The Ruin of Gabriel Ashleigh: A Society of Gentlemen Short Story

We get a glimpse into how Francis and Ash started their relationship and I loved it! It was well rounded, informative, sexy and fast. Adored! An awesome short story!

You can always trust KJ Charles to write a strong story with powerful character emotions and some spicy love. This was very short though, so the price seems high.

Ash is my favorite of all the Ricarardians. His sweet nature and naivety make him the most lovable character of them all. I loved this short story and loved the trilogy.

WOW!!!! This is not the typical book I normally read and before now had never heard of this author. I came across it by accident and was intrigued by the description. I really didn't think I would like the book as it is so out of my "norm" but I have to say I found the entire book fascinating. I love the way the author started the book out .... the author immediately made me curious about the main character and later after finally starting to read about the other main character more curious. I loved the way the author kept you in suspense as to how the whole story was going to play out. Would love for this author to do more books on this similar line ..... young, innocent gentleman confronted by gentleman more worldly and with a little danger to him. Would definitely read that book. I want to thank the author for allowing me the chance to read a different kind of book from my "norm" and finding it so great a read. (Wish this book came in paperback or hardback)

This short story was okay. I did find the ending sweet, but I don’t know if it was the length or the matter itself, I feel in some ways I read it just to get to the rest of the series. Gabriel Ashleigh, Ash to his friends, is a young man (20s) who gambled away his home and money in a card game against Francis Webster, a gentleman who went to school and was ridiculed by Ash’s older brother. In an attempt to remedy the situation, Webster calls Ash to him home so he may win back his fortune, but ends up asking him to wager his body. While the blurb/premise makes it seem like a dubious sexual interaction, the reality is Ash is insistent when Webster tries to say he has won and no longer is obligated to put out. The rest of the story is them having intercourse and Webster talking about how one of the Riccardians, members of an elite gentlemen’s club, was upset with him for trouncing Ash so thoroughly. Overall, this really was only okay, but does make me interested in the rest of the gentlemen’s club members.

I read this series a bit out of order, but I was really happy I went back to read this short story. Lord Ash appears throughout the series and he's known for his good heart, but not always for his sound judgment. In this story, he is provoked into gambling and he winds up losing his home and entire wealth to Francis Webster. Francis is amenable to discussing the situation. Both men have been attracted to each other, but in an era where tipping your hand into those desires could mean death, each was careful. This story is a nice addition to the entire series and it's highly recommended to read it, too.

I hadn't read the other three books in this series and still was able to keep up with the 'goings on' of the two MCs. This was a short and sexy book of the late victorian era about m/m desires. Gabriel is the youngest of a rich and powerful family and Francis is a gentleman who came up the ranks with the deal of his cards. Lusting after Gabriel or 'Ash,' he is able to manipulate the financial downfall of Gabriel and things progress from there. Good short read and felt good to read in an era i used to read all the time.

A very fun short read about two characters introduced in A Fashionable Indulgence, Gabriel Ashleigh and Francis Webster. While it doesn't delve into the issues AFI does, it gives the back story of Gabriel and Francis, which is nice to have. It's not necessary to have read AFI-- it helps some, but I think reading this first would add insight when reading AFI. I love the attention paid to detail about Regency period--the men were _all_ about fashion, and KJ Charles knows what she's talking about. Some might think that there's too much detail, but that's really what the period was about--an excess on behalf of the gentry that exacerbated the divide between the landed gentlemen and the working class (hm, sound familiar?). The detail is all important, because that's what they lived and breathed. Cuts to one's wardrobe were taken seriously. It's like Mean Girls, only it's Mean Guys. And I think it's fascinating that the men were just as obsessed about their clothes as women were always portrayed to be. It's a wonderful insight, and very artfully done. A Fashionable Indulgence shows this in greater depth, so if you've tried this first, and liked it, you'll love AFI!

I must have read this five times since buying it. So hot, a very quick read, yet somehow believable and romantic? The novella trifecta, really. Charles continues to be a favourite writer

Lord Gabriel Ashleigh hat ein Problem und zwar ein sehr großes, bei einem Kartenspiel hat er sein gesamtes Hab und Gut an seinen verhassten Feind Francis Webster verloren. Er ist am Ende und weiß nicht was er tun soll, als Webster ihn plötzlich zu sich bestellt und ihm eine Revanche anbietet. Was möchte er damit bezwecken und wird Gabriel diesmal gewinnen können? Oh mein Gott, dass ist das beste E-Short das ich jemals gelesen habe. Gabriel und Francis muss man einfach lieben, die beiden sind ein Traum zusammen. Mehr möchte ich aber nicht verraten. Die Handlung war zwar sehr kurz, dafür aber super spannend und sehr erotisch. Die Beiden haben ein eigenes Buch verdient, mit mindestens 200 Seiten, es war einfach nur großartig!!

Breve ma carino; reso meno inverosimile dal fatto che Francis aveva visto Gabriel in quella "casa di incontri" con un uomo, prima di rischiare il tutto (considerato che all'epoca si finiva ai lavori forzati o sulla forca per atti omosessuali, se l'avesse fatto senza sapere dei gusti di Gabriel sarebbe stato un idiota... a parte che è anche un giocatore d'azzardo). La novella si apprezza senz'altro di più se si è letto almeno il primo libro della serie, "A fashionable indulgence". Nulla di eccezionale, ma la cura per i particolari storici nel vetire, nel parlare e nelle usanze è il fiore all'occhiello della Charles.

Short and hot!

I really liked this short story and now am interested to continue with the series. Beautifully written.