Member Reviews
4.25 stars--GENTLEMAN SINNER by Jodi Ellen Malpas is a contemporary adult, stand alone, erotic, dark romance story line focusing on thirty-one year old, businessman Theo Kane, and twenty-seven year old, ER nurse Izzy White.
NOTE: Due to the graphic nature of the story line there may be some triggers for more sensitive readers.
Told from first person point of view (Izzy) with an epilogue from Theo, GENTLEMAN SINNER follows the building relationship and love between thirty-one yea old, businessman Theo Kane, and twenty-seven year old, ER nurse Izzy White. Izzy White, trying to help an injured woman in a dirty alleyway, finds herself the victim of assault, only to be rescued by a tall, dark and mysterious stranger who isn’t willing to let go of our story line heroine. Imposing and demanding, Theo Kane, a broken and damaged man, constantly rides the edge of darkness, a darkness that is about to pull him under. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Theo and Izzy, and the potential fall-out as Theo spirals out of control forcing Izzy out of his life.
Theo Kane is a fractured anti-hero; a man whose demons control every aspect of his life, a life of secrets hidden behind locked doors and dangerous behaviour. Falling for Izzy pushes Theo to the edge of his control, an edge that is slippery with little chance of recovery. Izzy White knows much about pain and suffering but meeting Theo Kane sparks something deep within our story line heroine, something that calls to, and answers that something deep within Theo Kane.
The relationship between Theo and Izzy is one of immediate attraction but Theo’s need to control sends all kinds of red –flags to our story line heroine, red flags that that continue to accumulate as their relationship deepens. The $ex scenes are passionate, erotic and intense.
We are introduced to Theo’s best friend/body guard/ driver/ partner Callum; his mother Judy; Penny, the butler Jefferson; and Izzy’s best friend Jess. There is definitely something brewing between Jess and Callum-let’s hope the author has plans to continue their story.
The world building focuses on Theo’s obsession with Izzy White, an obsession that crosses the line for a woman whose past is shaped by a world of threats and shadows. We are witness to Theo’s downfall and growth; and Izzy’s strength to save the man with whom she is falling in love.
GENTLEMAN SINNER is a raw, real and gritty romance; a tragic tale of survival and the repercussions of pain and anger. The premise is passionate; the romance is obsessive; the characters are charismatic and captivating.
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‘I’ve never sensed so much danger in my life.
And yet, the most disturbing part is how enthralled I was.’
We always know what we’re going to get when we open a new book by Jodi Ellen Malpas and that is a sizzling hot romance with a dark and mysterious alpha hero who has zero patience and an abundance of arrogance. Oh and add in stalker-ish tendencies. We also pretty much know that the heroine will be a sweetheart, slightly naïve and vulnerable, yet will display an inner strength and personal conviction. The Gentleman Sinner in all its dark and emotional glory gave us all of the above in classic Jodi Ellen Malpas style.
“I need compliance. Total surrender.”
Izzy, a nurse, is on her way home from work when she hears a woman who’s clearly in distress. It only takes a moment of hesitation before her medical professionalism kicks in and Izzy ventures down the dark alley to help. Her brave stunt turns out to be the beginning of a journey she was never expecting. In this alley, she comes face to face with the mysterious man who’ll challenge her very being, as well as her sanity. Izzy has secrets and is in many ways hiding her heart, cloaked in loneliness. She seems so guarded yet immediately lets Theo Kane into her life and heart, a man who should in all honesty scare her away…far far away. This is fiction so we suspend all belief and rationality -to a degree- so it’s all good, Theo Kane intrigued us too! It took us a while longer to fall in love with him though than it did Izzy.
‘I’ve fallen in love with a man who is feared by most but has shown me nothing but utter tenderness since we met.’
So just what is Theo Kane’s story? Well, at first sight he’s an attractive formidable man who displays the usual JEM characteristics of control, domination, a protective instinct and a penchant for stalking. He has a darkness about him and we just knew it had to be something heart-breaking. Not only that, he lives a life of secrecy and he’s hesitant to let Izzy in. A relationship can never truly survive the distance though when based on omission and secrecy so the battle is real to turn this passionate relationship into something real, something like love. So let the battle for insta-love to real love commence!
“I know you’re beautiful. I know you’re attracted to me. I know you make me smile, and I know you give me hope. You’re strong and kind.”
The second half of this book was definitely our favourite as that was when the story really kicked in, and as for the epilogue…sigh. We have to say we’re hoping for Jess and Callum’s story. We were fascinated by these two characters and found the ‘love-hate’ chemistry and intrigue between them palpable. We rejoiced whenever they came into the story. Gentleman Sinner was nothing new really, rather we were reminded of several books we’ve read and loved in the past, however that’s not to say we didn’t enjoy it because we did. However, we’d love for Jodi Ellen Malpas to branch out and challenge herself rather than staying safe -because no question- we know that with her brilliant storytelling she can absolutely do it and has so much more to offer!
“Everything I do is because I am in love with you. Not because I’m a fucking madman. Not because I thrive on violence. It’s because I fucking love you.”
Awww, Jodi turned my heart is mush with Gentleman Sinner!! Not since This Man have I met a man quiet so close to Jesse! I’m pretty sure that Theo Kane is going to end up right there near him though. Theo is gonna steal your heart just like he did mine and leave you wanting more. Not only did I find a soft spot in my heart for Theo but I sure as hell found myself swooning too.
Theo Kane is one of a kind. A brut of a man, yet completely alluring, mysterious but also formidable and definitely broken from his dark and haunting past. I was totally intrigued with Theo’s as layers began to peel away finding out what made him tick.
Izzy, on the other hand is the polar opposite of Theo. While she has her own dark past, she left that all behind 10 years ago. She is a strong woman with the biggest heart. She also has secrets from her past that have buried and place away. In the years since she ran, she has become a nurse. Now she is the epitome of goodness…. nurturing, kind and caring.
It’s through an act of kindness gone awry that she meets Theo. Coming to the aid of someone in distress she finds herself in a situation that renders her helpless too. Fearing the worst Theo miraculously appears like her knight in shining armor! The only thing is that she finds herself becoming tangled even deeper into Theo’s world.
It’s almost a classic case of insta-love when Theo lays eyes on Izzy. Saying he was attracted to her is like calling day, night. Nevertheless, Theo is totally different with Izzy…she brings out a side of him that is nothing but affectionate and sweet. Just how long would Izzy be able to resist this stunning man? It doesn’t take long before lines are crossed, passions erupt as these two get hot and heavy in their newfangled relationship.
I love Theo and Izzy together!! This mismatched pair of Theo’s imposing dominant, tough guy presence to Izzy’s small, kind soul. Izzy’s bravery is ever present, with no fear of Theo she begins to obliterates the walls of Theo’s menacing demeanor. It’s Izzy’s purity and honestly that completely renders his big guys resolve into nothing more than big soft, teddy bear where she’s concerned.
But will the secrets they both hold from their past tear this perfect love nest apart?
Be sure you #oneclick today for another great book from Jodi!!
‘I’ve never sensed so much danger in my life.
And yet, the most disturbing part is how enthralled I was.’
We always know what we’re going to get when we open a new book by Jodi Ellen Malpas and that is a sizzling hot romance with a dark and mysterious alpha hero who has zero patience and an abundance of arrogance. Oh and add in stalker-ish tendencies. We also pretty much know that the heroine will be a sweetheart, slightly naïve and vulnerable, yet will display an inner strength and personal conviction. The Gentleman Sinner in all its dark and emotional glory gave us all of the above in classic Jodi Ellen Malpas style.
“I need compliance. Total surrender.”
Izzy, a nurse, is on her way home from work when she hears a woman who’s clearly in distress. It only takes a moment of hesitation before her medical professionalism kicks in and Izzy ventures down the dark alley to help. Her brave stunt turns out to be the beginning of a journey she was never expecting. In this alley, she comes face to face with the mysterious man who’ll challenge her very being, as well as her sanity. Izzy has secrets and is in many ways hiding her heart, cloaked in loneliness. She seems so guarded yet immediately lets Theo Kane into her life and heart, a man who should in all honesty scare her away…far far away. This is fiction so we suspend all belief and rationality -to a degree- so it’s all good, Theo Kane intrigued us too! It took us a while longer to fall in love with him though than it did Izzy.
‘I’ve fallen in love with a man who is feared by most but has shown me nothing but utter tenderness since we met.’
So just what is Theo Kane’s story? Well, at first sight he’s an attractive formidable man who displays the usual JEM characteristics of control, domination, a protective instinct and a penchant for stalking. He has a darkness about him and we just knew it had to be something heart-breaking. Not only that, he lives a life of secrecy and he’s hesitant to let Izzy in. A relationship can never truly survive the distance though when based on omission and secrecy so the battle is real to turn this passionate relationship into something real, something like love. So let the battle for insta-love to real love commence!
“I know you’re beautiful. I know you’re attracted to me. I know you make me smile, and I know you give me hope. You’re strong and kind.”
The second half of this book was definitely our favourite as that was when the story really kicked in, and as for the epilogue…sigh. We have to say we’re hoping for Jess and Callum’s story. We were fascinated by these two characters and found the ‘love-hate’ chemistry and intrigue between them palpable. We rejoiced whenever they came into the story. Gentleman Sinner was nothing new really, rather we were reminded of several books we’ve read and loved in the past, however that’s not to say we didn’t enjoy it because we did. However, we’d love for Jodi Ellen Malpas to branch out and challenge herself rather than staying safe -because no question- we know that with her brilliant storytelling she can absolutely do it and has so much more to offer!
“Everything I do is because I am in love with you. Not because I’m a fucking madman. Not because I thrive on violence. It’s because I fucking love you.”
I don't know what I was expecting from Theo Kane, but this wasn't it. I got so much more than I bargained for and he might just rank up there as one of my all-time favorite book boyfriends.
Theo takes alpha to a whole other level. He's intimidating, brooding, dangerous, and comes with a reputation most people fear. But when you get past that rough exterior, you can't help but fall in love with him. He's loyal, protective, and devilishly sexy, with an undeniable charm and an often hidden smile that will make you weak in the knees.
Izzy is amazing. I love all the complexities of her personality. Not only is she strong and independent, but she's also vulnerable and a little lost. She's unfiltered when it comes to Theo, but is definitely a calming presence in his life, something he truly needs. She's a beautiful, kind-hearted character you can't help but love.
Putting these two together is asking for an explosion of epic proportions, and trust me, you'll get several of them by the time you finish their story. They're both broken, yet together their pasts seem to melt away. Two amazing leads, two highly-intriguing best friends, secrets, mysteries, SO MANY FEELS, and passion to melt your kindle - this book has a little bit of everything. You'd be hard-pressed to find a better book to read. This book, and Theo Kane, gets ALL the stars!
Abso-bloody-lutely fascinating!!
February 5, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 Brilliant Stars!!
Abso-bloody-lutely fascinating!!
Gentleman Sinner is an all-consuming romance, beautifully well-written, with a great storyline that lead you to believe it was heading one way, before the twists and turns. The plot is amazing and the characters well-developed and believable. Izzy and Theo's story is a memorable one, and it'll stay with me for a long while.
I was hooked right from the beginning, kept on the edge of my seat, but unable to let go until I turned the last page. I absolutely loved it!!
5 SINNER STARS I WISH I CAN GIVE 10</b>
Thanks to JEM for providing ARC in exchange for honest review.
JEM did it AGAIN!!! JEM is the first author I encounter and her work has always been on the top of my shelve. This time is no less different, JEM always has a way to capture my heart and my mind. Whenever I start reading her stories, I can never put the book down. Even if I literally did put down the book but my eyes and mind will somehow drift back to the story.
Gentle Sinner is her latest work and of course, she never stops giving her readers surprises.
Highly recommend, everyone MUST read this. I believe this is my book of 2019. No one can resist Theo. He is truly a Gentleman full of sin and Izzy White is the only one that brings light back to his life.
Also, I really want a short story of Jess and Callum, I wonder how they end up?
Thanks, JEM for always making my world more colourful with her characters~
Theo Kane and Izzy White are magic!
Two broken souls coming together find the other is exactly what they need to heal!
This is beautifully told and everything you could want from a JEM book!
Heat, danger, passion, angst!! Its all there and more!
You don't want to miss this one!!!
"Because only the unwise refuse Theo Kane"
Just to CLARIFY this is NOT nor will it be my LAST read by the amazing Jodi Ellen Malpas. She is a top very first reads for me & I have loved her books for quiet some time now!
That said THIS BOOK DID NOT DISAPPOINT! WOW, the love story, the characters & the writing!
Jodi has away with words that are professional but so relatable, just like you were in the story!
Izzy White is a broken soul, a nurse just trying to live on. When Izzy finds herself in an uncomfortable and rather dangerous situation, an angel comes to save her. An angel in the form of a powerhouse sexy ultimate alpha of a man.
What leads to after the meet, is a lot of suspense, pain, confusion, light and sexiness. My god can this man be any more sexually alpha?! He tops it all for sure. What I love about Izzy is that she is SO STRONG even when she wants to give up. You will LOVE all the characters, and hate the ones that deserve it HARD! What I pray and wish for is that CALLUM & JESS get a story too!
How can two broken souls come together? Only in the light!
FIVE PLUS & HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR THIS READ!
Wow, ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥. I’m in awe of Theo and Izzy. Two people that are so completely different but yet are scorching hot together. Do they have in common a terrible past. This was a dark romance but oh so freaking good!!!!! Theo had demons and Izzy was the woman that cured him. This was a real emotional story that pulls you in from beginning to end. These two loved each other something fierce. And the way Theo sees Izzy, oh,y swoonworthy. I wish there were more of his POV.
Prepare yourself to meet your next book boyfriend! Jodi Ellen Malpas writes the absolute best alpha-heroes, and Theo Kane is in a league of his own. He’s rough around the edges and has a powerful presence in both body and attitude, but he’s shows a softer side when he meets Izzy. He’s captivated by her, protective of her and sweet to her, and he does everything in his power to make her his. Their chemistry is smoking hot and the sex is off-the-charts, but they also develop an emotional connection that gives their love story substance and heart. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough, and Gentleman Sinner reminds me why Malpas is one of my all-time favorite authors.
YO WHAT EVEN HAPPENED WITH THIS? I am shooketh to my core.
Theo Kane came into Izzy White’s life as a knight in shining armour. She wasn’t foolish though. Izzy knew he was a dangerous man with dark dark secrets. But her heart refused to stay away. She felt their connection, she felt his appeal. Soon, Theo’s demons start coming to light. Can Izzy still believe in the man she has fallen so hard in love with?
I am honestly so damn blown away by this story. This is my first Jodi Ellen Malpas book and now I’m a fan.
This book was full of heartache, passion, pain, love and redemption. A roller coaster of emotions, I was always on the edge of my seat desperate to find out what would happen next.
Theo Kane is an ENIGMA. I could actually feel his energy coming off of the pages of the book. He is a strong man but at the same time he is vulnerable and scared and caring and deeply in love with a woman he never saw coming. I think I really absolutely love Theo.
Izzy was not a easy character to understand. She has so many reservations but I sometimes got the impression that she didn’t love him as much as he does. Which I am grateful to say was proven wrong by the end.
I will say that I was not at all expecting this story or that I will love it this much. My hearts still aches but it’s the good kind now.
4.5 Stars!
Hook.Line.Sinker!
Izzy White has come a long way over the last few years to escape a past she would rather forget. She finally feels safe and at home working as a nurse at the local hospital. That is until she meets the hot and mysterious Theo Kane.
Theo Kane is ruthless to strangers but loyal to those he cares for. No one dare crosses him and no one dares to get close. Izzy is not like the typical women he comes across.
The passion and angst are combustible! Gentleman Sinner starts off pretty fast and slows down to a simmer but if you just hang on to the wild ride, you will be left wanting more!
Jodi Ellen Malpas is my all-time favourite author!
I’m always over-excited when Jodi announces a new book is coming and once I have it in my possession, Everything gets put on hold while I devour her latest creation.
I was truly enamoured with this story and no words I say will do this incredible read justice.
Jodi is the Queen of Alpha’s and for me it’s unfair to compare them because each one of them is very different and special and that’s the beauty of them, they are all lovable but Theo Kane is imperfectly perfect and has just climbed the ranks of the JEM alpha ladder!
Theo Kane is fierce, dark and mysterious. He screams power and control and he is feared by most. He’s intense and over powering but undeniably sexy and hot! Izzy’s strength and courage is inspiring. She knows Theo is Dangerous but she doesn’t feel scared buy him, she feels the connection and she feels safe. Both, broken souls that carry secrets that could tear them apart. But what’s created between these two characters is a deep and powerful love , so passionate and touching it consumes you. But is this strong connection enough?
There is nothing better than a read that gives you everything and has you on the very edge of your seat.
Gentleman Sinner is a breathless anticipation, The story is dark, dangerous and raw. It will have your heart pounding, feeling sick, Emotions will run high, tears will flow like a river and the story has you hanging onto every word until the very last page!
Jodi blows you away with another outstanding read, the writing is as beautiful as ever and her stories continue to be addictive as this will become another of my go to re-reads. Definitely by Top Read of 2019!!
What can you say about Izzy and Theo? These 2 are the product of such a fabulous author that brings us tortured and alpha men that you can't help but fall in love with. This was no different. Loved it from page 1 and the ending was perfect.
Izzy has had a tough past but she didn’t let it define her and I love the way she held her ground. Izzy was strong, determined and at times too stubborn for her own good. Theo is an intense, alpha male who doesn’t like to take no for an answer and has had a rough past.
When I first started reading this book I loved the way the story was heading. As I continue to read the story fell apart for me and it pains me to type this review. I really felt that Theo and Izzy’s relationship went super fast and I didn’t get to feel that connection between the characters. There was internal dialogue but I wanted to see and feel the relationship unfold before my eyes. Oftentimes Izzy felt that Theo was dangerous and slightly stalkerish but still jumped in head first when it came to a relationship Theo.
Gentleman Sinner has been one of my highly anticipated reads for 2019. I have read several books by this author but this story wasn't a favorite. I really liked the secondary characters, Callum and Jess and I hope we get a story about them in the future.
Entertaining storyline: ✔️
Broken, alpha hero: ✔️
Strong, feisty heroine: ✔️
Steamy love scenes: ✔️
Fun, lovable, supporting characters: ✔️
HEA: ✔️
I Love Story Time Recommended: ✔️✔️✔️
What more do you need? Gentleman Sinner has it all!
💗Lys
I'm a huge JEM fan and couldn't sign up fast enough for an arc of this book.
I want to start by saying that I absolutely adored Theo.
He had the possessiveness and trampling tendencies of Jesse Ward, the secrets like Miller Hart, the protectiveness of Jake Sharp and the gentle swooniness that was uniquely Theo.
I also loved how strong, independent and resilient Izzy was after her own secrets of her past.
The 2 together had the chemistry and rightness of the kind of couple we all love to read about.
What kept it from being a 5-star read like most of her books are for me was the lack of a slow-burn romance, the over the top way Theo pursued her and the lack of angst that a few points in the book could have expanded on to make our heart beat faster for them.
I will ALWAYS AUTOMATICALLY buy anything Jodi writes.
Heck, I even buy the audiobooks for "re-reads", but I don't think this one will have me re-reading immediately after finishing as I did with her This Man Trilogy.
Gentleman Sinner was Heavenly Sinful! Elizabeth @ Carolina Chic’s Read
I flew through this story. Izzy and Theo are like magnets drawn to each other. They flew into each other's lives and held on tight. They both have their secrets ones that could harm them both. This story was intense and i loved every minute of it. The ending had me one the edge of my seat.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Mary – ☆☆☆☆☆
Theo Kane is the new man in the stables of Jodi Ellen Malpas’ alpha males and oh what an alpha he is. I have been a Malpas fan since Jesse Ward in the This Man series and he will always have a piece of my heart. But Theo has come and tried to steal a piece for himself.
Theo and Izzy are two people with a lot of past pain, and it will take them both to heal each other. While he is drawn to her light, she is drawn to his darkness. And she knows he is dangerous but that is not what scares her, what scares her is that she knows he can break her heart. And she may not survive that.
Will they each share their past with the other? Can Izzy reveal what happened to her and still believe Theo will not retaliate for her? What will Izzy do when she learns his secret past?
This story has all the feels and is a dark and tormented read that may not be right for everyone. But if you have read anything from Jodi Ellen Malpas before, you will fall head over heels for Theo Kane and this story will be another favorite.
I haven't decided if I love it more than the This Man series but if not, it is very close. So if you love a dark, heartbreakingly perfect story, then read this and enjoy, I hope you love it as much as I have.
Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars
M/F Romance
Triggers: Prostitution, Underground fighting, illegal dealings, violence
Izzy is living her life as best she can. Despite having a trauma in her past, she is trying to do what she can to overcome and help others. She is an amazing person. She doesn't take crap from anyone and knows her own worth. She loves her job and the people she surrounds herself with. But when she meets Theo, she knows that her life is about to change.
Theo is intense. There is no other way to describe him. He knows what he wants and goes for it. Also, he is not used to people bucking his demands. When he saves Izzy from a potentially dangerous situation, he knows that he wants her with him. Even though he demands a lot of her, he also respects that fact that she tells him no.
Theo and Izzy have great chemistry. While I wasn't a great fan of Theo's demanding ways – he's a mix between Christian Grey and Jesse – possessive, demanding, but he also could be gentle and kind when it came to Izzy. I loved that he knew that Izzy was light to his darkness. I also really enjoyed that Izzy was strong enough to withstand Theo's darkness. Both needed each other and weren't afraid to try. But while they might want a happily ever after, each will have to decide if the darkness is truly worth the risk.
There was a lot going on in this book and I loved it all. I thought that each character really grew within the pages of the book and watching them develop was exciting and helped shape the book into a great story. I can't wait to see if more books will crop up with these characters. I really hope that some of the secondary characters get their own books, as they were entertaining and hilarious in their own way.
Shannan – ☆☆☆☆
Theo Kane is a dark, sexy alpha that changed everything in Izzy's world. Izzy is a nurse wanting to save people. She has hurt in her past that has led her on this path in life. Walking home one night, she spots an injured woman in an alley. She risks her safety to help her. Theo Kane comes to save both of them. For the first time in her life she's not afraid, she feels safe. A feeling she isn't at all used to. She should be afraid, but she isn't, something about Theo Kane make her feel safe and protected.
He's drawn to her light and she's drawn to his darkness.
Theo has horrible pain in his past. So much so he can't be touched without knowing it's coming, but Izzy's touch soothes him in a way that's completely unexpected. Can he relax with her? Can he share his painful past with her? Can she share hers?
I adore This Man series and there are pieces of this story that remind me of that series. I am a fan of Malpas and her alpha men. This story has its dark and twisted theme but is so worth the read.
Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is a new book from Malpas, and I rather hope that it has a follow-up, as I would love to know what happens to Callum and Jess too!
I found this to be a really good story in its genre. Izzy is an interesting person for sure, with her conquering of her difficult past to become a nurse and finding safety in being in a hospital. Her midwife friend and flatmate, Jess, is a really good sounding board as things get complicated with Theo and helps us understand Izzy's story. Whilst she was the light in this story, she had most definitely experienced darkness. She is now a much more self-aware individual, which means that she has to consider very carefully the danger that Theo poses her. She does not believe he will intentionally hurt her, but she knows that he has the power to do so.
Theo was more of a familiar character, as an alpha male with a dark background, a difficult childhood, and a somewhat illegal way of making a living. I cannot say that I warmed to him for a long time, as I felt that he did not really connect with Izzy. I also had a few issues with his mother and domestic set-up. There were a number of plot lines which I felt were familiar, but it is well written, and I was certainly engaged enough to want to know how they would reach their happily ever after.