Series: Gentleman Courtesans, #5
Traits & Tropes: second chance; tortured hero; m/m romance
Genre/Setting: Historical; Regency; London, England, 1820
Publication Date: 12.18.20
Heat Level: 4/5
Rating: 5/5
Benedict Sterling has long been determined to be financially independent of his hateful father and establishing the Gentleman Courtesans has helped him achieve that goal and help his friends out of tight situations as well. But his success is now threatened by the vindictive London Gossip who threatens to expose his secrets, and those of his friends, in print. Determined to prevent ruination and, more importantly, protect the reputations of his friends, Benedict sets out to learn the Gossip’s identity and put a stop to her slander for good. While he’s bogged down with this dilemma, distraction arrives in the form of a past love seeking to set things right and Ben must also deal with the traumas of his past along with the problems of the present.
Lord Alexander Osborne, now the Earl of Vautrey, has returned to London for the sole purpose of winning back the love of his life. But after three years of separation which followed a painfully abrupt parting, Ben is adamant he won’t allow Alex back into his life. But Alex is determined, and stubborn, and he’ll do anything he must to get Ben to hear his explanations of the past, including contracting him as his temporary courtesan. Alex will take anything he can persuade Ben to give, and he’s willing to be patient, but he won’t give up until he’s achieved the future he and Ben were so cruelly denied.
I was a bit nervous about this book at first, especially given the high angst level I expected, but I actually think this may be my favorite of the series so far. This was certainly one of the most emotional books I’ve ever read and the pacing of conversations, intimacy, and ultimately reconciliation between Ben and Alex was spot on. The revelations kept setting me back each time, even after I thought I had it all figured out. This was extremely well thought out and well-executed and the angst was just enough to heighten the emotions and make me not want to put this down without making it a chore to read. Alex’s grand finale was superb, and I loved how Ben learned to rely on his friends and Alex and that he didn’t always have to handle things alone. Both Ben and Alex had a lot of past trauma to overcome, especially Ben, and I felt like the intimate scenes between them were used to foster the development of their relationship and renewed closeness and trust, rather than just thrown in to be gratuitous. This was a highly emotional book, but it ended on such a feel-good high with the idea of choosing your friends and making your own family that I couldn’t help but love it and I already have favorite scenes I want to go back and reread. Victoria has outdone herself and obviously put so much hard work into this, I can’t give it less than the full five stars and I look forward to Lyons’ story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/3828455452
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3701661752
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