Book: Lessons From A Courtesan by Jenna Petersen

Rating: 8/10

"Ria", is the most desired and envied courtesan in all of London. Everyone is enamored with the mystery that surrounds her. All except Justin, the Earl of Baybary because he is her husband! Justin left Victoria in the country estate after consummating their marriage. His rejection hurt her deeply and broke her heart. After three years, he is back from the continent and is shocked to come face to face with his wife at a mistress-seeking-new-protector party! He isn't thrilled by the reunion and neither is she. After being blackmailed by her father to marry her, he is less than happy to find her scheming. Meanwhile, she is on a mission and her husband is only going to get in the way. He is jealous and curious to know what her real motives are and thus, a game of wit begins. Can she fulfill her mission without letting herself be clouded by her husband's passionate kisses? Can he get Victoria to trust him enough to tell him what she is up to? Can they both learn to tell each other the truth and fix all the misunderstandings that lie between them?


Pros: This book had an interesting and surprising plot.
I enjoyed the struggle between the characters who are obviously meant to be together, but have misunderstandings keeping them apart. The battle between the passion and the logical thing to do is realistic and amusing to read. I even enjoyed the bitter and harsh truths... the disappointments and trust issues are quite real.
I also enjoyed the lessons that were at the beginning of each chapter. I thought them to be very true and I'd agree with most of them.
I found this book quite endearing because it doesn't just paint a pretty picture, but it shows complex and very real problems. For example: the differences between the roles of a wife and a courtesan, a women vulnerability and their need for protection, some perverse sickos in the world, obsessive behaviors turn dangerous, the fight for control over one's emotions/life, etc.
It was also entertaining to read about the supporting characters and the little insights into their lives.

Cons: Ending seemed to be wrapped up a bit too easily. I was hoping he'd have to work for it a bit more. xD

Favorite Parts:
The Lessons of a Courtesan (the beginning of each chapter has one)
Lesson 1: Every man loves a mystery.
Lesson 2: Never take more than you can control.
Lesson 3: It is simple to make a man want you. Don’t want him.
Lesson 4: When one man wants you, a second will follow.
Lesson 5: No man can make you lose control…unless you let him.
Lesson 6: Pleasure is the ultimate weapon.
Lesson 7: A kiss means nothing, but it can change everything.
Lesson 8: Leave him wanting more.
Lesson 9: A whore trades in money. A courtesan trades in far more.
Lesson 10: A mistress is not a wife, no matter how much she may wish to be.
Lesson 11: Scintillating conversation is a talent every woman should master.
Lesson 12: A lady must dress accordingly, whether in the ballroom or the bedroom.
Lesson 13: Always be the one to walk away.
Lesson 14: Be wary of who you trust.
Lesson 15: Never beg.
Lesson 16: Be careful how close you play to the fire. You might get burned.
Lesson 17: No amount of money or security is worth your pride.
Lesson 18: Lies and secrets have a way of coming out, so be prepared.
Lesson 19: Do not confuse weakness with vulnerability. They are not the same.
Lesson 20: Your body is your greatest commodity. Protect it.
Lesson 21: Never fall in love.
Lesson 22: If you break the rules, do it with all your heart.


“If you keep circling the room in this fashion, eventually you’ll bore a hole in the floor and we’ll all end up in the cellar with the laundry wenches,” Caleb said mildly as he took a sip of tea and ate another scone in one wolfish bite.


She had long ago learned not to live on dreams of what might have been. Those thoughts invariably led to disappointment



It wasn’t that those things weren’t true, they all  were, it was more that he still wasn’t certain he could trust her, and telling her had opened him up to a world of potential pain.

Drama: It Started with a Kiss(惡作劇之吻)/Playful Kiss (장난스런 키스)

It Started with a Kiss(惡作劇之吻) and Playful Kiss (장난스런 키스)

These two stories are generally the same based on a manga. It starts off in high school where the female lead is a silly "stupid" girl who has been in love with the same super smart guy for many years. After her friends encourage her to confess her feelings, she gets up the courage to write a love letter..... only to get snubbed in public and become the laughingstock of the entire school. Her father raised her single-handed and loves his darling daughter. However, disaster struck that night in the form of an earthquake that caused her to lose her home. This incident becomes part of the news broadcast due to the fact that their house is the ONLY one that toppled after a very minor earthquake. While watching the news, her father's childhood friend recognizes the father and they get in touch. The father's childhood friend has invited them to stay at their house while they figure things out. Little did she know... this house happens to be her crush's home! Speaking of the male lead... This guy is supposedly the perfect man. He is smart, handsome, rich.... with one BIG catch... He is kind of cold and twisted due to his mother dressing him up and treating him like a little girl since he was little. Is this girl able to help him overcome his coldness? Will she manage to get him to fall in love with her?

It Started with a Kiss (惡作劇之吻)

Rating: 7/10

Pros: The character development. The main characters found each other's "missing piece". For example, the guy learns to be more "human" while the girl learns to make up her own mind instead of always doing things just because of the guy's choices.

Cons: I found the main girl character extremely foolish and idiotic. It was so bad that I was tempted to reach over and smack her upside the head many times.
I found the guy extremely cold and uncaring. I know that's the point, but even I sometimes wondered if he even like her or not. The second season is definitely an improvement in that area.

Mischievous Kiss/Playful Kiss (장난스런 키스)

Rating: 8/10
Pros: I liked this series better because the guy had moments where it was obvious he cared, but he has his hot 'n cold moments.
This series also had character development in the same way as It Started with a Kiss. I love how the main characters grow.

I love love loved the mother character. She was so adorable and funny. The guy's younger brother character was also adorable.

Cons: The daydreams were ridiculous and silly. In fact, it made her seem even more stupid and childish.

Drama: My Shining Girl (자체발광 그녀) Episode 4 Recap

Rating: Undecided Yet/10

(Note: I have decided to do this in parts since I can't watch all these episodes in one day. Therefore, I will not do a rating till I finish the series. On the last episode, I will post the rating for the entire series.)

This episode rating: /10

In the fourth episode, we start off with the actress giving the writer a hard time. Does she kneel in front of the actress and apologize? Or does she give the actress a well deserving slap? I was hoping for the latter, but the writer slowly starts to kneel and the guys just leave the room. What a bunch of pussies! 

They go on to plan the show. At the meeting, I caught both guys looking at her, worried. Dumbasses can't show their concern by telling that bitch actress to eff off?

The writers co-worker tells her they are about to go out drinking together. She is in a bad mood so she says she wants to skip out. However, her co-worker tells her its not a request so she goes.

At the gathering, they congratulate her about her work, however, she is in a bad mood even though she is trying her best not to ruin the mood by faking a smile. They drink and ask her how she managed to get the star to agree. Each co-worker keep getting her to drink. The PD is worried and tells her to drink slowly. Aww... so you care about her NOW? More drinks are passed around. I hardly see any food being eaten! Damn alcoholics! Then comes mixing drinks. Her female co-workers seem to want to try to our drink her. However, she just keeps drinking! Later on, her three female co-workers went to go have some instant noodles. They talk about how she says she never eats instant noodles, but she is hiding at home eating instant noodles. Her family makes fun of her and go back to sleep.

Their show goes off without a hitch. The underground rock and roll music segment isn't too bad. Not quite my type of music and I don't understand it, but it's not bad. There are minor setbacks and the second band were taking too long and two of the band members didn't leave the stage all the way and were making out. Looks like somebody is about to get in big trouble!

At the meeting, everyone is unhappy because they all feel like they are about to get fired. Her co-workers all give her a hard time because she is the one who was responsible for that group.

Meanwhile, the star is laughing to himself saying where did the PD get the idea to use "fireworks" as a distraction? He keeps musing to himself saying how is it because gays can recognize other gays? Maybe the PD is gay too! He continues to laugh, not knowing the PD's ex-wife is in the van (because she works for him).

The PD is getting yelled at by his boss. He says he will write a resignation letter. Oh no! How can his job be saved?

The star is watching television and it talks about the huge scandal and how the band members made a public apology. The star was all excited and wanted to hear about the PD getting fired, but was disappointed. What a jerk.. haha. 

At home, the writer's family are all criticizing the show.

At work, the PD tells them that the situation is handles. The female co-workers are all worried and ask him about whats going on with him. He tells them he is taking a break. The writer is upset and goes to talk to him alone; telling him that he shouldn't just take all the blame and leaving. She says she wants to take responsibility, but he took it all. She tells him she is determined and dedicated to her choice in this job.

Later, she goes to a tea shop with her friend and she whines to her friend.

Meanwhile, the PD is moving to a different office where it is all dusty and his friend/co-worker help him clean up. His friend/co-worker say that the PD is lucky that he convinced them to let him stay.

The next day at work, she goes to work and they tell her it seems that they heard she is getting fired. The PD is unhappy and goes to tell his boss that he thought the situation was over and that it wasn't the writer's fault.

She goes to yell at him, thinking it was his fault because he has been trying to get rid of her and then he said he would protect her, but he seemed to have lied to her.

The star pops up behind her and says that she doesn't need to quit. It seems like he is willing to help her. She tsks him and leaves. LOL. As she leaves, he says that if she ever needs help, he will try his best.

She goes to the bathroom, but as she leaves, she overhears the boss and the star talking about her. They say how it is unfortunate how shes so old and wonder about what she is going to do now. The star is surprised and asks how old. He tells him that she is at least 30 and how she was lucky to even make it into this television station. She is angry and she writes her letter of resignation and storms into her boss' office. He just giggles and accepts it and keeps taunting her and says how he doesn't even remember her name. The PD witnesses this and runs after her, however, he doesn't do much but give her her bag.

She goes home in a bad mood and takes her anger out at her brother. Her brother sells fried chicken, but he wants to buy an expensive track suit. He wants his sister to help him buy it. She yells at him saying that he should know his place. Her silly brother asks her for 30,000 dollars and he will figure out the other 40,000 dollars for the track suit. She just rolls her eyes.

She sits in her room and starts crying and replaying the memories of all that happened as she worked at that television station.

That night, the star is in his HUGE closet, trying out his clothes. His manager and assistant stop him from going out to fraternizing with more women. He says she is one hotty! The manager tells him to spend his night with these hotties instead and throws a bunch of porn star dvds on his table. His manager sternly tells him to not to get into any more trouble. Guess he must stay in and sleep a night without a woman to warm his bed!

The writer and her father go and take a walk to try to cheer her up. He tells her that asking for help and giving help is part of life.

The writerdecides to give up her pride and call her friend (the ex-wife of her ex-boyfriend) and asks her if the star really has that much influence. Her friend tells her yes and she asks her friend for a meeting with the star. She has decided to fight rather then try to hide.

Until next episode...


Main Cast (courtesy of DramaWiki):

• So Yi Hyun as Jun Ji Hyun
• Park Kwang Hyun as No Yong Woo
• Kim Hyung Joon as Kang Min
• Go Na Eun as Kim Kkot Min
• Chae Young In as Seo Young Hee

Drama: My Shining Girl (자체발광 그녀) Episode 3 Recap

Rating: Undecided Yet/10

(Note: I have decided to do this in parts since I can't watch all these episodes in one day. Therefore, I will not do a rating till I finish the series. On the last episode, I will post the rating for the entire series.)

This episode rating: 7/10

In the third episode, the writer has just realized she has caught Hep B from the star. The star calls her to tell her to not come anymore. At that moment, she comes in and yells at him saying "Why not? We might as well eat together, sleep together, etc." She reveals that he has given it to her. He says he thought she knew and has taken precautions. He turns it around and tells her that he didn't make her come and she didn't even ask what was wrong with him.

She goes to see her friend and yell at her for her trick. That day, however, was that friend's would-be wedding anniversary. The  writer doesn't care and yells at her about the Hep B incident. What great friends she has.

The PD texts her saying to rest well because he hears she is sick. She confronts him about it. What a jerk!

The star still refuses to do the show. She gets mad and smacks him. Haha he deserved it.

Her friend texts her and says sorry about the trick and hopes she gets better. She is frustrated and is sad about her condition. She tells her mom that she has Hep B. Her family locked her out of the house and tell her to go to the hospital. Her older brother wants to let her in, but the folks refuse.

She ends up at the hospital. The PD calls her to check up on the progress of getting the star to agree. She bullshits saying that she already got him. She calls her mom to tell her to bring her food, when she drops her phone.

She goes to see the star to try and convince him again. She runs into the star confronting the new actress who is blackmailing him. She says that he slept with her and gave her Hep B and he just wants to settle it by giving her $3 million? She wants $50 million or to take it to court.

Meanwhile, the writer's other friend's ex went to her work place and tried to cause a commotion. She tells him she doesn't want him back. He tries to strike her and she kicks his ass. Go girl power! She goes out to have a drink with the director for the show she is working on. Seems like they have something going on. Hmm I wonder about their relationship.

The writer is happy she has such a juicy gossip. Her friend, the PD's ex wife, and the star's assistant decide to bring her food. She gets her confirmation from her friends then. As she ponders what to do with this information, the PD comes to visit her. He has heard that a woman is blackmailing the star and thought it was her. She gets mad at his assumption.

The actress, who is blackmailing the star, has decided to ask the writer if she has caught Hep B too. She claims she wants to help. Someone is up to no good! The writer spills about her overheard her blackmailing scheme. The actress says she knows where the writer works so she will get payback.

On the elevator, the writer overhears the star's manager is looking for someone to put the blame on. As long as someone comes forward and say that person is the one who gave the star Hep B, things will be ok. However, the star has a bad attitude and doesn't have good friends who would do it. She decides to be the sacrificial lamb and do it. In return, she wants to make him do their show. They are ecstatic and agree. (What crazy dedication to her job!)

Apparently it is not that simple. She has to practice acting so it will be believable. The story was turned so he seem like a saint. (*Cough*cough* bullshit!)

Hmm... The actress meets up with the PD. I wonder what their relationship is. They seem to be friends. She confesses that she was the one who was trying to blackmail the star. She talks about how the writer ruined her plans and she won't just sit there and let it go. He asks her what she wants. Seems like he is willing to help protect the writer.

Her friends help her get ready to leave the hospital. They both think she is crazy to do this. Her friend reminds her that she hasn't explained how she gave the star Hep B in the interview. People may think they slept together or something. There could be consequences for this. For example, all the women fans who are in love with the star may do something crazy like throw eggs at her. Luckily, the PD came and drive off with her. He grabbed her in front of his ex-wife and she is shocked. In the car, they argue. Seems like every time they meet up they bicker and argue. She gets mad and tells him to stop the car.

The star still has his fans and they still love him. The people at the writer's office are treating her nicer now that she managed to get the star. However, they have decided to use someone else for the MC job. The actress who was blackmailing the star. The star angrily leaves the room and the writer follows him. The bad tempered fellow throws a water bottle at her. He says he doesn't want to do it anymore. She reminds him that she sacrificed herself for him. The PD comes in and suggests that the two stars can MC together.

The PD takes the writer aside and tell her that the actress also wants the writer to apologize to her. The actress pushes it further and wants her to kneel and say sorry because she made her lose $50 million. The star walks in. He and the PD are both in shock. Will she do it? Will the guys help her?

Until next episode...


Main Cast (courtesy of DramaWiki):

• So Yi Hyun as Jun Ji Hyun
• Park Kwang Hyun as No Yong Woo
• Kim Hyung Joon as Kang Min
• Go Na Eun as Kim Kkot Min
• Chae Young In as Seo Young Hee