The description of this book intrigued me, but I’m not the target audience. The voice is literary, the pace is on the slow side, and I felt no emotional connection to the story or the characters. DNF.

Thanks NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary – ☆☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars

I wanted to love Frank and Taya but there was something about them as a couple that just wasn't right for me. I loved the storyline and the intrigue of the highwaymen and in the end, it was a good story.

I found that I was more interested in the mystery of finding out who the highwaymen were than in the romances of Frank. I was laughing at the antics and saddened by some of the things they had to go through. But you have to remember this is a historical romance and some things didn't happen back then.

In the end, I found that I enjoyed Frank and Taya's journey, and their story is one I will enjoy again.

A Gentleman Never Tells by Jodi Ellen Malpas
Belmore Square series #2. Historical romance. Can be read as a standalone but the couple in the first story are included as siblings.
Frank Melrose believes he can take his father’s printing business global. Yes, he is disappointed that his sister is awarded the top job, but he knows he can find the stories to continue to increase the print count. He focuses on the mysterious highwayman that is robbing the ton. He’s trying anyway. Tara Winters has him a bit dazzled. So much so that he’s willing to give up his philandering ways.

This was a fun book. Frank and his family is not used to titles but their sister has married into it and now there is just that much more scrutiny over them and their business dealings. Frank has made use of his handsome good looks and status with daughters across the land. Until he sets his eyes on Tara and suddenly those other dalliances have lost the appeal. He doesn’t know quite how to handle that. At heart, he’s a good guy although maybe out of his depth with both finding the story in journalism and what to do when love hits him.
Secrets abound as well as mischief.
Entertaining, steamy and heartwarming.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley

Ambivalent....

I liked the premise and I really wanted to like this book.
But I just wasn't feeling the connection between Frank, a rake and a printer and Taya.
That was frustrating for me, as I really did want to root for the both of them.
But I look forward for more from this author.
3.5 stars

A Gentleman Never Tells by Jodi Ellen Malpas is book Two in the Belmore Square Series. This is the story of Frank and Taya. This was a forbidden type love story I felt. This series is interconnecting so I do think it adds to your enjoyment if you have read the previous books. Enjoyed

This was a DNF for me, which is incredibly rare because usually if I get an arc, I read it whether I like it or not. But this is written in the first person narrative, and I just cannot.

I did try, I read three chapters but no, it just doesn’t work for me.

A forbidden love between a rake and a lady. This felt like it started up right where book one left off, but switched focus to Frank and Taya. Frank has a reputation of a rake, but one look at Taya and that part of his life is over... except he doesn't even know it yet. And Taya is the mysterious sister of the murdering Duke. Together they make for an intriguing couple who fight the attraction they have for each other until it can no longer be denied. They go through a few bumps in the road with a mysterious highway gang ruffling the Ton's feathers. This made for a fun, fluffy historical romance read. Now I'm curious who Clara is going to be paired with in book three. And will Sampson get a story?

This book was well written, but just did not work for me. I struggled to connect with the main characters Frank and Taya, and couldn’t get invested in their lives and their relationship storyline, or the highwaymen mystery. Maybe if I had read the first book in this series I would have been more invested, since many others gave this story great reviews. I received an ARC, and this is my honest review.

My first historical from this author and I really thought it was a great read, it is different as the entire book is told from the MMC's pov! Frank is trying to figure out who the highwayman is and after a close encounter, figures out it's a woman! Knowing it would boost his family's newspaper, Frank starts to research this interesting person who is striking fear in the wealthy. Yet he cannot help but feel chemistry for his brother-in-law's sister, Taya. She is everything he cannot have yet the attraction is undeniable and sexy.
Its forbidden love that includes a mysterious highwaywoman in the plot - ya, you cannot go wrong with that.

A fun Regency romance with.....steam. Frank and Lady Taya do a dance around one another as they- well no spoilers. I missed the first novel but this was just fine as a standalone. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Perfect after a long day.

In Jodi Ellen Malpas's captivating regency romance, A Gentleman Never Tells, the enthralling sequel to the Belmore Square series, Frank Melrose takes center stage as he grapples with running his father's printing business and unravels the mystery of a notorious highwayman. The novel seamlessly intertwines with the previous installment, bringing a sense of familiarity and continuity. Malpas's writing style, characterized by its elegance and evocative prose, captures the essence of the regency era while infusing a modern flair. The forbidden romance between Frank and Taya is explored with raw intensity, challenging societal norms and adding a scandalous allure. The novel's impeccable pacing, exciting incidents, and a surprising mystery resolution contribute to a perfect blend of drama, romance, and humor. Malpas's fearless exploration of desire and passion sets this regency romance apart, making A Gentleman Never Tells a must-read, showcasing the author's mastery in pushing genre boundaries and delivering an unforgettable story that lingers in the reader's mind.

Rated 3.5 Stars

A Gentleman Never Tells was interesting, slow but interesting and highly amusing. I laughed out loud a few times while reading it. Frank, the hero is the most utterly ridiculous character I've read in a long time. He's also quite endearing too. I don't remember ever reading a romance where the point of view was primarily the hero's but it was a nice change of pace. I enjoyed it even though it was predictable. It's a fun, lighthearted read with a bit of steam, action and suspense.

Wonderful story of romance. I always love reading this author. She brings the story alive and always make me want to read more

Jodi Ellen Malpas enchants readers with "A Gentleman Never Tells," a captivating historical romance set in Regency London. The protagonist, Frank Melrose, finds himself torn between his burgeoning global business responsibilities and the irresistible Taya Winters. As he grapples with the pressures of unveiling a mysterious highwayman in Belmore Square, the story unfolds with a perfect blend of humor and romance. Malpas skillfully navigates the complexities of forbidden love against the backdrop of societal expectations. Frank's internal conflict, having concealed his sister's journalistic pursuits to avoid scandal, adds a compelling layer to the narrative. The slow-paced Regency setting is brought to life with stolen glances, passionate stares, and moments of chaste romance, all while a mysterious subplot keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Malpas' storytelling prowess is evident in this delightful addition to the Belmore Square series, leaving me eagerly anticipating the next installment.

The story is told from the male point of view, making it interesting to read. I liked seeing the growth in Frank as he comes to certain realisations about himself. I could not help but smile when I read the story, making it the perfect weekend read to relax with.

I've read several of this author's contemporary books and I was intrigued when I saw she was releasing an historical series. I haven't read too many books where the narrator is the male main character but I thought that it worked. Frank was very likable. I thought this story was charming and the characters had good chemistry but I found it a little slow to connect with in the beginning. Thank you for ARC, it was an enjoyable read!

im not sure why i am having a hard time writing this review. while i typically love jodi's writing and characters, i just didnt feel connected to these. Im not sure the highwaymen storyline was for me. i am in no way counting out reading more from this series, but i do wish i had loved this one more

I found myself captivated by Frank Melrose's journey to navigate love, family obligations, and societal norms in Regency London. As heir to a printing business, Frank's pursuit of Taya Winters unfolds amidst the pressures of unmasking a mysterious highwayman in Belmore Square. The narrative, expertly crafted with a delightful mix of humor and romance, skillfully explores the intricacies of forbidden love. Having previously concealed his sister Eliza's journalistic endeavors to avoid scandal, Frank faces a compelling internal struggle. The story masterfully weaves through the slower-paced Regency era, balancing stolen glances, passionate stares, and chaste moments with a looming mystery. Jodi's storytelling prowess shines through, offering a satisfying blend of historical romance and suspense. This is a delightful addition to the Belmore Square series, leaving me eagerly anticipating the next installment.

The second title of the Belmore Square series, finds Eliza's brother from the first title, wanting to move his father's printing shop to higher status but keeps getting distracted by Taya. And masked highwaymen

I was not the right reader for this story. I wasn't able to connect with this one but it was well written, so hopefully other readers will enjoy this one more than I.



Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the DRC

This was a fun historical romance.
I enjoyed the characters, the mystery, drama and the steamy scenes. I think everything was well paced and kept the story interesting.