The Courtesan's Daughter (The Courtesan Series)

by Claudia Dain

Book Overview

First in a sexy new series featuring the match-making schemes of an infamous courtesan.

Award-winning author Claudia Dain tells a tale of impropriety and independence, and a mother and daughter determined to bend the rules of society in their favor.

Young Lady Caroline's prospects for a suitable match are severely limited by her mother's infamous past. Before Lady Sophia Dalby entered London society, she was a highly desired courtesan...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425217205
• ISBN13: 9780425217207
• Release Date: October 2007
• Publisher: Berkley
• Length: 327 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.3" x 1.0" x 5.5"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 12 and higher

Customer Reviews

Fun romp

I heard the author refer to this book as a "romp," and I couldn't agree more. The playful, fast-paced back and forth between the large cast of characters will keep you turning pages and laughing as you go. Enjoyable read, well done, and lots of fun!

A Fresh Spin On the Regency

For lovers of traditional Regency, this book may be hard to understand. It is not a typical romance. The structure of the story is quite complex, with plots and twists right up to the last page. In fact, the romance isn't the main thing here. The romance concocted between Lady Caroline and Lord Ashdon is only one ring of this three-ring circus. The main show belongs to Sophia, the courtesan of the title and Lady Caroline's mother. Sophia is a consummate manipulator, one who enjoys playing puppetmaster to all those around her. Her machinations would make Machiavelli proud. The unexpected characters that show up near the end of the book are part of Sophia's back story and I cannot wait to learn more about her, how she came to be the woman she is, and what in the world she will get up to next. This is a tale that will, I'm sure, unfold over many books and take us on a wild Regency ride! If you are willing to take a chance and shake up your reading, there is no better way to do so than to read "The Courtesan's Daughter". I can't wait for the next one!

4.5 Klovers - Courtesy of CK2S Kwips & Kritiques

Impetuous Lady Caroline has found herself in quite the dilemma. Having reached the age where most young ladies of her station are being courted, and likely have been offered for already, her mother's torrid past as a courtesan before marrying into nobility has greatly hindered the beautiful Caro's matrimonial prospects. It's a good thing Caro's notorious mother has a plan. Lady Sophia has found the perfect husband for her precious daughter, and spared no expense in paying Lord Ashdon's numerous debts in order to secure his participation in her matchmaking scheme. But Caro doesn't want a man who had to be bought for her. She wants to marry for love or not at all. When it seems to her that she's out of options, she decides to follow in her mother's scandalous footsteps. It seems like the perfect course for her - until she meets the frustrating and tempting Lord Ashdon... Lord Ashdon can't believe the little spitfire would rather become a courtesan than his wife! Insulted beyond measure, he is determined to have her - one way or the other. I was completely captivated by the entire cast of characters in Claudia Dain's newest release, The Courtesan's Daughter! In addition to very compelling romantic leads, Dain rounds out the cast with a bevy of intriguing supporting characters that add to the story without detracting from Caro and Ashdon's romance at all. In fact, the author very deftly created a craving in this reviewer for sequels starring several of them. Caro's irrepressible nature is absolutely divine! This heroine definitely knows how to keep her hero on his toes - aided by her mother's expert tutelage, of course. Watching the beautiful and charming Caro make Ashdon's head spin time after time made for riveting romance. Ashdon is an interesting hero - he has his fair share of issues, but when push comes to shove, he can be counted on to do what is right, proving he is a fitting husband for Caro. Throughout the story, the Lady Sophia's machinations are the spoon that stirs the pot. As the tale progresses, it becomes apparent that every step of this unconventional courtship has been by Caro's mother's ingenious design. I cannot help but believe this master plotter will figure greatly in any sequels published to The Courtesan's Daughter. In fact, I heard straight from Dain herself that she is presently working on the sequel to The Courtesan's Daughter, which I am definitely looking forward to! I've not read any of Claudia Dain's work before this book, but I can guarantee this will not be the last time I read this author. Lucky for me, she has a number of other books I can content myself with while awaiting the next in this series.

Wit and sexy maneuvering in Regency England

This book is a fun and bawdy ride! Be aware that it is also not a typical romance. Acerbic wit and sly machinations abound. The Courtesan's daughter is a typically waffling 17 year old, at once enjoying her role as a debutante and rebelling against it, but Sophia, the courtesan herself, is the true centerpiece of the book. I found Sophia and her counterparts utterly fascinating. They are smart and sneaky a la Dangerous Liasons. I was thrilled to find that the unique structure of the book promises much more of Sophia and her friends and family in the future.

Had me laughing out loud!

NOT your traditional romance! The true heroine of the story is Sophia, a femme fatale of almost mythic reputation in Regency England. Turns out they are not myths! Courtisan's Daughter had me laughing out loud on (almost)every page! Think romantic comedy meets historical romance. The dialogue is absolutely brilliant. This book is driven by the characters, and so the plot twists are completely unexpected, but make perfect sense. This was a really fun ride! Thank you, Claudia Dain, for the most fun I've ever had reading a romance! I hope this is the first in a long, long series.