Emma Mayson dreams of being an architect. The only stumbling block currently in her way is an internship. She has her diplomas, but cannot find a job as an intern. She has been looking for a year, but so far nothing has cropped up. Of course, she still has bills to pay - and a student loan to pay back. She has to get some type of job and cleaning houses suits her perfectly, for the time being. It is through work that she meets Russ Carrick, millionaire business owner. His sister hired Emma to clean Russ's house, with no other intentions in mind. Yet, when Emma jokingly tells Russ she wouldn't mind being a man's mistress, she never thought he'd make her an offer - let alone an offer she cannot refuse. He is good looking, rich and fabulous. She's horny and hasn't had sex in over a year and a half. Both are looking only for sex. Neither are looking for love. But will they each get more than they bargained for?

The Erotic Secrets of a French Maid is a delectable though somewhat unusual tale of an ordinary woman and a rich, down-to-earth man. Rare, since I haven't personally come across many books featuring the heroine as the hero's mistress in a contemporary setting. The occasional historical, yes, but contemporary? No. I'm not entirely sure where the entire title came from, but the French maid part...Well, let’s just say that this book contains a spot of role play. Well, more than a bit, really. Emma really takes Russ at face value when he tells her to get creative. Sex is described in detail, is adventurous and playful. The sex itself did conflict somewhat with my own ideas of what an erotic romance is (or what it should be), since Emma does not always find full satisfaction, particularly in the first parts of the story. She clearly enjoys herself, though, and does come close. She also seems to find an odd sense of satisfaction in withholding that small part of herself from Russ. Each character is well developed, and clearly cares for one another. Theirs is not a simple wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am relationship, but a friendship - just one with 'benefits'. Lisa Cach's The Erotic Secrets of a French Maid is an interesting and intriguing read, enjoyable and full of ideas you might want to give a go yourself.

Reviewed by: Elizabeth