The Ruthless Gentleman

By: Louise Bay

Narrated by: Shane East, Erin Mallon

Length: 9 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's Summary

As a chief stewardess on luxury superyachts, I massage egos, pamper the spoiled, and cater to the most outlandish desires of the rich and famous. I've never had a guest want something I can't give them. Until British businessman Hayden Wolf comes aboard - all sexy swagger and mysterious requests.

He wants me. And Hayden Wolf's a man who's used to getting exactly what he demands. Despite being serious and focused. Demanding and ruthless. He's also charming when I least expect it as well as being devastatingly handsome with an almost irresistible smile.

But guests are strictly off limits and I've never broken a rule. Not even bent one. My family are depending on me and I can't lose my job. Only problem is Hayden Wolf is looking at me like I just changed his life. And he's touching me like he's about to change mine.

The Ruthless Gentleman is a standalone romance.

©2018 Louise Bay (P)2018 Louise Bay

Female Narrator drove me nuts

Book was good but I found myself getting upset every time it was Avery's turn to tell the story. The way the narrator dragged her name out and her words had me so irate I almost returned it multiple times.

Six and half hours in...

I was enjoying this light romantic tale until until the characters just started ringing false and the dialog became repetitive to the point I just had to stop, I couldn't finish. I had a hard enough time with one of the basic premise of the book. (spoiler alert) Taking away the boat crews cell phones for the security and privacy of the main character (for 8 weeks no less!) but having the boat anchored in a harbor most of time and letting the crew go ashore meanwhile made no kind of sense for the plot. I hung in there for as long as I did because of the narrators.

Awful narrator highlights average plot.

I found that the female narrator either has an awful voice for narrator with constant upspeak and vocal fry or was exaggerating those aspects because the female character is from California. I'm Californian, I get it, we use upspeak and vocal fry constantly but not like this narrator does. Her reading made no sense. I've loved Louise Bay's other books but I had to push myself through this one which was so disappointing. I'm fine with cookie cutter plots but the poor narration downgraded this book significantly.

Expect absurdity

How can I get these 10 hours back?
If you still like ‘the submissive woman and the selfish demanding man’ kind of story this is your book.
If you are somehow intelligent stay away from it.
The old formula of the rich asshole who falls in love with the stupid weak woman doesn’t seem to end!
The plot is already absurd: 8 weeks in a yacht: it’s not a cruise!! 3 days confined in a yacht makes you deadly sick!!!
Then the asshole that likes to ‘shag’ women (as they repeatedly say) falls in love with the most uninteresting woman he could find on his way.
Of course he does right? Right.
And he decides he owns her, so they call it love.
More absurdities like: unprotected sex with an womaniser, guests touching crew inappropriately as it happens all the time and women just accept it, unrealistic sex scenes, bribes that go from 5,000 to 150,000! Inexplicably!
And then ‘they’ bought a house in London. Yes, in London. Just like this. The poor selfless woman buys a house in London.
If you value your time, skip this title.

Eh

The story was boring and predictable. Still, I tried to listen to it because I love Shane East. But the female narrator was terrible. Every other sentence ended with a whispered emphasis. It was extremely annoying.

Odd diction by the narrator.

She has distracting breathy emphasis to ends of words and sentences. It makes a huge difference to me as I want the reader to be soothing and relaxing.

Am I the only one?

I’ve always detested this kind of over-the-top cheese, but I’m part of a minority apparently, because there’s a lot of it out there. I kept trying to continue it, but then that feeling of wanted to gag overwhelmed me again...

A SWEET FEEL-GOOD CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

Louise Louise Louise.. every single time I start one of your glorious books your stories captivate me.. and, with this your latest crowd pleaser, it’s every bit as enjoyable and entertaining as all the rest. All of Venture Capitalist/Entrepreneur British CEO Hayden Wolf’s latest acquisitions have gone bad because he has a spy somewhere in his office - but Hayden thinks he’s got the perfect plan to sneak his next deal past the spy who’s been selling secrets to his greedy vindictive rival who’s made their war personal. His plan is to disappear, hire a private yacht and crew for 8 weeks, work under the grid to buy his next acquisition.. and reap all the rewards. However, somewhere over one of the Oceans, Hayden loses his heart to Avery Walker - the very attentive, efficient, alluring and sweet Head Stewardess.. unfortunately he also loses his mind a few weeks later when he accuses an innocent Avery of a crime she didn’t commit.

As Head Stewardess on private yachts Avery knew she had a great job sailing the Caribbean and Mediterranean for weeks/months at a time.. but she needed the money and tips it paid to send home to her Dad to pay for her disabled brother’s ever increasing medical bills. However, when a handsome, charming, sexy Englishman called Hayden Wolf climbs aboard demanding no phones, no computers and no communication with the outside world, Avery thinks that being without her phone is going to be her biggest challenge. But Avery is very very wrong.. because resisting Hayden’s many charms will be a challenge, giving in to their off-the-charts chemistry will be a challenge, keeping their mutual attraction a secret will be a challenge, their secret romance will challenge her career.. and, being accused by Hayden of a crime Avery didn’t commit, will be one too many challenges.

Worth a credit? Yes.. there’s strong characters, occasional sexcapades, a nicely paced dual POV slow burn, character growth, angst, a bit of mystery, some choppy waters and a tidal wave were felt along the voyage before the HEA ending. Great narration by Shane East and Erin Mallon whose talents brought to life the sizzles, the swoons and the sighs.. and they made it perfect.

Hayden Wolf & Avery Walker

▪▪▪Review contains spoilers▪▪▪

Audible Plus review. Dual POV. The Gentleman series Book 1 of 2; 'The Wrong Gentleman' is book 2. Narrators: Shane East does a great job but Erin Mallon's growly voice is irritating. The story is pretty far fetched. No sex until chapter 22. Trigger warnings: corporate espionage, swimming accident turned spinal injury.

**uncertain of the spelling of character names**

Hayden Wolf (32; aka The Wolfman) self made wealthy owner of Wolf Enterprises, lives in London, started W.E. 10 years ago. He chartered The Athena for 2 months so that he could work on purchasing Phoenix without anyone giving info to his competitor. Avery Walker (26; aka Miss Professional, my love, beautiful) is the chief stewardess on The Athena, lives in Sacramento, atoning for her brother's injury by working on yachts to play his medical bills. Avery falls for Hayden during the charter, her father has a medical event but is fine, Phil tries three times to buy intel on Hayden from her but she refuses, Hayden accuses her of giving intel to Phil & working for C.G., & leaves the yacht. Chapter 33 (3 months after the charter), Hayden finally finds out Avery didn't accept the bribe & give Phil any info. Chapter 35 (1 month later), Avery's applying to charities for help for Michael's medical bills & physical therapy, L.F. gives them the financial support for Michael, Avery goes to work on The Venus not knowing it's been chartered by Hayden's friends, Hayden approaches Avery, Avery finishes the charter, they get back together.

Epilogue 9 months later, they bought a house outside of London, are living together, she's going to college in London, they're building a house on their property for her dad & brother, he proposed with a 4 carat diamond. 1 year later, she's finished her first year of school, her dad & brother live with them, her brother is able to stand, Hayden & Avery are planning to get married soon.

Side characters: Wolf Enterprises (aka W.E.; one of the biggest companies in Europe; owned by Hayden). Steven & Gordon (W.E. investors). Cannon Group (aka C.G.; W.E. competitor). Landon & Hayden's father (fell for Hayden & Landon's mom when she was engaged to James; James ruined his business). Phoenix (business Hayden bought). Anita Fenton (Hayden's assistant for a decade; 2 children). Leslie (yacht crew member). Mr Walker (67; Avery's dad; Michael's primary caregiver). Michael Walker (25; Avery's younger brother; disabled after an accident 7 years ago, he fractured his spine when he swung over the river, let go, jumped in & hit a rock, paralyzed from the neck down until recently but still unable to walk). Capt. Moss (yacht captain). The Athena (154 foot yacht; 6 bedrooms; chartered by Hayden). Michael's 2 physical therapists (unnamed). Avery's mom (unnamed; abandoned them after Michael's accident). Eric (Athena's bosun). Neal (Athena's chef; gay). August (Athena's stewardess). Athena's engineers (unnamed). Skylar (Athena's interior crew member). Landon (aka Super Spy; Hayden's younger brother; paranoid; ex-special forces SAS; owns a private security firm). Landon & Hayden's mother (unnamed; formerly engaged to James). James Cannon (owns C.G.; previously engaged to Landon & Hayden's mom; had Michael's insurance reassessed & cut to get Avery to give Phil info). Phil Dyer (aka James Cree, Alfree Malloy; fake paparazzi who approached Avery for info; British; offered Avery $5k for info on Hayden; former MI5; works for an agency C.G. uses for intel; offered Avery $150k for the name & price of the company Hayden was trying to purchase). Annie (Landon & Hayden's courier). Hayden's lawyers (unnamed). Harold (owner of Phoenix). Finance Director & Treasurer (unnamed; W.E. employees). Gerald (W.E. Controller; betrayed Hayden to James). Sally (W.E. Strategy Director). Jean & Helen (W.E. executives). Anita's grandparents (left Anita an inheritance; deceased). Gus (yacht guest; he & his friend hit on Avery). Lycan Foundation (aka L.F.; Hayden's charity; paid Michael's medical bills). Allison (works for L.F.). The Venus (super yacht). Josh (The Venus's chef). Brad &  Jennifer (chartered The Venus with guests; invited Hayden). JP

✫✫ 4 Stars ✫✫

This book was a pleasant surprise for me. I listened to it because it was chosen for book club and I'll be honest I wasn't really looking forward to it but in the end I enjoyed it so much more than I expected. It wasn't anything special in the romance book world for me, I mean rich man meets struggling women, they fall in love.. etc so it really didn't have anything special but I did enjoy that it took place on a boat and I think this book has the least amount of side characters dialogue which was nice too. In the end I was left feeling happy and lighthearted.

The narration was awesome! Shane East should always the go-to narrator for British narrators and Erin is my all time favorite! I was a little surprised that Erin didn't really give Hayden an accent but it didn't matter to me!

Sweet & Sexy

This was such a great book. A contemporary romance at its best. I loved spending time yachting with these characters, they’re so likeable. Louise Bay’s writing is always so fun and engaging. I love spending time in her world. This world is no different. I especially loved the background themes with this book - the guilt Avery carried over Michael and his health concerns. Then the thread of suspense with the kind of ‘whodunnit?’ Running throughout the story really gave this book that little something extra.

Louise Bay writes some wonderful book boyfriends and Hayden Wolf can be added to the list, sure I had my doubts at times, in fact, he drove me half insane, but, he redeemed himself. It did take me a while to warm up to him, I thought he was a bit of a jerk to be honest, but, once he got over that little bump he really was the sweetest thing. Avery was such an awesome character, I loved her, she was feisty and independent. The way she cared for and was loyal to her beliefs and her family - it made her so likeable. She’s someone you can imagine being friends with, you know, the friend you need to protect so that others don’t take advantage of her kindness. She was just the sweetest. I loved Landon and I vote for his story next. Closely followed by Michael, Skylar, and August. Ooooh, maybe that’s just two book plans right there?!?!?!

I loved the progression of their relationship. It started out as an attraction and quickly grew into something more. The build-up really made this story special, experiencing the chemistry between these characters and them slowly coming to grips with how they felt and the result of acting on them. It was just perfect. Louise Bay is the queen of sexy times, she writes it so well and it always fits with the story and never feels rushed.

Shane East and Erin Mallon were brilliant. I just love the emotion they convey and the tone and inflections they use to differentiate characters and emotions. Shane was the perfect choice for Hayden Wolf - and not just between of the British accent, although I’m sure it helped, he has the perfect tone for the character, you believed that he was a multi-millionaire on a yacht. The American accents came across well too. Erin, well, it’s no secret I love Erin’s voice, especially that male voice...swoon, she was wonderful as Avery and her accent for Hayden was fantastic. I didn’t notice any production issues.

Female narrator was AWFUL

The only reason I gave the performance 2 stars was because of Shane East, if it was just him I'd have given the full 5 stars but Erin Mallon is awful, I found I just get really irritated when listening to her. I love Louise Bay books but unfortunately the performance aspect on this particular book has ruined it for me

The Ruthless Grentleman

This is a great new story on the high sea's where love can grow in close quarters. Loads of tension between them as they feel the other has let them down. Read brilliantly by Shane East and Erin Mallon.

Enjoyable listen, not taxing on the brain!

This was an enjoyable listen, the narration was a little cringy at times when the male was doing a female voice and vice versa. The female narrator sounded a little breathy or breathless, not sure how to describe it, which was a bit annoying but an easy listen for days when you just want a bit of romance.

Hated the narrator, had to stop listening

It's a personal thing, obviously, how some voices really irritate
With Erin Malone, I was her performance, they way she made everything a little throaty and forced they way one would pretend to be an old person. And every line had the same tune. After 30 minutes I had to switch her off. Sorry. will return book

Enjoyable

Enjoyed the book, good story and pleasurable narration from Shane East and Miss Mallon. Worth reading.

The Ruthless Gentleman

I loved listening to this story it had everything I love to read . Passion, sadness , and a whole lot of loving xxx

Loved this

Loved this book and all that comes from Louise bay. I am loving Shane east and Erin Mallon together.

Romance amongst the world of cut throat business

I found this story about Avery and Hayden captivating as each one struggles against their usual closed down feelings. The narrators did an amazing job of bringing all the characters to life. I recommend this audiobook ❤

Pleasantly surprised by this

I didn't expect to be too into this book because nothing about it jumped out at me, but i listened for a book club and ended up really enjoying it. The story and characters were great and the narration was fantastic