The Lessons

Off-Limits #1

by Elizabeth Brown

Question: What happens when a thirty-year-old virgin hires a sex surrogate to take care of her "little problem"?

Answer: Lots of laughs and tons of heat. You'll be left wanting a Dr. Ryan Andrews of your own.

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Warning: This story contains mature humor, a lot of cursing, and of course, sexual situations. It’s intended for adult readers who enjoy that kind of thing.
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Sexual Surrogate (Definition): A sexual surrogate, sometimes called a surrogate partner, is a member of a sex therapy team consisting of client(s), supervising therapist, and surrogate. Some couples attend sexual surrogacy sessions together, while some people (either single or in a couple) attend them alone. The surrogate engages in education and often intimate physical contact and/or sexual activity with clients to achieve a therapeutic goal. - Wikipedia
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Dual POV with no cliffhanger.
Stand-alone book 1 in The Off-Limits series.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Erotica, Adult, New Adult, Forbidden Love

344 pages, ebook

First published July 20, 2015

About the author

I write kissing books. But with a lot more than just kissing.😉
👉 https://amzn.to/2Okroac
I love travel 🛫, tacos 🌮, and all things girly💄💕🌸

Come find me online:
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Twitter: @elizbrownauthor
Email: liz dot brownish at gmail dot com
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Sign up for my newsletter and be the first to find out about new releases: http://eepurl.com/crIhSL

Website:
https://elizabethbrownauthor.wordpres...

Reviews

[SueBee★bring me an alpha!★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★★ ½! The Lessons (stand-alone), book 1. 30-year old virgin hires sex surrogate to get rid of her pesky virginity, but didn’t expect a tatted PhD student, biker & soccer player!

“He did not need him to be an Adonis. A pre-screened disease-free surrogate with a penis would do the job well enough…”

Books in The Off-Limits series are stand-alones, but most enjoyed if read in order:
Book 1: The Lessons
Book 2: The Rules
Book 3: The Mistakes

The Lessons (book 1) opens up to 30 year old marketing executive and virgin, Natalie Reese, LeeLee having reached a milestone. After years of putting herself last she has moved across the country to start fresh with a new career. Also on her long list of “things to do before I turn thirty” is “cashing in her v-card”. She has scheduled time with a therapist and a sex surrogate to take care of that.

Nothing could have prepared her for PhD student and sex surrogate Ryan Andrews, tatted, soccer player and biker who has overcome much and is looking to graduate at the end of the semester. Having had a brief encounter with Natalie at the library beforehand he knows she is off-limits and he even tried getting out of becoming her surrogate.

The story goes onto follow Natalie and Ryan as he sets out to, in a clinical way, rid her of her hymen, but fails miserably. Their attraction is palpable and in the forbidden, clandestine relationship that forms, painful pasts, secrets, deceit and villains are revealed while allowing for many funny moments courtesy Natalie.

“Yes, I called him mine. He’s put his mouth on my vagina, and I was feeling a little territorial about the whole thing.”

Eight words to describe Natalie Reese, LeeLee: Quirky, funny, organized, considerate, sweet, nurturing, insecure and OCD.



Wait until you know a little more about Ryan Andrews. I predict he’ll wrap himself around your heart. Eight words to describe Ryan: Loyal, caring, smart, focused, survivor, responsible, charming and lonely .

The Lessons is a mixture or forbidden romance, sexual tension and hilarious situations. It ends on a high, but chances are we can catch glimpses of Ryan and Natalie in book 2, Untitled about Ryan’s best friend and little sister.

Entertaining plot! Sidesplitting dialogue! Endearing hero! Quirky heroine!

“No twist of fate was going to get between Ryan Andrews’s cock and my vagina.”

***
Hero rating: 4.5 stars
Heroine rating: 4 stars
Sexual tension rating: 4 stars
Sex scenes rating: 4 stars
Sex scenes frequency: 4 stars
Plot rating: 4 stars
Dialogue rating: 4.5 stars
Storytelling rating: 4.5 stars
Story ending rating: 4 stars
Book editing rating (5 = no edits spotted): N/A, ARC
******************************************
Overall rating: 4-4.5 stars

Would I recommend this book: Yes.
Would I re-read this book: Maybe later.
Would I read future books by this author: Yes.



Thanks to everyone reading along with me on IndieSTAR LIVE chat week: [LIVE CHAT & (F)BR]

ARC provided to me by author Elizabeth Brown in exchange for an honest review.

[✰ Liz ✰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Learning some lesson stars!



The Lessons is an upbeat romantic comedy made complete with quick-witted dialogue and in-depth characterization. Elizabeth Brown brings a common dilemma to the table ("the curse of the 30 year old virigin") and explores it through unconventional means. If the plot alone hasn't captured your attention, be assured that the racy scenes between the two main characters will bring you to your knees and leave you begging for more.

Natalie is a planner. (You know the type!) She has meticulously strategized a plan for her life and makes every endeavor to stick to the plan.



"I got out a big red pen. It was time to make some edits."-Natalie

Unfortunately, as in most cases, life doesn't always happen the way we expect (or hope) it to. Natalie has just approached her 30th birthday.

"Thirty. Nothing like a milestone birthday to make you take stock of things. And me? This birthday made me realize how ashamed I was and how far my life had swung off course."-Natalie

Natalie is unmarried, alone, and despite her attractive physical features and successful career, she has somehow managed to maintain "virgin status". At this point in her life, her virginity is weighing her down and causing her severe anxiety. Natalie bravely makes a "new plan". She decides to leave her current life in New York and venture to San Francisco where she will continue her professional success at a new job and turn in her V-Card!

"It's time to get off my ass and get my life back on track."-Natalie



What does one do when they want to safely rid of their virginity? Simple, they hire a sexual surrogate. Natalie is confident that once she has sex she will be able to move forward with her life and get back to "the plan". Things are bound to get better for her now that she is literally "open to business"!

"A sexual surrogate helps patients to fix sexual problems by serving as a stand-in partner with whom to share physical and emotional intimacy. The therapy may or may not include sexual intercourse. Surrogates are frequently certified in fields such as counseling, psychology or sexuality and they often work in conjunction with psychologists and other therapists to help the patient."-LivestrongHealth.com

Natalie settles in quickly to her new home. However, the anticipation of meeting her new therapist and sexual surrogate looms over her like a black cloud. When she finally meets her therapist, she does her best to shield her insecurities. The fact that Natalie is a product of the foster system and has recently lost her adoptive mother to cancer, has left her on the defense regarding her emotions. Natalie is gifted at self control and compartmentalizing her emotions. When she meets her teacher Ryan, her sexual surrogate, the line between lust and love blurs into one colorful mess. The lessons he has in store for her will demolish her self control and expose her to a completely different category of schooling!

"Uh, yeah, my patnies are wet and I need an infusion of Ryan Andrews cock, stat."-Natalie

Ryan is an upbeat successful guy. He has been working on his doctorate in psychology and in order to make some extra money he works as a sexual surrogate. He has never struggled maintaining professionalism and yet, when he meets Natalie everything he has ever experienced is thrown at the window. He quickly falls for her and begins to want more then the standard sexual surrogate relationship. He wants a genuine relationship with her.

"She was so soft, so delicate...! My new client was so f*cking hot it was messing with my brain."



"Natalie was such a puzzle to me. Coarse and rough one moment, with a tomboyish sass, and then innocent and unsure the next. It both confused and enticed me-it kept me on my toes, like a puzzle I needed to solve."-Ryan

Natalie and Ryan, who were brought together through unconventional means, form a quick friendship. They have so much in common and the sexual chemistry between the two is off the charts. Ironically, Natalie has nothing to compare it to, which allows the reader to enjoy each sexual experience through her eyes. Let's just say "the magic of the first time' never felt so good! Although the two try to maintain a professional "patient/doctor" relationship, their paths are continuously crossing and the notion of "sex without emotions" is quickly cast off.

"Yes, I called him mine. He'd put his mouth on my vagina, and I was a feeling a little territorial about the whole thing. Sue me."-Natalie

I throughly enjoyed the journey that these characters took together. Ms. Brown has an irrefutable ability to describe every detail with amusement, sensuality, and class. My heart broke for Natalie and Ryan who were both striving to find the good in life. Their journey is littered with rocky terrain as Natalie and Ryan grapple questions of morality, their past hurts, and their ability to admit their feelings for each other. It is when they come together emotinoally, that true happiness is found.



"I'd never wanted something, someone, so much in my life. I'm not ever going to make that mistake again. You make me so happy; you make me laugh."-Ryan

Overall, I cannot rave enough about this read. This fresh perspective on sexual norms and issues of the heart will leave you breathless. I laughed, I cried, and I swooned with these characters through each and every page. The dual POV gives you a clear panoramic view of each scene as the plot unfolds. Additionally, the glimpses into Ryan's past intensifies your empathy for his character. The supporting characters were intriguing and I hope that we will see more of this scooby crew. If you are looking for a unique romantic comedy, look no further. I anticipate amazing things to come from this author. I look forward to reading more of her work and I for one, hope that there will be more lessons to learn. If Elizabeth Brown is teaching, this student will be never be late to class.

~BR with Mer and War! Thank you ladies for learning some lessons right along with me!~


~ARC graciously provided by Elizabeth Brown in exchange for an honest review.~

~The Lessons was read as part of a special Author Indie Star Chat on SHH at https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... Thank you Elizabeth for spending a week talking with us about your work. It was an amazing experience chatting with you while reading your book!~

For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:

[Patty ~ Wrapped Up In Reading Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

*****4.5 SMOKING HOT STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Author in Exchange for an Honest Review}



He was attractive, really ridiculously attractive--all golden skin and silky dark hair that just grazed his collar. Handsome in a way that just oozed masculinity and sex. I mean, not that I'd know.



HOLY HELL!!!
This was one HOT READ & I LOVED IT!!!!!







Natalie Reese is a young woman on a mission. Her mission is to lose her virginity. The thing is, she's THIRTY!!! How is a beautiful and intelligent young woman still a V-Card carrier???!! She's just had some really bad luck in life.



Natalie is not a spontaneous person. She had her whole life plan mapped out. She knew exactly when she wanted to have her first boyfriend. When she would start her new job and dump boyfriend number one, and when she would meet boyfriend number two, who would end up being her hubby. Well nothing worked out according to her well thought out plans.




Natalie's first boyfriend, who she had been with for several years, ends up confessing to her that he is gay. For whatever reason, the two remain the best of friends. However this kind of traumatized Natalie and she basically threw herself into her career and as years went by, not a single man would stay in the picture very long once they knew she was still a virgin. It seems that all of NYC knew of her lack of experience and so she went through a dry spell.



Determined to get her life back on track, she takes a job in San Francisco, AND she hires herself a Sexual Surrogate!! Ladies, I didn't know this actually existed!!! Her sexual surrogate along with regular weekly visits to a therapist, will help her work out her "issues" with intimacy. She will meet with her sexual surrogate twice a week, during which he will teach her to be comfortable with her body and sexuality, and eventually they will even be getting it on!!!



During her first week in San Fran, Natalie ends up at her local library, where she runs into a hottie in a motorcycle jacket. If guys like that actually visit the library, then I am going straight down to mine and getting myself a library card!!!! Can you all guess what happens next??? Well, the following week, she meets her sexual surrogate, who happens to be the hottie from the library!! Ryan will have your panties melting ladies!! NO
EXAGGERATION!!!



This guy is HOT! He's EDIBLE!! He knows what he's doing in the bedroom. And let's not forget that he READS!!!! I absolutely loved Ryan! The moment these two start their therapy sessions, my tongue was wagging and I definitely needed a cold shower or Two, or TEN!!! Ms Brown delivers the STEAM in this one!! BRAVO WOMAN!!!!!!




I really had such a good time reading this book and honestly I didn't want it to end. I have to tell you all, not once did I doze off. You will see no sleeping bunnies in my review. Just a lot of fanning myself!!!! I can't wait to read the next book which will be about another couple that you meet in this one, and I have been promised that Ryan will make an appearance in the next book, which makes this girl right here extremely HAPPY!!


Do yourselves a favor and one click this book!!!


http://www.amazon.com/Lessons-Elizabe...

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lessons is book one in the Off Limits series by Elizabeth Brown. This is my very first book by Elizabeth!



Natalie Reese had made a plan for her life, and not a single thing happened when it was supposed to. For the most part, none of it happened at all! She was thirty years old and still a virgin. Not one prospect to punch that V-card. So Natalie decides to change things up. She is moving from New York to San Francisco. She got a new job as marketing manager at Heaven Sent, a lingerie company. But that’s not why she specifically chose San Francisco. She chose it because they had a well known and respected sex surrogate practice there. Natalie has decided that this is the best way to become a non-virgin!



Ryan Andrews is almost done with his PHD. But with school costs, a sister with medical bills, and just the regular cost of living, he needed income. The perfect opportunity was the offer to become a sex surrogate. Ryan doesn’t date. Between his job, and his life, there just isn’t time. Hopefully, his new client will be his last one. But when he saw her, when he touched her, he knew he wasn’t going to be able to walk away from her.



This was the perfect mix of fun and snarky to serious and steamy. These two were electric together. Natalie’s head was so much fun to be inside of. And Ryan!!! Oh my dear sweet Ryan. I couldn’t have loved him more. This man had so much on his shoulders. Together, these two are forced to navigate some pretty murky waters. From ethical lines crossed to dishonest co-workers in both their lives, things get complicated fast.



I’ve been wanting to read this for so long and I’m so glad I finally did. I really did enjoy it so much. The next book is The Rules. It is an older brother’s best friend romance and is Ainsley and Lambo’s story. I can’t wait to read it.

For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Lessons are in lies, deceit and misconduct.

I didn’t HATE The Lessons, but I definitely had some issues with it. This book is FULL of dishonesty. She walks into the sexual therapist’s office with a prepared lie of why she is still a virgin. The sexual surrogate meets the patient and deceitfully implies they are meeting for the first time. With a signed agreement and rules in place, by continuing to help the patient with her issues (even though he starts having feelings for her) the surrogate is misleading her and guilty of professional misconduct. I struggled to believe this was a true love story when their whole relationship is built on lies. But if I skimmed over the reality and kept my head in the clouds, it wasn't too bad and was definitely HOT.

If I could break down The Lessons, I’d say I liked it…or parts of it. The heroine, Natalie, is pretty funny. She has a potty mouth but looks like a hot librarian. Ryan, the hero, is a good looking guy, dedicated to his studies and devoted to his sister. Natalie’s best friend Josh is a sweetheart and I actually liked Natalie’s co-worker Brad too. I thought Brad got the rough end of the stick to be honest. The idea behind a sex surrogate was interesting. I’m not fully convinced that it’s realistic to not grow to have feelings for a surrogate, especially if the sex is ongoing. Maybe it would be different if a couple was seeing a surrogate together instead of one on one. So, like I said, parts of it were interesting. I just struggled to BELIEVE what I was reading.

Natalie has not had the best life. She went through the foster system until she was adopted by her mother. Natalie lost her mother a year ago to cancer after a 3-year battle, and in that time, she had been her mother’s primary carer. With life getting by and all her plans out the window, she decides at the age of 30 to get cracking and make some new ones. A move to a new city is her first step, and the second and most important is to get her other v-card dealt with.

Ryan has been a sexual surrogate for years. He fell into the occupation by accident, but it has helped him pay his bills, look after his sister and also give him practical experience towards his psychology degree. He’s never had a problem keeping his emotions out of the bedroom until he meets Natalie. From the start, he knows everything will blow up in his face, but he can’t help but do it anyway.

Natalie and Ryan’s journey is not an easy one. With all of their lies, secrets and the emotions they hid from each other, they really only have the sex to connect them. Neither, Natalie or Ryan, know how the other is feeling, and struggle because their own feelings keep getting stronger. Natalie is trying to keep her emotions locked out so she doesn’t fall for Ryan. She attempts to date someone else, but Ryan, knowing he doesn’t have the right, still feels indignant and angry about it. Outside forces are also messing with their lives.

Overall I didn’t hate The Lessons but I definitely didn’t love it either. The connecting characters were just a little too conveniently connected, the lies between the hero and heroine a little too much and the decisions they made did not give me warm fuzzies. This just wasn’t a perfect fit for me. I struggled between rating it a two or 3 star read, but ended up going with 3 because I liked the characters....I just hated the lies, deceit and misconduct.

I received a complimentary ARC via Netgalley for an honest review.

To buy The Lessons from Amazon - http://amzn.to/1oFLAWl

I’m an Aussie chick who loves to read and review romance, drink coffee, be a Style Setter and stalk David Gandy. To see more of my reviews, fashion, food and pervathons -

[Lady Gabriella of Awesomeness (SLOW) · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ACR Copy in exchange for an honest review*

★★★★ 3.5 Lesson (n.)A-period-of-learning-or-teaching stars ★★★★

Young Natalie Reese always knew exactly what she wanted from life.Goals,Dreams...She had readily mapped out her life for fate to follow.



Natalie Reese
Annual Life GoalPlans

21 ,Boyfriend #1,Lose Virginity
22, Graduate from college secure paying job
24, Break up with boyfriend #1, Enjoy 20-something life.
25, Promotion, Boyfriend #2
26, Engagment
27, Wedding
28, Promotion
29, Child #1

But Fate being fate,taught her a hard lesson that life doesn't always go according to plan.Not for anyone.

Now Single,30 and alone. Natalie decides to start afresh by moving to San Francisco for a clean slate to start living her life again.And the first thing she's plans on cutting off from her list just happens to be

A) Her Virginity.




My Thoughts on the book:

Lessons started out kind of slow for me.I couldn't really relate much to the characters or the plot for the first 30%.
But as the plot progressed my interest slowly grew as the characters and the plot-line started to mature and develop.

My thoughts on the characters:

I cant say that I loved Natalie as a character because she was really difficult to relate to in the beginning.It took some work to really get into her head.

But that was the whole point.With her character being an Over-Achiever throughout her youth.As a person she prefers discipline and control over wild and free. (P.S: When I say discipline.I mean discipline, NOT BDSM. Lol. 50 shades has corrupted us all ! ;)



So she decides to loose her virginity in a more controlled environment and in more of a clinic manner than most are used through.

Through a sex surrogate.

But Passion never stays clinical does it ? It always finds a way to burn you inside out.

And that's how she meets Ryan AKA The man of her dreams AKA Dr.Sexy M.D in the making.



Ryan ! *Sign* Was there anything not to love about him ? I loved his character from the very beginning. Possessive,charming and sweet.Ryan is exactly what book-boyfriends are essentially made of.

Though I did like them both together as a couple more than individuals.



Final Verdict: Overall,a great ONE-TIME read.
But I liked the author's Determined series a bit more than this one.
So, if you end up rating this read a 4 or 5, make sure you do end up checking out her debut series !

[NiCoLeTa E. {Addicted To Books} · Rating 4 out of 5]

***4 "A different way to lose your virginity" stars***



I honestly don't know from where to start...
I have to admit that the blurb intrigued me but in a way, it scared me as well!!!
I was afraid of what i will have to face... My mind was running with hundred miles an hour and i was thinking the worst!!! But nope, my hesistation was so wrong!!!

This book was a little bit weird, especially in the beginning but then it became such a lovely and cute story!!!
I laugh, i got sad, i was a little bit anxious, i smile and i got a little bit mad with our heroes, but i will explain them all to you in a while...
I honestly had an amazing time reading this one...


Natalie was changing her life... She moved out from New York to San Francisco with the prospect of a new job, a new life and new social status!!!
Natalie is still a virgin in her 29 years and she is going to San Francisco for another one reason...
She wants to lose her virginity and to continue with her to-do list (Yep, she is from those kind of girls!!!) who had been in the same condition for almost a decade...

And for all of the above, the blame goes to her college ex-boyfriend who in a way traumatized her...
So, she had found a "safe" way to succeed in this certain goal.
She will use a professional "sex surrogate" to take care of this "problem!!!


"Thirty. Nothing like a milestone birthday to make you take stock of things. And me? This birthday made me realize how ashamed I was and how far my life had swung off course. The old Natalie Reese had goals and dreams and a clear plan that mapped out my future. That is, until life reared its ugly head. Nope, now all of a sudden, I was thirty. I couldn’t make any more excuses. It was time to get off my ass and get my life back on track.

You're probably wondering what the hell is a sex surrogate, ugh???
I was having the same problem....

But as Natalie explained in the book, the definition of this term is:
"Sex surrogates are used in conjunction with therapists to help people get over a variety of sexual, um, issues."
So, it's real, but it's also so weird.... Don't you think???

But when she is about to meet her surrogate, a big surprise is waiting for her...
Her sex surrogate is Ryan Andrews, the sexy hottie that was flirting with her in the library the other day!!! But now, he is so different...

He is more cold and he is treating her so clinical and so detached...
And he is getting clean with her that for now on, their relationship will be strict professional and nothing more...
So what is going to happen as their sessions are moving and the things are getting more intimate between them???


"My new client was so fucking hot it was messing with my brain. And there was no way I could tell her that." {Ryan}

"Yes, I called him mine. He'd put his mouth on my vagina, and I was a feeling a little territorial about the whole thing. Sue me." {Natalie}

Natalie was such a lovely character!!!
She was a little bit out of this world, but she was so cute and funny!!! I liked her very much!!!
She wasn't having friends except her ex (Yep, the one that traumatised her!!!), she was a kid of the system, she recently had lost her mother and as we all know, she wasn't have intimating moments with guys!!!

She was too good for her own good... She was so open and she never did something that would bring another person in a difficult situation...
When she was embarassed, she was so cute!!! And when she was mad, she was becoming fiesty and sassy and i liked that!!!
And of course, she did the only thing that she should not do...
She fell hard for her sex surrogate!!!


"Being this close to Ryan, all my feelings for him came crashing back. Maybe it was a conditioned response, maybe I’d fucked up and fallen for my therapist despite all the warnings, but I didn’t care. "

Ryan Andrews... Damn!!! Even in my thoughts, i'm lusting over this guy...
He was sexy, intelligent, handsome, kind, sweet, in moments funny, he was covered with tattoos and he was riding a motorcycle... Wow!!!

His temporary job frustrated the hell out of me... Honestly, i can't wrap my head around this sex surrogation thing!!!! I'm trying, but it doesn't seems i can!!!
Well, Ryan had reasons for doing this job, but i can't reveal them!!! You should found them by yourselves...
He was near to graduation as an psychologist and Natalie was his last job as a sex surrogate...
But he was having a hard time to get through those sessions with her...
Natalie had melt his heart in a way and as much as he was trying to restrict himself, his heart was refusing to take the hint...

So, he was struggling all the time with himself and sometimes he was slipping from the "must" to "want"!!!
Ryan was also a very tormented character and i loved him!!!

"Fuck, who was I kidding? That wasn’t a lesson. That was me, being a selfish dick. I was a little ashamed that I’d been so flagrant in my disregard for her situation, but the truth was, I felt a connection to her. That’s all that there was to it; I wanted her for myself. "

Well, i really enjoyed this book...
The theme was intriguing... I honestly didn't know anything about sex surrogation...
The chemistry between Ryan and Natalie was electryfying from the very first moment, but in their first sessions, i became a little bit frustrating...

All the actions were soooo clinical.... It was like i was reading a visit on the doctor office and not sex scenes... Yep, Ryan was "the" doctor in this situation, but i guess that i couldn't see him in that way...
And because of their position, there was so much denial that made me angry....

But i really enjoyed the ride... It was funny at times and emotional at others and the story was floating so good...

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Now, i'm ready for Lambo and Ainsley....
I'm so curious about those two...
Ain broke my heart in the first book and i need more details about her condition!!!!
I can't wait to see how Ryan will react in this match!!!


***ARC kindly provided via NetGalley for the exchange of an honest review***

[Rachel L · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

What happens when a thirty-year-old virgin hires a sex surrogate to take care of her "little problem"?

I decided to read The Lessons on a whim because the premise sounded really intriguing. At the age of thirty Natalie hasn't lost her virginity and she decides to take it into her own hands. Hiring a company with a sexual surrogate, the process takes her through her physical and emotional issues behind why she hasn't been intimate with anyone yet. By chance she met Ryan, her surrogate before her sessions in a more normal setting. As time goes by there are undeniable feelings between them, but breaking the contract is more complicated than you would think.

I really liked that the author would go behind the emotional issues behind why Natalie got to this point in her life and it's entirely believable. She had a very hard time opening herself up to others based on her foster youth past and it got to a point where her age just made it worse.

I didn't really connect with this book because I felt the heroine was very oblivious and the hero just seemed a little too good to be true. I would have enjoyed this more if the characters had been a bit more memorable. I enjoyed myself as I read this book, but I would not reread it again.

ARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[warhawke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Type: Standalone Book 1 of Forbidden series
POV: First Person – Dual
Expected Publication: Jul 20, 2015
Rating:



❤️ ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
❤️ (F)BR with Mer and Liz.



Natalie Reese was a planner. She had The Plan which listed in order what she should achieve in her life including boyfriends, marriage and kids. (If you ask me, I’d say that alone will make some men scamper hahah!). But a (semi) traumatic event put The Plan to a screeching halt. At 30, she was still a virgin and determined to rectify the situation once and for all by hiring a sex surrogate.

Ryan Andrews was a Psychology PhD student working hard towards his graduation. Being in health industry taught him to separate his professional and personal life. However, when his path crossed with Natalie, it got harder to separate both.



When I first found out about this book, I knew I had to read it. It certainly has a unique premise – sex surrogacy. Sex surrogate is part of a sex therapy team where the surrogate involved in sexual activity with the client for therapeutic purposes.

I mean, I’d read enough terrifying and outright horrible losing-it stories in Cosmo that I was sure if they could lower the price point, they’d have a successful national chain on their hands.
Virgins ‘R Us
Bed, Sex, and Beyond
V-Card Depot

Natalie was charming in her own way. She was sweet and somewhat innocent but it was balance by her potty mouth. I like that even as a virgin, she wasn’t too clueless about sexuality.



I love Ryan. I mean, he was smart, handsome and had tattoos. What’s not to love? He was a professional, but beyond that he was just a man who had needs. He was also very responsible.

I never would have thought I’d be turned on watching a guy drink a Strawberry Frappe, but there you go…

Another character I love was Brad. He was one of her suitors. Josh her best friend was also very likeable.

As for the story, I thought it was a fresh outlook when it comes to breaking the barrier (pun totally intended) of virginity story. The plot was simple, but it had enough twists to make it more engaging.

My concern is that the big issue at the end was resolved too easily/quickly. Personally, I felt it could use a little more elaboration because there were some questions hanging in the air. I also wish for more character physical descriptions. I’m a visual person. When I read a book, I like to play them like movies in my head.

The Lesson is recommended to those who like a light, funny story with a unique premise. It will make you laugh, cringe (in a good way) and swoon from beginning to the end.



For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:

[Alba and Her Secrets..♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 "Plans and To-Do Lists" Stars!


I decided to read The Lessons after recieving the ARC of the second book of the series it belongs to (The Rules) and also because it was already on my TBR list (actually, I believe put it there after reading The Sex Surrogate by Jessica Gadziala! lol). I was a little bit worried because of the mixed reviews and well.. obviously I have to agree with some of my friends that this was a little bit disappointing.

The Lessons is the first stand-alone book in Elizabeth Brown's Off Limits series and it is the story of Natalie Reese (a thirty year old virgin that decides to move to San Francisco after finding a sex surrogate and therapist to get rid of her virginity) and Ryan Daniels (said doctor who happens to be a super hot and tattoed man, with a misterious and fucked-up past and who also finds himself attracted to Natalie from their first meeting).

Natalie was such a puzzle to me. Course and rough one moment, with a tomboyish sass, and then innocent and unsure the next. It was confusing as hell but my dick seemed to like it.

Let's start with what I enjoyed about this novel. My likings are all related to the same thing: Elizabeth's writing. It is very easy to follow and the story is very well-written. I really enjoyed her funny scenes and also, obviously, the sex scenes. They were really hot!

Dammit, his common sense and good-lookingness were so frustrating. Why’d he have to be so golden and delicious? Like a fucking Nilla wafer.
My own personal Nilla wafer.

“I like this dress, Natalie.”
“Should I keep it on?” I asked innocently.
He leaned into my ear, and whispered gruffly. “Not a chance.”

However, what frustrated me about The Lessons were actually the characters, especially Natalie. I did not feel a connection with them and also I did not feel the connection between them (not until the end of the book). This was not very emotional and I need that: I need to feel everything while reading. Moreover, Natalie got on my nerves several times: she is kind of annoying really. She is so obssessed about her 'condition' and everything revolves around it. I did not feel the love because of that! It started really good with their first meeting but after that.. not my cup of tea.

“I thought we were over.”
“Babe, we haven’t even started yet.”

Therefore, and unfortunately, my rating for The Lessons is 3.5 STARS. As I said, the plot and the writing was good but I think the connection with the characters is really important too. I really hope the second installment will be better (I will start reading it now!) and it actually looks good after knowing a little bit about Ainsley and Lambo in this book. And, I know some of my friends actually enjoyed this novel so check it out if you want to! :)

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[Isabella. R · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 En Route To Her Deflowering Stars ⭐

Natalie Reese has many reasons for still being a virgin at 30. Yet a job isn't the only reason why she's suddenly moved to San Francisco. It's time for a change and getting back on track with the plan. So Natalie decides to use a sex surrogate.

I sighed. Thirty. Nothing like a milestone birthday to make you take stock of things. And me? This birthday made me realize how ashamed I was, and how far my life had swung off course.

Sometimes fate has the first and last laugh. Because meeting a gorgeous guy at the library isn't enough. Well no, because the sexy stranger turns out to be THE sex surrogate. And Ryan Andrews has real mixed feelings about this.

