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 … 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.
A standalone romance.
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I totally loved this book! One of the best steamy romances I’ve ever read! You will fall in love with sexy Brit, Hayden, and spitfire Avery and their beautiful love story. Highly recommend this wonderfully written book!
I haven’t read a book in a long time that gave me the angst, heartbreak or heart flutters. The Ruthless Gentleman gave me all that and more! Thanks Louise for showing me there are still great authors out there that know how to write scenes that make you feel.
Avery and Hayden are GREAT together and you seemed to feel everything they did. You felt the instant attraction, the budding friendship, the anticipation, the first kiss and of course the fireworks!! But of course you couldn’t wait for the love scenes. But of course you felt the heartache at the climax…both good and bad.
This was an excellently written book and it seemed Louise has been on a superyacht before or has watched a lot of “Below Deck” TV. I am also a devoted Below Deck show watcher and felt like I knew exactly what Avery went through serving all those rich snobs…Hayden the exception…
Excellent job Louise! I can’t wait for Landon’s book!
Ms. Bay writes the best book boyfriends! You will love Hayden in this book. He is a handsome millionaire who is down to earth and believes you should treat people how you want to be treated. He is not very pretentious even though he enjoys the finer things in life.
Hayden Wolf is about to lose his company to a competitor who wants to ruin him. There’s history there that goes back to his parents and the owner of the other company. Hayden has to show his investors that he still has the magic touch by acquiring a particular company. He knows there’s a leak within his company so he gets his brother, who owns a security company, to help him figure out who the leak is. While that’s happening Hayden is going to be on holiday aboard a yacht for the next 8 weeks without electronics!
The crew of the Athena is not happy that they can’t use their electronic devices but Avery Walker, chief stewardess, believes that they have to make the guest happy. Avery has been working on yachts for the last 7 years to financially support her father and brother, who was cripple in an accident. She feels obligated to help her brother with all the medical expenses because her brother is determine to walk.
When Hayden and Avery meet, they feel an instant attraction but Avery knows that her job would be in jeopardy if she personally gets involved with Hayden. However, they both feel so comfortable with each other and get to know each other so well that they understand what the other is going through in their life.
Avery takes a big risk by getting involved with Hayden and when issues arises that questions Avery’s character, Hayden must figure out what the truth is.
I have read a number of Louise Bay’s books and I fall in love with every one of the book boyfriends. The stories are so perfect for each couple!
Louise Bay has another winning story with Ruthless Gentleman. Romantic and sexy, this book has all the heart and soul I crave. It’s a slow burn love story, with smart, likable characters who meet on a luxury yacht.
As passenger and crew respectively, Hayden and Avery don’t appear to have much in common. He’s a ruthless businessman looking for solitude, she’s a sweet natured ship’s steward looking for more from life.
As with her other books, I love Louise Bay’s writing style and vision. Ruthless Gentleman is emotional, but not bogged down with unnecessary drama. Much of the book is the push and pull of blossoming love between an unlikely couple–they’re skating the edge of professionalism, dealing with life, and wondering if happily ever after could be a possibility. Their story is wonderfully entertaining…a one evening read, and one I recommend wholeheartedly!
So, so soooooo good! I love it. I love Hayden and his principles, he’s such a nice, down to earth, likeable guy.
And Avery…I want to be just like her.
This whole book made me so relaxed. I’m amazed how Louise Bay brought this inner peace for me just with her words. Perfectly described places you want to explore for yourself, characters who you fall in love with.
Nothing about this story made me angry or was boring.
I had this just once before, a book that doesn’t need too much drama or unrealistic plot twists to be one of the best books I’ve read.
My review may not be the longest, but it The Ruthless Gentleman doesn’t need it. It’s a great book and that’s all that matters!
Well done Louise Bay!
The Ruthless Gentleman is the new stand-alone from Louise Bay and once again this author has given us another 5 Star read, this author certainly knows how to keep her fans happy.
Avery Walker is a head stewardess on luxury yacht charters trying to make ends meet for her brothers growing medical bills so when she is offered an extra charter around the Mediterranean she jumps at the chance what she didn’t bargain for was the hot guy who has chartered the yacht for his sole use. Hayden Wolf is trying to find out who is behind beating him to every business deal in the last year, convinced it’s someone from his office who is selling him out he decides to work from the yacht whilst he gets a security team to track the leak down. Hayden and Avery try to fight the instant attraction they both feel for each other but that’s like fighting a lost cause, she knows it’s wrong to sleep with a client and he knows he should be putting the biggest deal of his life first but sometimes an outsider can give the best advice until trust issues come to the surface once again…..
Once again this author gives us characters we can’t help falling in love with, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat as business deals start to fall apart for the man who is normally in control and who normally wins every deal he sets his mind too, will Hayden be able to tell the lies from the truths. This feel good love story has the perfect mix of mystery and suspense added to the mix and if you are like me you will not be able to put this book down. Great strong characters with sizzling chemistry and I have to say I hope there is a story coming from Hayden’s brother who runs a security firm because I really believe he has his own story to tell. Loved everything about this book.
5 star Review The Ruthless Gentleman by Louise Bay
Wow where do I start? From chapter one I was hooked. Hayden Wolf is a rich, powerful, determined man; he gets what and who he wants, when he wants.
When some business deals go south he decides to escape for a while so that he can concentrate and plan details on what could well be the next big deal of his life.
Avery Walker is a chief stewardess on luxury super-yachts. When Hayden becomes her latest guest, she knows that he could cause her problems. Not only that but it is obvious he wants her and how will she resist his charms?
Hayden is immediately attracted to Avery but getting involved with guests is strictly off limits and Avery cannot avoid to lose her job; not when her father and disabled brother are depending on her.
Such is the skill and depth of Louise Bay’s writing I felt I too was on the yacht cruising the Mediterranean.
Both Hayden and Avery are strong, independent, yet vulnerable people who are not afraid to face the hands they have been dealt.
I fell for both Hayden and Avery, there was just something about this couple that drew me to them and their story. Not to mention the secondary characters have me intrigued.
The story was well written, engaging and it was great to see the growth of both the main characters as the book evolved.
There is so much to love about Ms. Bay’s characters, the depth and layers that she weaves throughout her stories reminds me of peeling an onion, layer by layer.
The Ruthless Gentleman is full of romance, suspense and intrigue which will keep you on the edge of your seat. The chemistry between Hayden and Avery is off the charts and I highly recommend you one click this book.
The Ruthless Gentleman was a very pleasant surprise as I went completely blind when I started the book.. I didn’t know where the story took place or anything about the characters or the story… i really love how the story take place in a scenario that I’ve never read before.. It was wonderful, different and at the same perfect for the story….
Hayden, was the typical handsome man, who had so much money and didn’t want a serious relationship, he was sleeping around without wanting any compromise…
Hayden’s company was in trouble, someone was “stealing” from him, he has to figure who is leaking information and trying to ruin him.. feeling like he is not safe in any place at all, he decided to make a long trip to solve all these problems.. hiding from the public eye and his enemies is the only way he can save his company but not before putting his heart in the middle…
Avery, was working hard for her family.. her brother was special and she needed to help and provide for them… her life was only about work, she didn’t have any free time, she didn’t have time for herself, she was always trying to please and bring happiness to everybody around, constantly forgetting about herself.. but only him will remind her, of everything she has been missing, only him will show her and remind her of how good love can be..
This is the story of Avery and Hayden.. their love story start slowly and the build up is amazing.. you can feel the respect and admiration Hayden feels for Avery from the very beginning .. you can also see how Avery is more shy, more self contain.. but the more you dive deeper into the story.. you see how Hayden’s love for Avery starts to open her up, making her stronger.. she becomes a little more “bold” wanting to fulfill her needs.. you can see how Hayden in a way makes Avery aware of what she needs in her life.. that’s good she is helping others but she also has to take care of herself..
I Love Avery, she is a great Heroine, she is smart, strong and has an impeccable education and honor.. She was always selfless, sacrificing her happiness for her family..
Hayden was a good Hero he was hot, charming and didn’t hesitate to recognized when he had to apologize and make amends.. He was alpha, strong and knew what he wanted but at the same time he was sweet when the time was right..
The secondary characters are great too.. Avery’s dad, Michael and Landon, (Hayden’s brother).. So many great things to say about all these characters.. specially about Michael, I love his personality and even thou he is a special angel, he has that charisma and need to belong..
great story, amazing characters and scenarios.. Love Louise Bay words..
Hayden is not the typical guest Avery is used to dealing with in her job as Chief Stewardess aboard a luxury yacht. The fact that he is fairly undemanding, save for his insistence on privacy, is unnerving for her and the rest of the crew. Thinking that this trip will be easier than most because of this, Avery is unprepared for just how much Hayden is going to turn her world upside down.
The Ruthless Gentleman is hot and steamy but I enjoyed the fact that there’s no rush to the bedroom. The relationship between Hayden and Avery develops at a pace which feels real and relatable and the sexy times happen when it’s right for the story. It’s fair to say these characters become friends first and I loved that. There is some intrigue to the story too, which adds another layer but ultimately I would say the focus is on Hayden and Avery and their romance. Ms Bay is so talented when it comes to her descriptive writing, enabling her readers to experience the amazing places these characters visit, to almost see them through her words.
“When I got to the top I turned and instinctively took half a step back, overwhelmed by what I saw—the blue of the sky bled into the warm sea, which dipped and clung to the curves of the land leading up to Mount Etna looking over everything.”
“The sun was up but the light was dusky, as if the day’s eyes weren’t fully open yet.”
A lovely slow burn of a read I can definitely recommend
OMG, I loved Hayden and Avery.
Avery works on superyachts, she has seen all the crazy things people want and ask for. But when British businessman Hayden Wolf comes aboard, he is different, he doesn’t care about the specials services, meals, or other amenities. He just wants to be left alone so he can work.
Hayden needed to get away from London so he and his brother could figure out who was selling secrets about his company. Spending 8 weeks on a superyacht should have been the perfect way to figure out who it was but with Avery Walker was an unwelcome distraction.
Can Avery and Hayden spend time together without losing everything? Will Hayden find who has betrayed him? Is there a chance for a future with Avery?
I love this author, she has a way with these stories that draws you in and keeps you there until the very end. I can’t wait to read more. I listened to the audio version and loved narrators Shane East, Erin Mallon.
Adding my audio review from 2018
This book was a fun twist!
Slow burn, beautiful connection, intense feelings!
The epilogue was super sweet too!
An engaging, sensual, deliriously satisfying journey to go on with Hayden and Avery. I adored everything about this story.
Love anything Louise Bay writes.
Leave it to Louise Bay to pen another engrossing romance with a wealthy British gentleman. This was a really clever corporate espionage story combined with sailing the high seas on a super yacht with a crew ready to meet every need.
But Hayden had modest needs and really just wanted a private place to work. Avery was the Chief Stewardess and responsible for making every wealthy client’s visit impeccable. She needed a well paying job like this to send money home for her disabled brother’s care.
So the yacht business created client/employee boundaries Avery and Hayden struggled not to cross. Hayden saw Avery’s kindness, intelligence and loyalty as one of the bright places in a world where he was accustomed to being suspicious about everyone.
I loved that Avery wasn’t manipulative or putting on airs to impress. Hayden was great because he appreciated what not only she did for him, but the perspective she gave him about areas of life he was cynical about. It was such a good story And I am glad Hayden’s brother Landon’s story is next.
Started off a little slow, but in order for the entire book to come together, you really needed all the additional information. It is longer than most books of this genre. He was a gentleman and cared about his employees and the workers on the yacht. Well written, great character building, and just all around a good book.
I just one clicked the deal as Louise Bay is one of my favorite authors to read.
The Ruthless Gentleman lives up to his title. The Wolf is certainly not hiding what he truly is. Avery’s struggles are deep and her job is the only way to fix them. He cannot get in the way of everything. Yet, the rich yacht chartering man is burrowing deep under her defenses. Straight into her heart! Though his worthiness definitely falters, Hayden is the only answer.
It’s not a surprise to me that Erin Mallon and Shane East brought these characters to life. Both Mallon and East are incredibly talented and their voices (bites fist). Let’s just say if they read me their grocery lists I would enjoy it to the point of others questioning my mental health. And that’s before Mallon does her guy voices… These two make an idea combination I would love to see together more often.
Avery has been working on private yacths for a while to pay for her brothers rehab. She meets
Hayden Wolf who books the yacht for 2 months by himself. Immediately he is attracted to Avery
but she will not break the cardinal rule of hooking up with a guest. There is espionage happening
in Hayden’s business and he is on this cruise to find out who. It is a great story of instant attraction
and mistrust. Another great book by Ms. Bay.
Shane East is my guy. Seriously. I will listen to this man read the phone book (do they even make those anymore?) or the outside of a cereal box. Anything. Really.
Hayden Wolf is a hotshot businessman with loads of money.
Avery Walker is a stewardess on a yacht.
When these two meet, fate collides. Sparks fly. Chemistry happens. Things combust.
Okay, so there’s chemistry, there’s banter, there’s a whole lot of back and forth and pushing and pulling and then there’s the conflict.
Which makes things interesting.
But all in all, I’d listen again and again. One, the story is a good one. Sweet, sexy, a bit forbidden. Two, Shane East.
Louise Bay knows how to pull at your heart strings and lead you around by your emotions; and she absolutely captivated me! Hayden Wolf is a very lethal man, and will stop at nothing to get what he wants and he has his eyes set on Avery! I love how Avery tries to resist Hayden’s charms but she eventually falls for the ruthless man; and their passion is explosive. What was suppose to be a one night deal turned into something neither saw coming; so how can it possibly last?
Hayden is amazing but the real heroine of this story is Avery; she is probably one of the strongest females characters I have ever read about. The journey she has taken hasn’t been easy but she refuses to sell her soul to better her situation and that is why I love Avery and that is why Hayden falls in love with her too. This is a must read and you will not be able to put it down.