Entertaining storyline: ✔️

Broken, alpha hero: ✔️

Strong, feisty heroine: ✔️

Steamy love scenes: ✔️

Fun, lovable, supporting characters: ✔️

HEA: ✔️

I Love Story Time Recommended: ✔️✔️✔️

What more do you need? Gentleman Sinner has it all!

💗Lys

I'm a huge JEM fan and couldn't sign up fast enough for an arc of this book.

I want to start by saying that I absolutely adored Theo.
He had the possessiveness and trampling tendencies of Jesse Ward, the secrets like Miller Hart, the protectiveness of Jake Sharp and the gentle swooniness that was uniquely Theo.

I also loved how strong, independent and resilient Izzy was after her own secrets of her past.

The 2 together had the chemistry and rightness of the kind of couple we all love to read about.

What kept it from being a 5-star read like most of her books are for me was the lack of a slow-burn romance, the over the top way Theo pursued her and the lack of angst that a few points in the book could have expanded on to make our heart beat faster for them.

I will ALWAYS AUTOMATICALLY buy anything Jodi writes.
Heck, I even buy the audiobooks for "re-reads", but I don't think this one will have me re-reading immediately after finishing as I did with her This Man Trilogy.

Gentleman Sinner was Heavenly Sinful! Elizabeth @ Carolina Chic’s Read

I flew through this story. Izzy and Theo are like magnets drawn to each other. They flew into each other's lives and held on tight. They both have their secrets ones that could harm them both. This story was intense and i loved every minute of it. The ending had me one the edge of my seat.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary – ☆☆☆☆☆
Theo Kane is the new man in the stables of Jodi Ellen Malpas’ alpha males and oh what an alpha he is. I have been a Malpas fan since Jesse Ward in the This Man series and he will always have a piece of my heart. But Theo has come and tried to steal a piece for himself.

Theo and Izzy are two people with a lot of past pain, and it will take them both to heal each other. While he is drawn to her light, she is drawn to his darkness. And she knows he is dangerous but that is not what scares her, what scares her is that she knows he can break her heart. And she may not survive that.

Will they each share their past with the other? Can Izzy reveal what happened to her and still believe Theo will not retaliate for her? What will Izzy do when she learns his secret past?

This story has all the feels and is a dark and tormented read that may not be right for everyone. But if you have read anything from Jodi Ellen Malpas before, you will fall head over heels for Theo Kane and this story will be another favorite.

I haven't decided if I love it more than the This Man series but if not, it is very close. So if you love a dark, heartbreakingly perfect story, then read this and enjoy, I hope you love it as much as I have.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars
M/F Romance
Triggers: Prostitution, Underground fighting, illegal dealings, violence

Izzy is living her life as best she can. Despite having a trauma in her past, she is trying to do what she can to overcome and help others. She is an amazing person. She doesn't take crap from anyone and knows her own worth. She loves her job and the people she surrounds herself with. But when she meets Theo, she knows that her life is about to change.

Theo is intense. There is no other way to describe him. He knows what he wants and goes for it. Also, he is not used to people bucking his demands. When he saves Izzy from a potentially dangerous situation, he knows that he wants her with him. Even though he demands a lot of her, he also respects that fact that she tells him no.

Theo and Izzy have great chemistry. While I wasn't a great fan of Theo's demanding ways – he's a mix between Christian Grey and Jesse – possessive, demanding, but he also could be gentle and kind when it came to Izzy. I loved that he knew that Izzy was light to his darkness. I also really enjoyed that Izzy was strong enough to withstand Theo's darkness. Both needed each other and weren't afraid to try. But while they might want a happily ever after, each will have to decide if the darkness is truly worth the risk.

There was a lot going on in this book and I loved it all. I thought that each character really grew within the pages of the book and watching them develop was exciting and helped shape the book into a great story. I can't wait to see if more books will crop up with these characters. I really hope that some of the secondary characters get their own books, as they were entertaining and hilarious in their own way.


