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  • What a Courtesan Wants

  • The Gentleman Courtesans, Book 2
  • By: Victoria Vale
  • Narrated by: Darcy Stark
  • Length: 9 hrs and 40 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (7 ratings)
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What a Courtesan Wants

By: Victoria Vale
Narrated by: Darcy Stark
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Summary

Lady Lucinda Bowery has decided to cast off mourning attire and begin moving on from the loss of her husband. Hiring the gentleman courtesan known as an experienced dominant seems like just the thing to propel her out of bereavement and back to life. She intends for him to give her pleasure and, perhaps, help her find a bit of the woman she was before being widowed. 

Aubrey Drake became a courtesan to help bolster his expanding business as well as provide a trousseau and dowry for his ward. Over time, he has grown bored catering to women who only see him as an exotic offering to be enjoyed temporarily and then discarded. Thus, the thrill of mastering a submissive bedmate has lost its luster, leaving him cold. 

When Lady Bowery is suggested as his new keeper, he expects to be as apathetic toward her as all the others. But, when sparks fly at their first meeting, Aubrey becomes determined to master Lucinda in every way possible, even though she seems intent on keeping him at arm’s length. 

As she finds comfort and pleasure with her new courtesan, Lucinda finds it increasingly difficult to deny that what she feels for him goes beyond simple lust. Yet, embracing the possibility of a future with him means letting go of her past. Aubrey is determined to win Lucinda’s heart, but she still clings to the memory of her first husband. 

Can Lucinda come to return Aubrey’s love before it’s too late?

©2019 Victoria Vale (P)2020 Victoria Vale

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Not for the squeamish

I'm not a fan of BDSM and only listened as part of the series. The story is brilliantly told and narrated and I can understand why some people are seduced by this type of relationship. The tenderness of the romance and the brutality of the sex are described in graphic detail.

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made me blush

loved, loved this book oh my days domes and subs oh hell yes, yes. thank you Victoria vale xx

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Steamy, sensual, and surprising...

What a Courtesan Wants is the stern and explicitly-steamy Regency tale of two people from very different sides of the tracks, who may just be exactly what the other needs. When Lucinda's husband dies she not only loses her Lord but her Master. Can trained Dominant, Aubrey, really fill the hole that Magnus left behind?

When we first meet Lucinda she is determined to try and recapture a little of the spirit that deserted her after her husband's passing, and once at Lady Dane's townhouse, Benedict entices Lucinda to peruse Aubrey's wares most tantalisingly!

I also enjoyed the departure from the historical 'norm' that we saw in Aubrey Drake. Despite his dissatisfaction with the work as a Courtesan, it was nice to see a man with African heritage in a historical. Historical fiction has neglected the diversity of the British Isles for far too long, and the romance genre as a whole has a widely-acknowledged problem with inclusivity. Yet his ethnicity was not the defining feature of his character or his interactions with others, without downplaying the impact it had on his experiences.

I laughed aloud at the description of a playful object, with "its base winking in the firelight" but, alas, dare not furnish you with the context in such polite company...

Vale's stories are always deeply character-driven. She does not neglect the setting, but there is always the sense that their surroundings recede a little as the couple's interest in each other grows.

One of the things I especially enjoy about the Gentlemen Courtesans series, and What a Courtesan Wants in particular, is its focus upon male friendship. Historical romance often features a heroine and her gaggle of sisters, or a hero and his second, but it is rare to find a group of men who are invested in each other's lives.

The excellent narrator, Darcy Stark, moves seamlessly from cool, clipped tones to softer and more sumptuous vocals, clearly differentiating not only the different characters and sexes but their moods and desires.

I would recommend What A Courtesan Wants to everyone who enjoys dark Regency stories, and especially to those seeking historical romance with broader representation than is standard. It can be listened to as a standalone but is at its best as part of a wickedly entertaining series.

*I received this audiobook free of charge in the hope of an honest, unbiased review.

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An Absolute Pleasure!

What I love about Victoria Vale's stories is that besides the heat level there is always a fascinating and really interesting story with amazing characters.
Aubrey and Lucy could have a most remarkable permanent relationship and after almost losing each other a few times I began to wonder if this would n fact happen. The story is full of romancing and angst as the two of them fight the demons of their pasts and blossoming love for each other.
It flows from scene to scene, getting more and more interesting as each scene unfolds and eventually reaches its wonderful climax (pun intended!).
I just loved Darcy Stark's narration of this audiobook and he made listening to it an absolute pleasure. His voice is perfectly suited for Aubrey and the others are a good match too.
This is definitely a book/audiobook that I am recommending!
I listened to a copy of the audio version and my voluntary review above is unbiased.

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