The Gentleman and the Thief is a beautifully written novel featuring a lovely Victorian setting and a delightful mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the novel and found it to be a very entertaining story. It kept me intrigued as I tried to solve the mysteries it proposed. My biggest critique of the story is how superficial it felt at times. While it was enjoyable, I felt like, as a reader, the author gave several hints about major plot points and never expanded on them. The backstory and familial situation for both of the main characters could have been expanded on much more. The characters were good, but I felt like there wasn’t enough development behind the characters. The plot had similar issues, where the author could have expanded on elements further, but didn’t. However, these factors didn’t overshadow my overall enjoyment of the story. It was well-written and delightful.

L I loved the premise of this novel...the title, the book cover, the secrets, the banter between characters ...but I have to admit I struggled through some of it. Let me tell you what I liked the most: the characters, especially Very Merry, followed by Hollis, the perfect gentleman with a big heart. Ana, his love interest, was sweet, but only toward the middle of the novel do we see her courage and cunning. Both these characters owned their station in life and worked to better themselves instead of wallowing in self-pity because of their family's losses.

Although this seems to be a standalone novel, it is the second novel about the members of the Dread Penny Society, a fraternity of authors dedicated to secretly fighting for the social and political causes of their working-class readers. So these characters didn't get too much of an introduction, probably because they were introduced in the first novel titled The Lady and the Highwayman, which I didn't read. I thought this 'Society with a cause' was a fun premise for a novel, and I liked the friendship among these characters.

What kept me reading was the spy network and the whole mystery surrounding the villains that perpetrated crimes through urchin thieves and gambling. But I was disappointed when these villains were not more fleshed out and better yet, were not caught! No resolution to the story. Probably because the story will continue in the next book? *sigh*

Also, this novel contains two penny dreadful stories told throughout the book in alternating chapters. So in essence this novel is much shorter because of these other unnecessary stories thrown in that only served to slow down and interrupt the pace of the novel itself. I found them distracting (although they were good stories, just not what I wanted to read) and only skimmed through them. In my opinion, they could have been omitted altogether and more time could have been dedicated to building the relationship between Hollis and Ana.

Finally, there isn't much of a romance although the couple hold hands, hug and even cuddle when there is no understanding of a courtship between them. I was getting mixed messages. Were they a couple or not? There is no tension and passion between this couple, only tender affection. I had no idea if Ana had any romantic feelings toward Hollis until the very end. They acted more like friends who suddenly are in love, or even...dare I say it, an old married couple. *sigh*

A fun book with an interesting premise and good characters, but skimpy on heart-stopping romance and villainous adventure.

"Was it possible? Had he fallen top-over-tail in love with a thief?"
Hollis Darby is a gentleman, with no inheritance and a few secrets, but a gentleman, nonetheless. He is quite smitten with the lovely Ana. His secrets, though, stand between him and pursuing Ana seriously.
Ana has big secrets of her own. She appears to be fragile and lonely, working and boarding at a girl's school. Her life sadly took a tumble when her father lost his business. When she accepts a music tutoring position for Hollis's niece, she may just be able to change her own fortunes.
I'm a big fan of Sarah's work. If she writes it, I want it! The Gentleman and the Thief does not disappoint. Sarah's writing is clever and sweet. The romance is a little bit light, but the story is so entertaining and creative. I especially love her take on penny dreadfuls and how they line up side by side with the main story for Hollis and Ana. This can be read as a stand alone, but does feature characters from The Lady and the Highwayman.
Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for the advanced copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Not for me. I tried several times to read this and couldn't get into it. Thank you for giving me the opportunity.

Once again I read a book that was the 2nd in a series and have to go back to read the first book because the second was so good!!

I liked the premise of the book & the characters. I didn't think, at first, I would like the penny dreadfuls laced throughout but I did!! Kind of like books within books. Added a nice touch to the storyline.

Even though I hadn't read the first book, I don't think distracted too much from enjoying this one. It took me quite a ways through to realize something was a bit off.

Wondering what the next in the series brings!!

I received an ARC to prepare for this honest review.

