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Tutor
Lady Bea Lindsey is desperate. She's newly engaged to a very nice but dull gentleman and is fully aware that if she wants any joy in her marriage bed, she'll have to call the shots. But first she needs to be taught. And who better to instruct her than irresistibly sexy rogue Ralph Sylvester?
Ralph is surprised by Bea's request, but he can't turn down the woman he's lusted after for the past nine months. He agrees on one condition. For the next seven days and nights, Bea must relinquish total control to him. No pleasure will be off-limits, no act of lovemaking forbidden, no desire too shocking.
It's every man's fantasy. Until the student surpasses the teacher...
ebook
First published January 1, 2010
1 person is currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Hope C. Tarr
51 books211 followersAward-winning author of the American Songbook series: IRISH EYES and STARDUST (Joffe Books).
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Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/y2s7cfkj
Barnes & Noble: https://tinyurl.com/3hfkehad
Bookshop.org: https://tinyurl.com/3xhmfvzm
Walmart: http://tinyurl.com/dwbf554r
Target: http://tinyurl.com/374se9aw
Books-a-Million: http://tinyurl.com/bdenart2
Thunder Road Books: https://shop.thunderroadbooks.com/boo...
Book Culture: https://www.bookculture.com/book/9781...
River Road Books: https://www.riverroadbooks.net/book/9...
The Comfort Zone: https://comfortzone-og.com/
And more!
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 24, 2012
I have a serious case of book amnesia with this one, and I only finished it yesterday. Despite that, I have to write a review because this was a Hope Tarr Buddy Read, and Sarah will KILL me if I "forget" to write one. Life is HARD sometimes, you guyzzzzz!
So ... some stuff definitely happened in this book. Seriously. There were words, and things happened. Was I particularly entertained or inspired by the things and stuff and words? Not really. The Tutor isn't awful or anything, just boring to my tastes. I put it down about 3/4 in and avoided it for over a week until Sarah told me I had to finish because we had a deal and blah, blah, blah. Reading the last 1/4 wasn't that hard, so I probably shouldn't have put it off for so long. I just never felt any sense of urgency to find out what happened to the characters.
In short, this is The Tutor as I read it:
SPOILERS!!!!!
Ralph the Former Street Urchin: Woe is me. I have a capable Wang of Love but can't use it because the woman I love is so far above me!
*Pages of endless pouting*
Beatrice the Boring Lady: Time to get married to a premature ejaculator with whom I share no discernible chemistry. But before I tie the knot with Lame Dick, I'm going to "learn about the sexxorz" from the hot guy who does my brother-in-law's paperwork and gives me doe eyes all the time. This plan cannot go wrong. *offers her nubile flesh to Ralph*
Ralph: *eagerly pulls out the copy of the Kama Sutra that he's been reading like a fiend because no one's vagina but Beatrice's will do* Well, we can try this. And this. Oh, and this will really get your juices flowing.
The Juices: *flow* We're flowing. Oh, how we're flowing.
The Sexxorz: *happen* We're uninspired but JUICY!
Ralph: This means more to me than sex, but I must pretend I just want to bone her because I'm unworthy of anything more.
Beatrice: This means more to me than sex, but I must pretend I just want his Wang of Love because I have a totally boring guy waiting to marry me in London and give me no orgasms for the rest of my life.
The Juices: We'll just keep flowing to keep you from falling asleep!
Me: Zzzzzzzzzzzz.
Innocent Horse: *dies in cheap plot device* Neiiiiggghhhh ... X_X
Beatrice: Fuck it. I can't live a life without orgasms. I'm going to break off my engagement and not tell Ralph about it for, like, 20 pages because we'll never reach the word count in this thing if we wrap up the story too soon.
Ralph: WHY DO YOU HATE ME SO? I'M JUST A FILTHY COMMONER FROM THE GUTTER. I SHALL NEVER BE WORTHY! *packs up belongings in a tizzy to make a "noble exit"*
Beatrice: Son of a bitch, he bolted? I guess I better FINALLY say something now. *interrupts Ralph's "noble exit" at the last minute* Love you, boo.
Ralph: Love you, too.
And the juices flowed happily ever after. The end.
