The Written Gentleman

by Maybely Germonpre

Eden Carter created the perfect fictional man. She just didn’t expect him to show up in real life.

Eden is an introvert living a quiet life in London. She works at a bookshop, avoids her boss as much as possible, and spends most of her time lost in romance novels. When her mother, bestselling author Bertha Parker, jokingly challenges Eden to create the perfect romantic lead for her new historical novel, A Sister’s Oath, Eden takes it to heart. The result is Edmund Exton, a dreamy Regency-era hero the world falls in love with, and one Eden can’t help falling for herself.

When the hit historical book series is adapted for TV, and actor Ben Hill, cast as Edmund, looks exactly like the version Eden has pictured for years, it should be a dream come true. Right? Wrong. Because behind the perfect face, the real-life Edmund is arrogant, impossible, and utterly insufferable.

But as the cameras roll and the fantasy collides with reality, Eden begins to wonder... can she see past the insufferable actor to the real man underneath? And when fiction starts to feel a little too much like real life, will Eden discover that her true love story isn’t on the page at all, but standing right in front of her?

Genres: Romance

341 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 5, 2025

About the author

Hi, I’m May. I'm a Belgian waffle in human form, armed with too much coffee and an incurable obsession with inventing swoony fictional men. I write both contemporary romcoms and romantasy.

I live in Bruges, a city so romantic it feels like stepping back in time. It's the perfect place to dream up my next story.

I’m a proud dog enthusiast, an unapologetic rat admirer (seriously, they’re adorable little geniuses, don’t @ me), and a full-time daydreamer about my next fictional man!

My debut novel, The Written Fantasy, will be released in paperback and eBook on November 5th!

Reviews

[Katharina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4🌟
If you like books that make your stomach flutter with butterflies and have a cozy fall vibe, then this is for you!
I really liked the lightness this book made me feel. It was so cozy and sweet. Ben and Eden are a great couple and they fit together so well. They had great chemistry and bot very kind and gentle souls.
I really liked, that they communicated when something seemed to stand between them (mostly :)).
I also just love, when he falls first. And Slow Burns! So this was the perfect Autumn-Read!

note: I also really enjoyed all the relationships Eden had with her Mom and friends.

[Saarreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an adorable read! I devoured it in a single day. I started in the morning and couldn’t resist picking it back up in the evening. It’s a light, easy read but still beautifully written. I fell in love with Ben the moment their eyes met in that lobby. The friend saying, "He's like prince charming reincarnated" had me laughing. She isn't wrong.

There were several moments that had me giggling, and that Cinderella scene? Absolutely hilarious and surprisingly deep. I loved it.

Just a quick note (as the author also mentioned): this is enemies-to-lovers but they aren't 'enemies' that long. Don’t expect half the book to be them disliking each other. It’s more of a one-sided dislike.

It's also a slow burn. And when I say slow burn, I mean there were times I wanted to yell, “Just kiss already!” But when it finally happened, it was perfect.

Overall, this was such a charming debut novel. I can’t wait to read more from this author!

[Maybely Germonpre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hey all

Thank you for reading my debut novel! I appreciate it a lot! 🤎🍂

After receiving feedback from ARC readers, I’ve decided to hire an additional copy editor to review my book and improve the overall reading experience. It seems that another round of editing will help bring the book into better shape.

UPDATE 13/12 my new copy editor did an excellent job! The changes are now live 🥰

[Elisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an ARC read and the indie author’s debut novel, so I’m keeping that in mind in this review.

The premise of The Written Gentleman is super interesting! For an avid romance reader who loves to flesh out characters in her mind, this story about meeting your perfect MMC in real life sounded so much fun! The story is interesting, and the plot has a lot of potential, but unfortunately it doesn’t get to shine fully because of the stiff prose, weird phrases and awkward dialogue. The book has lots of phrases that sound very stiff and what native English speakers wouldn’t use, both in the prose and in the dialogue. This would be fine if the narrator and other characters weren’t depicted as being UK-natives. Also, in the dialogue, it sometimes feels like the characters are just talking - not talking to each other (= their reactions are missing).

The book starts out great – each scene serves a purpose and takes the plot forwards, but towards the end the pace falters and the book loses some of its grip. Nevertheless, I liked the story and especially the premise of the book. There are some really funny and sweet parts in the book, the characters are kind (which was so refreshing!), and I especially like how well the cover of the book depicts the story and the tone of the book.

All in all, the book is a cozy, autumn love story that has lots of potential, but I think it would’ve benefited from a few more rounds of editing, maybe with an editor who speaks English as their native language.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[MelissaWinter · Rating 5 out of 5]

It would’ve been 4 stars if it weren’t a debut novel. It’s really impressive for a first book!

[Moonburst · Rating 3 out of 5]

When her mother's regency romance novel gets adapted for TV, Eden is thrilled. She can't wait to see her favorite character, the main love interest, Edmund, come to life. Eden helped her mother create Edmund, but it becomes clear that the actor playing him, Ben Hill, is nothing like her beloved character. But as the two interact more and more, Eden comes to realize that her initial impression of the actor may not be accurate.

Eden is a very realistic character who is introverted and somewhat lacking in confidence. She loves her mother and wants to see the new TV show succeed, but she certainly does not want to share in her mother's limelight. She initially dislikes Ben Hill, and makes quite a few assumptions about him initially. When Ben is determined to make amends, she is mature enough to re-evaluate her assumptions, but the interactions between the two never truly seem to get to the level of true enemies. It's more of a initial misunderstanding and dislike to lovers rather than enemies to lovers. As the story goes along, Eden's lack of self confidence continues to erode her relationship with Ben, causing multiple situations where Eden is mentally melting down over very little. This is actually a pretty accurate depiction of the uncertainty during the early stages of a relationship, especially given the high profile status of Ben, but I did find Eden's continued emotional waffling to get a bit old after a bit.

The only other complaint I had was there's a few sudden plot points that feel shoehorned into the second half of the story. They aren't bad additions, but they are so quickly introduced and resolved that they they seemed unnecessary, and detracted from the development of the characters and their romance.

Overall, The Written Gentlemen is a cozy romantic comedy with the occasional sprinkling of regency flavor. It had the familiar feeling of a favorite rom-com movie, and invoked the comfort of a warm sweater on a cold fall day.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Susan Klipp · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started this book, my husband asked how it was. I told him that it felt like a new author, but not a debut book. I was happily surprised to find it was a debut book.

It's starts out a bit choppy and then smooths out into a lovely, tenderhearted story. I adored how she portrayed Ben, the MMC. He was an actor, but so kind. Eden, the FMC, was also a lovely character. There is some drama, but I also enjoyed how it was resolved. The side characters were fun. I'd love to see stories about both Jane and Ava.

Overall, it was a heartwarming story I can recommend. I hope the author keeps going.

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The editing and translation were so bad that I just barely finished this.
The FMC was a confusing jumble of traits, the MMC a bit formulaic and flat.
I didn't feel any chemistry nor understand the trajectory of their romance.

I feel bad because I think translation and possible AI help with it let her down. It had so much potential.

Also unrealistic representation of who is involved in producing TV shows, and how the industry works really should have been better researched.

I do hope the author keeps writing but would benefit from better editing.

[Michelle Kssili · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Written Gentleman by Maybely Germonpre is a heartfelt and imaginative read that blends creativity with emotion in such a lovely way. Eden may not be the original author, but she did create the character within her mother’s book—and that connection gives the story its beautiful depth. Watching Eden fall for the very character she brought to life adds a touching sense of ownership, nostalgia, and healing. It feels like she’s continuing her mother’s legacy while discovering her own heart along the way.

There are a few moments where the pacing slows, but the charm, the emotional warmth, and the unique premise make the journey absolutely worth it. By the last page, I felt fully invested in both Eden and the gentleman she imagined into existence.

[Sienna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to be one of the ARC readers and receive a free copy of this book through Booksirens.

I’ll be honest. I got a bit confused while reading, because I was about halfway through the book when I found out that a new updated file had been shared. I think something must have gone wrong with the upload or the timing of the update. The first version of the book that I read would have been around 3.5 stars for me. It was still a fun read, but there were a few small mistakes here and there (like a random capital letter that didn’t belong). It wasn’t a big deal, but just enough to slightly distract me from the story and make me lower my rating a little.

Once I got the updated file, I went back to check the parts that had distracted me, and they were all fixed. That definitely made the reading experience smoother.

The book itself is a cute, cosy autumn read. I really liked the atmosphere. It gave off that perfect fall feeling with warm drinks, falling leaves, and small-town charm. The premise is adorable, and I was honestly surprised that I hadn’t read anything quite like it before.

I really loved the plot! It had a nice balance of romance, humour, and emotional moments. The pacing does slow down near the end, which I noticed, but I didn’t mind too much because the story was so cute that it made up for it. The ending left me smiling, which is always a good sign.

Also, can we talk about the cover? It’s gorgeous! The orange tones are perfect for the autumn vibe, and after reading the story, I think it fits so well.

POSITIVES:
• So much sweetness (Ben is so nice??)
• Eden’s friends and her mom were wonderful side characters who really added to the story
• A nice slow burn romance with a bit of tension
• Some fun spice
• A satisfying, happy ending
• The MMC knows how to ride a horse

NEGATIVES:
• The pacing slows near the end. It’s not boring, but there’s a noticeable difference between the fast-paced first half and the slower last chapters.
• It’s supposed to be marketed as “enemies to lovers,” but I don’t think that label fits perfectly. The protagonist doesn’t like the MMC at first, but that tension only lasts for a few chapters before things start to shift. Still, I enjoyed their dynamic a lot and thought the chemistry between them was really sweet.

Overall, this was a really cute and easy short read. Even though I had a bit of confusion as an ARC reader with the file update, that doesn’t take away from how enjoyable the book is. For me, it’s a solid 4 stars.

SPOILER:
I want both Ava and James to find somebody 3 they both deserve it

[Bookishdays · Rating 4 out of 5]

This charming novel follows Eden, a young, bookish girl who leads a quiet life working in a bookshop and sharing an apartment with her roommate. Her world, however, is far from ordinary, her mother is a celebrated author whose bestselling Sister’s Oath series is being adapted into a television show. What makes this even more personal for Eden is that she created the concept for the series’ leading man, Edmund Exton, her idea of the perfect gentleman.

When Eden joins her mother on set, she finally meets the actor cast as Edmund: Ben Hill. Unfortunately, their first encounter is anything but pleasant. Ben is arrogant and insufferable, and sparks fly, though not the romantic kind at first.

I loved this book because it delivers one of my favorite tropes: enemies-to-lovers. The story transported me behind the scenes of what felt like a Netflix Bridgerton production, complete with lavish ball scenes, stunning Regency era costumes, and breathtaking Scottish landscapes.

Eden and Ben are utterly adorable once their chemistry unfolds, and the novel offers a delightful mix of romance, charm, and a satisfying happy ending. It’s a fun, feel-good read for anyone who loves historical aesthetics blended with modern storytelling.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Ingrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nicely written and engaging contemporary romance with a unique plot and well-developed characters. The story flows smoothly, and the little quirks of the characters feel very believable, which made it easy to get drawn into their world.

That said, at times it felt like some relationships were based more on attraction than deeper connection, which made a few moments feel a bit superficial. Still, the story itself is solid, and the writing style makes it an enjoyable read overall.

A lovely romance with charm and personality — definitely worth four stars from me.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anastasia Hayward]

Definitely a cozy romance and light read. If you like the idea of being on the Bridgerton set and falling in love with an actor, then this book has those vibes. The plot drifts from one conflict point to the next at a medium pace and there's friendly banter and fun moments. I did want more from it, though. I wanted the romance to start a bit sooner, get a bit deeper, and I wanted a bit more of an emotional pull. So I will say this is definitely a cozier, lighter debut book.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded up for this debut author. As others have mentioned, more editing for grammar and sentence structure would improve the readability. Otherwise, it's a standard contemporary romance with misunderstandings, quick attraction, gorgeous people, and a happy ending.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Ida Fahlstedt · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was such a cute and cozy little read. I ate it up in less than 24 hours. overall, I think it could have benefited from some more editing, but I still really enjoyed it