What do you think?
Rate this book
The Courtesan's Book of Secrets
Uncovered: a list of noblemen's names - each one guilty of treason
To save his family legacy, Rafe Densmore must seize a courtesan's infamous register. No one can ever know how his father betrayed his country! One person stands in Rafe's way - the beautiful Cornelia, Comtesse de Vane.
In the card rooms of Paris, Rafe and Cornelia made an unbeatable...intimate team. Until, convinced of Rafe's desertion, desperate Cornelia married an elderly comte. Now, returning to London an impoverished widow, she'll do anything to possess the register.
Even if that means becoming Rafe's partner once again....
"Lee's novel hits the sweet spot." - RT Book Reviews on Engagement of Convenience
To save his family legacy, Rafe Densmore must seize a courtesan's infamous register. No one can ever know how his father betrayed his country! One person stands in Rafe's way - the beautiful Cornelia, Comtesse de Vane.
In the card rooms of Paris, Rafe and Cornelia made an unbeatable...intimate team. Until, convinced of Rafe's desertion, desperate Cornelia married an elderly comte. Now, returning to London an impoverished widow, she'll do anything to possess the register.
Even if that means becoming Rafe's partner once again....
"Lee's novel hits the sweet spot." - RT Book Reviews on Engagement of Convenience
368 pages, Paperback
Published October 3, 2014
2 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
About the author
Georgie Lee
83 books119 followersA lifelong history buff, award winning author Georgie Lee hasn’t given up hope that she will one day inherit a title and a manor house. Until then, she fulfills her dreams of lords, ladies and a season in London through her stories. When not writing, she can be found reading non-fiction history or watching any movie with a costume and an accent. Please visit www.georgie-lee.com to learn more about Georgie and her books.
Social Media Links
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Georgi...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GeorgieLeeBooks
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Social Media Links
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Georgi...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GeorgieLeeBooks
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 5, 2014
I had not read any of Georgie Lee’s books but, when she was featured on fellow author, Ella Quinn’s blog recently, I was intrigued by the premise of her latest book, The Courtesan’s Book of Secrets and added it to my list of books I definitely wanted to read. So I was delighted when Ms Lee asked if I would like to read and review the book and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
This was such a compelling story and I felt a real empathy for Rafe and Cornelia. During their years together, it was obvious that they had fallen in love, although they never admitted it to each other. Cornelia believed that to Rafe she was nothing more than his gambling partner and someone to warm his bed. Rafe felt he had nothing to offer Cornelia other than a future of unpredictable card games and rundown lodgings. The anger and bitterness over their perceived betrayal of each other is so evident in their stinging exchanges when they meet at Lady Daltmouth’s ball, but they cannot deny the feelings they still arouse in each other. I love how, despite everything that has happened, Rafe is still kind and protective towards Cornelia.
They both needed to find the book to protect those they love. When Rafe discovered that his father was a traitor, selling secrets to the French, he knows that, unless he can locate the book and destroy the evidence, all his lands will be seized and his title forfeit. He loves his mother too much to see her reduced to poverty and degradation. How could I not adore a hero who cares so much for his mother? Cornelia is willing to do anything to protect her half-brother Andrew, even resort to blackmail.
I like how Rafe’s small acts of kindness to Miss Allen and her son and to Monsieur Fournier have greater significance later in the story.
The romance is poignant, tender and passionate and Ms Lee conveys all the emotions between Rafe and Cornelia quite beautifully and I’m sharing two of my favourite moments:
She laid her cheek on his chest, her fingers clutching his lapel. He slid his fingers beneath hers and they released the wool to curl over his. He could feel the trust in her grip, asking, begging for him to help her brother the way she’d begged him to help them flee France. Only this time she wouldn’t run off the moment he left. She’d stand by him and he’d prove his trustworthiness
He studied the top of her head, her dark hair shining in the bright moonlight. He’d be lying if he said he didn’t want this peace with her every night. Dropping a small kiss on her forehead, he inhaled the faint traces of lemon, the scent as sharp as the nasty way Fate kept tempting him with what he couldn’t have.
At times, it seems there are too many obstacles for Rafe and Cornelia to overcome but Ms Lee resolves the issues in a believable way.
I liked Rafe’s mother, Lady Densmore, so kind and understanding. Even in her own reduced circumstances, she still cares about the people on the estate. There are a variety of other secondary characters who contribute to the action and drama…the ageing coquette, Lady Daltmouth; the jowled, bespectacled solicitor, Mr Nettles; the menacing Lord Edgemont; the garlic-breathed, moneylender Mr Smith (a nasty piece of work).
I enjoyed Ms Lee’s writing with its evocative and emotive quality and her skilled use of words.
The cotton flowed over the curve of her knees to sweep the tops of her calfskin boots. A light, short-sleeved spencer sat snug against her round breasts, the plum-coloured material nipping in just beneath their fullness and teasing him as much as if the flesh were uncovered.
♥♥♥
Porcelain counters clinked together, punctuated by the soft whir of shuffling cards and the rumble of conversation.
♥♥♥
Rafe needled, expecting a thimble of sarcasm from her, not a pitcher full of anger.
♥♥♥
‘I can’t lose him, Rafe. He’s the only person who loves me. The only person I’ve ever loved.’
He tossed the ring on the table, then cupped her face in his hands, brushing away the tears with his thumbs. As much as the words stung, he understood. He’d gone to great lengths to protect his mother and would go to many more if it meant
keeping her safe. ‘Don’t worry. We’ll find a way to get the money.’
A passionate and sensual love story, memorable characters, a compelling plot and great writing make THE COURTESAN’S BOOK OF SECRETS a highly recommended read. I certainly want to read more of Georgie Lee’s books.
REVIEW RATING: 5/5 STARS
My sincere thanks to Georgie Lee who provided me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
This was such a compelling story and I felt a real empathy for Rafe and Cornelia. During their years together, it was obvious that they had fallen in love, although they never admitted it to each other. Cornelia believed that to Rafe she was nothing more than his gambling partner and someone to warm his bed. Rafe felt he had nothing to offer Cornelia other than a future of unpredictable card games and rundown lodgings. The anger and bitterness over their perceived betrayal of each other is so evident in their stinging exchanges when they meet at Lady Daltmouth’s ball, but they cannot deny the feelings they still arouse in each other. I love how, despite everything that has happened, Rafe is still kind and protective towards Cornelia.
They both needed to find the book to protect those they love. When Rafe discovered that his father was a traitor, selling secrets to the French, he knows that, unless he can locate the book and destroy the evidence, all his lands will be seized and his title forfeit. He loves his mother too much to see her reduced to poverty and degradation. How could I not adore a hero who cares so much for his mother? Cornelia is willing to do anything to protect her half-brother Andrew, even resort to blackmail.
I like how Rafe’s small acts of kindness to Miss Allen and her son and to Monsieur Fournier have greater significance later in the story.
The romance is poignant, tender and passionate and Ms Lee conveys all the emotions between Rafe and Cornelia quite beautifully and I’m sharing two of my favourite moments:
She laid her cheek on his chest, her fingers clutching his lapel. He slid his fingers beneath hers and they released the wool to curl over his. He could feel the trust in her grip, asking, begging for him to help her brother the way she’d begged him to help them flee France. Only this time she wouldn’t run off the moment he left. She’d stand by him and he’d prove his trustworthiness
He studied the top of her head, her dark hair shining in the bright moonlight. He’d be lying if he said he didn’t want this peace with her every night. Dropping a small kiss on her forehead, he inhaled the faint traces of lemon, the scent as sharp as the nasty way Fate kept tempting him with what he couldn’t have.
At times, it seems there are too many obstacles for Rafe and Cornelia to overcome but Ms Lee resolves the issues in a believable way.
I liked Rafe’s mother, Lady Densmore, so kind and understanding. Even in her own reduced circumstances, she still cares about the people on the estate. There are a variety of other secondary characters who contribute to the action and drama…the ageing coquette, Lady Daltmouth; the jowled, bespectacled solicitor, Mr Nettles; the menacing Lord Edgemont; the garlic-breathed, moneylender Mr Smith (a nasty piece of work).
I enjoyed Ms Lee’s writing with its evocative and emotive quality and her skilled use of words.
The cotton flowed over the curve of her knees to sweep the tops of her calfskin boots. A light, short-sleeved spencer sat snug against her round breasts, the plum-coloured material nipping in just beneath their fullness and teasing him as much as if the flesh were uncovered.
♥♥♥
Porcelain counters clinked together, punctuated by the soft whir of shuffling cards and the rumble of conversation.
♥♥♥
Rafe needled, expecting a thimble of sarcasm from her, not a pitcher full of anger.
♥♥♥
‘I can’t lose him, Rafe. He’s the only person who loves me. The only person I’ve ever loved.’
He tossed the ring on the table, then cupped her face in his hands, brushing away the tears with his thumbs. As much as the words stung, he understood. He’d gone to great lengths to protect his mother and would go to many more if it meant
keeping her safe. ‘Don’t worry. We’ll find a way to get the money.’
A passionate and sensual love story, memorable characters, a compelling plot and great writing make THE COURTESAN’S BOOK OF SECRETS a highly recommended read. I certainly want to read more of Georgie Lee’s books.
REVIEW RATING: 5/5 STARS
My sincere thanks to Georgie Lee who provided me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
October 22, 2018
Topik utama novel ini ternyata adalah buku register, semacam black book yg berisi daftar-daftar dosa bangsawan di Inggris, yg bisa dijadikan alat pemerasan bagi yg memiliki buku terkutuk ini.
Cornelia adalah janda Comte De Vane yg kebetulan memiliki buku tsb, tetapi kemudian kehilangan dan kelimpungan. Cornelia mencurigai Rafe Densmore, kekasih lamanya sekaligus partner perjudiannya, yg mengambil buku tsb. Padahal Cornelia sudah berhasil memeras Lord Edgemont seribu pound utk menyekolahkan adik tirinya, drpd dibuang ke Hindia Barat.
Alur cerita lamban dan tidak menarik. Ketertarikan seksual Rafe pd Cornelia sudah tergambar dari awal, tapi hambar. Cornelia sendiri spt jinak-jinak merpati terhadap Rafe. Masa lalu mereka menghambat mereka utk bersatu kembali. Belum lagi buku register tsb juga memuat nama ayah Rafe. Buku ini jadi rebutan semua pihak yg menginginkannya.
Saya mengharapkan action seru dari novel ini, berhubung di sinopsis menjanjikan hal tsb. Sayangnya aksi yg saya harapkan akhirnya muncul juga di klimaks cerita. Banyak bbrp hal mustahil yg membuat saya kurang sreg dgn novel ini.
Cornelia adalah janda Comte De Vane yg kebetulan memiliki buku tsb, tetapi kemudian kehilangan dan kelimpungan. Cornelia mencurigai Rafe Densmore, kekasih lamanya sekaligus partner perjudiannya, yg mengambil buku tsb. Padahal Cornelia sudah berhasil memeras Lord Edgemont seribu pound utk menyekolahkan adik tirinya, drpd dibuang ke Hindia Barat.
Alur cerita lamban dan tidak menarik. Ketertarikan seksual Rafe pd Cornelia sudah tergambar dari awal, tapi hambar. Cornelia sendiri spt jinak-jinak merpati terhadap Rafe. Masa lalu mereka menghambat mereka utk bersatu kembali. Belum lagi buku register tsb juga memuat nama ayah Rafe. Buku ini jadi rebutan semua pihak yg menginginkannya.
Saya mengharapkan action seru dari novel ini, berhubung di sinopsis menjanjikan hal tsb. Sayangnya aksi yg saya harapkan akhirnya muncul juga di klimaks cerita. Banyak bbrp hal mustahil yg membuat saya kurang sreg dgn novel ini.
July 14, 2021
Honestly not my fave. This woman was so dang dumb! After the whole Paris thing was out in the open and they learned the truth.... just... WHY?? Why go back and forth more about trust, and near the end when she thought he was betraying her (just like she THOUGHT he'd betrayed her the first time, but she learned he didn't), just WHYYYYYYYYYYY? DID YOU NOT LEARN YOUR LESSON? I mean she came around, duh, cuz it's a formulaic romance novel and you know it eventually ends up happy. But still, it was just so stupid.
At least it wasn't a long book. It wasn't bad enough for me to not finish. I hate not finishing books, so they have to make me mad in order for me to put them down. Nah, I just hate-read them to the last page hahaha
At least it wasn't a long book. It wasn't bad enough for me to not finish. I hate not finishing books, so they have to make me mad in order for me to put them down. Nah, I just hate-read them to the last page hahaha
November 11, 2024
I like the premise of two poor gamblers working together against the world, but it was absurd that they went to chase Edgemont based on Rafe's gut instinct that turned out to be wrong, and then they chased Dalmouth based on probability
Also, Cornelia often mistrusted Rafe, even at the ending when she should already trusted him, and it made me weary
Not a good introduction of Ms. Lee's works and I am not sure I would try more
Also, Cornelia often mistrusted Rafe, even at the ending when she should already trusted him, and it made me weary
Not a good introduction of Ms. Lee's works and I am not sure I would try more
September 3, 2020
Didn't like the characters or the storyline. The characters seemed to have no chemistry and the ending comes out of the clear blue sky to make everything alright. Pretty preposterous.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2021
I had to stop reading this book. I was in fear for the heroin. She is out here in these streets blackmailing folks and I'm afraid it's not going to go well for her.
October 1, 2014
The Courtesan’s Book of Secrets is a regency romance packed with intrigue, suspense and a whole lot of heart break. Rafe and Cornelia are ex-lovers and gambling partners, but they are both convinced that the other abandoned them back in Paris. The inseparable pair were torn apart by more nefarious means, and each have since fallen on hard times. They desperately need to find the register of a now dead courtesan if they want to secure their families’ safety. To find the register, though, they’ll need to trust each other, something that doesn’t come easily to these gamblers.
Rafe taught Cornelia everything she knows, but she’s since become an independent woman. She doesn’t trust anyone, especially not Rafe, and is convinced she can use the register to save her brother, but more dangerous forces make it clear this isn’t a game she can play alone. Rafe knows that Cornelia can handle almost everything, but despite their history, he can’t let her be hurt. He needs the register for himself, but protecting Cornelia becomes his top priority. One of my favorite things about this couple was that their romance, and even friendship, is one of such mutual respect. They might not trust each other, but they respect and admire each other completely.
There’s also no denying that these two still love each other, despite their past of betrayal, and their sexual tension is burning hot. While I tend to prefer romances which begin with the meeting of the hero and heroine, the history of these two made this ex-lovers storyline completely heartbreaking. Throughout the story it’s clear that both Rafe and Cornelia know they love each other, know they want each other, but they also know they cannot be together.
The card playing/gambling theme is very strong in this story, and my only complaint is that it sometimes felt a bit excessive. All the same, it’s a good theme that worked well for the plot and characters. Cornelia and Rafe know how to play the game, but they must learn to stop playing each other if they want to succeed.
Inside and outside the card room, the suspense storyline kept the twists and turns coming and was woven really well into the romance.
After reading The Courtesan’s Book of Secrets and Hero’s Redemption, Georgie Lee is rapidly becoming one of my must read authors.
---
More reviews at: http://www.readingromance.com
Rafe taught Cornelia everything she knows, but she’s since become an independent woman. She doesn’t trust anyone, especially not Rafe, and is convinced she can use the register to save her brother, but more dangerous forces make it clear this isn’t a game she can play alone. Rafe knows that Cornelia can handle almost everything, but despite their history, he can’t let her be hurt. He needs the register for himself, but protecting Cornelia becomes his top priority. One of my favorite things about this couple was that their romance, and even friendship, is one of such mutual respect. They might not trust each other, but they respect and admire each other completely.
There’s also no denying that these two still love each other, despite their past of betrayal, and their sexual tension is burning hot. While I tend to prefer romances which begin with the meeting of the hero and heroine, the history of these two made this ex-lovers storyline completely heartbreaking. Throughout the story it’s clear that both Rafe and Cornelia know they love each other, know they want each other, but they also know they cannot be together.
The card playing/gambling theme is very strong in this story, and my only complaint is that it sometimes felt a bit excessive. All the same, it’s a good theme that worked well for the plot and characters. Cornelia and Rafe know how to play the game, but they must learn to stop playing each other if they want to succeed.
Inside and outside the card room, the suspense storyline kept the twists and turns coming and was woven really well into the romance.
After reading The Courtesan’s Book of Secrets and Hero’s Redemption, Georgie Lee is rapidly becoming one of my must read authors.
---
More reviews at: http://www.readingromance.com
September 4, 2014
The Courtesan's Book of Secrets is a great read that kept me entertained. It didn't take me long to finish this story and I was thrilled of how the story turned out. Cornelia and Rafe have a history with each other but they parted on bad terms. Rafe thought Cornelia up and left him to marry someone else because he wasn't good enough, and Cornelia received a letter thinking it was from Rafe, that basically said he was ending their partnership. Well, they were both deceived and nothing is how it appears. They meet again and team up to possess an infamous register. This register is the answer to many of there problems, but first they have to get it back from whoever stole it. I loved this story and will be checking out other titles from Georgie Lee.
February 6, 2017
Pertama sih agak bingung dengan alur ceritanya. Kisahnya kurang greget, padahal ide ceritanya bagus. Gemes sama sikap Cornelia dan Rafe yang suka memendam perasaan mereka satu sama lain, dan saling tak percaya. Belum lagi banyak typonya.
Dimulai dengan kisah buku yang memuat skandal para bangsawan karena keterlibatan mereka dalam pengkhianatan terhadap Inggris. Rafe berniat memiliki buku itu untuk menghilangkan bukti kejahatan ayahnya, sedangkan Cornelia ingin memiliki buku itu agar dapat memeras bangsawan yang terlibat.
Masa lalu mereka berdua sebagai pasangan pejudi yang tangguh membawa hal menyakitkan bagi mereka berdua karena masing-masing merasa dikhianati. Namun upaya mendapatkan buku itu membuat mereka bekerja sama lagi meski harus menjaga hati masing-masing.
Dimulai dengan kisah buku yang memuat skandal para bangsawan karena keterlibatan mereka dalam pengkhianatan terhadap Inggris. Rafe berniat memiliki buku itu untuk menghilangkan bukti kejahatan ayahnya, sedangkan Cornelia ingin memiliki buku itu agar dapat memeras bangsawan yang terlibat.
Masa lalu mereka berdua sebagai pasangan pejudi yang tangguh membawa hal menyakitkan bagi mereka berdua karena masing-masing merasa dikhianati. Namun upaya mendapatkan buku itu membuat mereka bekerja sama lagi meski harus menjaga hati masing-masing.
May 19, 2016
Pros: This book was loaded with nail-biting suspense from start to finish. I couldn't put it down and remained on the edge of my seat. The romance really worked for me too, and I loved the unique perspective and approach to this historical romance.
Cons: Because of all the suspense, I felt sort of breathless and emotionally worn out by the end of the book. So this is not what I would call a light read, if that's what you're looking for.
Cons: Because of all the suspense, I felt sort of breathless and emotionally worn out by the end of the book. So this is not what I would call a light read, if that's what you're looking for.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews