In the Master's Bed

by Blythe Gifford

To live the life of independence she craves, Jane de Weston disguises herself as a young man. She doesn't foresee her attraction to Duncan, who stirs unknown but delightful sensations in her highly receptive, very feminine body.When Duncan accidentally discovers her true identity he knows he should send her away—but he agrees to keep her secret! For Jane brings light into the dark corners of his heart, and Duncan fully intends to teach his willing pupil the exquisite pleasures of being a woman….

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Medieval, Historical Fiction, Harlequin, Fiction

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

After many years in public relations, advertising, and marketing, Blythe Gifford started writing seriously after a corporate layoff. Ten years and one layoff later, she became an overnight success when she sold her Romance Writers of America Golden Heart finalist manuscript to Harlequin.
She has since written medieval romances featuring characters born on the wrong side of the royal blanket. Now, she’s launching a new series set on the turbulent Scottish Borders.
The Chicago Tribune has called her work “the perfect balance between history and romance.”
Photo by Jennifer Girard.

Reviews

[Jeannie Lin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a rich and fascinating rendering of university culture. I totally became immersed in it. The characters were three dimensional and believably rendered - especially considering that the heroine has to pull off the disguised as a man trope and the hero is an academic, unusual for historical romance!

The romance was deeply emotional and sensual. I loved where this book went and extra kudos for the unique academic setting and depiction of city life.

[Among The Muses · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rated 3.5 on the blog.

The cover and the blurb really depicted something different in my mind before I started delving into this interesting read.

I really have no other word to describe it other than interesting. Maybe unique? Even a little odd? This doesn't have a true typical trope that defines it, but rather loosely pulls on others, keeping the plot line and characters just shy of typical.

For one, the heroine is described as a 'tom boy', loathing dresses and the compartmentalization of a women's 'place' during the medieval time period. Jane de Weston rather sees – and seeks – freedom in what she deems as a "mans world". When an arranged marriage starts looming on the horizon for this seventeen year-old, Jane can't think of nothing else but to escape by running away. She seeks to become a lawyer in the king's palace. So she dons her comfortable male attire, discussing herself as a young male teenager and heads off in search of an education.

But that requires a 'Master' to take her/him on as their charge for the year.

Lucky for her, a 'Master' is just who finds her/him on the stretch of the road. Thinking that it's merely a young boy, he decides to take her/him under his wing. And despite the Master being saddled to this teenager, he can't help but feel there is something different/off.

What makes this an interesting read is obviously the characters. Neither are described as beautiful or handsome, but rather plain and with flaws. Secondly, the whole concept of a female carrying on the charade of a male – and literally hating the responsibilities and duties of being a female (including having children) was different. Jane didn't accidentally slip into 'girly' mode in front of the male characters, instead, playing the role of male seemed more natural to her. It was only when her disguise was blown because of Master Duncan, that she started to embrace her femininity.

Another plot point that was different was the fact that author through in a sort of attraction that the Master held towards his charge ... and the feelings of disliking himself for having 'feelings' toward the female in disguise. However, as you can imagine, when he finds out that Jane is indeed a female and not 'John', sexual attraction is accepted and acted upon.

The lovin' scenes in this story were never graphic, but yet held a very present sensuality. As I stated previously, it is In The Master's Bed that Jane starts to realize her female empowerment, and begins to find herself thinking that maybe being a woman isn't so bad after all. She still has her doubts about a male making her do 'female things', but she can't deny that power she feels when she's wanted by Duncan.

The overall plot depicted the misunderstandings of gender roles in the Medieval time period, with a strong sub-plot undercurrent of self identity. The secondary characters were there, but shadowed, keeping the focus of the story on the heroine and hero and how they dealt with conflict and resolutions.

The recommendation: I think this will be a "like it" or "dislike it" book for many readers. If you're up for reading a different type of historical romance with a tom boy of a heroine and anti-rakeish hero, you may enjoy the battles of the sexes and the misunderstandings of period gender roles that are learned primarily on the part of the heroine. It also has a strong undercurrent of self-identity in the sub-plot. The setting takes place in a university Cambridge backdrop, additionally making this different.

I'm not totally sure who to recommend this story to simply because I'm not sure where I stand on it myself. I enjoyed the overall uniqueness about it and the author's writing style, but there's something there that I can't quite put my finger on that has me holding back from a 4-5 star review.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this one up because of the title and thinking it would have a bit of BDSM but it does not, however it does have the teacher student troupe.

I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected to. This is my first from this author and there is a story that comes before this one about Jane's sister that I will have to go back and read.

Jane dressing like a man to see the world and have a better life lends comparison to my fave Shakespeare tale the Twelfth Night. So I enjoyed that aspect of the story. I would have liked to hear how she dealt with and hid her mensural cycle, that aspect of the story was missing and I feel like it would have been a benefit to know. It is mentioned once towards the end of the story.

I enjoyed the connection between Jane/John and Duncan and their interactions both before he finds out and after.

[Cristina Contilli]

"L'indomani Jane allattò i figli attaccandoli ognuno ad un seno mentre Duncan, accanto al letto, strimpellava con la cetra accomodata. Lo strumento, al pari di lui, era stato maltrattato, ma poteva ancora essere utile..."

Duncan non riusciva più a pizzicare le corde, ma con pazienza otteneva qualche accordo per canzoni che Jeanne riconosceva e che intonavano insieme:

Corichiamoci insieme
Lascia che io ti possieda per sempre.
Amiamoci l'un l'altro
sino a quando ci rimarrà fiato.

Un rosa medievale classico come intreccio, ma abbastanza originale e innovativo come protagonisti visto che nel finale oltre ai classici bebè spunta anche la possibilità per i protagonisti di frequentare un collegio universitario che a differenza di molti altri accettava anche studenti sposati, perché d'accordo che matrimonio e pupi sono il finale di ogni romance, ma qualcosa in più per due ex studenti dell'università di Cambridge non guasta...

[Lizbeth Selvig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, the first of Blythe Gifford's that I've read. I liked that there was so much thoughtfulness in this story--it wasn't just a silly girl-dresses-like-boy-to-get-her-man book. Jane has truly got to face some inner demons to get comfortable with herself. She learns to fight for what she wants and needs and she learns well what true love is. Besides all that, it's just a fun read!

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

How come this rating scale doesn't go below 1? I could not get into the Medieval times setting and the fact that the heroine/romantic interest was under 18 was a HUGE problem.

[Andria Potter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for #Smutathon2020

Historical girl runs away, dresses up as boy falls for man story plot. Not much romance more historical tbh. I might or might not do a longer review later.

[Harisa- EsquiredToRead · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was like a Phillipa Gregory lite.

We had a possibly illegitimate daughter of a King that may have been a real person. Frustrated with her lot in life, she pretends to be a teen boy so she can learn Latin and try to go to university. + Some Scotland vs England history mixed in.

While I appreciate a woman trying to take control of her life, especially in a time when it was so hard for any woman to do so, if not impossible, I HATED the hero and his terrible friends and think this would've been better as a historical with no romance.

That being said, the romance wasn't very heavy in this book in this book at all. Overall, I want to have fun with my books right now (especially if I pick up a Harquelin) and am not looking for a debate on sexism and a woman's worth.

[Eve Pendle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the audio of this a lot. The cover and title do this book a terrible mis service, attracting the wrong readers (I suspect) and putting off those who would love it.
Girl (or suggestions of non binary) dresses as a boy. Friends to lovers. Really original setting in 14th century Cambridge University. Angsty and sexy.
I didn't love an action of the heroine's near the end, but the hero seemed to consent sort of, so it was okay. Definitely one for those looking for a historical outside the Regency.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so stinking surprised by this book. It was an unexpected examination of gender and the first historical romance with a fair amount of accuracy to include a nonbinary person. John/Jane was confusing and real and so, so sweet. Duncan was a joy, intelligent and curious, willing to see beyond the binary. I really, really loved this book, and it was really nice to have these heavy heavy topics dealt with while still having a happy ending and not too much tragedy. Ugh, I really loved this.

