What do you think?
Rate this book
The Gentlemen's Gamble
An Honorable Love
One grump. One thief. One highly-questionable adventure.
Leonard Stanton has perfected the art of being alone. He keeps to the edges of ballrooms, and society, whenever possible. But when a priceless family heirloom is stolen off his very person, Leonard finds himself dragged into the one thing he hates most—a social entanglement.
Enter Mrs. Honora Gillingham. Vexingly cheerful, utterly unpredictable, and the last person he should trust. Mostly because . . . she’s the one who stole from him.
Now Leonard must decide what’s more dangerous. Assisting a thief with a smile as sharp as her wit, or the growing suspicion that he doesn’t want the adventure to end.
Leonard Stanton has perfected the art of being alone. He keeps to the edges of ballrooms, and society, whenever possible. But when a priceless family heirloom is stolen off his very person, Leonard finds himself dragged into the one thing he hates most—a social entanglement.
Enter Mrs. Honora Gillingham. Vexingly cheerful, utterly unpredictable, and the last person he should trust. Mostly because . . . she’s the one who stole from him.
Now Leonard must decide what’s more dangerous. Assisting a thief with a smile as sharp as her wit, or the growing suspicion that he doesn’t want the adventure to end.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 19, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
March 5, 2026
One thing I’ve come to know is if a book is written by Audra Wells, it’s going to be great. This book is no exception. I absolutely loved it!! Honora and Leonard are such great characters! What better way to start off a relationship than the girl stealing your Grandmother’s ring right off your person? And then confronting her about it. I love Honora’s pestering, teasing, confusing manner that she gives to Leonard it is hilarious and I just love her. Leonard is so serious and Honora just baffles him. I love the chemistry between them. They both have personal situations making life a bit difficult. I loved the ending with Leonard’s brother. I also enjoyed seeing characters from the previous books again. This was a wonderful story and I definitely recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
May 24, 2026
"𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳."
"𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵, 𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘯𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦?"
𝘓𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘥..."𝘉𝘰𝘵𝘩."
This was definitely not what I was expecting, but so enjoyable and impossible to put down!! I don't believe I've ever read a book with the FMC quite like Honora. 😂
She was a joy from page 1 on, but not your typical regency lady. She pushed the rules, she took Leonard on as a challenge, and never gave up on him, even with his grumpy exterior.
Leonard was impossible to not love as well, but definitely the complete opposite of Honora. 😅 I really admired him, though. He didn't know how to fill in his big brother's shoes, he didn't know how to stand up to his father, how to handle Honora, but he still kept coming back. His weakness became strong through Honora, and Honora learned how to be confident within herself because of him. 🩷
This whole series has been a big delight, and I highly recommend them all!! They can be ready as standalones, but I recommend reading them in order!
*I received an e-ARC copy, all opinions are my own
"𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵, 𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘯𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦?"
𝘓𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘥..."𝘉𝘰𝘵𝘩."
This was definitely not what I was expecting, but so enjoyable and impossible to put down!! I don't believe I've ever read a book with the FMC quite like Honora. 😂
She was a joy from page 1 on, but not your typical regency lady. She pushed the rules, she took Leonard on as a challenge, and never gave up on him, even with his grumpy exterior.
Leonard was impossible to not love as well, but definitely the complete opposite of Honora. 😅 I really admired him, though. He didn't know how to fill in his big brother's shoes, he didn't know how to stand up to his father, how to handle Honora, but he still kept coming back. His weakness became strong through Honora, and Honora learned how to be confident within herself because of him. 🩷
This whole series has been a big delight, and I highly recommend them all!! They can be ready as standalones, but I recommend reading them in order!
*I received an e-ARC copy, all opinions are my own
July 8, 2026
So I loved this story just as much the second time listening to it as I did when I eye ball read it. The audiobook was well done!
——
This series was so fabulously written. Such different styles and storylines. But I loved being a part of the journey of it all. It was fun and it’s been awhile since I’ve read a multiauthor series.
Now onto what this book was. It maybe is my favorite story from this series. Again, they all have different stories and fun vibes. But this one was fun with the added adventure.
It has one of my favorite tropes of grumpy vs. sunshine. And let me tell you, he’s the ultimate grump. He definitely has a mood and scowl on his face for part of the book, but he’s also drawn to the adventure and protecting Honora. So when he finally gives in to loving the way she drives him crazy, I love it.
And Honora. I absolutely LOVE her. I loved her grit, her sass, her attitude, and the way she held herself up. I loved that she had grace but could hold her own. And she, she was… let’s just say if I were to use different language, she’s an absolute bad a.
I loved their story, their adventures, and the way they both ended up seeing each other past their stations in life.
Completely recommend this series. Completely recommend this book. If you need someone to gush about this series with.
——
This series was so fabulously written. Such different styles and storylines. But I loved being a part of the journey of it all. It was fun and it’s been awhile since I’ve read a multiauthor series.
Now onto what this book was. It maybe is my favorite story from this series. Again, they all have different stories and fun vibes. But this one was fun with the added adventure.
It has one of my favorite tropes of grumpy vs. sunshine. And let me tell you, he’s the ultimate grump. He definitely has a mood and scowl on his face for part of the book, but he’s also drawn to the adventure and protecting Honora. So when he finally gives in to loving the way she drives him crazy, I love it.
And Honora. I absolutely LOVE her. I loved her grit, her sass, her attitude, and the way she held herself up. I loved that she had grace but could hold her own. And she, she was… let’s just say if I were to use different language, she’s an absolute bad a.
I loved their story, their adventures, and the way they both ended up seeing each other past their stations in life.
Completely recommend this series. Completely recommend this book. If you need someone to gush about this series with.
May 11, 2026
This was a great addition to this series and a great way to end it... Although, I feel it lacks some information about Thomas, the 1st one marrying and starting the all bet in motion.
It's good that the one paying the bet could afford it, I think this is also why he didn't even was worried of being the last, he's intentions were not to marry at all.
But Honora appear and strange things happened, she stole his possessions and is heart, of course!
They interactions are funny, he's a grumpy, lonely man, and she's exactly the opposite.
This book is funny, well written and a great way to end the Gentlemen's Gamble.
It's good that the one paying the bet could afford it, I think this is also why he didn't even was worried of being the last, he's intentions were not to marry at all.
But Honora appear and strange things happened, she stole his possessions and is heart, of course!
They interactions are funny, he's a grumpy, lonely man, and she's exactly the opposite.
This book is funny, well written and a great way to end the Gentlemen's Gamble.
July 4, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
I was a little sceptical when I started this title, it didn’t feel like it would be the right fit for me but what do you know I was soon enthralled.
A lovely fun rom com type drama with an old world feel! Great narration too.
Huge thanks to Dreamscape Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
I was a little sceptical when I started this title, it didn’t feel like it would be the right fit for me but what do you know I was soon enthralled.
A lovely fun rom com type drama with an old world feel! Great narration too.
Huge thanks to Dreamscape Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
August 7, 2026
I loved reading/listening to this final book in The Gentleman's Gamble series!!! I don't want the series to be over, but alas all good things must come to an end. The good news!!! You can return to each book and read them over and over again! Or listen to the audiobooks! Which are fantastic by the way!
I loved getting to know each of the gentleman who made this pact/gamble with each other when they believed that in a perilous moment, they wouldn't be returning home. So what do you do? Make a declaration of who you love or that you'll find love! Perfect solution right?! Hahaha! Definitely not what I'm think of in a perilous situation but hey, I'm not complaining because it brought about some wonderful reading material that kept me very entertained and satisfied for many, many hours!
You can read this series out of order but I would definitely recommend you read them in order. They build upon each other.
Leonard and Honora's story will keep you on your toes! She is a firecracker and I loved every moment that she was in a scene! Especially with keeping Leonard guessing and trying to figure out who she is, and how he can spend more time with her. Their banter was great. Poor Leonard was definitely in over his head with her. But then again Honora also is in over her head with Leonard. I loved these two together! They left me giggling and grinning...a lot!!!
The sweet romance was very palpable and left me with many happy sighs! Definitely one I recommend you read and enjoy!
Content: Clean. Some sweet kisses but nothing further. No language. A couple of moments of very mild peril.
I received a copy from Dreamscape Select via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
I loved getting to know each of the gentleman who made this pact/gamble with each other when they believed that in a perilous moment, they wouldn't be returning home. So what do you do? Make a declaration of who you love or that you'll find love! Perfect solution right?! Hahaha! Definitely not what I'm think of in a perilous situation but hey, I'm not complaining because it brought about some wonderful reading material that kept me very entertained and satisfied for many, many hours!
You can read this series out of order but I would definitely recommend you read them in order. They build upon each other.
Leonard and Honora's story will keep you on your toes! She is a firecracker and I loved every moment that she was in a scene! Especially with keeping Leonard guessing and trying to figure out who she is, and how he can spend more time with her. Their banter was great. Poor Leonard was definitely in over his head with her. But then again Honora also is in over her head with Leonard. I loved these two together! They left me giggling and grinning...a lot!!!
The sweet romance was very palpable and left me with many happy sighs! Definitely one I recommend you read and enjoy!
Content: Clean. Some sweet kisses but nothing further. No language. A couple of moments of very mild peril.
I received a copy from Dreamscape Select via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5*
-Dual POVs
-London 1816
-A honest gentleman
-A lonely thief
Leonard took a long breath through his nose, regaining his patience. "Let us get this over with." Her smile returned. "That's the spirit."
Loved how their relationship changed and grew over time. (Received an ARC, opinions are my own).
-Dual POVs
-London 1816
-A honest gentleman
-A lonely thief
Leonard took a long breath through his nose, regaining his patience. "Let us get this over with." Her smile returned. "That's the spirit."
Loved how their relationship changed and grew over time. (Received an ARC, opinions are my own).
April 17, 2026
Lowkey… this may be the best book in the series. (Well, maybe… There are a few others up there as contenders).
I love reading about books when a thief is involved. But not a conniving one. No, more one who is in a way, innocent to their own actions.
Of course, that is not to excuse robbery by any means, but there is something to be said about how one’s upbringing shapes a person.
And oh how I long to be as observant as Honora. Despite her habits, she was super sweet, but there was an obvious loneliness to her character from the very beginning that only Leonard could coax her and make her feel loved. She was the raspberry to his lemon (iykyk).
Ah, I love seeing grouchy men being changed by rays of sunlight women. Despite his broody demeanor, I was quite captivated with Leonard from the start.
And gosh, I just loved this series so much. I finished it in less than a week and I’m in love. There is something about reading books/series centered around male friendships or brothers that I just love so much. It’s just so wholesome. And once I can afford it *cue my wallet crying in agony,* intend to purchase these stories and give them a home on my shelf.
5/5 ⭐️
I love reading about books when a thief is involved. But not a conniving one. No, more one who is in a way, innocent to their own actions.
