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The Patrons
It’s a simple exchange; but it changes everything. “This is my card,” he said. “You call me whenever you need to.” A saucy romp through the nation’s capital is the most entertaining way yet to take the topic of starving artistry to a practical, raw level. Maybe in the old days they had it right: if you want to make pure, quality art, what you need is a patron.
Two nights ago, in the wake of her father’s fatal diagnosis, Joanie Price told her husband she was leaving him in a Connecticut PC Richards, drove without a plan to DC, and didn’t tell a soul. Her husband proceeded to empty the bank accounts.
“Have you thought of how many men would enjoy your company in this town?”
And so it begins. Compulsively readable, it’s wickedly enjoyable to see ourselves in Joanie’s shoes, and as we do, her erotic experiment hurtles us through a story of self-discovery that’s transformative, witty and enduring.
254 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 9, 2015
85 people are currently reading
356 people want to read
About the author
Daniella Brodsky
37 books262 followersDaniella Brodsky is the bestselling author of dozens of contemporary romance novels--one of which has been adapted by Disney as the film, Beauty & The Briefcase, starring Hilary Duff (I know, right?!).
She writes sexy, sweet, intelligent romance that often takes readers into far-off destinations. This is because she’s lived all over the world, from New York to London to Sydney and Honolulu. She lives in Australia, and lots of her alpha males are Australian because let’s face it: they’re hot. And the accent doesn’t hurt either. That’s why she married one.
Daniella is an adjunct Creative Writing Lecturer at James Cook University and edits and teaches fiction craft at her Captain Cook Studio. A native New Yorker, she lives in Canberra, Australia, where she is writing her next contemporary romance novel in the FLAME SERIES: INSANELY HOT, THEN NOT, which launches in April and features a particularly epic bad boy billionaire come good.
Do you sometimes like to have a break from your book boyfriends and keep yourself up all night with a heart-pounding twisty psychological thriller full of “oh no you didn’t!” moments? Check out her pen name: Dan Noble
She writes sexy, sweet, intelligent romance that often takes readers into far-off destinations. This is because she’s lived all over the world, from New York to London to Sydney and Honolulu. She lives in Australia, and lots of her alpha males are Australian because let’s face it: they’re hot. And the accent doesn’t hurt either. That’s why she married one.
Daniella is an adjunct Creative Writing Lecturer at James Cook University and edits and teaches fiction craft at her Captain Cook Studio. A native New Yorker, she lives in Canberra, Australia, where she is writing her next contemporary romance novel in the FLAME SERIES: INSANELY HOT, THEN NOT, which launches in April and features a particularly epic bad boy billionaire come good.
Do you sometimes like to have a break from your book boyfriends and keep yourself up all night with a heart-pounding twisty psychological thriller full of “oh no you didn’t!” moments? Check out her pen name: Dan Noble
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 26, 2016
The GR star rating pretty much just sums it up... "it was ok". Mildly interesting story of a woman leaving her husband and defying society by becoming a "kept woman". It felt bogged down by abstractions and strangely layered sentences though. I guess the book was supposed to have some depth and make you think but honestly, it just reminded me of a teenager being amazed by their own "awesomely deep thoughts!"
February 29, 2016
a promising start; a literary modern courtesan in Washington D.C. during the 2008 election of President Obama... this took a turn mid-way when the author decided she was writing about 'art' and the central character as a messy metaphor for good writing to be appreciated by a small elite crowd. The mass-market, publishing house supported books then are akin to prostitutes while gems that truly raise the art-form and bring joy to the consumer are actually a creative force that deserve patronage to keep alive and properly valued. ugh. I'm especially insulted because the book oft-mentioned as the example for cheaply stealing all the publishing dollars is Harry Potter, even naming that as the sole book in a house that reads no books. REALLY? have you read Harry Potter? Have your read your own beach reads Miss Brodsky? because Harry Potter was written by a single mother on the dole who had to shop it around extensively before gaining publication and it rejuvenated the publishing industry... all boats rose with that wave. Also, it's GREAT. The themes are well drawn, the character development top-notch and the plot lines much better than the muddied mess this book quickly devolves into. No amount of political-science theory or French philosophy quotes can save this mess... in fact they only add to the 'ugh' factor.
Add to this some serious throwback statements such as
God forbid this becomes the guide by which anyone crafts their freedom. So much for liberated women. So much for the sisterhood. And how this fits the writing metaphor I cannot fathom.
Add to this some serious throwback statements such as
"Men are not allowed to be men anymore. They must do the washing up, they must do school drop-offs and casseroles with cilantro garnishes, they must pretend women are just as good at playing golf and just as fun to play with, that we would never dream of having anything to ourselves. We are not allowed to tell a woman she looks sexy, or to make a pass. We have to pretend we are puritans. God forbid a man comes home drunk on a school night! Or feels like having sex in the morning. There is not the time and he must deal with it. Well, where does all this maleness go, I ask?"
"To me?"
"Yes. To you. That is exactly right. But you do not take advantage. You take it to another plane. You create beauty. Art."
God forbid this becomes the guide by which anyone crafts their freedom. So much for liberated women. So much for the sisterhood. And how this fits the writing metaphor I cannot fathom.
February 23, 2016
When I read the book's description, it sounded like it would a fun and slightly risqué story about a woman who gets pulled into the underground world of escort services. I figured there'd be some glamor and some grit. But this story just didn't provide any of that.
The main character, Joanie, is in an unhappy marriage, which is made worse by her father's grave illness. She decides to ditch the husband and try to relive her glory days while a coed in Washington DC. Unfortunately for her, this is cut short by her husband cutting off her funds. Serendipitously, she meets a pimp who takes a liking to her, and she becomes a high priced escort. The entire story is set during the 2008 election.
The major problem I had with this book was that it didn't seem to know what it was-- was it a story of a woman who is in a bad marriage looking for an escape? Is it a story of a woman mourning the impending loss of her father? Is it a story of a woman who wants to live the high life and decides that the quickest and easiest way to do that is on her back? What did this book want to be? It tried to be too much and ended up not being much at all.
For example...
The main character, Joanie, is in an unhappy marriage, which is made worse by her father's grave illness. She decides to ditch the husband and try to relive her glory days while a coed in Washington DC. Unfortunately for her, this is cut short by her husband cutting off her funds. Serendipitously, she meets a pimp who takes a liking to her, and she becomes a high priced escort. The entire story is set during the 2008 election.
The major problem I had with this book was that it didn't seem to know what it was-- was it a story of a woman who is in a bad marriage looking for an escape? Is it a story of a woman mourning the impending loss of her father? Is it a story of a woman who wants to live the high life and decides that the quickest and easiest way to do that is on her back? What did this book want to be? It tried to be too much and ended up not being much at all.
For example...
February 21, 2016
I read this book because it was offered as a "deal". The narrator/"heroine" of this tale is not, to my mind, a sympathetic character. She deludes herself when she persuades herself that saying "no" to one man puts her in some control of her relations with others.
The book would have benefitted from some fact-checking. Jack Daniels is not Scotch. It's another sort of whiskey, altogether.
The book would have benefitted from some fact-checking. Jack Daniels is not Scotch. It's another sort of whiskey, altogether.
August 10, 2021
Enjoyable
This book had me feeling sorry for the main female character. Her life just seemed like such a train wreck. But at the same time, I loved seeing her grow into a stronger person for it all.
This book had me feeling sorry for the main female character. Her life just seemed like such a train wreck. But at the same time, I loved seeing her grow into a stronger person for it all.
July 29, 2022
I read this in one sitting while riding in a car on vacation. I loved that Joanie took ownership of what she enjoyed, whether she thought she did or not. I wouldn’t mind being a bit like Joanie. Think of that what you will.
August 25, 2024
This was so bad it was almost worth reading but I abandoned it at 34%. You cannot expect me to believe that anyone drinks Jack Daniel's on the rocks, especially a man who is as posh as I'm supposed to believe Thierry is. But the two unbelievably terrible sex scenes were what made me give up.
August 2, 2018
Blah blah blah. I’m sorry but this book bored me half to death in the beginning I just couldn’t do it. It may be an amazing book but I will never know.
