The Corset Diaries

by Katie MacAlister

Book Overview

"Reality TV has never been more entertaining than here as the wickedly funny MacAlister has her heroine record her hilarious experiences with a quirky cast of characters and her passionate encounters with Max in a laughter-laced diary that is a saucy, sexy delight."- Booklist No woman in her right mind would consent to wearing a corset for a month. Especially a "skinny-challenged" woman like Tessa. But dreams of being debt-free dance in her head when...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451411129
• ISBN13: 9780451411129
• Release Date: May 2004
• Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
• Length: 344 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.2" x 6.9"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

another delightful Katie howl!

Last fall, I stepped into a hole in the back yard and twisted my knee. At the time, that was so painful, I did not notice I cracked open the sternum of my ribcage. I woke in great pain during the night and had to be rushed to hospital. The immediately solution was stuff me into a corset to where I could not breath - crushing my ribcage. Surprisingly, you get "sort of" used it as the weeks pass, but you really are amazed at the women that lived their whole lives in that fashion. It's small wonder they swooned! So, recalling how bad it hurt to laugh with a corset, I am eternally grateful that Katie Macalister waited until I was out of the bloody thing to release the Corset Diaries. Had I read this while trussed up like a turkey, I would have been in serious trouble! I would so hate to have my demise on Ms. Macalister conscience! And I fear that would have been the result. This book is just such a howl. Katie's is a brand of humour that makes one feel good. It's a special gift. Her books won't change the world, solve the rain forest problem or go down into the history of literature, but they are sheer fun. And this one is another special gem from a very talented writer. It's a funny, witty, sexy, Benny Hill - Monty Python bawdy romp. Some people don't get Brit humour, so they miss all the fun. Sorry for them. The rest of us shall delight in this tale of Tessa, a less than stunningly perfect, 39-year-old who takes on the chore of acting the role of Duchess for a week, corset and all. Frankly, I felt for Tessa when her heart goes pitter-patter over her leading man Max - her "Duke". Rapid breaths in steel stays is just dangerous! Its wickedly sly dialogue charms us as "Duchess" Tessa adjusts to life as it was over a century ago. Stocked full of charming characters, it's a delight from start to finish. Katie's brings her special touch to this amusing story. Still, I am so glad I read it now, instead of four months ago when my brush with a corset left deep impression on me - figuratively and literally!! Keep spinning the magic, and we shall keep laughing! 2004 Reviewers International Organization's Award of Excellence Finalist and 3rd Place Winner

A great laugh!

I really enjoyed this books, it's is hardly the worst book as some "brave" (not!) soul tries to proclaim. It lightened by spirit and I felt happy after reading it. What more can a book do for you? Why is it, all the "bad" reviews for a book comes from a "reader from..." People hiding behind masks? If someone dislikes a book enough, then they should have to guts to stand up and proclaim it with true conviction. Dismiss "creative writers of readers from"...and read people who actually stand up and say they like a book and why and are proud to put their name to their opinion.A reader from = nothing to me. I never listen to their poison.

a special brand of giggles

Once again, I find myself loving a Katie Mac book. I get so sick of goddess gorgeous heroines. It's SO nice to have one that is very down to earth and as accident prone as I am.I laughed so hard. Yes, it's not Shakespeare, but then, silly, I did not buy it expecting that! I want what MacAlister delivers - fun!

I laughed my way through Corset Diaries...

From the first page, through Tessa's trip over the Atlantic and throughout the month she played the Duchess for the British television show, I laughed.Katie MacAlister's comtemporary characters never fail to entertain me. Tessa, perhaps most of all. She is older, she is "curvaceous," and has suffered a great loss in her life--she seems more "real" than the heroines in other books in contemporary romance. While things start off rough for all the characters in the book (if you think life in 1879 England was all fun and games, think again), it is Tessa that seems to smooth everything out. Sure she has her terribly embarrasing moments, but then again, doesn't everyone?In the end, everyone wins, especially Tessa and her Duke, Max. I feel like I won, too. Thanks to Ms. MacAlister for another fun romp!

The Corset Diaries - Reality Romance - Wow!

I am half-way through reading "The Corset Diaries" by Katie Macalister and had to write a review. This book is hilarious, sexy and touching all at the same time. I couldn't stop laughing in some places. I'm not talking about a few chuckles here and there, but full-on, can't stop, out loud laughter! I woke up my husband, who wanted to know what was so funny, of course. Ah, but how to fully explain the mad-cap adventures of Tessa Riordan, our heroine? The "barking spider" episode, for example, is classic. "The Corset Diaries" is about a 39 year old woman (Tessa) who has the opportunity to make $10K for "acting" as a Duchess in "The Month in the Life of a Victorian Duke" - a reality TV program being shot in England. Although she could definitely use the money, Tessa initially hesitates to accept the offer for reality TV stardom. She feels that her size 18 figure does not make her suitable to play the part of an American heiress and newly married wife to Maximillian Edgerton. Max is an architect from Bristol, England who portrays the Duke of Bridgewater (the very hunky and sexy Duke as we soon find out). Tessa quickly decides to throw caution to the wind, shake up her life a bit (she is a widow), and fly to England to try out for the role of the Duchess. The premise of the "Victorian Duke" reality show is that all the participants (or actors) in the show must truly assume and embrace their roles as members of a noble's house in 1879 Victorian England. Modern conveniences such as cell phones, electricity, and cars are not permitted - it is a jump back in time of 125 years, sort of like the PBS shows 1900 House and Manor House. Tessa, whose only knowledge of Victorian England comes from her work as a genealogist, quickly finds herself in over her head. As befits her place in society as a "Duchess," she becomes responsible for overseeing the daily operation of Worston Old Hall - home of the Duke of Bridgewater and his real-life 12 year old daughter, sister and brother-in-law and their household staff. And as they say, high jinks ensue!! Max Edgerton and Tessa find themselves attracted to eachother, after an embarassing initial introduction. Despite her misgivings about her size and her age (she is 5 years older than Max) the two become involved while on the show. But are the feelings they have for eachother reality or "showmance?" Both you and I will have to read the whole book and find out! Author, Katie Macalister, does a wonderful job taking us through the day-to-day events that Tessa experiences via a daily journal that Tessa writes. Ms. Macalister's writing style is wickedly funny, and the smart, sexy dialog between Tessa and Max makes you feel like a voyeur at times. Tessa is a likeable heroine that everyone, regardless of age (or size), can relate to. This is the first book by Katie Macalister that I've read, and I can only hope that the others are just as fun to read!