Rating: 3.5 stars
Genre: Historical
Publication day: January 9, 2017
Length: 155 pages
Publisher: Riptide
By the good offices of Riptide Publishing
KJ Charles’s new EntertainmentWANTED, A GENTLEMAN
Or, Virtue Over-Ratedthe grand romance of
Mr. Martin St. Vincent . . . a Merchant with a Mission, also a Problem
Mr. Theodore Swann . . . a humble Scribbler and Advertiser for LoveAct the First:
the offices of the Matrimonial Advertiser, London
where Lonely Hearts may seek one another for the cost of a shillingAct the Second:
a Pursuit to Gretna Green (or thereabouts)
featuring
a speedy Carriage
sundry rustic Inns
a private Bed-chamber***
In the course of which are presented
Romance, Revenge, and Redemption
Deceptions, Discoveries, and Desiresthe particulars of which are too numerous to impart
My View: I like this story, but I didn’t love it. There’s something I can’t pinpoint that was missing for me to make this a great read. Perhaps it’s more me than the story, but that connection between the MCs was not enough for me to get invested. I love their individual stories, but as a couple, I was not too interested in knowing what would happen next.
Theo was my favorite of the pair. He was funny and broken, but still, he looked forward to doing his job, even if it was out of necessity. Martin background was discussed in the forefront, but it felt like a history lesson more than a historical.
The travel, the settings, and the complete atmosphere were the best part of the story. It was easy to be transported to those time in which social status and family obligations ruled the world. I’d like to read more stories in this world and to know more about Theo and Martin in the near future.
What I liked the most: How well the main characters complemented each other as colleagues.
I wanted more/less: More time to see Martin and Theo be together as a couple.
Who should read it: Fans of historical romance with diverse characters.
ARC provided by Riptide, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.