LESSONS FROM A COURTESAN – Jenna Peterson
Avon
ISBN: 978-0-06-113814-0
July 2008
Historical Romance

London, England – 1815

The gentlemen of London are abuzz over Ria, the most sought after courtesan in all of England. The gossipmongers say she comes from the countryside where a soldier taught her many foreign sex practices and now has come to town looking for a new protector. Ria is really Victoria Talbot, the Earl of Baybary's wife. She hasn't seen Justin in three years, ever since he took her maidenhead on their wedding night and left her alone in the countryside at one of his estates. Their marriage was one of convenience planned by her father. Victoria felt so ashamed and used after Justin left her so carelessly. She has come to London with her friend, Marah, because they believe their friend, Chloe Hillsborough, has come to harm. She is a widow who went to London to become a courtesan herself. When her letters to Victoria and Marah stopped, they concocted a plan where Victoria would pretend to be Ria, a seductive courtesan, as she searches for information about Chloe. What Victoria couldn't know was that she would come face to face with her missing husband of three years.

Justin is interested in meeting this mysterious Ria, but is in for a shock when he finds out she is his wife! He never forgot their wedding night and the young bride he left all alone. She is always in his thoughts, and the guilt for leaving her eats away at him. Justin may be able to finally give Victoria an apology, but first he wants answers about Victoria's scheme, even if he has to seduce her to get them.

Victoria can't escape Justin, and she is especially weak every time he holds her in his arms. She still longs for his kisses, which makes her give in and tell him the truth about her disguise. Justin decides to help Victoria and pretend he is her new protector. Soon this husband and wife duo is involved in a mystery that may not have a happy ending. Victoria may despise what Justin has done to her in the past, but she cannot deny his touch and the way he makes her feel as he brings her to his bed each night.

LESSONS FROM A COURTESAN has wonderfully written sex scenes, a tension filled plot, and two characters who enjoy each other to the fullest. I really wanted to enjoy this sensual Regency-set mystery tale, but I was so annoyed by the actions of Victoria and Justin. The way Justin has treated Victoria is unforgivable, and even though she can't stand him, she quickly falls into his arms just because her body aches for his touch. These two snipe at each other back and forth, but then all too quickly their anger and near hate is forgotten because of what they both can do for each other during sex.

I had such issues with Justin and Victoria's relationship that I could not find joy when they were intimate. Even when Victoria brings up a perfect example of the horrible way Justin treated her, he blows it off and tries other ways, mainly seduction, to take Victoria's mind off her issues.

The mystery of Victoria's friend Chloe seems a bit ridiculous, especially with a young and innocent widow who comes to London looking for a protector and how Victoria comes up with the idea to be a courtesan herself even though she is still very much an innocent woman. Victoria's friend, Marah, doesn't bring much to the story even though she tells Victoria her feelings about Justin and why Victoria shouldn't give him her heart.

Jenna Peterson's LESSONS FROM A COURTESAN does have wonderful love scenes and I did enjoy some of the bantering back and forth between Victoria and Justin. Unfortunately, I couldn't get past Justin's initial response to Victoria and how quickly he changes his mind when Victoria comes to town and his possessive tendencies come out, just because she is his wife. Fans of Peterson's past books may enjoy this husband and wife who have great sexual chemistry, but as for trust and devotion, well, that is still something they may have to work on after the story ends.

Kate Garrabrant