Of course, that is not to excuse robbery by any means, but there is something to be said about how one’s upbringing shapes a person.
And oh how I long to be as observant as Honora. Despite her habits, she was super sweet, but there was an obvious loneliness to her character from the very beginning that only Leonard could coax her and make her feel loved. She was the raspberry to his lemon (iykyk).
Ah, I love seeing grouchy men being changed by rays of sunlight women. Despite his broody demeanor, I was quite captivated with Leonard from the start.
And gosh, I just loved this series so much. I finished it in less than a week and I’m in love. There is something about reading books/series centered around male friendships or brothers that I just love so much. It’s just so wholesome. And once I can afford it *cue my wallet crying in agony,* intend to purchase these stories and give them a home on my shelf.
5/5 ⭐️
March 29, 2026
A great conclusion to an exceptional series! The storyline of this final book is fun and different. Our FMC is a highly eccentric and desperately lonely klepto. She longs for companionship and relief from her boredom… Enter grumpy and cantankerous MMC, victim to her thieving ways and ultimate loser of the marriage wager.
While I typically don’t appreciate characters that toy with each other (and oh how she toys with him), this book does it with enough humor and charm to make it thoroughly enjoyable. The MMC’s reactions to her are priceless, and their banter highly entertaining. There’s also a bit of action as she hauls him around to seedy and dangerous situations. Just a fun book that I didn’t want to put down.
Highly recommended!
Content:
There is no foul language or sex, and the violence is minimal. The romance is limited to lightly descriptive kisses. There is no mention of faith or God.
While I typically don’t appreciate characters that toy with each other (and oh how she toys with him), this book does it with enough humor and charm to make it thoroughly enjoyable. The MMC’s reactions to her are priceless, and their banter highly entertaining. There’s also a bit of action as she hauls him around to seedy and dangerous situations. Just a fun book that I didn’t want to put down.
Highly recommended!
Content:
There is no foul language or sex, and the violence is minimal. The romance is limited to lightly descriptive kisses. There is no mention of faith or God.
April 8, 2026
Sweet, lovely, period romance.
Romance, sweet, period; series but stand alone read
Leonard and Honora’s story was a lovely contradiction in personalities, that made for a lovely sweet, fall. Their small moments together, seeing each other and sharing moments, helped to draw a lovely romance out of each other.
Loved how Honora helped Samuel and Leonard’s parents see Samuel as someone more than they did to help him back to independence and better health.
Sweet, exciting, steadfast, and of course a lovely fall.
Romance, sweet, period; series but stand alone read
Leonard and Honora’s story was a lovely contradiction in personalities, that made for a lovely sweet, fall. Their small moments together, seeing each other and sharing moments, helped to draw a lovely romance out of each other.
Loved how Honora helped Samuel and Leonard’s parents see Samuel as someone more than they did to help him back to independence and better health.
Sweet, exciting, steadfast, and of course a lovely fall.
July 7, 2026
This is the last book in The Gentlemen’s Gamble series, a series about six men racing to the altar in order to avoid losing a wager. Of course, with this being the last book, we all know who loses the bet. If you don’t want to know, STOP HERE. 🛑
I haven’t read every book in this series, but that’s okay. I loved seeing cameos of those I have read about. Leonard is happy to stick to the edges of life and when a precious heirloom is stolen from him, he finds himself in an entanglement with Honora–the one who stole from him.
The narration is well done and added to the dubious adventure that a grump and a thief find themselves enmeshed in.
This duo is very opposite: Honora is brazen and brash, almost unrefined in many ways, while Leonard is more methodical and grumpy. He finds himself in a dilemma that is highly entertaining for the reader, causing me to wonder what I would do in that situation.
A meet-cute clash between these two give a strong enemies-to-love vibe laced with suspense and sprinkled with chemistry. I loved the redemption arc and the banter that drove the plot. There’s nothing better than this type of banter, which peels away layers, exposing wonderful characters.
An Honorable Love is the perfect ending to this series.
⚠️mild romance
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given*
I haven’t read every book in this series, but that’s okay. I loved seeing cameos of those I have read about. Leonard is happy to stick to the edges of life and when a precious heirloom is stolen from him, he finds himself in an entanglement with Honora–the one who stole from him.
The narration is well done and added to the dubious adventure that a grump and a thief find themselves enmeshed in.
This duo is very opposite: Honora is brazen and brash, almost unrefined in many ways, while Leonard is more methodical and grumpy. He finds himself in a dilemma that is highly entertaining for the reader, causing me to wonder what I would do in that situation.
A meet-cute clash between these two give a strong enemies-to-love vibe laced with suspense and sprinkled with chemistry. I loved the redemption arc and the banter that drove the plot. There’s nothing better than this type of banter, which peels away layers, exposing wonderful characters.
An Honorable Love is the perfect ending to this series.
⚠️mild romance
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given*
April 17, 2026
That was so cute, hehehehe. I always love Audra Wells’ characters and their growth journeys.
July 14, 2026
This book is so much fun! I didn’t want to put it down, or for it to end! What a great ending to the series.
July 25, 2026
Maybe it’s a 3.5⭐️??? Maybe even a 4?? It’s just so different from the rest of the series I don’t even know what I think. It took me a solid 40% to really get into it but then I couldn’t put it down. I just feel like it couldn’t decide which genre to be? But I love how many of the previous characters made appearances and it was a fun switch up overall!
April 1, 2026
I read this without reading the excerpt first and was pleasantly surprised. Very different plot from other regency romances I have read.
May 25, 2026
It was hard for me to like Honora and the way she acts, and I found Leonard and Honora didn’t have any chemistry. I tend to read quickly but I was dragging it for days since I wanted to finish the series, at the end I DNF at 52%.
March 26, 2026
I absolutely adored Leonard and Honora’s completely original, unlikely, yet hilarious, and absolutely delightful story. Both of their character arcs were so unique and well done, I loved Leonard’s relationship with his brother and the growth there as well, and I was just smiling through the entire book. The banter, the teasing, the “adventures”, and yet the tenderness under it all—it’s just perfect!
May 24, 2026
Maybe this book would have been ok if it were a standalone, but as part of this series, it was completely out of place and made me uncomfortable. I did not like the character Honora portrayed herself as, nor the people she made company with. I'm sure this all changed as the story went on, but I DNF'ed it at 32% where Leonard's irrational actions became unbearable and unbelievable.
It's a shame. I liked the series as a whole, but I won't ever know how it really ended.
It's a shame. I liked the series as a whole, but I won't ever know how it really ended.
March 21, 2026
"We are all products of where we come from..."
"She had opened his eyes to the small wonders that one takes for granted every day. And he couldn’t believe how much fuller his life was for it."
"We are all products of where we come from, but it’s what we choose to do with it that matters.“
“You cared enough to ask, even when I didn’t wish to answer...”
"She had opened his eyes to the small wonders that one takes for granted every day. And he couldn’t believe how much fuller his life was for it."
"We are all products of where we come from, but it’s what we choose to do with it that matters.“
“You cared enough to ask, even when I didn’t wish to answer...”
July 8, 2026
Sigh, I'm a little sad about An Honorable Love. I can't say that I loved this book out of the A Gentleman's Gamble series. This series has been such a fun reading journey. I've seen independent historical fiction authors pile together to create these "series" where the characters or themes are connected, and each book is written by a different author. I think it's a great way to introduce readers of one author to similar authors they may be unfamiliar with. That certainly happened with me and this series. At the same time, I just didn't feel like An Honorable Love meshed with the other books in this series as much as I wanted it to.
Leonard is the last of his friends to marry. Or at least, he is unmarried at the start of this book. And that means that he has to pay the forfeit to the other friends for a total of six hundred pounds. He has the money, but his investments are tied up, and it isn't wise to pull them at this time. Yet he wants so badly to pay off his friends that he's willing to sell his great-grandmother's ring to do so. Unfortunately, he gets pickpocketed by a woman.
Honora didn't grow up wealthy. As a matter of fact, her father was a thief. And she has no friends in her new life. Well, she has one, but that friend hasn't contacted her in a while. And now she's bored. She's tried conversing with her maid, but the maid is terrified of stepping outside of her duties. And so she sets her sights on Leonard because he's so fun to rile up. She didn't mean for them to have any repeat interactions after pocketing his great-grandmother's ring. But the man did manage to track her down. Honora uses Leonard in a series of quests to complete a final task and put her thieving days behind her once and for all. Only these two are catching feelings.
Honora's past and entanglements make this book feel almost like a mystery, yet the mystery element is lacking. The only real mystery is the truth behind her past. But that isn't revealed in some big climax, but over a series of slow drips of information for both the reader and Leonard. I could feel the attraction between the two of them, but to get all the way to love felt like a stretch.
In a similar way, it was like Leonard was so against marriage and tying anyone to his father and his family, yet that didn't turn out to be any big obstacle in the end, and his father didn't even seem like an unreasonable man either. It was almost like he was made out to be some big villain, even potentially abusive to his son, yet none of that ended up coming out. I wasn't disappointed to find out that he was a decent person, but it felt a little bit anticlimatic.
In the end, An Honorable Love was probably my least favorite in the The Gentleman's Gamble series. I've decided to give it 3 Stars. I almost thought Thomas was going to show up in the end single after starting the whole thing, considering we never met him in person aside from the prologue of all of the books. That would have been something. Have you read An Honorable Love? What did you think? Let me know!
Leonard is the last of his friends to marry. Or at least, he is unmarried at the start of this book. And that means that he has to pay the forfeit to the other friends for a total of six hundred pounds. He has the money, but his investments are tied up, and it isn't wise to pull them at this time. Yet he wants so badly to pay off his friends that he's willing to sell his great-grandmother's ring to do so. Unfortunately, he gets pickpocketed by a woman.
Honora didn't grow up wealthy. As a matter of fact, her father was a thief. And she has no friends in her new life. Well, she has one, but that friend hasn't contacted her in a while. And now she's bored. She's tried conversing with her maid, but the maid is terrified of stepping outside of her duties. And so she sets her sights on Leonard because he's so fun to rile up. She didn't mean for them to have any repeat interactions after pocketing his great-grandmother's ring. But the man did manage to track her down. Honora uses Leonard in a series of quests to complete a final task and put her thieving days behind her once and for all. Only these two are catching feelings.
Honora's past and entanglements make this book feel almost like a mystery, yet the mystery element is lacking. The only real mystery is the truth behind her past. But that isn't revealed in some big climax, but over a series of slow drips of information for both the reader and Leonard. I could feel the attraction between the two of them, but to get all the way to love felt like a stretch.
In a similar way, it was like Leonard was so against marriage and tying anyone to his father and his family, yet that didn't turn out to be any big obstacle in the end, and his father didn't even seem like an unreasonable man either. It was almost like he was made out to be some big villain, even potentially abusive to his son, yet none of that ended up coming out. I wasn't disappointed to find out that he was a decent person, but it felt a little bit anticlimatic.
