A House East of Regent Street

by Pam Rosenthal

The future looks bright for former sailor Jack Merion. His wartime heroics have won him influential contacts, and his good looks and flair for business are definite assets. With funds to invest, he's on the brink of financial success in the high-stakes world of Regency London.And buying the house in Soho Square is a can't-miss opportunity. Once a fashionable brothel, the property will yield a good income in commercial rents and a clear path to the respectable life Jack has never known.There's only one problem - another prospective buyer. With a dark past, a desperate future, and some unmistakable assets of her own, Miss Cléo Myles is a formidable obstacle, one that Jack would be wise to steer clear of.But instead, he proposes a bargain that's as scandalous as it is irresistible.Five afternoons. Five rooms. Uncountable pleasures......In a neighborhood that's seen better days. And a house that's seen everything except love.

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Novella, Historical Fiction, Historical

158 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2004

About the author

A funny thing happened to San Francisco computer programmer and occasional essayist Pam Rosenthal: sometime in the late 1990s she became seized by an urge to write sexy period romance novels. She’d already published some erotica, buoyed by a wave of life-changing feminist discussion about what was possible, permissible, or just plain fun to say about female sexual desire. This led her to explore the history of sexual expression – and to think hard about what love has to do with sex and sex with love, and what sex and love have to do with freedom and respect between equals.

Or to put it another way, she’d begun taking on the big subjects at the heart of countless lives and also at the heart of romance fiction.

It was the experience of a lifetime, culminating in 2009 – which was when The Edge of Impropriety won Romance Writers of America’s RITA Award for Best Historical Romance. And also when Pam realized that she’d said all that she had to say, at least in novel form.

But happily, the books remain, while these days Pam works alongside Michael, her retired bookseller husband, at their copyediting business, P&M Editorial Services. P&M love editing romance (check out their website at pmeditorial.com) and recently they've begun lovingly reissuing selected, revised, and expanded versions of Pam’s romance fiction.

You can write to Pam at pam@pamrosenthal.com

Visit Pam on the web at pamrosenthal.com, on Twitter @pamrosenthal, and on Facebook

Find out about P&M Editorial Services at pmeditorial.com

Or check out Pam’s erotica-writing alter ego Molly Weatherfield, at mollyweatherfield.com

“Thank you for giving me so much to think about. Thank you for challenging me and for moving me. Thank you for having the courage to break so many conventions, to write something so complex and unique…” – DearAuthor.com, about The Slightest Provocation

Reviews

[Emmanuelle Maupassant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterful novella from one of historical romance's most accomplished writers: exquisite, intelligent, complex and bittersweet.

Devoured in a single sitting, I immediately had to dive in again, and the story has been haunting me ever since.  

Seemingly a simple tale of one man's 'last fling' before settling down, the story unfolds in the most unexpected way, as Jack and Cleo learn the contours not only of each other but themselves.

The erotic scenes are gorgeously rendered, and the characterisation vivid. It's so easy to enter the world Pam Rosenthal creates. Her hero and heroine are powerfully real, and it's impossible to pull away from these pages, as the truth of the past gradually unravels.    

Deeply satisfying, emotionally rich and beautifully written, one of my most memorable reads of recent years.

I've no doubt I'll be returning to this again soon. 

[Eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love when a novella packs a punch! This delivers the whole package- sexy times with an actual decent plot and excellent writing.

There were hints of Robin Schone and Juliana Ross- which, for me, anything that even comes close to that level is a winner.

Pretty cool twist at the end, likeable characters, but I wish this had been extended into a full length novel because both characters seemed to have lead incredible lives and I would have loved to get a detailed backstory. However, it worked fine as is and deserves the full 5 stars!

[Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

These two were so cute! This novella features a grumpy injured sailor hero and a female sex worker, who strike up a “deal” for five days with each other that turns into something more.

This book was so short, but I loved that the hero became less selfish over their time together, and they had a great emotional breakthrough. 🥺

I wish this had been longer though - there was some history there that I think could’ve more effective with some groundwork/hinting at earlier on.

[Rebecca Merlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5. Rated R. Regency Novella

What a great novella! I loved Jack and Cleo (Jenny).
He was an injured naval hero….she a prostitute. They strike a deal, sex for 5 days. Details…read it. With this premise I can’t believe I read this book. So glad I did.
The authors command of language is exquisite. Sex descriptions handled with class and finesse. So many feelings, I know and love both characters.
Totally enjoyed it. Will read again.

[Elizajane40 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautifully-written erotic fairy tale that ended on a deep and poetic note. Rosethal’s works somehow manage to give me a strong dose of saudade without wimping out on the HEA. I adore her.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. A 125 page novella. I already know Ms Rosenthal is a very capable writer, as I’ve previously read and enjoyed some of her earlier HRs. I can only give 2.5 stars for this one, as the subject material is not to my taste. A little unfair maybe, but personally I can't give any higher.

It’s an erotic read with an unexpected (to me) twist at the end, and a HEA. Cleo the FMC is a former prostitute who wants to obtain a house in London to open her own brothel. She and the MMC, Jack, (ex British Navy, now a savvy businessman) are attracted, and they make a business arrangement for Cleo to spend a few days providing her services to him in exchange for a reduced cost to the lease. That’s basically the story (except for the HEA). And it’s quite explicit.

I didn’t know all of this when I started reading the book. It soon became apparent though. But I decided to push on and try to finish it, because a) I have previously liked the writer’s work and b) it was short. I did manage to finish it, but yeah, no. Not my favourite subject matter. I would not read it again.

Readers who are open to quite explicit sex scenes, and are interested in what a Regency prostitute might get up to behind closed doors, may like it. It’s well written and feels historically right. It’s not trash. It’s just not to my taste. I am aware Pam Rosenthal has written the erotic S-M tale Carrie's Story under the name Molly Weatherfield, but I wasn’t expecting something quite so spicy in one of her HRs.

[Second · Rating 1 out of 5]

In a super meta twist, the author has very kindly reviewed a classic in this book, and it pretty much sums up my experience with this one.

A bawdy, colorful thing about silly, passionate people well past their primes. He rather liked it. But tonight it failed to hold his attention.

Damn right!

I almost exclusively read dark, rapey heroes. I love the genre and end up seeking more of the same (thanks, internalised misogyny). I regularly read about entitled and opportunistic men, and yet this bland idiot got on my last nerve.

Jack is pathetic. So is Cleo. I can't.

Yes, it's well written, but it's shallow as hell.

I did love one particular passage though (and it doesn't feature the hero)

He'd been a clever and an honest man. And he'd been so in love with her that he'd contented himself with her friendship, her admiration, and the pleasure she took in his company, both in and out of bed.

Nothing sharpens the senses like inequity in love. It's a hard thing, she thought, when the person less loved already possesses the finer sensibility.

[Debra Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t expect to fall so quickly into the world of A House East of Regent Street. The writing has that rare mix of atmosphere and heart it paints Regency London not as a stiff backdrop but as something alive, smoky, and full of promise. From the first few chapters, I could feel the tension between Jack and Cléo building like a slow burn.

Jack’s charm feels earned, not forced. And Cléo she’s the kind of heroine you root for instantly. The way their conversations shift between rivalry and attraction made it impossible to stop reading.

By the time their bargain unfolds, I wasn’t just entertained I was invested. This book doesn’t rush the romance; it lets you savor every glance and whispered line. Beautifully done.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting Use Of Butter!

This was okay, steamy and entertaining. I had a bit of a problem with Jack, I did not appreciate his anger at times. Cleo I liked, she was practical when it was needed. But I will say that ending I did not see coming! Honestly it was my favourite part, which I'm not sure says great things about the story as a whole.

[Viktoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pam Rosenthal is a good writer and this novella is not bad at all. The story just didn't click for me, but if you love the tropes of non-ballroom historical, an ex-courtesan herione and some hot afternoon delights, you might be in for a treat.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tone felt very period so it was cute when it made coy references in explicit scenes. The representation of sex workers, scarred soldiers and caregiving was also nice. I didn't expect the kdrama trope twist hahaha.

"Nothing sharpens the senses like inequity in love. "

[Laurie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t find the book particularly interesting. It was fine – a cute historical romance with a hint of grumpy and sunshine dynamic between the characters, which I usually enjoy. But overall, it just didn’t stand out to me. 2.75 out of 5 stars.

[Ida Wilcox · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was BORED and it was only a 200 page book or soo.
Audio book 2 hours.

BORED BORED BORED

I seriously think I am in a reading slump. ;(

[Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh!