*I received a free copy of Lessons in Pleasure from Lyrical Press via Netgalley. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review, which is honest and unbiased *
Warning: This book includes mature content such as: sexual content, and/or drug and/or alcohol use, and/or violence.
Lessons in Pleasure by Victoria Dahl Published by Lyrical Press on 10 May 2016
Genres: Adult, Erotica
Pages: 68
Format: eARC
Source: Netgalley
Newlywed Sarah Rose Hood should be blissfully happy. After all, she is married to her beloved, handsome James, who’s provided her with a lovely home, servants, and all the new dresses and books she could wish for. She cannot help but love him—and fear him, just a bit. For Sarah is unused to the attentions of gentlemen, and suddenly living so intimately with a man fills her with anxiety—and also a puzzling longing. Fortunately, her kind, experienced husband plans to awaken Sarah to the joy of giving—and receiving—pleasure, turning her unease to delicious desire, and forging a true union of body and soul…
Lessons In Pleasure shows just how long we have come, as women, since the time at which this novel is set. Well written, hot and passionate – and even with such a short story, the characters were well fleshed out and relatable.
Lessons in Pleasure is a novella set in the past, when ladies weren’t supposed to have any sexual pleasure, when men had their needs, and their wives were supposed to close their eyes and think of England. Women who were passionate were seen as eccentric at best – insane at worst, and always, always, men held the keys to their future.
James really wanted his wife to like him, but he hadn’t the slightest idea how to make that happen, and Sarah was a bit afraid of him. At the same time, the feelings she had started having made her even more afraid, especially in light of her mother’s insanity and death years before. In order to learn more about those feelings, Sarah procured books, however, only one of those books were any help to her at all. Lessons in Pleasure was what she really needed, but in order to truly get that, she had to trust James, and open up to him.
Written in third person point of view, past tense, and mostly from Sarah’s perspective Lessons in Pleasure is about more than just pleasure and marriage, it is about trust, which was something that could be fatal to women in Sarah’s time. Dahl managed to show that aspect of Sarah and her relationship with James, but also how much better and fulfilling her life could be if she dared take that step.
The new mood in the room reminded her of the countryside in the fall, when buck deer would suddenly transform from gentle, pretty animals to fierce creatures bunched with muscle.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
Twitter: ailynk
not the roguish normal “i”m a caveman” style? that is interesting
Yes, it was really very interesting. The relationship between husband and wife very different from ‘normal’ historical romances, because there was truly both love and respect between them.
Twitter: ailynk
it is quite positive then, can’t say i am not intriguied
We’ve come along way, but still a ways to go when it comes to how women and sex are viewed. Sounds like this book is done really well.
True! That women’t weren’t supposed to have the same kind of pleasure during sex as men seems so horrifying to me. And the double standard we still see is disgusting – you know, where a guy is a stud, but a girl is a slut…
Most of Dahl’s books are very well done, and I love that she is able to put her finger on something that can be problematic, and then solve it with her characters.
I’ve heard good things about this author’s books! I’m not much for novellas but I might give this a shot because I like historical romance and it sounds like a good introduction to her works!
This one would definitely be a good introduction to her works, Nick. She has a lot of amazing contemporaries out, and I need to catch up on her back-list of historicals 🙂
Oh it’s always nice to find a good novella like that and I’m curious about the topic
Good novellas aren’t that easy to find, so when I do find one, I want to shout from the rooftops, Melliane 😉
Twitter: kbaby81
I’ve wanted to try this author for a long time. Her Tumble Creek series is what I’m most interested in.
I actually haven’t read her Tumble Creek series, but those contemporary romances I have read have really hit the right spot for me, Lekeisha 🙂
The way women were treated during this time period really ticked me off but I love when a heroine comes along to give society the middle finger and still get her man.
Ha! These two were already married, and she was so afraid of those feelings she had when he was near. I think Lessons in Pleasure really tackles the subject of female sexuality in the past very well.
I believe you already suspect I might go with it, right? 😉 Thanks for the suggestion, sounds really like an interesting novella and I’m so happy it worked well for you!
Yes, I do suspect that, Silvia, and you really, really should!