An Uncommon Gentleman

By: Gabbi Grey

Narrated by: Michael Ferraiuolo

John

I have served as a sailor in His Majesty’s Royal Navy for the past ten years and had no intention of changing that path. The death of my uncle means I must return to Blackthorne Estate to take up my position as Lord and Master. I’ll step up to do my duty. My dearest wish is that my beloved joins me. When he chooses to accompany me, I set my mind to making him mine—body and soul.

Philip

I have been a sailor for nearly thirty years and never planned to retire until my captain orders it. When my beloved is called to attend to his family’s estate, he asks me to accompany him as a valet. I’m happy to do so as it keeps me close to him. He wants to grow the affection between the two of us, but I feel the need to hold myself apart. In the end, though, I suspect he will win this argument.

An Uncommon Gentleman is an 8k Regency gay romance short story. The story was previously available in Austen Tea Party: A Historical Romance Collection for Charity Inspired by Jane Austen. This version has been expanded.

©2023 Gabbi Grey (P)2023 Gabbi Grey

Loved It

I kissed his cheek. “Say you’ll stay with me forever.”
He chuckled. “Your wish is my command.”

I really enjoyed this story. I don't read Period/Regency romance that often and was looking forward to one by Gabbi Grey. I really liked both John and Philip. They had waited so long for each other, but now that John had become the new Lord of the Blackthorn Estate, there was more of a chance for them to be together. I liked that despite the castle he inherited and title, he would have preferred the simpler life they had at sea. This was a short story, but it felt well rounded and complete.

I was lucky enough to get the audiobook shortly after the ebook, so I listened to it as well. I love Michael Ferraiuolo's work and loved his voice here. The British accent was lovely. And I was impressed at the differences in John and Philip's voices.

Overall: 4.5 stars
Performance: 5 stars
Story: 4 stars

okay

The book was written for one sex scene, and beyond that, there is really nothing to it. Wished that it was longer, but it was only about two paragraphs, and then the epilogue.

And in the beginning, there is no clear sense of who the characters are. No sense of a deep love. Have them exchange a few touches, some gestures of affection. Even if there has to be months between each to not raise suspicions, at least that would be something.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Great listen!

Really liked this super short book from Gabbi Grey! It was perfect for a relaxing bathtub listen. Michael Ferraiuolo as always, did a great job narrating this one!

Great novella

I really enjoyed this historical novella. We had Phillip and John and we get both their PoVs which I enjoyed. They are both on the same ship and John becomes a tilted lord at the start of the story. It was fun to see how their relationship got even closer and how they navigate the requirements of a lord. I definitely wanted more of these two but it was still very good. The narrator did a great job with bringing both these men to life.

An Uncommon Gentleman

I liked it. Short and sweet, complete with an HEA. It could be expanded but I think it’s perfect just as it is.

Michael’s performance and music are superb as always.

Highly recommend.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from Gay Romance Reviews and am voluntarily leaving a review.

A Sweetly Romantic Historical Story

Sometimes a quick, simpler plotted story is what hits the spot. ‘An Uncommon Gentleman’ is just such a story. Gabbi Grey encapsulates for the reader all that John and Phillip mean to each other into a compact gem of a story.

Michael Ferraiuolo also provides listeners with a gem in his narration of this little story.

I liked It

I liked this story. I am not a huge fan of short stories, but I am huge fan of this narrator and listen to all of his work. This story was a nice surprise as it told an entire story and left me satisfied with the conclusion. I liked the main characters and the historical setting. Narrator did an amazing job and made this little story a perfect listening experience.

Wonderful historical romance

I am always up for a good historical romance and as a fan of the Horatio Hornblower and the Aubrey/Maturin sailing series this story that takes John and Philip away from the Royal Navy to John's estate and his new life with Philip as his valet was a winner. We get to see these two learn to navigate in a whole new world as well as watch John try to figure out how to convince Philip to deepen their relationship while avoiding revealing anything dangerous to the world at large. Great story and the performance by Michael Ferraiuolo, one of my favorite audiobook performers was superb.

A good short story that I would love as a novel

This was the first Gabbi Grey book I've read or listened to, though I have several on my TBR. It definitely convinced me that I need to read and listen to the others. I truly enjoyed this short work and only wish that it had been longer. It's not that it left too much out; it really is good as it is, but there is enough to these characters and their unique situation for a full novel, if the author had so desired. I could see this book being a whole saga, the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of the reluctant lord and his faithful behind the scenes lover. Both characters were so very likeable, as were their few close allies, and I really felt invested in them and their happily ever after.

I confess to being somewhat unsure of how the narration would be, even though I do love Michael Ferraiuolo and have heard him do accents in what seems to be a believable manner. I wasn't sure if a native English person might have been the better choice, someone like Cornell Collins perhaps. But I really do think Ferraiuolo did a good job. I might've liked a deeper voice for John, but that's a very slight and subjective quibble.

Over all, I am very glad to have had a chance to listen to this book, which I received as an ARC through Gay Romance Reviews. And if Grey ever decides to expand it into a very long novel, I'm totally here for it.

John and Philip

4.5 stars! John and Philip's love and attraction have to make a huge shift from shipmates to high society. I liked that John is unwavering in his determination to have Philip as his.
Highly recommended author

Audiobook: Excellent narrator!