Introduction
This is my book review of the Gentleman Nine by Penelope Ward. The story is a realistic friends-to-lovers, in a way forbidden romance with some ex-lovers drama. Gentleman Nine by Penelope Ward is another treat for her regular and anticipating readers like me.
Goodreads Blurb
From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward, comes a new, sexy standalone novel.
Growing up, the three of us were friends.
He was the nerd.
I was the playboy.
She was the beauty.
Deep down, I only ever wanted her. I kept it inside because Rory and I made a pact that our friend, Amber, was off-limits.
He lied.
I went off to college, and he got the girl.
Amber never knew how I felt.
They were together for years—before he broke her heart.
Through it all and across the miles, she and I casually stayed in touch.
When my job sent me to Boston for a three-month contract position, Amber let me stay in her spare room.
Still reeling from her breakup, she’d sworn off men.
One night, I opened her computer to find the shock of my life. She’d hesitantly contacted a male escort company. Afraid to date and get her heart broken again, she was looking for sex with no strings.
Every emotion imaginable ran through me: protectiveness, jealousy—curiosity.
Amber had chosen Gentleman Number Nine and sent him a message.
She opened up to him, confessing, among other things, her physical attraction to her friend—me. But she considered me off-limits—and she thought I was a manwhore. (Ironic, considering the circumstances.)
Eventually, she set up a date to meet Gentleman Nine at a hotel.
When she showed up several nights later to meet him, she was stunned to see me standing there—with an offer I hoped she wouldn’t refuse.
Book Estuary Review
They were friends
Gentleman Nine by Penelope Ward tells a story of Amber and Channing and is written with both their POVs. Technically, they grew up together because Amber was a best friend of Channing’s younger sister, Lainey. Lainey met with an accident when they were still in high school and was declared dead. Such a tragic event made Amber and Channing turn to each other for comfort. From the beginning, there was already this mutual attraction between the two but they never had the chance to share an intimate relationship because it was Channing’s best friend Rory who became Amber’s boyfriend for years.
The Reunion
However, an accident happened to Rory that made him break up with Amber. Fate, on the other hand, brought Channing to Boston for a three-month employment contract. Amber let him stay in her house where she had a spare room that she was offering for rent.
Physical attraction is rekindled
Both of them still felt the attraction between them however Amber was still recovering from her break up with Rory. But, one night Channing discovered that Amber contacted a male escort company to avail the service of Gentleman Number Nine. What came as a surprise for Channing was Amber’s confession to Gentleman Number Nine about her attraction for her friend (who is Channing himself) who she considered off-limits. Driven by protectiveness and jealousy, Channing intercepted the email communication and pretended to be Gentleman Number Nine.
Gentleman Nine in action
They agreed to meet at the hotel and Amber was surprised to meet Channing there. Eventually, they made an arrangement to have a sexual relationship with no strings attached. But, we know that they were just fooling themselves and they eventually fell in love.
The conflict and the drama
The conflict in the story comes from when Rory attempted to get Amber back. He even played dirty from the start to get Amber to himself. Rory became Amber’s first boyfriend and their relationship lasted for 9 years. There is also a problem of Channing’s mother who was diagnosed with dementia and his long passing trauma caused by his sister’s death. There is also Milo, Amber’s client with autism.
Overall
Gentleman Nine by Penelope Ward was included in the New York Times Bestseller upon its release and it is typical of Penelope Ward’s books. The characters, Channing and Amber are all sexy and beautiful. Penelope Ward has the ability to engage her readers to her story so the story becomes an easy read as well as swoon worthy.
So, if you are into Penelope Ward’s previous books or if you are just a lover of romantic stories, then surely this book is for you. Be warned though that there are a lot of ex-boyfriend and ex-girlfriend dramas in the story. But it is written in such a way that dramas and conflicts are resolved realistically and optimistically. Despite the conflicts and drama, in the end, you will believe Channing and Amber’s love story. Their story is sexy, real and romantic, I must say. I give this book a 4.5 rating out of 5 stars.
Similar Book Reviews
A Review of Sex Not Love by Vi Keeland
*This review was originally posted on steemit.com.
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Book Title: Gentleman Nine
Author: Penelope Ward
Publication Date: February 19, 2018
My Rating: 4.5
Print Length: 322 pages
Goodreads Link
Buy on Amazon