Prior to reading and finishing this book a few days ago Gabriel's Inferno had been sitting on my TBR shelf since January 2011. Ever since I heard from a pretty reliable source that this book might just turn out to be a new favourite of mine I'd been dying to read it. Now after finishing it I can honestly say that the book did not live up to my expectations whatsoever. I went into the book expecting a contemporary romance that was a little less fluffy than the ones I usually read and while I got the less fluffy part the book was lacking in a major aspect for me...the romance! I honestly didn't see any chemistry between Gabriel and Julia. When I first started the book I was immediately bogged down by the writing style. While I liked the whole Dante aspect of the book I don't think that the book needed to have so much to do with Dante. I think that aspect could easily have been lessened because it too way too much time to get through it and really for me it added very, very little to impact to the overall novel. The only other thing that I found remotely interesting about the book was that it is set in Toronto where I live. I recognized a few places that were mentioned in the city but I feel as though the author could have made Toronto and Canada seem a lot less cold, formidable and unfriendly. When it came to the main characters I hated them. Gabriel was a pompous ass and I'm pretty sure if he were a real person I'd have shot him he was so irritating! Almost all his dialogue was pretentious and seriously grated on my nerves. He was so cold and condescending towards Julia I hated it. As for the leading lady Julia well I didn't like her so much either. Her inner dialogue really irked me as well as the fact that she was so childlike. There is a difference between being a naive character and one that a push over. Unfortunately I thought Julia was way to much of a pushover and come on she fell for a guy after only spending one day with him 10 years prior to their second meeting and she was all woe to me and it ended up getting way too much for me to handle by the first 100 pages. Still, despite the fact that the characters were annoying from the beginning I had hoped that I would like them more. However, I didn't. Plus I hated the fact that book was 545 pages of drivel that lead up to the most anti-climatic ending I think I have ever read and let me tell you this is no small feat believe me. Basically I detested the novel completely. It isn't as though I didn't give it a fair shake because I had hoped it would get better yet it never did. At a hefty 545 pages I though the story lines was pretty darn pointless and was way too long. If the novel had been about half the length and the characters were better developed and likable I think I would have liked it a lot better. As it stands now I doubt I will read the second book. The book was too cold and the writing lacked excitement that is why I couldn't give it a higher rating. As always, just because I didn't like the novel that is just my personal opinion. Many people loved it and it all depends on the person. If you think you might like this contemporary romance I say go for it and give it a try. While I won't be buying this one for anyone in the near future I will be recommending it to some people that I think would enjoy it.

Prior to reading and finishing this book a few days ago Gabriel's Inferno had been sitting on my TBR shelf since January 2011. Ever since I heard from a pretty reliable source that this book might just turn out to be a new favourite of mine I'd been dying to read it. Now after finishing it I can honestly say that the book did not live up to my expectations whatsoever. I went into the book expecting a contemporary romance that was a little less fluffy than the ones I usually read and while I got the less fluffy part the book was lacking in a major aspect for me...the romance! I honestly didn't see any chemistry between Gabriel and Julia. When I first started the book I was immediately bogged down by the writing style. While I liked the whole Dante aspect of the book I don't think that the book needed to have so much to do with Dante. I think that aspect could easily have been lessened because it too way too much time to get through it and really for me it added very, very little to impact to the overall novel. The only other thing that I found remotely interesting about the book was that it is set in Toronto where I live. I recognized a few places that were mentioned in the city but I feel as though the author could have made Toronto and Canada seem a lot less cold, formidable and unfriendly. When it came to the main characters I hated them. Gabriel was a pompous ass and I'm pretty sure if he were a real person I'd have shot him he was so irritating! Almost all his dialogue was pretentious and seriously grated on my nerves. He was so cold and condescending towards Julia I hated it. As for the leading lady Julia well I didn't like her so much either. Her inner dialogue really irked me as well as the fact that she was so childlike. There is a difference between being a naive character and one that a push over. Unfortunately I thought Julia was way to much of a pushover and come on she fell for a guy after only spending one day with him 10 years prior to their second meeting and she was all woe to me and it ended up getting way too much for me to handle by the first 100 pages. Still, despite the fact that the characters were annoying from the beginning I had hoped that I would like them more. However, I didn't. Plus I hated the fact that book was 545 pages of drivel that lead up to the most anti-climatic ending I think I have ever read and let me tell you this is no small feat believe me. Basically I detested the novel completely. It isn't as though I didn't give it a fair shake because I had hoped it would get better yet it never did. At a hefty 545 pages I though the story lines was pretty darn pointless and was way too long. If the novel had been about half the length and the characters were better developed and likable I think I would have liked it a lot better. As it stands now I doubt I will read the second book. The book was too cold and the writing lacked excitement that is why I couldn't give it a higher rating. As always, just because I didn't like the novel that is just my personal opinion. Many people loved it and it all depends on the person. If you think you might like this contemporary romance I say go for it and give it a try. While I won't be buying this one for anyone in the near future I will be recommending it to some people that I think would enjoy it.

Great book, a real romance. This Professor is certainly not one i have ever encountered. A nice read that will keep you turning the pages long into the night.

This book has alot of similarities to 50 shades (the tortured hero, the naive heroine, and the back/forth drama of love/hate), but is more of a love story and less explicit. It is a very slow burn and somewhat predictable. I can't put my finger on why I enjoyed it so much, especially considering that the characters were a bit extreme (Gabriel too much of a cad; Julia too much of a wimp), but they grew on me. The ending leaves me craving the sequel, which I will get to promptly. I enjoyed this romance.

this is no where close to 50 shades so if your looking for another series like that this is not the one. it was a good book made me want to read it in one sit down, the story is similar to 50 shades but was written better and was more believable. worth reading? yes

This book was an amazing love story. I couldn't put it down. ...I read this and the following book, Gabriel's Rapture within 48 hours. Absolutely beautiful. ♡

I was really having a hard time finding a book to read after 50 Shades, but this book did the trick. I went on to read Gabriel's Rapture and loved it too!

So I know everyone is saying how amazing this book is and even though I did like it I didn't love it, I found the first bit of the book to be really slow and it was hard to connect with Julia and even Gabriel, I did think that things got better but it took a while. Overall I thought the book was pretty good and I will read the sequel but I wanted more form the story. :0)

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” Aesop I am going to start off by saying that writing a review of this book is very emotional for me. Emotional because this novel has given me so much.  It has given me a community, friendships, a hobby, and hope.  This book is so much more than a love story between a broken man and a young kind women, it is a social and cultural criticism of our society and the need to beautify it.  Mr. Reynard, thank you. I had first read this book over a year ago, being a rather proud Canadian I have this strange need to support Indie artist from my home country.  I was on Amazon scrolling through titles when all of a sudden this novel called “Gabriel’s Inferno” caught my eye.  It was a love story written by a Canadian set in Toronto.  I proceeded to download a sample and was hooked within a few sentences.  Well it was actually the line “Emerson is an Ass”, here I was reading this rather intense and intimidating scene and then suddenly was hit with a jolt of humor.  Right then and there I knew that I had found something so special. “Gabriel’s Inferno” is a love story between an older distinguished man and a younger, innocent girl.  A rather common tale, a story as old as time one could say.  Here most would wonder ok, so why do you love this book so much? Well this book is a work of art, a true masterpiece.  Mr. Reynard beautifully and masterfully explores complex matters plaguing the human condition in a simple setting.  “Bad things happen to everybody.  Not that this was an excuse or a justification for wronging another human being.  Still, all humans have this shared experience… that of suffering.  No human being left this world without shedding a tear, of feeling pain, or wading into the sea of sorrow.” this quote is one of many beautiful truths found in this novel.  It is one of my personal favorite quotes and it is a perfect example of why this novel is so special and why Mr. Reynard is a true literary gem. Mr. Reynard uses this tale of love to examine the human condition.  He masterfully delves into themes of pain, lose, forgiveness, and love.  These books are almost transformative; they were for me at least.  I actually find myself at times reading passages that I have highlighted for wisdom or guidance.  Trust me I know how that sounds but that is what Mr. Reynard does with his writing.  He gives the reader hope, that no matter how bad things get, or how dark your world is you can always find the light. “Gabriel’s Inferno” is the best love story I have personally read in a long time, best new writer in romance in this humble readers opinion.  With “Gabriel’s Inferno”, Sylvain Reynardhas created a poignant romantic tale of days gone by.  Mr. Reynard has woven a landscape full of love poetry, and salvation.  Readers will be swept away in a story so beautiful that they will be left with gratitude.  This book will not insult your intelligence but will expand it.  Gabriel and Julia’s love story is that of dreams.  It is magical, sensual and spiritual. In my opinion Mr. Reynard’s novel is so much more than a romance.  He is in a class with authors like the Bronte sisters and the incomparable Ms. Austen.Finally, lets talk about Gabriel, oh Professor.  Gabriel is that dream man who most women cannot help but fall in love with.  He is successful, smart, passionate, and what I loved the most about him is his fragility.  Gabriel comes off at first as an “ass” but we soon see his heart.  A heart that has been shut up tight but soon opens into something beautiful.  In the novel Gabriel says to Julia “ you blossom under kindness don’t you” but in my opinion it is Gabriel that blossoms once he opens himself up. All I can say is that if you are going to read one book this year, decade, century, please makes it “Gabriel’s Inferno”.  It is simply enchanting, haunting, riveting, and marvelous.  There is a reason why he has built such a following, why these books are prized possessions for his readers.  Yes, Gabriel is well beyond “hot” but honestly it’s the messages.  The love for humanity and mankind pours from every page and a reader cannot help but be transformed and captivated.  Mr. Reynard creates this sense of community and loyalty with his work.  I for one will always treasure these words and carry them in my heart.  One word that I use to describe this book is Hope.  Hope for second chances, the heart, family, community, and finally the world. Thank you, Sylvain Reynard for writing this story and sharing it with us. My rating for Gabriel’s Inferno by Sylvain Reynard: 5 stars of perfection

I found these books and once i started reading them I became so addicted I devoured both in about 3 days. They literally drove me to stay up until like 6am reading then sleep for a few hours and then work and come back and read some more. I could not put them down. I would recommend these to anyone who enjoyed 50 shades of grey but also to anyone who is looking for a well written romance that will draw you in, make you fall in love with the characters, and never let go. I am about to start reading them for the second time and I NEVER re-read anything!