Customer Reviews

Love Lessons

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

This was my first Cheryl Holt book and it won't be the last! I was suprised to find it. I had passed it over many times but when it caught my eye it really caught. I wasn't expecting such a erotic book. I've read Robin Schone's books and thought that they couldn't be as hot, well I was wrong. I would warn anyone who doesn't like steamy sex scenes not to read this book. It will make a person blush and feel very stirred up.

Its the story of a 25 year old spinster, Abigail, who has a problem. Her younger sister is coming to the age where she will marry and is asking Abigail about what the wedding night will be like. Abigail has no knowledge other than the basics. She decides that she must find out for herself before she can tell her sister. So that she can get "hands on" knowledge of love making she enlists the aid of James Stevens. James and his brother are the well known bastard sons of Lord Stevens. They have built a name and a fortune for themselves despite the label. James is intrigued and agrees to teach Abigail. At first all they do is talk and look at some pictures but soon it is aparent that a demonstration is needed. From the moment their lips touch each is lost. They are consummed by their passions and gladdly follow where ever it leads. Unfortunately it leads to ruination of Abigail's reputation. James must over come some long seeded rules to help her.

I enjoyed this book so much that I read it all in one setting. I look forward to Michael's story.

James and Abigail are two very well matched main characters. It is nice to see a no nonsense heroine, even if she is still a virgin. She is the only contact for her younger sister, and wants to make sure Caroline has enough, and correct information before making a choice for a husband. In order to give her accurate information, Abigail must find out herself. Thus enter our hero. These two have sparks flying from the first time they meet.

There was very little about this story that detracts from it. I liked all aspects of it. The characters, the plot, the depth. Abigail's position in society and James's lack thereof and how they are entwined in the story. James has a lot he needs to overcome in regards to his "family" and I really liked that whole part of the story. The secondary romance is charming as well.

All in all this is a great book. Well written, well thought out and very sensual. Pick it up and enjoy!

Abigail needs advise for her sister, to prepare her for her wedding night. She hears talk about James Stevens & decides he is the man she needs.

What follows is very erotic lessons neither will recover from.

This book is full of love, sex & revenge. This is my 1st. Cheryl Holt book, but not my last.

Total surrender is next & is about James's brother, Michael.

Gambling establishment owner James Stewart is used to women visiting him to offer money, jewels and their bodies to pay off the marker their husbands owe him. However, this visitor is different. Abigail Weston offers to pay James to teach her about sex. James' younger brother Michael informs him that Abigail is the younger half sister of Lord Jerold Marbleton, a prig.

Intrigued by a woman for the first in years, James goes to the meeting place and demands she explain why she wants to hire him. Abigail tells him that her younger sister Caroline, who she raised, is on the husband market, but fearful of sex. Abigail wants to talk to her sibling with knowledge, but knows nothing. James accepts the job of tutoring Abigail in every thing she wants to know about sex but is afraid to ask. As they fall in love, social and family pressures make a permanent relationship seem impossible.

LOVE LESSONS is an erotic Regency romance that is fun to read though the plot moves at a leisurely pace throughout the novel. The characters are a discernible group with easy to identify personalities. However, readers are required to have an initial leap of faith that Abigail would have the courage to ask James for lessons, but once that jump is made, Cheryl Holt's tale will remind readers of Susan Johnson's SEDUCTION IN MIND.

Harriet Klausner

I'm not going to say that this book was terrible because that wouldn't be fair. It was well written, just not my cup of tea. It did have all the ingredients for a great novel. What was lacking in the recipe was, well...a story! I love Romance in every form and fashion and prefer a good story/journey with a side dish of steam between the sheets. This, in my opinion, was pure porn with a pea of something resembling a story on the side. My biggest complaint is with the "Hero," While I thought he and the heroine were great all around, I couldn't help but hate the fact that all he did was think with his "phallus." Which reached the point of disgusting on every level. From the very begining his sole intention is to debauch the heroine. Even in the epilogue he doesn't care what woman awaits him, though he hopes it's the heroine. And hey, my motto is bring on the steam, just give me a reason to read the story. If you want steam with a great story try Gaelen Foley first, then Liz Carlyle in Historical. Also Amanda Quick and Julie Garwood, my Personal Favorites. In Contemporary, you can't go wrong with Lori Foster if you like scenes that singe your fingers. Also Linda Howard, Lauren Bach, Cherry Adair, and Susan Anderson.

Yes, I would say this book ranks right up there with any of Susan Johnson's in the arena of steamy sex. And perhaps the heroine's behavior seems a bit out of place in this time period. However, Holt's characters have hidden feelings and vulnerabilities that somehow make their actions believable.

The biggest hurdle to get over is how Abigail Weston is so quickly converted from a prudish spinster to a wanton wench. Still waters run deep, they say. A second sense tells her that James Stevens is more than the libertine he claims to be. And while she is eager for the physical love he offers, she yearns to help him face the insecurities that render him incapable of real love.

In order to do this, however, she must be willing to acknowledge her relationship with him to the world--not an easy thing to do when he has made it clear that he will not commit himself to her in any way. What would she do when (if) he cast her off after she had been rejected by her family and all of society for her wanton behavior? She instinctively knows he loves her, but will their love be enough to overshadow the darkness in his soul? In some ways, jumping off a cliff would be easier!

I wasn't crazy about his father Edward's behavior, and his mother disappointed me too at times, but one doesn't get to pick one's relatives, and the ones we end up with aren't always ideal either.

But whatever happened to his brother Michael? I'll have to check out some of Holt's newer titles.

I really enjoyed reading Love Lessons, and primarily due to the fact that it is one of the most erotic novels I have read in a long time. Cheryl Holt can conjure a very steamy atmosphere with her writing and coupled with the absence of purple prose, this one definitely deserves to be in the 'erotic romance' category.
I would have been happier if she would have focused more on the main couple....It started off very nicely toward the begining, but Ms Holt introduced a lot of secondary characters which detracted from the story line. Still, it was a good read and I look forward to reading Total Surrender.

Abigail Weston is a 25 year old spinster. Her 17 year old sister, Caroline, is about to come out into society and eventually marry. Only problem is Caroline keeps asking her about what a man and woman do on their wedding night. Being a spinster, Abigail is unable to answer so she decides to take lessons.

She engages James Stevens, the bastard son of the Earl of Spencer and who has a notorious reputation with the ladies. So every Monday and Thursday afternoon Abigail and James meet for their private lessons. The lessons are only meant to be theoretical but slowly Abigail finds herself having practical lessons instead. As she learns about the ways of loving a man, she cannot but help fall in love with James but will she be brave enough to step out into the public society with this notorious rake.

This book was erotic. Every other chapter contained a sex scene and in graphic detail aswell. The story was OK and towards the end you are rooting for the hero and heroine to get back together. James' behaviour wasn't very endearing though. He seemed to have a permenant erection throughout the book and would relieve himself at every opportunity. Still it was an engaging book and if you like steamy erotic scenes you will not be disppointed.

Lea Ling Tsang

Cheryl Holt is remarkably successful in transposing modern sexual sensibilities onto historical characters. Her sexual scenes are explicit, and the vocabulary is very blunt. If you are turned off by candid, love scenes, this book is not for you.
Our heroine is virginal old maid Abigail Weston, a spinster who wants her younger sister, Caroline, to wed well. Normally when in her right mind, she's a pattern-card of propriety. Caroline's impending marriage and questions about what happens in the marriage bed however, has her feeling less than her usual self. She does the unthinkable and approaches a notorious rogue, James Stevans in order to give her lessons!
This reviewer was instantly drawn to the fact that the female protagonist doesn't hide behind the limitations of "polite society". It was refreshing to see an independent woman going after what she wanted, despite the disastrous results that could occur. Intermingled in the complex background of histories, vulnerabilities and past experiences is a passionate story.
James joins the line of heroes who overcome horrific childhoods and build themselves into powerful, intimidating men. Abigail and James complement each other in ways the other could never imagine!!
Love Lessons is very intense sexually, as James introduces Abigail to the pleasures of the flesh, and, eventually, the pleasures of the heart. Men could learn from reading these books. The entire book has a sensuous quality that draws the reader in, leaving you wondering when the estranged lovers will meet again.
This reviewer has to admit this book had her blushing for a long time. She must have blushed all the way home from work on the bus. But it was worth it.
This reviewer wouldn't recommend Ms Holt's books if you are looking for the 'traditional' soft/romantic moonlight, poetry and candles - 'don't come near me with that big thing', done-to-death type of story. Personally, this reviewer expects, and likes more for her money and reading pleasure. Cheryl is very good at what she does. She turns on the heat and lets it slowly simmer to a boil throughout the story. And when it boils you only want more.
One star was subtracted because it was felt that the book was written with modern sensibilities in mind. This Reviewer just didn't feel that she was being transported back to the time written about.
It is hoped she writes more books as sizzling as this one! A bit of caution, only attempt to read "Love Lessons" if you have a cold shower near by. With that said, it is highly recommended.
Reviewed by Mahaira for Fallen Angels
www.fallenangelreviews.cjb.com

I usually never give bad reviews but I bought and read this book after reading the other reviews and am not happy! Here's the plot--Abigail Weston, half sister to an earl, whose younger sister is coming out, seeks out infamous rake James Stevens, illegitimate son of an earl, for sex advice so she can help her sister navigate. OK, admittedly I thought this was an asinine plot device but decided to give it a shot given I was in the mood for a steamy read. As is totally expected, they end up engaged in a wild affair. There's no real plot except that James' jealous mistress eventually finds out and exposes their affair and there's a big denouement at the end with the families. It's basically just a series of sex scenes which would be FINE if there was actually any believable tension between Abigail and James! Instead, their relationship is totally based on physical attraction and I couldn't discern any emotional connection at all. Because of that, the sex was tepid at best. In addition, Abigail was probably one of the most annoying heroines ever - naïve, reckless, and her innocence at the beginning (i.e., never seen a man naked) made me want to tear my hair out. James falling in love with her after years being the uber rake was just totally unbelievable. And sorry to the author, but what was up with all the exclamation marks--"No woman of gentle breeding should have to suffer such torment!" or "A babe! With her!" The good thing is I liked the characters so little that I didn't mind bad things happening to them.