the Belmore Square series. This is Frank and Taya's book, Frank is Eliza's brother and Taya is her husband's sister, she is completely off limits to Frank, but when has he ever done as he is told, as he just can't resist Taya.
There have been a series of highway robberies and the robber is a woman, Frank has promised his Father and his readers he will uncover her true identity of to get a deal to get "The London Times" a national paper. But how far will he go to reveal the true identity, there are some nice twists and turns in this book that make it more entertaining.
This is written in true JEM style, a captivating, emotional, humorous and page-turning book, It seems she can write in any genre and never fails to deliver a brilliant storyline, I can't wait to read the next in the series.
There have been a series of highway robberies and the robber is a woman, Frank has promised his Father and his readers he will uncover her true identity of to get a deal to get "The London Times" a national paper. But how far will he go to reveal the true identity, there are some nice twists and turns in this book that make it more entertaining.
This is written in true JEM style, a captivating, emotional, humorous and page-turning book, It seems she can write in any genre and never fails to deliver a brilliant storyline, I can't wait to read the next in the series.
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