[squaaa yogurt · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was alright. an older book i think? or just set in an older time. i liked the book, and enjoyed reading it, it's just nothing revolutionary. pretty basic storyline and plot and pretty basic plot progression. i dont really have any complaints, i got this book for free so I read it. i wouldnt go out of my way to recommend it or to deny it. it was an averagely good book, a nice read.

[Priscilla · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pois é... a heroína é menor de idade.

Mesmo tal sendo um anacronismo, vale lembrar que uma das características de romances de banca é a falta de fidelidade histórica... então, qual o problema em elevar a idade da protagonista para deixar os leitores mais confortáveis?

Há alguns outros problemas na trama, mas esse foi o que mais me incomodou.

Dispensável.

[Darshanetta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the story was good and was glad to see her attitude change about the perks of being a man. I think it could have been fleshed out more. I don’t like that the author gave him a handicapped that forces him to let her work with him. It would have hit better if he allowed her that regardless.

[Dibs · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fact that this book had the trope where the woman disguises herself as a man and makes the male character question his sexuality. And I really liked how the female character wasn't a pick-me girl.

[Dusty_Rusty · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Aline Damasceno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gostei da trama e do enredo, porém não posso afirmar que amei completamente. Acho que faltou algo que eu não sei dizer...

[Ashley · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Heroine TSTL imo

[Tabita Ramos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't be fooled by the cover

Lovely story about a girl disguised as a boy to study Latin. Translation is a bit weird at times, but still enjoyable

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jane de Weston is sick of life as a woman. She wants nothing more than to have the freedom that men have. Never been very womanly she always felt as it would have been better had she been born a man. During the birth of her sister's child Jane keeps making mistakes, panics, and flees the manor. Disguised as a boy she intends to go to Cambridge and study to become a clerk in the kings court. On the way to there she runs into a "northerner" man. The man falls for her disguise as "John" and offers her a ride to Cambridge. Little does Jane suspect that this man is about to play a large part in her future.

Duncan (Can't remember his last name being spoke) has finally earned his "Masters" and can now teach at Cambridge. His intent is to teach and earn enough money so he can go abroad to finish his training as a physician. There is only a few problems. One his father has recently been kidnapped and is being ransomed by the Scots. Two he has to find a way to convince parliament and the king to sent tropes and ransom money to the northern land where he lives. Three his unmanly urges towards Little John. Something is just not right with that boy. One way or another every single one of these problems has to be fixed. Especially the last one.


I found that i really liked this book. It's one of those books i wish i could give half stars because it's a 4 1/2 for me. The story really deals with the set "roles" that men and woman were supposed to occupy during the late 14th century. Jane wishes to become a scholar, but can't because she's a woman. The world expects her merely to marry, have children, and serve her household. Jane doesn't want this and for that hates being a woman. During the course of the story we see how women are treated and how men see them. While out as "John" one of Duncan's friends tries to force a girl into having sex with him justifying it as "she'll like it and he knows she wants it". The men argue that woman are nothing but lusty creatures who have no morals or knowledge and need men to give it to them. These things really set Jane off. Duncan stops his friends from harming the girl and the girl later becomes Jane's confidant. Jane just doesn't let the topic drop though. She makes herself heard that woman aren't like that. That it's not right to treat them that way. Unfortunately she falls on death ears due to the attitude at the time and is merely considered the "exception" when she is found out. This does not stop Jane from finding her own "woman" inside of her. As she spends time with Duncan she finds she wishes to be seen as a woman to him. She just wishes it to be on equal terms. That is something Duncan grants later calling her "a woman and a half". The story concludes with Duncan's left hand getting badly broken and unable to work normally again. This leads to Jane becoming Duncan's "left hand" and thus shows them finally as equals. They marry, have twins, and make plans to leave for Paris so Duncan can finish up his studies as a physician.


Rating: 4 1/2 stars. Great characters, great use of historical ideas of men and woman roles, and nicely done romance. My only complaint is that the plot felt week at times.

[mēloniee · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5/5

C'est mon deuxième essais avec un bouquin de cette auteure et elle me convainc toujours pas. Elle en est même très loin...

Je me suis ennuyée en lisant ce livre. L'histoire est à peine crédible, la romance est surfaite, les scènes de sexes lamentables de retenus et les propos misogyne, même si ils sont soit disant "d'époque", restent franchement choquants. N'oublions pas non plus que l'héroïne n'a que 17 ans...

Et que dire de cette fin des plus conventionnelles ? A quoi bon nous vendre une héroïne rebelle et téméraire si c'est pour nous faire finir l'histoire comme toute les autres (vu le titre j'aurais du m'en douter je sais...) ? A savoir une nana, un gus, des gosses, etc. Attention je ne critique pas les choix de l'héroïne, chaque femme à le droit de choisir ce qu'elle veut faire de sa vie. Mais clairement, j'ai trouvé cette fin incohérente avec tout ce que l'auteure nous avait vendu jusque là. Être libre et en couple c'est conciliable mais ici, l'héroïne finit par brider ses envies au profit d'une relation que je trouve plus que malsaine.

Finalement ce qui était l'attrait principale de ce bouquin, à savoir l'envie d'indépendance d'une héroïne farouche devient vite source de mécontentement et d'incompréhension. J'ai été plus que choquée de la scène où Jane tente de se faire "engrosser" par notre héros pour ne pas le voir l'abandonner. Pour moi c'est pas du courage et de la persévérance, juste de la stupidité et de l'inconstance. (Le pire si j'ai bien compris c'est qu'elle réussit en plus !).

Tout ça pour dire que même si quelques quiproquos m'ont arrachés un sourire ou deux, j'ai levé les yeux au ciel plus que de raison face à ce jeu du chat et de la souris entre deux protagonistes qui n'ont clairement rien à faire ensemble.

[Cogito_ergo_sum · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars.

It was an okay story, if somewhat boring. Bland narration and poor description. I don't get a feel for setting or have any idea what it's like there. I know it's set in medieval times, but the author put no effort into the setting, aside from telling us we're in Cambridge. Right. I've never been to or seen medieval Cambridge. You have to tell me more than that.  I've read enough good writing and excellent description to know not to settle for less.

Very confusing beginning. Who is the main character? What's her background. If the late king is her father, why is she engaged to marry a merchant? This only gets answered much later, long enough to feel irritated with the author for withholding that information.

The plot is okay and the pacing very slow. Unfortunately, I can believe in the romance at all. All I saw was a barbarian male character and an annoying female main character, who wanted more from life than womanhood could offer her (for the time period) and set out to achieve her goal. Somewhere along her metaphorical journey, her goal had become lost and we're not sure what the point of the story is anymore. Get married to the barbarian or get an education? She also indulges in a lot of stupidity. In the end, the author made it about finally embracing her womanhood. But I saw it as her giving up on her dream of a scholarly life.

The author mentioned she wanted to write about the political historical issues from that time period (the Scotts, kings, and ransoms). Seems to me the author lost focus when she tried to include a romance, cross dressing, a woman displaced in time with greater aspirations, and a medieval setting .

It could have worked, unfortunately the writing was weak and the execution of the book poor.

I don't recommend reading this book.

[3moopydelfy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Passion à Cambridge de Blythe Gifford propose de suivre une héroïne qui décide d'accéder à une éducation. Elle refuse de renoncer à sa liberté. Elle s'enfuit de chez ses parents, part à l'université. Travestie en partie homme, la jeune fille, du haut de ses 17 ans tient tête à son maître. Mentant, laissant supposer qu'une blessure l'a privé de sa virilité pour excuser son intimité, Jane devient John. A travers ses yeux, nous découvrons la place de la femme au XIVe siècle.

Face à cet étrange Petit John, Duncan ressent des sentiments troublants. Comment peut-il vibrer pour cet élève? Lui qui n'a jamais eu de si intenses sensations, se trouble au contact de John. Il est intrigué, curieux de connaître le fin mot du mystère autour de son ami. Le secret ne se dévoile pas tout de suite. Nous rencontrons l'univers de Duncan, de ce professeur étonnant, nous admirons cette héroïne forte, brillante, évoluée parmi les hommes. Nous touchons du doigt l'attirance grandissante des deux parties. Nous approchons doucement de la révélation.

La femme est un bien dans l'Angleterre médiévale et rien d'autres. Les comportements des pairs de nos deux héros le démontrent bien. La romance s'avère délicieuse à suivre. Instructive pour les deux. Jane comme Duncan sont charmants. La plume de Gifford s'avère addictive, plaisante. L'aventure se lit rapidement. Le récit se développe sous les yeux du lecteur, l'affection grandit pour ses personnages d'une autre époque. Les scènes se peuplent de moments sensuels, divins, détaillés et très bien décrits. La profondeur de la trame ne repose pas uniquement sur ses moments, mais aussi sur la psychologie et les sentiments de ses héros. Une romance historique savoureuse, étonnante qui mérite que vous vous y arrêtiez.

[Al'abordage Delaculture]

Cette romance historique se situe en Angleterre au XIVème siècle. Cela se passe sur une année de 1388 à 1389.

Jane ne veut pas être une femme car les femmes ne sont pas libres et elles dépendent forcément de la volonté d’un homme. Alors elle décide de se faire passer pour un homme afin de pouvoir étudier à Cambridge.
Elle est du Sud de l’Angleterre. Elle va faire la connaissance de Duncan un anglais du Nord avec ses a priori sur les femmes comme tous les hommes de cette époque.
L’histoire est bien menée et intéressante car nous allons découvrir les conditions de vie des femmes en Angleterre au XIVème siècle, mais aussi les conditions de vie des étudiants dans des pensionnats de garçons uniquement (les femmes n’avaient pas droit aux études ni aux voyages d’ailleurs) ainsi que l’insécurité qui régnait à cette époque tant dans les campagnes que dans les villes.
Blythe Gifford nous dépeint parfaitement l’Angleterre de cette époque.

Mais ce roman n’est pas seulement historique, c’est une romance et sa force c’est le travail des personnages.

Suite de la chronique : https://alabordagedelaculture.com/201...

[Harlequin Historical]

Medieval

excellent read! To live the life of independence she craves, Jane de Weston disguises herself as a young man. She doesn't foresee her attraction to Duncan, who stirs unknown but delightful sensations in her highly receptive, very feminine body.

When Duncan accidentally discovers her true identity he knows he should send her away—but he agrees to keep her secret! For Jane brings light into the dark corners of his heart, and Duncan fully intends to teach his willing pupil the exquisite pleasures of being a woman….

[Sarah Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, Blythe delivers! This book is no where near the level of cheese the cover and tag line ("He would teach her the art of sensuality!") implies. Instead, this is a deeply satisfying read into the politics--gender and otherwise--of medieval England through the eyes of a woman who doesn't want to be treated like property. Gifford doesn't gloss over the realities of the time, but manages to make her people live and breath.

[Carolina · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book has historical depth and a view of what it felt like to be a woman and a man in that time. It raises some questions that are things that we still think about in the present. The characters are well formed and it is generally a solid book. The only thing i can say is it was missing a little more wow factor in the plot department.

[Cozen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh... It was all right. I did not feel really any connection to the two lead characters for a long time and that did not happen until they finally did the dead. I think the ending was wired or somewhat off. It read well and the flow was good. I just don't see me giving this story a second time around.

[♥ Suger Honey ♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the beginning until about 150 pages in and the concept of the idea of the story I really liked but I just think it's about 100 pages of repetitiveness and nothing goes forward until the last 40 pages I gave this book 2.5 to a 3 stars as it was a fast read but not to much happens in the middle

[3moopydelfy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance étonnante. Jane et Duncan emportent dans une jolie aventure. Le secret de l'héroïne n'est pas dévoilé de suite. Il permet de voir la condition de la femme dans l'Angleterre médiévale. Intéressant et à la plume addictive. A lire si vous aimez les historiques.

[Mymyworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Une romance historique assez inhabituelle. C’est l’histoire d’un vrai garçon manqué qui va découvrir ce que c’est que d’être une femme dans les bras d’un homme.

Ma chronique : https://songedunenuitdete.com/2016/04...