35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Corset Diaries - Reality Romance - Wow!, May 2, 2004
This review is from: The Corset Diaries (Paperback)
I am half-way through reading "The Corset Diaries" by Katie Macalister and had to write a review. This book is hilarious, sexy and touching all at the same time. I couldn't stop laughing in some places. I'm not talking about a few chuckles here and there, but full-on, can't stop, out loud laughter! I woke up my husband, who wanted to know what was so funny, of course. Ah, but how to fully explain the mad-cap adventures of Tessa Riordan, our heroine? The "barking spider" episode, for example, is classic.
"The Corset Diaries" is about a 39 year old woman (Tessa) who has the opportunity to make $10K for "acting" as a Duchess in "The Month in the Life of a Victorian Duke" - a reality TV program being shot in England. Although she could definitely use the money, Tessa initially hesitates to accept the offer for reality TV stardom. She feels that her size 18 figure does not make her suitable to play the part of an American heiress and newly married wife to Maximillian Edgerton. Max is an architect from Bristol, England who portrays the Duke of Bridgewater (the very hunky and sexy Duke as we soon find out).
Tessa quickly decides to throw caution to the wind, shake up her life a bit (she is a widow), and fly to England to try out for the role of the Duchess. The premise of the "Victorian Duke" reality show is that all the participants (or actors) in the show must truly assume and embrace their roles as members of a noble's house in 1879 Victorian England. Modern conveniences such as cell phones, electricity, and cars are not permitted - it is a jump back in time of 125 years, sort of like the PBS shows 1900 House and Manor House.
Tessa, whose only knowledge of Victorian England comes from her work as a genealogist, quickly finds herself in over her head. As befits her place in society as a "Duchess," she becomes responsible for overseeing the daily operation of Worston Old Hall - home of the Duke of Bridgewater and his real-life 12 year old daughter, sister and brother-in-law and their household staff. And as they say, high jinks ensue!!
Max Edgerton and Tessa find themselves attracted to eachother, after an embarassing initial introduction. Despite her misgivings about her size and her age (she is 5 years older than Max) the two become involved while on the show. But are the feelings they have for eachother reality or "showmance?" Both you and I will have to read the whole book and find out!
Author, Katie Macalister, does a wonderful job taking us through the day-to-day events that Tessa experiences via a daily journal that Tessa writes. Ms. Macalister's writing style is wickedly funny, and the smart, sexy dialog between Tessa and Max makes you feel like a voyeur at times. Tessa is a likeable heroine that everyone, regardless of age (or size), can relate to. This is the first book by Katie Macalister that I've read, and I can only hope that the others are just as fun to read!
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25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I laughed my way through Corset Diaries..., May 7, 2004
This review is from: The Corset Diaries (Paperback)
From the first page, through Tessa's trip over the Atlantic and throughout the month she played the Duchess for the British television show, I laughed.
Katie MacAlister's comtemporary characters never fail to entertain me. Tessa, perhaps most of all. She is older, she is "curvaceous," and has suffered a great loss in her life--she seems more "real" than the heroines in other books in contemporary romance. While things start off rough for all the characters in the book (if you think life in 1879 England was all fun and games, think again), it is Tessa that seems to smooth everything out. Sure she has her terribly embarrasing moments, but then again, doesn't everyone?
In the end, everyone wins, especially Tessa and her Duke, Max. I feel like I won, too. Thanks to Ms. MacAlister for another fun romp!
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24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Laugh Out Loud Funny!, May 7, 2004
This review is from: The Corset Diaries (Paperback)
Tessa is not your average heroine. She's above average in every way. From her curvy body which is just much more to love, to laughing through every embarassing moment possible. You laugh along with Tessa as she strives to convince Max she loves him.
I laughed out loud for 4 pages after reading her breakfast was beans on toast and then having to be stuffed into a corset. I knew it was coming but couldn't look away!
Very few books ever have me laughing out loud. Maybe a chuckle here and there or a smile. But Katie's books are always so funny I can barely continue reading for the tears pouring down my face.
If you want a laugh, a good story, and are tired of insipid virgin heroines, Katie's contemporary characters are for you.
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