So ... some stuff definitely happened in this book. Seriously. There were words, and things happened. Was I particularly entertained or inspired by the things and stuff and words? Not really. The Tutor isn't awful or anything, just boring to my tastes. I put it down about 3/4 in and avoided it for over a week until Sarah told me I had to finish because we had a deal and blah, blah, blah. Reading the last 1/4 wasn't that hard, so I probably shouldn't have put it off for so long. I just never felt any sense of urgency to find out what happened to the characters.
In short, this is The Tutor as I read it:
SPOILERS!!!!!
Ralph the Former Street Urchin: Woe is me. I have a capable Wang of Love but can't use it because the woman I love is so far above me!
*Pages of endless pouting*
Beatrice the Boring Lady: Time to get married to a premature ejaculator with whom I share no discernible chemistry. But before I tie the knot with Lame Dick, I'm going to "learn about the sexxorz" from the hot guy who does my brother-in-law's paperwork and gives me doe eyes all the time. This plan cannot go wrong. *offers her nubile flesh to Ralph*
Ralph: *eagerly pulls out the copy of the Kama Sutra that he's been reading like a fiend because no one's vagina but Beatrice's will do* Well, we can try this. And this. Oh, and this will really get your juices flowing.
The Juices: *flow* We're flowing. Oh, how we're flowing.
The Sexxorz: *happen* We're uninspired but JUICY!
Ralph: This means more to me than sex, but I must pretend I just want to bone her because I'm unworthy of anything more.
Beatrice: This means more to me than sex, but I must pretend I just want his Wang of Love because I have a totally boring guy waiting to marry me in London and give me no orgasms for the rest of my life.
The Juices: We'll just keep flowing to keep you from falling asleep!
Me: Zzzzzzzzzzzz.
Innocent Horse: *dies in cheap plot device* Neiiiiggghhhh ... X_X
Beatrice: Fuck it. I can't live a life without orgasms. I'm going to break off my engagement and not tell Ralph about it for, like, 20 pages because we'll never reach the word count in this thing if we wrap up the story too soon.
Ralph: WHY DO YOU HATE ME SO? I'M JUST A FILTHY COMMONER FROM THE GUTTER. I SHALL NEVER BE WORTHY! *packs up belongings in a tizzy to make a "noble exit"*
Beatrice: Son of a bitch, he bolted? I guess I better FINALLY say something now. *interrupts Ralph's "noble exit" at the last minute* Love you, boo.
Ralph: Love you, too.
And the juices flowed happily ever after. The end.
June 21, 2010
Hope Tarr brings sensuality to a peek with her newest historical release, The Tutor. Following the conclusion of her “Men of Roxbury House“, Victorian trilogy, Hope Tarr decided to give secondary characters innocent Lady Beatrice Lindsey and rogue Ralph Sylvester, their own story.
The Tutor begins with Ralph and the horrors of his childhood, giving readers a bit of a background on him and what he has had to endure growing up, thus the reason for his instabilities. The story then focuses on the “present” with Lady Beatrice (Bea) leaving her newly married sister’s, Lady Katherine’s, home to return to London at the summons of her father. There is a sizzling spark between Bea and Ralph, who works for Bea’s sister’s husband, Rourke, and who is also a good friend. Bea’s sister tells her, however, that Ralph ‘eats little girls like her for breakfast‘, and to set her mind away from the likes of him.
It is nine months later and Bea is betrothed to a kind, stable, yet fairly boring man. Bea comes to stay with her sister for a week and once again is met by Ralph. It is with a bit of thought that Bea comes to the conclusion that Ralph would make the perfect tutor for her, with his many accomplished ways, in… sex. After an encounter, of little satisfaction with her betrothed, Bea takes it upon herself to learn the pleasurable ways of lovemaking, thus allowing her to teach them to her soon-to-be husband.
Ralph is nothing but taken by shocked surprised, by Bea’s request to be taught the many ways of bodily pleasures. However, with his yearning for Bea, since setting eyes upon her all those months ago, this seems like the perfect solution. What neither of them counted on, however, was that as their heat and deep sexual desires are met, their hearts blossom and tangle themselves deeply within one another’s souls.
Both Bea and Ralph deem themselves unworthy of one another and there is still that troublesome factor of a fiancé waiting for Bea. The clock is ticking, however, and the week of Bea’s stay is coming to an end. With that end will also come the end of nightly delights and daily teasing between to two - forever. While able to overcome any insecurities of the body, will Ralph and Bea be able to overcome the insecurities of their hearts, before it is too late?
In all honesty, I have to say that The Tutor sizzles. The lovemaking scenes cover a very vast array, including bondage, oral sex, submission, as well as self pleasuring. However, the writing style of Hope Tarr puts these scenes in a very well written way, without making it pornographic or crude. The chemistry between Ralph and Bea is mesmerizing and titillating to the reader. In addition to the strong physical scenes and attraction between the two, the story of their blossoming love is enduring. The combination of all angles, makes for a very hard-to-put-down story and one that will leave the reader with a smile upon their face.
I do want to mention, that while The Tutor takes up with characters from a previous series, which I have not yet had the pleasure to read, there was absolutely no trouble getting into the story and characters as a stand alone book. The way that the story opens gives a bit of needed background information, with tidbits of previous occurrences throughout, to keep the reader up to speed.
As a historical, Hope Tarr does a fantastic job setting the scenes of the time and the dialect. One such instance, that stands out, is the term for “condom” which was once called a “French Letter ”. Another instance is the term of one being pregnant is “breeding”. I do have to admit that the idea of a pregnant woman being a woman in “breeding” was not too thrilling to me. However, it does show the setting of the times, which is the early 1890’s.
The Tutor is an excellent story for anyone looking for a fun, steamy read. I do want to say that three quarters of the story is sexually based, so be prepared for that. Hope Tarr is a most delightful author and I greatly look forward to reading more by her, in the very near future.
The Tutor begins with Ralph and the horrors of his childhood, giving readers a bit of a background on him and what he has had to endure growing up, thus the reason for his instabilities. The story then focuses on the “present” with Lady Beatrice (Bea) leaving her newly married sister’s, Lady Katherine’s, home to return to London at the summons of her father. There is a sizzling spark between Bea and Ralph, who works for Bea’s sister’s husband, Rourke, and who is also a good friend. Bea’s sister tells her, however, that Ralph ‘eats little girls like her for breakfast‘, and to set her mind away from the likes of him.
It is nine months later and Bea is betrothed to a kind, stable, yet fairly boring man. Bea comes to stay with her sister for a week and once again is met by Ralph. It is with a bit of thought that Bea comes to the conclusion that Ralph would make the perfect tutor for her, with his many accomplished ways, in… sex. After an encounter, of little satisfaction with her betrothed, Bea takes it upon herself to learn the pleasurable ways of lovemaking, thus allowing her to teach them to her soon-to-be husband.
Ralph is nothing but taken by shocked surprised, by Bea’s request to be taught the many ways of bodily pleasures. However, with his yearning for Bea, since setting eyes upon her all those months ago, this seems like the perfect solution. What neither of them counted on, however, was that as their heat and deep sexual desires are met, their hearts blossom and tangle themselves deeply within one another’s souls.
Both Bea and Ralph deem themselves unworthy of one another and there is still that troublesome factor of a fiancé waiting for Bea. The clock is ticking, however, and the week of Bea’s stay is coming to an end. With that end will also come the end of nightly delights and daily teasing between to two - forever. While able to overcome any insecurities of the body, will Ralph and Bea be able to overcome the insecurities of their hearts, before it is too late?
In all honesty, I have to say that The Tutor sizzles. The lovemaking scenes cover a very vast array, including bondage, oral sex, submission, as well as self pleasuring. However, the writing style of Hope Tarr puts these scenes in a very well written way, without making it pornographic or crude. The chemistry between Ralph and Bea is mesmerizing and titillating to the reader. In addition to the strong physical scenes and attraction between the two, the story of their blossoming love is enduring. The combination of all angles, makes for a very hard-to-put-down story and one that will leave the reader with a smile upon their face.
I do want to mention, that while The Tutor takes up with characters from a previous series, which I have not yet had the pleasure to read, there was absolutely no trouble getting into the story and characters as a stand alone book. The way that the story opens gives a bit of needed background information, with tidbits of previous occurrences throughout, to keep the reader up to speed.
As a historical, Hope Tarr does a fantastic job setting the scenes of the time and the dialect. One such instance, that stands out, is the term for “condom” which was once called a “French Letter ”. Another instance is the term of one being pregnant is “breeding”. I do have to admit that the idea of a pregnant woman being a woman in “breeding” was not too thrilling to me. However, it does show the setting of the times, which is the early 1890’s.
