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Temporary Mistress: A Novel
The Tattler - April 1802 It wouldn't surprise you, gentle readers, to learn that Dermott Ramsay, the earl of Bathurst and favorite of all ladies, married or otherwise, has a new paramour. What may surprise you is her name. For she is none other than Isabella Leslie! The same beauty of the sizable inheritance who prefers not the ton but books, maps, and the family shipping business. You may wonder how a picture of innocence ended up in the arms of a libertine. Truth to tell, Isabella had to flee from her scheming relatives in the rain-soaked night and seek refuge in London's most infamous brothel. There, with the help of the madam, she devised an unorthodox plan to escape a dreaded marriage bed. She would simply have to become unmarriageable--even if it meant public ruin. And who better to utterly ruin her in a mere week than a handsome rake famous for seductive skills? But gossip has it that Dermott may be developing a tendre for his temporary mistress. It makes for the most delicious speculation, does it not? For if it indeed is the case, what will happen when their week of pleasure is over? We urge you, dear readers, to do as we do--follow the affair closely, and with every hope that it will turn into this Season's most delicious scandal.
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 31, 2000
28 people are currently reading
448 people want to read
About the author
Susan Johnson
251 books573 followersAnd it all began rather serendipitously. Long ago, as they say, in another time, when fast food hadn't reached our area and the only shopping was what the feed mill offered, I was reading a book that annoyed me .
My husband was lying beside me in bed, watching TV. Turning to him, I sort of petulantly said, "How the hell did this book get published?"
"If you think you're so smart," he replied, with one eye still on the TV, "why don't you write a book?"
So I did. And very badly.
I've since learned how to do, he said, she said, and a great variety of other adverb heavy, sometimes lengthy explanations of why my characters are saying what they're saying, along with finally coming to an understanding of what things like POV means. Point of View for you non-writers}.
Although, I still don't fully comprehend why it matters if you switch POV and I cavalierly disregard it as much as possible. So while my technical skills have hopefully improved, what hasn't changed is my great joy in writing. There's as much pleasure today in listening to my characters talk while I type as fast as I can, as there was the first time I put dialogue to paper--in long-hand, then, in my leather bound sketch-book.
My husband was lying beside me in bed, watching TV. Turning to him, I sort of petulantly said, "How the hell did this book get published?"
"If you think you're so smart," he replied, with one eye still on the TV, "why don't you write a book?"
So I did. And very badly.
I've since learned how to do, he said, she said, and a great variety of other adverb heavy, sometimes lengthy explanations of why my characters are saying what they're saying, along with finally coming to an understanding of what things like POV means. Point of View for you non-writers}.
Although, I still don't fully comprehend why it matters if you switch POV and I cavalierly disregard it as much as possible. So while my technical skills have hopefully improved, what hasn't changed is my great joy in writing. There's as much pleasure today in listening to my characters talk while I type as fast as I can, as there was the first time I put dialogue to paper--in long-hand, then, in my leather bound sketch-book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
February 23, 2022
This started out so promising with the heroine escaping through a window from a wicked uncle that wants her to marry her yucky Cousin Thing at the reading of the will. It goes downhill from there with way too much sleazy sex and incomplete side stories.
She ends up at the nice brothel of a Madame with a heart of gold who comes up with what I think is a flawed plan to keep her horrible family from marrying her off: ruining her reputation so much even a schmuck like Cousin Thing won’t want her. Enter our damaged hero. He’s so good at sex and so desired by the married women of the Ton pantaloons fly.
The heroine takes to sex like a duckling to water and the seduction sex scenes go on and on and on. Doted on by our Lord STD until the sads hit him and he remembers why he can never love. He takes the heroine back to the Madame so Phase 2 begins where she takes the Ton by storm. Her entree into Society is via Prinny’s latest mistress which I think sends the wrong message.
The evil family isn’t done yet, the heroine gets her feathers ruffled when the hero arrives at her opening ball still rumpled and smelling of his latest sexualc conquest. What girl could resist that? As she buries herself in Ton parties and a new suitor, the hero seeks comfort with his old mistresses kind of like a weird comfort food becasue he’s so confused.
Kidnappings, duels, heroine escape to the country and suddenly the hero loves her forever and ever.
Kudos to the author for tossing in real historical figures and some nice writing thatvwould have keep it at 3 stars, but...
The blurb is misleading, too many anachronisms and too much icky sex..
What was the H’s mother’s backstory? It sounded interesting as did the Madame’s with a heart of gold sad start in life. Did Joe the bodyguard get his happy ending? And way too abrupt wind up of the evil family.
She ends up at the nice brothel of a Madame with a heart of gold who comes up with what I think is a flawed plan to keep her horrible family from marrying her off: ruining her reputation so much even a schmuck like Cousin Thing won’t want her. Enter our damaged hero. He’s so good at sex and so desired by the married women of the Ton pantaloons fly.
The heroine takes to sex like a duckling to water and the The evil family isn’t done yet, the heroine gets her feathers ruffled when the hero arrives at her opening ball still rumpled and smelling of his latest sexualc conquest. What girl could resist that? As she buries herself in Ton parties and a new suitor, the hero seeks comfort with his old mistresses kind of like a weird comfort food becasue he’s so confused.
Kidnappings, duels, heroine escape to the country and suddenly the hero loves her forever and ever.
Kudos to the author for tossing in real historical figures and some nice writing thatvwould have keep it at 3 stars, but...
The blurb is misleading, too many anachronisms and too much icky sex..
What was the H’s mother’s backstory? It sounded interesting as did the Madame’s with a heart of gold sad start in life. Did Joe the bodyguard get his happy ending? And way too abrupt wind up of the evil family.
April 30, 2023
I definitely have issues with this author because she doesn’t know the meaning of male faithfulness.
I think no one of her heroes are ever celibate in her books and none of them seem to be determined to be celibate in future.
Not before meeting the heroine, not after meeting the heroine not even after being in a relationship with the heroine.
So you can easily suppose that their hea will include a hero who will always have ow, and a heroine who will always pretend not to know.
Tragic.
Or maybe only very sad.
This heroine will be a temporary mistress for the hero for the duration of one week but even if the sex is great and he has some kind of feelings for her this doesn’t stop him from having sex with whoever he meets be it a prostitute or a willing widow.
And the heroine is only faintly annoyed.
Jeezus I just couldn’t.
Eventually he almost dies in a duel and it was the best moment of the book because I really wished him dead since the heroine was willing to be treated as toilet paper for all her life.
Sadly he didn’t die. And they ended up together again.
But mind, sex with ow will be always worse than sex with the heroine. Thank god for small mercies.
So one star it is.
I think no one of her heroes are ever celibate in her books and none of them seem to be determined to be celibate in future.
Not before meeting the heroine, not after meeting the heroine not even after being in a relationship with the heroine.
So you can easily suppose that their hea will include a hero who will always have ow, and a heroine who will always pretend not to know.
Tragic.
Or maybe only very sad.
This heroine will be a temporary mistress for the hero for the duration of one week but even if the sex is great and he has some kind of feelings for her this doesn’t stop him from having sex with whoever he meets be it a prostitute or a willing widow.
And the heroine is only faintly annoyed.
Jeezus I just couldn’t.
Eventually he almost dies in a duel and it was the best moment of the book because I really wished him dead since the heroine was willing to be treated as toilet paper for all her life.
Sadly he didn’t die. And they ended up together again.
But mind, sex with ow will be always worse than sex with the heroine. Thank god for small mercies.
So one star it is.
September 27, 2021
I know it's fallen out of fashion, but “tortured manwhore H and virgin h* is my JAM. 🤷🏼♀️ And this book does NOT disappoint with all the delicious angst.
I have read this book dozens of times and I still get all teary for our poor Dermott. He's seen some tragedy and he is not in any way looking to love. Typically, the dead spouse trope is not for me. I HATE it... but this is one of the exceptions. It's so obvious that he's totally crazy about the h, but he just can't face it. 🥺 HE'S TRAUMATIZED, DANG IT. 😅 Give this man a hug and cut him a little slack while he works his sh*t out.
I love that the h is so practical in her expectations. She knows the H is unattainable (seemingly) and she's honest with herself on what she can expect, even while she nurses her (seemingly) unrequited love. She's smart and spunky and I love that she sets out to give the H a bit of his own medicine, rather than just moping about feeling sorry for herself. 😈🙌🏻
My absolute favorite thing about Susan Johnson's Heros is how much they resist attachment. It's rather comical. They are just barely holding it together, trying desperately to not show the jealousy and possessiveness that is bubbling out of them, in regards to their h. You see, they've never felt that way before, and they struggle to figure out how to handle it. They aren't just whoring around because they are gross, they have real heart-breaking issues they are working through. How she manages to make such a unrepentant manwhore so very sweet toward the h, and garner up so much sympathy for him, even while he's breaking the h's heart.... well, it's freaking amazing. I think his struggle against the epic love heading his way just makes his eventually total devotion and their HEA that much sweeter.
Bottom Line? This book just hits me in all the feels, the palpable passion, the jealousy, heart ache and angst, the sexy dirty talk.... GAH... for me, it's (almost) PERFECTION 4.5 stars
⚠️SAFETY SQUAD SPOILERS⚠️
- cheating - well... as usual it depends on your definition. He does sleep with OW after he sleeps with the h... but they are not together during that time. They slept together because of an agreement they had, and when he sleeps with other people, that agreement is over. He's resisting his feelings with all his power... but you see him letting go of that crutch more and more as he starts to accept his feelings... while it is angsty because it's obvious BOTH of the characters have very deep feelings for each other, they aren't actually officially together, so for me it's not *REALLY* cheating. She did not have a reasonable expectation of fidelity at that point, IMO. But, If you're looking for a super safe book, this aint it. 🤷🏼♀️
- no sharing
- OW drama - obviously
- OM drama - she sets out to make the H jealous, and she succeeds - the H assumes she's slept with at least 1 OM and he is NOT happy about it
- the h is a virgin and only sleeps with the H
- no dubcon
I have read this book dozens of times and I still get all teary for our poor Dermott. He's seen some tragedy and he is not in any way looking to love. Typically, the dead spouse trope is not for me. I HATE it... but this is one of the exceptions. It's so obvious that he's totally crazy about the h, but he just can't face it. 🥺 HE'S TRAUMATIZED, DANG IT. 😅 Give this man a hug and cut him a little slack while he works his sh*t out.
I love that the h is so practical in her expectations. She knows the H is unattainable (seemingly) and she's honest with herself on what she can expect, even while she nurses her (seemingly) unrequited love. She's smart and spunky and I love that she sets out to give the H a bit of his own medicine, rather than just moping about feeling sorry for herself. 😈🙌🏻
My absolute favorite thing about Susan Johnson's Heros is how much they resist attachment. It's rather comical. They are just barely holding it together, trying desperately to not show the jealousy and possessiveness that is bubbling out of them, in regards to their h. You see, they've never felt that way before, and they struggle to figure out how to handle it. They aren't just whoring around because they are gross, they have real heart-breaking issues they are working through. How she manages to make such a unrepentant manwhore so very sweet toward the h, and garner up so much sympathy for him, even while he's breaking the h's heart.... well, it's freaking amazing. I think his struggle against the epic love heading his way just makes his eventually total devotion and their HEA that much sweeter.
Bottom Line? This book just hits me in all the feels, the palpable passion, the jealousy, heart ache and angst, the sexy dirty talk.... GAH... for me, it's (almost) PERFECTION 4.5 stars
⚠️SAFETY SQUAD SPOILERS⚠️
- cheating - well... as usual it depends on your definition. He does sleep with OW after he sleeps with the h... but they are not together during that time. They slept together because of an agreement they had, and when he sleeps with other people, that agreement is over. He's resisting his feelings with all his power... but you see him letting go of that crutch more and more as he starts to accept his feelings... while it is angsty because it's obvious BOTH of the characters have very deep feelings for each other, they aren't actually officially together, so for me it's not *REALLY* cheating. She did not have a reasonable expectation of fidelity at that point, IMO. But, If you're looking for a super safe book, this aint it. 🤷🏼♀️
- no sharing
- OW drama - obviously
- OM drama - she sets out to make the H jealous, and she succeeds - the H assumes she's slept with at least 1 OM and he is NOT happy about it
- the h is a virgin and only sleeps with the H
- no dubcon
May 2, 2021
Reread:
A man helps a girl out by taking her as his mistress for a week, but once he let's her go he cant ever forget her.
A little revenge on narrasictics playboys.
Steamy level:5
A man helps a girl out by taking her as his mistress for a week, but once he let's her go he cant ever forget her.
A little revenge on narrasictics playboys.
Steamy level:5
September 13, 2011
I hate to only give this two stars because I loved the story and the style of writing. However, there was a major conflict that was set-up but unresolved or completely forgotten. It was also unbelievable that the heroine would forgive the hero for what was repeated, blatant soul-crushing infidelity. I don't care how depressed he was, rutting with every available woman, literally in front of the virgin heroine, is inexcusable.
January 30, 2013
Although the story plot was nice but I Don't like unfaithful heroes(then it does'nt make him a hero)
February 28, 2018
Un roman de dragoste, în toate sensurile cele mai directe, care m-a făcut să uit puțin de realitate. :)
Nu veți găsi sensuri profunde, sau idei impresionante, ci doar o manieră de a aborda dragostea. Dragostea adevărată mai există în cărți! :)
Nu veți găsi sensuri profunde, sau idei impresionante, ci doar o manieră de a aborda dragostea. Dragostea adevărată mai există în cărți! :)
December 20, 2014
Erotica with a story (the hero has sex with other women after meeting the heroine, one of the lines crossed between a romance and an erotica).
There are too many logic holes for the plot to be believable. Just visiting a brothal is enough to destroy the heroine's reputation. If she needs her maidenhead "removed" she don't need to have sex with a man. Certainly the Madam of the establishment knows that!
If the heroine's relatives are as greedy as they seem to be, they won't care about her reputation or virtue even if she has a bastard child on the way. Becoming a secret mistress for a week won't protect her from a forced marriage with her cousin.
Even though she doesn't have any realitives to protect her, she does have the money to hire people to protect her.
Instead, she stays at the brothel to obtain a sexual education before having sex with the object of her lust.
The hero is cliche - bored self-made titled rich man with too much emotional baggage to achieve any level of happiness, so he drowns his senses with too much vice. Oh, poor rich man, on the outside he is jolly, but on the inside he's unhappy. Blah.
There are too many logic holes for the plot to be believable. Just visiting a brothal is enough to destroy the heroine's reputation. If she needs her maidenhead "removed" she don't need to have sex with a man. Certainly the Madam of the establishment knows that!
If the heroine's relatives are as greedy as they seem to be, they won't care about her reputation or virtue even if she has a bastard child on the way. Becoming a secret mistress for a week won't protect her from a forced marriage with her cousin.
Even though she doesn't have any realitives to protect her, she does have the money to hire people to protect her.
Instead, she stays at the brothel to obtain a sexual education before having sex with the object of her lust.
