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9th out of 107 books
—
67 voters
Unraveled (Turner #3)
by
Courtney Milan (Goodreads Author)
Smite Turner is renowned for his single-minded devotion to his duty as a magistrate. But behind his relentless focus lies not only a determination to do what is right, but the haunting secrets of his past—secrets that he is determined to hide, even if it means keeping everyone else at arm’s length. Until the day an irresistible woman shows up as a witness in his courtroom…...more
ebook, 258 pages
Published
December 9th 2011
by Courtney Milan
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4.5 stars
"I'm not broken," he repeated. "Although at the moment..." This was what came of violating the sentimentality quota. Everything he kept bottled inside him came out. He shut his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "At the moment," he muttered numbly, "I may be coming a bit unraveled."
Miranda Darling, seamstress and wig-maker, is at twenty years of age also the guardian of a twelve year-old boy. For their protection she works at times for the Patron, a shadowy figure who keeps the pe...more
"I'm not broken," he repeated. "Although at the moment..." This was what came of violating the sentimentality quota. Everything he kept bottled inside him came out. He shut his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "At the moment," he muttered numbly, "I may be coming a bit unraveled."
Miranda Darling, seamstress and wig-maker, is at twenty years of age also the guardian of a twelve year-old boy. For their protection she works at times for the Patron, a shadowy figure who keeps the pe...more
Every so often I go through my Goodreads book shelves, making sure they're nice and tidy; books listed on all the right shelves, star rated and reviews written. That's what I was doing today, and imagine my surprise when I discovered that I had not written my review for this book! I was floored. Simply shocked that I had forgotten to do so.
Well, it might have been quite some time since I read the book, and though I had forgotten to write the review, I have not forgotten the story, or how much I...more
19 likes · like · see review
May 09, 2012
Baba ♥♥♥ Marcus, Tyler, Tate, Dan, Ty, & Hunter
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
historicals,
courtney-milan
FULL REVIEW NOW POSTED
"You anchor me without holding me down. You frighten me without threatening my future. You're unflinchingly devoted. I love you."
It's enthralling. It's thoughtful. It's sweet. It's witty. But above and beyond…it's emotional.
Wow, this was pretty fabulous! *bliss* *swoon* *sigh* Ms. Milan delivers in spades!
BRISTOL, 1843
The story starts off with Miranda Darling playing a young lady in the hearing room. She is a seamstress and wig-maker and the guardian of Robbie, a young boy....more
"You anchor me without holding me down. You frighten me without threatening my future. You're unflinchingly devoted. I love you."
It's enthralling. It's thoughtful. It's sweet. It's witty. But above and beyond…it's emotional.
Wow, this was pretty fabulous! *bliss* *swoon* *sigh* Ms. Milan delivers in spades!
BRISTOL, 1843
The story starts off with Miranda Darling playing a young lady in the hearing room. She is a seamstress and wig-maker and the guardian of Robbie, a young boy....more
21 likes · like · see review
I'm just going to post a few thoughts from this truly fabulous book.
~Smite Turner. He is the type of tortured soul that you just want to hug but he refuses to let anyone in due to his childhood and the circumstances suffered from his crazy mother. His reasons for keeping all that fresh and foremost in his mind will make you tear up and love him all the more and see him as a wonderful, different, type of hero
~Miranda Darling. Daughter of actors and fluent in disguises, she becomes a central part...more
~Smite Turner. He is the type of tortured soul that you just want to hug but he refuses to let anyone in due to his childhood and the circumstances suffered from his crazy mother. His reasons for keeping all that fresh and foremost in his mind will make you tear up and love him all the more and see him as a wonderful, different, type of hero
~Miranda Darling. Daughter of actors and fluent in disguises, she becomes a central part...more
14 likes · like · see review
Dec 28, 2011
TJ
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-romance,
kindle-archives
This book put me in a terrible predicament. In all honesty, I cannot rate a book, no matter how well written (and this one is) high when the subject matter is one I absolutely hate - that of a young innocent selling her body to someone for the promise of money, with the rest of the book centered on that sexual relationship. Unfortunately there was absolutely no reference whatsoever to that subject matter in the synopsis or I would have avoided it altogether, in my defense, however, until now, I...more
8 likes · like · see review
This is a Quickie Review. For the full review, please visit The Romanceaholic.
Expected Release Date: December 9, 2011 (Available Now!)
Publisher: Self-Published
Imprint: N/A
Author’s Website: www.courtneymilan.com
My Source for This Book: Amazon.com
Part of a Series: Yes, Book #3, Turner
Series Best Read In Order: Probably, but worked well as a standalone
Steam Level: Steamy
I do think that for the most part, this book works well as a standalone. However, there’s just enough interaction with the rest of...more
Expected Release Date: December 9, 2011 (Available Now!)
Publisher: Self-Published
Imprint: N/A
Author’s Website: www.courtneymilan.com
My Source for This Book: Amazon.com
Part of a Series: Yes, Book #3, Turner
Series Best Read In Order: Probably, but worked well as a standalone
Steam Level: Steamy
I do think that for the most part, this book works well as a standalone. However, there’s just enough interaction with the rest of...more
Really enjoyed this fabulous story. I would give 5+ stars to the hero, Smite Turner! I absolutely and completely adored him along with his sentimentality quota ;)
“Would you know,” he said, his tone a bit more businesslike, “this conversation has officially exceeded my daily quota for mawkish sentimentality. That’s it, then.” “Quota?” she said. “What are you talking about?” “My sentimentality quota. There’s a limit as to how much sentiment I will tolerate in a day. I’ve just reached it.”
3 likes · like · see review
Sep 08, 2012
Estara
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
fans of historical romance with solid background and unusual settings
Shelves:
ebook,
read-in-2011
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
2 likes · like · see review
Jan 13, 2013
Carol *Young at Heart Oldie*
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
stellar-5-star-books
I can’t believe that I only discovered Courtney Milan last year, but I’m so glad I did. It’s no wonder she’s become one of my favourite authors. Her stories are original and beautifully crafted, her characters are unique and compelling and her writing is so emotional, evocative and sensual.
There was just enough of Smite in the previous books to intrigue me and I’ve been anticipating reading Unraveled ever since.
The hero, emotionally scarred by past childhood events, is common enough in the worl...more
There was just enough of Smite in the previous books to intrigue me and I’ve been anticipating reading Unraveled ever since.
The hero, emotionally scarred by past childhood events, is common enough in the worl...more
2 likes · like · see review
Dec 15, 2011
Sherri *The Lady Hillindale*
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
fans of British historical romance
*potential spoilers*
Each time I read a book by Courtney Milan I think that she can't possibly write anything better, and yet I'm always wrong. I'm going to say it again - Unraveled can't possibly be topped!
Each chapter took us deeper into the psyche of Smite, traveling the long and disturbing road of his childhood, but cheering for him with each small victory that is revealed. I'm at a loss to describe how much I simply loved him as he made Miranda his. Oh he was definitely cruel at times but i...more
Each time I read a book by Courtney Milan I think that she can't possibly write anything better, and yet I'm always wrong. I'm going to say it again - Unraveled can't possibly be topped!
Each chapter took us deeper into the psyche of Smite, traveling the long and disturbing road of his childhood, but cheering for him with each small victory that is revealed. I'm at a loss to describe how much I simply loved him as he made Miranda his. Oh he was definitely cruel at times but i...more
11 likes · like · see review
It is very rare when every book in a series is considered a 5-Star read. But, that is exactly what happened with Courtney Milan's epic Turner Family series. For those of you who do not know, the Turner brothers were cursed with an insane and abusive mother. Each of these men reacted differently to their mother's treatment and have unique character quirks that endear them to readers.
Unveiledis the first book and tells the story of Ash, the eldest, who escaped from their mother's clutches to make...more
Unveiledis the first book and tells the story of Ash, the eldest, who escaped from their mother's clutches to make...more
Another absolute delight from the talented Milan. Milan's writing bears far more in common with the darker Lord of Scoundrels and Captives of the Night by Loretta Chase, than the lighter, fun regency fairytales of Julia Quinn, and, despite a hero named for one, this is not a story of rainbows, nor easy happily ever afters. It shares far more in common with the flood preceding.
But do not fear: we do get a happily ever after, and it's the work it takes to get there that renders it so much more rew...more
But do not fear: we do get a happily ever after, and it's the work it takes to get there that renders it so much more rew...more
What a fantastic series this was! Each book is unique, interesting, and fun. And great, great characters throughout. Plus I really felt like I was back in the 1800s.
2 likes · like · see review
Review Posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Blog Rating: 4.5/5 stars
I, along with many I’m sure, have been waiting for Smite’s story from the second I finished UNCLAIMED. His past was full of abuse from a mentally unstable mother. When his older brother, Ash, left home, he tried to take the attention off his younger brother Mark – unfortunately that put all her attention on Smite. He suffered so much and when he went to the town elders to voice his concerns about what his mother was doing and what...more
Blog Rating: 4.5/5 stars
I, along with many I’m sure, have been waiting for Smite’s story from the second I finished UNCLAIMED. His past was full of abuse from a mentally unstable mother. When his older brother, Ash, left home, he tried to take the attention off his younger brother Mark – unfortunately that put all her attention on Smite. He suffered so much and when he went to the town elders to voice his concerns about what his mother was doing and what...more
Jul 07, 2012
Cris
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
historical,
romance,
beyond-5-stars,
favorites,
regency,
forever-love,
top-favorite-books-ever,
m-f,
favorite-author
This book was extraordinary. The single best regency historical romance I have ever read, including Lord of Scoundrels which was, until today, my all-time favorite. Actually, I take that back, Unclaimed was my favorite before this one.
If you've read Unveiled and Unclaimed, you've been waiting for this one - Smite's story. It was so worth the wait. Smite and Miranda are... just fantastic, together and separately.
I'm going to quit trying to write this review because I really have no proper words,...more
If you've read Unveiled and Unclaimed, you've been waiting for this one - Smite's story. It was so worth the wait. Smite and Miranda are... just fantastic, together and separately.
I'm going to quit trying to write this review because I really have no proper words,...more
I think this was the best of the Turner trilogy of three brothers (I loved the novella, Unlocked, in this series too). I haven't been bowled over by this author to date, despite all the praise for her, but I really loved this romance. Smite is by far the most interesting of the Turners and is such an unusual hero, tortured - yet very much in control of his emotions and his orderly world - until he meets Miranda who he makes his mistress for a month. The whole theme of Justice and what it really...more
1 like · like · see review
Unclaimed is still my favorite of this series, but I liked this one a lot too. I really appreciated the twist she gave to Smite's character, in that he was a damaged/tormented hero with issues but actually made great efforts not to take them out on Miranda, or to explain to her and make up for it if he did hurt her. So many characters of that type come off as terrible people, but I really liked him.
Ah I loved it! It is so bittersweet and sound that love, for a brother for a friend.. hers for him and his for her.. It ached. Hero is by far my most favourite from now on. And I am almost certain that he cannot be outdone by any, for quite sometime.. perhaps never. Heroine is also as magnificent as he is. They linked perfectly. There is nothing I didn't like about the characters and their actions and the plot.
Just one little thing that bothered me though. I kept waiting for her to touch his fa...more
Just one little thing that bothered me though. I kept waiting for her to touch his fa...more
I've just finished this one and I think I have a new book to add to my list of all-time faves.
This one involves Miranda Darling, a daughter of actors who has now fallen on hard times, lives in the slums and makes some of her living by being a paid (sort-of, long story) witness for people who need to get out of their criminal charges and Smite Turner, the incorruptible magistrate in Miranda's jurisdiction.
This hits ALL my kinks! I confess I was pretty interested by Smite's brief appearances in...more
This one involves Miranda Darling, a daughter of actors who has now fallen on hard times, lives in the slums and makes some of her living by being a paid (sort-of, long story) witness for people who need to get out of their criminal charges and Smite Turner, the incorruptible magistrate in Miranda's jurisdiction.
This hits ALL my kinks! I confess I was pretty interested by Smite's brief appearances in...more
I finally won a trilogy! I liked all three books--an unusual achievement for a writer. I think Milan may be sitting with Meredith Duran as one of the few writers who can take cliche and make it fresh and new.
As set forth in the trilogy, hero has an abusive and scarring past that makes him aloof. Heroine is a poor, down trodden miss struggling to protect her virtue, her fortunes, and her loved ones in the face of imminent danger. Society is rigid and unforgiving.
And yet this novel takes those t...more
As set forth in the trilogy, hero has an abusive and scarring past that makes him aloof. Heroine is a poor, down trodden miss struggling to protect her virtue, her fortunes, and her loved ones in the face of imminent danger. Society is rigid and unforgiving.
And yet this novel takes those t...more
I dug this book. I liked the romance fine - definitely stayed clear of the worst of the issues I have with regency romance - but I think if it'd been on its own it would've gotten four stars? Not my favourite relationship of the series. That said, the plot and world-building and understanding Milan has of the time and place and city, and how she's actually gone further into things than books set in this time even bother to do, makes me like it a lot. Other books acknowledge class and ~the outski...more
Smite Turner is renowned for his single-minded devotion to his duty as a magistrate. But behind his relentless focus lies not only a determination to do what is right, but the haunting secrets of his past—secrets that he is determined to hide, even if it means keeping everyone else at arm’s length. Until the day an irresistible woman shows up as a witness in his courtroom…
Miranda Darling isn’t in trouble…yet. But she’s close enough that when Turner threatens her with imprisonment if she puts one...more
Miranda Darling isn’t in trouble…yet. But she’s close enough that when Turner threatens her with imprisonment if she puts one...more
I have been remiss in writing my review right after reading a book. This is merely one of many I've read since that last time I wrote a review, and I'm afraid I'll end up not doing justice to the truly great stories I've come across after so much time has passed.
This was one of the good ones. It's a Courtney Milan historical romance, and after having read one of her historical romances before (Unlocked), I knew to expect something really good. She writes believable, complexly shaded characters w...more
This was one of the good ones. It's a Courtney Milan historical romance, and after having read one of her historical romances before (Unlocked), I knew to expect something really good. She writes believable, complexly shaded characters w...more
I'm not normally a fan of romances but I saw a couple reviews for this and was pleasantly surprised. The writing was well done, the story was interesting and I liked the research the author put in to make the historical locale and history come alive. Our hero is Smite Turner, one of Bristol's local magistrates, who because of his horrific upbringing is interested in listening to the poor and disenfranchised in his city and has a strong sense of duty and justice. His back story is actually horrib...more
This book was basically written for me: a sweet, sexy romance, with some action and lots of psychologically-based angst. Bonus points for including a bunch of stuff which I happen to like, including scenes at a theatre, food descriptions, characters with families and responsibilities, period-accurate birth control (it bugs me when I keep thinking that the heroine is going to get pregnant at any moment), and a "mistress for a month" agreement.
I managed to read the last in the series first, but it...more
I managed to read the last in the series first, but it...more
2 likes · like · see review
5 stars
“I was hoping I could avoid the bit in the proposal where I lay out all the advantages of the match to you. There aren’t nearly enough of them. The truth is simply this: you can find a better man than I. God knows you wouldn’t have to look very hard. But I don’t believe you can find one who loves you more.”
What a beautiful story! A satisfying ending of the trilogy. Before this book I wasn't sure about Smite, but here I really got to love him.
Smite, aka ‘The Lord said in his heart, I will...more
“I was hoping I could avoid the bit in the proposal where I lay out all the advantages of the match to you. There aren’t nearly enough of them. The truth is simply this: you can find a better man than I. God knows you wouldn’t have to look very hard. But I don’t believe you can find one who loves you more.”
What a beautiful story! A satisfying ending of the trilogy. Before this book I wasn't sure about Smite, but here I really got to love him.
Smite, aka ‘The Lord said in his heart, I will...more
9 likes · like · see review
May 03, 2012
Barbara
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-fiction,
romance-goodies
Ms Milan saved her best for last in her Turner brothers trilogy. I wasn't quite sure how she was going to handle Smite Turner, the brother most harmed by their mother's insanity. But I should have known that she would have no problems finding just the right heroine for him.
Miranda Darling had an unconventional childhood to say the least. And now she's in Bristol,doing "favors" for The Patron (a Godfather-like figure). And one of those favors brings her to the notice of Smite in his role as magis...more
Miranda Darling had an unconventional childhood to say the least. And now she's in Bristol,doing "favors" for The Patron (a Godfather-like figure). And one of those favors brings her to the notice of Smite in his role as magis...more
So maybe I read this entire series in less than a week. And maybe I spent most of that time grinning, sighing, or making a sentimental "ahhh" sound. That's probably what happened. Admittedly, I'm on kind of a romantic binge right now. But I only review the good ones. And Milan is very good.
For a historical series, these books are impeccably researched. There are no dialogue goofs (as in, they didn't say that until the 20th century you idiot). But it goes beyond that - she understands how the pe...more
For a historical series, these books are impeccably researched. There are no dialogue goofs (as in, they didn't say that until the 20th century you idiot). But it goes beyond that - she understands how the pe...more
It was a real page turner although I would have liked a little more interaction with society and a little less interaction in the bedroom. This was a "refreshing" read with a grounded heroine and a sweet but somewhat tortured hero. He is a magistrate, she is a false witness – how could it not be a success?
This book is about Miranda Darling who grew up with a travelling theatre and now lived in the Temple Discrict. To keep her ward and herself safe she bears false witness in court and gain protec...more
This book is about Miranda Darling who grew up with a travelling theatre and now lived in the Temple Discrict. To keep her ward and herself safe she bears false witness in court and gain protec...more
I'll have this to say for Courtney Milan's Unraveled -- it's a fair bit different from your usual romance novel, and not just because love doesn't magically cure all of our hero's problems. It's a refreshing change, and this novel is actually a fair bit more mature than I expected. Smite's got some serious problems, after all.
Still, I'm not really sure how I feel about this one. Smite and Miranda seem to understand each other perfectly, but the story seems to be more about Smite. I'm aware that...more
Still, I'm not really sure how I feel about this one. Smite and Miranda seem to understand each other perfectly, but the story seems to be more about Smite. I'm aware that...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Historical Romance: Law Enforcement Hero | 6 | 27 | Sep 25, 2012 12:08am |
Courtney Milan lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, a marginally-trained dog, and an attack cat. Courtney wishes she could say she has lived in numerous fabulous places. But aside from her husband, there is a distinct lack of fabulousness in her life. Instead, she is happy when standards in the Milan household hover above mediocrity. Her husband attempts not to kill people for a living...more
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“I'm not broken,' he repeated. 'Although at the moment...at the moment, I may be coming a bit unraveled.”
—
19 people liked it
“No man is broken because bad things happen to him. He’s broken because he doesn’t keep going after those things happen.”
—
12 people liked it
More quotes…
Nov 10, 2012 03:01pm
Nov 10, 2012 03:05pm