The Tutor is an excellent story for anyone looking for a fun, steamy read. I do want to say that three quarters of the story is sexually based, so be prepared for that. Hope Tarr is a most delightful author and I greatly look forward to reading more by her, in the very near future.
March 22, 2015
So in starting this book, I realize that it must be part of a series. Because it felt like I stepped out of the heroine's sister's book and right into the pages of the heroine's book. They kept referencing events and recapping them as though I'd read it...so be warned. Ralph is a reformed hoodlum from Fagan's gang (actually it's Johnnie Black, but you get the idea). He's made something of himself, but he works as his friend's secretary, so he really hasn't. He's a bit of a womanizer, but he's sworn off sex because he's in love with Beatrice, our heroine, who is an Earl's daughter and therefore beyond his reach.
Beatrice is kind of idiotic. For that matter, Ralph doesn't seem much smarter at times. Beatrice decides to grow up (this was a deliberate decision) and get engaged. She has sex with her fiancee but discovers its pretty awful. She's had a bit of a crush on Ralph, so she asks if he'd be willing to tutor her in sex. She pays him money, as though he's a whore. And bluntly states she would like to be tutored so she has a shot at a decent marriage with her fiancee. Having read a previous book where the heroine callously uses the hero, I sense she may go for this theme. I'm not a fan of it because it makes me dislike the heroine...especially when she's never called on it or made to apologize for treating a perfectly decent guy as a sex toy. He accepts it, realizing that he'll never have a shot with her otherwise.
For much of the book, these two actually felt toxic. They were angry with one another because each loved and needed the other but they knew they couldn't be together so they hated each other as well. The hero felt as though he were perpetually angry with the heroine underneath his passion. Not a romantic vibe.
Then the stupidity really comes into play and misunderstandings abound! She dumps her fiancee with a Dear John telegram, but does she tell the hero? No. So when he doesn't drop to his knee and ask her to marry him when they declare their love she gets all bent out of shape. Well...he kind of thinks you're unavailable sweetheart. And he's just as guilty. He quits his job so he can support him and her, intending to marry her, but when he tells her he doesn't explain why - so she, who's all concerned with security thinks he's now unemployed. It just got ridiculously frustrating toward the end. Not necessary to extend the angst. And I didn't really care, because I didn't like either of them that much.
Beatrice is kind of idiotic. For that matter, Ralph doesn't seem much smarter at times. Beatrice decides to grow up (this was a deliberate decision) and get engaged. She has sex with her fiancee but discovers its pretty awful. She's had a bit of a crush on Ralph, so she asks if he'd be willing to tutor her in sex. She pays him money, as though he's a whore. And bluntly states she would like to be tutored so she has a shot at a decent marriage with her fiancee. Having read a previous book where the heroine callously uses the hero, I sense she may go for this theme. I'm not a fan of it because it makes me dislike the heroine...especially when she's never called on it or made to apologize for treating a perfectly decent guy as a sex toy. He accepts it, realizing that he'll never have a shot with her otherwise.
For much of the book, these two actually felt toxic. They were angry with one another because each loved and needed the other but they knew they couldn't be together so they hated each other as well. The hero felt as though he were perpetually angry with the heroine underneath his passion. Not a romantic vibe.
Then the stupidity really comes into play and misunderstandings abound! She dumps her fiancee with a Dear John telegram, but does she tell the hero? No. So when he doesn't drop to his knee and ask her to marry him when they declare their love she gets all bent out of shape. Well...he kind of thinks you're unavailable sweetheart. And he's just as guilty. He quits his job so he can support him and her, intending to marry her, but when he tells her he doesn't explain why - so she, who's all concerned with security thinks he's now unemployed. It just got ridiculously frustrating toward the end. Not necessary to extend the angst. And I didn't really care, because I didn't like either of them that much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2012
Very disappointed. I was so excited to see that Blaze has a historical line, but it's not at all what I was looking for. A good choice for someone looking to feed their Shades of Grey cravings. I for one was expecting the characters to be more interesting, but really was just saddened that someone believes humiliation leads to a freeing of oneself or can be the base of a respectful, loving relationship.
July 13, 2010
2.5* Not bad, but not great. I'll admit up front I'm not a big fan of historical romance, so I'm probably biased from the get-go. The characters didn't seem true to the time period, although I'm no expert. And the main point of the story seemed to be the multiple sex scenes. Otherwise there really wasn't much of a plot.
January 15, 2021
Romance with no spark
2 stars
Set in 1891, this is the follow on from a trilogy of books by Hope C. Tarr (Vanquished, Enslaved and Untamed) - a fact I wasn't aware of when I bought the book. Although I suppose this book can stand alone, I think those people who have read the previous books (or at the least Untamed) will have had a much better understanding of the characters and back stories. As it was, I felt I had started to read in the middle of a story and my lack of knowledge about the characters made them lack chemistry and depth.
Although the story was set in Scotland, luckily only one character was written with a "Scottish accent" which was a blessing because that one accent bore absolutely no resemblance to the way anyone in any part of Scotland actually speaks, and was entirely too cringe-worthy to be taken seriously.
When I read a Blaze novel I'm looking for a blend of romance, love and steamy sex. This one had the sex in spades but it didn't achieve the other two to any satisfying degree which, in my opinion, made the sex a little too emotionless and sordid.
The whole story lacked depth and, while the writing was fairly engaging, it felt that we never really got to know the characters, making them hard to know and root for. Both Bea and Ralph could have been really engaging but it was never pulled off.
I really was looking forward to this story but in the end I was left extremely disappointed. I'm not sure if it was because it was a sequel and I hadn't read the previous stories but this book just didn't have any spark for me. 2 stars.
October 26, 2020
Shallow characters and skimpy plot just to get you to the next sex scene, similar to porn movies. H is a glorified unambitious secretary for years who is hired by his crush, an earl's daughter for a week of "tutoring" using the Kama Sutra as their textbook, in preparation for her marriage to another man who disappointed her sexually. When the tutor and his slutty student decide their lust is love and need money to marry, suddenly a small investment of his secretarial pay was turned into a fortune by his friend-employer (the lady's brother-in-law). How convenient.
September 7, 2025
This was so good!! 💕
August 20, 2020
I seem to be reading books nowadays where lack of communication leads to irritating misunderstandings. And those would be the only aspect of the story I would not enjoy.
This is another one of those ... why didn’t you tell each other sooner?! And I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised, since she hasn’t even turned 21 yet, but Bea did come off as a tad immature. And where the heck did the self-assessment at the end as boring come from?!
But I guess that would have the shortened this story even further if they found their HEA right away.
The intimate scenes were quite spicy, the premise made the “Congress” without love plausible, but I’m nevertheless glad for all the syrup and treacle at the end. 🥰
This is another one of those ... why didn’t you tell each other sooner?! And I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised, since she hasn’t even turned 21 yet, but Bea did come off as a tad immature. And where the heck did the self-assessment at the end as boring come from?!
But I guess that would have the shortened this story even further if they found their HEA right away.
The intimate scenes were quite spicy, the premise made the “Congress” without love plausible, but I’m nevertheless glad for all the syrup and treacle at the end. 🥰
August 30, 2010
Enjoying the story, though I rarely read historicals. Lovely writing!
*****
Finished the book and the wonderful writing made me want to read more of Hope Tarr's books and more historicals. I wanted to give this book 4.5 stars, but that option isn't available.
*****
Finished the book and the wonderful writing made me want to read more of Hope Tarr's books and more historicals. I wanted to give this book 4.5 stars, but that option isn't available.
November 16, 2012
This was a great read. Quick, sexy, and best of all, there was a believable story line as well. I enjoyed all the characters, was never bored, and this was the second read for me...just as much fun as the first time. A definite keeper!
August 25, 2010
What a lusty surprise! Good story, interesting time period and extremely steamy romance. I know Harlequin Blaze's are a little spicier than other Harlequin lines but this was really smokin'!
July 9, 2010
All I can say is to get ready from a BLAZING hot book. Lady Beatrice Lindsey and rogue Ralph Sylvester show you how much fun you can have if you are a good teacher and a good pupil.
April 20, 2011
This books was one of the most amazing romance novels I have read. It was a great mixture of plot and of course those steamy scenes.
February 23, 2012
Loved this book. Loved Ralph Syvester. Loved Beatrice's inferiority complex towards her older, beautiful sister which she eventually overcame. Loved the steamy sex. Loved the Victorian time frame.
October 6, 2011
I read most of this. It was just okay. It started to veer into misunderstanding territory toward the ends so I stopped reading.
July 6, 2010
My first Harlequin Blaze
November 19, 2011
Sexy, historical, escapist romance novel goodness
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews