David Graham loves women—so much that being a gentleman courtesan is more pleasure than business. Having newly inherited a failing country estate, the income to be earned pleasing wealthy women doesn’t hurt matters. When a new, lucrative contract is offered to him, David is happy to take on a new client … until he finds out what she really wants from him.Widowed and alone, Regina Hurst has no … no desire to engage in a passionate affair. Finally free and independent from the tyrannical rule of her late husband, she only wants what he could never give her—a child. Hiring a professional courtesan seems like the best way of achieving her aims, but she never expects an arrangement of convenience to blossom into something more.
David sees Regina as frigid and severe, but more time spent in her company reveals a dark and hidden pain. The more she resists the spark of attraction between them, the more he strives to earn her trust and affection. Attachment is against the rules of conduct for a gentleman courtesan, but David is helpless to fight his burgeoning feelings.
When their time together ends, will he walk away substantially wealthier, putting Regina behind him forever? Or, will he take a chance on turning a mercenary arrangement into something that will last forever?
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YES, I AM TWIRLING AROUND IN A CIRLCE SCREAMING HOW MUCH I LOVE THIS BOOK! Taming of a Rake is amazing. Victoria really has a way of making you lose all track of time and become focused on reading this story. I felt so many emotions reading this but all good. From David having fun at the beginning, to poor Ben and his fight with the Gossip, to poor poor Regina. And don’t forget the amazing Powell. So many exciting twists though that is not the right word…revelations? And the ending…I promised I wouldn’t reveal anything but JAW DROPPER! Did not see that coming and darn you Victoria…now I am on pins and needles WAITING for Ben’s story. I love that the men and their wives showed up in this book too. Definately a re-read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Taming of the Rake – (The Gentleman Courtesans #4) – Victoria Vale
Mr. David Graham, the rake, the lover the true gentleman, the man who is rarely lacking a keeper and for good reason, David knows how to pleasure a woman and women love David for his abilities. Since the London Gossip seems about ready to expose the Gentleman Courtesans by name, Ben thinks it’s important for David to get out of London for a time being. Although going home wasn’t David’s original plan, he is called home due to the surprise death of his father.
Upon reaching home, David discovers that all the money he had been sending home to support his family and the farmers has literally disappeared. David is totally disheartened and knows he needs to ask Ben for a favor, not what he wants, but he needs the money.
Like he always does, Ben comes through for David, there is a client who is looking for a Courtesan for a specific job. Regina Hurst newly widowed has one job for David if he is up to it. She wants a child and she wants him to father that child, then take his final payment and bonus and walk away. Regina however, has issues to deal with. Regina’s late husband was by no means a gentleman, it would be better to describe him as an abuser, both physical and emotional leaving Regina a broken woman with just one wish someone to love her, hence her wish for hiring David.
Their story is an emotional story, full of angst, fear, sadness and misconceptions. If there is one thing David wishes to give Regina besides the child she so desperately wants, it is to be able to trust again to know that pleasure is part of sex and sex is something to enjoy not fear. It is truly a beautiful story of two souls who learn the meaning of love
Secondary to David and Regina’s story, is that of Ben and the London Gossip. Ben is coming closer and closer to discovering who she is and he will expose her, while protecting the Courtesans, but at what cost to himself. There is something that he has held back from all the Courtesans, most especially his best friends Aubrey and Nick. We will learn that story and what it may cost Ben.
As always, Victoria Vale gives us a story woven together with the beauty of words, colors, feelings, hopes and dreams. She allows the reader to live the story with her characters and leaves us celebrating with those that have found happiness and their way back to living.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I could not wait for this book to come out and it did not disappoint. We come to know David in the other books in this series and I could not wait for his story. He is really the sweetheart of the group. He has a huge heart, is loving and kind….he is definitely a favorite of mine.
The chemistry between Regina and David is electric. You can feel the emotions in this book. I don’t want to ruin it for you, so I won’t say anymore about their history, but it’s emotional. There is also a lot of insight into the next book in the series, which will leave you intrigued. As usual, I am left on pins and needles for the next book!
I DEFINITELY recommend this book and all the books in this series! I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The woman behind the London Gossip paper has made it her mission to expose and destroy the Gentlemen Courtesans. Only Benedict Sterling stands between her and his courtesans.
David Graham is the most amiable, frivolous and light hearted of the Gentlemen Courtesans. He loves the ladies. When he returns to his family’s home on his father’s death, David faces a crumbling house and highly neglected tenants and lands. All the money he earned as a courtesan and sent to his father has disappeared. He needs a contract. Regina Hurst wants something and she’s hiring David to give her what she wants. She has rules, but David will do whatever he can to break them. These courtesans are so charming. I haven’t read one I didn’t like! Congratulations Victoria Vale for another mesmerizing courtesan book!
Great prologue and epilogue!!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout.
I really enjoyed this book and I think I have to say it is my favourite it was so different. David is the consummate rake but underneath he is so caring and brings out the real Regina who had a horrible, violent marriage and now just wants a baby but not marriage. With his kindness and expertise David shows her how enjoyable sex can be with the right person and brings her to the heights of passion. Powell is her protector and he knows David is to be trusted and even goes so far as to reveal his own secret . The gossip is known to Benedict and Benedict has his own explosive secret that none of his friends know and the bombshell is about to be told. A book full of feeling and and secrets; some told and others to be revealed.
Victoria Vale has once again achieved a marvelous steamy story..David has always been the happy go lucky one of the courtesans but he shows his true colors here as he falls for Regina. Regina is a wounded soul who comes alive in the story. The story is interesting, romantic entertaining and leaves us expectantly waiting for the final chapter, Benedicts tale. I was gifted a copy of this wonderful erotic tale but the opinions I express are all my own.
I absolutely love this series! Up to this point, Aubrey’s book was my favorite and I thought the sexiest/steamiest. I was completely wrong in that assumption. David has always been one of my favorites because of his personality. He always seems so carefree and up for anything. Who would’ve thought he would be the sexiest between the sheets?! I actually had to put the book down after one scene to calm myself down. LOL I loved Regina as well. Her backstory is so sad, and unfortunately quite common for the era, and it was awesome to see her growth and recovery of the damage that had been done to her previously. Watching her and David grow as individuals and watching the transformation of their thoughts on relationships was nothing short of beautiful.
The Prologue and Epilogue featuring Benedict were amazing! Reading the epilogue of each book has made me excited for the next book and Benedict’s story, but THIS epilogue….Oh My God, Lord Have Mercy!!!! I am BEYOND excited for ‘Chasing Benedict’ and cannot wait for December when it comes out!!!!
Taming of the Rake is about one of last remaining original Gentleman Courtesans, David Graham. David loves women and loves his job and makes good money doing what he likes, but when duty calls, he hurries home to help his family. He finds he still needs the money, so asks Benedict for help. He receives a contract that will give him the influx of money he needs. The only catch? He has to get the client pregnant.
I love the concept of the Gentleman Courtesans (GCs), and I adore the idea of this story. Both of the main characters are very likable, and their chemistry is hot enough to burn up the pages. Sizzling doesn’t even start to cover how hot the sex in this book is. I loved seeing the other GCs and their wives and knowing not only are they happy, but the wives seem to have a created a sisterhood of their own. I loved seeing other characters from the shared universe, such as Lady Dane and mention of the trio from Tempting Two. I love the language in this book. There were sentences I would read, pause, read again, then close my eyes and just savor them. Ms. Vale has always been fantastic at descriptions, and the ones here are no exception. Her internal understanding of the characters is amazing. I also loved the introduction of the next wave of GCs (I mean, they’re all getting paired off, someone needs to take care of the business). Benedict’s protégé looks like he’ll be a bit of fun.
I liked this book, which kind of depresses me, because I wanted to LOVE this book. To me, it was too easy. Of the two antagonists from the beginning, only one gets his comeuppance, and I thought he got off light. I expected a HEA, but I don’t think they worked hard enough for it. As for the twist, I can’t say it took me by surprise, because I saw hints in the other books, and then a glaring sign at the beginning of this one. So when the big reveal came, it wasn’t so much of a shock or surprise, but an acknowledgement of what I already figured out.
Overall, I was entertained by this book. It was a quick read, and I’m sure if Darcy Stark does the audiobook, it will be delicious to listen to. I liked this book, but I wish I could say I loved it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.