Customer Reviews

A Courtesan's Guide to Getting Your Man

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Celeste Bradley and Susan Donovan have given us the best of both worlds. These two authors have teamed up to write contemporary historical romance mash up that works so well. A Courtesan's to Getting Your Man is beyond steamy, perhaps the most erotic and hottest romance these two authors have penned thus far in their careers. I look forward to reading another romance with this writing duo. And if you're fans of Celeste and Susan's work, you'll definitely want to get your hands on A Courtesan's Guide to Getting Your Man.

Piper Chase-Pierpont may be a smart cookie with a Ph.D, but she's, "a sex-starved, uptight, overworked and underpaid museum curator at the Boston Museum of Culture and Society who's turning thirty and has parents who constantly put her down. Piper's job may also be cut unless she can astound the public with an exhibit at the annual BMCS Fall gala in three months showcasing Ophelia Harrington, the city's most beloved icons from the nineteen century. Piper has found something shocking from Ophelia's papers that have remained hidden in a secret compartment of her travel trunk. Piper has unearthed Ophelia's secret diaries where she was once a famous courtesan in England called the Blackbird. Piper would love to unveil Ophelia's scandalous past for the exhibit, but she could be made the laughing stock of Boston and be canned. Piper can't get enough from what she reads by Ophelia's hand because it's so tawdry and erotic. Piper yearns to be more like Ophelia, who took her life into her own hands and owned her sexuality proudly with no regrets.

Around the time Piper finds these diaries, Mick Malloy walks back into her life. Mick is the one who got away and has made quite the life for himself. There are rumors that the sexy Irishman may get his own cable reality show. Piper thinks of Mick as a real-life Indian Jones who gave her self-esteem a blow when years ago she tried to seduce him. Mick walked out on her without falling for her attempts to get him into her bed and has never forgotten it. Mick is on sabbatical for six months as a consultant to the board of trustees at the museum and wants to get reacquainted with Piper. Mick has always liked Piper, even with her dowdy clothes and almost clumsy nature. He hopes they'll be more than just business associates and can finally explain why he left her unfulfilled that night so long ago.

With the help of Piper's friend Brenna, they use Ophelia's diaries to help Piper with a new makeover and a plan where she'll finally seduce Mick and give him enough mind blowing orgasms where he'll be craving for more. Ophelia's tale began when she walked away from her family because they were forcing her to marry a man she didn't despised. She went to the Swan, a well-respected courtesan, to teach her to become a courtesan. With the help of a masked man, she only knows as Sir, he teaches Ophelia desire and passion to the point she wants to be only with him. Unfortunately Sir must let her go, but watches over her from a distance until Ophelia finds herself in a precarious situation where her life as she knows it could be destroyed.

As Piper and Mick have a no holds barred love affair, they team up to unravel the mystery surrounding Ophelia and how she was able to keep her courtesan life a secret all this time and become one of the most celebrated women in Boston.

A Courtesan's Guide to Getting Your Man is a must read. Piper is your typical repressed heroine who is almost pathetic in nature when you first meet her. But thanks to a good friend and some outlandish reading material, Piper channels her inner seductress. And when Piper unleashes her new self, Mick is lost under her spell. Mick is wonderful and sweet. His relationship with Piper is a nice counter balance to the one Ophelia and Sir share. Finding out Sir's identity and why he keeps tabs on Ophelia for over the course of ten years is a nice surprise and a welcomed twist you may not see coming.

Again, the love scenes are very well written and hot. Ophelia is not a fake courtesan only playing a role and she has both protectors and lovers, although her heart always belongs to one man. It may seem somewhat illogical that Ophelia could fall so easily into becoming a courtesan, but you're able to put that aside and enjoy what Ophelia goes through and how her willful spirit is never crushed. Ophelia embodies the feminism ideal that the female reader should admire.

A Courtesan's Guide to Getting Your Man hits all the high marks for excellence in the romance genre and one I'd urge any romance reader get their hands on.

Katiebabs

I read this book in just 1 day. The switch between past and present had me constantly on edge, but in the best possible way. Bradley and Donovan do a wonderful job weaving the two together. Being a Historical Romance buff, I personally longed more for the past, but both are well conceived and thought out.

This book states what it clearly is in the title. A courtesan's guide, so I think it's very reasonable to expect some very naughty things. Those who were surprised by this, befuddle me. But let it be said, if you don't fancy sexual tales, this book is not for you. It does go a little bit on the darker side of things as far as sexual content goes, but not too much, and really I expected it to. If it had not, I would be disappointed. It might upset those who have never wondered about or participated in the darker side of things.

All in all, it is one of those books that made me think when I put it down. I didn't want to let go of the characters or the story. When that happens, I know I've read a great book, and I think this is one of the best Romance I've read in quite awhile.

Let's start with the X rated sex...
For many readers this book with be way too bold, blatant and detailed in the bedroom scenes. If you are into erotic reading, this book has some interesting sexual twists and variety. It is interesting to note that this book addresses the issue that many women have with actually uttering the "dirty words" to their partners. The masked male sex buddy, known only as "sir", seemed a bit sexist in concept, but worked in the context of the story.

I need to preface the rest of the review with this statement....I hate the "formula" romance books. We have all read them....ugly, fat, virginal, shy or otherwise undiscovered ugly ducking girls that meet hunky, hot pirates, lords, millionaires or highway men and hook up. Then there is some terrible misunderstanding, abduction or other traumatic event that tears them apart. Ultimately the man comes to his senses, rescues the maiden or performs some other heroic deed to win her back and they all live happily ever after. The End.

So...if you enjoy this type of book, you should probably quit reading this review here.

This book does tend to follow the above formula, but with two heroines, one sent in present day and one in the past and two different authors writing each story. While I didn't hate this book(I think the sex made it at least a bit more interesting than the usual romance novels.) and I did actually read it to the very end, I did have some complaints.

Without going into great detail and spoiling the plot, for this of you brave enough to read this book...
I had problems with the basic concept of the character of Ophelia choosing to become a courtesan in order to escape marriage and the rules of traditional society. I also had difficulty with "Sir's" choices and motivation (other than the obvious sexual motive). His choices were never explained or justified within the story. That said, I did like the characters of Ophelia, her story line better that the present day story, which seemed to exist only to provide a vehicle to tell Ophelia's story. The present day plot with Brenna and Mick totally followed the "formula" of a romance novel and copy-catted the sex scenes from Ophelia's plot.

If you enjoy this type of book, don't tend to question the choices of that the characters make and aren't offended by the sex, you will like this book.
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A Courtesan's Guide to Getting Your Man by Celeste Bradley and Susan Donovan -- their first collaboration.

Two bestselling authors, but NOT an anthology. This is one seamless, interwoven novel.

I thought the authors used a brilliant story telling device that made this a half historical/half contemporary romance but with the story lines intertwined.
In past romances I've read which include both historical and current day scenes, the transition was usually a time travel device
or some other "paranormal" situation. This is two unique stories....two heroines.....two heroes......but their lives are interwoven
with one another. I found this story much more plausible than "time travel", reincarnation or stepping through portals!

I'll admit, after reading the first 50 pages and arriving at chapter five only to be pulled from the contemporary storyline into the historical,
I was not at first happy about the interruption. But Ms. Bradley and Ms. Donovan handled the "time transitions" well and soon I was completely hooked!
I did go back and read the book a second and third time, skipping chapters so that I could read just Piper's story from beginning to end, and then
Ophelia's story straight through. I would love to know how the authors collaborated to get the two stories to flow so smoothly!

One thread that connected both stories was the compelling need of both heroines to be free of the expectations and restrictions placed on them.
I liked how both authors incorporated that into their stories. On Celeste Bradley's website, she describes the book as "...the story
of two women searching for self-expression and empowerment in a world that doesn't approve...."

This book most definitely earns an "X rating" for sexual content. For some readers, the very explicit sex scenes will be a turn off. I admit
I did a bit of skirming myself through some of the scenes since I am not a reader of erotica. However, this was not smut for smut's sake.
The erotic scenes fit within the story and if those had been left out or "softened" for reader sensibilities, the story would not have had
the same impact and value. The historical story involves a woman learning to be a courtesan afterall!
Becoming an 18th century courtesan lends to risky situations. But I thought Ophelia Harrington's sexy tale as a London courtesan was still
fascinating and it contrasted beautifully with Piper Chase-Pierpoint's life as a repressed academic whose one and only attempt at reckless
seduction failed badly.

I loved what Celeste Bradley wrote on her website: "We hope that every woman who comes across this book will be encouraged to read outside her
comfort zone, write outside it or live outside it, because she is capable of more than she knows."

That to me sums up the book......get out of your comfort zone! live life to it's fullest! quit listening to everyone else and dare to live!

A Courtesan's Guide to Getting Your Man was funny, thrilling, and heartfelt. I loved the dual time periods and felt that, though the book was written by two different authors, it was one cohesive, magical, erotic, and mysterious romance. I may have correctly guessed the identity of "Sir." very early on, but the switching between the past and the present really kept me hooked to the story, as did unusual premise. Regency romances are usually about titled men and pretty women, with the trials and tribulations of courtship revolving around scandal, inheritances, and disapproving or dastardly relatives--and this title had all of that--but the vast majority of them would scorn a romance involving a courtesan who relishes the pleasure and scorns love and commitment. Ophelia is a surprise because she has multiple long-term relationships with men other than "The One," and she doesn't regret it, she wasn't forced into it, and they were all important parts of her character development. Frankly, it was refreshing.

The contemporary parts of the novel were also intriguing, and it was quite satisfying to watch them uncover Ophelia's story while straightening out their own, but the real magic of the book was in the way the two times were woven together. Though this is a considerably hotter and more satisfying effort, it reminded me of the style of Lauren Willig's Pink Carnation series, which I really enjoyed.

Additionally, this book was really, really hot! Both the contemporary scenes and the historical ones kicked it up a notch and approached the overall theme of liberation in a very erotic way. This is sure to become one of my go-to books! Trust me, you'll love it too!

I just finished this book and all I can say is "wow."

Yes, it is steamy in the sex scenes and those who are more prudish in your sensibilities will likely be offended.

What grabbed me was the plot. It was different. This book stood out in a way I have not seen in a while. Two plots wound around the story of one woman. Both central female characters learning confidence and their own inner power.

Bravo. I was sucked into this one more than I have been in other books in a while.

Bradley and Donovan, well done!

I have discovered recently that the "Gear" novels and the Historical Romance Genre are the books that I like the best.

This one as a previous reviewer said, I should have known by the title. I thought it would be spicy, but yes this book deserves an X (at least one) rating.

I liked the story, I liked the curator, I liked the ending. I am not crazy about lots and lots of sex written into a romance, some is ok, this one is overboard.

Most of the story and ideas were good. This would be a good book if you are an erotica reader.

A Courtesan's Guide to Getting Your Man is a historical romance and a contemporary romance rolled into one. There are two different story lines in two different time periods that are connected by a single diary. Piper Chase-Pierpont is a curator. She's in charge of the latest exhibit featuring the town's matriarch. Piper unsuspectingly finds three scandalous diaries. Piper keeps the diaries a secret from the rest of her colleagues but uses the diaries as a how to manual for seducing her long time crush. She gets more than she bargains for while reading the diaries. The diaries belong to The Blackbird. The Blackbird is a woman who refuses to be sold as property in marriage. She takes matters into her own hands and becomes a courtesan. She is taught the fine art of making love by a mysterious masked stranger only known as "Sir". This part of the novel is steamy to say the least. The Blackbird defies society and lives life on her own terms. I really enjoyed both story lines. Piper's was about self discovery and being comfortable in your own skin and The Blackbird's was about following your instincts and being true to who you are. Both storylines paralleled each other beautifully.
Overall this was a good book. It was funny, witty and heart warming. It is highly entertaining but I will warn you that it's for mature audiences only.

"A Courtesan's Guide to Getting Your Man" opens in present time Boston with our heroine Piper, a senior curator at the Boston Museum of Culture and Society, as she's gathering some material for the Herrington exhibit for which she's in charge. By pure fluke, she stumbles upon a 187 year old diary of Ophelia Herrington who she realizes was a courtesan in England long before she became one of the leaders of Boston society as well as a voice against slavery and free speech for women.

As the story progresses, I got to know Piper and the world she lives in, her dreams, her regrets and slowly I was pulled in and vested into her life. When the hero Mick, who left her some ten years ago, walks back into her life, I couldn't help but root for this young woman to win him back, especially when I found out the reason behind his abrupt departure all those years ago.

Magnus "Mick" Malloy was an assistant lecturer a decade ago at the Wellesley and that's when he met Piper, a brilliant, cute and shy chick that had dry sense of humor that intrigued him. He was back in Boston from his world-wide explorations and for the next six months he would be working as a consultant to the board of trustees at Piper's museum.

Chapter after chapter the authors slowly took me from present day Boston, and thanks to Piper's reading of Ophelia's diary, back to 19th Century London.One thread that connected both stories is the compelling need of both women to be free. My heart went out to both of them as I followed their journey toward that freedom, toward their self discovery and their own sexuality. I rejoiced as they broke the invisible chains that society in Ophelia's case, and parents in Piper's case, have put on them.

For some, the very explicit love scenes might be too much, but in my opinion, all of them were very well written and will set your heart aflutter. This is an erotic love story and the erotic scenes were done with taste, care and forethought, not just put there willy-nilly to fill up the pages. Through those scenes I could feel the love of these men who were blessed with these extraordinary women.

At the beginning of the book the authors were switching from present to past every few chapters. The switch was less and less as the book went on, so that by the end I was reading them almost simultaneously. The pace and the switch between the two stories was intense and suspenseful. And then the end came and I just wept. I promise you that by the end you will be weeping too.

Ms. Bradley and Ms. Donovan gifted us with a tale of true love that in the end conquered all that was in its path, including our two heroines. I am amazed that two women wrote this book. One of these authors I've never read, while the other I've read and own every book she ever wrote. I truly could not say where one ended and the other began; that's how seamlessly intertwined the book is! Brava Ladies!

*I got the ARC of this book from Early Reviewers Giveaway at The LibraryThingDOTcom for an honest review.

RATING: 4.5)A COURTESAN'S GUIDE TO GETTING YOUR MAN by Celeste Bradley and Susan Donovan is an exciting romance set in present day Boston and 1813 London.The plot is very interesting while it enterwines the past with the present.This story is written by two very different but entertaining authors. Celeste Bradley, a historical author and Susan Donovan a contemporary author together an wonderful story mixing the past with the present. This is the story of a modern day woman,Piper,who finds the scandalous memoirs of from another era,who was a courtesan.And the courtesan,Ophelia,who becomes a beloved folk heroine.But before that she was a high class courtesan,accused of murder in 1813,London. While Piper reads Ophelia's memoirs she also learns more about herself.This is a wild ride,that is both stimulating and shocking.It will keep you turning the pages to learn more of Ophelia and her life,while also learning of Piper the senior curator of the Boston Museum of Culture. These two authors have written an exciting twist to both contemporary and historical romance.A must read for both historical and contemporary readers.This book was received for the purpose of review from the publisher and details can be found at St.Martin's Paperbacks,published by St. Martin's Press and My Book Addiction Reviews.