Lessons From a Courtesan

by Jenna Petersen

Lesson #1: Every man loves a mystery

A scandalous siren called "Ria" has electrified the ton. Every gentleman in London desires her; every woman envies her. And they are all desperate to know the secrets of the tantalizing, seductively beautiful courtesan. All except Justin, the Earl of Baybary. He knows all about Ria. He learned every inch of her tender skin, every taste of her luscious lips...on their wedding night.

Lesson #2: No man can make you lose control...unless you let him

Though theirs was an arranged marrige, still Victoria surrendered to passion and gave herself to Justin completely. When he left her alone the next morning, she swore she would never again let him into her bed. Now, though she has other reasons for returning to the city, she enjoys tormenting Justin, letting him see the way other men lust for her. But keeping herself from him is such exquisite torture...and forgiveness will lead to an ecstasy unbelievably divine.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Regency, Historical Fiction, Erotica, Marriage Of Convenience

373 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 24, 2008

About the author

Jenna Petersen now writes historical romance exclusively as Jess Michaels. Please check out her self-published and Samhain publishing books here:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...

Jenna no longer supports her HarperCollins/Avon books due to price gouging and refusal to return author rights.

Reviews

[Preeti ♥︎ Her Bookshelves · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5*
Has my favored premise of abandoned brides but didn't work for me because of the easy, generic excuse of a blackmailed groom and the author going for the customary he-may-have-fokked-around-(a-lot)-but-he-never-really-forgot-her. I rather prefer an out and out douche who doesn't go for such dubious copouts.

So, the H is an entitled, cheating ass.
But the h is a too trusting and tstl idiot - to actually come to London, masquerading as an experienced courtesan and going to parties of the demimonde to search for - not her missing friend but clues about her!
I don't know who annoyed me more. Actually I do know - both!

The abandoned bride h meets her husband after three years of him having dumped her at his estate. It's strange how he immediately recognizes her and how soon she melts at his touch despite her determination to never trust/forgive him (hah!) and they are soon going at it in the salon/parlor, carriages, everywhere...
But anyways, we are to believe that although he has shagged hundreds of women (because no one woman holds his attention post that wedding night), he has never forgotten his wife. And we and the h are supposed to forgive him because of that - that he may had scores of women but never had a mistress. The h goes all melty eyes at him after he confesses this.

And the plot holes and editing slipups. -
Apart from the obvious - a lady trying to pass herself off as light-skirt. Ostensibly looking for a protector while doing her shoddy sleuthing,, she's managing to walk away with just polite talk from these soirees. And no one questions that the much sought after and accomplished-in-the-eastern-arts 'lady' fidgets and stammers in most conversations. It's a absurdly stupid even by fictional standards.
'Said in that harsh tone, the scheme seemed ridiculously foolish.'

And how this will pan out later when she enters society as herself is just an afterthought. According to the author and the H -

“He would wager if he brought her back to the opera in her normal garb a month later, the very same people she had been presented to tonight wouldn’t even blink when she was introduced as Lady Baybary. Perception was so rarely about reality.

Ermm, no I don't think that's how it works. Already by the end of the book, two people were able to put two and two together and work out her identity.
Once Alyssa the madame (or whatever she's called) calls the h, Victoria when she supposedly only knew her as Ria till then.

Strangely, when the H houses the h in a 'mistressy' house, he calms her snit by saying it's the place his brother keeps his mistresses. Then, he says you'll be safe here as his bother would be nearby in “the adjacent home that I provide for my brother...'. This snagged my persnickety attention. So, either the H (an earl) owns both the houses and is magnanimous enough to lend them both to his brother for his convenience. But, really then why would that man house his mistresses next door? Never heard that before. But actually, my first interpretation was that the brother houses his women in his own house but lives in the house owned by the H. (Have I confused you? That's how I am about the silliest of things. :D)

And Marah, her friend who's to live in this house along with her - the H cautions her not to talk loudly as she's supposed to be the h's lady maid and not a friend. Loud for whom? The servants? I don't know because about 10 minutes after this, Marah is dining with all of them in the dining room, yakking away with the lot - presumably in front of the servants.

And the kind of lines that are annoying AF.
“I would have been more discreet had I known you were receiving reports about my life.”
My hero!

“Why he was suddenly so possessive, he could not fathom. He had never before minded sharing a lover he had lost interest in.”
“Yes, do tell all", His brother shrugged. “You always give us the details of your paramours, Justin. ”
Yes, sharing and telling. Cool, guys.

And when the author goes about leveling the score by bringing up some 'betrayal' and guilt on her part, and now his 'pain' is supposed to make him the good guy again, despite his neglectful, tomcatting years --“She could no longer take being in the same room with Justin, knowing that he despised her for both what her father had done and for her own betrayals.”
“There is no denying there has been pain, there have been lies. We have each made mistakes.”
Really? Why the plurals - mistakes, lies, betrayals?
The only mistake she made (a secret she kept because she wasn't aware he'd even care actually), he was not even aware of it till a day ago. So, what excuses his three years of ass-hattery???

Thankfully, he has moments of real remorse.
“And yet now a pang of remorse troubled him. A desire to explain himself to her, to make her see that those other women hadn’t been a betrayal. Even though they were. For the first time, they felt like a betrayal, and he was ashamed.”

[Katie(babs) · Rating 1 out of 5]

The gentlemen of London are abuzz over Ria, the most sought after courtesan in all of England. The gossipmongers say she comes from the countryside where a soldier taught her many foreign sex practices and now has come to town looking for a new protector. Ria is really Victoria Talbot, the Earl of Baybary's wife. She hasn't seen Justin in three years, ever since he took her maidenhead on their wedding night and left her alone in the countryside at one of his estates. Their marriage was one of convenience planned by her father. Victoria felt so ashamed and used after Justin left her so carelessly. She has come to London with her friend, Marah, because they believe their friend, Chloe Hillsborough, has come to harm. She is a widow who went to London to become a courtesan herself. When her letters to Victoria and Marah stopped, they concocted a plan where Victoria would pretend to be Ria, a seductive courtesan, as she searches for information about Chloe. What Victoria couldn't know was that she would come face to face with her missing husband of three years.

Justin is interested in meeting this mysterious Ria, but is in for a shock when he finds out she is his wife! He never forgot their wedding night and the young bride he left all alone. She is always in his thoughts, and the guilt for leaving her eats away at him. Justin may be able to finally give Victoria an apology, but first he wants answers about Victoria's scheme, even if he has to seduce her to get them.

Victoria can't escape Justin, and she is especially weak every time he holds her in his arms. She still longs for his kisses, which makes her give in and tell him the truth about her disguise. Justin decides to help Victoria and pretend he is her new protector. Soon this husband and wife duo is involved in a mystery that may not have a happy ending. Victoria may despise what Justin has done to her in the past, but she cannot deny his touch and the way he makes her feel as he brings her to his bed each night.

LESSONS FROM A COURTESAN has wonderfully written sex scenes, a tension filled plot, and two characters who enjoy each other to the fullest. I really wanted to enjoy this sensual Regency-set mystery tale, but I was so annoyed by the actions of Victoria and Justin. The way Justin has treated Victoria is unforgivable, and even though she can't stand him, she quickly falls into his arms just because her body aches for his touch. These two snipe at each other back and forth, but then all too quickly their anger and near hate is forgotten because of what they both can do for each other during sex.

I had such issues with Justin and Victoria's relationship that I could not find joy when they were intimate. Even when Victoria brings up a perfect example of the horrible way Justin treated her, he blows it off and tries other ways, mainly seduction, to take Victoria's mind off her issues.

The mystery of Victoria's friend Chloe seems a bit ridiculous, especially with a young and innocent widow who comes to London looking for a protector and how Victoria comes up with the idea to be a courtesan herself even though she is still very much an innocent woman. Victoria's friend, Marah, doesn't bring much to the story even though she tells Victoria her feelings about Justin and why Victoria shouldn't give him her heart.

Jenna Peterson's LESSONS FROM A COURTESAN does have wonderful love scenes and I did enjoy some of the bantering back and forth between Victoria and Justin. Unfortunately, I couldn't get past Justin's initial response to Victoria and how quickly he changes his mind when Victoria comes to town and his possessive tendencies come out, just because she is his wife. Fans of Peterson's past books may enjoy this husband and wife who have great sexual chemistry, but as for trust and devotion, well, that is still something they may have to work on after the story ends.

[Nicol Althea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this book didn't live up to expectations. The plot was interesting but somehow, as the story progressed, it went downhill. As much as i liked the characters, there were some scenes that makes me really wanna smack them. Repeatedly. So darn frustrating!

Like Victoria Talbot for instance. She claims she doesn't want to get entangled with Justin again to avoid being hurt and that he no longer concerns her. But every time he sticks his tongue in her mouth, she melts like butter and all that backbone i was beginning to admire her for withered before it could even take full bloom. What frustrated me the most is that despite Justin's horrible treatment of her in the past, she was all too willing to fall into his arms every time he makes an advance. ick! Have you no pride Victoria? There were some dialogue that gives her the opportunity to fight back but she doesn't do anything. She just lies there and let him hurt her all over again. argghh. And despite her dad's machinations, she shouldn't be the one apologizing and feeling sorry for Justin. She suffered far more than what he was going through. She miscarried and where was he? He was out there in merry debauchery bent on ignoring his poor wife. arrghh.

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Another matter that wasn't convincing was her undying loyalty to Chloe Hillsborough, their friendship together with Marah Farnsworth wasn't solid enough. The author should have written a better foundation of their friendship, like a scene of the three together maybe, just to convince the readers what prompts such loyalties from Victoria and Marah that they were all-too-willing to risk their necks for Chloe. All the book tells us is that they were close friends yada~yada~ Well im sorry that doesn't convince me. The author should have expanded more on their friendship before she sends Victoria and Marah on that ridiculous charade.

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And don't get me started with Justin Talbot. This jerk embodies a complete callous cad. Sure, there were some scenes that he was likable enough but this dude just wan't my type at all. He leaves his wife behind and lived a life of debauchery for three years, then she comes to town...lo and behold, he suddenly sprouted feelings for her and claims that he hasn't really been able to fully forget her. uuggghhh. And those first few times when she resisted him, he tried to seduce her out of her secrets and after sleeping with her, he leaves her again! How can you tolerate him Victoria? As much as i don't like it, there were times that i found myself wishing Victoria should just go sleep with someone else other than Justin. So arrogant and sure of himself, that'll surely put the cad in his place! And the nerve of this guy to go and get mad at Victoria for keeping her miscarriage a secret. You should be the one on your knees groveling you selfish oaf! Can't you see she suffered more than you did??!!!

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As you can see, i didn't like the book. I only read this because i was reading through the Billingham Bastards series. Since the third installation was Caleb Talbot's story, i decided to postpone it and read Justin's story first so i could get a good grasp of what really happened before. To my dismay, it was frustrating. But hey, at least i got what i wanted, which was to check what Caleb was like before the truth and how he found out about his birth. That's what got me giving this book 1.5 stars instead of just 1. So now i'm off to read his story. I just hope its not as ridiculous and disappointing as his brother's.

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[Jen · Rating 1 out of 5]

No. The MC H is an @ss and the friend Chloe was an IDIOT for not being honest and neither was her love. I HATE the trope of “we-tell-the-MCs-NOTHING-so-they-make-horrible-decisions-to-further-the “plot”. Utter DRECK. Only recommended if you want semi-hot scenes you can find in a better written book. 1, rage filled, star.

[-S♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

★4 Stars! Lessons From A Courtesan.
“The past is unchangeable, but the future is unwritten.”

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read: 2018,2019
Reread: 2021

I love this book! The H is blackmailed into marrying the h. Something she doesn't know anything about. He consummates the marriage then leaves her rather callously the morning to continue his promiscuous life. He does leave the running of his home to her. Yes, he's a major a**hole!!

3 years later, Justin returns to London. He's attending a demiump ball when he notices the most beautiful courtesan, Ria. The woman everybody wants. Unfortunately, she's also happens to be his wife. He tries to get her to leave but she tells him off in such a fabulous way. Best part for me!!! She let's him know that once she finds a lover she will leave.

Victoria is really at the balls to find her missing best friend. The poor friend decided to become a courtesan and her two best friends are trying to find out what happened to her. So Victoria poses as a courtesan, since she's never been to London, nobody knows her. Now if only her ex would leave her alone.

I love this couple's chemistry. I also loved that she presented a challenge. Most women want him. He has never been able to get her out of his head and he will be damned if he'll let another man have her.

Soon they have to work together but agree to separate at the end, that's if he can let her go.

The success is that the H is not an a**hole but cautious on whether the daughter knew what her father did and Victoria is a strong , "I don't need a man" woman. Unfortunately, their sexual chemistry is too strong.

Warning
This book is not for you if you hate cheaters (not while they are back together) and arrogant men, then this book isn't for you. I loved this story and the other books in the series.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book served as an excellent reminder of why I don't read "bodice-ripper" romances anymore. When it turned up on my recommendation list (Visual Bookshelf), the premise seemed to be outside the usual dreck. Victoria Talbot is an abandoned wife who leaves her country home for London, seeking a friend who has disappeared. Victoria assumes the identity of "Ria," a courtesan, to try and find her friend who had announced her intention to enter that lifestyle.

Well, it fairly quickly turned out to be the usual dreck after Victoria's estranged husband shows up. It was right back to the standard I hate you/I bed you/I love you formula of which I have grown so very tired. Two stars for well-written erotic sections, but the rest was just a story I've read far too many times to count.

[Jesica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Durante toda la historia estuve con la ligera impresión de que ya había leído este libro, y aunque ya lo termine sigo con la duda... :P en todo caso me gusto la historia aunque el final fue tan rápido que si hubiera parpadeado me lo hubiera perdido, ademas no se sentí que la historia le falto un epilogo que contara que paso después de esa noche... Quede con varias preguntas sobre que paso con los personajes secundarios que acompañaban a Justin Y victoria.

[Desi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leído en Junio 2009

INGLATERRA , 1812
PROTAGONISTAS: Justin, el Conde de Baybary y Victoria Talbot

Argumento:

Lección 1: Todo hombre ama un misterio.

Una vampiresa escandalosa llamada "Ria" electrificó a la nobleza londinense . Cada caballero en Londres la desea; cada mujer la envidia. Y todos ellos están desesperados por saber los secretos de la seductora y bella cortesana . Todos excepto Justin, el Conde de Baybary. El sabe todo sobre Ria. El ha conocido cada centímetro de su sedosa piel , el sabor de sus labios deliciosos . . . en su noche de bodas .

Lección 2: La venganza es un plato que se sirve frío, pero que se prepara con la calentura y el enojo que produce la traición.

El padre de Victoria había arreglado del casamiento y ella se había rendido completamente a la pasión con Justin en la noche de bodas. Cuando él la abandonó a la mañana siguiente , ella juró que nunca más lo dejaría entrar en su cama. Ahora que Victoria tiene otras razones para volver a la ciudad, y disfrutará atormentando a Justin , dejandole ver el modo en que otros hombres la codician.

Lección 3: Ningún hombre puede hacerte perder el control . . . a menos que tú lo dejes. Y para evaluar “si lo dejas” debes calcular cuanto placer esa relación te traerá.

Estar lejos de Justin es una tortura insoportable para Victoria . . . y el perdón la llevaría a un éxtasis inimaginable .

Lección 4: Aplicar todas las lecciones juntas

Lección 5: Leer este libro para aprender más lecciones.

Si quieres seguir enterándote como siguen las lecciones de esta cortesana debes comenzar a leer esta novela.



Me encantó esta novela... en el momento en que lo leí me pareció muy original el argumento... no había leído nada parecido y por eso le puse esta calificación.

[Diane Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. I really want to like this book, but it just didn't work for me. Justin was closed-off and rather hostile through at least 3/4 of the book. All that the characters seem to share was sensual passion. I just didn't buy it. Also, the story ended too abruptly. I am looking forward to better books from Jenna Petersen.

[Jo Reads Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging and exciting Regency romance
5 stars

The ton is abuzz with the mystery and beauty of "Ria". The men and consumed with desire for her and the woman are all jealous of her. Each needs to find out all they can about the lady that has been dubbed 'England's greatest courtesan'. All except Justin Talbot, the Earl of Baybury. He knows very well that the mysterious "Ria" is actually his estranged wife.

Three years ago, the day after their wedding, Victoria Talbot was abandoned in the country to live on her own. Now she is in London on a mission to help her friend but if she also manages to drive Justin a little mad with lust and jealousy, then that's all he deserves! Justin is determined to find out her secrets and as the pair spend more time together they realise that the games they are playing with each other might just be leading to something a whole lot more.