In the end, An Honorable Love was probably my least favorite in the The Gentleman's Gamble series. I've decided to give it 3 Stars. I almost thought Thomas was going to show up in the end single after starting the whole thing, considering we never met him in person aside from the prologue of all of the books. That would have been something. Have you read An Honorable Love? What did you think? Let me know!
April 25, 2026
I really enjoyed this book. It is such a unique and fun regency romance.
Honora is a hoot, she is quirky, unconventional and hilarious! I love her reactions to Leonard. Leonard is so broody, guarded, and she counteracts his grumpiness perfectly! These two were so fun to read about! Their grumpy sunshine dynamic is amazing!!!
This story takes you on a wild unpredictable adventure. Her being a thief and him a gentleman had me so intrigued as to how things could ever workout between them! I loved the forced proximity, and the chemistry between them.
There are so many lines in here that had me laughing, and smiling. I also love that this story has a really tender part to it too. I love how these two help each other, heal their hearts and find home!
I also really loved Leonard’s brother Samuel, and a scene involving him was a favorite part of this story!
I absolutely loved visiting with the friends from each book in this series! The grand finale at the end was just wonderful and made me so soo happy.
What a fun, exciting, original, unpredictable, heartwarming story that I love getting lost in.
.
.
.
content: kisses only, mild danger, some violence, strained family relationships
Honora is a hoot, she is quirky, unconventional and hilarious! I love her reactions to Leonard. Leonard is so broody, guarded, and she counteracts his grumpiness perfectly! These two were so fun to read about! Their grumpy sunshine dynamic is amazing!!!
This story takes you on a wild unpredictable adventure. Her being a thief and him a gentleman had me so intrigued as to how things could ever workout between them! I loved the forced proximity, and the chemistry between them.
There are so many lines in here that had me laughing, and smiling. I also love that this story has a really tender part to it too. I love how these two help each other, heal their hearts and find home!
I also really loved Leonard’s brother Samuel, and a scene involving him was a favorite part of this story!
I absolutely loved visiting with the friends from each book in this series! The grand finale at the end was just wonderful and made me so soo happy.
What a fun, exciting, original, unpredictable, heartwarming story that I love getting lost in.
.
.
.
content: kisses only, mild danger, some violence, strained family relationships
August 2, 2026
🌟 Technically 3.5 stars
"like life, isn’t it? Bitter and sweet. It has both, and in some ways, one makes you appreciate the other more."
It’s very important to note that this is book #6 in a series. While it recapped the previous events and people just fine, the premise of the series sounds very cool (for someone who hasn't read the last book in the series, therefore spoiling the whole point of the series).
The premise of The Gentleman’s Gamble is that seven unmarried Regency-era gentlemen friends are aboard a ship in the English Channel during a horrific storm. They all legitimately think they are in their last moments and begin begrudging the fact that they never married. One says, “If I were to make it, I’d marry (whatever her name was) immediately.”
This leads to a wager amongst them - if they make it to the dock, the last one married has to pay each of the others one hundred pounds. So each book shows the order that they marry, and the reader (as long as you don’t read info about the other books), you don’t know who loses until you read near the end.
The audiobook for this one was enjoyable. Because it was unique, I found myself unable to stop thinking about it, and eager to keep going - at the beginning. Since the main female character is a thief, also a wealthy lady in society, I was curious to know why in the world she was thieving!
It was cute. I got a little weary of the dramatics of our heroine. I just couldn’t get on board with her. I felt like I was supposed to feel sorry for her, but I didn't. 🤷♀️
The reasoning for why she was being a thief, and why the MMC was so drawn to her, was beyond me. 🤦♀️
"Something about this woman kept him coming back against his better judgment. If only he could figure out what it was so he could cure himself of the need to constantly come back to her."
Yeah, I didn’t get it. I like him and wanted better for him. 😁
The plot was pretty entertaining to have on audio.
CONTENT: violence-wise, there is a brawl where a couple of punches happen, and a man throws another on a table (but he gets right up. It wasn’t bad).
I was blessed with an audiobook ARC for an honest review, and my thoughts are always my own.
~Shannon
Olde American Spirit
July 16, 2026
I always love Audra Wells's storytelling. This one admittedly took me a lot longer to get into than her other books I've read, but in the end I was invested, and very happy when the main couple got their HEA. The premise of this one was very unique compared to many of the other regency books I've read before, which was fun! Overall it was a sweet, clean, adventurous romance that I would recommend to anyone who loves regency romance books. 😊
May 8, 2026
Last book in this lovely series and it was AMAZING 📚 I love every book I read by Audra Wells and this was no different. The banter in this book was ANOTHER LEVEL 🤩 and these two characters had chemistry for DAYS ❤️🔥
Honora. I’m gonna be so honest I was so frustrated with her… for point two seconds 😂 I LOVED HER SO MUCH 🥹 her character was so unique and I LOVED how her character showed how hard fitting into society is. She is so strong and the more we learned about her the more I loved her 💖
Leonard. He needed his life to be shook up and bit and boy was he shook 😂 watching him process the whirlwind that Honora was was so funny 🤣 but also his own personal arc was amazing. I loved reading about him and his brother, and the “I’m going to dance even if it kills me” like actually had me choking on my tears 😭
From the most hilarious meet cute 💍 to a constant stream of some of the best banter I’ve read 🔥 this book had me flipping pages faster than ever 😂
⚠️ CW: the FMC is a thief, fight in a bar, talk of affair, blackmail, nightmare and panic attack ⚠️
Honora. I’m gonna be so honest I was so frustrated with her… for point two seconds 😂 I LOVED HER SO MUCH 🥹 her character was so unique and I LOVED how her character showed how hard fitting into society is. She is so strong and the more we learned about her the more I loved her 💖
Leonard. He needed his life to be shook up and bit and boy was he shook 😂 watching him process the whirlwind that Honora was was so funny 🤣 but also his own personal arc was amazing. I loved reading about him and his brother, and the “I’m going to dance even if it kills me” like actually had me choking on my tears 😭
From the most hilarious meet cute 💍 to a constant stream of some of the best banter I’ve read 🔥 this book had me flipping pages faster than ever 😂
⚠️ CW: the FMC is a thief, fight in a bar, talk of affair, blackmail, nightmare and panic attack ⚠️
July 1, 2026
Contains an audiobook review.
This is the last book in The Gentlemen's Gamble series. These books follow a group of friends that have made a wager to see who will be the last to get married. If you want to be surprised, make sure to read them in order. Otherwise, they are standalone stories. I won't mention the name of the character featured in this book, so as not to give a spoiler if you're reading the review but haven't read the series.
I devoured this series as the books were being released. I had access to several of them as an early reader. The ones that I didn't, I purchased and read them immediately. That way I'd be ready for when the next one came out. (I believe they were released 1 every 2 weeks.) All until this one. I knew they were going to be released in audio format, since that is my preferred means to read a book, I decided to wait. And wait. FINALLY, once the author announced the audio was coming, I immediately requested an advanced copy and listened to it as soon as I received the download link.
I really enjoyed the conclusion to this series. Honora was so fun to get to know. She's unique for sure! I loved her.
This has a sole female narrator. She does a good job reading the story and giving voice to the characters as well.
Many thanks to Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to an advanced copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This is the last book in The Gentlemen's Gamble series. These books follow a group of friends that have made a wager to see who will be the last to get married. If you want to be surprised, make sure to read them in order. Otherwise, they are standalone stories. I won't mention the name of the character featured in this book, so as not to give a spoiler if you're reading the review but haven't read the series.
I devoured this series as the books were being released. I had access to several of them as an early reader. The ones that I didn't, I purchased and read them immediately. That way I'd be ready for when the next one came out. (I believe they were released 1 every 2 weeks.) All until this one. I knew they were going to be released in audio format, since that is my preferred means to read a book, I decided to wait. And wait. FINALLY, once the author announced the audio was coming, I immediately requested an advanced copy and listened to it as soon as I received the download link.
I really enjoyed the conclusion to this series. Honora was so fun to get to know. She's unique for sure! I loved her.
This has a sole female narrator. She does a good job reading the story and giving voice to the characters as well.
Many thanks to Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to an advanced copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
May 18, 2026
I think the quirkyness didn't quite work this time. Still a sweet read though.
Full review to come!
Full review to come!
June 5, 2026
DNF, which is a shame because I was looking forward to Leonard’s character and the ending of the series.
I just disliked the heroine to the point of revulsion. There’s nothing adorable about how unprincipled she is with all the stealing and lying.
I just disliked the heroine to the point of revulsion. There’s nothing adorable about how unprincipled she is with all the stealing and lying.
August 18, 2026
Pretty good. I came off of a poorly written book, so it probably benefited by the contrast. However, I was entertained. It did seem like there were points of the plot that didn’t really go anywhere, but I was in a peaceful versus suspense mood. So it didn’t bother me. I listened to it instead of reading, and the narrator was OK, but I come away feeling like Honora, is one of those females that talks with a whine. It occurred to me at the end of the book as she was whining again that maybe it was just the narrator’s interpretation of how she would’ve said it. I wonder what people who read the books think about her character and that regard. Upon reflection, it is a little intense that she has this drive to steal, you can kind of see his parents concern. However, this is a happy book so recidivism is not a thing, and change is instantaneous. Also, the one friend never actually makes an appearance at all in the book, so she goes to a lot of effort with the exact same result. That was odd.
Leonard is the second son, with an older brother who has been sickly for years. His father has dictated what his sons will do for years. Given his brothers, ill health Leonard has been pressured for years to find a wife to produce an heir. Leonard acting as if his older brother is moments away from dying. Samuel is weak, but has a cheap disposition and Leonard likes him. You learn at the end of the book that part of Leonard’s hesitation to marry stems from a fear that his brother’s condition is genetic. Because he is dragging his feet to courtship it comes as no surprise that he is the one that lost the wager and now owes each of his friends 100 pounds. He refuses to ask his father for the funds, so he said he goes and finds his grandmother‘s ring to pawn it. Honora was born the child of a thief. She grew up in the rough side of London, with her father encouraging/pressuring her to steal from people. You learn that an older woman takes her in after Honora tries to steal from her and is caught. That woman is a wealthy widow, who teaches her how to be a lady, and gives Honora her fortune upon her death. Honora keeps the old woman from the public knowledge, instead presenting herself as a widow to allow herself freedom. She has a bad habit of stealing when she is bored, and she recently lost her only friend. She is out walking when she sees Leonard repeatedly padding his coat pocket. Her father taught her how to observe people, and it was clear as day to her that he had something valuable in his jacket. She orchestrates running into him, and snatches the ring. Leonard is devastated when he gets to pawn it and it’s gone, but having recently checked it, he quickly realizes that the woman must have taken it.
He visits his friend/banker Andrew and it just so happens that Honora also banks there. Andrew leaves her address open on his desk so he can claim plausible deniability when Leonard obtained it. Leonard goes to her home demanding the ring back, she advises. She will have to pay him because she doesn’t have the ring. However, she needs his assistance first. That friend she lost has a no good husband. The husband learned of Honora origin story, and threatened to out her unless she became his mistress. He provided a necklace for her, which and her frustration she swipes after refusing his advance. He very easily deduces that she took it, and demands she return it otherwise he will tell his wife forever ending their friendship. Honora knows he will twist it to make it sound like she came onto him. She feels stuck. She keeps this from Leonard, and takes him along as back up of sorts to find out where her middle man sold the necklace. That little man sent her out a bit of a goose chase, which results in Leonard and Honora drinking, playing cards, and dancing, and her old neighborhood. It’s the first clearly friendly interaction. They have as Leonard has been keeping her at arms length. A man gets handsie with her at the tavern, prompting Leonard to fight him, resulting in lots of injuries.
Honora begins to feel guilty over how she has treated Leonard. He had opened up to her and part during one of their outings, and she kept her true origin from him and that she’s not really a widow. One day she gets his grandmother‘s ring out of her vault and gives it to him releasing him from further obligation. He is furious, and doesn’t understand why she forced him to go all those places with her. The answer is she was lonely, but she doesn’t want to tell him that. He leaves angry. In the meantime, the friend’s husband threatens her again. She asks for three more days. However, when she returns home, Leonard is at her home waiting. His friends had convinced him he needs to talk to her as Andrew and Ambrose think he’s in love. She opens up to him about her past, which results in him, kissing her. He asks to court her. He stops by the friend’s husband house and threatened him with social ostracism if he revealed her origin. When he returns home, his parents have arrived with Samuel. Leonard thinks that they helicopter him too much, and arranges to sneak him out to a ball that Samuel wants to attend. Honora is instrumental and getting him there, sneaking in herself, and getting him back home. Samuel ends up, dancing with a girl. Which gives him confidence that he can do more than he has allowed the doctors and his parents to convince him he can do. Leonard end up, having to carry him into the house, and Honora has to pick a lock to get them in. The next morning, his parents are waiting in the breakfast room. He assumes they know about sneaking Samuel out, but it turns out that the friend’s husband told them about Honora past. His father and mother say she is not suitable, but Leonard stands up to them saying he will play the role he needs to play, but it will be with the woman he chooses. That speech revealed to him that he wants to marry her. He goes proposes, and the book ends with a reunion of all the friends with their wives. Honora now has six friends in addition to her lovely husband. Samuel is going on daily walks, and is already showing improvement.
Leonard is the second son, with an older brother who has been sickly for years. His father has dictated what his sons will do for years. Given his brothers, ill health Leonard has been pressured for years to find a wife to produce an heir. Leonard acting as if his older brother is moments away from dying. Samuel is weak, but has a cheap disposition and Leonard likes him. You learn at the end of the book that part of Leonard’s hesitation to marry stems from a fear that his brother’s condition is genetic. Because he is dragging his feet to courtship it comes as no surprise that he is the one that lost the wager and now owes each of his friends 100 pounds. He refuses to ask his father for the funds, so he said he goes and finds his grandmother‘s ring to pawn it. Honora was born the child of a thief. She grew up in the rough side of London, with her father encouraging/pressuring her to steal from people. You learn that an older woman takes her in after Honora tries to steal from her and is caught. That woman is a wealthy widow, who teaches her how to be a lady, and gives Honora her fortune upon her death. Honora keeps the old woman from the public knowledge, instead presenting herself as a widow to allow herself freedom. She has a bad habit of stealing when she is bored, and she recently lost her only friend. She is out walking when she sees Leonard repeatedly padding his coat pocket. Her father taught her how to observe people, and it was clear as day to her that he had something valuable in his jacket. She orchestrates running into him, and snatches the ring. Leonard is devastated when he gets to pawn it and it’s gone, but having recently checked it, he quickly realizes that the woman must have taken it.
He visits his friend/banker Andrew and it just so happens that Honora also banks there. Andrew leaves her address open on his desk so he can claim plausible deniability when Leonard obtained it. Leonard goes to her home demanding the ring back, she advises. She will have to pay him because she doesn’t have the ring. However, she needs his assistance first. That friend she lost has a no good husband. The husband learned of Honora origin story, and threatened to out her unless she became his mistress. He provided a necklace for her, which and her frustration she swipes after refusing his advance. He very easily deduces that she took it, and demands she return it otherwise he will tell his wife forever ending their friendship. Honora knows he will twist it to make it sound like she came onto him. She feels stuck. She keeps this from Leonard, and takes him along as back up of sorts to find out where her middle man sold the necklace. That little man sent her out a bit of a goose chase, which results in Leonard and Honora drinking, playing cards, and dancing, and her old neighborhood. It’s the first clearly friendly interaction. They have as Leonard has been keeping her at arms length. A man gets handsie with her at the tavern, prompting Leonard to fight him, resulting in lots of injuries.
Honora begins to feel guilty over how she has treated Leonard. He had opened up to her and part during one of their outings, and she kept her true origin from him and that she’s not really a widow. One day she gets his grandmother‘s ring out of her vault and gives it to him releasing him from further obligation. He is furious, and doesn’t understand why she forced him to go all those places with her. The answer is she was lonely, but she doesn’t want to tell him that. He leaves angry. In the meantime, the friend’s husband threatens her again. She asks for three more days. However, when she returns home, Leonard is at her home waiting. His friends had convinced him he needs to talk to her as Andrew and Ambrose think he’s in love. She opens up to him about her past, which results in him, kissing her. He asks to court her. He stops by the friend’s husband house and threatened him with social ostracism if he revealed her origin. When he returns home, his parents have arrived with Samuel. Leonard thinks that they helicopter him too much, and arranges to sneak him out to a ball that Samuel wants to attend. Honora is instrumental and getting him there, sneaking in herself, and getting him back home. Samuel ends up, dancing with a girl. Which gives him confidence that he can do more than he has allowed the doctors and his parents to convince him he can do. Leonard end up, having to carry him into the house, and Honora has to pick a lock to get them in. The next morning, his parents are waiting in the breakfast room. He assumes they know about sneaking Samuel out, but it turns out that the friend’s husband told them about Honora past. His father and mother say she is not suitable, but Leonard stands up to them saying he will play the role he needs to play, but it will be with the woman he chooses. That speech revealed to him that he wants to marry her. He goes proposes, and the book ends with a reunion of all the friends with their wives. Honora now has six friends in addition to her lovely husband. Samuel is going on daily walks, and is already showing improvement.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2026
I didn't love either of the main characters or the storyline all that much. I kept hoping my opinion would improve, and I'd say after about 60% it got better, but I had a hard time finishing this one. if it wasn't the last book in the series, I probably wouldn't have finished it.
July 4, 2026
Not at all what I was expecting! And I loved every minute of it!
Leonard Stanton grew up in a family with means and money. It is the mid 1800’s and life is very different than it is now…. And, Leonard is son #2 in the pecking order… although his brother is set to inherit everything as the eldest, he has been sick. And none of this means anything to Leonard anyway, as he loves him more than life itself!
His father though… he does not get along with him at all.
Leonard makes a bet with his mates… as to who’s going to get married first… and last. And he loses everything. He has to pay them all off, and has no money of his own. So, he decides to sell his grandmothers heirloom ring. After all, he’s never getting married, so he’ll never use it.
As he exits the carriage to go into the store, he literally BUMPS into a woman. This is Honora. And she is there to lift something off of Leonard. Mainly, whatever it is he’s going into the store to sell.
And so, they meet! And as he goes to get the ring from his pocket and realizes it’s NOT THERE, he knows exactly what happened! And he is not happy!
He runs into her again a few days later and makes it a point to get to her. And then manages to get her address and present himself at her home… to get the ring back!
She claims she a,ready so,d it! But, if help helps her with something else, she can give him the money for it!! 😳😮😊
And so it begins! They hate each other. Despise each other. And yet, cannot get enough of each other!
Leonard is such a strait-laced, upstanding citizen who ALWAYS does the right thing… that Honora is exactly what he needs! She doesn’t give a hoot about anyone, or what they think of her! And she is just hilarious in her antics!
If you’re looking for a fun, light, sweet, crazy read that’s just a little bit scary too… look no further!
This one was just released, so look 👀 for it on shelves now!
4 1/2 stars for me, happily bumped up to 5!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
#AnHonorableLove by @AudraWells and narrated nicely by @VickyJoEva.
(Of note, this is part of a series! I have not read any of the others, and managed just fine… so, it’s up to you.)
Thanks so much to #NetGalley, @DreamscapeSelectAudio and @AudraWells for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!!
And as always, thanks for reading along with me! 📚⭐️📖🩷
Leonard Stanton grew up in a family with means and money. It is the mid 1800’s and life is very different than it is now…. And, Leonard is son #2 in the pecking order… although his brother is set to inherit everything as the eldest, he has been sick. And none of this means anything to Leonard anyway, as he loves him more than life itself!
His father though… he does not get along with him at all.
Leonard makes a bet with his mates… as to who’s going to get married first… and last. And he loses everything. He has to pay them all off, and has no money of his own. So, he decides to sell his grandmothers heirloom ring. After all, he’s never getting married, so he’ll never use it.
As he exits the carriage to go into the store, he literally BUMPS into a woman. This is Honora. And she is there to lift something off of Leonard. Mainly, whatever it is he’s going into the store to sell.
And so, they meet! And as he goes to get the ring from his pocket and realizes it’s NOT THERE, he knows exactly what happened! And he is not happy!
He runs into her again a few days later and makes it a point to get to her. And then manages to get her address and present himself at her home… to get the ring back!
She claims she a,ready so,d it! But, if help helps her with something else, she can give him the money for it!! 😳😮😊
And so it begins! They hate each other. Despise each other. And yet, cannot get enough of each other!
Leonard is such a strait-laced, upstanding citizen who ALWAYS does the right thing… that Honora is exactly what he needs! She doesn’t give a hoot about anyone, or what they think of her! And she is just hilarious in her antics!
If you’re looking for a fun, light, sweet, crazy read that’s just a little bit scary too… look no further!
This one was just released, so look 👀 for it on shelves now!
4 1/2 stars for me, happily bumped up to 5!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
#AnHonorableLove by @AudraWells and narrated nicely by @VickyJoEva.
(Of note, this is part of a series! I have not read any of the others, and managed just fine… so, it’s up to you.)
Thanks so much to #NetGalley, @DreamscapeSelectAudio and @AudraWells for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!!
And as always, thanks for reading along with me! 📚⭐️📖🩷
Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews