Pleasure Me by Monica Burns
March 1, 2011
Historical Romance
Trade Paperback, 352 Pages
Berkley Trade

Reviewed by Mandi

Favorite Quote: “A teacher of mine once told me that some women like to hear a man whisper naughty words into their ears.” His teeth nibbled at her earlobe. Her knees gave away, and only his body kept her from sliding to the floor. “Are you one of those women, my lady?”

Forty-One year old Lady Ruth has been a courtesan most of her life and a very successful one at that. However, her latest lover has cast her aside for someone younger. Ruth isn’t quite sure how to feel about this. She knows this lifestyle will not last forever, but she is sad to see her younger years have passed her by. Determined not to let her former lover get the better of her, she decides to make an appearance at a ball that night. Word of her split has already made the rounds though and to start the ball she is the center of viscous gossip.

Baron Garrick Stratfield can’t stand to see a woman hurt, and when he hears Ruth being cut down, he intervenes on her behalf. Ruth thinks he is only being nice because he pities her and they part ways. They soon find each other again when they both want to purchase the same house. Unknown to the other, they both have interests in two separate orphanages and they both need to expand. The more they run into each other, the more their attraction builds. But this attraction has many barriers.

Garrick is only 29. Ruth knows he is younger, and assumes if they entered into a relationship, he would eventually cast her aside as well. Garrick on the other hand is a virgin (obviously a tightly kept secret). He has had a mistress in the past, but never entered into a physical relationship with her. He has a physical impairment, that causes him much shame, and can’t bare to be naked with a woman. Garrick can’t get sex out of his mind when he is around Ruth, but his shame outweighs his desires – at least at first.

Pleasure Me is one of the most sultry and sensual historical romance books I have read. Garrick has this intense vibe about him, but he is also a virgin and carries around such shame about his impairment. This vulnerability is such a contrast with his outward persona. It makes him out to be such a fun hero to read about. He is sexual, and he is a seducer, he just can’t complete the deed due to his shame. He is alpha in everything in his life, except when a woman wants to have sex.

Ruth and Garrick have such amazing chemistry, yet both are so reluctant to make that step forward to a physical relationship. Monica Burns builds the tension ever so slowly. They truly become friends first, even though that step is even hard for them. Ruth is so obsessed with her age and how society will judge her if she is seen with a younger man. Garrick is so obsessed with his physical impairment and how a woman will judge him if he unclothes himself. There is no easy road for them. They fight, they don’t communicate – but there is this magnetic force pulling them back together. They have much in common – both involved in orphanages and both had traumatic childhoods which have sculpted them into the adults they are today. Best of all, as we go through the steps of their friendship, the sexual tension Monica Burns gives us is off the chart.

The author blurb on the front of the cover states, “I have never anticipated a love scene with such fervor before,” and I can’t agree more. I literally couldn’t put this book down. I NEEDED to get to the eventual love scene between the virgin and the very experienced courtesan. Best of all – the scene plays out beautifully. It is not rushed, spanning a couple of chapters. I don’t want to give anything away – but it is done with such an erotic twist. Not only is the build-up amazing, the actual love scenes really, really pay off.

The first 95% of the book I loved every word. Right at the end, I think it veers off course just a little. A betrayal comes into play that seemed a bit forced to me. Otherwise, this book is fantastic. Pleasure Me made my smexy heart beat in all its glory. I love this book.

Rating: A-

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