The Corset Diaries

By: Katie MacAlister

Narrated by: Ann Marie Lee

No woman in her right mind would consent to wearing a corset for a month. Especially a "skinny-challenged" woman like Tessa. But dreams of being debt-free dance in her head at the offer of appearing in a reality TV show. "A Month in the Life of a Victorian Duke" is about real people pretending to live on an English estate, circa 1879. And Tessa's leading man - a real-life duke - is so handsome she can barely breathe, with or without the corset....

©2004 Marthe Arends (P)2013 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Reality TV has never been more entertaining than here as the wickedly funny MacAlister has her heroine record her hilarious experiences with a quirky cast of characters and her passionate encounters with Max in a laughter-laced diary that is a saucy, sexy delight." ( Booklist)

Absolutely, hysterically funny book!!

This is a well written story and wonderfully narrated. I can't remember the last time I have howled with laughter at a book. Well Done!!! Note: Story has some explicit scenes so if this bothers some, this is not the book for you. Other than that, this is a highly recommended read if you want to be seriously entertained.

warm and inviting

I really enjoyed this book. all of the characters were fun and quirky making an enjoyable story

Really funny

It was really funny. Had me cracking up at work. Highly recommended.. 10/10 narrator was great

Hysterical and a great read

It's like a cute romcom, very funny, well worth the time and credit to get this book.

A month in the life

Victorian life was hard, even if your living a month for tv. Romance, trysts and trouble.
What could go wrong, or good in a month of reality tv?

Hilarious!

What did you love best about The Corset Diaries?

The situations and the characters. There was always something going on and the main character's thought processes kept me laughing.

What does Ann Marie Lee bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her voice was animated and it gave me a feel for the characters. There was a distinction between each one and I wasn't confused as to whom was talking. She gave Tessa a voice that went along with her whole persona.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Laugh out loud funny.

Any additional comments?

I liked the main character. She was like a fish out of water and it showed. She didn't put on any airs and she was confused as someone in her situation would be. She took a risk and was dealing with the complications that arose from that decision.

Her weight issues were also realistic. Not every plus size woman is blasé about her weight. She was self conscious but not stupidly so. I can dig it.

This book is fun. It's not drama and it's not heavy. It's lighthearted and a great way to pass the time. So if you are looking for meat and substance I suggest you go elsewhere. This is pure dessert.

newbie author 2 me ... great listen

a newbie author to me ... and i just enjoyed the narrators voice, Ann Marie Lee ... i am hoping she does other reads on Audible? i will see. great cover. funny story ... my Grandma did were a corset all of her life ... i guess she called it a girdle ... i always wondered how a lady of her size and being so elderly ... her fingers hurts so ... with arthritis ... and other health issues ... i am guessing that is was just a way of life that many of us don't get ... i guess somewhere along the time or line she was told or it was made her feel more lady like ... i never actually did ask ... now that she is gone i am curious? great listen. well done. hope to read more from Katie soon enough! ( ;

I love this book

This is one of my favorite Katie Macalister books. It's hilarious! I could listen to this over and over. I read this book a few years ago and really like having it in my library to listen to anytime.😀

Loved this light hearted romance!

Such a quick well-written book. The story was so sweet and funny-I found myself laughing out loud many times. The performance was great and I often struggle with women trying to do a man’s voice but it was very well done!

Funny, Sexy and a little surprising - Spoiler-ish

I enjoyed Katie MacAlister's Ashling Grey Series and thought I would give her non-supernatual books a try. I picked this one because the concept was interesting. A modern day woman agreeing to live as a Victorian Duchess for a month. Everything will be period for that month, no electricity, no modern plumbing, servants to do everything from cooking and cleaning to dressing and bathing the family of the house. And yes, there are corsets. Just that alone had me interested in the story. Ms. MacAlister's sense of humor and the way her main character, Tessa, uses her wit and sarcasm to address her situation kept me smiling if not laughing. As for the sex in the story, Ms. MacAlister can write one heck of a good sex scene. As for the surprising part, it came early in the story and I wasn't sure how it would play out. Tessa is not a petite woman, she comes out and says it she's a little chunky. I could relate to her body image issues. The way she reacted to some situations is exactly the way I have. She's not comfortable in her own skin. She may have accepted that this is the body she has but she's not confident or secure that others will see past her outward appearance and see who she is. She uses her sarcasm as a way to protect herself from being hurt. How this plays out in the story had me looking at myself and helped me address some of my body image issues. I was not expecting that. It was a very pleasant surprise.