Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “Harlot (Bartered Hearts, #2)” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

Harlot

(Bartered Hearts #2)

Victoria Dahl

3.64 · Rating details · 537 ratings · 138 reviews

He came home to marry an angel...
After working in the gold fields of California for two years, Caleb Hightower has come home to marry his childhood sweetheart, Jessica Willoughby. But when he returns, Caleb learns his refined bride-to-be is now a whore. Enraged by her betrayal, he can’t reconcile this shameless woman with the sweet innocent he once deeply loved—but Cal ...more

Get A Copy

ebook, 123 pages

Published October 26th 2015 by Victoria Dahl

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Harlot, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy by Julia Quinn

The Legend of Lyon Redmond by Julie Anne Long

It Started With a Scandal by Julie Anne Long

Best Historical Romance 2015

99 books — 20 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

Average rating 3.64 ·

Rating details

· 537 ratings · 138 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of Harlot (Bartered Hearts, #2)

Jul 09, 2017 Alp rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: erotic-romance, historical-romance, novella, western, tearjerker

4.75 stars

Loved it!

flag 32 likes · Like · see review

Oct 30, 2015 Sher❤ The Fabulous BookLover rated it liked it

Shelves: arc-for-review, novellas

This one felt really rushed and I hard time connecting to the characters. I don't know why coming into this story I was expecting it to be like Redeeming Love. I do feel like if you're a fan of Dahl and if you don't mind it being rushed then you'd enjoy this. Me personally I just need more time to get deeper with my characters.

*ARC graciously provided in exchange for an honest review* ...more

flag 27 likes · Like · see review

Oct 29, 2015 Wendy'sThoughts rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: Victoria Dahl Fans, Romance

4 Dahl Stars * * * *
I happen to have great affection for Victoria Dahl. She was one of the first Romance authors I connected with. I read her books and became open to the idea of Sexy Happily Ever After.

Harlot at first seems very different from Dahl's usual books. It is a historical Western Romance and the books by Dahl are usually contemporary.

The basics of the book could have been boy meets girl, they fall for each other, a conflict arises and then they figure stuff out riding off into the s ...more

flag 24 likes · Like · see review

Oct 20, 2015 Carole (Carole's Random Life) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, reviewed, 2015, net-galley

This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.

This book was exactly what I had hoped it would be. I was in the mood to read a short and sexy story about a bad girl. Yes, I will admit that the title got my attention. Any book named Harlot deserves a second look in my opinion. I was really kind of excited to read a historical novel that didn't feature an innocent girl as the main character. I am always looking for something a little different so I liked the premise of the story.

There reall This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.

This book was exactly what I had hoped it would be. I was in the mood to read a short and sexy story about a bad girl. Yes, I will admit that the title got my attention. Any book named Harlot deserves a second look in my opinion. I was really kind of excited to read a historical novel that didn't feature an innocent girl as the main character. I am always looking for something a little different so I liked the premise of the story.

There really weren't any surprises in the story and some parts were largely predictable but I had such a good time reading it that I honestly didn't care. I did empathize with Jessica. The shame that she felt and her fears felt very real. I like that she didn't give up even when everything seemed to be against her. In fact, she was really pretty upbeat for someone that had had so many things go wrong for in her life.

I didn't warm up to Caleb nearly as quickly as Jessica. He seemed very quick to judge Jessica without asking any questions. He had to have it pointed out to him that his behavior was not exactly perfect and he may have played a role in how everything worked out. Despite his flaws, I did end up liking him by the end of the story. Once he takes the time to ask some much needed questions, he does see that things were not exactly how they had appeared on the surface.

The story of how Jessica ended up in her situation was really the part of the story that captured my attention. She seemed so innocent at times despite everything that had happened. I do wish that certain characters had been forced to pay a higher price. The sexy parts of the story were well done and I did think that Jessica and Caleb had a lot of chemistry on the page.

I would recommend this book to fans of historical romance with a steamy side. I definitely plan to read more from Victoria Dahl in the future.

I received an advance reader edition of this book from Victoria Dahl via NetGalley for the purpose of providing an honest review.

Initial Thoughts
I liked this one. There were really no big surprises or anything but it was a nice enough story. It was fairly short and I wish that had a chance to connect with the characters a little better. ...more

flag 14 likes · Like · see review

Oct 20, 2015 Jessica Alcazar rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: library-netgalley, reviewed-amazon, dahl-victoria, publisher-victory-editing

ARC provided by Victory Editing (Victoria Dahl) via NetGalley for an honest review.

There's a lot of thing I want to mention about this story, but I don't want to give anything away of the story-line itself so I think I will do a few bullet points...

1. This is one of the most anticipatory reads I have come across in a good long time. It's a story where you know something big and life-changing is about to happen and you even kinda know what it actually is, but you are still on pins and needles ...more

flag 13 likes · Like · see review

Oct 22, 2015 Vasiliki rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, favorites

5 stars!

***ARC kindly provided by Victory Editing and Netgalley for the exchange of an honest review***

This was a really amazing book! The story takes place somewhere in 1810 in America. The setting is fantastic and the characters are acting like it! The plot doesn't have any major twists but it spoke directly to my heart. In such a short book, I felt so many emotions....I felt angst, fear, betrayal, lust and most of all I felt love! True and pure love! I was having chills just to read this st ...more

flag 12 likes · Like · see review

Oct 22, 2015 Auntee rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Fans of erotic historicals

Shelves: historical-romance, arc, 2015_reads, erotic-romance, anthologies-novellas, netgalley

Hmmm...the title is a bit misleading, but that's all I want to say about it without spoiling it. The book blurb gives you a pretty clear picture of what to expect, so I won't get into that either.

What I will say is that I enjoyed this (rather short) story. I wish it had been developed a bit more fully (maybe explore the early relationship between the H/h rather than just a few pages about it) and definitely I would've adored an epilogue.

I haven't read too many erotic historicals, but I found it ...more

flag 11 likes · Like · see review

Oct 22, 2015 Sara rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, historical, ginger-go-bragh, arc-ng, cover-love, riptide-library, boy-girl-love

I don't read a lot of hetero romance anymore but there are a few authors I trust when I want to go back to the boy/girl love and Victoria Dahl is one of them. Not only does she write amazing romance, she gives her characters this confidence that flies off the page and sinks into my soul. It's amazing and each time I fall more in love with her work.

I admit to requesting this because of the title and the cover. The cover is gorgeous and naming your book Harlot, I mean come on. Talk about taking a I don't read a lot of hetero romance anymore but there are a few authors I trust when I want to go back to the boy/girl love and Victoria Dahl is one of them. Not only does she write amazing romance, she gives her characters this confidence that flies off the page and sinks into my soul. It's amazing and each time I fall more in love with her work.

I admit to requesting this because of the title and the cover. The cover is gorgeous and naming your book Harlot, I mean come on. Talk about taking a word and owning it and trust me, it's owned in this book.

Told from the alternate POV's of Caleb and Jessica, we meet Caleb as he comes home to claim his bride. Caleb left the redheaded love of his life to go out west to California and earn money to create and provide a life for he and Jessica once they are married. But life, it took a turn in directions neither of them could have seen and when he comes home, he learns that Jessica has turned into a whore. Not one to believe gossip, he heads out to get the truth from the woman he loves.

Ugh. That first chapter with Caleb hurt my heart and made me want to hug the hell out of him. There was so much feeling, so much hurt and so much raw emotion, I had to know how it would all turn out but when he says, "I have coin." I kinda lost it. You know?

But Jessica, she is strong and proud and has never stopped loving Caleb but she does what she needs to, so she can survive. The deal the strike, ooh boy. It brought on the feels and it brought on the dirty. And the dirty, it's damn good.

See, what I love about Dahl's work is that she empowers her female characters. Even though Jessica has had to do things in order to survive she owns her sexuality and once she is with Caleb, that ownership makes the sex, ridiculously hot.

Jessica was a whore. And he was nothing at all. Perhaps he could fuck that shame and hurt away for both of them.

This is a second chance kind of romance. A raw romance of hurt and comfort. A gritty, earthy romance of forgiveness and redemption. It's full of emotion, pain, loss and joy. It was really freaking fracking good and I can't say much more without giving things away but, lemme say this. I bookmarked a scene to read over and over again, because Caleb went there and it was sexay. Oh yeah.

*ARC provided by the author via NetGalley* ...more

flag 7 likes · Like · see review

Oct 22, 2015 Samantha rated it liked it · review of another edition

I found this novel, like the last few I've read, to be a bit rushed. Maybe it's just me but that's what it felt like. I did, however, love the premise of this novel. After reading it I loved the undertone of empowering females especially placing it in a time when women really didn't have much power regardless of race, social class, and so forth. I give Harlot a deeply rooted 3.5 stars.

Caleb and Jess had young love but that wasn't enough for Jess to hold onto the belief that he would be back for ...more

flag 7 likes · Like · see review

Oct 23, 2015 Albert rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Harlot by Victoria Dahl is an erotic/western tale that delivers on multiple levels. It is erotic, emotional and romantic. A story of betrayal, loss and redemption. More than that it is a tale of the overwhelming power of love and its ability to withstand all the pain of what this world can bring to bear. It begs the question, how strong is your love when the illusion you have built around it falls away?

Caleb Hightower returns home after being away for two years in the gold fields of California. Harlot by Victoria Dahl is an erotic/western tale that delivers on multiple levels. It is erotic, emotional and romantic. A story of betrayal, loss and redemption. More than that it is a tale of the overwhelming power of love and its ability to withstand all the pain of what this world can bring to bear. It begs the question, how strong is your love when the illusion you have built around it falls away?

Caleb Hightower returns home after being away for two years in the gold fields of California. He had left to earn enough money to provide for and marry his childhood sweetheart, Jessica Willoughby. Jessica was always someone he believed to be too good for him. The daughter of the local Doctor, Jessica was refined and well educated. Caleb was not, but they found they loved one another despite their differences. But Caleb felt he needed to make more money to provide for Jessica.

When he returns home he finds that everything has changed. Jessica's father is dead and no one wants to tell him what has happened to Jessica. He hears rumors of a whorehouse on the outskirts of town and to his horror, he hears who is the whore that services the town.

Left without money or someone to care for her upon her father's death, Jessica does the only thing she can to stay alive. She is not prepared for Caleb's return.

Angry and bitter at Jessica's betrayal of his love, Caleb demands that she performs for him all the sexual favors she has performed for other men. He is willing to pay for however long it takes. Jessica, hurt by his demands, gives in knowing that the taxes on the property are due and she has no other option but to do as Caleb demands.

What Caleb does not know is how and why Jessica has made the decisions she has. He does not know or understand that she was betrayed and lied to. That for a woman alone, the choices that are made to survive are too often come with terrible sacrifice.

What Jessica does not understand is that the Caleb that has returned is not the some innocent man that left. That he has done many things as well in the gold fields of California that some would call unforgivable.

What neither understand is that they have not stopped loving each other.

Victoria Dahl has done so much more here than just pen a short erotic story. She has done what so many sex book writers fail to. She has infused this tale with emotion. So much pain. So much angst. So much sense of loss. It is not the nights of sex that bring Caleb and Jessica back to who they once were but the love that was lost and in each other's arms, found again. But the anger and betrayal they feel toward one another is powerful as well.

Dahl has written a complete drama here and if there is any criticism is that you are sometimes left with unexplored emotions and nights. This could have been a book that could have been much bigger. The characters certainly would have alot more story to tell. Instead it seems as if their lives and the the two years they spent separated have been compacted to fit into this short novel.

Harlot is better than most contemporary erotic novels and should be enjoyed for the drama it is.

...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Oct 20, 2015 Angie Elle rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Thank you to VICTORIA DAHL and Netgalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Can we just take a moment to appreciate how absolutely exquisite this cover is? It is an excellent example of how important the outside of a book is when the reader is just scrolling through haphazardly looking for a read. The title, Harlot, might not have grabbed me, but this cover… My mouse was instantly drawn to it and click! It was mine! Victoria Dahl is one of those authors who has be Thank you to VICTORIA DAHL and Netgalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Can we just take a moment to appreciate how absolutely exquisite this cover is? It is an excellent example of how important the outside of a book is when the reader is just scrolling through haphazardly looking for a read. The title, Harlot, might not have grabbed me, but this cover… My mouse was instantly drawn to it and click! It was mine! Victoria Dahl is one of those authors who has been on my to be read pile for a while now. This short read seemed like the perfect opportunity to get a taste for her writing, and all I have to say is yum! I have a craving for seconds. Harlot is a beautifully written story of intense longing and second chances.

When Jessica is forced to strike a deal with the devil in order to survive, she sells the only thing she has left of any value – her virginity. It’s not long before she finds that everything has consequences, and her circumstances take an even bigger turn for the worse. Jessica was a woman with very little means determined to keep going. In the process, she brings hope to two other people; together they work hard and get by. When Caleb returns after being away for two years to claim the girl he’d left behind, he’s devastated to hear rumors of her being a prostitute. Knowing it can’t be true of the young lady he’d loved, he tracks her down in hopes of finding it untrue. Unaware that it isn’t so cut and dried, Caleb is devastated to learn the truth.

I loved the premise of this story. Unable to claim the girl he’d loved, Caleb decides to claim her body instead in an effort to punish her for what she took from them. Harsh actions for a man who loved her once up on a time, but Caleb’s love for Jessica trumps his anger in every steamy scene. (And there are a lot of them!) Degradation may have been his motivator, but it’s his adoration for Jessica that keeps him returning. Caleb’s revelations were the highlight of this book for me; he may have not entered this story in a very good light, but he certainly redeemed himself. Though this book was incredibly erotic, I didn’t feel like it overshadowed the plot – and for such a small book, there was a lot of plot! There was also a bit of a mystery here, but I think it was more a mystery for Caleb than the reader, as it was quite obvious from the beginning who Jessica sold herself to.

If you’re looking for a quick, steamy read that packs a big emotional punch, Harlot fits the bill!

This review was originally posted at Badass Book Reviews. ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Oct 31, 2015 Sunny rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc, a-1-favorites-historical, a-historical

I am used to reading Victoria Dahl’s contemporary works. I love them for their fun and flirty tone. So, even though I read the book summary, I was unprepared at how angry I got over the subject matter.

Caleb and Jessica live in 19th Century Colorado. Having grown up together, they both knew they were destined to be a couple. Caleb ventures to California to stake him claim during the Gold Rush so that he can secure a future for the two of them leaving Jess back in Colorado. In the two years he is I am used to reading Victoria Dahl’s contemporary works. I love them for their fun and flirty tone. So, even though I read the book summary, I was unprepared at how angry I got over the subject matter.

Caleb and Jessica live in 19th Century Colorado. Having grown up together, they both knew they were destined to be a couple. Caleb ventures to California to stake him claim during the Gold Rush so that he can secure a future for the two of them leaving Jess back in Colorado. In the two years he is gone, Jessica’s father dies and she is left destitute. She writes to Caleb through his parents asking him to come home only to be told that he has found another woman and is settling down in California. Alone and without means, she enters into an “indecent proposal.”

Caleb comes back to Colorado seeking to marry his sweetheart to find that she has been labeled a harlot and whore by the townspeople. Feeling betrayed, Caleb buys time with Jessica. He intents on taking revenge on her for his lost dreams, but things do not necessarily go as he plans.

This story takes place in the “Wild West”, the area is populated by people from all social and economic classes looking for opportunities and a new life. However, many bring their old Puritanical attitudes about sex. Although Jessica has to compromise and sacrifice much to survive, it’s noted that men can have sex seemingly without censure. Women continue to bear the burden of being both a sexual object and bear the scorn of using sex for money. The hypocrisy is pronounced and the guilt Jessica feels is oppressive. She is left to feel dirty and unworthy. Jessica’s story breaks my heart. She continues live a shadow life, punishing herself for making difficult decisions. The double standard set between men and women makes me so frustrated. And although Caleb is disillusioned and angry, It’s only through her painful interaction with him does she begin to feel worthy. I applauded when this happened.

I give a lot of credit to Victoria Dahl for taking a very difficult story and telling it with a sense of compassion and class In the end, it is simply a beautiful story about forgiveness and redemption.

IN A NUTSHELL:
As short as this book is, it is full of strife, heartache, and ultimately, hope. I highly recommend this book. ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Nov 01, 2015 Linda (un)Conventional Bookworms rated it liked it

Shelves: arc, erotica, 2015-releases, fave-author, adult, historical-romance, read-in-2015, review-books, novella

This review was originally posted on (un)Conventional Bookviews
Harlot is a good story, and it especially shows how it was difficult for women to be empowered and take charge of their own lives and destinies in the past. When Jessica's father died and left her with only debts, she didn't know what to do. The house would have to be sold, as would most of her other possessions. Caleb had been gone for two years already, and she hadn't heard from him in a long time, and had to find a way to get ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Oct 23, 2015 Shannon rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: stars-4, netgalley, au-dahl, 2015, zc2015-netgalley-challange, zz11-2015

Harlot

The Characters:

Jessica “Jess” Willoughby: I liked Jess. She was thrown into a terrible circumstance but still held her head high and moved on with her life, even when she didn’t want to.
Caleb Hightower: I think Caleb let his pride blind him for a bit but after he pulled his head out of his butt and even a little before he was a pretty stand up guy.

The Story:

This story was heart breaking and uplifting at the same time. I loved the part when Jess told Caleb what’s what ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Oct 26, 2015 Abby Green rated it it was amazing

I LOVE Victoria Dahl, she can do no wrong. This novella encapsulates her brilliance. It's wickedly hot, and tender and heartbreaking and heartwarming all at once. Love the Wild West setting, so different. And really loved seeing a slice of what life was like for women at that time. Tough! But that only made the HEA more satisfying. It had an epic feel. And as for the sex scenes....you might want to read this alone ;) ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Oct 13, 2015 Mandi rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, erotic

I'll probably give this a B- or a C+

I liked the heroine a lot. Not sure I connected with the hero - and because of that the sex - I'm not sure.

*ponders*

*deep thoughts*

I'll report back with a full review near release date ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Oct 04, 2015 Carrie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Victoria Dahl is a dirty girl but I like it. *evil grin* Harlot is messy, complicated, sexy and sure to stir up the feels.

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Nov 25, 2015 Lillian ☁ Cloud 9 Books ☁ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2015, romance, arc, erotica, historical

***** 4 Stars *****

If you feel like a quick erotic story, pick this up. It will satisfy your needs. I loved reading about Jess and Caleb, and the drama level was perfect.

...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Dec 27, 2015 SuperWendy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

I really liked this book. Yes, the hero is a jackass. Yes, the heroine trades her innocence for security. Dahl does angst and heartbreak so well that I spent most of this novella repeatedly getting my guts ripped out. A hero struggling with the fact that the girl he put on the pedestal fell from grace and a heroine who has to learn to own her choices and stop apologizing. In other words - she ain't dead. There are steamy sex scenes, but honestly it was the raw emotion of this story that will sti ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Nov 05, 2015 Karen Gordon rated it it was amazing

This was my first Victoria Dahl book but I will definitely be reading more by her. I was drawn by the topic, specifically prostitutes in the American West. I've been fascinated by these women who were some of the only women in their time to be autonomous and experience some freedom. Victoria's book presents the darker side of living this life, specifically how once a woman worked, even briefly, as a whore she was branded for life as unclean. No one would want her or even want to buy a house she ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Oct 26, 2015 Alina rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, historical, arc

ARC received from the author.

This story is romantic, erotic , emotional and overwhelming. This might be a short story but it has everything that you need.

Two years ago Caleb left for California to earn money and provide for his loved one Jessica . She was the daughter of the local doctor , a very beautiful and educated young lady . Caleb was more of an average Joe and he thought that if he'll provide more then he will be able to overcome his condition.and social status. However , when he return ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Aug 25, 2017 Dragana rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: erotica, historical-romance, prostitues

Oh 'Pretty Women' what you did to me? Why I must read every love story featuring a prostitute? And why, while we are on this subject, there are not more good romance novels about prostitutes? Books where prostitutes are strong female leads.

At one time Jessica says: "I did it in order to live. You should be ashamed. How dare you look down on me?" If her behavior from the start owned up to those words, I would have cheered for her and loved her.
Instead, this whole book is used to paint her as a vi ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Oct 10, 2015 Jason rated it really liked it · review of another edition

this erotic romance is written in the same smooth as silk prose style that has earned Victoria Dahl top ranking in the literature of love. where it goes further is when the lights go out. sex, oh son, that just so happens to be her bailiwick. best not to read this one anywhere a passerby might ask why you're sweating so suddenly. and harlot, the word, the label? Dahl digs deep into that, exploring double standards, judgment of self and others, and those things that have little to do with moralit ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Oct 27, 2015 lisa rated it it was ok

Shelves: em-frustrating, 2015-read, em-could-ve-been-better, ch-assholes, type-novella-plus, gr-rom-historical, rating-2-point-5, gr-rom-erotic-plus

2.5 stars

hmmmmmmm

I don't know what to say

I don't know if I like the story (the writing's good, it's Victoria Dahl after all) but I can definitely say it's an emotional read. I feel a lot for Jessica, I just want to rescue her and feed her cakes and, I don't know, maybe hold her for a bit. *glares at Caleb*

I think what didn't work out for me is the fact that this all can be avoided if they just sit down and talk. I hate miscommunication or lack of it being used as the conflict in a plot. Like I ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Oct 31, 2015 Britt Marczak rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical

Thank you to Victoria Dahl and Netgalley for the ARC!

I follow Victoria on Twitter, so was seeing a lot of her tweets about this book and was getting really excited for it, so was pleased to get an ARC. I really did enjoy the book, though I found the hero a bit difficult to sympathize with. I was rooting for the heroine the whole time, and her journey was a nice one to read.

Yay for feminist historical romance!

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Oct 25, 2015 Aoi rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: hf-america-frontier-wild-west, erotic

An amazingly strong heroine, a flawed (and hypocritical) but believable hero..

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Oct 29, 2015 Roxanne rated it liked it

3.5 stars

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Sep 29, 2015 Jennifer rated it really liked it

Shelves: western-romance, 2015-reads, novella-short-story, childhood-friends, scandalous-heroine, reviewed-on-blog, historical-romance, gilded-age-america, tortured-heroine, netgalley

3.75 Stars

Victoria Dahl is currently one of my favorite contemporary romance authors, but I actually discovered her when she was writing historicals. So I was ecstatic when she announced that she was returning to that genre, specifically with a western erotic romance.

Harlot is the tale of reunited childhood sweethearts who must deal with the changes that have occurred to one another since they last met. Caleb had been in love with Jessica for years and went off to earn a fortune in California so 3.75 Stars

Victoria Dahl is currently one of my favorite contemporary romance authors, but I actually discovered her when she was writing historicals. So I was ecstatic when she announced that she was returning to that genre, specifically with a western erotic romance.

Harlot is the tale of reunited childhood sweethearts who must deal with the changes that have occurred to one another since they last met. Caleb had been in love with Jessica for years and went off to earn a fortune in California so he could marry her. But, his triumphant return is derailed when he discovers that she is no longer the refined innocent he left behind. In frustration, he decides to take revenge on Jessica by treating her like the "whore" he believes her to be, but the tides are quickly turned on him when he learns the truth.

My favorite part about this story was Jessica. As a young woman, she had everything that her heart desires including a boy who loved her. But, after Caleb left and her father died, she learned how false her impression of her life was. A moment of desperation forced her into a difficult situation which has had ramifications on her life and reputation. What I loved the most about Jessica was her survival instinct and her intelligence. She hasn't had it easy the past few years and doesn't let Caleb get away with treating her like a whore very long. Her big speech had me nodding my head vigorously and cheering loudly by the end.

Caleb was much more difficult for me to root for. I understood that he was a man of his time, that the situation he came back to was just another way that he felt like his life was spiraling out of control, and that both he and Jessica were being manipulated by others. But, his initial coarse treatment of Jessica rubbed me the wrong way from the beginning. I am all for the hero going through a journey like this, but the page length didn't allow for his redemption to occur at a more natural pace. It just seemed very abrupt and not as developed so I never really liked or cared about Caleb getting his happy ending.

Since this is an erotic romance, I, of course, have the mention the sex. It is plentiful (especially for such a short story) yet I never felt like it was just there for spiciness's sake. Victoria Dahl is a master at using sex scenes to show character development and that happened in Harlot especially for Jessica. I do have to admit that, because of my feelings on Caleb's character, I found the first sex scene to be difficult to read though it is made clear that Jessica would not be doing this if she didn't want to.

I had high expectations for Harlot and most of them were met. The story moved along at a decent pace, the heroine was wonderful, and the sex was well-written. I just wish that I hadn't spent most of my reading time wanting to bash the hero over the head every time he opened his mouth. I do hope that Victoria Dahl continues to write historical romances because I love her voice in any and all genres. I would especially love to see a novella featuring Jessica's friends, Melisande and Bill.

I received a free eARC of this book from Victoria Dahl via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Oct 25, 2015 Amber Bardan added it · review of another edition

I've been waiting, gripped with anticipation for this book. The only reason it doesn't have a star rating from me is that I don't feel comfortable rating other authors, but I will occasionally recommend. Something I do rarely and do carefully. And I NEED to recommend Harlot. I've been trying to think why; why have I've been literally fidgeting, beside myself desperate for this book after reading the sample on Victoria Dahl's website? Is it because the author is mad-awesome on Twitter? Did this h I've been waiting, gripped with anticipation for this book. The only reason it doesn't have a star rating from me is that I don't feel comfortable rating other authors, but I will occasionally recommend. Something I do rarely and do carefully. And I NEED to recommend Harlot. I've been trying to think why; why have I've been literally fidgeting, beside myself desperate for this book after reading the sample on Victoria Dahl's website? Is it because the author is mad-awesome on Twitter? Did this heighten the anticipation? Is it because her feminism is perfect and because I really, really loved Taking the Heat and thought after reading the best virgin ever written, where has this author been all my life? Nope. It's actually none of those things because Harlot is not like the contemporary I read first, and also because I haven't been able to stop thinking about the sample since I first read it. It's because this book does something I can't think of ever being done in another book ever that I've read; and that's throw me head first into emotional turmoil (centered around the hero and heroine), right there on page one. The stakes are set from the get go. There's no easing into it and I'm not ashamed to admit I cried in both chapters one and two. The relationship between Caleb and Jessica is both devastating and beautiful. Maybe devastatingly beautiful.
I don't want to give spoilers but the message at the center of Harlot hit me right in the heart muscle; the discrepancy that still exists between male and female sexuality and also matters of consent.
Perhaps what I liked best though, what made me obsessed after reading the sample, was that Harlot gave me something fresh. I've reached a point where I have contemporary fatigue; just like I had paranormal fatigue a few years ago and historical fatigue before that. This was historical done fresh.
This wasn't your mama's bodice ripping historical.
This was then written in a way that's relevant now. This was wicked hot sex and bum fun. My only regret is that there wasn't more. Kind of like a wedding there was a lot of lead up for me and then it was done before I was ready to let it go. But since Harlot dispensed with the whole getting to know you bit and plunged me right into action, I can forgive it for not being longer. I do however wish this was a series. A series with lots and lots of books I could bounce from the first to next on. But we shall just have to express how much we ardently admire this book, and hope the author graces us with more. ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Oct 26, 2015 Venus Blancia rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, adult-romance, drama, release-2015, netgalley, arc

ARC is provided by Victory Editing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

“Once a cowboy’s angel and now she’s turned to sin.”

Harlot is a story of Jessica Willoughby who is tested by life’s one cruel joke because of the greed of the people[in life] we expect least to make it. It is a very light short novel of telling how Jessica became a whore, how she was slut-shamed by the society, how she faced her fiancé knowing that people were avoiding her like a plague, and how she impossibly beca ARC is provided by Victory Editing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

“Once a cowboy’s angel and now she’s turned to sin.”

Harlot is a story of Jessica Willoughby who is tested by life’s one cruel joke because of the greed of the people[in life] we expect least to make it. It is a very light short novel of telling how Jessica became a whore, how she was slut-shamed by the society, how she faced her fiancé knowing that people were avoiding her like a plague, and how she impossibly became penniless. I want to believe that this is one sad story. But I have full of hate because I don't like Jessica’s character at all. Yes, it is given that the story was set in 1875, and given the role of women those days. As Jessica realized that women became poor or became nothing once they don't have a husband or/and a father. This is one big issue for me since reading taught me how be a feminist. I know that before all this new adult genre came like hot cakes, historical romance was my thing but I find Jessica not a sassy lass bantering over scoundrels which I was expecting her to be all this brave and strong for she decided herself to be such…a harlot.

On a lighter side,, the story started with Caleb Hightower’s POV. Saying to himself, “Jessica wasn't a whore.” Caleb was the knight in shining armor and strong enough to face Jessica despite all the rumors people were saying. He was brave enough asking questions and listening to Jessica’s answers how things became such those. Our two characters then went on the journey of enduring the pain of hating each other, which I find it very honest for people who innocently victims of their of reasons, emotions, and selfishness.

Seriously, Caleb at first was a jerk for giving in to temptation and for letting in the hatred and pain influenced his decisions, but despite all that, his actions and Jessica’s reaction to everything were interwoven into one wonderful reconciliation of the trust shattered and regained because of love that gently, madly and deeply grows.

If you love romance, reconciliation, and drama, you’ll love this book as this portrays how hatred and pain can turn into deeper love, understanding and trust.

...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
Sinopsis en Español // Synopsis in Spanish	1	6	Nov 15, 2015 02:55PM

Readers also enjoyed

See similar books…

Genres

Romance > Historical Romance

55 users

Romance

43 users

Historical

34 users

Adult Fiction > Erotica

20 users

Romance > Erotic Romance

19 users

Novella

18 users

Westerns

17 users

Fiction

9 users

Adult

8 users

Historical > Historical Fiction

7 users

See top shelves…

About Victoria Dahl

Victoria Dahl

1,990 followers

I have my mother to thank for my passion for writing. My mom is an avid reader of popular fiction, and I began reading highly inappropriate books around the age of eleven, I think. (Thanks, Mom, for always leaving those delicious books strewn about!)

To Tempt a Scotsman, a Golden Heart winning historical, was my first published book. Here I am signing the cover! A Rake's Guide to Pleasure (which w ...more