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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Ms. Vale does it again. David the rakist of the rakes has special talents in pleasing the ladies of the ton but he has to reign in his talents for a young widow who wants him for one reason, his seed.
I absolutely loved how this story is about self discovery. David and Regina truly get to know themselves and they really wanted out of life.
It made me think about life also and what I really want for myself.
Of course this book is for entertainment, so there is also a lot of great sex involved. It is written very well and is enjoyable to read.
I give this book 10 stars. Job well done, Ms. Vale
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Beautiful!
I could happily imagine having a David in my life and why not! He’s young, virile, good looking with a strong and beautiful body, clever, courteous, caring, attentive, knows how to keep a woman happy and so on and on.
Seriously, I think Victoria broke the mold after she fashioned him out of her amazing imagination. Pity… (Lol!)
What a beautiful story with two fabulous main characters in David and Regina who knew exactly what they wanted and did what needed to be done to get it.
This is a story begging to be read!
David has just inherited his family’s debt ridden estate, so when he is told he has a new client he is excited to get started. But when he meets her, he learns that she wants something more than the typical skills he provides as a courtesan…she wants a baby!
Regina is finally free from her late husbands abuse. She never plans to marry again, after what she endured, but would love to have a baby. Trying to pass off the baby as her late husband’s, she hires David not long after she is widowed. Knowing that what she is asking is not typical of what the Gentleman Courtesans do, can she convince David to take the job?
David really needs that money to make sure that his sister and mother are supported, so he takes the job. But as these two spend time together, they grow closer. The contract will end when Regina gets pregnant, but will either of them be able to let go?
I loved David and Regina’s story!! Regina was desperate for a child and even though she didn’t want David to touch her after what she had endured with her late husband, she endured it for the child. I love that David was able to get passed her defenses and show her what making love should be like and that she could enjoy it. This was a great addition to the Gentleman Courtesans series and I can’t wait to see what Vale has in store for us next!!
David didn’t stand a chance with Regina. Regina totally shocked David with her requests, but both of them ended up with more than they ever dreamed of. I will not reveal any more of David and Regina’s story because the anticipation is worth reading this book. The bonus comes at the end. Ms. Vale floors all of us with a prelude into the last book of the series which is about the founder of the Courtesan’s, Benedict. His story will definitely be a spicy one and I can’t wait to read it. While every book in the Courtesan’s series can be read as a stand alone, you will get a clearer picture if you read them in order.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I have yet to read a Victoria Vale book that I didn’t like. The Gentlemen Courtesans series just keeps getting better and better! David as the biggest rake of the bunch has finally met a women that touches his heartstrings in Regina. She is so wounded and vulnerable, but David finds the perfect ways to build her back up and lose his heart in the process. This is a wonderful story but there are triggers of domestic abuse. I highly recommend this book as well as anything written by Victoria Vale. I cannot wait for Benedict’s story!
Every book in this series is as good, if not better than the previous book. In desperate need to salvage his inheritance, David accepts the contract proposed by Regina and all of the stipulations placed on him. Regina is a widow, who endured physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her late husband. She has made a most unusual request of David and is willing to pay his handsomely for his service. Emotions were never meant to play a part in their arrangement but some things can’t be denied. Loved this story, it was well written and entertaining. There is a lot going on in this story and the previous courtesans and their wives are mentioned at various times. This is an excellent read that I would highly recommend. This books leads into Benedict’s story which comes next.
Triggers: Discussions of domestic abuse.
Taming of the Rake is yet another triumph by Victoria Vale. It has heart, sexiness, a great plot, and awesome characters everything you want in a romance. David and Regina are on my list of best Victoria Vale couples now. David is rake with the soul of a dedicated lover. In Regina he finally finds a woman that calls for him to stay forever. Regina is a woman that’s had all the joy sucked out of her, or so she thinks until she meets David. They have an unusual arrangement Regina wants David to get her pregnant. There are so many super sweet moments in this story. David goes out of his way to show Regina joy again and in doing so finds the way out of his own darkness. I highly recommend Taming of the Rake. If you’ve been reading the series the twist with Benedict is an excellent ending! If you haven’t read the first three books you need too! This is a great series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The confirmed lover of women of the Gentlemen Courtesans David meets his match in Regina. She’s a widow whose marriage was abusive and she doesn’t trust men but wants a child of her own to love. Since her husband just died, if she gets pregnant quickly, she can pass the baby off as his and live her life alone like she wants. Then she hires David and all of both of their carefully laid plans blow up in their faces. Another wonderful chapter in this series and a heck of a bomb is dropped in the epilogue as a preview to Benedict’s story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was such a good story. David and Regina were just right for each other. Regina and suffered an horrendous marriage and had left her with trust problems. David was so patient, understanding and considerate of Regina’s needs. I enjoyed their growing relationship but there was still the matter of Regina’s determination of not marrying again. Added to this is the ongoing drama with Benedict and the mystery behind the London Gossip. I just had to mention Powell, Regina’s butler/footman, who wouldn’t want a man like that on your side! I received a copy via Booksprout and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I did purchase my own copy.
Wow what can I say, another great book by Victoria Vale. This is the 4th book in the Gentleman Courtesans, and each book is so different from one another. Each have their own unique story. You do not have to read the other books, but if you did you will like when the other Courtesans show up in here. David is the perfect courtesan for Regina, he is patient, kind and loves women. How the story is written, I feel like I really got to know David and Regina before them falling in love. I have to say, everyone needs a Powell in their life. After reading the Epilogue, I cannot wait for the next book.
I received an ARC copy of this book for my honest opinion.
OMG! Victoria has done it again but that is really no surprise to anyone who reads her books. This book draws you in and does not let go until the very end. You will not be able to put it down. Even the end will tie you in a knot without escape. After finishing the entire book, which I did in one long night (5:30 am), I was left with feelings that ran the spectrum of everything you can imagine. David’s story is awesome. I HIGHLY recommend this book and you will not be sorry.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Taming of the Rake is the fourth book in the Gentleman Courtesans series. This entire series has been steamy, and this book keeps the trend going. The storyline and the characters were developed. It was certainly a book that was hard to put down once you started it. David Graham loves women and since he’s a courtesan it makes his work fun. His family estates are in disrepair and the estate manager had been skimming money from the monthly amount he had been sending to his family. Inheriting the crumbling estate and trying to repair it was impossible unless David found himself another position. He needed to stay out of London until the risk of the courtesan’s business of exposure decreased. So, when Regina Hart’s offer came in, he could hardly turn it down. Regina Hart wanted a baby but after having lived with an abusive husband she didn’t want to marry again. Her idea of hiring a courtesan to give her a baby was the only way she could. The arrangement was made but emotions started to get in the way. Can David convince Regina to risk marriage again?
This is one of the best and original series I’ve read in awhile! And Taming the rake was another fantastic addition! I really loved David, he is the ultimate ladies man and makes no apologies for his love of said ladies! But he really does have a heart of gold. He was so sweet and patient with Regina who had heartbreaking and violent times within her marriage. David really took the time to show her there is enjoyment and passion to be had with sex. It was steamy, just like I like it! I was so glad for the HEA for these two!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4 1/2 Stars!! Book four in The Gentleman Courtesans series. Can be read and enjoyed as stand-alone. Each book will follow a different courtesan with secondary characters the same throughout. Told in dual POV with HEA. The characters have well developed back stories that allows you to understand their situation. I loved how patient David was with Regina, and how she came to trust him. The epilogue sets up the next book in the series. I highly recommend to anyone who loves steamy historical romance!
I found the concept behind this series intriguing and this book is another excellent entry in it. This book really hits you right in the feels. David and Regina were so perfect together. From their first interaction, they just clicked with me and I was all in for them. David was the whole package. This swoon worthy hero was caring and fun but also responsible and not afraid of hard work. Regina made my heart hurt. Her past was heartbreaking and after the crappy hand she had been dealt, you had to admire her for having the strength and nerves needed to embark on the path she chose to take. I felt that together these two were steamy and sweet. A truly terrific romance. This is my volitional, candid review.
What I really love about this series, The Gentleman Courtesans, is the camaraderie between a group of guys who want to help themselves and their families. The caring and compassion for each other (and their wives) feels so genuine in these stories. For me, David is the playboy of the group. He is a bit arrogant about what he can do and for good reason really. His feelings, not the ones he shows on the outside, are real and in this story you get immersed in his sorrows. Regina’s plight is common in stories (a fear of intimacy due to a horrible husband). I thought the relationship went warp speed from her fear of not involving herself in the emotions of lovemaking to “yeah, let’s get it on” was a bit too quick. She has this butler who I think should get his own story, even a short story, because he is a fantastic secondary character. A very sweet, and sexy, read.
I received a complimentary copy from the author.
With his love of women and need for funds, working as a courtesan is the perfect solution for David Graham and has never felt much like work. With his father’s passing, David has suddenly been saddled with a crumbling estate, unhappy tenants, and his mother and two younger sisters to care for. When he’s offered a lucrative contract close to home, it seems like the solution to all his problems, until he learns exactly what the lady wants from him.
Recently widowed Regina Hurst is happy to be out from under the thumb of her cruel husband. Inheriting his entire wealth and vast estate ensures her independence, but she’s lonely and longs for a child to love. She has no desire for an affair, so hiring a professional to achieve her goals seems the best option. She’s certainly not prepared when her convenient arrangement leaves her questioning everything she ever believed about men and intimacy.
Upon meeting Regina, David finds her cold but soon delves deeper to reveal the pain she hides. The more she tries to keep up her frigid facade, the more David burns it down with his caring and patience. As he earns her trust, David finds himself breaking the number one rule of the Gentleman Courtesans: don’t fall in love. Though he’s loath to leave her when their arrangement is over, convincing Regina to trust him completely may be too much even for David’s substantial charm.
I adored David and Regina together, especially once Regina finally started to give him a real chance. He was so sweet, patient, and gentle, and was just what she needed. My complaint is that I wasn’t crazy seeing the hero in bed with another woman in the first scene. I’m not a fan of this and it can be a dealbreaker for me, though I have to say, given David’s reputation and occupation, it is rather understandable here and I can overlook it. In fact, despite this being a typical no-go for me, I think here it did lend more gravity to David’s depth of feeling when he did fall for Regina. I adored how hard he fell when it happened and I really appreciated how things came together fairly smoothly for these two and with little angst. I loved this book, maybe not quite as much as I wanted to, but it’s still a keeper and one of my favorites of the series. I’m definitely looking forward to Darcy Stark’s sure to be delicious narration. I’m also super excited for Benedict’s book and the stories of the second wave of Gentleman Courtesans as well.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
David Graham loves women—so much that being a gentleman courtesan is more pleasure than business. When his father dies after an accident he inherits a failing country estate, which he thought should have been in a better state as he’s been sending money home for years but an estate agent who’s a thief means things are dire. 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 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. 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.
This is the fourth book in this wonderful series, all of the gentlemen courtesans have been gorgeous but David has to be my favourite so far, he’s just totally swoon worthy, a loving caring son, a landowner not afraid to get his hands dirty & a man who loves giving women pleasure. I adored how he seduced Regina into enjoying sex. Regina had endured an abusive marriage for years & I applauded her for having the guts to first hire David & then to trust him enough to give her pleasure. A totally engossing read, which is steamy but tells a lovely story of learning to trust. There is also the ongoing story of Ben trying to foil the woman trying to ruin the courtesans through her gossip column & I can’t wait for the final book, which is Ben’s story
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
You’re going to love David and Regina’s story! Regina is a lovely widow finally set free from the bondage of an eight year abusive marriage. With no desire for another marriage, but desperately wanting a child, she seeks the services of David, a male courtesan to provide what she needs. In deep financial need, he reluctantly agrees, and what ensues is an incredible awakening of a frigid, beaten girl into a passionate, love starved woman. David was wonderful as the confident, arrogant lover, yet possessing such a tender and compassionate love for Regina, in and out of the bedroom. It is a captivating story. I just wished that the epilogue would have been about their family and future.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Starring Mr. David Graham and Mrs. Regina Hurst.
I had book insomnia because of David and Regina’s story!! I could not put it down!! Holy wow these two!! Once again Victoria Vale gave us characters that we are more than happy to cheer for and ugly cry AF for. Loved their HEA!!
Can I pleeeeeaaaase order a David?! Coz this hero is beyond swoon-worthy!! When he’s in bed, his partner(s) come first… literally!! This man will make you want to sit in front of a fan, y’all!! Wowza!! But he’s also kind, attentive, and patient. It’s funny because in the previous books David sounded like a devil-may-care kinda guy… but when it matters the most, he takes his responsibilities seriously. Y’all are going to absolute looooove David.
Regina totally broke my heart. She’s lived through hell for 8 agonizing years. So when she’s finally free of her abusive husband, she hires a Gentleman Courtesan to give her the one thing that she wants the most… a baby. She doesn’t want “love” making… she just wants quick in and out (oh these puns) transactions until the goal is achieved. But David makes her feel things she never imagined she could feel with and for a man. And he’s making her come out of her shell. I love it when she came into her own. She deserves all the happiness coming her way… especially with David by her side!!
Now I love Regina and David, but there’s a standout character that I want to make my book boyfriend… Powell, Regina’s footman/bodyguard!! Oh my yum, I wants him!! I’m hoping that Victoria Vale gives him his very own story. He so deserves an HEA of his own.
This is the 4th book (5th if you’re counting Edward’s book) in the Gentleman Courtesan Series. Aaaand Benedict’s story is next… Squeeeeee!!! And all I can say is “OMG!! OMG!! OOOOOOH EMMMMM GEEEEE!!!!”
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily review it and the comments are 100% my own.
My Star rating: 5 stars
Ugly cried AF. Major book hangover. Characters and storyline were freaken amazeballs. Made me wanna hug the author for writing a book that gave me all the feels!! Will definitely be reading this story over and over and over again!!