Portrait of a Lady

The Gentleman Courtesans, Book 1

By: Victoria Vale

Narrated by: Darcy Stark

Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Miss Evelyn Coburn refuses to die a virgin. At the age of five-and-twenty, she has never even been kissed properly. Upon receiving her inheritance, she decides to investigate rumors of a secret London agency which provides the services of male courtesans. Someone to teach her the secrets of the bedchamber and do away with the nuisance of her maidenhead is all Evelyn anticipates from such an arrangement.

The Honourable Hugh Radcliffe is in dire financial straits after being disowned by his family for pursuing a career as a portraitist. When he’s asked to go into business to form The Gentleman Courtesans, he agrees, needing the income until his work is accepted into the Royal Academy of the Arts’ annual Summer Exhibition - an event that could earn him the exposure needed to launch him to fame.

The arrangement with Evelyn is only supposed to be temporary, and Hugh is determined for her to be his last paramour. But when physical attraction evolves into a deeper connection, she becomes the muse for his greatest work of art yet.

With their affair coming to an end, Hugh will be forced to acknowledge that Evelyn is the key to his success as well as his joy. Will their newfound happiness end when their arrangement does, or will what began as a matter of lust and convenience lead to true and lasting love?

©2019 Victoria Vale (P)2019 Viotoria Vale

Another Victoria Vale winner!

Victoria Vale has done it again. Although this is basically an historical regency romance, Ms Vale makes it something special. The plot is intriguing and different. It is definitely setting up another series. I very much enjoyed the book, and I look forward to the following books.

The narrator was great as always.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Good Story!

Evelyn has her own money, is 25 and still single and also a virgin which she doesn't want to be anymore, so she signs up for a Male Courtesan and is contracted to Hugh.
He is kind, patient and a great lover. He is also a good artist.
They really do take to each other and all the bits and pieces of this well planned and well written story come together in an interesting climax.
These two characters are very endearing and although their romance begins nicely, there are a few bumps in the road that had me wondering about the outcome would be.
I did enjoy this story I think that this is one of Victoria Vale's better ones.
The narration by Darcy Stark brings the story to life.
I listened to the audiobook version and my review above is given voluntarily and is unbiased.

Heartwarming love story!

I asked to receive this Audible book and voluntarily wrote this unbiased review. Victoria Vale has written a heartwarming and well developed story of two people that have given up on finding love. Hugh is a very caring man and feels something for Evelyn that he has never felt for any other woman. Evelyn feels herself falling in love with Hugh, but that isn't part of their contract. If course, they don't talk about this and feelings are hurt. Now Hugh must win her back. Both have families that have hurt them. However, they have good friends that help them. Darcy does an excellent job of storytelling and brings the story to life. I highly recommend this Audible book. Every woman needs a Hugh to make her feel extra special.

Started Slow but picked up speed

I got this story via audiobook boom and this is my voluntary review. The narrator was spot on. The story took about 4 chapters to get interesting but after that, it went at a nice pace and made it to the finish line. The H/h meeting was interesting. I loved the professor who encouraged the H to do his best work. The part about drawing hands was a good touch to add depth to the story. I enjoyed the entire story but could have done without some parts. Overall it was worth listening to and was not overly boring. The accents were good without being so precise that you couldn't understand what they were saying. The friends who made up the gentlemen really did perform a good service. Most books talk about the women who performed this service. This was an interesting take on the men.

I absolutely love this Audible.

I absolutely love this Audible! I found the twist highly entertaining. the storyline was just delicious! the characters were endearing & almost addictive. I liked meeting all the males Courtesans & look forward to hearing each individual story. my anticipation is whetted... next in line!!!

Starts slow but worth the wait! 👍🏻👍🏻

There are a lot of boring, get to know the characters, blah blah in the beginning. I wasn’t sure which one was going to be the center of the book’s attention for quite awhile. But once the story emerged I was completely immersed. This is a gentleman and a virgin love story. Well thought out plot and a happy ending for the lovers BUT not the end of the story!
Great narration by Darcy Stark. A man, BTW.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. My review is HONEST.
👍🏻👍🏻 TWO THUMBS UP!!

Portrait of a Lady

Surprisingly very good. I am a fan of Ms Vale's work but I couldn't imagine how this was going to work and still stay historically accurate, but she did it! I loved it and I am absolutely looking forward to the next books in the series.

Evelyn is firmly on the shelf by society standards but doesn't want to live the rest of her life a virgin so hires a courtesan to take care of that for her. Hugh the impoverished artists is secretly working as a courtesan until his artwork takes off and he is hoping Evelyn will be his last job when the 2 hit off so well.

I am downloading Tempting a Bluestocking I didn't pay close enough attention and so I am reading it out of order but I am looking forward to more from this series.

A very entertaining story, engaging characters.

I did wonder if I was going to enjoy this story but once I’d met Evelyn and Hugh, I was hooked. They were such a lovely couple, Evelyn was sweet and shy at first but gradually came to gain confidence in herself and this was due to Hugh. He was so caring and understanding of Evelyn’s sensibilities. They were so ideally suited, two artists of different media. Of course, nothing runs smoothly and this is the case here. This was a most engaging read. I enjoyed the descriptions of Vauxhall and also Hugh’s journey as an artist. Loved the ending! The narrator read the story using different voices and really brought each scene to life. It always amazes me how listening to a story can put a different perspective on situations, as compared to reading the story.

Can he paint my portrait

Wowza. I read this book but ladies...you HAVE to listen to it! Darcy Stark never disappoints. I love how Darcy says her name “EVE-A-LYN”. I really feel like I’m swept back in time when I listen to the books. This new series is such a fantastic take on the courtesan tale and to hear it read to you is such an adventure. I felt so many emotions with this story and laughed, cried and cheered. Hugh helped her flourish like a flower. I love when he tells her what she is made of and that he “sees her”. UUGHHH!!! And my heart was breaking (and tears flowing) at one point but Victoria gave me the grand happy ever I adore! This book is steamy, funny, exciting! I loved listening to it!

Another great audiobook!

I am loving every book in this series so far! Darcy Stark narrating it makes it so much more pleasurable.