I think I'm honestly in love with Courtney Milan and her writing. To me, every single book that she comes out with is a shining star in which I absolu...moreI think I'm honestly in love with Courtney Milan and her writing. To me, every single book that she comes out with is a shining star in which I absolutely can't wait to read later on! The Governess Affair is a novella about the love story between Serena Barton and Hugo Marshall. It's a gorgeous romance that's absolutely fitting to start this off in an entirely new series called Brothers Sinister. I loved it. I just loved the story, the romance, and how strong and wonderful these two people are. They're different but alike in so many ways. It was so short that I just wanted more from the book! *sigh* Oh well, I'll get more in from Robert in the next book, which I think, is another wonderful story in store for us.
The ending was absolutely perfect! Like most of Courtney Milan's story, there has to be some kind of twist near the end. And that is exactly what happened here! I'm really glad that Hugo finally saw the light and went after his most beloved instead of deciding to live a life without her. Beautiful! There was also a short epilogue where we get to meet 11-year old Robert Blaisdell, the son of the Duke of Clermont, and his cousin Sebastian Malheur studying at Eton. From there, they end up meeting Oliver Marshall, Serena and Hugo's son. Oh snap! Things will only get more interesting from there...(less)
What a breathtaking and beautiful love story between two people who have been through so much pain just because of one stupid mistake made by a young...moreWhat a breathtaking and beautiful love story between two people who have been through so much pain just because of one stupid mistake made by a young Evan, the Earl of Westfeld. For ten long years, Lady Elaine has been the laughing stock of the ton due to the cruel remarks made by Evan and his cousin, Diana, Lady Cosgrove. It not only destroyed her self-confidence but also the love that could have been as well. The reason why this whole scenario is just so heartbreaking is because there was a reason behind Evan's cruel remarks. He believed that as long as she noticed him and remembered who he was, Elaine would eventually reciprocate his feelings for her. It was a love gone wroung... because instead of what he had planned to have happened, he caused Elaine many years of unhappiness and unforgiveness towards him.
Wow! What a great book by Courtney Milan. I absolutely adore both Evan and Elaine because he has truly regretted what he did to her all those years before. After ten years of "escaping" the mess that he had created, he returns to find that everything has changed... and some things have not. It was really hard to forgive Evan/Westfeld, but he eventually became my favorite character. I hated Diana/Lady Cosgrove because while Evan was gone, she made Elaine's life as well as her mother's miserable. Nine months later, Elaine and Evan ended up as friends. And within these last nine months? Elaine is slowly falling inn love with Evan without even realizing it. There is no question whether or not Evan loves her because he really does. He loves her and that makes it all the more sad. Elaine has never truly trusted him because of what he did to her back then. Aah, what a wonderful love story right?! The ending was spectacular and it was very well deserved!
If you're looking for a love story of heartbreak, regrets, and forgiveness... look for further! This is the book for you. Courtney Milan has done it again and I can't wait for her next book, Unclaimed. Overall, this little gem is definitely a 5/5 stars from me.(less)
Oh, Smite Turner. Miranda Darling, you are one lucky girl to be able to finally win the love of your life. Unraveled is the love story of Smite Turner...moreOh, Smite Turner. Miranda Darling, you are one lucky girl to be able to finally win the love of your life. Unraveled is the love story of Smite Turner and Miranda Darling as well as being the last of the Turner series. It has been such a wonderful ride! I have been a fan of Courtney Milan since her book, Proof of Seduction... but this has to be one of my favorite book yet! I loved everything about. From the fragile and heartbreaking romance between Miranda and Smite to the mystery behind who the Patron was. Now was that an unexpected twist! I would have never known. But obviously my most favorite aspect of this book was definitely the romance. I loved how Miranda gets confused whenever Smite calls her name; whether it's Miranda Darling or Miranda, darling. I think it was absolutely adorable! They're a perfect match.
“I'm not broken,' he repeated. 'Although at the moment...at the moment, I may be coming a bit unraveled.”
Smite Turner is a someone who I think is the most tortured one of all between the brothers. He has a dark past full of pain and sorrow... and to this day, he often at times has nightmares concerning his past. That is, until he meets Miranda. His relationship with Ash has always been strained; I think deep inside, Smite hasn't really forgiven Ash for leaving him and Mark with his mother. Their relationship will of course finally be resolved by the end of this book. From the very beginning, I have always been intrigued with Smite. He was the brother who was always at the back of the room looking after his brothers. In a sense, this fits his character perfectly because what he does as a living is to look out for others by judging those who have committed crimes.
“You anchor me without holding me down. You frighten me without threatening my future. You're unflinchingly devoted. I love you.”
Miranda Darling is the half to Smite Turner. She is essentially the love of his life who heals the part of him that is broken. Even though as a child, Miranda was essentially happy, the life that she has lived up until now was harsh. She works as seamstress and wig-maker as well as a guardian to a twelve-year old boy named Robbie. Her meeting with Smite was actually quite amusing! For protection, Miranda works for the Patron by going to court-hearings and disguising herself in order to deliver false testimony for the convicted. Smite sees through her disguises immediately and that is how our two pair meet! One thing that I loved about Miranda was that even though she knew Smite had the power to destroy her, she never wanted to let him go. She's witty and just so damn beautiful to Smite that that's all that really matters.
Overall, I loved this book to pieces. It's one of my favorites and the love scenes between Miranda and Smite were smoking hot! Just an absolutely wonderful read. I will never regret picking this series up because even though Courtney Milan writes in a genre where things can often seem typical, there's actually something different about her books! Either it's the characters, the romance, or the story, everything is perfection!(less)
Courtney Milan has certainly done it again when it comes to her latest installment in the Turner series. Unclaimed is about love, betrayal, and ultima...moreCourtney Milan has certainly done it again when it comes to her latest installment in the Turner series. Unclaimed is about love, betrayal, and ultimately trust and committment in the end. Jessica Farleigh has decided to take up the task of seducing the perfect Sir Mark Turner in order to finally turn her life around and start anew. In fact, her story was truly heartbreaking to read... especially when she ends up falling in love with Mark and has to decide upon two choices: either to destroy Mark's reputation or desroy her own self. As for Mark, he is truly a her worthy of Jessica because of how much he loves her whole-heartedly and how he would anything at all for her. When it comes to love, even the best of men... or should I say women, would give up or do anythingat all in order to make their special someone happy.
The Characters: I vaguely remember Sir Mark Turner in the previous book, Unveiled, but in this book... he definitely makes a big impression of himself. For someone who is supposedly a virgin and a chaste being, he is very wicked in his own way. In the beginning of the book, I didn't exactly get a sense of his 'real' self because of how he often tries to please the public an whatnot. Inside that person is someone who has been scarred by his past and irrevocably changed forever. He has so much dept and I loved his reason as to why he stayed a virgin this long. (view spoiler)[It's simple. He's a romantic who is waiting for that special someone that sees him for himself. Someone to love and cherish and be loved in return. (hide spoiler)] It's no wonder why he's Margaret's (the previous heroine) favorite brother. ;)
Oh, Jessica Farleigh. That's not really her name, mind you. But still. She has so many layers and I loved how even though she set out trying to seduce Mark... she ended up being the one seduced. Like I've said before, her story is so tragic and heartbreaking; mainly because of the fact that she never wanted the life of a courtesan and was forced to be one instead. When she first set out to seduce Mark, she thought that it was going to be an easy trap. But boy, was she wrong. Mark likes her for herself, not the fake persona that she's trying to be. And the more she becomes herself and starts liking him while doing so... this certainly smells like trouble!
The Romance: One of the things that I loved most about this book was the dialogue and prose written by the one and only Courtney Milan. She's woven a truly wonderful tale full of flawed yet amazing characters. Neither of the main characters are perfect... and yet, I'd say you'll love them anyway. I'm somewhat disappointed in the lack of love scenes between the two, but the author definitely made it up by having plenty of steamy moments and sexual tension between the two. Not to mention that there were also a lot of sad moments between Mark and Jessica as well. I didn't like how even towards the end, Jessica kept shooting Mark down even though we all know that she loves him! Oh come on! Get with him already and get your happy ending! Thankfully, everything worked out in the end... and I got the perfect ending to a wonderful story.
I can't wait to read Smite's story next!! As readers, we sort of get an introduction to his story in Unclaimed... so I'm looking forward to it! Overall, 5/5 stars.(less)
I have to say, Courney Milan did an excellent job making the perfect hero in her newest installment, Unveiled! Everything I thought Ash would become a...moreI have to say, Courney Milan did an excellent job making the perfect hero in her newest installment, Unveiled! Everything I thought Ash would become as a character, was entirely different as to how he truly became later in the book. He was sweet, loveable, protective, and very endearing-- even if some of the things that he did made me want to smack him for hurting Margaret. And Margaret, oh she was a strong heroine all right. From the very beginning, she was smart, full of wit and a backbone; which I absolutely adore about her! The story began with the two as enemies but slowly and surely, they both begin to fall in love with one another.
As for the secret, I felt as if the "lie" would eventually lead to many heartbreaks along the way. But... Ash proved me wrong, again. He actually embraced it and didn't blame her?! Which I thought was very sweet and touching. See how different he is from other males during that era? Instead, he blamed Margaret's brothers because they were the ones who left her alone and unprotected! And, I couldn't possibly agree with more. As for others characters in the book, I also really liked Ash's younger brother Mark. He was so awkwardly innocent and very wicked at the same time. Just read the book and find out why. ;)
Now, let's talk about the romance! It was rather very cute and very sexy at the same time. I can honestly say that Ash is an Alpha/Beta male who could be very sweet to his lady love one moment, and yet very possesive the next. I loved the forbbiden romance feeling that these two characters have for one another because of that fact that they can never be together... or can they? Even though Ash didn't realize she was supposedly a daughter of his enemy until halfway through the book, my heart broke for Margaret because she was stuck in a situation that she didn't want to be in. She never meant to fall in love with him, but it was just too great to stop. In the end, there would be only two choices that she could make: Her family or her love for Ash?
Overall, I loved the ending for this book because it was very heart-warming... and sweet! The characters were great, the romance was lovely, and I even forgave Margaret's brother (well one of them anyway) in the end. This was truly another great book by Courney Milan ever since Proof By Seduction. I will definitely be buying my own copy once this is published!(less)