I very much enjoyed this well-written and very engaging story. Both Justin and Victoria were intelligent and drawn-out characters that had fabulous chemistry and very real emotions. I loved the pair together even if they both had to, at times, work hard for their happy ending.

As I said, the plot was really engaging and it made you want to keep reading to find out what happened next. There were lots of twists and turns and secrets to be revealed that meant there were no dull moments from beginning to end.

I can't recommend this book highly enough. It was exciting, well-written and reminded me of books by Debra Mullins or Sabrina Jeffries. If you're looking for a book to escape with then you should definitely give this one a try. 5 stars.

[ann_zack_cee_am_ann · Rating 1 out of 5]

TW : Cheating, infidelity

Honestly I don’t know why I even bothered reading this book knowing that I hate cheating in romance. I want the kind of romance that gives you so much warmth, the kind where you’re all cocooned in your blanket with a cup of coffee ready by your side, rain splatters as your background noise etc. Either way, I wanted to give the story a try anyway if my fragile heart could take it.

But this book … ugh … this book made me want to hurl every object within my sight to the wall, because how dumb and selfish can the MMC be? Not only was he a cheating ass, he left her on the wedding night right after taking her virginity, for 3 years to be in France to do God-knows-what. He also made sure to sample every pleasure the French had to offer without a thought about his wife. Now that he came back to England and saw beautiful, sensual Ria (his supposed wife), all of a sudden he felt a surge of jealousy and possessiveness when seeing her in another man’s arm? Like get a grip, man! I wish the wife was made of a stronger spine and left his cheating, raggedy ass with another man or something but hey, I forgot I was reading a romance book anyway so the hero was supposed to the one and only man to prevail till the end. Not enough grovelling would have put me within ten-inch pole from his raggedy ass in real life.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 stars. Goodreads!! You gotta upgrade your rating system ASAP!!

I love the steamy scenes between Victoria and Justin (we got plenty here guys). However, because our two main characters often indulged in their love/lust whatever, their supposedly "investigation" often forgotten. Another tiny problem, there should have been PROLOGUE!! Come'on guys, it was mentioned before that it's gonna be a problem if people knew that Ria was Victoria aka Lady Baybary. So, it's only natural that I wanna know how they're gonna take care of that tiny problem. I might give this book 4 or even 5 stars if there was prologue.

[Monika]

Prolog zaciekawił - chciałam więcej, ale kolejne rozdziały okazały się pełne frazesów znanych w romansowej stylistyce. Poza tym pomysł na główną bohaterkę jest dziwny i irytuje: ciągle się zastanawiałam, jak jej mógł "kurtyzanowy" pomysł mógł przyjść do głowy - zwłaszcza w tym kształcie, w jakim właśnie przyszedł.

Nie, nie dla mnie.

[Isle Scarlett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book

But it just never came together... Arranged marriage by blackmail from brides father (unknown to bride)...meet said groom a month before u marry and then consummate ONCE said marriage... groom abandons u for three years sowing his many wild oats.....but u have so much lust and could it be LOVE??? MY DEAR AUTHOR u author u ask too much of my foolish pride!! This could have been a great story a grand sweeping saga of angst and turmoil... With major rogue retribution and a heroine getting some major get back... But the h was blah.. The H was meh!!. The sex provincial

[Fangirl Musings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Yep...just, wow! What a plot! What awesome characters! Everything that should ever be "right" with a romance novel hit home in this book, no doubt! First of all, the plot; defiantly, in it's nature, unique. Forced into a marriage with the enemy of his family, Justin Talbot does marry Victoria, but literally ditches her on their wedding night. Telling her to her face he has no intention of having a true marriage, but one only in name, Justin skedaddles for three whole years, touring the Continent, without ever seeing Victoria again.

And yet, fate totally intervenes, for while Victoria puts up with some serious heartbreak at the abandonment, one really bad miscarriage, and the fear of being alone, that time eventually comes and goes. She moves on, and befriends Chloe and Marah, of the village of Baybary. Growing bored of being a window, however, Chloe runs off to London to become a Courtesan- and her letters suddenly stop. Convinced of a nefarious plot, Victoria and Marah leave Barberry to conduct their own investigation under the ruse of Victoria being 'Ria,' a mysterious courtesan in need of a protector. From here on end, the plot doubles in it's awesomeness. Justin's discovery of Victoria in London, the banter between the two, the underlying tension, both sexual and emotional- it all leads to a truly page-turning novel that doesn't stop.

And yet, not only are the characters truly adorable (Victoria for her spicy nature, Justin for his bravado and dashing), the plot perfect, but the pacing and actual writing is so well done! The scenes leading up to the climax are perfect, and every moment literally falls into place seamlessly. The emotional plot between Justin and Victoria is resolved- and begins to be resolved- the same time the action plot makes it's peak.

The "opera scene" leads to the "father confrontation" scene which leads to the confession of Victoria's miscarriage to Justin which leads to Justin confessing the secret of his brother Caleb's parentage which leads to some serious fighting and mistrust between both characters which then leads to Victoria's running away in tears, immediately followed by Wittingham erupting into Justin's house, revealing the truth of Chloe's location and how Victoria is now in danger by Evenwise; the antagonist of the story. These quick-fire scenes all fall effortlessly together to point towards the climax of the book.

Overall, an awesome, amazing, truly enjoyable story! An easy, EASY 5 star rating! Loved this book and am absolutely going to keep an eye out for more novels by the talented Jenna Petersen.

[Sylvain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lesson #1: Every man loves a mystery. A scandalous siren called "Ria" has electrified the ton. Every gentleman in London desires her; every woman envies her. And they are all desperate to know the secrets of the tantalizing, seductively beautiful courtesan. All except Justin, the Earl of Baybary. He knows all about Ria. He learned every inch of her tender skin, every taste of her luscious lips . . . on their wedding night. Lesson #2: No man can make you lose control . . . unless you let him. Though theirs was an arranged marrige, still Victoria surrendered to passion and gave herself to Justin completely. When he left her alone the next morning, she swore she would never again let him into her bed. Now, though she has other reasons for returning to the city, she enjoys tormenting Justin, letting him see the way other men lust for her. But keeping herself from him is such exquisite torture . . . and forgiveness will lead to an ecstasy unbelievably divine.

[RomLibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lesson #1: Every man loves a mystery

A scandalous siren called "Ria" has electrified the ton. Every gentleman in London desires her; every woman envies her. And they are all desperate to know the secrets of the tantalizing, seductively beautiful courtesan. All except Justin, the Earl of Baybary. He knows all about Ria. He learned every inch of her tender skin, every taste of her luscious lips...on their wedding night.

Lesson #2: No man can make you lose control...unless you let him

Though theirs was an arranged marrige, still Victoria surrendered to passion and gave herself to Justin completely. When he left her alone the next morning, she swore she would never again let him into her bed. Now, though she has other reasons for returning to the city, she enjoys tormenting Justin, letting him see the way other men lust for her. But keeping herself from him is such exquisite torture...and forgiveness will lead to an ecstasy unbelievably divine.

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Petersen gets the sex out of the way quickly, marrying her protagonists off in the opening chapter -- the main story takes place a few years later, when Justin, Lord Baybary, discovers that Victoria, whom he abandoned to their country estate after their wedding night, is running around London pretending to be a courtesan. Since they're already married, by the conventions of the romance genre they can have all the sex scenes they want (and do) while trying to suss out each other's secrets... although much of that plot (Victoria is trying to track down a missing friend) feels somewhat rushed, especially in the second half. (And this is not a particularly long story; nearly 400 pages, yes, but a rather large typeface.) The real core of the story is the emotional/sensual standoff between Justin and Victoria, and those scenes are well fleshed out (you should pardon the expression).

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book begins with a short prologue the night before the wedding of Victoria and Justin, Earl of Baybary's arranged marriage. A very hot wedding night follows. The story never bogs down from there.

Good characterization for the leads and everyone else. Victoria is a woman with spunk and backbone. Justin is a man with secrets that war with his mind and heart and his view of this marriage and relationship with Victoria. Consequently, the damaging secrets kill any chance at a genuine marriage and love...or do they?

But before we know for certain...

3 years pass. When something happens to send Victoria from Justin's country estate where she has been abandoned, to London on a quest. She arrives as the beautiful courtesan, Ria.

Who does she run into right off? Yep, Justin, at a party for London society's shadier elite.

Adventure, danger, and did I mention smokin love scenes?"

[Wandax21 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring.

Justin has to marry Victoria because he is blackmailed by her father. However, after the wedding night, he leaves her. After 3 years he recognizes his wife on a ball again. She is now (said to be) a famous courtesan. Well and here begin my problems with the book: On the one hand Victoria is (said to be) a courtesan, on the other hand, she is completely shy and of course never was involved with another man, because that would be against the laws of romance. This is schizophrenic and does not work. The great mystery with which Justin is being blackmailed proves to be unspectacular. The whole novel is very predictable. Well, only the passages where Justin is jealous of Victoria's admirers are fun.

[Savi · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite romance books, in fact it's also on my list of re-reads. It has all the elements of a normal historical romance in this time period- dukes, carriages and such but this one somehow stood out to me. Perhaps because the whole "virgin" fall in love, marriage and children sequence was a little out of order. There is so much truth behind a husband who doesn't want to commit to his simple wife and instead leaves her only to come back finding her completely changed. The story line was realistic in not only showing the views of a rough alpha male (as most historical men are) but also a scorned wife who sought to change the mind of this male. Something women can all view as difficult.

[Maureen Feeney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it ,I have read better but I have also read a lot worse. The plot summary has been done perfectly by other reviewers so I will just add my opinion.

The book opens on Victoria and Justin's wedding night, he beds her gets up and leaves. Then 4 years after dumping her, when justin sees her again he is instantly feeling jealousy and desire and love??. This while he still hasn't said a dozen words to her or got to know her. I just didn't get it? Apart from that the book is an ok read and the underlining plot isn't bad. My first by this author but I will read another one of hers sometime

[Aspoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was delicious and hot. The title should have been "Lessons to the Courtesan" because her husband taught her over and over and over. I like this book better than the book right after it called "A Scoundrel Surrender" with Caleb. This book was much more developed and engaging. The storyline was interesting also, I wanted to know if the friend was still alive and if the creepy guy got a hold to her. Great Read and HOT book cover.

PS. This book made me want to run out and get a bed with bed posts.

[penelopewanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

New author for me, not bad at all. The hero is blackmailed into marrying the heroine, consumates the mariage and then goes off for three years. She gets a life in the meantime and they meet up when she is masquerading as a courtesan in an effort to find out what happened to a friend of hers who came to London as a courtesan and disappeared. Of course the likelihood of a lady continuing to associate with a courtesan is pretty much zilch, but the story works despite this.

[Danette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very simple writing. I almost put the book down 4 times...permanently. I just couldn't follow the sentences after reading other authors. I'm glad I did finish the book. It moves along...plot is entertaining, but not quite believable to me. If you want a fast read (print is huge) and you have this book already in your possession then I would give it a go. This author does have promise.
This author writes under a different name as well=...Jess Michaels.

[Jasey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Justin is blackmailed into marrying Victoria by her father. Her father has info that proves Justin's brother is not Justin's legitimate brother and Justin wants to protect Caleb. Justin has one night with Victoria and leaves her for 3 years, only to run into her in London when she is there to pose as a courtesan to try and find her missing courtesan friends (chloe) who has disappeared. Very readable book. 4 1/2. I reread this book in Jan 2012 and liked it again!

[Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hero with no redeeming qualities unless you count adept in bed. I threw down the book in rage. Waste of money. Don't do it. If you must do it, get it from the library. He just doesn't deserve whatever redemption he may get by the end of it. His awfulness isn't even interesting pathological, it's just run of the mill egocentrism. And the heroine buys into it all, wants to be worthy of his love anyway. I sincerely doubt he's capable of the kind of love that's more than possessiveness and lust.

[NA · Rating 1 out of 5]

Marah is annoying. I would pee on her. That's how much I can't stand her. As for Victoria, she's obnoxious. She hasn't seen Justin in 3 years and "apparently" can't stand him, but he touches her big toe and she's swept away by desire with weeping lady petals and rock hard nipples. #spareme

Also, these "Lessons from a Courtesan" clearly is supposed to be ironic as Victoria DOES THE EXACT OPPOSITE.

[Iris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like Petersen's style of writing and dialogue in this book. The premise of this one is really stretching the bounds pretty thin, but in the end she writes good characters, great dialogue, and really hot sex, which is a hard combination not to like. This is my least favorite book of hers so far, and I still give it a four.