2.5 stars. That might be overly harsh.

This was Fine. The premise sounded so interesting, but wasn't as engaging when it played out. Marian's motivations for becoming a courtesan made sense, but at times was muddled—she doesn't want to be forced into a loveless marriage, so she decides she'll become a high-class courtesan instead. Where does love fit in? There were themes of choosing your own destiny, but I felt those needed to be coaxed out more.

So many (historical) romance novels develop the characters' relationship before sex, and while expected the reversal threw me off. I had a hard time understanding Nate and Marian's connection. Their class difference was discussed in terms of the choices Marian has to make, but the implications on their relationship and matrimonial union weren't explored.

I was interested in the stories of Marian's sisters, but was satisfied just reading the blurbs for the next books on Goodreads, lol. I don't plan to continue this series.

ALSO the author has an extremely large vocabulary and wields it perhaps unnecessarily often. I had to look up multiple words per chapter, including sobriquet and catarrh. I normally keep track of words I learn from books, but I absolutely gave up and just used the dictionary on the Kindle.

3.5 for the text, 5 for the narration s0 rounded up to 4. The narration saved this wallpaper historical. It's my least favorite trope: "teach me how to be a seductress" - a trope that makes my eyes hurt they roll so hard. I listened because I love the narrator and although nothing in the plot was innovative or surprising, I admit the romance was sweet.

Sigh, these two falling for each other was just lovely.

3.5 stars

Enjoyable, although a lot of the story has been done before in other Regencies.

Fun over-the-top premise: Nice, inexperienced impoverished woman seeks training to become a high-end mistress. Palatable, experienced fancy-man-in-a-big-house will help her, bc why not.

Excellent way to break out of a rut!

I have been in a reading rut for a while and have been struggling to finish romances. This book ended that rut; I finished it in less than 24 hours. It was compulsively readable, with well-developed characters and a good story. I really loved this one!