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The Corset Diaries
No woman in her right mind would consent to wearing a corset for a month. Especially a "skinny-challenged" woman like Tessa. But dreams of being debt-free dance in her head at the offer of appearing in a reality TV show. "A Month in the Life of a Victorian Duke" is about real people pretending to live on an English estate, circa 1879. And Tessa's leading man-a real-life Duke-is so handsome she can barely breathe, with or without the corset...
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 4, 2004
112 people are currently reading
2514 people want to read
About the author
Katie MacAlister
121 books5,975 followersFor as long as she can remember, Katie MacAlister has loved reading. Growing up in a family where a weekly visit to the library was a given, Katie spent much of her time with her nose buried in a book. Despite her love for novels, she didn't think of writing them until she was contracted to write a non-fiction book about software. Since her editor refused to allow her to include either witty dialogue or love scenes in the software book, Katie swiftly resolved to switch to fiction, where she could indulge in world building, tormenting characters, and falling madly in love with all her heroes.
Two years after she started writing novels, Katie sold her first romance, Noble Intentions. More than thirty books followed during the years after Noble's publication. Her novels have been translated into numerous languages, been recorded as audiobooks, received several awards, and placed on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. She also writes for the young adult audience as Katie Maxwell, and for the mystery world as Kate Marsh.
Katie lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and dogs, and can often be found lurking around online.
Two years after she started writing novels, Katie sold her first romance, Noble Intentions. More than thirty books followed during the years after Noble's publication. Her novels have been translated into numerous languages, been recorded as audiobooks, received several awards, and placed on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. She also writes for the young adult audience as Katie Maxwell, and for the mystery world as Kate Marsh.
Katie lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and dogs, and can often be found lurking around online.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 377 reviews
May 17, 2009
oh i really wanted to like this book. for starters i have found her aisling gray series to be really fun so far, but i just don't enjoy her straight up "romance" books and that is what this book is. the book started out rough and i had trouble staying focused between the historical nature of the setting and the thoroughly modern plots of her protagonist tessa. also her body issues get old - really quick. it got a bit better as an assortment of characters are introduced - but then really lost me when the plot dissolves into nothing -nothing but "oh isn't the male lead dreamy, oh we have hot sex, oh we have misunderstandings, oh we resolve everything and oh we now will live happily ever after - BORING.
February 5, 2017
It was a cute idea but there was more sex than story.
October 30, 2010
I picked up this book because the story idea seemed interesting, as did the idea of a plus sized heroine. While initially the story was intriguing, the story could have easily been 100 pages shorter. The story seemed to lag about mid-way through the book, and the author decided to fill the pages with sex. Other things that bugged me was the heroine's lack of self respect at times when it came to Max. Her whining about her weight eventually got old, especially when she kept complaining about it even after bedding Max. Some of the situations didn't seem believable, especially since she was so willing to jump into bed with Max even after getting furious with him. The other thing that surprised me is the actions that the two of them took in front of everyone else, such as the scene where the two of them practically humped via food during dinner. (She'd eat something phallic like in a seductive manner, he'd do the same with some other piece of food.) During such a scene you'd imagine that there would be plenty of cameras. In fact, you'd imagine that there'd be cameras galore since it's a reality show. But no- there's no cameras present unless it's a scene where the cameras specifically factored in. I would imagine that the two of them would act differently if there was a camera on them near 24/7.
I would have liked to see the last few chapters take place after the show was over, since the lead character would have had to deal with their new fame (both hers & his), as well as the "morning after" that always comes with reality show relationships. Such as it is, I found that I really couldn't imagine their relationship lasting after they returned to real life.
I would have liked to see the last few chapters take place after the show was over, since the lead character would have had to deal with their new fame (both hers & his), as well as the "morning after" that always comes with reality show relationships. Such as it is, I found that I really couldn't imagine their relationship lasting after they returned to real life.
February 18, 2018
This was a book-club read; I never would have picked it up on my own. It was supposed to be erotica, but, even though there is a lot of sex, it is really a romance...a bad romance. It feels a little like the author couldn't decide which one she wanted to write and so she tried to do both, but failed miserably. The 2 stars is generous.
The beginning is not so bad; although, the premise is a little silly. Tessa, an out-of-work genealogist (because THAT is a viable career), is chosen to be a "contestant" on a reality show that simulates the Victorian era. She isn't an actress and she does not apply for this opportunity. Instead, she gets a call out of the blue by her former gay roommate (which I didn't get right away - for some reason I thought he was a weird ex-boyfriend) who poorly explains that he wants her to come to England to play the role of American duchess. ALL the other upper class "contestants" are members of one family. Max, an architect who acts more like an actual Duke than a professional (because what professional do you know that can take a whole month off from their job?) brings his 12 year old daughter to the set, along with his sister and brother-in-law. I don't know how much reality stars get paid, but I'm willing to bet it isn't $10,000 for a month. And, if there is that much money at stake, they wouldn't choose some random, out-of-work American. There would be auditions.
The beginning has some funny moments, although there are are a few too many fart jokes for my tastes. At first Tessa seemed okay. She was a little too self-conscious about her body (which was okay in the beginning, but got REALLY annoying as the book went on). However, I have some things to say about that:
For an erotica, there is a shocking lack of sex, even though and for a romance, there is a shameful lack of depth in their relationship. SPOILER ALERT: Tessa and Max end up getting it on. No big surprise; sorry if I ruined that for you. Their relationship is completely unrealistic, especially because of the complication of Melody, and there are zero romantic sparks. Their relationship is entirely built on lust.
All of the characters in this book were annoying and not sympathetic in any way. By the end of the book, I hated them all. It got so boring I wanted to bang my head against the wall. I had to put the audio up to 3.00 in order to finish it so I could count it as having been read. Max and Tessa get together immediately and then the rest of the book is just stupid, contrived situations to drag the story forward. If this book wanted to be erotica, it needed more explicit sex. If this book wanted to romance, it needed more...well, it needed more romance. As it stands, it is a complete waste of time.
The beginning is not so bad; although, the premise is a little silly. Tessa, an out-of-work genealogist (because THAT is a viable career), is chosen to be a "contestant" on a reality show that simulates the Victorian era. She isn't an actress and she does not apply for this opportunity. Instead, she gets a call out of the blue by her former gay roommate (which I didn't get right away - for some reason I thought he was a weird ex-boyfriend) who poorly explains that he wants her to come to England to play the role of American duchess. ALL the other upper class "contestants" are members of one family. Max, an architect who acts more like an actual Duke than a professional (because what professional do you know that can take a whole month off from their job?) brings his 12 year old daughter to the set, along with his sister and brother-in-law. I don't know how much reality stars get paid, but I'm willing to bet it isn't $10,000 for a month. And, if there is that much money at stake, they wouldn't choose some random, out-of-work American. There would be auditions.
The beginning has some funny moments, although there are are a few too many fart jokes for my tastes. At first Tessa seemed okay. She was a little too self-conscious about her body (which was okay in the beginning, but got REALLY annoying as the book went on). However, I have some things to say about that:
For an erotica, there is a shocking lack of sex, even though and for a romance, there is a shameful lack of depth in their relationship. SPOILER ALERT: Tessa and Max end up getting it on. No big surprise; sorry if I ruined that for you. Their relationship is completely unrealistic, especially because of the complication of Melody, and there are zero romantic sparks. Their relationship is entirely built on lust.
All of the characters in this book were annoying and not sympathetic in any way. By the end of the book, I hated them all. It got so boring I wanted to bang my head against the wall. I had to put the audio up to 3.00 in order to finish it so I could count it as having been read. Max and Tessa get together immediately and then the rest of the book is just stupid, contrived situations to drag the story forward. If this book wanted to be erotica, it needed more explicit sex. If this book wanted to romance, it needed more...well, it needed more romance. As it stands, it is a complete waste of time.
January 6, 2019
This book was fun to read. It had its crazy moments, hoy sexy moments and just sweet ones.
October 3, 2008
FUNNY! Loved this book. I have read every Katie MacAlister book I can get my hands on. Just love her writing style. Love that her lead characters are so relateable.
In this book the lead character agrees to go on a reality show and it's just a hoot. I may have to reread this one again one of these days. Just thinking about all the crazy stuff that happens makes me smile.
In this book the lead character agrees to go on a reality show and it's just a hoot. I may have to reread this one again one of these days. Just thinking about all the crazy stuff that happens makes me smile.
March 2, 2018
Well, I gave it a good go. Got to 50% but this is seriously one of the worst books that I have ever read in my entire life.
February 16, 2018
Ok, for my bookclub members who don't want to be spoiled before we meet next week, please stop reading now. For anyone else, please continue.
As a bookclub selection, given the topic, I feel that this was a poor choice. There are so many other books that would have fit the erotica genre better than this one did. I feel that next week's bookclub discussion will be a lively discussion. Can't wait to share with others my thoughts and feelings on this book.
As a bookclub selection, given the topic, I feel that this was a poor choice. There are so many other books that would have fit the erotica genre better than this one did. I feel that next week's bookclub discussion will be a lively discussion. Can't wait to share with others my thoughts and feelings on this book.
February 27, 2013
I have one word for this book, shenanigans. It is one long string of crazy mishaps, tied together to vaguely resemble a plot. This has been my experience with two other MacAlister books (Noble Destiny and Noble Intentions). But neither of those was as poorly constructed as this one, which was trying way too hard to be funny, by having as many eccentric characters, and silly accidents as possible.
The main character, Tessa your quintessential Mary Sue, is tiresome as well as overly self-deprecating. After about one page in, I wanted to scream “We get it; you think you’re unbelievably huge.” This was a view she pretty much kept the entire book, even while people were disagreeing, and picking her huge self up in their arms. I could not get a clear picture of this woman in my mind. I mean is she Precious or more along the lines of Queen Latifah. I settled with Ms. Latifah, but it didn’t make the incessant reminders less annoying. Speaking of incessant reminders, there was also the matter of corsets, which just gave Tessa more opportunity to complain about how “fleshy” she was.
Now onto the discussion of the male lead. Who really had few characteristics other than being an overly protective father, and being instantly attracted to women the size of baby belugas. This wouldn’t have been the worst thing, if there was something actually keeping our hero and heroine apart. Unfortunately the only bump in their smooth relationship was the that Max found horseback riding dangerous (which can be true) and Tessa thought it was fine and apparently inhumane to deny his daughter the opportunity to do it. I just didn’t get it. Maybe its because I pretty much don’t like horses except when viewing them at a distance. I didn’t see a problem with Max not wanting his daughter to ride a horse, but none the less it became the only detriment to their relationship. Although it didn’t hold Max back much, considering even though he was often angry with Tessa he would put that aside to have sexual relations with her. Even before they had a real conversation he decided he needed to have sex with her, inexplicably. The chain of events had been: Tessa barfs on Max-Tessa farts loudly in front of Max-They fight because Tessa thinks Melody should be allowed to horseback ride-they make-out while naked. Now maybe that makes sense to some people, but it made no sense to me. There was no relationship development, they just started having sex cause well Katie MacAlister wanted them to I guess.
I also wished we could have heard about how the show went. I was curious to see what the viewers would think.
The main character, Tessa your quintessential Mary Sue, is tiresome as well as overly self-deprecating. After about one page in, I wanted to scream “We get it; you think you’re unbelievably huge.” This was a view she pretty much kept the entire book, even while people were disagreeing, and picking her huge self up in their arms. I could not get a clear picture of this woman in my mind. I mean is she Precious or more along the lines of Queen Latifah. I settled with Ms. Latifah, but it didn’t make the incessant reminders less annoying. Speaking of incessant reminders, there was also the matter of corsets, which just gave Tessa more opportunity to complain about how “fleshy” she was.
Now onto the discussion of the male lead. Who really had few characteristics other than being an overly protective father, and being instantly attracted to women the size of baby belugas. This wouldn’t have been the worst thing, if there was something actually keeping our hero and heroine apart. Unfortunately the only bump in their smooth relationship was the that Max found horseback riding dangerous (which can be true) and Tessa thought it was fine and apparently inhumane to deny his daughter the opportunity to do it. I just didn’t get it. Maybe its because I pretty much don’t like horses except when viewing them at a distance. I didn’t see a problem with Max not wanting his daughter to ride a horse, but none the less it became the only detriment to their relationship. Although it didn’t hold Max back much, considering even though he was often angry with Tessa he would put that aside to have sexual relations with her. Even before they had a real conversation he decided he needed to have sex with her, inexplicably. The chain of events had been: Tessa barfs on Max-Tessa farts loudly in front of Max-They fight because Tessa thinks Melody should be allowed to horseback ride-they make-out while naked. Now maybe that makes sense to some people, but it made no sense to me. There was no relationship development, they just started having sex cause well Katie MacAlister wanted them to I guess.
I also wished we could have heard about how the show went. I was curious to see what the viewers would think.
May 24, 2011
I think I may have pulled a muscle. In my throat. See, I was reading the book late at night, and something got particularly funny - so funny that under usual circumstances I would have been howling with laughter, only it was after midnight, and people were sleeping, so I settled for clutching my abdomen and wheezing in a rather animated manner.
Such is the magic of Katie MacAlister's romance novel, The Corset Diaries, which had me from the time I read the cover. The front of the cover, which says "He was so handsome she could barely breathe. Or maybe it was just the corset ...." That the back provided an excellent premise was a bonus. Turns out that our heroine has been roped into flying to England to spend one month pretending to be a duchess during the Victorian era for a reality television show, filling in at the last minute for a woman named Cynthia who backed out of the role for reasons we don't learn until roughly 3/4 of the way through the book. Our heroine is a tall, plump 39-year old widow who gets paired with a taller, completely hot 34-year old divorced Englishman. I'd say that sparks immediately fly, but in fact, it is chunks that immediately fly when Tessa throws up on Max's shoes as they are introduced. And all I can say about her second meeting with Max is that she is very lucky there weren't any sparks in the vicinity, since she'd had beans on toast for breakfast, then been laced into a very tight corset, then bent over to pet the dog. If you think I'm implying that she, um, dealt it, then you are correct. (Fortunately, I read that scene the other night and at an early enough time that stealth laughter was not required. I guffawed for at least a full minute and had to wipe tears from my face afterward.)
The humor in this book was a complete gift, and I'm extremely glad I found and read it. I have a few quibbles with it, mind - there are at least two passages where Max and/or Tessa engages in rather detailed discussion of what they'd like to do (or have done) sexually that I found strained my credulity (really, I don't think that people go on like that under the particular circumstances in which they engage), and I'm still not entirely certain why the characters fell in love, really (Tessa believes in love at first sight, and Max seems put out at having fallen for her - perhaps it's her charming American ways?), but if one is in the mood for a light, humorous romance, this is your book.
I will be looking for other books by Katie MacAllister, who appears to specialize in contemporary romances that combine various role-playing sorts of scenarios. (E.g., Hard Day's Knight takes place at a Renaissance Faire, and Men in Kilts at a mystery conference.) I am looking forward to reading more of her stuff. You know, as soon as my throat muscles feel up to it.
Such is the magic of Katie MacAlister's romance novel, The Corset Diaries, which had me from the time I read the cover. The front of the cover, which says "He was so handsome she could barely breathe. Or maybe it was just the corset ...." That the back provided an excellent premise was a bonus. Turns out that our heroine has been roped into flying to England to spend one month pretending to be a duchess during the Victorian era for a reality television show, filling in at the last minute for a woman named Cynthia who backed out of the role for reasons we don't learn until roughly 3/4 of the way through the book. Our heroine is a tall, plump 39-year old widow who gets paired with a taller, completely hot 34-year old divorced Englishman. I'd say that sparks immediately fly, but in fact, it is chunks that immediately fly when Tessa throws up on Max's shoes as they are introduced. And all I can say about her second meeting with Max is that she is very lucky there weren't any sparks in the vicinity, since she'd had beans on toast for breakfast, then been laced into a very tight corset, then bent over to pet the dog. If you think I'm implying that she, um, dealt it, then you are correct. (Fortunately, I read that scene the other night and at an early enough time that stealth laughter was not required. I guffawed for at least a full minute and had to wipe tears from my face afterward.)
The humor in this book was a complete gift, and I'm extremely glad I found and read it. I have a few quibbles with it, mind - there are at least two passages where Max and/or Tessa engages in rather detailed discussion of what they'd like to do (or have done) sexually that I found strained my credulity (really, I don't think that people go on like that under the particular circumstances in which they engage), and I'm still not entirely certain why the characters fell in love, really (Tessa believes in love at first sight, and Max seems put out at having fallen for her - perhaps it's her charming American ways?), but if one is in the mood for a light, humorous romance, this is your book.
I will be looking for other books by Katie MacAllister, who appears to specialize in contemporary romances that combine various role-playing sorts of scenarios. (E.g., Hard Day's Knight takes place at a Renaissance Faire, and Men in Kilts at a mystery conference.) I am looking forward to reading more of her stuff. You know, as soon as my throat muscles feel up to it.
June 19, 2008
This author writes a lot of paranormal romance, but I REALLY like her writing style so I have read two of her straight up romances. I want to stress that I don't generally read straight up romances, but I will make the exception for MacAlister and for MaryJanice Davidson because I like their writing styles.
This book is just flat out funny. The heroine likes to banter when having sex or foreplay and the dialog had me in stitches. The heroine is not your typical woman either. She's 39, 5'11" and a size 18 with body issues, plus she's widowed. Her life changes when her gay friend working for a British reality tv station asks her to play the role of a Victorian duchess.
Part of the humor is in the interaction between the various characters and in the hijinks that result from 21st century people trying to pretend to do everything like 19th century Victorians.
Plus, the sex scenes while humorous because of the dialog still work because the author really knows how to write a good sex scene. My only pet peeve is the use of the word lave. I just hate that word. I vow to never use it in a sex scene or out of it.
Other than that, the book is good to read if you are feeling a little down and want to get the juices flowing so to speak.
I also highly recommend her Aisling Gray series and her Dark ones series (earlier writing so not as polished but still enjoyable).
This book is just flat out funny. The heroine likes to banter when having sex or foreplay and the dialog had me in stitches. The heroine is not your typical woman either. She's 39, 5'11" and a size 18 with body issues, plus she's widowed. Her life changes when her gay friend working for a British reality tv station asks her to play the role of a Victorian duchess.
Part of the humor is in the interaction between the various characters and in the hijinks that result from 21st century people trying to pretend to do everything like 19th century Victorians.
Plus, the sex scenes while humorous because of the dialog still work because the author really knows how to write a good sex scene. My only pet peeve is the use of the word lave. I just hate that word. I vow to never use it in a sex scene or out of it.
Other than that, the book is good to read if you are feeling a little down and want to get the juices flowing so to speak.
I also highly recommend her Aisling Gray series and her Dark ones series (earlier writing so not as polished but still enjoyable).
September 27, 2007
too bad the so called "reality" shows don't do things like in this very funny book about the filming of a ficticious one. This was a laugh out loud read for me. I especially enjoyedthe fact that the heroine was NOT 21, tall, thin, blond, tan, a genius and rich. This heroine is a little more based in what "most" of us women look like. You know, with a SHAPE that you can tell is not that of a boy in the final stages of malnourishment.
I have enjoyed most of Katie's books since they were recommended to me while standing in line at Borders to pay for another stack of books.
Yes, I admit it, I have a serious book addiction, and my husband, daughter and grandkids are threatening an "intervention" and forcing me into re-hab and a 12-step program to try to get me over it. :o)
My addiction is so all encompassing that my Mum once said that if toilet tissue had writing on it they'd never get me out of the bathroom because I'd have to read the entire roll.
Still, Katie is an enjoyable vice, so shoulder up to the bookcase and knock back one of her books
I have enjoyed most of Katie's books since they were recommended to me while standing in line at Borders to pay for another stack of books.
Yes, I admit it, I have a serious book addiction, and my husband, daughter and grandkids are threatening an "intervention" and forcing me into re-hab and a 12-step program to try to get me over it. :o)
My addiction is so all encompassing that my Mum once said that if toilet tissue had writing on it they'd never get me out of the bathroom because I'd have to read the entire roll.
Still, Katie is an enjoyable vice, so shoulder up to the bookcase and knock back one of her books
May 18, 2010
I was being generous giving 2 stars...terrible, terrible, terrible. Not realistic, no development of characters, main heroine is irritating and talks too much.
February 28, 2011
The concept of this book really caught my attention. I enjoy historical romance and loved the premise of a modern day reality show where the participants lived like they did 125 years ago in Victorian England. Brilliant! Sadly, it just didn't work for me.
I think if you read this book and think of it in terms of a screwball comedy, you may enjoy it. All the the characters are stereotypes and caricatures. The situations are bawdy and outrageous. Lots of jokes about farts and barfing. Oh yes, you read that right. A lot of it was funny but after a while it was too much, even boring. How many barf situations can you have before it gets mundane?
The heroine, who is playing the Duchess, is Tessa, a 39 year old, 5 ft. 11 in., size 18, widow. Yes, size 18. She will remind you of this the entire book. Oh, I'm so chunky, oh, I'm so squishy. Oh, she was so annoying. She was totally unlikable. If she didn't constantly remind the reader that she was 39, I would have guessed early 20's. She was so immature, in the way she acting and in the things she said. She even thinks she shouldn't be with Max because she's too old for him. He's 34, she's 39. Give me a break. Especially since her deceased husband was twenty years older than her!
She is not written as a woman who had faced many trials in her life. There is no character progression for her. At first, I thought she would be a self conscience wallflower who would learn to love herself and find love again through the course of the book. What we see is pretty self absorbed and quite nasty. She picks fights with a 12 year old. She constantly berates her fleshy appearance, yet she's naked with the pretend Duke, Max, the first night after they meet. She doesn't want to kiss Max with tongue because it's too intimate, but she has no qualms about, umm, servicing him in other ways.
Why would these two people, Tessa and Max, be interested in each other? I never really understand that. The only thing they seem to have in common is sex, something they do often. She's mean and babbles non stop, he is just boring, never seeing a personality. They fight and argue (over things that are really important, like his daughter's safety)and they always end up back in bed. It's not good make up after an argument sex, it was let's pause our argument, get it on, then go back to fighting, the author has a sex quota she has to make.
There were so many supporting characters that they all got lost on me. They were all stereotypes you would see on reality shows. The sex crazy ho, the hypochondriac, the loony, the harsh task master, the two faced meanie, the sweet innocent, the jealous ex.
This book had it's moments of madcap hilarity. It wasn't all bad, had some genuinely funny moments. It just wasn't enough and didn't work in the end as a whole. Maybe this would have been better as a short story or novella, because the events seemed force through much of the middle and end. I think I would have rather watched this reality show than read about it.
I think if you read this book and think of it in terms of a screwball comedy, you may enjoy it. All the the characters are stereotypes and caricatures. The situations are bawdy and outrageous. Lots of jokes about farts and barfing. Oh yes, you read that right. A lot of it was funny but after a while it was too much, even boring. How many barf situations can you have before it gets mundane?
The heroine, who is playing the Duchess, is Tessa, a 39 year old, 5 ft. 11 in., size 18, widow. Yes, size 18. She will remind you of this the entire book. Oh, I'm so chunky, oh, I'm so squishy. Oh, she was so annoying. She was totally unlikable. If she didn't constantly remind the reader that she was 39, I would have guessed early 20's. She was so immature, in the way she acting and in the things she said. She even thinks she shouldn't be with Max because she's too old for him. He's 34, she's 39. Give me a break. Especially since her deceased husband was twenty years older than her!
She is not written as a woman who had faced many trials in her life. There is no character progression for her. At first, I thought she would be a self conscience wallflower who would learn to love herself and find love again through the course of the book. What we see is pretty self absorbed and quite nasty. She picks fights with a 12 year old. She constantly berates her fleshy appearance, yet she's naked with the pretend Duke, Max, the first night after they meet. She doesn't want to kiss Max with tongue because it's too intimate, but she has no qualms about, umm, servicing him in other ways.
Why would these two people, Tessa and Max, be interested in each other? I never really understand that. The only thing they seem to have in common is sex, something they do often. She's mean and babbles non stop, he is just boring, never seeing a personality. They fight and argue (over things that are really important, like his daughter's safety)and they always end up back in bed. It's not good make up after an argument sex, it was let's pause our argument, get it on, then go back to fighting, the author has a sex quota she has to make.
There were so many supporting characters that they all got lost on me. They were all stereotypes you would see on reality shows. The sex crazy ho, the hypochondriac, the loony, the harsh task master, the two faced meanie, the sweet innocent, the jealous ex.
This book had it's moments of madcap hilarity. It wasn't all bad, had some genuinely funny moments. It just wasn't enough and didn't work in the end as a whole. Maybe this would have been better as a short story or novella, because the events seemed force through much of the middle and end. I think I would have rather watched this reality show than read about it.
January 7, 2009
The Corset Diaries could have been a lot better. Tessa is the main character. She is invited by a friend (who we never hear from again) to join a reality tv show and pretend to be from the Victorian Era. The concept was interesting, but it fell flat for me.
More often than not, I was annoyed by Tessa. She never shuts up and sticks her nose in other people's business when she has met them not 10 minutes before. I found myself cringing several times at her almost rude behavior. Also, I did not find the development of Tessa and Max's relationship to be believable. In a little over 24 hours of meeting him, Tessa is already giving and receiving sexual acts with Max. Tessa, who admits to feeling like she wanted to vomit the few times she has been kissed since her husbands death, but is perfectly willing to perform oral sex on Max. She even stupidly states she feels it is not as intimate as kissing. Whatever.
Don't get me wrong, there were some pretty funny parts in this book. But for the most part, it was disappointing.
More often than not, I was annoyed by Tessa. She never shuts up and sticks her nose in other people's business when she has met them not 10 minutes before. I found myself cringing several times at her almost rude behavior. Also, I did not find the development of Tessa and Max's relationship to be believable. In a little over 24 hours of meeting him, Tessa is already giving and receiving sexual acts with Max. Tessa, who admits to feeling like she wanted to vomit the few times she has been kissed since her husbands death, but is perfectly willing to perform oral sex on Max. She even stupidly states she feels it is not as intimate as kissing. Whatever.
Don't get me wrong, there were some pretty funny parts in this book. But for the most part, it was disappointing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2018
I DNF’d at and I quote “Max is a boob.” I just couldn’t...... I gave it a 1 star because I laughed at the beginning once. Then it gave me stress hives.
June 1, 2020
Ooooof. This was a rough read.
Positives: A main character who is considered beautiful even though she's not thin.
Negatives: Everything else. The main character is not as charming or funny as the author intended. She, herself, is way too hung up on her weight when it is a non-issue to most people around her. The characters were either flat or what depth was given to them made the so unlikable I was rolling my eyes at every person discussed on the page. The sexy parts weren't sexy to me. The main character was a bully who pressured everyone to fall to HER way of thinking from telling a father how to raise his daughter to cajoling this same man into "confessing" he's in love with her.
I love potty humor, fart jokes, and drunk characters as much as the next person. But the author sucked all the fun out of them by having them happen to people so annoying.
NOPE.
Positives: A main character who is considered beautiful even though she's not thin.
Negatives: Everything else. The main character is not as charming or funny as the author intended. She, herself, is way too hung up on her weight when it is a non-issue to most people around her. The characters were either flat or what depth was given to them made the so unlikable I was rolling my eyes at every person discussed on the page. The sexy parts weren't sexy to me. The main character was a bully who pressured everyone to fall to HER way of thinking from telling a father how to raise his daughter to cajoling this same man into "confessing" he's in love with her.
I love potty humor, fart jokes, and drunk characters as much as the next person. But the author sucked all the fun out of them by having them happen to people so annoying.
NOPE.
April 28, 2018
2.5 Stars
I enjoyed MacAlister’s Aisling Grey series so I thought I would check out some of her other work. But the Aisling Grey series was definitely better than this book. The Corset Diaries did have some funny moments, but all of the humor was based on awkward and embarrassing situation which were sometimes more uncomfortable than they were funny.
Through some contrived circumstances, Tessa ends up on a reality tv show where people have to pretend to live in Victorian times. Luckily, she gets to play the part of Duchess. And of course, the guy playing her Duke is ridiculously perfect, and she gets a huge case of instalust for him. The story is told in diary format as Tessa journals about her experiences on the show. It was a cute story though definitely more generic than some of her other work.
The main problem I have with The Corset Diaries is that Tessa has insurmountable body image issues. She sees herself as fat and is constantly embarrassed and self-derogatory about it. All of the obsessive weight shaming was like Bridget Jones's Diary and constantly put a negative cloud over the story. The steamy scenes were all ruined because Tessa literally could not engage in any physical contact without freaking out about her body. Even late in the story she was still continuously comparing her body to other women’s and expecting rejection because of her body shape. And she stonewalled any attempt at reassurances. It might have been ok if Tessa had had any sort of self-actualization moment of acceptance. But you know what? She never really did. She just kind of decreased the amount of time talking about her insecurities. But she never overcame them. So while some of the story was entertaining, the whole thing was tainted by her demoralizing body image. Her identity was too tied up in those doubts to allow her personality to show through. So despite the typical Chick Lit happy ending, the overall message of the story was extremely negative, and I just cannot rate this book higher.
RATING FACTORS:
Ease of Reading: 4 Stars
Writing Style: 2 Stars
Characters and Character Development: 2 Stars
Plot Structure and Development: 3 Stars
Level of Captivation: 3 Stars
Originality: 2 Stars
I enjoyed MacAlister’s Aisling Grey series so I thought I would check out some of her other work. But the Aisling Grey series was definitely better than this book. The Corset Diaries did have some funny moments, but all of the humor was based on awkward and embarrassing situation which were sometimes more uncomfortable than they were funny.
Through some contrived circumstances, Tessa ends up on a reality tv show where people have to pretend to live in Victorian times. Luckily, she gets to play the part of Duchess. And of course, the guy playing her Duke is ridiculously perfect, and she gets a huge case of instalust for him. The story is told in diary format as Tessa journals about her experiences on the show. It was a cute story though definitely more generic than some of her other work.
The main problem I have with The Corset Diaries is that Tessa has insurmountable body image issues. She sees herself as fat and is constantly embarrassed and self-derogatory about it. All of the obsessive weight shaming was like Bridget Jones's Diary and constantly put a negative cloud over the story. The steamy scenes were all ruined because Tessa literally could not engage in any physical contact without freaking out about her body. Even late in the story she was still continuously comparing her body to other women’s and expecting rejection because of her body shape. And she stonewalled any attempt at reassurances. It might have been ok if Tessa had had any sort of self-actualization moment of acceptance. But you know what? She never really did. She just kind of decreased the amount of time talking about her insecurities. But she never overcame them. So while some of the story was entertaining, the whole thing was tainted by her demoralizing body image. Her identity was too tied up in those doubts to allow her personality to show through. So despite the typical Chick Lit happy ending, the overall message of the story was extremely negative, and I just cannot rate this book higher.
RATING FACTORS:
Ease of Reading: 4 Stars
Writing Style: 2 Stars
Characters and Character Development: 2 Stars
Plot Structure and Development: 3 Stars
Level of Captivation: 3 Stars
Originality: 2 Stars
June 22, 2017
The Corset Diaries has all trademarks of Katie MacAlister's style.
What I Liked?
+ Heroine does not have perfect body and is unsure in her appearance, but thanks to hero's support she gains her confidence.
+ The idea of contemporary people reenacting Victorian way of life.
+ Heroine is blabbermouth (KMA's trademark.)
+ Hero is a single parent.
+ Cast of quirky side characters. (Another KMA's trademark.)
What could have been better?
- Hero is perfectly handsome. I would have liked him to be just an ordinary looking guy.
- Characters are like caricatures with over-played personal flaws and traits.
- Insta-lust and then zap it was insta-love...
