The Hall of Art and Pleasure

by Darcy Monroe

Mackenzie’s love life is a wreck. Drinking her troubles away in a strip club seems like the best solution until a dancer slips her a business card with a local address on it.

When she walks through the door, she’ll never be the same…

The address leads to a house with the deal of a lifetime: complete seven nights of “education” in The Hall of Art and Pleasure, and on the eighth night, step through a different door to be tested. She accepts the challenge and begins an awakening unlike any other. Room by room, Mackenzie starts to take back her confidence.

Then she meets Tristen. Heartbreakingly sweet, he seems interested in her for more than her body. Mackenzie is torn between the desire to finish her time in the Hall and her longing for a real relationship. If she continues her carnal quest, she may lose Tristen, but if she quits, she’ll never know what lies behind the final door…

219 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 10, 2023

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

So fun and so spicy… Mackenzie was the perfect way for me to get to check out all the rooms in the Hall. Definitely a room for everyone here. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥/5.

[Meenal · Rating 5 out of 5]

The blurb and the cover make it obvious that it's a smutty book, although it's not very graphic. The association of the maroon colour with smut is interesting. Taylor Swift's song of the same name would make a good accompaniment to this book. 

The plot is fresh and interesting. It revolves around Mackenzie, a college student who is exploring new things and learning to be good at sex. That's the age to try new stuff, indeed. I like her character arc, which charts her coming-of-age journey to self-confidence. I found Tristen to be very thoughtful. He handled her meltdown remarkably by switching on a gaming show instead of questioning her.

The narrative is pacy, enjoyable, and not super spicy, which is good. I really like the chapter titles. They tie in very well with the chapter content, and it would be so helpful to jump to a specific scene when re-reading. If you enjoy reading this genre, give it a try.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Leann McKay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life is hard when you are first starting out. This book gives a unique twist to life’s challenges. I did enjoy all the days and kinda wish I had this when I was younger.

[Lauren Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received an ARC for an honest review:

Overall I enjoyed this book. One of the first things I would like to mention, and that I found refreshing, was the deliberate point to mention safe sexual interactions. I found it to be a light and easy read and appreciated the lack of overused/cheesy euphemisms found in most romance/erotica. I really liked and could clearly hear the voice of MacKenzie, although I do wish there had been a bit more dimension/backstory for the other characters like Bliss, and Tristan. I enjoyed the creativity of the different rooms/experiences the Hall of Arts and Pleasures but MacKenzie's questions about the experiences/house does definitely still wanting to know more than what was explained. I do look forward to seeing if this will expand and we can get more answers.

[Beki Sawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolute treat to start the year. Kenzie's journey of exploration and personal growth was amazing to read. Her relationships blossom as her confidence grows. What I wouldn't give for the Maple House to be in my city (and real, but hey, a girl can dream!).

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Casey Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the author reached out and asked how I felt about spicy books, I practically leapt at the opportunity to read and review this. That was it— zero further information or expectations. I went in pretty much blind, and this book blew me away!

College is widely known as a time of experimentation and self discovery, and no different can be said for Mackenzie’s journey. Combine a crappy situationship with bad sex and a sprinkle of self doubt, though, and you’ll find yourself sipping a cocktail that invokes anything but courage. Things are looking bleak for a hot minute after thought to be boyfriend, Brayan, gets from her what he came for and gets the heck out of dodge. That is, until her best friend drags her out to cheer her up, and a sexy male dancer slips her a cryptic business card with an address on it.

Just a few blocks away from her dorm, she finds Maple House. The Hall of Art and Pleasure promises 7 days of “educational” encounters, followed by a test on its eighth day, upon whose completion the doors close to her for good. The further down the hall she wanders, the spicier the experience that awaits behind each door. Eager to gain back a measure of what she’s lost, Kenzie eagerly dives into the challenge that the house provides.

But is everything here what it seems? What of the golden retriever boy living in the dorm down the hall, who starts to make her heart flutter in a wholly different way than the men she encounters in the Hall? Will she continue her trek, driven through that final door by sheer curiosity of what she’ll find on its other side and determination to see the process through? Or will her heart carry her someplace else altogether— and if it does, what may she find there?

This was a very quick, fast paced, delightfully spicy read! Definitely one of those books you struggle to put down after picking it up. The ONLY real drawback for me was that I wanted MORE. Highly recommended if you like it spicy!

[Polli.p · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes it takes just the first few pages of a book to let you know that it's going to be a good one, and this is what you get with Hall of Art and Pleasure. From first meeting Kenzie and Bliss I was hooked. And then Maple House happened and I was not putting this book down!!

The concept felt original - Maple House with it's 'educational' sex rooms, the mystery of it's existence, and the strange compelling sex challenges faced by a young college girl trying to recover her sexual confidence after a broken romance. Talk about hot!! And then Tristen! What can I say? Not alot, except this is good and you really should treat yourself to a visit to The world of Maple House. Can't wait to read the rest of the series!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Raylin Weathersby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow!! I didn't think I would love this book so much! It was a quick read with, an engaging plot and great Smut!! I hope there is a book 2?!! I wanted it to happen with Tristen lol! Overall, I would recommend this book!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Eliza_lovesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever read a book with very little expectations to only been blown away with how good it was? You couldn’t put it down? You thought about the story when you weren’t reading? That was this book for me. I love romance/spicy books with plot and this delivered. It’s a reminder of becoming an adult and navigating those relationships and feelings. Exploring and finding who you are, at any age. How complex the late teens/early 20s can be as we learn who we are and what we want. Then ending was perfect, though I would love more of the FMC and MMC, as I just fell in love with them.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[MsV · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this would be a very predictable, cliche plot but it was definitely executed differently than what I expected. My cheeks were hurting from laughing so much at the inner monologue and there was no way I was going to sleep without finishing it. Lots of smut but lacking in spice. Then again, this is not a slow burn which is the trope I feel has the highest level of spice. Overall, I would totally reread this anytime I’m dealing with a series hangover or a pick me up.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tara B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sexy and steamy

Fun, steamy read. I especially loved the FMC's growth along the way. It is definitely a book worth picking up!

[Valerie Brodbeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up this book on a whim and I am so glad I gave it a chance. The spice was absolutely on point. The plot was fantastic, I could not put this book down. Team Tristen all the way!

[Maren Jenner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sexy, scintillating read with steamy exploration and ultimate character growth. Really enjoyed it!!

[Marty Vee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hate writing reviews, but I loved this book. You should read it!

[Julianne Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good & a quick and easy read! It was definitely 🌶️ but still had a plot that kept me wanting to read more! I will definitely be reading more of Darcy Monroe’s books!

[Nikki moseley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything there were lessons learned and spicy to support it!! I would definitely recommend this book

[Jacqueline Fromm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised at how this book started and ended. Like spicy is an understatement. I think we may all wish we could experience what Kenzie did. Like seven night of “education” damn and the descriptions it was like you were there. I loved seeing her growth from beginning to end. I totally called her ending up with him and had an inkling he was one of the men there. Can’t wait for more

[Katie Wastlund · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very spicy.I started it late one night and I swear I could have read it in a day but I did not want it to end.McKenzie is a college student that goes to a strip club and is given a card about going to this house for 8 nights in a row.The eighth night is a test.But Tristen comes in the picture and she has feelings for him but wants to finish that week out at the house.Will she learn a lesson? Will Tristen be with her in the end? Run and don’t stop to read this book.There is a lot of sexual scenes in the book which makes this very spicy .I will anxiously await another book from this author.

[Sandra Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mackenzie, a shy college girl, thought that she was bad at sex and needed to be fixed. So, she gets a different kind of education at The Hall of Art and Pleasure, where she will learn confidence, boldness, and satisfaction. Each time she gets a different and pleasurable sexual experience. This was making her more daring and she was liking it, too. Soon, this becomes a journey of self-discovery as Mackenzie tries to figure out what she wants and she wanted this bookish nerdy guy. But she couldn’t go for him until she finished at The Hall of Art and Pleasure. Boy, did she get hot and raunchy. Was this purely experimentation? Or was this something else?

I must admit that I didn’t expect what Mackenzie found out at the house. At some point, I kind of wondered what the whole point was in all this. Was it all about sex? Can sex really be detached from love? Or can it make it stronger?

An interesting love story.

[Maylah Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hall of Art and Pleasure is not what I expected, and I mean that in the best possible way. Beneath its seductive premise lies a surprisingly profound exploration of self-worth, healing, and the complexity of desire. Mackenzie’s journey is raw, empowering, and deeply human. Each room in the Hall felt like a metaphorical mirror, challenging her (and by extension, the reader) to confront pain, shame, and longing with honesty.

What moved me most was how the book navigated the intersection of intimacy and identity, how regaining control over one’s body and choices can be a form of art in itself. Tristen’s presence offered a tender counterbalance, showing that connection doesn’t have to be sacrificed in the pursuit of pleasure.

This was more than a sensual read, it was a reclamation story, wrapped in vulnerability and courage. Thought-provoking, emotional, and beautifully written.

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

The idea of this book is soo unique! I’m soo excited for the rest of the series! The plot twist had me shooked.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.