Review: The Making of a Gentleman

The Making of a Gentleman (The Sons of the Revolution series - Book 2) by Shana Galen

Publication Date: October 2010
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Format: Paperback, 384 pp
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance
ISBN-13: 9781402238666
ISBN: 1402238665

(Received for review from Sourcebooks)

Synopsis (Shana Galen's Website):

Twelve years in a french prison have left the once dashing Armand Harcourt, Comte de Valere a hollow shell of his former self. Though safely back on English soil, Armand remains locked in a prison of his mind, unable to interact with the glittering social world that was his rightful place. When his family hires the beautiful and determined Felicity Bennett to teach Armand, he is shaken by onslaught of desire Felicity awakens in him. As Felicity slowly helps reclaim Armand, their passion begins to blossom into a transcendent love capable of healing the scars of both their pasts.

Thoughts:

This is Shana Galen's second book in The Son's of the Revolution series. Galen has a knack for setting the scene whether it is in the tumultuous time of the French Revolution or in Regency England. She brings her characters and their stories to life with passion. The Making of a Gentleman, is Armand's story.

Armand has been imprisoned in a France for twelve long years when his brother Julien helps him escape. Though Armand is safely home again, he is only a shadow of his former self. He has an aversion to light, he doesn't speak and he has completely forgotten the manners and customs of the English. His family is desperate to try to help him and decide to hire a tutor to reintroduce him to society and the social graces.

Felicity Bennett is beautiful and talented and she begins to slowly bring Armand back from the "dead". As their relationship deepens, Armand and Felicity develop a very strong attraction for each other. But Felicity has a secret. Her past threatens to destroy the new love she has forged with Armand if she doesn't face it and move on.

Shana Galen gives us a mesmerizing and unique plot, that is filled with everything a good romance needs, betrayal, passion, mystery, and suspense. One of my favorite things about this book, was the way the author was able to immerse the reader in Armand's story. We can feel his pain as he remembers what happened to him in the French prison as well as feel his passion when Felicity stirs him out of the prison inside himself.

Armand is a great character. The reader will find themselves rooting for him to get better, to come back to himself. We don't know at the beginning what kind of man Armand will be. He is very closed off and unable to let us in, but as his character begins to blossom we see the parts of him that the French prison was unable to kill, his honor and sense of loyalty as well as a deep love of learning.

This is a really great book. The aspects of the French Revolution gives the reader a refreshing change. The character development is easy and comes at desired rate. The book is a real page turner. It's fast paced and full of surprises.

The Making of a Gentleman is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I am giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Click here to view my review of the first book in The Sons of the Revolution series, The Making of a Duchess by Shana Galen.