May 7, 2017
brought up some interesting ideas
i don't really know how this book ended up on my radar-- the prose was well done, many interesting ideas about politics, art, sex, and the lives we choose to live. not what i was expecting. and the resolution left something to be desired.
i don't really know how this book ended up on my radar-- the prose was well done, many interesting ideas about politics, art, sex, and the lives we choose to live. not what i was expecting. and the resolution left something to be desired.
July 12, 2015
I had to wait a few days before I wrote my review. The story is written well and the characters we get to know best certainly do leap off the page. But the story itself.....I did read the synopsis before beginning and it sounded intriguing, however, now that I'm on the other end of the last page....it just didn't completely resonate with me. I like to feel like I can connect with the main character, and Joanie....well, there's nothing of which I could connect with. Not to say that someone else won't, but personally, I didn't really like her as a character. And honestly, I think Johno was my favorite character, although I'm not very happy with some of his actions either. I can see the allure of that kind of lifestyle - tons of sex, living expensively, a slight break from reality. But it's that break from reality that seems to disturb me a bit. Not knowing the details about a Patron, for example, if he's married and, by being a Patron, cheating on his wife. That bothers me. And for Joanie, the break from the reality of knowing whether or not her father has passed. Honestly, to me, that's horrible. I get that people deal with death in their own way, and that she did struggle with it, but as far as I'm concerned, she didn't struggle enough.
Being set against the 2008 presidential election was lost on me as I am not a politics person. I thought since it's set in Washington D.C., and I've been there, that this would overshadow the politics for me. I wasn't so lucky, some of the conversations and Joanie's thoughts and feelings were so deeply political that it left my head spinning. Those parts I found boring and it made me not want to pick the book back up, which is part of why it took me so long to read it.
However, if you like politics, and your intrigued by the lifestyle of a kept woman, you should read it.
Being set against the 2008 presidential election was lost on me as I am not a politics person. I thought since it's set in Washington D.C., and I've been there, that this would overshadow the politics for me. I wasn't so lucky, some of the conversations and Joanie's thoughts and feelings were so deeply political that it left my head spinning. Those parts I found boring and it made me not want to pick the book back up, which is part of why it took me so long to read it.
However, if you like politics, and your intrigued by the lifestyle of a kept woman, you should read it.
July 23, 2015
I received a review copy
I have read others by Daniella Brodsky, though I knew simply from the cover and synopsis this would be pretty different from Princess of Park Avenue and Diary of a Working Girl. From the first few pages that was made pretty clear, as this book has a serious and more mature subject matter. Joanie is in the process of leaving her husband and turns to a different lifestyle – filled with sex, multiple men, and lavish gifts for her services. I struggled from the beginning to form a connection with Joanie. Sure our lifestyles are not similar, but something just felt off to me the whole time with her. The chapters and sections are also quite long, which in turn made this read at a slower pace for me. There is a lot of politics intermingled throughout the book, and I didn’t quite see the significance of that minor plot point. It was still a very interesting read and one that I thought could be quite thought-provoking, I just had a hard time keeping my attention focused on the book. I do love Brodsky’s other, lighter offerings though, and I hope to read more of those soon!
I have read others by Daniella Brodsky, though I knew simply from the cover and synopsis this would be pretty different from Princess of Park Avenue and Diary of a Working Girl. From the first few pages that was made pretty clear, as this book has a serious and more mature subject matter. Joanie is in the process of leaving her husband and turns to a different lifestyle – filled with sex, multiple men, and lavish gifts for her services. I struggled from the beginning to form a connection with Joanie. Sure our lifestyles are not similar, but something just felt off to me the whole time with her. The chapters and sections are also quite long, which in turn made this read at a slower pace for me. There is a lot of politics intermingled throughout the book, and I didn’t quite see the significance of that minor plot point. It was still a very interesting read and one that I thought could be quite thought-provoking, I just had a hard time keeping my attention focused on the book. I do love Brodsky’s other, lighter offerings though, and I hope to read more of those soon!
February 18, 2016
I enjoyed this book and found I did connect with Joanie. A lot of the people who wrote negative reviews disliked it because they didn't agree with the actions of the POV character. I went into the book thinking it was going to be a snapshot of sex work in DC, but to me it seemed more like a story about the long-lasting effects mental illness can have on a family.
Joanie's relationship with her mentally ill father is an overarching theme throughout the book and the main point of tension for me was wondering whether Joanie was going to manifest the disease herself. She reacts to situations oddly, has conversations with no one, and we get to observe her unusual thought processes and how she reaches conclusions about her life and her own morality throughout the book. I think it's definitely worth reading, but it wasn't one of those can't-put-it-down books for me.
Joanie's relationship with her mentally ill father is an overarching theme throughout the book and the main point of tension for me was wondering whether Joanie was going to manifest the disease herself. She reacts to situations oddly, has conversations with no one, and we get to observe her unusual thought processes and how she reaches conclusions about her life and her own morality throughout the book. I think it's definitely worth reading, but it wasn't one of those can't-put-it-down books for me.
June 14, 2016
this was one of those I thought was going to be better than it was.
Perhaps I expected a bit more about the sex trade in DC, but it ended up being more about the 'reason' why 'patrons' have been part of our culture for centuries - be it for sex, or art.
It is also the story of a young woman growing up in a dysfunctional family (isn't that all books now) and leaving a bad marriage and her continuing thoughts of 'what if'
I found it to be too preachy at times, her willingness, without any real compunction or afterthoughts, to have sex with strangers who gave her nice things, didn't strike me as real, but what do I know.
Something different. Not bad, not great. Probably why it was via bookbub so cheaply.
Perhaps I expected a bit more about the sex trade in DC, but it ended up being more about the 'reason' why 'patrons' have been part of our culture for centuries - be it for sex, or art.
It is also the story of a young woman growing up in a dysfunctional family (isn't that all books now) and leaving a bad marriage and her continuing thoughts of 'what if'
I found it to be too preachy at times, her willingness, without any real compunction or afterthoughts, to have sex with strangers who gave her nice things, didn't strike me as real, but what do I know.
Something different. Not bad, not great. Probably why it was via bookbub so cheaply.
February 9, 2016
It was a bit pretentious but interesting (though possibly not for the prudish, it wasn't overly graphic either).
It's a book about freedom. After her father's death, a woman leaves her middle class husband to find herself. She becomes a modern day courtesan, but does that make her free?
It's set against the backdrop of the 2008 American elections and delves into the philosophies around freedom, hope and change (which were all symbols Obama used that crop up again and again in the book). There's a lot of philosophising, some of it feels self-aggrandising and you just want her to get on with the plot but, hey, I did struggle to put it down so it can't be that bad ;)
It's a book about freedom. After her father's death, a woman leaves her middle class husband to find herself. She becomes a modern day courtesan, but does that make her free?
It's set against the backdrop of the 2008 American elections and delves into the philosophies around freedom, hope and change (which were all symbols Obama used that crop up again and again in the book). There's a lot of philosophising, some of it feels self-aggrandising and you just want her to get on with the plot but, hey, I did struggle to put it down so it can't be that bad ;)
September 25, 2017
Interesting but disjointed
I enjoyed the concept and the storyline, but something just didn't quite feel right. The characters had some emotional depth, but, apart from Joanie, their motivation seemed incongruent with their actions. I personally didn't connect with Brodsky's writing style either. The sentences were disjointed, and there were a lot of tense issues and run-ons. I often found myself rereading a passage for verification.
All in all I did enjoy the book and the interesting perspective of the patron system.
I enjoyed the concept and the storyline, but something just didn't quite feel right. The characters had some emotional depth, but, apart from Joanie, their motivation seemed incongruent with their actions. I personally didn't connect with Brodsky's writing style either. The sentences were disjointed, and there were a lot of tense issues and run-ons. I often found myself rereading a passage for verification.
All in all I did enjoy the book and the interesting perspective of the patron system.
May 2, 2016
I'll be honest, I originally decided to read this because it promised some slightly 'smutty' content that I could enjoy from a romance perspective, as well as a slightly more intellectualised take on things.
This book did manage all of that, but was neither smutty enough, nor intellectually stimulating enough to satisfy either of these desires. It just floated around in the middle instead.
I've also recently picked up a copy of Delta of Venus by Anaïs Nin and now that I've started reading that, I'm slightly offended that Brodsky dared to name her protagonist's alter ego 'Anaïs'.
This book did manage all of that, but was neither smutty enough, nor intellectually stimulating enough to satisfy either of these desires. It just floated around in the middle instead.
I've also recently picked up a copy of Delta of Venus by Anaïs Nin and now that I've started reading that, I'm slightly offended that Brodsky dared to name her protagonist's alter ego 'Anaïs'.
February 26, 2016
The Patrons
This work of fiction starts slowly, I didn't want to finish it, but I am glad that I did. It amazed me that a person can be so stifled and dead inside, only to walk away from it all and come into her own. The main character is really boring and borderline crazy to make the career choices that she makes. But, for this novel and this character it really works. It is a read once novel.
This work of fiction starts slowly, I didn't want to finish it, but I am glad that I did. It amazed me that a person can be so stifled and dead inside, only to walk away from it all and come into her own. The main character is really boring and borderline crazy to make the career choices that she makes. But, for this novel and this character it really works. It is a read once novel.
July 9, 2015
The Patrons
This is the story of an unsatisfied woman who is seeking to find her true self. (Aren`t we all?) She blunders into a new lifestyle as she attempts to analyze herself and life in general. At times tedious and puffed-up it was different and thought provoking. Not a book for every reader. R rated for language and theme.
This is the story of an unsatisfied woman who is seeking to find her true self. (Aren`t we all?) She blunders into a new lifestyle as she attempts to analyze herself and life in general. At times tedious and puffed-up it was different and thought provoking. Not a book for every reader. R rated for language and theme.
April 13, 2016
This book is described as witty and entertaining. Somehow I seemed to have missed both. A plodding story of the Connecticut housewife with a trailer park background who troves on to become a call girl to affluent DC men. As she searches for her true sell, one wonders why we should care. Definitely not high on my list of recommended reading
February 13, 2016
Talented Writer
This book turned out to be so contemporary which was so very surprising. Everything I love - introspective, romantic, without apology, political, current, and intelligent writing. What more can you ask for? Will seek out more Brodsky!
This book turned out to be so contemporary which was so very surprising. Everything I love - introspective, romantic, without apology, political, current, and intelligent writing. What more can you ask for? Will seek out more Brodsky!
March 4, 2016
Writing workshop assignment?
Had some deep meaningful "symbolism" shoehorned in to a hooker Cinderella story - this is not thoughtful La Traviata but a very forced portrayal of a dumb fantasy.
Had some deep meaningful "symbolism" shoehorned in to a hooker Cinderella story - this is not thoughtful La Traviata but a very forced portrayal of a dumb fantasy.
February 15, 2016
Good story line.
Just wasn't my cup tea you might say. I just didn't flow for me. Sorry , I love mysteries, thrillers.
Just wasn't my cup tea you might say. I just didn't flow for me. Sorry , I love mysteries, thrillers.
February 15, 2016
Difficult to get started.
Very hard to get started and to continue the read. Convoluted thoughts. Needs a more believable ending. Johno not so honorable.
Very hard to get started and to continue the read. Convoluted thoughts. Needs a more believable ending. Johno not so honorable.
February 23, 2016
I found this to be a surprisingly deep story ! Loved the characters and what each brought to the table to make this a good read ;-)
March 7, 2016
Not my favorite read. It was almost pretentious and came to a point where the rest of the story was rushed.
March 8, 2016
I absolutely loved the rawness of this book. While only bordering on the extreme, I thought this was perfectly put together.
March 28, 2016
I really liked it at the start but it got a bit deep and became more effort than I wanted to understand /enjoy it so I kinda lost interest
March 13, 2016
I expected this to be chick-lit, but was surprised by its philosophical depth and references to the art world.
Couldn't put it down.
Couldn't put it down.
April 25, 2016
Mildly interesting. A quick read but nothing I would recommend.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews