I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
The Mistress Experience is the third and final book in Scarlett Peckham’s Society of Sirens series. It can be read as a stand-alone, but I’ve loved the series for its themes of sisterhood and tearing down the patriarchy, so I would recommend all the books.
However, this one has a special place in my heart, as it’s one of my favorite tropes: sex lessons. And while the role reversal with the woman being the teacher has been done before, I loved the setup here in particular, in part due to the characters and their dynamic. Thaïs is a sought-after courtesan in London, but I loved her growth in realizing she wants domesticity, including marriage and a husband, while also being loud and unapologetic about her identity as a courtesan throughout the book. It was nice to have a balance for her, not having trauma around how she got into this line of work, while also craving “traditional” things too.
Alistair is also wonderful. He’s buttoned-up, and not very sexually experienced, and his flaws in that department in the encounters he has had give him insecurities about how he might “perform” when he gets married. It was sweet, if a tad unusual, for him to solicit lessons for this purpose, but I liked that it made him stand out from a lot of the other heroes out there.
Thaïs and Alistair have a wonderful connection that grows over their just-over-a-month acquaintance, and I love how their romance balances both the physical intimacy as she proceeds in the lessons, and the growing emotional connection. While there is a bit where they have a conflict over him not being able to marry her because of her being a sex worker, I appreciate that this was handled sensitively, with him not diminishing her profession, and his perspective on marrying outside one’s class growing in a realistic way.
As this is the last book in the series (sob!), I love that it closed out some of the external plot threads, like Lady Elinor’s toxic marriage/pending divorce, not to mention the series closing out on a fun note including all the series leads, in addition to them all playing major roles in each others’ books. I love that all of the women and their partners ended up happy on their own terms, while also continuing to crusade for women’s rights.
This was perhaps my favorite book in the series (hard to believe since I practically made The Rakess my entire personality in 2020), and it’s in the running to be my favorite of the year. I’d strongly recommend this book if you’re interested in fiercely feminist, sex-positive historical romance.

Obsessed 😍 That’s it. That’s my review.

In all seriousness, though I devoured this book in less than 24 hours, and of course because it’s me, I managed to start a series in the wrong place unknowingly, to which I cannot wait to go back and read the other books in this series and will absolutely be on the lookout for any future works by Scarlett Peckham.

I loved that Alastair was less experienced than Thäis and willing to learn once he formed a connection with her. He is just an absolute cinnamon roll of a man who just wants to love the woman who drives him mad. I love their banter and how easy they get along, and honestly, I could read another book or two solely about their life together and devour every word.

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳, 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘦-𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺.

4.5 Stars

Thaïs Magadalene is the most infamous courtesan in London. She only takes one patron a week and only for one night. But in order to raise money for woman's rights and an institute to educate woman, Thaïs auctions herself off for one month to the highest bidder.

Lord Alastair Eden is not only an earl but a radical politician. His perfectionism shows in everything he does―minus one area. As he is preparing to marry in order to provide his future spouse with pleasure he secretly bids for a month with London's most skilled lover.

Okay, I did not remember what the premise behind this novel was until I started reading it. AND I WAS HOOKED!!!! A man, knowing who knows he lacks in the bedroom, has someone bid for him for a month with a famous harlot???

Was I instantly in love with Alastair after this confession to Thaïs? Yes, yes I was.
Do I generally like cinnamon roll heroes? Not always. But goodness did I love Alastair, even if he does prove to be even more flawed with being careless in what he said in a quip later on in the novel. I loved how he appreciated Thaïs and valued what she had to offer. Oh and how awkward he was especially at the beginning. It made my heart all melty.

Now Thaïs was a woman after my own heart. I adored how she knew where her strengths were and used it to her advantage creating a business for herself and providing support for those woman who found themselves in a similar situation as she did. There is just something about her which made me want to champion her, befriend her and then protect her when she showcased her vulnerabilities and the things she truly desired. And having lived the life she did, how she did not truly feel worthy or that it was an attainable goal. Oh and I can't forget to mention how much I liked the setting of the novel, the exclusivity of it, which forced the characters into a new form of intimacy as well as allowed them to bare themselves fully to what was occurring between them. So so so good.

This was my first Scarlett Peckham novel and I am so looking forward to going back to the beginning of the series to get the POVs of the other characters.

4 Stars The Mistress Experience was a sweet and steamy historical romance and the third book in a series. I haven't read the previous two books in this series, but thankfully I was able to understand what was going on without reading them. This was such a fun read! Thais and Alastair were complete opposites and from entirely different worlds. Thais is foul-mouthed and witty, while Alastair was sweet. But the two went together so well and made for a great story.

Thank you Avon and Harper and NetGalley for the ARC!

Thaïs Magdeline is a self-made harlot who grew up in the brothels from a young age. We saw her in the first two books and got to see a sneak peak of her witty personality during Sera and Cornelia’s stories, but we never got a true look at Thaïs.

I was so excited to start this based on the few reviews I’d seen praising this book for all it was worth. I was severely disappointed with the second book in this series, so I was a bit apprehensive going into Thaïs’ story. Luckily, I had no reason to worry because this book was fantastic.

As the Society of Sirens are closing in on their ladies institute, we find themselves lacking some of the funds needed for the finishing touches. Enter Thaïs, our self-made harlot. She holds an auction for a month of her precious time awarded to the winner, where they are able to do anything with Thaïs that they well please.

I just loved Thaïs and her foul-mouth personality, but I also loved Alastair and his sweet nature. These two were like water and oil when the story began, but were a match made in heaven by the end. I loved the tenderness that Alastair felt for Thaïs, but I also loved how understanding and patient Thaïs was with Alastair. Watching them learn each other's mannerisms and how they functioned was such a joy to experience.

I was so glad that Scarlett Peckham delivered on the closing of this series. After loving the first book and not liking the second book at all, I was so so nervous about going into this one. I was so pleased to find myself unable to put the book down.

I can’t wait for Scarlett Peckhams next series and to dive into her backlist!

I received this as an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

The Mistress Experience is a fantastic, hot historical romance that exceeded all my expectations. Scarlett Peckham writes some of the best steam around, and in this book her amazing characters shine through too. If you love a great forced proximity romance, read this book!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Brash courtesan Thaïs Magdalene’s skills in the bedroom are unparalleled. So when she and her friends need to raise money for women’s education, she offers a month of her time to the highest bidder. The winner turns out to be Sir Alastair Eden, a progressive Earl who’s decided it’s time to marry. But he’s unsure about his skills as a lover, and wants Thaïs to teach him how to satisfy his future wife. Thaïs is initially bored by their stay in the country, but they both become attached as they spend more and more time together. Can Thaïs keep things simply professional? And will Alastair be able to say goodbye at the end of the month?

Alastair is the sweetest cinnamon roll, and I love the way his feelings for Thaïs develop. Even though he thinks he is bound by the rules of propriety, he is gone for her as soon as he gets to know her. He just wants to take care of people, whether it’s Thaïs, his sister, or his hypothetical future wife. And, the scenes where he cooks for her are fantastic.

The discussion of s3x work is refreshingly matter of fact. Thaïs knows what society thinks about her career, but she’s proud of her ability to support herself, and to help other girls like her. Her feelings for Alastair are truly a threat to her professional and personal well being, though. It doesn’t help that she’s attracted to Alastair and their chemistry is off the charts.

The Mistress Experience has top notch forced proximity, with strong characters, sassy quips, social commentary, and tons of steam. Scarlett Peckham has outdone herself with this impossible to put down story. Any fan of hot historical romance needs to read this book! Now! What are you waiting for?

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

Tropes: MFC gives MMC a sexual education; class difference
Steam level: 4
Language: plenty of "f-bombs" throughout, if that offends you

I actually hadn't read anything by this author before and thought I'd give her a shot, but this didn't work for me. The set-up got my attention (I love a buttoned-up MMC and free-spirited MFC), but nothing really engaged me. Felt as if the plot meandered. If you're new to HR's, or usually read contemporary romance instead, you might like this more than I did.

How do you raise money to fund a radical project to support women's rights and education in (I think) Georgian London? If you are a famous courtesan, you auction your services for one month. Come for the journey to find out who exactly made the bid for Thais' servies, the unexpected people she finds along the way and how a famous sex-worker deals with the sexual disfunctions of her clients. Stay for the innovative ways to curse. The cursing is EPIC!

Something Scarlett Parrish does well is writing non traditional gender roles. The hero is the inexperienced one and the heroine is a sex worker but longs for a more simple, traditional life. My favorite part of the book was the fun banter between Eden and Thaïs. It made me smile and chuckle. Their dynamic is very fun and sexy. I have zero regrets about reading but I felt the ending was a bit rushed and ever so slightly unsatisfying. Like they are together for like 80% of the book, breakup, and get back together in like the last chapter. So I didn’t get enough of those HEA vibes I was hoping for.

Thank you Avon and NetGalley for the ARC!

Without a doubt the most joyful book I’ve read by the author. Her characters are often weighed down heavily by their tragedies (and rightfully so), but this book left me smiling. Thais and Alastair kept me smiling. They both want to do and be their best for others, and try/learn to be light hearted while doing so - they’re both so charming and likable. A true delight.

RATING: 2/5 STARS

I love this old-school historical romance cover, but unfortunately I didn't vibe with the dialogue of this book right off the bat. I would maybe try a future book in this series.

Thaïs is the most sought after prostitute in London. 30 days of her time is auctioned off for charity to a Lord. Only come to find out when she rolls up to a quaint country cottage, she meets a completely different man. Lord Eden bought Thaïs in secret because he wants to take a wife and needs lessons in how to make his wife happy. He knows he's getting a vulgar, rough around the edges but joyful and gorgeous woman to learn from but he doesn't know he's going to fall completely in love with her.

This was a complete delight. The banter was fantastic. Lord Dden is incredibly reserved and sweet. I love a good buttoned up hero who is off kilter by a wild woman. This book is achingly romantic for how crass Thaïs is. There's lessons of Seduction, caretaking, A MAN WHO COOKS, and so much more.

This is my favorite book from Scarlett Peckham for sure.

I received an advanced copy through NetGalley but all my enthusiastic opinions are my own.

It is always nice to have a role reversal. This is the first book I have read by Scarlett Peckham and is a nice addition to the historical romance genre.

I love the way that Scarlett Peckham writes her characters, but especially her female characters in this series. She infuses them with such life and dignity that it's impossible not to root for them and wish for their happiness. I couldn't put this book down once I started it and managed to read it all in one sitting, which really takes you through every high and low imaginable. While it is the perfect end to this series, I am now left hoping that some of the characters end up continuing on in whatever Scarlett Peckham wants to write next.

As for this book, it's the perfect amount of slow-burn with a grovel scene that is absolutely fantastic. It also features some of the most brutal fights that I've ever read, which will absolutely break the readers' hearts, but you have to get through that in order to reach the amazing conclusion.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

When I first started to read this book, I was bothered by the coarse language of the heroine, Thais Magdalene. However, I continued to read and I’m glad I did. Thais is a sought-after courtesan, hired surreptitiously by the Earl of Eden to help him solve his sexual performance problems before he searches for a bride. Alaistair, Lord Eden, is straitlaced and concerned with perfection. Even though he hires Thais to help him, he is embarrassed by his problem and has difficulty revealing all to her. Gradually, Alaistair becomes comfortable with Thais as she coaches him on how to find a woman, court her and, finally, make love to her. The verbal interplay between the two is humorous and touching. Their working relationship evolves into friendship and more.
Can a nobleman and a courtesan make a life together that satisfies them both?
Warning: highly descriptive language and sexual situations. This is the third book in the Society of Sirens series but can be read as a stand-alone story.

Thaïs is a lady of the night, but a high class one-- she usually only takes one lover a week, for one night only. However, for the sake of women's rights, she is auctioning off the right to have her as a mistress for a full month. The highest bidder turns out to be a stand-in bidder for Lord Alastair Eden, a man that she knows casually through her political activity as a good guy albeit slightly buttoned-up. Turns out that Lord Eden wants a wife but doesn't feel confident in his abilities to <i>please</i> her. He wants Thaïs to train him during their month together, which she is more than willing to do.

I loved Thaïs so much. She is such a softy on the inside in spite of her bravado on the outside-- all she wants is a good man to love her in spite of her past so she can have a few babies and live a calmer life. This was obviously a very spicy book, and I loved seeing her do everything she could to reassure and prepare Lord Eden for his future wife.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my thoughts!

I really enjoyed this! A romance between a sex worker, and a starchy earl, who hires our heroine for lessons in the bedroom before he gets married. And then of course the lessons become real! I liked that this was slow burn, they really developed an adorable friendship, and attraction to each other. I loved both our characters, especially Thais, i have always wanted more historical romances that involve sex workers, and this really delivered on that. She was unapologetic about her profession, and he had so much respect for her. This was a pretty quick read, very sexy, romantic, and emotional! Very lovely

Thais Magdalene is a famous courtesan. She takes on only one client per week, for one night, and never the same man twice. But to raise funds for the Institute for the Equality of Women, she agrees to auction off her services for a whole month to the highest bidder. 

Alistair, Lord Eden is the last person Thais expects to purchase her services. He's a straight-laced liberal politician who's the farthest thing from a libertine. He's planning to get married soon, and he wants sex lessons so he can please his future wife, as it turns out that's bad in bed and hasn't had sex in 10 years.

You might think that a book about renting a courtesan to be your mistress for a month would be a non-stop sex romp, but the sexiness doesn't really get going until the second half. And I think this works perfectly for the story. Alistair isn't comfortable just hopping into bed. He needs to get to know Thais before he can even start the sex lessons.

Alistair is a great hero. He's good man and a hard-working politician who cares about helping people. He's self-aware enough to recognize that he's bad at sex, and now that he's planning to get married (he doesn't have an actual bride in mind yet), he feels like he needs to fix his sex issues. He's the best, and he treats Thais very well, never treating her like she's less than him.

This is a really fun sex-positive romance. It's very much opposites attract. Thais and Alistair are an unlikely pairing, but in this case, opposites definitely attract. The forced proximity of their month together is a great way to build the relationship and I was really invested in it.

I really love the cover--it's very cool to have an old school 80s style cover on a very modern, feminist historical romance.

This was fun and steamy! I loved how the MC was so comfortable and proud of herself. The romance was fun and even without reading other books in the series it was easy to follow along with the side plots.

I enjoyed the story -- I really enjoy the whole mistress-to-wife trope and I've enjoyed Peckham's earlier stories in this series... Oh, the emotional development was there - loved the growing relationship between Thais and Alastair. Loved the whole premise of Alastair being in need of sexual instruction - being comfortable and pragmatic enough to seek it from an expert. Loved the character development as both changed and grew. Loved how it, inevitably ended.

My only concern is that for a story all about sex - 30 nights of it -- there was actually very little sexy sex! There was sex talk, sex explanations, sex demonstrations which read like an instruction manual. In spite of that (expectations set up and promoted), that story is a strong, emotional, lovely historical romance that I recommend to readers.

Thanks for the ARC and opinions are my own.