The Corset Diaries reminded me of Austenland, but with better humor and romance. I just wish the problems of modern people living in Victorian age were more described. Still, a fun, light romance novel perfect for the summer.
What I Liked?
+ Heroine does not have perfect body and is unsure in her appearance, but thanks to hero's support she gains her confidence.
+ The idea of contemporary people reenacting Victorian way of life.
+ Heroine is blabbermouth (KMA's trademark.)
+ Hero is a single parent.
+ Cast of quirky side characters. (Another KMA's trademark.)
What could have been better?
- Hero is perfectly handsome. I would have liked him to be just an ordinary looking guy.
- Characters are like caricatures with over-played personal flaws and traits.
- Insta-lust and then zap it was insta-love...
The Corset Diaries reminded me of Austenland, but with better humor and romance. I just wish the problems of modern people living in Victorian age were more described. Still, a fun, light romance novel perfect for the summer.
March 25, 2011
This was a very funny book! I did actually LOL. Have you seen those reality shows where a group of people pretend to go back in time and live the life 24/7 for a week or a month, such as Regency or Colonial or even Victorian times. This book starts with that premise and we get a peek at the behind the scenes action.
Max, our pretend Duke, is actually descended from a Duke and Tessa, his American Duchess, is actually descended from one of the "Dollar Duchesses" from the late 1800's. They meet and fall in love, but each has personal baggage to overcome.
The servants are volunteers but each has his or her own agenda and that adds to the mayhem.
How these people lasted a month is astounding but also very funny.
My only complaint is that the ending was too abrupt, as if KM didn't quite know how to end it. Of course, there was a HEA but it didn't end gracefully IMO. Still the laughs far outweighed the ending, so if you're in the mood for something funny, give this one a go.
Max, our pretend Duke, is actually descended from a Duke and Tessa, his American Duchess, is actually descended from one of the "Dollar Duchesses" from the late 1800's. They meet and fall in love, but each has personal baggage to overcome.
The servants are volunteers but each has his or her own agenda and that adds to the mayhem.
How these people lasted a month is astounding but also very funny.
My only complaint is that the ending was too abrupt, as if KM didn't quite know how to end it. Of course, there was a HEA but it didn't end gracefully IMO. Still the laughs far outweighed the ending, so if you're in the mood for something funny, give this one a go.
March 27, 2018
Absolutely laugh-out-loud funny.
Tessa, a curvy American, is convinced to go on a reality show to recreate the life of a Victorian-era duchess — complete with servants to wait on her every need, and even a handsome duke too!
While the relationship does progress unbelievably fast, I loved the writing and the premise so I didn't care.
Tessa, a curvy American, is convinced to go on a reality show to recreate the life of a Victorian-era duchess — complete with servants to wait on her every need, and even a handsome duke too!
While the relationship does progress unbelievably fast, I loved the writing and the premise so I didn't care.
December 6, 2012
I really wanted to like this because I love shows like Downton Abbey and Upstairs, Downstairs. I thought it would be a romance novel, but it was more of a slapstick comedy with a lot of silly love scenes thrown in just to fill space. And I got tired of the main character pretty quickly.
May 1, 2020
This was supposed to be another fat-lead read, and no matter how many times Tessa insists she’s hideously fat, she’s a size 18 — which is at “best” pretty much the average dress size of an American woman today, and at “worst” very much within the acceptable and/or “good fat” range. Ah, to suffer at the hands of another fat protagonist...
However, I MUST digress because none of the parameters of my fat project really matter when you’re dealing with a book as bad as this one. Only read this book if you are being paid money to do so. Cold, hard cash, no trade deals, hunty!!
This was genuinely embarrassing to read.
You know when you’re in 6th grade, and you’ve decided you want to be a writer when you grow up, so you start writing stories about Adults™, but unfortunately you’re twelve, so you’re just kinda winging it on what Adults™ sound like?
Remember the first time you wrote dialogue, and you thought, “I’m gonna make my characters fight! And I know what’ll make it really juicy... they will constantly interrupt each other. BUT they don’t actually stop talking, you see! You interrupt me-“
“I don’t see where you’re going with this, Emily.”
“-and I pick up my sentence right where I left off because I’m twelve, and I thinking ‘fighting’ means everyone says exactly what’s on their mind exactly as they think it, the moment they think it, and it doesn’t matter what the other person says!!! BECAUSE IT’S FUNNY!! Oh, please! LAUGH WITH ME!!!!”
You could feel the author patting herself on the back for any “””clever””” “word play” (lobotomy, now!) and the already-gratuitous sex scenes were weighed down with unbelievable and awkward monologuing. Every single sentence uttered in this book made me set down my Kindle in fear, shivering at the thought that this author is walking around writing books after somehow never ever in her life speaking to another human being!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hate this book. It was torture to read. Nothing is worse than a book that thinks it’s hilarious and it’s PAINFUL to look at. I’m pissed I was conned into reading this, and I’m pissed our main character says words like “poop” and “heck” in casual conversation!!!! SHE’S 39 YEARS OLD! ALSO SHE THINKS HER 34-YEAR-OLD LOVER IS TOO YOUNG FOR HER???? PLEASE GROW UP BEFORE I GROW YOU UP MYSELF YOU STUPID IDIOT OH MY GOD
anyway
However, I MUST digress because none of the parameters of my fat project really matter when you’re dealing with a book as bad as this one. Only read this book if you are being paid money to do so. Cold, hard cash, no trade deals, hunty!!
This was genuinely embarrassing to read.
You know when you’re in 6th grade, and you’ve decided you want to be a writer when you grow up, so you start writing stories about Adults™, but unfortunately you’re twelve, so you’re just kinda winging it on what Adults™ sound like?
Remember the first time you wrote dialogue, and you thought, “I’m gonna make my characters fight! And I know what’ll make it really juicy... they will constantly interrupt each other. BUT they don’t actually stop talking, you see! You interrupt me-“
“I don’t see where you’re going with this, Emily.”
“-and I pick up my sentence right where I left off because I’m twelve, and I thinking ‘fighting’ means everyone says exactly what’s on their mind exactly as they think it, the moment they think it, and it doesn’t matter what the other person says!!! BECAUSE IT’S FUNNY!! Oh, please! LAUGH WITH ME!!!!”
You could feel the author patting herself on the back for any “””clever””” “word play” (lobotomy, now!) and the already-gratuitous sex scenes were weighed down with unbelievable and awkward monologuing. Every single sentence uttered in this book made me set down my Kindle in fear, shivering at the thought that this author is walking around writing books after somehow never ever in her life speaking to another human being!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hate this book. It was torture to read. Nothing is worse than a book that thinks it’s hilarious and it’s PAINFUL to look at. I’m pissed I was conned into reading this, and I’m pissed our main character says words like “poop” and “heck” in casual conversation!!!! SHE’S 39 YEARS OLD! ALSO SHE THINKS HER 34-YEAR-OLD LOVER IS TOO YOUNG FOR HER???? PLEASE GROW UP BEFORE I GROW YOU UP MYSELF YOU STUPID IDIOT OH MY GOD
anyway
April 17, 2020
3.5*
Tessa is a plus sized American who goes on an English TV show. The show is designed to show how people (a Duke and his family and their servants) lives in the Victorian times. Tessa got the job because she was a distant relation to an American who married an English Duke. Max, who plays the Duke, is also a distant relation of the Duke who married the heiress.
Tessa's 1st person narration was laugh out loud funny. But (yeah you knew there was a but!), she was very self-conscious about the size of her body (she is 6ft and a size 18). When it came to Max, I liked the he was attracted to her just as she was. I also liked she was a little older than him (39 to 34). But, the 5 year gap mattered more to Tessa than it did to him. Which was very annoying considering Tessa's husband was 20 years older than her (who died from cancer 3 years prior).
This was a fun, escapist read.
I read this for Romance-opoly Spring square Moon track
Tessa is a plus sized American who goes on an English TV show. The show is designed to show how people (a Duke and his family and their servants) lives in the Victorian times. Tessa got the job because she was a distant relation to an American who married an English Duke. Max, who plays the Duke, is also a distant relation of the Duke who married the heiress.
Tessa's 1st person narration was laugh out loud funny. But (yeah you knew there was a but!), she was very self-conscious about the size of her body (she is 6ft and a size 18). When it came to Max, I liked the he was attracted to her just as she was. I also liked she was a little older than him (39 to 34). But, the 5 year gap mattered more to Tessa than it did to him. Which was very annoying considering Tessa's husband was 20 years older than her (who died from cancer 3 years prior).
This was a fun, escapist read.
I read this for Romance-opoly Spring square Moon track
January 15, 2019
a newbie author to me ... and i just enjoyed the narrators voice, Ann Marie Lee ... i am hoping she does other reads on Audible? i will see. great cover. funny story ... my Grandma did were a corset all of her life ... i guess she called it a girdle ... i always wondered how a lady of her size and being so elderly ... her fingers hurts so ... with arthritis ... and other health issues ... i am guessing that is was just a way of life that many of us don't get ... i guess somewhere along the time or line she was told or it was made her feel more lady like ... i never actually did ask ... now that she is gone i am curious? great listen. well done. hope to read more from Katie soon enough! ( ;
April 6, 2020
The first time I thought “I’m not sure if this ones for me” was when the protagonist said she was a size 18. I closed the book, looked at the cover, and read it again. I understand that the cover is an illustration but there’s no way in hell that cover model is a size 18. It wouldn’t be such a big deal if said protagonist didn’t constantly put herself down about her weight. I ended up DNFing this one because, well it was just annoying.
August 21, 2024
3.5! A coworker gave this to me and his explanation of the plot made it less than appealing (though he did say he liked it). I snagged the audiobook from my library and it was much more entertaining than I thought it would be! It had me laughing out loud multiple times! Definitely an eccentric setting, but a fun light hearted listen.
July 21, 2017
This book was really fun, with the right amount of mostly fluff that has a touch of depth. I really liked Tessa and Max, and the setting made the book a thousand times better. 4.3 stars. I wish there was another one.
January 26, 2021
Can we all agree that a woman being ashamed (to put it mildly) of being a US size 18 is not a storyline we should be incorporating into books? It’s not funny, cute, or interesting, it’s just sad and exhausting. This is a fully grown woman and from page one all I could think was “get it together”! We can do better than this.
June 11, 2019
How refreshing to read about a plus sized heroine who is more than just a bunch of stereotypes tied together. She is written as a complete person with a complete personality, who a handsome man falls in love with--no excuses for her size are needed or given.
The plot itself is fun and inventive, dipping into both the anglophile and cinephile genres with aplomb.
This was recommended by a close friend and I intend to pass it on to many others of mine as well!
The plot itself is fun and inventive, dipping into both the anglophile and cinephile genres with aplomb.
This was recommended by a close friend and I intend to pass it on to many others of mine as well!
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