Review: Like a Gentleman by Eliot Grayson

Title: Like a Gentleman (Expanded 2nd Edition)

Series: Love in Portsmouth: Book One

Author: Eliot Grayson

Length: 106 Pages

Category: Regency Romance

At a Glance: I enjoyed the additional content in Like a Gentleman, and absolutely felt it upped the satisfaction quotient.

Reviewed By: Jules

Blurb: James Rowley, penniless younger brother of an earl, discovers his rejected sensational story has been stolen and printed under another name — and he’s certain his editor is the guilty party. Determined to get his due, he sets out for London to take revenge on the perfidious L. Wells. He means to have satisfaction, even if he needs to pose as a simpering fop in a pink waistcoat to get it.

Two years before, intrigued by his favorite writer’s talent and wit, Leo Wells had visited the Rowley estate incognito, seen James’s portrait — and promptly lost what was left of his heart. Ever since, Leo has fought his obsession with his favorite writer. Unaware of the manuscript’s theft, he’s bewildered and heartbroken when James, acting the part of a sneering dandy, visits him in person only to use his obvious attraction against him.

From Gloucestershire to London to Portsmouth, can two men with society and secrets dividing them find happiness?

Review: I enjoyed Eliot Grayson’s Like a Gentleman on the second reading almost as much as I did on the first. The author recently expanded the story, adding almost forty extra pages, comprised of an additional chapter and an epilogue. When I reviewed the first edition at the beginning of this year, my very minor complaints were about wishing the story was a bit more fleshed out, and about the abrupt, cliffhanger ending. This revised edition goes a long way toward addressing both of those things.

James is as big a scamp as I remember him being; I was just as pissed this time when he treats Leo like shit after their first intimate encounter. James believes Leo to be the person who stole his manuscript and published it with another company, and so goes to Leo’s one night with the intent of calling him out and punishing him for stealing the story. James does end up doling out a punishment of sorts when he acts like a complete asshole and humiliates Leo, but he can’t deny his attraction to the man, and the fondness he ends up feeling for Leo definitely catches him off guard.

Like a Gentleman is witty, charming, and thoroughly fun. Even as a shorter novella I was able to develop an affinity for these characters and become invested in what happened to them. The things I loved about the story back in January, I still loved this time, but now we have the added bonus of a little insight into how they decided to handle their relationship, i.e., where they were going to live, etc., and where things are between them a year down the road. And, there is a scene between Leo and James’ brother Rodney, the Earl of Winthrop, that was a great addition. I’m so glad the author decided to spend a little more time with James and Leo, giving us a richer story. I enjoyed the additional content, and absolutely felt it upped the satisfaction quotient.

You can buy Like a Gentleman here:
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