Lily of the Valley

The Gents, Book 2

By: Sarah M. Eden

Narrated by: Luone Ingram

Cumberland, 1786

Amateur inventor Kester Barrington prefers the peace and quiet of his estate to the bustle of Society. But when his tight-knit group of friends, the Gents, descends on Livingsley Hall for their annual gathering, he stoically joins in their activities. It all seems exhausting - until an unexpected addition to the party catches his eye: his new neighbor, the lovely Violet.

Violet Ridley longs to make friends in this new corner of the country, but her family’s fortune was made through investments rather than inheritance, and Society can be fickle. So when tragedy forces her family to shelter at neighboring Livingsley Hall, Violet is delighted to receive a warm welcome from the Gents. In particular, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to Kester.

The pair is a study in contrasts: Violet, with her sunny disposition, and Kester, with his prickly facade. Their connection is impossible to deny, but both Kester and Violet harbor heavy constraints. As their association becomes increasingly tangled and confused, their only hope of pursuing a life together is to trust one another with the very truths that could tear them apart.

©2022 Covenant Communications, Inc. (P)2022 Covenant Communications, Inc.

it's way better than the 1st one

I hated the 1st book so so much. but this one is much better. Violet doesn't act like a teen girl falling in love with her older brothers friend. Violet actually has something going on in her head besides boys and wondering if anyone likes her enough to stay with her. I usually enjoy Sarah Eden.

Love it!

This book and it’s previous installment have made me laugh so hard that everyone around me thinks I am crazy… I hope there is no end to the gents series. It would be quite a shame to lose out on the camaraderie, competitive nature, and complete hilarity of this series. I also really appreciate that it dives into real issues and insecurities that people carry into relationships that go on addressed and cause Failures in those relationships.… Whether it be friendship, marriage, or family. It is good to see how those issues can be addressed in loving ways that help people move forward without instantaneous change.

Wonderful!

WHAT IT'S ABOUT
Amateur inventor Kester Barrington prefers the peace and quiet of his estate to the bustle of Society. But when his tight-knit group of friends, the Gents, descends on Livingsley Hall for their annual gathering, he stoically joins in their activities. It all seems exhausting—until an unexpected addition to the party catches his eye: his new neighbor, the lovely Violet.

Violet Ridley longs to make friends in this new corner of the country, but her family’s fortune was made through investments rather than inheritance, and Society can be fickle. So when tragedy forces her family to shelter at neighboring Livingsley Hall, Violet is delighted to receive a warm welcome from the Gents. In particular, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to Kester. The pair is a study in contrasts: Violet, with her sunny disposition, and Kester, with his prickly facade. Their connection is impossible to deny, but both Kester and Violet harbor heavy constraints. As their association becomes increasingly tangled and confused, their only hope of pursuing a life together is to trust one another with the very truths that could tear them apart.

MY TAKE
Oh, my! The story is so sweet. I love when kindred spirits find each other, even when they have to go through some adversity before their happily ever after.

Violet is a delight, and I was glad she had a loving and supportive family. It's nice to see that in literature because so many are not. It was great to learn more about Kess and to see even more of the Gents and learn of their escapades. It totally made me want to go back and read the Charming Artemis and that scene where the Gents come for the letters.

But even more, I was struck at learning why Julia still wears black even after all these years that Lucas has been gone. Even writing this now, it makes me want to cry.

Eden is such a fantastic writer!

The narrator, Luone Ingram, is fabulous as always.

Love the Gents!!!!!

I love the whole series and can’t wait to see which Gent the next story will be about. Although after I listen to the Gents, it’s so very sad that Lucas is gone in “The Jonquil Brothers” series. Heartbreaking.

So much better than the first book

I almost did not listen to this book, because I disliked the first novel. I am glad I listened to this one. To me the characters are so much more developed, and the narrator's voices for these characters were less grating than the first novel.

Wonderful Addition to the Series!

Loved reading about the Gents and Julia again and meeting Violet. Loved learning more about Kester. Narration was great and I loved the story from start to finish.

Love the Gents

Another wonderful book about the gents. Their friendship and support of one another are what truly make this story so enjoyable.

Straight Fire

I was hyped for the Gents series but was a little disappointed when the first one didn’t smack that hard. Julia felt too forced. The second book in the series redeemed it for sure.

Kess is a bro if a bit awkward. His character was interesting. Eden leaned pretty hard into the guilty of one particular event a little hard and brought it up a lot in multiple subplots which was a little annoying.

Violet’s issue she had to work through was unique as far as Eden’s books go. Similar vibe to Tavish from Hope Springs but done differently enough to be a fire character.

The subplot surrounding Julia and Lucas was good, more ironed out than the first book. I can’t wait for Archbishop to have his book come out.

Overall good book.

Great story

What a perfect title for this book. I loved it. As soon as they said Covenant recording I knew it would be clean.

Beautiful characters and message!

Wonderful to read about good people just doing the best they can with the challenges they have. It was nice to read about a supportive functioning family and none of the main characters were infuriating. Uplifting love story. Beautiful narrator.