Book Review — Gentleman Nine by Penelope Ward

“Every day I’ve felt closer to you… I may not have the past nine years to give you, but I can give you many more to come.”

• Buy GENTLEMAN NINE (Kindle)
• Buy GENTLEMAN NINE (Paperback)
• Buy GENTLEMAN NINE (Audiobook)
• Buy GENTLEMAN NINE (iBooks)

Penelope Ward has been one of my favorite authors for many years so when this book was released, naturally I had to dive right in. I read it in one non-stop sitting. It was addictive, angsty, and romantic!! It checked off a lot of favorite boxes for me: friends-to-lovers, childhood friends, roommates, and even though I’m not usually a fan of love triangles, I actually though that the one that eventually develops in this book was very well written and handled. Once I started reading this book, I was hooked. It was hot and sexy, but still romantic and swoony with characters who shared a lot of history. Definitely give this book a shot if you’re looking for something new to read!

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.

When an unexpected turn of events brought her childhood friend back into her life after a bad break up, she had no intention of starting anything with him no matter how hot she’d always thought he was. Growing up, she’d been best friends with his little sister. When his sister died, she grew closer to him, which was how she met his best friend. After they all went off to college, she’d started to date his best friend. Besides, no matter how attracted she’d once been to him, he was the campus manwhore and had never given her any indication that he had feelings for her so she’d always assumed that he’d never settle down and she assumed she’d end up married to his best friend who she’d been dating for years. Until things changed. And suddenly she was single and nursing a broken heart. And he was her new roommate. And suddenly possibilities that they’d never before explored became very, very tempting.

This book has sizzling sexual tension heightened by a bit of a “forbidden” vibe (even though there’s nothing directly forbidden about their relationship) but it had that tantalizing “will they won’t they” element that kept my heart racing.

For as long as I’d known him, I reluctantly and secretly crushed on Channing. For one reason or another, he was always off-limits. Then, our relationship evolved into a friendship I values. Off-limits. Crossing the line with Channing wasn’t a possibility, especially after I fell in love with his best friend, Rory, which made Channing once again… off-limits.

And I will say that very often in set ups like this where the heroine first dates one guy and then his friend, I worry that it might seem like the second guy is just a second best choice but I assure you it’s not like that at all. Without going into detail, I’ll just say that the right people have the right reasons for their actions.

I moved my hands to wrap them firmly around her face. “I feel like I didn’t really get to make my feelings as clear as I wanted to earlier, because I was crunched for time. I misspoke.” Sucking in some air, I said, “I’m not falling in love with you. I am in love with you.” When she started to open her mouth to speak, I cut her off, “Please don’t ever tell me you love me back unless you’re one-hundred percent mine. I don’t want to hear those words otherwise. It will only sting.” I leaned my forehead on hers. “… This has all happened fast with us, yes, but it’s very real for me. Every day I’ve felt closer to you. Even when you’d show me your vulnerabilities, I love those , too. They make you real. I may not have the past nine years to give you, but I can give you many more to come.”

There were three things that bothered me a little in this book. One thing that was a little gross, one line that didn’t sit right, and one situation that I thought was handled in a way that made no sense. But other than those, everything else about the book was great! It was super addictive like I said and I found it to be a very fast-paced read even though it was a full length novel. Penelope Ward is definitely an auto-click author for me. Her books are just that good. I always look forward to her new releases and this was a good read!

Rating: 4 stars. Contemporary Adult Romance Standalone

• Buy GENTLEMAN NINE (Kindle)
• Buy GENTLEMAN NINE (Paperback)
• Buy GENTLEMAN NINE (Audiobook)
• Buy GENTLEMAN NINE (iBooks)