Scan barcode
lilivari's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
eesh25's review against another edition
2.0
This book is told from the perspective of the two main characters (with a couple of exceptions of chapters told from a third character's perspective). The three people used to be best friends. Two guys and one girl. Both the guys liked the girl so they made a pact that they would keep things strictly friendly. But as soon as one of them moved away for college, the other made a move on her and then, years later broke her heart.
Channing is understandably pissed off. First, Rory broke their pact. Then he dumped Amber! When Channing moves into Amber's spare room for a few months, he tries to just be her friend despite his own feelings, comforting her after her break-up with Rory. Then he finds out that Amber has contacted an escort service and is talking to a "Gentleman Nine" because she's very attracted to her new roommate, Channing, and doesn't want to mess things up. And Channing, instead of either ignoring what he's found or talking to Amber about it, pretends to be Gentleman Nine and asks Amber to meet him. Of course, when she does, she gets quite a surprise. But it's the start of an interesting arrangement.
And I gotta say, I really like this plot. That's basically the whole reason I was eager to read this book. And because I've read, and liked, a book by Penelope Ward before, I thought things would be smooth sailing. Oh how wrong I was...
Jumping straight to the biggest problem: the writing. I feel like there wouldn't have been much of a problem at all if the writing had been good. Which sucks because, like I said, I've read a novel by this author before. The writing was fine in that one. But here, it's like a badly written script.
First of all, it's basically all dialogue. The characters jump from one conversation to another and they're very long conversations with very long dialogues. Paragraphs of a person just saying stuff continuously. And it's not good dialogue either. It's corny, and strangely deep and insightful stuff with very well-formed sentences and good vocabulary. Basically, the kind of stuff no one says in real life without having written and memorized it beforehand. You get where I'm coming from with the "badly written script" part, right?
Also, you know how a lot of people talk about telling and not showing. Well, this book takes that to the next level. If a person is shocked by something, they literally say "I'm shocked". I swear, Luke Skywalker's very long "Noooooo..." was more subtle that some of the lines the characters say.
Moving on from the writing, I didn't really root for Amber and Channing. I kind of did, but that's just because I almost always root for the cannon ship without even much effort. Amber and Channing didn't have much chemistry in my opinion; because they weren't very interesting characters. The writing could've have solved that problems but since it didn't, the most interesting and memorable character was Rory. Like, I finished this book three days ago and he's the only one I actually remember stuff about.
Overall, the book had a good plot, one decent character and it left me, for the most part, disappointed and underwhelmed. It felt like a rush job at best and I don't recommend it. If you're looking to read something by this author, try RoomHate.
Channing is understandably pissed off. First, Rory broke their pact. Then he dumped Amber! When Channing moves into Amber's spare room for a few months, he tries to just be her friend despite his own feelings, comforting her after her break-up with Rory. Then he finds out that Amber has contacted an escort service and is talking to a "Gentleman Nine" because she's very attracted to her new roommate, Channing, and doesn't want to mess things up. And Channing, instead of either ignoring what he's found or talking to Amber about it, pretends to be Gentleman Nine and asks Amber to meet him. Of course, when she does, she gets quite a surprise. But it's the start of an interesting arrangement.
And I gotta say, I really like this plot. That's basically the whole reason I was eager to read this book. And because I've read, and liked, a book by Penelope Ward before, I thought things would be smooth sailing. Oh how wrong I was...
Jumping straight to the biggest problem: the writing. I feel like there wouldn't have been much of a problem at all if the writing had been good. Which sucks because, like I said, I've read a novel by this author before. The writing was fine in that one. But here, it's like a badly written script.
First of all, it's basically all dialogue. The characters jump from one conversation to another and they're very long conversations with very long dialogues. Paragraphs of a person just saying stuff continuously. And it's not good dialogue either. It's corny, and strangely deep and insightful stuff with very well-formed sentences and good vocabulary. Basically, the kind of stuff no one says in real life without having written and memorized it beforehand. You get where I'm coming from with the "badly written script" part, right?
Also, you know how a lot of people talk about telling and not showing. Well, this book takes that to the next level. If a person is shocked by something, they literally say "I'm shocked". I swear, Luke Skywalker's very long "Noooooo..." was more subtle that some of the lines the characters say.
Moving on from the writing, I didn't really root for Amber and Channing. I kind of did, but that's just because I almost always root for the cannon ship without even much effort. Amber and Channing didn't have much chemistry in my opinion; because they weren't very interesting characters. The writing could've have solved that problems but since it didn't, the most interesting and memorable character was Rory. Like, I finished this book three days ago and he's the only one I actually remember stuff about.
Overall, the book had a good plot, one decent character and it left me, for the most part, disappointed and underwhelmed. It felt like a rush job at best and I don't recommend it. If you're looking to read something by this author, try RoomHate.
linzrae's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A mix of unrequited love, friends-to-lovers, and best friend’s brother, Gentleman Nine had me fully invested in Channing and Amber’s relationship. I enjoyed watching them reconnect and learning about their past, both tragic and heartwarming. I thought I knew where the conflict would come from but then the author threw me for a loop, taking the story to a place I wasn’t sure I wanted to go. I managed to keep listening anyway and was eventually pleased with the way things wrapped up.
angelaypancho's review
5.0
Channing and Amber
Another hit from Ms Penelope Ward!
A true friends to lovers romance. The story revolves around Amber, Channing and their friend Rory. Channing and Rory loved Amber when they were kids. But seeing how Rory and Channing were best friends, they made a pact neither of them would pursue Amber since they both couldn’t have her. However, once Channing moved away for college, Rory broke the pact and moved in on Amber.
Fast forward 9 years, and Rory has broken Ambers heart. Enter Channing, who has never really stopped being friends with Amber. He vows to be there for her and protect her, to make her smile again. Plans change once he sees an email where Amber admits being attracted to him. Suddenly Amber and Channing find themselves walking a dangerous line of love and lust. Neither wanting to admit their true feelings until Rory makes an appearance.
Gentleman nine gave me all the feels. Great read.
Another hit from Ms Penelope Ward!
A true friends to lovers romance. The story revolves around Amber, Channing and their friend Rory. Channing and Rory loved Amber when they were kids. But seeing how Rory and Channing were best friends, they made a pact neither of them would pursue Amber since they both couldn’t have her. However, once Channing moved away for college, Rory broke the pact and moved in on Amber.
Fast forward 9 years, and Rory has broken Ambers heart. Enter Channing, who has never really stopped being friends with Amber. He vows to be there for her and protect her, to make her smile again. Plans change once he sees an email where Amber admits being attracted to him. Suddenly Amber and Channing find themselves walking a dangerous line of love and lust. Neither wanting to admit their true feelings until Rory makes an appearance.
Gentleman nine gave me all the feels. Great read.
beckyrendon's review
5.0
Penelope Ward has the ability to transport her reader into the story. With Andi Arndt and Sebastian York's narration, its impossible not to feel it. I may fangirl over all three of the key players in putting the Gentleman Nine audiobook together but it is 115% all them.
I felt like Annabelle in this story. Listening to the entire story play out with me as a witness. I want a listener sitting in my car. Nope. I was sitting in the livingroom over wine and cheese curls. (Despite my hatred for both!
I felt like Annabelle in this story. Listening to the entire story play out with me as a witness. I want a listener sitting in my car. Nope. I was sitting in the livingroom over wine and cheese curls. (Despite my hatred for both!
caseroo7's review
5.0
Find this review and more at Ramblings From This Chick
I couldn't wait to get my hands on Gentleman Nine, and Penelope Ward definitely didn't disappoint here! I am a huge fan of her books and this one was everything that I had hoped for. Penelope is one of a few authors that I don't even need to read a blurb for, because if it has her name on it I am going to read it and Gentleman Nine was one I loved from start to finish.
Channing and Amber knew each other while growing up, but the one thing that neither ever knew about was how the other felt anything for them beyond friendship. Channing and his best friend Rory had a deal that they wouldn't make a move on Amber because they both had feelings for her, but when Channing went off to school everything changed. So when Rory breaks up with Amber and breaks her heart and Channing finds himself needing a place to stay while he is temporarily in town for his job, he never expects to find her message to an escort on her computer. But Channing isn't about to let her get hurt again and finds himself responding to Amber. When she shows up to meet Gentleman Nine, her escort, she never expects to find Channing instead. Can he convince her to give him a shot instead of an escort though, and what does that mean for their future?
I absolutely loved these two. They had so much history and I loved how connected they were. Their friendship might have had times when they weren't as close as others, and yet they were always there for one another and had so much between them. I really felt for both of them and I was invested in them right away. I was so glad that they were able to finally learn the truth about their feelings and everything that had happened, when for so long they never knew just how much the other felt. They had a great connection and friendship, and their chemistry was so strong. I really felt the emotional ties and feelings between them, and it was clear that they were attracted to everything about the other one.
Overall, I have loved every book that Penelope Ward has written and Gentleman Nine was no exception. This story was captivating, with the characters being real and easy to relate to. I probably sound like a broken record when it comes to Penelope's books, but I have read and loved everything that she has written, and she is one of those authors that I always recommend to fans of contemporary romance. If you like genuine characters, emotional and heartfelt stories that are unexpected and captivating, you have to read Penelope Ward's books. I am already anxious for more from her and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next!
**ARC Provided by Inkslinger PR**
I couldn't wait to get my hands on Gentleman Nine, and Penelope Ward definitely didn't disappoint here! I am a huge fan of her books and this one was everything that I had hoped for. Penelope is one of a few authors that I don't even need to read a blurb for, because if it has her name on it I am going to read it and Gentleman Nine was one I loved from start to finish.
Channing and Amber knew each other while growing up, but the one thing that neither ever knew about was how the other felt anything for them beyond friendship. Channing and his best friend Rory had a deal that they wouldn't make a move on Amber because they both had feelings for her, but when Channing went off to school everything changed. So when Rory breaks up with Amber and breaks her heart and Channing finds himself needing a place to stay while he is temporarily in town for his job, he never expects to find her message to an escort on her computer. But Channing isn't about to let her get hurt again and finds himself responding to Amber. When she shows up to meet Gentleman Nine, her escort, she never expects to find Channing instead. Can he convince her to give him a shot instead of an escort though, and what does that mean for their future?
I absolutely loved these two. They had so much history and I loved how connected they were. Their friendship might have had times when they weren't as close as others, and yet they were always there for one another and had so much between them. I really felt for both of them and I was invested in them right away. I was so glad that they were able to finally learn the truth about their feelings and everything that had happened, when for so long they never knew just how much the other felt. They had a great connection and friendship, and their chemistry was so strong. I really felt the emotional ties and feelings between them, and it was clear that they were attracted to everything about the other one.
Overall, I have loved every book that Penelope Ward has written and Gentleman Nine was no exception. This story was captivating, with the characters being real and easy to relate to. I probably sound like a broken record when it comes to Penelope's books, but I have read and loved everything that she has written, and she is one of those authors that I always recommend to fans of contemporary romance. If you like genuine characters, emotional and heartfelt stories that are unexpected and captivating, you have to read Penelope Ward's books. I am already anxious for more from her and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next!
**ARC Provided by Inkslinger PR**