Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Gentleman Wolf (Capital Wolves Duet #1)

SERIES:  Capital Wolves

AUTHOR:  Joanna Chambers

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  216 pages

RELEASE DATE:  August 26, 2019

BLURB: 

An elegant werewolf in Edinburgh…

1788. When Lindsay Somerville, the most elegant werewolf in Paris, learns that the man who held him in abject captivity for decades is on his way to France, intent on recapturing him, he knows he must leave the Continent for his own safety. Lindsay cannot take the risk of being recaptured—he may have been free for a century but he can still feel the ghost of his old chains under his fine clothes.

… on a mission…

While he’s in Edinburgh, Lindsay has been tasked with acquiring the “Naismith Papers”, the writings of a long-dead witchfinder. It should be a straightforward mission—all Lindsay has to do is charm an elderly book collector, Hector Cruikshank. But Cruikshank may not be all he seems, and there are others who want the papers.

… meets his match

As if that were not enough, while tracking down the Naismith Papers, Lindsay meets stubborn architect Drew Nicol. Although the attraction between them is intense, Nicol seems frustratingly determined to resist Lindsay’s advances. Somehow though, Lindsay can’t seem to accept Nicol’s rejection. Is he just moonstruck, or is Nicol bonded to him in ways he doesn’t yet understand?

Note: this is the first book of a duology – the story continues and will complete in the second book, Master Wolf.

REVIEW: 

Lindsay has had a hard existence, but he’s reasonably happy with his life in Paris and the tasks he’s been asked to do.  But when he is asked to return to Scotland – the land of his birth and the land of his imprisonment, he is a bit nervous.  He needs to keep one step ahead of his old captor. When he meets Drew Nicols though, he thinks maybe this trip will not be so bad.  But Drew is a very serious man – and one who does not necessarily find him so charming.

While Lindsay is attempting to retrieve the Naismith Papers from a rather corrupt and malevolent collector at the behest of his benefactor, his path continues to cross with Drew’s.  He’s never felt this way about anyone – but Lindsay is compelled to continue seeking out Drew’s company.  Drew for his part, cannot deny his attraction to Lindsay, but he is definitely none to happy about it.  His life has also been none too easy, and he suffers from immense guilt.  As the story reaches it’s climax, irrevocable decisions are made that will have a lasting impact on both men.  I won’t say more about the plot, because it should be experienced by the reader without prejudice.

Well this is really embarrassing, but it seems this is the first full length novel I’ve read by Joanna Chambers.  Looking through my TBR list, I seem to have purchased many over the years, yet, I’ve not read them.  It seems I’ve only read one short holiday novella!  I will swiftly move them up the list.  The overall feel of this novel is amazing.  The author’s ability to capture both the time period as well as the intimate internal life of Lindsay make this book so compelling.  We FEEL Lindsay’s desire and longing.  We FEEL his pain and longing – both at the beginning of the book as his history is recounted – as well  as this later pining after Drew.  As for Drew’s part, we also understand his guilt and his reluctance to start anything with Lindsay – for many reasons.  The story is supported by Lindsay’s friends Francis and his manservant Wynne who love Lindsay and want to see what’s best for him and keep him safe.  I really enjoyed this story and I can’t wait to see what happens next with Lindsay and Drew.  This story drew me in from the first paragraph – so much so, that I’m really invested to learn the fate of Lindsay and his friends.

RATING: 

BUY LINK: 

Amazon