THE MISTRESS EXPERIENCE by Scarlett Peckham features Thaïs Magdalene, a courtesan who only sells her services once a week, and Lord Alastair Eden, a shy man who employs Thaïs to teach him how to please a woman. As they embark on this month-long mission, they begin to fall in love. 
 
I found the plot of this title to be interesting enough and original in that Thaïs is a courtesan and the hero is the one wanting lessons in seduction when normally the hero is experienced and showing the heroine how to seduce. I found their situation of being out in the country pretending to be brother and sister amusing even if I’ve seen something similar before. I also liked the side plot involving one of the women Alastair considered courting and thought it was resolved in a satisfying, if odd, manner. 
 
I love a nice, shy hero who slowly comes out of his shell as the heroine draws him out. And Alastair is certainly that. It is fun to watch him react to Thaïs’ outrageousness and try to play the gentleman even as he is fighting his attraction to her. Why he would be attracted to her, however, I cannot say. Thaïs is exactly why I very rarely read contemporary romance: she is obnoxious, loud, and rude in an attempt to show how strong she is. I was sick of her and her attitude about everything before I made it 30% into the book. Females can be portrayed as being strong without behaving the way Thaïs does. And I know Peckham can write them that way. 
 
Even though I am not a fan of the heroine, I still think THE MISTRESS EXPERIENCE  is worth giving a chance. I enjoyed the hero and the somewhat unique plot and look forward to seeing what Peckham releases next.