Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Unfortunately, due to being busy I didn't make any notes or write a full review about this book in time, and now I don't remember all the specifics that made me enjoy this one so much.
Still, what stuck in my mind as absolutely incredible was the very first time the main couple made love (at that point both of them were down bad for each other, so it wasn’t just sex). Victoria Vale's unquestionable talent for writing incredibly sensual and romantic sex scenes shines so incredibly brightly during Calliope and Dominick's first time.
The scene was so beautiful – soft, intimate, and amazingly erotic. I've said it before, but heroes in this series tend to be very tactile – they love to touch and caress the heroines in the most sensual ways. Dominick was no different! There are so many lovely kisses and touches he shares with Calliope.
What’s makes the scene even more lovely is the fact, that Dominick seems to be the most hedonistic (so far) hero in the series – his focus is solely on pleasure (given and received), and his care for his clients appears mostly surface level. But he was so gentle and considerate with Callie; so absolutely in-tune with her needs and doubts.
It fits his overdramatic nature, but was still a great character development.
It fits his overdramatic nature, but was still a great character development.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism
Making of a Scandal is the third book in The Gentleman Courtesans Series, but it can be read as a stand-alone. The idea of a series based on male courtesans is unique and the books have been getting better every time. Calliope Barrington had never been accepted in Society since her mother was from India. She was tired of men only paying her attention and then propositioning her. She is a wealthy woman and wants her own family. Mr. Lewes is friends with her brother-in-law and someone who she admires. Her sister Diana convinces her to hire a gentleman courtesan to court her so Mr. Lewes will think he has competition. Dominick “Nick” Burke has had to support himself since his father cut him off. He joined his friends in becoming a gentleman courtesan for the money to pay off his gambling debts. Being the third son of an earl, he received invitations to Society events and was the perfect gentleman for Calliope’s plan. He never expected to become fascinated by his keeper. It becomes harder and harder for him to watch Calliope being courted by Mr. Lewes. He doesn’t think he stands a chance with her. Calliope’s feelings grow into love for Nick, but she is too afraid of what Society will think of her if she marries Nick. Calliope must decide if she will let Society dictate her life or if she can live for herself.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Take away: Long. I like the series, but this story went on for too long.
Narration: Darcy Stark - Amazing and perfect for this type of book.
Normal Speed- Accelerated Speed
New - Second - Third - Committed No-brainer. I'll commit to this series.
Series- Non Series - Non-Fiction - Author
Listening to this book was a chore.
I'm glad I listened to this book.
I didn't want this book to end.
I could not wait to be done with this book.
Average, but better than anything I've written.
Narration: Darcy Stark - Amazing and perfect for this type of book.
Normal Speed
Series
I'm glad I listened to this book.
I could not wait to be done with this book.
Average, but better than anything I've written.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
3 1/2 stars. I liked Dominick’s character. I liked Calliope until she became SO SELFISH. What she did to Nick was horrible. She was irredeemable to me after that. Also, there was a lack of chemistry between the MC’s. I usually enjoy Victoria Vale’s writing— The Villain was fantastic, but this book just didn’t do it for me. I skimmed some at the beginning because it was slow-going. For Vale’s writing, this book has much less steam that the others I have read. I do look forward to Benedict’s story. Hopefully it’ll have much more angst.
I enjoyed the story untill the half point through. Then the protagounists declare their love and then a problem (it's there from the beginning) is revealed and I lost my interest in reading on.
It's still a nice book
It's still a nice book
Dirty talking Dominick (Nick) longtime friend of Benedict and fellow courtesan, is hired by Calliope, the half-Bengali half English daughter of a Viscount, to help her bring a suitor up to scratch by posing as competition for her hand. Of course they fall for each other, as is the trend with this series, but the road to their HEA is littered with potholes and speed bumps. I won’t give spoilers, but I can say that both Nick and Calliope are engaging and complex characters and their story is as much of a page turner as the previous books in this series.
Disclosures: Nick doesn’t just talk dirty, he does the dirty. Because this is a Victoria Vale book. No kink or abuse though. Also, don’t start with this book—this is the 4th book of the series and you really need to start at the beginning with Tempting the Bluestocking, which has the setup for the whole series explained in it. This one assumes you know the deal.
Also: the next one isn’t promised until August, damn it, and that’s STILL not going to be Benedict’s story. A few more clues to Benedict’s situation are here, but definitely not enough.
I was lucky enough to get to read an ARC and enjoyed the heck out of it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Disclosures: Nick doesn’t just talk dirty, he does the dirty. Because this is a Victoria Vale book. No kink or abuse though. Also, don’t start with this book—this is the 4th book of the series and you really need to start at the beginning with Tempting the Bluestocking, which has the setup for the whole series explained in it. This one assumes you know the deal.
Also: the next one isn’t promised until August, damn it, and that’s STILL not going to be Benedict’s story. A few more clues to Benedict’s situation are here, but definitely not enough.
I was lucky enough to get to read an ARC and enjoyed the heck out of it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.