This is a fantastic addition to the world of Penny Dreadful writers secretly working for the betterment of those less fortunate that Sarah M. Eden created, beginning with The Lady and the Highwayman. Both books can be read as stand-alones, but your enjoyment of The Gentleman and the Thief will be enhanced by having read the first. This story is one of taking pride in oneself and ones accomplishments, of courage under pressure, and of loving unconditionally. The hero wants to protect the heroine, but he never stifles her and never hold her back - he allows her to be strong and to be herself. This is turning into a very exciting Proper Romance series, and I can’t wait to see where we go next.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I was enjoying this book until it started incorporating the books' stories. It started getting confusing and was off-putting. I was disappointed as it held great promise.

Sarah M. Eden takes us further into the life and times of the people in Victorian London and the Dread Penny Society.
Hollis Darby feels like the token high society member of the Dread Penny Society. Sure, he writes Penny Dreadful stories but feels like he gets light weight assignments in the Society.
Ana Newport works at Thurloe Girls School as the music instructor. She has secrets she doesn’t want known.
Hollis has been interested in Ana since he met her during the last doings of the society that introduced Fletcher and Elizabeth.
There is a little thief whose name is Very Merry, who makes their lives interesting. There are two Penny Dreadful stories told during the course of the book. The society continues to battle the evil men and networks they were fighting in The Lady and the Highwayman.
Hollis uses his skill in society and with cards to find a full place in the society. Hollis and Ana grow closer as befits a proper romance and knowing each other’s secrets cements their bond rather than tearing them apart.
I raced through this story. I didn’t want the pauses for the Penny Dreadful stories but I did want to know what would happen in them. A contradiction that just shows how well each portion was done.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book prior to publication.

The alternating chapters of penny dreadfuls was very unique, making it easier to become immersed in the time period. I really enjoyed the story about the ghost students! All in all, this is a good light read.

He's a gentleman by day, and a member of the Dread Penny Society by night. She's a mild-mannered music teacher by day, and a thief by night. Regardless of which identity is being represented at any given moment, they could never be together. Or could they?

Timid and unassuming--not to mention penniless--music teacher Ana Newport has a secret: she is a thief, "reacquiring" items that rightfully belonged to her family, stolen as trophies when her father went bankrupt. To her surprise and amusement, she has gained a streetname, the Phantom Fox. While she has no dreams or delusions of restoring the family's wealth, she is happy simply restoring some sentimental happiness. She is happy teaching students and working with music all day. So when Hollis Darby asks her if she would be interested in being his niece's private music tutor, she jumps on the opportunity, both for the sake of her income and that Mr. Darby has kindly offered to personally escort to and from the lessons.

Hollis Darby is a gentleman who writes Penny Dreadful novels under an assumed name, to protect his family's reputation--already damaged by generations of gambling, a reputation Hollis and his brother are desperate to restore to former glory. Hollis hasn't gambled in years, but when the Dread Penny Society takes note of a secret gambling ring--potentially led by an underling of the most dangerous man in London--Hollis must find a way in, especially when he learns his brother has already been lured into this dangerous web. Worse, he has realized that he has, unintentionally, drawn Miss Newport in as well...

The sequel to "The Lady and the Highwayman" returns readers to Victorian London and the Dread Penny Society, working to better the future of the city, particularly the poor and the orphaned. Combining mystery, subterfuge, and romance "The Gentleman and the Thief" will have readers hanging on to every word. Not to mention, waiting to get to the next installments of the stories-within-the-story, two Penny Dreadfuls--one written by Hollis, and the other by "Mr. King".

And, of course, there is brilliantly placed lingering plot threads, promising further adventures and romances, leaving readers eagerly awaiting more work from Eden.

A delightful read! Well written with some great characterisation, an engaging and thoroughly enjoyable storyline.

The Gentleman and the Thief is a sweet and fun Victorian Romance novel. I hadn’t read the first book in this series but I didn’t feel like I was at too much of a disadvantage reading the second installment. Little details would have been slightly clearer if I’d read the first, but this book could work as a standalone.

The character interaction is stellar, especially between the members of the Dreadful Penny Society. The relationship between Ana and Hollis is lovely and moves at pleasing pace. The plot is intriguing. I enjoy a riches to rags story that offers an uplifting ending.

I would recommend this novel to fans of delightful historical romance books.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All views and opinions are my own.

Secret societies, sneak thieves, gambling rings, human trafficking...I anticipated a nail biter full of adrenaline and shocking identityreveals. What we get is a cute, fluffy piece that wraps up tidily and stays well safe of the PG line throughout the book. Anything wrong with that? Absolutely not. I think I was anticipating something with more bite. And that's my fault due to my pre-conceived perception going in.

The story was soft and fuzzy, so if you're looking for something comfortable and cozy with cute romance, this is it.

I'd rate this book a PG.

The Gentleman and the Thief follows the romance between Hollis, gentleman by day and penny dreadful author by night, and Ana, piano teacher by day and thief by night. Hollis is part of a secret society of authors pooling funds to help the city's less fortunate, and Ana is seeking objects wrongly taken from her family after they went bankrupt. In the light of day, Hollis is in love with Ana and spends time with her among mutual friends and when she comes to teach his niece the piano. In the dark of night, Hollis thinks he is on the trail of a child thief who needs help, but really he is tracking down Ana's infamous alter ego. Together, they will uncover a high stakes gambling den, just one facet of a vast and dangerous criminal network.

This is a sweet story witch crackling banter -- not a firework crackle, but the kind you seek out in a cozy fireplace on a cold night. I've never seen that vibe of witty rapport, and I enjoyed it immensely. In addition, inatallments of Hollis' latest story are peppered throughout, a charming story about a ghostly school for children. Their friend Elizabeth, also a writer and the star of this book's predecessor, writes a story based loosely on her friends' burgeoning romance that appears across the boo, as well. Both of these stories-within-the-story were cute and didn't make me regret the change of pace.

My only wish is that it had gone a bit deeper with our characters. They have many layers, but their emotions are a bit flat and they come off too perfect (multitalented, unfailingly nice, no personal mistakes/traits that haunt them). Additionally, Hollis' preexisting love made me feel disconnected from their romance because I had missed out on some steps. This is not to say I did not enjoy them or their adventures. I recommend this to readers who like a light and pleasant historical romance. There's no angst or drawn out drama. It's many entertaining elements are refreshingly fun and well-executed.

I really loved this book by Sarah M. Eden. I loved that we were brought again into the world that we saw in “The Lady and the Highwayman”. I loved getting to know the characters from that book better. I also loved the Penny Dreadful stories that were in the book. I also loved getting to know Hollis and Ana. I loved that they weren’t what they appeared to be on the outside and I loved how that was one of the things they loved about each other. I love the adventure that was in this book and how they worked to solve a mystery. I look forward to reading more books by Sarah Eden and getting to know more about the Dread Penny Society.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

This book was a fun sequel. I enjoyed revisiting the Dread Penny Society. This is a fun light read with a great romantic twist!

The Thief and the Gentleman was an absolutely delightful read. It reminded me of a pantomime play where the audience is asked to cheer for the hero and hiss at the villain. It is advertised as a Proper Romance, which it is, but it’s also way more than that. This book is a frolicking adventure with intrigue, mystery and a healthy dose of humour. The Thief and the Gentleman doesn’t take itself too seriously and expects its readers do to the same. It is pure entertainment that even the youngest readers can safely enjoy.

Thank you NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for this digital ARC copy.

An excellent mystery set in Victorian England. The hero writes penny dreadfuls and chapters of one of his and a second penny dreadful by another of the characters are interspersed with the main plot. I loved that many aspects of the plot reminded me of penny dreadfuls but in a fresh way.

I also loved the characters and the complicated plot of the book.

3.5*  In Victorian "penny dreadful" (installment or serialized stories) style, Sarah M. Eden handily weaves three tales together.  The reader is challenged to keep all the plot lines straight (and recognize reflections of the characters' strengths and insecurities from each storyline in the others) - it seemed that at times pieces got lost in the retellings.  This builds nicely on The Lady and the Highwayman, and although reading that is not a prerequisite to enjoying this story, some of the overarching goals that direct the efforts of the protagonists and the villains they work to bring down are better understood with that background knowledge.  I listened to that one on audiobook and the narrators' accents and inflections for the various characters in both books sounded in my head as I read this one.  Eden's creativity on the storylines in this book were a highlight and it is always a delight to get to know her characters better! 

I received a complimentary copy of this book.  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Gentleman and the Thief
by Sarah M. Eden
Shadow Mountain Publishing
You Like Them You Are Auto-Approved
Shadow Mountain
Romance
Pub Date 03 Nov 2020 | Archive Date 17 Nov 2020

This is the second book in this series and I recommend you read the first one before reading this one. This is a charming tale of romance and intrigue. I really liked it. 3 stories in one. Thanks to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for my ARC.

4 star