Shannan – ☆☆☆☆
Theo Kane is a dark, sexy alpha that changed everything in Izzy's world. Izzy is a nurse wanting to save people. She has hurt in her past that has led her on this path in life. Walking home one night, she spots an injured woman in an alley. She risks her safety to help her. Theo Kane comes to save both of them. For the first time in her life she's not afraid, she feels safe. A feeling she isn't at all used to. She should be afraid, but she isn't, something about Theo Kane make her feel safe and protected.

He's drawn to her light and she's drawn to his darkness.

Theo has horrible pain in his past. So much so he can't be touched without knowing it's coming, but Izzy's touch soothes him in a way that's completely unexpected. Can he relax with her? Can he share his painful past with her? Can she share hers?

I adore This Man series and there are pieces of this story that remind me of that series. I am a fan of Malpas and her alpha men. This story has its dark and twisted theme but is so worth the read.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is a new book from Malpas, and I rather hope that it has a follow-up, as I would love to know what happens to Callum and Jess too!

I found this to be a really good story in its genre. Izzy is an interesting person for sure, with her conquering of her difficult past to become a nurse and finding safety in being in a hospital. Her midwife friend and flatmate, Jess, is a really good sounding board as things get complicated with Theo and helps us understand Izzy's story. Whilst she was the light in this story, she had most definitely experienced darkness. She is now a much more self-aware individual, which means that she has to consider very carefully the danger that Theo poses her. She does not believe he will intentionally hurt her, but she knows that he has the power to do so.

Theo was more of a familiar character, as an alpha male with a dark background, a difficult childhood, and a somewhat illegal way of making a living. I cannot say that I warmed to him for a long time, as I felt that he did not really connect with Izzy. I also had a few issues with his mother and domestic set-up. There were a number of plot lines which I felt were familiar, but it is well written, and I was certainly engaged enough to want to know how they would reach their happily ever after.

This book is sooo good!
The best way to enjoy this book is by going in blindly!
The story of Theo and Izzy, was passionate, emotional and full of surprises!
After a long shift at work, taking a short cut home, turns Izzy’s life upside down. Helping someone in need leads to unexpected circumstances.
Is it worth it?
Theo and Izzy romance began in the quirkiest of ways. Their insta attraction and what followed could be like any other impulsive romance. However, what made this story shine and stand on its own, was the impeccable character development.
Theo and Izzy are unconventional characters, with tons of baggage that ought to make them unattractive. Their insta attraction was unique in that they saw something deeper about the other. Their story drew on those emotions and sensitivity making their story complex and captivating. Instead of hiding their demons, these characters owned them and tried to overcome them.
The passionate, intimate interactions they shared, were swoon worthy and steamy. The banter and their chemistry was over the moon delicious and so relatable. Their interactions were natural, making this story feel very intimate and seductive.
Theo was a pure alpha, sex god with a soft, beautiful heart. Izzy was a strong and fierce woman who didn’t take any garbage and I liked she didn’t waste time with drama.
I just couldn’t put this book down to discover how their story evolved. I needed to learn where they would end up and how. In fact, even the secondary were likable and relatable adding some special elements to their story.
I loved that this story was not a series so we got to see they whole story unfold in one book.
It was intense but easy to follow. It was passionate and thought provoking!
It affirmed that things happen for a reason, and to believe in fate.
4.5 stars!

As soon as Izzy White and Theo Kane cross each other’s path, in a rather unusual way, they felt drawn to each other in unexplainable ways. It’s as if they have a visceral reaction to one another that further develops and magnifies each time they interact. But there’s a lot these two hold close to the vest, and once those secrets are exposed, it’s difficult to say where they will end up.

A saint to his sinner…a beauty to his beast…a lightness to his darkness…these descriptions seem to categorize Izzy and Theo’s contrary characteristics, but they don’t stop Theo from pursuing the one woman who affects him at his core, which means that despite their differences and the secrets they’re keeping, Theo will have Izzy in every possible way, even if that means bringing her back into a life she thought she left behind.

Theo Kane is definitely a trampler of sorts – he refuses to take no for an answer and he goes after what he wants with the foregone conclusion that he will have it, even when it’s a person who has free will of her own. Theo Kane is also a man who must be in control of all aspects of his life – his past dictates it and the darkness inside of him remains subdued as long as he keeps it and himself in check. But Izzy is a game changer, and what’s made abundantly clear is that she saves him just as many ways as he saves her.

Izzy White is a work-in-progress, but she’s made leaps and bounds since deciding to take back control of her life, refusing to succumb to the darkness that once enveloped her. She’s at a good place – she loves her job as a nurse and continues to make strides to heal her scars; I absolutely admired Izzy’s strength and her drive to live her best life. But I do wish that Izzy’s past was fleshed out more than it was. There’s a lot to sift through when it comes to all that she’s overcome, and I wanted a clear and complete view, which I didn’t feel like I was fully given.

Survive. Endure. Overcome. Protect. Keep.

Those are Theo and Izzy’s challenges and as their mysterious pasts are unearthed and the intensity of their feelings increase, they’ll need to decide what their connection is worth risking and enduring.

I so wanted to love this story; I wanted Theo Kane to make his way on my top book boyfriends’ list – one where Jesse Ward resides – but I had a difficult time understanding why Izzy and Theo are drawn to one another so intensely…I feel like things between them amped up too quickly and there was never a solid foundation created that made me feel like their relationship was something that would last, despite the secrets and their respective pasts. Don’t get me wrong, I felt their electric chemistry and the attraction is also evident, but I needed the details that brought them closer on more than just a physical level.

Even though I had a few issues with Gentleman Sinner, it was still an enjoyable read, and I especially enjoyed the secondary characters involved with Theo and Izzy, and I’m hoping that Jess and Callum get their story told.

3.5/4 Poison Apples

This book was different from the other books I’ve read by this author, and thus not at all what I expected. The story was intriguing, raw, steamy and very dark. There was so much hurt and anguish in this book, it is definitely not a sweet romance. I loved the complex, damaged characters and the way they were able to heal each other. Their story is a raw, gritty and emotional journey. The chemistry and attraction they had for each other were instantaneous.

Theo Kane has huge inner demons tormenting him. This character is a fascinating contradiction and a total mystery. He is dangerous, commanding and intense. And yet, he is also charming, tender and kind. He saves the heroine and is genuinely concerned about her security. This character falls hard for Izzy, she turns his very controlled world upside down. I loved the mix between his dark side and the side that always fought for a glimmer of good.

Izzy White is a survivor. She likes where she is in her life, she is finally breaking free of the fear that has controlled her life for so long. But she is scared of making herself vulnerable. She wants to be in control of her own, and with Theo she can’t be. Yet she is convinced he would never hurt her.

Overall, I really liked the story. I admire this author’s ability to inject stomach twisting emotion in her stories. She has a way of bringing me so deeply into a story that it stays with me, and I find myself looking forward to the next time that I can sink back into the character's world.

We all love out tortured lead male characters and Theo is no exception. He shows up out of nowhere and turns Izzy's life upside down.

He is a man that doesn't take no for an answer (as most of our favorite dominant book lovers do) and Izzy's refusal to follow along is driving him out of his comfort zone. He has never felt the way she makes him feel and that is like a drug to him.

Izzy was not looking for anything, her whole life she had been hiding from her past without even realizing it. Happy but not truly, just going through the motions, until she runs into this mountain of a man and she is not sure she is strong enough to resist him.

A book with a lot of male intensity, if you are not into dominant, strong and a little stoker-ish characters then this is definitely not the book for you. If you do enjoy that like I do, then buckle up because Theo is a force to be reckoned with, he is willing to pursue her until she realizes that she is already his.

Incredible intimate and sex scenes, the connection between the characters is extremely strong and intense based on the demons both of them had been carrying from their past.

They will either find a way to overcome the darkness or they will destroy each other trying.

Really thrilling to find such a strong female character, even though she has been through a lot, she still held her ground when encountering this kind of dominant man.

Her painful past didn't make her weak, it made her stronger, maybe strong enough to fight his demons too.

I’ve got to start this review by saying I loved the This Man series and the One Night series. No one can touch Miller or Jesse...until now. There is a new alpha in town and his name is Theo Kane!

Gentleman Sinner is the story of two totally different people with one thing in common, damaged pasts. I was intrigued with their story, the woman who does good and the man who is dangerous.

While this story was a little darker side, it truly made me love Theo even more. The depth of Theo’s pain, Izzy’s horrific past, the path of their relationship...every piece of this book had my emotions all of the place. I was intrigued, frustrated, laughing, crying...and everything in between.

Jodi Ellen Malpas has given us a love story like no other. I could not put this book down until I was finished and honestly, it’s one of those you wish you could read for the first time all over again <3

Books like The Gentleman Sinner by Jodi Ellen Malpas are the reason I read - and I read a lot.

Izzy White is a young woman with a bad past. She's build a new life ina new city, new job, new friend. She loves her life and her job keeps her sane and grounded. When she gets attacked and a mysterious stranger comes to her rescue everything is about to change.

Theo Kane is a complicated man, mysterious, tall, dark and dangerous. And he takes a liking to Izzy. What follows is a sweet and pretty romance - not.
Gentleman Sinner is a raw, gritty and gutting read that plays masterfully with the reader's emotions and keeps them on the edge of their seats. The author is a master at writing books that leave me in a major book hangover after having me read them, cover to cover, in one sitting.
I highly, highly recommend Gentleman Sinner and give 5++ stars.

I’ve missed reading an alpha male written by Jodi, and Theo was exactly that.
I’ve to admit that in the beginning I thought I was reading a new 50 shades, with a lot of similarities, but a the story evolved, it went on a really different path and I’m glad it did.

Izzy is a broken heroine and Theo is a broken hero. Can they rescue each other together?

Gentleman Sinner was a fast paced book, living you guessing what will happen next, and surprising you at every turn. A mix of a sensual story and a suspenseful one.

I hope Jodi will write more on this world.

3.5 Stars

I enjoyed a lot of things about this book. Izzy, the heroine, is a very strong woman who has really overcome a tragic past. Theo Kane, our H, has some issues to overcome, but I feel like he does become redeemable by the end. I LOVED the best friend Jess and the bodyguard Callum, they really added a lot to the story. Of course, there was a whole lot of steam and some angst.

This is a good story for readers who like to see broken characters pulled back together by love.

First off, let me say that, by chance, several years ago I picked up This Man by Jodi Ellen Malpas and was floored by her writing. I have read all of her other books and have been a huge fan of them all. This does not give her an easy ride when it comes to my review of her latest book. Gentleman Sinner. In fact if anything, I am a harsher critic, I have extremely high expectations.

Jodi is in a league of her own when she writes about hot alphas and strong women. Theo and Izzy are definitely strong characters who were an intense, interesting, delight to read about. Their individual backgrounds make them hard to get close to, yet, despite the odds, there is an immediate zing between Theo and Izzie.

Gentleman Sinner set the pages on fire and was undoubtedly Jodi at her finest. Theo is a tattooed, sexy, dark, strong alpha and Izzy may not consider herself strong, but she undoubtedly is a fantastic kick-ass heroine.

The story is a high energy and seriously powerful story line that from the start to finish, maintained a level of tension intermingled with plenty of passion. In typical Jodi fashion, there is so much more to the story than romance or sex. (Don’t worry, there is still plenty of that!)

I would be remiss if I did not mention Jess and Callum whose attraction leapt off the page and made me laugh out loud. As with all of Jodi’s books, Gentleman Sinner’s other characters are interesting, well developed and all have their own story to tell.

Theo is undoubtedly one of Jodi’s darker characters and this is one of her darkest books. You should go into this book knowing that it contains violence, both physical and sexual, but that they are relevant to the story and not there for shock value.

Jodi Ellen Malpas never wastes a word in her books. The intense Gentleman Sinner is packed with passion, romance and believably flawed characters.

She gripped readers imaginations when she released This Man and Gentleman Sinner shows that there is no sign of her immense talent waning!

All-in-all a sweet and enjoyable read. Yes, it was fairly predictable and it was pretty full of well-worn tropes and clichés. There were elements I enjoyed, but the plot was not strong. I really enjoyed Theo and Izzy’s banter and the sexual tension, but I've read books with similar plot lines.

Three stars because I liked the book. It was a good read. Not terribly thought provoking though, but a good solid romance. Some predictable elements but a fun read nonetheless.


