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elizaed's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book until the end, where the plot falls apart somewhat. Still a fun read though.
claire_loves_books's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't enjoy this book. The courtesan out of necessity thing is something I dislike, if the heroine is a courtesan out of necessity not choice she's never consented to being a courtesan and has therefore not consented to having sex, that's rape. (the book was full of scenes with rapey undertones- and it's used a plot device, rather than a crucial part of the story)
Also are we supposed to thing she's 'better' because she doesn't enjoy sex? I pitied Kate more because she wasn't in control of her decisions but it wouldn't have made her less worthy of Grayson's love if she did enjoy sex. I just find it really anti-women that we are supposed to think more of the MC if she only enjoys sex with her one true love.
Anyway Kate also spends a lot of this book being miserable, going against her principles and feeling bad for it. She's also judged negatively constantly by most the people around her (including the 'hero' for most the book) and it's just not enjoyable to read.
I just couldn't like the hero either, he treats Kate like she's beneath him and let's her know it,
The inclusion of the slave trade/political plot was interesting, but it didn't really have much connection to the main plot and just slowed the book down.
Also are we supposed to thing she's 'better' because she doesn't enjoy sex? I pitied Kate more because she wasn't in control of her decisions but it wouldn't have made her less worthy of Grayson's love if she did enjoy sex. I just find it really anti-women that we are supposed to think more of the MC if she only enjoys sex with her one true love.
Anyway Kate also spends a lot of this book being miserable, going against her principles and feeling bad for it. She's also judged negatively constantly by most the people around her (including the 'hero' for most the book) and it's just not enjoyable to read.
I just couldn't like the hero either, he treats Kate like she's beneath him and let's her know it,
Spoiler
he treats Diana horribly, basically cheating on her, yes she's cheating on her husband but that doesn't make what he did right. She then turns out to be pretty unpleasant but only after they've completely broken up, if felt like she'd been written to be nasty so we could forgive the hero for being horrible to her.The inclusion of the slave trade/political plot was interesting, but it didn't really have much connection to the main plot and just slowed the book down.
jacquelinec's review against another edition
3.0
What I liked most about A Courtesan's Scandal was the heroine, Kate. I've read a few historicals with courtesans cast as the protagonist, however, London managed to make Kate refreshing. I liked that she was optimistic and sweet instead of jaded. On the other hand, my feelings for Grayson are lukewarm. It's not that I don't like him, I'm just indifferent. The story was a good one and it has convinced me to try the previous books in this series, including: [b:Highland Scandal|5032272|Highland Scandal|Julia London|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255668625s/5032272.jpg|5098863], [b:The Book of Scandal|2215235|The Book of Scandal|Julia London|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266642167s/2215235.jpg|2221023] and [b:Snowy Night with a Stranger|2897990|Snowy Night with a Stranger (School for Heiresses, Anthology 2)|Jane Feather|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1256145432s/2897990.jpg|2924402], which has London's novella "Snowy Nights with a Highlander" in it.
rosetyper9's review against another edition
3.0
Wow, while reading this book I didn't realize how long it has been since I have read a regency era romance. I enjoyed this book, it was beautifully written, elegantly written, I could even say. But....I felt like it was missing something. The plot was strong and pretty engaging but I think there was something missing between the Duke and Kate, I understand their circumstances and such but when they were together I wasn't drawn, gripped, into the story as I felt I should have been. The society rules and protocol was interesting and some of the scenes and moments in the book were truly beautiful, and I can appreciate a handsome man standing up for his women. I enjoyed reading this book but I wasn't dragged into the story as I wished I was so I am going to to take a neutral stance and see what everyone else thinks.
thebookworm777's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
rakishabpl's review
4.0
Despite a protracted ending, this was a wonderful book filled with sex, rumor, gossip and scandal. Fun to read. I totally got lost in the story. A bit of a spoiler: I was upset that Kate did not take the offer that Darlington gave her towards the en d of the book although it was the most logical especially how often she preached that she didn't have much opportunities but to be a courtesan.
elblackwell's review
4.0
I liked this so so so much more than I expected to. For some reason, my expectations were really very low, but this just went so far past what I was anticipating. I liked the hero, I LOVED THE HEROINE SO MUCH I WANT TO ADOPT HER. Just lovely. And normally I HATE books with rape backstories, but somehow I DIDN'T WITH THIS? It's all very mysterious.
bookstuff's review against another edition
The good: an actual courtesan as heroine and Prinny as villain.
The bad: It was good reading until mid-way then the plot got too unbelievable for me. I skipped to the last few pages and it was still unbelievable.
The bad: It was good reading until mid-way then the plot got too unbelievable for me. I skipped to the last few pages and it was still unbelievable.
faithfulgirl4's review against another edition
4.0
This is the second book that I've read by [a:Julia London|63898|Julia Quinn|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1210188891p2/63898.jpg]. Earlier this year, I read [b:Summer of Two Wishes|6266575|Summer of Two Wishes|Julia London|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51a4RBVfo2L._SL75_.jpg|6449839] and loved it! You can read that review here!
[b:A Courtesan's Scandal|6344242|A Courtesan's Scandal|Julia London|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1256139877s/6344242.jpg|6530441] is about the life of Kate Bergeron and Grayson Christopher, Duke of Darlington. Kate is a courtesan who is well cared for and highly desired by the Prince. The Prince can't have her until his divorce is final or risk the scandal that will incur when the Princess makes her demands. Instead of risking that scandal, the Prince asks his most trusted man, the Duke, to appear to court Miss Kate until he can have her for his own. Upon meeting, the Duke and Miss Bergeron do not like each other or the arrangement that is in place. However, there is too much at stake for both of them to disobey the Prince. Kate would lose her lavish lifestyle and home that the Prince has set up for her and the Duke's affair with Lady Diana would be exposed and put his desire for the abolition of slavery vote at risk.
Throughout this book, we learn of many people who have influenced the lives of Kate and Christy. All of these people help to shape them into who they are. Their love/hate relationship begins to blossom and before long, they are faced with a decision...to betray the Prince or forget the love they have for each other? What will they decide? Is there too much at risk or is love worth all?
I loved this book and the storyline behind it. I've not read many historical fiction books but they are fast becoming some of my favorites. While Miss London does include some graphic sex scenes and strong language (which I do not like to read most of the time) I enjoy her writing style and the stories she weaves in her characters. Overlooking these things that I find bothersome, she is becoming one of my favorite authors!
This is one of those books that I like to pick my favorite character in and desire to be. IF I was not the person that I am today (picture an imaginary world where there is no right or wrong, where moral decisions are a mute point), I would want to be Kate. I am not a fan of her lifestyle but the love she has for Christy and vice-versa makes me desire to want to be her in a different type of world. She has had a rough life and has finally got a break that she has to decide if the chance of falling in love wholeheartedly is worth it. There is something about her that draws me to her. Maybe it's the way she reaches out to those who are like her on a lower level. Maybe it's the pride she has in herself. Maybe it's her desire to keep her word. Either way, she's my favorite character!
I was provided a review copy of this book by Pocketbook Publishers. I would like to thank them and the author for this review copy. Thank you for reading this review!
[b:A Courtesan's Scandal|6344242|A Courtesan's Scandal|Julia London|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1256139877s/6344242.jpg|6530441] is about the life of Kate Bergeron and Grayson Christopher, Duke of Darlington. Kate is a courtesan who is well cared for and highly desired by the Prince. The Prince can't have her until his divorce is final or risk the scandal that will incur when the Princess makes her demands. Instead of risking that scandal, the Prince asks his most trusted man, the Duke, to appear to court Miss Kate until he can have her for his own. Upon meeting, the Duke and Miss Bergeron do not like each other or the arrangement that is in place. However, there is too much at stake for both of them to disobey the Prince. Kate would lose her lavish lifestyle and home that the Prince has set up for her and the Duke's affair with Lady Diana would be exposed and put his desire for the abolition of slavery vote at risk.
Throughout this book, we learn of many people who have influenced the lives of Kate and Christy. All of these people help to shape them into who they are. Their love/hate relationship begins to blossom and before long, they are faced with a decision...to betray the Prince or forget the love they have for each other? What will they decide? Is there too much at risk or is love worth all?
I loved this book and the storyline behind it. I've not read many historical fiction books but they are fast becoming some of my favorites. While Miss London does include some graphic sex scenes and strong language (which I do not like to read most of the time) I enjoy her writing style and the stories she weaves in her characters. Overlooking these things that I find bothersome, she is becoming one of my favorite authors!
This is one of those books that I like to pick my favorite character in and desire to be. IF I was not the person that I am today (picture an imaginary world where there is no right or wrong, where moral decisions are a mute point), I would want to be Kate. I am not a fan of her lifestyle but the love she has for Christy and vice-versa makes me desire to want to be her in a different type of world. She has had a rough life and has finally got a break that she has to decide if the chance of falling in love wholeheartedly is worth it. There is something about her that draws me to her. Maybe it's the way she reaches out to those who are like her on a lower level. Maybe it's the pride she has in herself. Maybe it's her desire to keep her word. Either way, she's my favorite character!
I was provided a review copy of this book by Pocketbook Publishers. I would like to thank them and the author for this review copy. Thank you for reading this review!