“May I unbutton your top?” I asked. Okay, a little off script. Technically, this wasn’t supposed to happen until next session. But maybe she’d let me. I had to try. You know, in the name of science. Or therapy. Or something.

They try and keep things professional. But Natalie and Ryan share a real connection as well as chemistry that blurs lines quickly. And as their personal and professional paths continue to cross, you understand why this arrangement will become more.

The Lesson is what I call smart romance. It has the right amount of smut but there is real depth to the characters that creates allowances for their actions. Ryan and Natalie had both been through so much that happiness and great sex was their entitlement. 🩷

[Wendy'sThoughts · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Taking Matters Into Your Own Hands Stars
* * * *
I must love being sleep deprived...I either am a glutton for feeling dead on my feet at work or just have no impulse control when it comes to reading....because how else can I understand my starting this book at 11PM...

Yes, I knew it had received strong reviews from people I respect... and yes, the subject matter was catchy... so I really shouldn't be so surprised I just couldn't stop reading when normal humans decide to sleep.

The story takes us on a journey of self-discovery with, Natalie, a woman who is finally at a place in her life to go for the gusto... Due to many circumstances, she is 30 years old and hasn't lost her V-card. This woman is a planner, a true Virgo; they love order and projects...receiving gratification in checking off tasks when completed. It was time to just get the deed done but none of the usual ways seemed to work. Dating was complicated and when things got to the stage "where push was going to get to shove"....the doer would find out about the V-card and poof... a disappearing act.

Natalie thought all about her options, did the research, and decided a new venue was in order. She went to the Capital of Sexual Surrogates, San Francisco; lined up a new job, and arranged a consultation with a therapist who worked with surrogates. Natalie left nothing to chance... she had the correct story down so she would be accepted. She saw this as a hurdle that needed crossing and by God, she was going to make this happen.

Natalie was learning her new neighborhood and stopped at the Library... a universal place of comfort. There in the stacks, she was loading up on mysteries to read as the cable/internet hadn't been installed at her new apartment. She is getting ready to leave when an incredibly handsome, smart-looking man asks her about the location of a book... as if she worked there...At first, she was insulted and also flustered. Her experience with guys was slim to none and this man was something else...
He looked at her, flirted with her, and left her dizzy... He even manipulated putting his phone number into her phone...This Ryan was nothing like any of the men she had interacted with and it gave her tingles all over.

As she went about her day adjusting to her new job, Natalie felt she was making progress on her list. Things were getting accomplished. She had lined up her appointment with the therapist and they were meeting today.

Natalie sat through the first meeting and remembered all of the necessary responses to all of the questions asked...they were almost done when the therapist opened the office door and Natalie's surrogate walked in to be introduced.

No... this was not happening...I didn't move 3,000 miles to be anonymous and pursue this punch the V-Card only to have me deal with the one guy I was flirting with from the library... She Blinked... and the vision stayed the same.

Ryan Andrews... hunk and handsome guy from the library was to be her surrogate. Ryan, to his credit, didn't act as he knew her and the therapist was none the wiser. They shook hands, made polite conversation, and then Ryan left with the comment of looking forward to our sessions...

What the Hell????? If it seems I say that in a few of my reviews recently... It's because I have been having terrific reads that all have those kinds of moments :DDDD

Ryan cannot believe this is happening... This is a man who has not had things easy in his life and over the course of him doing this type of work, he has never had this happen. He has been devoting himself to his Doctorate to become a therapist himself and is only months away from achieving that goal. Once he graduates, he will open his own office and stop all the surrogate work.

But now he has an ethical and moral dilemma... will he be able to separate his attraction to Natalie to do this job... She is gun-ho to go forward and get it over with... she wants to start her new life and feels this is a huge obstacle... kinda taking on a life of its own.... so both Ryan and Natalie agree to continue as planned... but to keep it clinical...

Right...

This story had so much more than just the premise I described. Both of the main characters had past family lives which carried major baggage...These past influences impacted their self-esteem, their need to be in control and so much more. Both characters were likable and you couldn't help rooting for them.

What was wonderful was all the little extras... the twists and turns with secondary characters and the intimacy in all of the times Ryan and Natalie were together. They both were rookies in a way... both nervous and unsure of the feelings they were experiencing.

And yes, people, the scenes of them together during "their lessons"....let's take a moment and just breathe.... there... I am better...

So, if you are interested in smart dialogue, banter with heart, and a tad angst coupled with a real plot and topped off with smokin' hot sensual scenes...then this would be for you.

But please take my advice, do not start this at 11 PM for if you planned on sleeping....it might not happen.

A gifted copy was provided by the author via NetGalley for an honest review.

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[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Natalie has just turned thirty and has decided to take control of her life, she is finally going to put herself first. On the top of that list is taking a job across the country, this is a huge step, but Natalie is ready to truly start living. Things are right on track with the exception of her still being a virgin. Now, I can’t relate to this myself, but I can relate to turning thirty and feeling like there are a ton of things you wanted to do or were supposed to do before you got here. So while Natalie’s methods maybe extreme, I was on board and intrigued. In lieu of a one-night stand Natalie decides to hire someone to help “fix” the problem.

Enter Ryan Andrews. Now Ryan, yeah, I am a fan of Ryan! He is a sexy, motorcycle riding, soccer playing, oh and to top it all off he is a PhD student. He is working with a therapist as a sex surrogate and is assigned to help Natalie with her issues.



When I decided to read this one and I was expecting a hot, sexy read. I didn’t expect the depth of these characters and the things they overcame. While I got more than I bargained for so did Natalie and Ryan. Despite their feelings evolving they are forbidden to date. I loved the emotional side of the story even more than the hot sex. It definitely had some 5 star moments. I love a little angst in my stories, but Lessons was a little too over the top for me. The ending just felt like too much, too quickly. I truly enjoyed this story and Natalie and Ryan’s connection. I just feel like we could have done without some of the twists and drama at the end.


ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

The Plan. Natalie Reese Annual Life Goals Plan
21 Boyfriend #1, Lose Virginity
22. Graduate from college; Secure paying job
24. Break up with Boyfriend #1, Enjoy 20-something life
25. Promotion, Boyfriend #2
26. Engagement
27. Wedding
28. Promotion
29. Child #1

Just because you make a plan doesn't always mean that things will go according to that plan, I think we all know just how crazy life can be. For Natalie, she never though that she would be a thirty year old virgin, with little to no experience. With her red pen, she edits her plan, moves across the country and hires herself a sex surrogate. Only the man assigned to her is a man she's met, complicating her new carefully constructed plan. But she has no time to deviate, so she's gonna have to suck it up and deal with the temptation that is Dr. Ryan Andrews.

“What we do together will just be lessons. And practice is what makes perfect, right?”

Ryan is thrown off balance, he usually is able to separate work from pleasure, but Natalie is the first to cross the line. He has a plan too, one he knows he shouldn't deviate from but she's a temptation that might be worth the risk. He knows he should hand her off to another therapist, but just the thought of someone else hands... knowing very well that it's his hands that belong on her body.

I loved the idea of her virginal ears being marred by me and only me.

But it would never be life without more wrenches thrown in, causing drama and stress. Is what they are building enough to change the rules of their plans???

The Lessons was just an okay read for me, nothing that really brought out any kind of reaction. It was just a book to read, nothing about it was bad, I just couldn't form any connection with the characters or the story. Maybe I was expecting too much, "lots of laughs and tons of heat"... for me it wasn't as funny as my mood wished it to be and the heat, it was hot but missing the added layers to make it more. Natalie I found, very anal and clinical, to me I almost pictured her with a big stick up her a**. Ryan, what could I say but he wasn't an alpha male. This is another me vs. the book, where the issue lies with my personal preference than the writing style or skill of the author. With that said, I would check out the other books the author has available.

ARC kindly provided by the author, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

***Quotes above are taken from the ARC version of the book and may differ upon publication.

[Sharon ∞❥ is an emotional book junkie ❥∞ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 - 4.5 ★'s

Natalie has some things in her life that have set her back, it wasn't her "plan" but she feels being a virgin is causing her problems. So, she decides to fix it and hire a sex surrogate just like anyone else would do, right?

Well, I do have to say that I like the premise. I always like the plot where it's that one girl that can change a guy forever...(a girl can dream, can't she?)

What I wasn't prepared for was Ryan, aka THE sex surrogate. I just loved getting his POV and getting in his head. To hear how much he wants Natalie but how he's trying to do the right thing. I especially loved hearing about when he first saw her in the library and how much she affected him.

The sex scenes are pretty steamy...these two certainly have chemistry. It's so funny because Natalie is enjoying the hell out of herself but she has no clue how lucky she is.



One of my favorite things was that Natalie came to San Francisco from New York to have a certain anonymity, only to realize what a small world it was. Just goes to show you never know who knows each other.

And you know the big drama is coming...pretty predictable but juicy all the same. There was also some drama in Natalie's office...I'm not really sure the reason for it but it made things interesting.

What else was interesting was Ryan's friends...Lambo especially. And his little tell tell signs of who he is after was pretty obviously. I'm really excited to read about them in the next book although there's no release date yet.

Naturally, the story ends well even though it wasn't wrapped up with a bow. Hopefully we'll get more of them in the next book(s).



Favorite quote:

♥ “I thought we were over.”

“Babe, we haven’t even started yet.”

[[~Ami~]♥Sexy Dexy♥ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars

Alright I must admit this book was pretty hot and the characters were both quite likeable. But several things bugged me.
1. The insta lust
2. The core clenching and dripping wet vagina (I blame Jeanne)
3. The "conflict"
4. The end when they said their "I love you's" I didn't believe it

Let me just remind you though: The sex was hot! Other than that it was a bit different just not for me.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

I need a lesson from Mr Andrews quick



Natalie's plan isn't workin out at 30 she should b married have a house an baby but it hadn't worked out an 2 make it really shit she was still a virgin so the plan was really far behind but after moving 2 San Francisco life was lookin up after havin a shit few yrs losing her mum 2 cancer she really need plan b 2 work so she found someone who would solve her problems a sex surrogate everything would work out rite Ye it life was that simple but things were lookin up when she met the gorgeous Ryan at the library Ye the library I think I need 2 go there if man like him were there ;) but seem 2 hit it off but Natalie wasn't letting anything get in the way of her losing her V card even a gorgeous man like Ryan he gave her is number after some serious flirting but she could call him yet lil did she know she would end up seein him a lot



I really did like Natalie's character she was funny 4 someone who as had a had time she was in foster care from young bein put al over the place 2 her first serious bf bein gay Ye I said gay then takin time 3 yrs 2 look after her sick mum she an amazin woman an after moving she had a new job new apartment an was goin 2 lose her big V may I say 2 a very hot man things were lookin up I was rooting 4 her from the beginning felt sorry 4 her in parts she didn't have many friends an once she let her guard down things turned 2 shit I wanted 2 kick some ass 4 her



Ryan was great he had been through his own fair share of shit but had turned his life totally around from been a bad ass 2 getting his degree he never got into relationships cause of his job an him wantin 2 his life back his job was just sex nithin more until the beautiful Natalie came along an swept him of his feet he couldn't stop thinkin of her an this wasn't him he couldnt give woman more than sex that was it but Natalie was really sticking 2 him but he needed 2 keep her as his job there was 2 much 2 lose an he had worked 2 hard 4 that 2 happen



When Natalie an Ryan's lessons turned 2 where Natalie was dyin 4 them 2 go holy cow it was HOT they were made 4 each other he was so gentle an it was a great side 2 c of him this big guy with tattoo shelves was not what she expected but god was he great in every way Ye he pushed the limits tryin 2 keep everything 2 the book but he just couldn't there sexy time was just that good but they couldn't tell each other they felt it was against the rules



This book had everything I really enjoyed it the drama was good the way everything worked out was fab I totally luvd how it was written there was limited it's of humour in parts I just really liked it an the sexiness helped loads an the u have the very hot Ryan Andrews what more could u want from a book xxx

[Kay (❦ ᴗ ❦ ✿) BooksandMe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, you’ve read it right. It’s what appealed to me in this book. I’m a look-at-the-cover-doesn’t-read-the-blurb-person. And there was the title. The Lessons. What will be taught? And comes the answer. Sexual surrogate. It’s something I’ve never heard of and with new knowledge and discovery, I’m like a moth drawn to a flame. Me reading The Lessons was inevitable.

Natalie Reese had her life planned to a T. But she was blindsided somehow, something she didn’t expected and all of her life goals were set aside or more likely pushed to the back of her mind. So here she is in a new city for a fresh start. Jaded. Suspicious. A virgin.

Then enter Ryan Andrews. Ridiculously attractive. Handsome in a way that just oozed masculinity and sex. Who prowls libraries. Yum.

And so here I was. Outside the door of The San Francisco Center for Sexuality.

Natalie’s quest to enter this program, sexual surrogacy, is for the main reason of punching her ‘v’ card. But, little did she know that she was also finding her sexuality, and getting back the control she have with her life and plans.

The pace of the story was actually slow, but it was just perfect. Not just focusing on the lessons and the clinic appointments but also on Natalie’s life and the other characters involve. Her relationship with Ryan was confusing as hell. He doesn’t know what he really wants, well he knows, but he is actually more like Natalie, he also had a plan he wanted to follow through and accomplish. And then there’s the issue of professionalism.



I love the lessons, actually. It was one thing I look forward to because it was hot, and sexual and sensual. And the questions that were asked by the sexual surrogate and Dr. Lerner also made me pause, and ponder upon it. It was, in a way, me evaluating my sexuality and my response and thoughts towards intimacy. Add to the mix the right amount of humor, and this light read is just perfect for relaxation and enjoyable reading.

“And you’ll have to get very comfortable with the p-word.”
I cocked my head at her. “Penis?”

But, the one thing that held me back for giving this a 5-★ rate was that there was a point where everything was all happening at once. And then every mix was thrown in for the effect. It was hard to follow through and it’s something I hate when reading when I become confuse and have to reread the paragraph because it interrupts the story in my head. I want the continuous loop when the scenes play in my head. Other than that? This has made for an enjoyable and light read. I’d likely recommend it to a friend.



**ARC generously provided to me by author Elizabeth Brown in exchange for an honest review.

LIVE! AMAZON LINK

[Rheeza · Rating 4 out of 5]

WHAT AN ENTERTAINING READ!!



THIS WAS SUCH AN UNCONVENTIONAL STORY AND I ABSOLUTELY LOVED EVERY PAGE OF IT!!



I found myself grinning and swooning more times than I can count. The characters are endearing and quirky. The writing is hysterically comical and quick witted! And boy the romance is not bad at all. It has just the right balance of humor, wit, steam, hotness and belly tingling romance mixed with surprisingly emotional undertone. There are some serious issues that would have been sobering but Ms. Brown handled it in the way that it still felt like a light read. I know I sound like I’m not making sense but you gotta read it to understand! My only concern was that the ending felt rushed. I wanted more! So I’m glad I got my hands on the second book right after I finished this one.

I would have written a proper review but I’m lazy. ;) All I'm gonna say is if you’re looking for an engaging, fun and sexy read then I definitely recommend this. Honestly, just read the blurb. I haven't read a story like this before. Sexual surrogate? I didn't know that even exist. Lol! To say that this book is interesting is an understatement. And that cover? *fans self*



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[Christie«SHBBblogger» · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love finding new authors that I click with so perfectly. What the hell was I thinking, never reading an Elizabeth Brown book? I just can't tell you how many times this book made me laugh...not to mention the fact that it had a really unique plot (who wouldn't want that?) and some fantastic sexual chemistry. Now I really can't wait for Lambo and Ains' story in February!

[Olga therebelreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This book is romantic, suspenseful, loving. I just didn't feel the spark, the chemistry between Ryan and Natalie. The author's writing really flows nicely, the story line is well done. Overall, a nice read.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

****ARC~ FOR AN HONEST REVIEW, Thank You Elizabeth****

5 Sex Surrogate Stars...THEY REALLY EXIST!

Just when you think you've heard it all! I had to look this up just to make sure, I never would have thought it was real! I mean come on. Low and behold it is! So here we have it... the story about...



I loved it! I'm giving a 5 star because it held my attention the entire time...I loved the hero and heroine... AND the fact it was an unusual "practice". This is about Natalie, a 30 year old virgin, though not by choice. Natalie is a planner, and she had her future all planned out~ boyfriend, lose virginity, graduate from college, land a secure job, engagement, wedding, promotion, and child #1. That did not happen. Natalie was completely blindsided by something that was definitely not a part of her plan. So she decides to move across the country with a new plan and for that to succeed she must lose her virginity, at 30 she is embarrassed about it all, had her plans not been derailed she wouldn't have been in this situation.


I found Natalie to be very funny so laughs were included in this strange situation.

**I chose the opposite end and sat down. Fine. You know what Ryan? Two can play at this game, I thought to myself. Little did he know, he was sparring with the ice-queen. He wants to play it cool? I'll show him cool. I fucking invented cool.


**Brad could be your type too. Stop being so picky, Sally Sexless.
My subconscious was becoming a horny, sassy motherfucker.



**Because those stupidfuckingeyes were attached to his stupidfuckingface which were attached to his stupidfuckingmouth which had now ruined my life


SO I MUST SAY, I LOVED THIS STORY!

[Angela (Reading Frenzy Book Blog) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m filing this one under “Must Just Be Me” because it seems to be getting good reviews but it just didn’t work for me. I had so many issues with this book I’m not even sure where to begin. I guess I’ll start with what I did like. Natalie and Ryan are really likeable characters and their chemistry is great. I loved the humor. And… that’s about it.

Strike 1: The premise of Natalie hiring a sex surrogate to help her lose her virginity was clever. Relocating across the country to do so? Yeah, that’s just absurd. I decided to overlook that though, and try to enjoy the story.

Strike 2: (Manufactured) conflicts arise and just when it looks like they might provide some interest or value in furthering the plot, they are miraculously resolved a couple chapters later. It smacked of lazy storytelling and eventually I just stopped caring.

Strike 3: Probably my biggest complaint of all: this book is in serious need of an editor’s revision. I’m not an English teacher by any means so I try not to be the grammar police. However, there are just way too many errors for me to overlook. We’re talking changing tenses (mid-sentence), punctuation errors, missing words, duplicate words, and your basic incorrect grammar.

“Eventually, he pushed his hands him his pockets and sighed.”
“I accept that,” she said with said with a small smirk.
“Even though it’d had probably…”

They’re small mistakes, but soooo many that they were distracting. Three strikes and you’re out.

Update: I do believe the author is making her editor aware of the mistakes so hopefully an error-free edition will be released. Sadly, I still wouldn’t recommend this book.

[Mercedes · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Sex surrogacy, I had no idea this was a thing before I read this book. This provided an interesting spin on the traditional “virgin heroine” story, the journey Ms. Brown took us on was witty and heartfelt and left me wanting to run to San Francisco in search of Ryan Andrews! Natalie and Ryan were both well developed characters and I really enjoyed my time with them.

Natalie moves all the way across the country, from New York to San Francisco, to lose her virginity. That ended up being a pretty good decision for her. She had all the standard troubles that come with moving, a new place, meeting new people, settling in at a new job, and on top of that was her sex therapy. There were definitely a few things that got thrown at Natalie that I totally didn’t see coming. I loved Natalie’s train of thought, she was very funny, and I found myself laughing at my iPad more than once.

“Swoon, thy name is Ryan Andrews.”

I mean, do I really need to say more? I liked Ryan from the first moment we met him in the library, I mean, what’s not to like about a hot guy at the library? He was a smart, funny, sexy guy and he had a good moral compass. He experienced a real ethical dilemma in reference to his feelings for Natalie. This is part of what made me like him so much, he didn’t throw all caution to the wind, he recognized that he had a professional relationship with Natalie and anything that went beyond that could be harmful to the both of them.

This was my first book by Elizabeth Brown and it definitely won’t be my last. I can’t wait for Lambo and Ainsley’s story!!

ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review
(F)BR with war and Liz!

[Lyndy Ann ♫ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Lessons was and interesting read and had a different way going about how to loose your virginity.

Natalie is thirty and still a virgin. She moves from New York to San Fransisco so she can see a therapist and a sex surrogate (I did not know this even existed) so she can loose her v-card and move on with her PLAN and her new career.

Enter Ryan Andrews the hot tattooed biker that Natalie has already met at the library they had instant chemistry. They have a few sessions and the deed is done but what happens next is anyone's guess?

There is plenty of chemistry between Natalie and Ryan and at times this is very HOT,this is told from dual POV's.

The reason for the 3* rating from me was Natalie I did not like her she got on my nerves going ON and ON and ON about loosing her virginity, v-card, getting deflowered and moving on with HER PLAN this happened for half the book and I ended up skimming her inner thought a LOT.

ARC generously provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! I couldn't put this book down. Sweet, sexy and funny with a bit of angst and drama. So good! I can't wait to read more by this author!

[Jacqueline's Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Easy Stars

The Lesson is an easy read. It’s not as steamy as I thought it would be, but that’s all relative right? I think smut reading has skewed my image of how steamy a read can be. I think this book has more tension than anything.

All of my book buddies were reading this book and I thought, why not?! It has a very simple storyline and a lickable cover.

Natalie is a virgin and she needs to give it up, but she wants to do it the clinical way. She hires a sex surrogate to do it. What’s a sex surrogate you ask? It seems to me, it’s a fancy name for hooker, or in this case, gigolo, BUT it’s not like a one-time thing, a sexy surrogate is like her teacher and on top of that, her surrogate writes review notes so a real doctor can study them.

I know, it’s kind of out there, but I’m not going to lie, I like the idea.

The beginning starts off slow. I was skimming a bit to get to the good parts. When Natalie and Ryan first meet, I thought it was cute, but then they really meet and Natalie realizes Ryan is her sex surrogate. She wasn’t suppose to know him prior. Okay, this part I was kind of shaking my head. It’s not like they even had a date, they randomly run into each other and he gets her number. That’s it. But this whole ordeal adds a little tension.

The moments that lead up to the big p word, not penis you perv, but penetration is filled with sexual tension! You kind of just want to scream, oh do it already, but then you kind of want to prolong it because I like a good delayed gratification.

The chemistry between Ryan and Natalie was good, but it wasn’t epic. Ryan held Natalie at arm’s length because he is not allowed to have feelings for her and Natalie was the strong girl that didn’t let Ryan walk all over her. I have mix feelings toward Ryan. As much as I like a troubled Hero I kind of wanted him to stop the whole thing and date her. They would have intimate moments and then it would be like, ok your time is up, you can put your clothes on and go. Very clinical, but that makes sense right?


Overall, I liked the book, it was different, a big descriptive at times, but I will keep the next book in mind!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 "Good or bad?" Lessons Stars



"Good or bad?" This was definitely a great read. A sexual surrogate like Ryan Andrews, definitely makes this a great read. I have to send a big thanks to Noelle for the recommendation.

Natalie Reese is a planner. She had her entire life planned out.



BUT when boyfriend #1 breaks the news to her that he's gay, her plan goes out the window. Now she's thirty years old and still a virgin. I know, it's hard to believe. Even Natalie can't believe it. So what does she do? She makes a new plan. This one involves moving from New York to San Francisco, hiring a sexual surrogate to lose her virginity, and then on to finding her husband and happy ever after.

Moving from one coast to the other let her have the privacy that she wanted in order to pursue the sexual surrogate "treatments" to the fullest, however, it also left her in a new city not knowing anyone. So what's a girl to do with all of her free time? Go to the library of course! Not only does she find tons of books to occupy herself, but she also runs into a motorcycle riding sex magnet by the name of Ryan Andrews.

Little did either of them know, at the time, that Ryan would end up being Natalie's surrogate. For Ryan, this is just a job that helps him pay the bills and take care of his sister while finishing graduate school. Once school is finished in just a month or so he plans on giving up this job.

Once their sessions begin everything changes for both of them. Natalie finally gets her V-card punched which opens up her sexual curiosity and of course the sex is amazing, Ryan is a sexual surrogate master.



But soon feelings develop, rules are broken, and their situation changes. He has to be careful though and try to remain professional otherwise all of his plans could fall apart. Will they find their happy ever after??

I really enjoyed this book. Ryan Andrews stole the show. He knows how to melt panties and he does it oh so well. The "lessons" we're hot! Even though Natalie was a virgin it didn't stop her from doing her research which helped bring out her willingness to try different things. I also loved the dual POVs. I think being able to get Ryan's side of the story this way will have everyone falling for him.

My only issue was the mysterious disappearance of Natalie's notebooks and printouts at work. It really had me trying to figure out who was doing these things and why, but when the truth was revealed it felt rushed and quickly wrapped up. I thought there was going to be more to it that it was. Otherwise, this was a great read and one I think lots of people will enjoy.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lessons by Elizabeth Brown
Release information: 7/20/2015
Series: Standalone


All of Natalie’s plans got derailed nearly a decade ago the boyfriends, the love, the marriage and the child... all she wanted to have accomplished by the age of thirty, all undone. Unable to start fresh in New York, Nat moves to San Francisco in the hopes of accomplishing her goals. First step, well get rid of that pesky V-card of course. Natalie was this character that was so unsure of herself, not because she lacked worth, but circumstances just left her stunted. When she should have been experiencing the excitement of life, she was experiencing the struggles instead. All of this left her years behind in the game of love, wanting nothing more than fast tracking herself into the life she always wanted; by any means necessary.

Enlisting an agency that provides the services of a sex surrogate (yes, you read that right); Nat hopes that she can fast track her plans by losing her virginity so that she can find herself the boyfriend that will become the husband and one day the father of her children. But she never expected Ryan to walk through the doors.

For Ryan, this was just a job. A way to help pay for school and to care for his sister. But it soon becomes so much more, as they begin their lessons the attraction grows and suddenly Ryan wants to break all the rules, his resolve barely hanging on. But when he’s placed between a rock and hard place, his decision might just cause him to lose it all. I adored Ryan from the start. Their first encounter sealed the deal. He was all the things I love in a character. I wanted to just gobble him up!

This was my first experience with Elizabeth Brown and when I was approached with the opportunity to read and early copy of this, I took one look at the blurb, the long list of books that were waiting for me (back to the blurb again) and instantly knew I had to read this. I think I might have a book fetish for characters who pay for sex...

I think what I enjoyed the most about this series was watching Ryan fight his feelings and seeing Nat be unsure if any of it was real. This added tension to the story – this allowed a slow burn of the start of a romance. A handful of characters were introduced to this story that I think could really have a great story to be told if the author ever considered expanding on this book and turning it into a series of companion novels.

Overall, I enjoyed this read and my first experience with this author. If you love a complicated love story, virginal heroines or pay to play romance; this is a great book to pick up.

[NMmomof4 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

Opinion Breakdown
The Good: The premise, the soccer day, and the H.

The Not-So-Good: The depth in addressing both of their past traumas.

The Bad: The ending/epilogue. I was like 3 paragraphs and not nearly enough!

Overall: I think it would've been better if they actually did work through Natalie's past trauma instead of just focusing on her losing her virginity. I think it would've made it illustrate how helpful any type of therapy could be, especially with baggage like hers. That was kind of disappointing. I was happy that it wasn't pure smut (which is aligned with the reviews I read), but I think it definitely could've gone deeper for both of their past baggage, because they were pretty heavy! I thought this was okay, but had the potential to be better.

Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Natalie and Ryan's story. Natalie moves to San Francisco from New York to get a fresh start and to try to get rid of her pesky v-card after holding it for 30 years. She seeks a sex therapist that offers a sex surrogate with her treatment, but doesn't quite tell the truth when it comes to her reason why she's still a virgin. She is shocked to find that the hot guy she met at the library the day before is going to be the surrogate, and she begs him to follow through since she feels safe with him. Ryan is almost done with his doctorate, and Natalie is going to be his last client for surrogacy. He usually doesn't have a problem keeping feelings and his job separate, but both of them cross those lines. There are some sweet scenes, some past trauma, and some sexy times...and they get a HFN ending.

Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Natalie (mainly) and Ryan's POV.

Overall Pace of Story: Good until the epilogue. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well otherwise.

Instalove: No, but instant attraction and connection.

H (Hero) rating: 4 stars. Ryan. I liked him. Totally unprofessional/unethical, but I liked him and how he cared for the h.

h (heroine) rating: 3.5 stars. Natalie. I liked her but I wanted her to recognize that her needs mattered and that she should address her trauma (might be the psychology major in me)

Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed for me but there are some heavy subjects.

Push/Pull: Yes they both push away and also pursue the relationship at times

Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.

Descriptive sex: Yes

OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Kind of the h's therapist and H's ex/coworker blackmails the H into claiming to be her baby's dad while the father is getting a divorce, and this causes some drama for the couple

Sex scene with OW or OM: No

Cheating: Not by mcs

Separation: Yes They are separated for ~18 weeks, but there was no mention or suggestion of other partners during this time (the h did go on a date with OM, but it didn't go anywhere).

Possible Triggers: Yes the h is a 30 year old virgin, the H is her sex surrogate (on page), the h grew up in foster care with one being negligent/physically abusive (off page), the H's dad was abusive and killed his mom and committed suicide (off page), H's sister suffers from severe depression, anxiety, and has had suicide attempts (on page), cheating (side characters off page), and blackmail (on page)

Closure: This ends with a way too quick epilogue and not nearly enough closure. I would call this a HFN ending they have shared "ILYs" and are starting to date

Safety: This one is probably Safe with exception for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences.

- Does Not have cheating
- Does Not have a descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
- Does have both the h and H pushing away
- Does have a separation between the h and H
- Does Not have abuse by mcs
- Does Not have a HEA ending