In short:
Hero 3/5 | Heroine 4/5 | Plot (Point, Originality) 3/5 | Writing Style 4/5 | Steam 3/5 | Romance 4/5 | Angst-Suspense 3/5 | Darkness 3/5 | Humor 1/5 | Secondary Characters 4/5 | Drama-Conflict 3/5 | Mystery 2/5 | Twists 4/5 | Pacing Steady | Action 3/5


ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.

A man should protect a woman. Not hurt her. And a woman should feel safe with a man, not afraid. 
Thank you Jodi. This is a strong message which is a requirement in today's world.
A  story of scarred Beauty and tightly leashed Beast who takes it upon himself to protect his Beauty from all the monsters and if need be.... himself. This Beast is larger than life personality with the softest of heart in his chest, beating only for his Izzy.
His life is violent, chaotic and deadly. Not an ideal fertile place for love to sprout and flourish. His temper and temperament keeping all his family, friends and employees feet away for him. 
Yet a demure and gentle little nurse breaks his impenetrable cage and frees his heart, stealing it for herself!
“How he lives, what he does, the way he handles things. No one can live by the sword and never get cut.” 
JEM creates consuming love in its finest form, novel after novel. Be it Jesse, Miller, Jake, Jack, Josh and now Theo. There's nothing more endearing than a hulk of a man, lionine who protects his girl with ferocity and holds her gently. Jodi combines vulnerability and power in the same persona, making me want to admire them and cuddle them at the same time. 
“I’m man enough to admit that I’m nothing without you. I’m man enough to admit that I’m so frightened that I’ll hurt you again.” 
See what I mean, I want to hug him like a tree and hide him in my arms, saving him from the world, as he saved Izzy😍
I have to mention something here -everytime Theo opened his arms for Izzy to walk into his safe enclave, my heart just melted into a puddle. I swear I wanted to run faster than Izzy and just hide in his big chest Hugs and cuddles are grossly underestimated IMO!!!
Theo is almighty in strength, all encompassing in love and enormous in forgiveness. 
Izzy is petite yet large hearted and utterly devoted. Daring and brave enough to venture close to him, her gentle demeanour calming the beast and taming him. She surrenders herself completely to his overpowering love
The only scary thing in this book is the FEELINGS!. What scares Izzy and Theo more than anything is not the ghosts of their pasts or the confining boundaries but what's brewing in their hearts and how apart their worlds are.
“I realize there’s a lot to know about you, And I know beyond doubt that I might not like some of it, but none of that wondering or worry is making me like you less. That’s what scares me.” 
Very intense and passionate in narration, the book will hold you spellbound. I've always wanted to be able to jump in JEM's books because she creates heroes that love completely like every woman deserves to be loved. All her heroes carry their own cloud for us to land and float on, they have their own thing and they fight hard for their women. **sigh** all the heart eyes 😍
They make me swoon, make me dream and make me blush. So thank you Jodi for keeping the dream alive and pulse throbbing. Another immortal alpha lover joins the ranks of BBFs that make your hearts melt and panties moist😁
Hope you get to Callum & Jess book next
4.5 stars for Marshmallow coated in steel

5 Stars / 5 Steam Fans

OMG. J.E.M. is so amazing and imaginative!! I loved this alpha male, I will protect you at all cost character that we have in Theo. His heart is on his sleeve and I loved him even when we met him in a scary situation. Izzy is an independent nurse that has overcome some traumatic events in her past and with her heart of gold, need to help others she finds herself helping someone out of a scary situation. Theo has evasions to touch and as Izzy navigates their sexual chemistry and emotional attraction secrets are revealed. This was a beautiful, spiritual, sexy, and emotional story about faith, communication, overcoming fears, and dealing with your past to find love.

This specific video review will be included in the February 2019 wrap-up.

For other video book reviews check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.

There is one thing you should know about the book. It's darker than I thought it would be. I was expecting your average contemporary romance and this one is not. Also, I think that Theo needs to talk to someone about his life and see a therapist. I understand that he loves Izzie, but she is not the one who is gonna heal him. To be honest, he was a little scary sometimes, but I still liked him. I loved him in the epilogue though. I loved that epilogue period. It was the best part of the book and it fed my epilogue addiction.

Izzie was a good heroine who didn't take much from Theo and was standing up to him when it was needed. I couldn't help but feel sorry for her when we found out about her past and even though I couldn't relate to her I understood her character more and better. To be in Theo's world takes balls and she has them.

Theo and Izzie's romance in some ways reminded me of 50 shades of grey which gave me mixed feelings. Overall, I can say though that I liked what these two had. I would have preferred to have them romancing each other a little bit more in order to feel like the feelings had a reason to grow between these two, but I was mostly ok with what we got.

A couple of secondary characters were very interesting and I wonder if we are going to get their story. The author didn't mention anything, but I hope that at least we will get the story of the couple we were teased about in this one. This book is completely stand-alone though so no worries about anything.

The Gentleman Sinner was not exactly the book I was expecting, but it was a good experience after all and I was satisfied with the book. It's different from the other books I have read from this author and I am not saying that in a bad way.

Feels 4
Steam 5
Storyline 5
Overall Rating 5

After Izzy White escaped her dark past, she is determined to never let fear control her again. The beautiful nurse lives to care for others and provide kindness. But when she finds herself in a dangerous situation, Theo Kane steps in and becomes her unwilling hero. He’s dark, dangerous, and sometimes terrifying. Will the two be able to escape their dark pasts or will being together become too dangerous to endure?

“Safe. I’ve never felt so safe before, and that alone is an alien sensation that I might find hard to let go of. Add the crazy ecstasy of his talented mouth, and I’m destined to be held a slave by Theo Kane for as long as he commands it.”

Theo Kane...he’s panty melting delicious. 😍 I love stories where the guy will chase down a girl and show how interested he is in her. (Ok…not stalking…) Theo is just such a confident male that knows what he wants and goes after it. Izzy was a bit broken and alone after her abusive past. Although Theo is a bit over the top...he just wants to protect her from any danger. This is the perfect story for anyone who wants an alpha male to show he can take care of his woman. He may not be perfect. But he’s perfect for me. I mean Izzy.

Jodi Ellen Malpas always has a way with writing those guys who don’t take any crap and once they find the one woman that their heart beats for, they will do anything to protect and keep her. They are just swoonworthy!

Jodi Ellen Malpas has done it yet again!

This author never fails to amaze me with her beautifully written stories. I never know what to expect with her, but it never stops me from reading her books, and yet again....she had my complete and one hundred percent undivided attention reading this emotional story.

Theo and Izzy are both damaged souls, who have secrets that neither one wants to reveal to each other. But that still doesn't stop them from pursuing a relationship that will take time and effort to trust each other.

The hero and heroine were the perfect match, both are strong characters that would never back down. Although, Theo really did bend his back a little when it came to Izzy because he fell utterly and hopelessly in love with Izzy. It took Izzy a little bit to actually give in and give Theo what he wanted, but he never failed to charm her in any way possible.

He was charming, charismatic and broody at times. She was fierce, determined, selfless and a very smart girl.

This story is one of those stories that will suck you whole. I felt at times like I even stopped breathing from reading so fast and wanting to get to the bottom of the plot.

One heck of a ride we were given in this story!

Gah! I love everything in this story. In my opinion Gentleman Sinner is the BEST book written by Jodi Ellen Malpas. Perfectly created characters, extremely addictive plot and so much hotness that it almost made my fingers burn when I turned pages. I love it! I will not describe the plot because blurb gives us a perfect hint as to what we can expect in this story. And the very story about Izzy and Theo shows us beautifully that the right person by our side is able to help us overcome the demons of the past and find happiness. And both of our heroes fought with traumatic memories. Of course there are moments when uncertainty creeps in but the power of feelings is able to overcome any obstacle. Theo Kane. You will love this guy with all your heart! Jodi has created another alpha who is a dream come true for every red-blooded woman. This man is a huge walking contradiction. For the whole world he’s the big, dominant and fearful guy but for Izzy he’s a lovely, sometimes even gentle man. Where he’s hard and determined on the outside, there are also uncertainties and fears in him. And his love for Izzy ... It's not just a simple feeling. It’s a need that’s just as important as breathing. I will definitely raed this book again, more than once! Reading this story was pure pleasure for me!