The hero is cliche - bored self-made titled rich man with too much emotional baggage to achieve any level of happiness, so he drowns his senses with too much vice. Oh, poor rich man, on the outside he is jolly, but on the inside he's unhappy. Blah.
August 1, 2009
This was my first ( and last) book by Susan Johnson. It's summery had such promise, but it barely squeezed 2 stars out of me. The only reason I won't give it one star is that I was able to finish it. I am not sure what the author's other books are like, and I am always up for some good sex scene, but the first half of the book was like a porn movie with just enough plot tossed in to make you keep reading.
I didn't really care about the hero or heroine past or present problems. The last half of the book was okay ( which earned the 2nd star) but by then I was really just trying to finish it up so I could move on to my next book. I also have issues with authors using harsh language in a historical romance ( I don't care if research shows the words were used) there was really no need for the hero and heroine to toss around the F word , P word or worst of all the C word ( and I am no prude). It just does not ring true for the genre.
I didn't really care about the hero or heroine past or present problems. The last half of the book was okay ( which earned the 2nd star) but by then I was really just trying to finish it up so I could move on to my next book. I also have issues with authors using harsh language in a historical romance ( I don't care if research shows the words were used) there was really no need for the hero and heroine to toss around the F word , P word or worst of all the C word ( and I am no prude). It just does not ring true for the genre.
January 15, 2020
3 stars Isabella and Dermott. Isabella is the kind of heroine who says she is strong and independent, but really is not. Hero is a horn dog. Will hump anything--okay okay--not anything but any woman who wants him and if one is not around for free he will go pay for it. He is so noble (sarcasm) that he makes this virgin heroine beg him for sex after she has been "trained" by prostitutes for a week so she will please him better. Sigh. After all she is going to be his temporary mistress for a whole two weeks. This hero will continue to have sex with other women beside Isabella all throughout this "romance". O woe is our hero--he is so good at sex that no woman can resist him. Even our heroine-who at one point can smell the Cyprian's perfume on him from just a few hours ago-barely has the willpower to resist him. (Most of the time during this story the heroine only has to see him harden and she starts begging for sex. Almost tstl-but a sex version of it. kwim?). This hero cheats consistently on this heroine. Sex to him, even after sex with Isabella, is like just something one does. Here is the really weird thing-we are told he is good at it, we know he thinks he is great at it, and all those sex scenes with lots of women were steamy-but I felt he was kind of selfish during most of the sex scenes. Gasp-dare I say-he did not seem that great at it. With him so easily to bed any ole woman who moved- I was hoping that our heroine would fall in love with her bodyguard Joe. (You know-the loyal, handsome, trust worthy guy that would worship her and never even think of cheating on her ever, but alas our heroine must torture herself with Dermott, who barely had time staying celibate for a week (which made our heroine so happy) before his injury. Even the author in the epilogue knew she could not write that he would be faithful sexually to Isabella without us readers rolling our eyes. Instead she says that the hero faithfully kept his promises to make his bride happy. LOL This story hea epilogue was very much needed and did help me enjoy this story more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2024
streaks of sunlight through parting clouds and heavenly choirs sing as Dermott drops his robe and the wunderpeen emerges. 🌤️🌋Vivid historical settings, clothing, horses 🐎suspense and all around great writing make this a top notch 🏆story despite moral misgivings. The h is so interesting and I want to know her more but then I am let down when she tolerates the H and his sleaze ball ways. Granted she had more spine than most S. Johnson FMC and almost got a little side action with the boxer hottie. 😭Cry-baby Dermott does not like to share. Loved how well known historical figures are weaved into the plot in a fun but realistic way
November 12, 2008
Let me begin by saying I have a bias against Susan Johnson novels. As far as I can tell, the basic plot of all her books seems to be female lead meets male lead and they have sex and sex and sex and sex - The End. I swear the author gets paid by the orgasm, with a hefty bonus if she can work in all the sexual positions of the Kama Sutra. So, I was pleasantly surprised that Temporary Mistress actually had some plot and character development.
The book opens with the lead female, Isabella, a wealthy, lovely, virginal young lady being forced to marry her cousin. She escapes, runs away, is chased, and ends up seeking shelter at the only place with a light on - a very high class brothel. Strangely enough she and the madam get along very well. After thinking things over, Isabella decides that if she is ruined her cousin will not want to marry her. I doubt the arrangement will work in light of the fact that being ruined won't make her any less wealthy, just less virginal, but she thinks it’s a good plan. Anyway, the madam sets her up with the main male character, Dermott, and the pair spends 100 pages or so in chaste flirtation (because she’s in training) until she becomes his mistress in truth. After that it's all sex all the time until Dermott, who has a beloved dead wife and son in his background, decides that he might actually have feelings for his mistress so, naturally, he breaks her heart and kicks her out of his life. This is shortly followed by a whole to-do with her family ending in a duel, him coming to his senses, and the two living happily ever after.
As a side note, I found the historical footnotes the author included to be interesting. I was unfamiliar with Princess Caroline’s treatment by the Prince of Wales (banished after two weeks of marriage and separated from her infant daughter at birth) and the fate of the famous Beau Brummell (favorite of the Prince of Wales for almost 20 years, ultimately fled England to avoid his debts).
Overall, there was more character and depth in this book than I ever expected in a Susan Johnson novel. On the other hand, I’m not sure I’ll read another of her novels.
The book opens with the lead female, Isabella, a wealthy, lovely, virginal young lady being forced to marry her cousin. She escapes, runs away, is chased, and ends up seeking shelter at the only place with a light on - a very high class brothel. Strangely enough she and the madam get along very well. After thinking things over, Isabella decides that if she is ruined her cousin will not want to marry her. I doubt the arrangement will work in light of the fact that being ruined won't make her any less wealthy, just less virginal, but she thinks it’s a good plan. Anyway, the madam sets her up with the main male character, Dermott, and the pair spends 100 pages or so in chaste flirtation (because she’s in training) until she becomes his mistress in truth. After that it's all sex all the time until Dermott, who has a beloved dead wife and son in his background, decides that he might actually have feelings for his mistress so, naturally, he breaks her heart and kicks her out of his life. This is shortly followed by a whole to-do with her family ending in a duel, him coming to his senses, and the two living happily ever after.
As a side note, I found the historical footnotes the author included to be interesting. I was unfamiliar with Princess Caroline’s treatment by the Prince of Wales (banished after two weeks of marriage and separated from her infant daughter at birth) and the fate of the famous Beau Brummell (favorite of the Prince of Wales for almost 20 years, ultimately fled England to avoid his debts).
Overall, there was more character and depth in this book than I ever expected in a Susan Johnson novel. On the other hand, I’m not sure I’ll read another of her novels.
July 5, 2020
Hard to believe this is by the same author who wrote Forbidden that I thought worthy of five stars. The "meet NOT cute" is ridiculous in many ways. A rich heiress with supposed smarts and strength to work among men in the shipping business trained by her grandfather (she claimed to unload freight at their warehouses and that she'd won arm wrestling contests with sailors who were powerful men!) doesn't think to hire some of those presumably loyal employees to be her bodyguards against the family members trying to force her into an unwanted marriage with her cousin. Instead, she leaps on the bizarre suggestion by a bordello madame that ruining her virginity will put the importuning relatives off the marriage for money. Hmmm. Let's see. From the grasping family's point of view it's put up with gossip about lost virginity to gain a giant fortune that steamrollers gossip...so hard to decide.
Secondly, a man is not a necessary implement for removing a hymen as any madam would know. Thirdly, why a man-whore with hundreds of ex-partners? Whatever he gains in skill is surely lost in the increased chance of sexually transmitted disease? And lastly, the sophisticated instrument with the magic man part is intrigued by merely passing the clothed heroine on the stairs? Then after a messy standard deflowering, he's totally enthralled by the virgin's instant licentiousness. Really? Out of hundreds of panting women with varying amounts of experience, there's something special about this neophyte? DNF because it's too reminiscent of male porn movies where the surrounding story is just a flimsy (and laughable) excuse for the next sex scene.
Secondly, a man is not a necessary implement for removing a hymen as any madam would know. Thirdly, why a man-whore with hundreds of ex-partners? Whatever he gains in skill is surely lost in the increased chance of sexually transmitted disease? And lastly, the sophisticated instrument with the magic man part is intrigued by merely passing the clothed heroine on the stairs? Then after a messy standard deflowering, he's totally enthralled by the virgin's instant licentiousness. Really? Out of hundreds of panting women with varying amounts of experience, there's something special about this neophyte? DNF because it's too reminiscent of male porn movies where the surrounding story is just a flimsy (and laughable) excuse for the next sex scene.
December 9, 2022
This started out so so great then it all went to shit.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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May 11, 2013I did not finish this book. It was boring and predictable.
February 12, 2022
Disappointing. The story started off good, even when a fairy god-courtesan steps in with all the solutions (that don't even work?). She's a rich heiress trying to be tied up (literally) into marriage and needs to be ruined. He offers to do it. But their two weeks are rushed, they barely talk or get to know each other, or any genuine moments. I didn't read any romance, just intense attraction.
The hero is a man HO to the extreme (because of his past PAIN), there's multiple sex scenes with OW- before during and after meeting the heroine. I didn't dislike him but it was definitely only insta-lust=love, so I find it very very difficult to think he'd stay loyal. Even at the end while professing to love her, the merest hint of her with another man was enough to make him give up on her.
"I figured fuck it and fuck you and fuck all women in general. I was on my way back..."
... that's sweet.
The heroine could have been great if she'd had a it more personality, her sheltered upbringing didn't match her behavior (the 'training' she got at the brothel was skimmed over) She was apparently beautiful and kind and practical and and and...
Story jumped around and things she should have done page 1-(get a bodyguard), didn't occur till page 200.
I also find it hilarious, that all the courtesans were written 3-dimensionally with actual personalities and yet the Leslie family was a caricature of evil fat people.
The hero is a man HO to the extreme (because of his past PAIN), there's multiple sex scenes with OW- before during and after meeting the heroine. I didn't dislike him but it was definitely only insta-lust=love, so I find it very very difficult to think he'd stay loyal. Even at the end while professing to love her, the merest hint of her with another man was enough to make him give up on her.
"I figured fuck it and fuck you and fuck all women in general. I was on my way back..."
... that's sweet.
The heroine could have been great if she'd had a it more personality, her sheltered upbringing didn't match her behavior (the 'training' she got at the brothel was skimmed over) She was apparently beautiful and kind and practical and and and...
Story jumped around and things she should have done page 1-(get a bodyguard), didn't occur till page 200.
I also find it hilarious, that all the courtesans were written 3-dimensionally with actual personalities and yet the Leslie family was a caricature of evil fat people.
October 9, 2025
Temporary Mistress by Susan Johnson is a ravishing Regency romance brimming with wit, sensuality, and emotional depth. With her signature blend of historical precision and passionate storytelling, Johnson turns scandal into art crafting a tale that’s as intelligent as it is intoxicating.
When the spirited and self-reliant Isabella Leslie escapes a scheming family and a forced marriage, she finds herself in the unlikeliest refuge a notorious London brothel. To protect her freedom, she hatches a daring plan: to render herself unmarriageable by arranging her own public “ruin.” Enter Dermott Ramsay, the infamous Earl of Bathurst a man whose charm is legend, whose reputation is dangerous, and whose heart may prove his most reckless weakness.
What begins as an arrangement of convenience soon ignites into something far deeper a battle of wills, desire, and unexpected tenderness. Johnson excels at layering sensual tension with emotional intelligence, making this more than a romance of bodies it’s a meeting of equals, each struggling to define independence in a society that offers little of it.
Fans of Lisa Kleypas and Eloisa James will find themselves enthralled by Johnson’s command of tone lush, daring, and sophisticated. Temporary Mistress is a masterclass in slow-burning seduction and emotional redemption, proving that even in an age of reputation and restraint, love remains the most delicious scandal of all.
When the spirited and self-reliant Isabella Leslie escapes a scheming family and a forced marriage, she finds herself in the unlikeliest refuge a notorious London brothel. To protect her freedom, she hatches a daring plan: to render herself unmarriageable by arranging her own public “ruin.” Enter Dermott Ramsay, the infamous Earl of Bathurst a man whose charm is legend, whose reputation is dangerous, and whose heart may prove his most reckless weakness.
What begins as an arrangement of convenience soon ignites into something far deeper a battle of wills, desire, and unexpected tenderness. Johnson excels at layering sensual tension with emotional intelligence, making this more than a romance of bodies it’s a meeting of equals, each struggling to define independence in a society that offers little of it.
Fans of Lisa Kleypas and Eloisa James will find themselves enthralled by Johnson’s command of tone lush, daring, and sophisticated. Temporary Mistress is a masterclass in slow-burning seduction and emotional redemption, proving that even in an age of reputation and restraint, love remains the most delicious scandal of all.
January 19, 2022
Prima volta che leggo di questa autrice.
Tutto sommato parliamo di un romanzo abbastanza semplice e scorrevole nella lettura.
La sinossi ci presenta uno scenario atipico e a mio avviso poco realistico. Isabella è un’eredità e per farla breve non deve essere più “sposabile” dal partito scelto dai tutori , quale modo migliore se non perdere la verginità? Ecco che arriva lui, il salvatore della patria a liberare la nostra eroina dal pesante fardello… mmm non so , non è proprio male, ma molti punti rimangono poco credibili, sia nei comportamenti che nella storia …insomma , una donna vergine non si comporta come una cortigiana consumata, dopo solo il primo amplesso, lui sempre sull’odioso filo del ti voglio ma anche no … snervante.
Molto dolce la resa di lui alla fine, vale praticamente tutto il libro.
Tutto sommato parliamo di un romanzo abbastanza semplice e scorrevole nella lettura.
La sinossi ci presenta uno scenario atipico e a mio avviso poco realistico. Isabella è un’eredità e per farla breve non deve essere più “sposabile” dal partito scelto dai tutori , quale modo migliore se non perdere la verginità? Ecco che arriva lui, il salvatore della patria a liberare la nostra eroina dal pesante fardello… mmm non so , non è proprio male, ma molti punti rimangono poco credibili, sia nei comportamenti che nella storia …insomma , una donna vergine non si comporta come una cortigiana consumata, dopo solo il primo amplesso, lui sempre sull’odioso filo del ti voglio ma anche no … snervante.
Molto dolce la resa di lui alla fine, vale praticamente tutto il libro.
September 8, 2021
,,Muşcându-şi buza de jos, încerca să scoată la iveală alte opţiuni pentru a scapă de ameninţarea pe care o reprezenta familia ei. Dar nici o altă soluţie comodă de salvare nu-i venea în minte, nici un bun samaritean nu aştepta în viaţă ei momentul când va fi nevoie de el, că să o salveze.
Era absolut singură. Imensitatea singurătăţii ei îi strânse stomacul într-un nod. Cu inima bătând puternic, deoarece ghicea răspunsul pe care îl va primi, întreba:
– Ce va trebui să fac, concret?
– În schimbul protecţiei oferite de casa mea şi a ruinării reputaţiei dumitale suficient de mult încât rudele să nu mai fie interesate de căsătorie, îţi voi cere să joci un rol limitat de curtezană.”
Era absolut singură. Imensitatea singurătăţii ei îi strânse stomacul într-un nod. Cu inima bătând puternic, deoarece ghicea răspunsul pe care îl va primi, întreba:
– Ce va trebui să fac, concret?
– În schimbul protecţiei oferite de casa mea şi a ruinării reputaţiei dumitale suficient de mult încât rudele să nu mai fie interesate de căsătorie, îţi voi cere să joci un rol limitat de curtezană.”
August 5, 2025
ชื่อไทยเรื่องนี้คือ หัวใจให้เช่า
อยากบอกว่ากุทั้งรักทั้งเกลียดเรื่องนี้มาก
ชอบNC มันแรงมาก พระเอกสำส่อนแบบธงดำมาก
ซึ่งแบบไม่ดีอะ กุอ่านแล้วใจสั่น แต่มันโหดดี
พล็อตก็ดี พระเอกแบบลืมเมียไม่ได้ นางเอกก็รัก
โอ้ยยยยย กุเครียดมากนะตอนอ่าน ทั้งไม่ชอบ
ทั้งเกลียด ลุ้นก็ลุ้น กุว่าคนที่สับสนนอกจากตลคแล้ว
ก็กุนี่แหละ พูดไม่ได้เลยว่าดีมั้ย สนุกมั้ย เกลียดมั้ย
แต่ขอบ่นว่าท้ายแย่ เพราะบทสรุปมันสั้นมาก
นางเอกไม่กลัวเลยว่าพระเอกจะเปลี่ยนใจอีก
ตรงนี้กุไม่ชอบเท่าไหร่
ว่าแต่ไม่รู้นางเอกจะวางแผนเสียตัวไปทำไม
ไม่มีเหตุผลเลย เนี่ย...เนื้อเรื่องมันก็แย่อยู่นะ555
อยากบอกว่ากุทั้งรักทั้งเกลียดเรื่องนี้มาก
ชอบNC มันแรงมาก พระเอกสำส่อนแบบธงดำมาก
ซึ่งแบบไม่ดีอะ กุอ่านแล้วใจสั่น แต่มันโหดดี
พล็อตก็ดี พระเอกแบบลืมเมียไม่ได้ นางเอกก็รัก
โอ้ยยยยย กุเครียดมากนะตอนอ่าน ทั้งไม่ชอบ
ทั้งเกลียด ลุ้นก็ลุ้น กุว่าคนที่สับสนนอกจากตลคแล้ว
ก็กุนี่แหละ พูดไม่ได้เลยว่าดีมั้ย สนุกมั้ย เกลียดมั้ย
แต่ขอบ่นว่าท้ายแย่ เพราะบทสรุปมันสั้นมาก
นางเอกไม่กลัวเลยว่าพระเอกจะเปลี่ยนใจอีก
ตรงนี้กุไม่ชอบเท่าไหร่
ว่าแต่ไม่รู้นางเอกจะวางแผนเสียตัวไปทำไม
ไม่มีเหตุผลเลย เนี่ย...เนื้อเรื่องมันก็แย่อยู่นะ555
special-unread-plot
May 11, 2022This book was simly vulgar, not sexy, hot or erotic, nor romantic. There was not much logic. Maybe the h just schould have given away her inheritance and start working at the brothel, which suited her much better.
August 16, 2023
I enjoyed this book a lot more than I expected to. It was fast paced. The heroine was so different from other historical books. I could not put this one down. I only wish for an ending that was a bit more fleshed out. But this is one of my faves reads for sure.
June 25, 2018
This is one of her best works. It's simple, but good.
February 26, 2021
loved it!! not as good as Sinful, but I still really liked it.
Want to read
March 17, 2025Spring Pile
June 16, 2010
In 1802, Isabella Leslie inherits a fortune that her avarice uncle plans to possess. He informs his niece that she will marry his son. Instead of bowing to her relative's orders, Isabella flees and ends up in a brothel owned by Molly Crocker. The two women cut a deal that will ruin Isabella, but gain her freedom from her odious relatives.
Dermot Ramsey, Earl of Bathurst meets Isabella at the brothel and both are immediately fascinated with one another. He makes love to the virgin, but he still grieves the death of his wife and son several years ago. Though he hurts Isabella by throwing her out of his house and life , he realizes he loves her. Unless a miracle occurs and brings Dermot to his senses, Isabella will be free, but unhappy.
All the traditional Johnson elements are here -- devastatingly handsome but tormented hero with the ultimate rake's reputation, an appealing heroine who is smart and independent, steamy love scenes and thorough historical research that adds realism to the story. I was particularly impressed with the Johnson's handling of this hero's tortured past -- as the reader discovers his past his dissolute behaviour makes sense.
My one teeny tiny complaint is with the story's initial premise - the heroine wishes to become the hero's mistress so that her reputation will be ruined and she will therefore be left alone by her greedy relatives seeking to marry her off and gain access to her fortune. After the plan is put into action and with no explanation the affair is actually kept quiet and she is launched into the ton as a great success. However, this is a small complaint about an otherwise thoroughly engaging novel.
More of Purplycookie’s Reviews @: http://www.goodreads.com/purplycookie
Book Details:
Title Temporary Mistress
Author Susan Johnson
Reviewed By Purplycookie
Dermot Ramsey, Earl of Bathurst meets Isabella at the brothel and both are immediately fascinated with one another. He makes love to the virgin, but he still grieves the death of his wife and son several years ago. Though he hurts Isabella by throwing her out of his house and life , he realizes he loves her. Unless a miracle occurs and brings Dermot to his senses, Isabella will be free, but unhappy.
All the traditional Johnson elements are here -- devastatingly handsome but tormented hero with the ultimate rake's reputation, an appealing heroine who is smart and independent, steamy love scenes and thorough historical research that adds realism to the story. I was particularly impressed with the Johnson's handling of this hero's tortured past -- as the reader discovers his past his dissolute behaviour makes sense.
My one teeny tiny complaint is with the story's initial premise - the heroine wishes to become the hero's mistress so that her reputation will be ruined and she will therefore be left alone by her greedy relatives seeking to marry her off and gain access to her fortune. After the plan is put into action and with no explanation the affair is actually kept quiet and she is launched into the ton as a great success. However, this is a small complaint about an otherwise thoroughly engaging novel.
More of Purplycookie’s Reviews @: http://www.goodreads.com/purplycookie
Book Details:
Title Temporary Mistress
Author Susan Johnson
Reviewed By Purplycookie
January 28, 2017
I really wanted to give this book a one, but I feel that if an author is a good writer, they at least deserve a 2. Having said that, I hate the two main characters! Loathe, despise... there are so many descriptive words that come to mind. If you like weak, naive lead females like Bella in Twilight and Ana in Fifty Shades, then you'd probably like Isabella and this story as well. I just can't... She is completely helpless and falls in love with the lead, Dermott, even though every time they are apart, he's off having sex with someone else. I lost count of the lovers he had in this book. But of course, it was due to his psychological and emotional damage from a major traumatic event. And of course, Isabella loved him through it and "changed" him. Good God! I am sure Johnson didn't write this book as a manual for strong female actions. Maybe she was going for love conquers all. However, when a man treats you the way Dermott treated Isabella, it is manipulation, possibly even borderline abuse. I am not even sure how I would have saved this...maybe Isabella leaving his house after the first visit and making her way on her own with a body guard and either finding a loving, devoted man or an endless string of lovers and adventures. But, she is a weak, weak girl. She's just gonna sit around and wait on someone to save her.
June 20, 2012
First entered this in January 2008, but I'm not sure that's when I read it- I think I read it earlier. Looking at bookcrossing I see I accidentally bought this book twice. When I read it in January 2006, this is what I wrote:
"enjoyable story... When her beloved grandfather dies and she finds herself sole heiress, the heroine literally leaps out the window to avoid being forced into a marriage with a repulsive cousin...the relatives want to keep the fortune in the family, of course)... the port in the storm she finds turns out to be a brothel... etc etc. "
Anyway, thought I'd read it again.
So x years later... Despite the very welcome footnotes, so much of this seems far too anachronistic for my current taste. The premise, with a bit of a big stretch, is amusing, but the immediate fascination the main characters hold for each other is just so unbelievable... Despite this, it's fun to read.
"enjoyable story... When her beloved grandfather dies and she finds herself sole heiress, the heroine literally leaps out the window to avoid being forced into a marriage with a repulsive cousin...the relatives want to keep the fortune in the family, of course)... the port in the storm she finds turns out to be a brothel... etc etc. "
Anyway, thought I'd read it again.
So x years later... Despite the very welcome footnotes, so much of this seems far too anachronistic for my current taste. The premise, with a bit of a big stretch, is amusing, but the immediate fascination the main characters hold for each other is just so unbelievable... Despite this, it's fun to read.
March 21, 2012
Great book!! love the plot...historic footnotes or endnotes...whatever it was...nice, strong, rich, independent heroine...the male lead was egotistical-hope i spelt that right- & had baggage, that i can't really say he wanted to get pass. Greedy & selfish relatives...the only thing i didn't get was how easily the heroine went back to the selfish dude after the many times she'd gotten hurt, her first 'relationship', getting 'dropped' so many times...all because the guy couldn't come to term and then accepting his proposal the first time he asked after all he put her through....
February 23, 2010
I don't know where this book came from - garage sale, from a friend, or what. I'm just glad I didn't pay for it. I read about the first 100 pages and skipped to the end. Two days later, I couldn't remember the title, characters or anything about the storyline.
Does it make sense for me to say that this historical novel seems somehow dated? Like it's from some 1980s romance formula? It's not at all fresh or new or exciting.
Does it make sense for me to say that this historical novel seems somehow dated? Like it's from some 1980s romance formula? It's not at all fresh or new or exciting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews