Rating: 
Summary: The Corset Diaries - Reality Romance - Wow!
Review: I am half-way through reading "The Corset Diaries" by Katie Macalister and had to write a review. This book is hilarious, sexy and touching all at the same time. I couldn't stop laughing in some places. I'm not talking about a few chuckles here and there, but full-on, can't stop, out loud laughter! I woke up my husband, who wanted to know what was so funny, of course. Ah, but how to fully explain the mad-cap adventures of Tessa Riordan, our heroine? The "barking spider" episode, for example, is classic.
"The Corset Diaries" is about a 39 year old woman (Tessa) who has the opportunity to make $10K for "acting" as a Duchess in "The Month in the Life of a Victorian Duke" - a reality TV program being shot in England. Although she could definitely use the money, Tessa initially hesitates to accept the offer for reality TV stardom. She feels that her size 18 figure does not make her suitable to play the part of an American heiress and newly married wife to Maximillian Edgerton. Max is an architect from Bristol, England who portrays the Duke of Bridgewater (the very hunky and sexy Duke as we soon find out).
Tessa quickly decides to throw caution to the wind, shake up her life a bit (she is a widow), and fly to England to try out for the role of the Duchess. The premise of the "Victorian Duke" reality show is that all the participants (or actors) in the show must truly assume and embrace their roles as members of a noble's house in 1879 Victorian England. Modern conveniences such as cell phones, electricity, and cars are not permitted - it is a jump back in time of 125 years, sort of like the PBS shows 1900 House and Manor House.
Tessa, whose only knowledge of Victorian England comes from her work as a genealogist, quickly finds herself in over her head. As befits her place in society as a "Duchess," she becomes responsible for overseeing the daily operation of Worston Old Hall - home of the Duke of Bridgewater and his real-life 12 year old daughter, sister and brother-in-law and their household staff. And as they say, high jinks ensue!!
Max Edgerton and Tessa find themselves attracted to eachother, after an embarassing initial introduction. Despite her misgivings about her size and her age (she is 5 years older than Max) the two become involved while on the show. But are the feelings they have for eachother reality or "showmance?" Both you and I will have to read the whole book and find out!
Author, Katie Macalister, does a wonderful job taking us through the day-to-day events that Tessa experiences via a daily journal that Tessa writes. Ms. Macalister's writing style is wickedly funny, and the smart, sexy dialog between Tessa and Max makes you feel like a voyeur at times. Tessa is a likeable heroine that everyone, regardless of age (or size), can relate to. This is the first book by Katie Macalister that I've read, and I can only hope that the others are just as fun to read!
Rating:
Summary: Another Winner!!
Review: Another delightful winner from Katie MacAlister. She takes a fresh idea and runs with it. This book was a funny, sexy read. Be forewarned there are some laugh out loud moments. The Corset Diaries also has some deeply moving moments. It is wonderful to see a heroine who is comfortable with herself even though she isn't a perfect 100lb 18 year old dewy eyed virgin. The supporting characters are full bodied and nicely add to the story. Shall I tell you about the asparagus scene?, nah you will have to read this for yourself.
Rating:
Summary: More stars, please! It was FABULOUS!
Review: It was FABULOUS! But what else do we expect from Katie MacAlister? ALL her books are great-- buy this one; buy them all!This book is typical Katie-- witty, engaging, and unique! The heroine (Tessa) is a BBW, and the hero (Max) is a total hottie, even if he is an overprotective father! The setting is one-of-a-kind-- modern but set in 1879 as part of a reality TV show, and that offers lots of hilarious situations. The only negative thing I can say about the book is that I wish there were more of it! I would like to see how Tessa and Max get on in the real world-- I liked the characters that much!
Rating: 
Summary: COULD HAVE BEEN SO MUCH BETTER
Review: I WAS DISAPPOINTED IN THIS BOOK. THE HEROINE IS AWESOME BUT THERE WAS NO PLOT. I LIKED THE FACT THAT THE HEROINE IS NOT A TWIGGIE WANNABE AND IS AN ACTUAL PERSON WHO SCREWS UP, BUT AFTER YOU GET OVER THE FIRST FEW STUPID MOVES SHE MAKES, THAT IS THAT. NOTHING NEW.
Rating: 
Summary: Size does matter?
Review: Love, love, LOVE Katie Macalister's books but NOT this one! Just couldn't like the heroine...and couldn't understand the attraction between her the the hero, Max. She's a size 18, five years older than him, throws up on this shoes at their first meeting, breaks wind in front of him at the next, babbles unintelligently, meddles in his relationship with his daughter, and yet....he falls madly in love with her. I really like the fact that Ms. Macalister writes about women who are less than perfect, but this one was just too irritating for words! Couldn't finish the book. Hope the next book is back up to Ms. Macalister's usual standards.
Rating:
Summary: Could have been waaaaay better
Review: Dull, flat and frequently crass. It's a harsh description of any book, but that's what I have to give this one. I've done historic recreation, so picked up this book hoping to read an entertaining romantic comedy because I know how funny these situations can get sometimes. What I found was full of cliches and sophmoric jokes concerning bodily functions, with snide remarks between the hero and heroine that passed as wit. I kept asking myself why she was interested in this guy. Then I found myself asking why she slept/was continuing to sleep with this guy if he was such a jerk. The ending is abrupt and somewhat contrived and I found no real indication that the couple had grown or made a commitment to one another. It's sad because I really wanted to like this book and ended up feeling like I was about to throw it against the wall. Friends have told that some of her earlier works are better, but there wasn't enough here to convince me to try.
Rating:
Summary: Laugh out loud fun!!!!
Review: I haven't enjoyed a book this much in quite a while! I actually woke my husband up because I was laughing so hard while reading this in bed. I look forward to reading more of Katie MacAlister's books.
Rating: 
Summary: Suddenly stopped.
Review: I loved this book because it was so hilarious. The only thing I didn't like is how it just suddenly stopped. I wanted to go to Tessa and Max's wedding!!!
Rating:
Summary: This isn't your typical Harlequin Romance
Review: Tessa is invited to be on an English reality TV show set in the Victorian Times playing a Duchess. Tessa is a 39 y/o widow who is thinnly challenged. She is very concerned about her weight and being on the show. Everyone assures her she will be fine because she will be wearing a corset. The book is her diary of the events of the day. Of course there are many twists and turns in the book, she falls in love with her leading man, he has a daughter, his sister can't stand her, she is pretty much the laughing stock of the cast because nothing ever happens the way she wants it too. This was my first Katie Macalister read and I will read more of her works. I was a bit disappointed in some things in the book. Due to the nature of the book we have characters flung at us from all angles and many of them are not well developed and all but one has some type of crazy quirk, which kind of gets annoying. Then there is the "everything must go wrong in an insane type way" in almost every entry. I did find the sex scenes to be hilarious and no this is not your typical bodice ripper. That in itself makes this a worthwhile read. Overall I found this to be a very fun read and will look to read more from her in the future!
Rating:
Summary: a scrumptious book
Review: This is one of those books you read through like eating a box of chocolates - loving every minute, hoping it won't ever end. I loved it. The heroine is easy to like and the hero is not only handsome and sexy, but tender and realistic. Enjoy!
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