Gabrielle Kimm's The Courtesan's Lover is an intricate tale of temptation, indulgence and sacrifice. Francesca Felizzi lives the sumptuous and extravagant life of a highly gifted courtesan in 16th-century Naples. She entertains wealthy and important men, reveling in the sensuous power that she holds over them. But when Francesca, disguised as a respectable widow, accompanies one of her patrons to a theatrical production, she meets the eminently honorable Luca della Rovere. The two experience an immediate and intense connection, and Francesca begins a dramatic reevaluation of her life.
Kimm (His Last Duchess) writes in dynamic and often elegant prose that is a pleasure to read, and her accurate evocation of the historic Neapolitan setting is vivid and engaging. The large and varied cast of characters can be a bit overwhelming early on, but all are well drawn and eventually settle into their individual roles. It is only in Francesca's sudden change of heart regarding her profession that the novel disappoints. Francesca's abhorrence of her disreputable past is a bit simplistic, removing a great deal of her agency as a character; though still appealing, she's somewhat diminished by the abrupt and absolute investment in a morality society had heretofore been unable to impose upon her. But if this is a weakness, it is at least an interesting and provocative weakness, and The Courtesan's Lover remains a thoroughly compelling read. --Judie Evans, librarian