I enjoyed this story with all the characters within. The main characters were  Lady Honora Lennox and Josiah Stanhope.

Lady Honora Lennox has been gone missing for three years. She was abducted and took to a brothel to work. Her named that she has at the brothel is Hannah. She is hoping that one day her family will find her. But with the years go by it gets her hope down with no show from her family or a way out.

Josiah Stanhope is the Earl of Chester. He is sick of the games that the ton has about marriage. He doesn't want young lady's push on him. He want no more games play. So he decides to do something about it. He go to a brothel and meet a young lady. She is different then others. He get to know her.

This was a fun story to read. It had action, adventure, and suspense throughout. It had a few giggles within.

I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. This is my honest unbiased opinions.

This was so different and unique!!! I am no easily surprised in this genre but this book was a breath of fresh air. Loved it.

Melt-your-Kindle hot and a great romantic story. Loved this one!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

This is a cute story about Lady Honora Lennox and Josiah Stanhope, Earl of Chester. Honora was kidnapped and sent to a brothel to work and is always under the watchful eye of her keeper who makes sure she doesn't escape. Josiah meanwhile wants more out of life and is fed up with the chits of the ton. He makes his way to the brothel were Honora works and instead of doing the deed, they end up talking and getting to know each other. Weeks and months pass them by and they get to know each other. Things happen naturally in between but of course there is a happy ending of this couple! Fun read indeed!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It's been a while since I've read a romance, and the description enticed me to pick this one up. While the writing was clean and crisp, I found the story as a whole lacking in character development, depth, and interest. Things in the book moved either too fast or too slow with no happy medium to make for a good read.

The long awaited installment, Always a Courtesan does not disappoint with the drama. In congruence with the previous in the series, the story focuses on a noble woman in an unusual position, having been kidnapped and forced to work in a brothel. While Murdoch has an easy style and talent for telling a story, some may find they have to suspend belief for the premise of this novel as there are numerous holes. It also brings about questions that are never answered. The hero is also unlikable at times, as he comes off as spoiled, selfish, and childish. That being said, the heroine is a strong female lead that readers beg for, and their growth as a couple is pleasing to read.

While not perfect, this third installment in Murdoch’s Never the Bride series is still entertaining.

Overall this book left me with so many questions that my head was spinning! The best part of this story was Honora/Hannah. She was a strong, self reliant woman who did not let her woeful situation change her morals or principles. I found Josiah to be immature and mean. He was nasty to the matchmaker and had no remorse. He never thought about the prostitutes as anything but women who wanted to be in a whore house. Why did we not find out what happened to Honora to make her end up there? What happened to her friends? I don't even want to mention the epilogue!

I enjoyed reading this story about
Josiah Stanhope the Earl of Chester and Honora Lennox (Hannah).
Josiah has different ideas about marriage!
After watching another wedding he decided that he would go to a place where there were plenty of courtesans to chose from.
This is when he meets Honora .
The start of a new romance begins.
This is a great story to read and enjoy!!

To say the least, the hero Josiah, the Earl of Chester was very outspoken about not wanting to marry. He was at his friend William's wedding and he could only think about he wanted simplicity. Like having a mistress. He did not endear himself to me at all and maybe that was the point. To see how he might change.
Honora had been taken when she was young and made to work in a brothel. She felt there was no way to escape and her family would not want her now anyway. Then Josiah walked in and there she was. He felt something instantly for Honora.
It was a sweet courting with Josiah falling in love with "Hannah" and he giving her some hope.
I was anxious to see how their journey would evolve and how their happy ending would come about..
Enjoyable and yes, a little different, but that is always a surprise.. Another great addition to this series

I can't really say much about Always The Courtesan.

It's the third book in a series, but you can read them as stand alone as well. In this we follow Honora (aka Hannah in the brothel) and Josiah, the wealthy male lead and how they fall for each other until we get a happy ending (which I believe doesn't count as spoiler).

The reasons for my rating are that it lacked originality, the "fix" is too easy and I'm not a fan of the "secretly royal/aristocratic" trope. I didn't like Josiah and his reasons why he chose Honora/Hannah. He's this whiny man, who has everything and complains about why every eligible lady wants to marry him and everything is so incredibly hard and complicated. What is he doing to solve his problem? He's going to a brothel.
Oh how awful your life is dear sir!

He mostly wanted Honora/Hannah because it's a more "simple" solution and she's hot and good in bed. I wanted more actual romance and a relationship that was better developed

Always the Courtesan is your standard formula romance with some sexy time, but who reads those romances because of their intellectual depth, right? Was it a fast read. Yes. Was it still entertaining. Yes.

2.5 coffee cups out of 5.

Thank you Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing Inc. for the eARC in return for an honest review.

Honora has been forced to work as a courtesan for the past three years, having been kidnapped as a young girl. When Josiah Stanhope, the Earl of Chester, arrives at the brothel, he chooses Honora, only to find himself captivated by Honora. He is puzzled by her, believing that there is more to her story, than she reluctantly shares with him. As they spend time together, the secrets they both hide, threaten to destroy any chance of happiness that they might have.
Whilst I found this an interesting storyline, that highlighted a reality for women in this era, I found Honora’s reluctance to reveal her secrets, conflicted. However, given that the reputation of a family could be destroyed by any hint of impropriety, I am sure that this was possible. Honora is a brave young woman, who despite her aloofness, has managed to keep her spirits alive. Josiah presents as a kind and gentle man, yet at times, I wished for him to show a bit more strength of character. Altogether, this made for an interesting read, with a bit of a rush at the end.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Josiah Stanhope is fed up with society women. Unable to find someone he can talk to with some substance he decides that he will live a simpler life. Finding a mistress to satisfy needs is his first stop. When he picks “Hannah” for the night he finds all he wants to do is talk to someone who will talk back and be honest, no deceit no lies. Hannah is really Lady Honora Lennox who was kidnapped and forced to become a courtesan. Unable to return home and ruin her family Honora has resigned herself to her current life. Josiah is a wonderful and sweet man who wants a companion in his life that he can talk to and Honora fits that person. Definitely a different romance than the norm, something you will definitely want to read! You will fall in love with Josiah and Honora.

What a story Emily E K Murdoch has provided for us to read and enjoy. Lady Honora Lennox disappeared over three years ago and has not been found. Her brothers have search endlessly for her; but have found nothing of her existence. What could have happened and where could she be? Josiah Stanhope, Earl of Chester, is tired of the games among the mama’s and girls of the ton. Wanting something else in his life, he decides to go to a brothel and see if he can find a woman to be just listen to him. He pays her the fee and spends time getting to know Hannah {Lady Honora Lennox}, hears her story and feelings begin to grow. The characters are very well developed, enjoyable and help the story to grow into an interesting book. This is really a wonderful series and I am so glad to share it with you.

Always the Courtesan by Emily EK Murdoch is the third in her Never the Bride series. Always the Courtesan was an enjoyable read despite the fact that its premise was ludicrous. Honora Lennox had been kidnapped and forced into a life of prostitution. How forced, you ask? Constant vigilance on the part of her keeper and a life filled with debt that honor declared must be repaid. It was a trap. Her brothers had been searching for her for three long years, but of course they didn't patronize such an establishment. Josiah, Earl of Chester, by chance discovers her when he has given up running for damsels who are part of the ton and decided to keep it simple, by paying for it.

This is a really cute series, and Murdoch writes compelling characters. This is an entertaining book except for the fact that it would not have been possible to live as a whore for three years and then regain one's position in society, let alone marry an earl. Honora knew her place in the world, what it had become, and did her best with what she had. Josiah was so determined that love wasn't real, and he wasn't going to fall for it, that he fell for the most unlikely and inappropriate woman. I guess we, as readers of romance, suspend reality all the time. This is no different. The other books in the series make more sense. There is, however a certain continuity that must be maintained. For that reason, I recommend Always the Courtesan.

I received a free ARC of Always the Courtesan from Dragonblade, through Netgalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #alwaysthecourtesan

I love to read a book and be totally surprised by the direction of the story by the author. Emily E.K. Murdoch definitely did not write your standard romantic plot with this one. I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books in this series, but Emily out did herself with this one. Strong characters that get their HEA, but with a unique journey all their own.

Hannah aka Lady Honora Lennox was kidnapped three years ago and takin to a brothel where she’s been working waiting for her brother to rescue her. Josiah Chester does something he rarely does, goes to a brothel, tired of scheming mothers trying to marry their daughters on him. He picks Hannah for a simple uncomplicated relationship, but love slowly bloom and he doesn’t know what to do. He can’t marry a courtesan or can he. He’s torn between his love for Hannah and his duty to his family. The truth always has a way out and when her family discovers her future is changed forever. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.

The Earl and the Courtesan

Dissatisfied with society women, Josiah seeks solace in a brothel. Fate brings him to his friend’s youngest sister. This story will break your heart. How can it not? A young woman is abducted and forced to work in a brothel for three years. How can that not make you weep? Josiah has no idea the woman he is falling in love with is his friend’s sister. Even if Honora can escape her prison, she does not want her family to know what she has been doing for the last years. When Honora meets Josiah, she has no idea how her life will change. Can an earl and a courtesan have a future? Just when all seems hopeless, sometimes, fate deals us a kindness.

Kidnapped and sold as a courtesan, Honora feels less than worthless and dreads her family ever finding out what had happened to her. Unbeknown to her, her brother's friend arrives at the brothel and chooses her for companionship. Josiah is smitten with Honora and the tiny peeks she gives him of her past intrigue him, making him long to know more about her. Unfortunately, with his place in society, marriage to Honora is out of the question, but that does not stop the sense of urgency he has to know her. This novel is very different from others that I have read by this author and I felt somewhat uncomfortable with it. Nevertheless, it is well written and highlights the reality of the plight of women in the Regency era, as well as the stigma attached to loss of reputation. I received a copy of this standalone novel from NetGalley as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Josiah Stanhope, the Earl of Chester is frustrated by the lies and deceit he sees from the marriage minded women of society. Why can't female company be easy and honest.

"Hannah", Lady Honora Lennox was abducted three years ago and has been forced to work in a brothel ever since. She's given up all hope. Even if her family still loved her she would bring too much shame to them.

Our hero is a genuinely good man who has a family to think of. He can't think of a way to solve his problems.

Our down to earth heroine knows how to face facts and put dreams behind her.

A very unusual historical romance that looks impossible to have a happy ending. It's part of a series of books that can all be read alone. I have read and thoroughly enjoyed each one.

Great fun.

At sixteen, Lady Honora Lennox was abducted and forced to work in a brothel. Josiah Stanhope, Earl of Chester, is exhausted by the insincere artifice of the ton and looks for an easy exchange of money for pleasure. But Honora, under the name Hannah, is not what he expects. He wants to know more, but she is determined to safeguard her past.

This is the first time I am reading a book by Emily Murdock. It was a very intriguing read…The subject matter is difficult and I’m still not entirely sure how I feel about it. Being abducted and forced into prostitution is not sexy plot-point, and the author doesn’t portray it as so. This is not a “Pretty Woman” situation where the heroine meets the hero and her situation quickly melts away into a happily ever after. On the one hand, I totally appreciated that realism; but as a romance reader, it made me slightly uncomfortable.

Josiah wants simplicity and an easy human connection. He struggles with wanting to be closer to “Hannah” and believe she has true feelings for him, while dealing with the reality of her circumstances. For Honoria, Josiah comes to be a bright spot in her prison of a life. She wants to believe it could be real but being in a brothel means she’s only an object to be purchased for a time. Their happy end does come, but it’s not an easy journey.

I only wish the beginning of the book had as fleshed out as the rest.

* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #AlwaystheCourtesan #NetGalley