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Turner #1, 1.5, 2, 3
The Turner Series
Courtney Milan's critically acclaimed and New York Times bestselling Turner series is now available in one boxed set. This set contains three full-length books and a novella.
Unveiled: When Ash Turner heads to Parford Manor to survey the dukedom he believes he has won from an old enemy, he's not counting on Lady Margaret, the duke's daughter, who has sworn to foil him at every turn.
Unlocked: Elaine Warren has resigned herself to life as a spinster and a wallflower, but when Evan Carlton, the Earl of Westfeld, returns after a long absence, she's afraid that he plans to torment her as he did before. This time, though, she vows to show him that wallflowers can fight back…
Unclaimed: Sir Mark Turner wrote the book on chastity--literally. Who better to bring him to ruin, then, than Jessica Farleigh, the courtesan hired to destroy his reputation?
Unraveled: Smite Turner is dedicated to his duty as magistrate, and he'll stick to it…no matter how harsh he must be with the woman who shows up in his courtroom in disguise.
This is an enhanced ebook. In addition to the text of the book itself, it contains pictures, audio, and author commentary. You can read this enhanced ebook on any device, but the audio content may not be accessible on all ereaders. That content has been made available on the web, so you won't miss anything if your device doesn't support audio.
Unveiled: When Ash Turner heads to Parford Manor to survey the dukedom he believes he has won from an old enemy, he's not counting on Lady Margaret, the duke's daughter, who has sworn to foil him at every turn.
Unlocked: Elaine Warren has resigned herself to life as a spinster and a wallflower, but when Evan Carlton, the Earl of Westfeld, returns after a long absence, she's afraid that he plans to torment her as he did before. This time, though, she vows to show him that wallflowers can fight back…
Unclaimed: Sir Mark Turner wrote the book on chastity--literally. Who better to bring him to ruin, then, than Jessica Farleigh, the courtesan hired to destroy his reputation?
Unraveled: Smite Turner is dedicated to his duty as magistrate, and he'll stick to it…no matter how harsh he must be with the woman who shows up in his courtroom in disguise.
This is an enhanced ebook. In addition to the text of the book itself, it contains pictures, audio, and author commentary. You can read this enhanced ebook on any device, but the audio content may not be accessible on all ereaders. That content has been made available on the web, so you won't miss anything if your device doesn't support audio.
2106 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2014
100 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
About the author
Courtney Milan
66 books5,504 followersCourtney Milan writes books about carriages, corsets, and smartwatches. Her books have received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Booklist. She is a New York Times and a USA Today Bestseller.
Courtney pens a weekly newsletter about tea, books, and basically anything and everything else. Sign up for it here: https://bit.ly/CourtneysTea
Before she started writing romance, Courtney got a graduate degree in theoretical physical chemistry from UC Berkeley. After that, just to shake things up, she went to law school at the University of Michigan and graduated summa cum laude. Then she did a handful of clerkships. She was a law professor for a while. She now writes full-time.
Courtney is represented by Kristin Nelson of the Nelson Literary Agency.
Courtney pens a weekly newsletter about tea, books, and basically anything and everything else. Sign up for it here: https://bit.ly/CourtneysTea
Before she started writing romance, Courtney got a graduate degree in theoretical physical chemistry from UC Berkeley. After that, just to shake things up, she went to law school at the University of Michigan and graduated summa cum laude. Then she did a handful of clerkships. She was a law professor for a while. She now writes full-time.
Courtney is represented by Kristin Nelson of the Nelson Literary Agency.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 20, 2016
I recently finished this series of books, so I've decided to review them briefly because I've drunk rather a lot of wine, and eaten quite a few rice crackers (to help soak up the wine), and now I'm finishing off the fudgesicles (to help counteract the salt in the crackers)...so what better time?
I first started reading Courtney Milan because I was tasked with choosing a romance for my book club selection, and I wanted something that fit the criteria of a mass market romance as opposed to some other genre that happened to contain romance. I ended up picking The Duchess War, which then lead me to reading the entire Brothers Sinister series. I liked them all, but my favorite of those ended up being The Suffragette Scandal, which was the last full length novel.
I came back to do some research in order to create book club questions, and discovered that there were a number of people who preferred the Turner series to the Brothers Sinister, so I decided I had to read those too.
The Turner series were set earlier in the Regency period, right after the Regency period, as it happens, so the early Victorian times. In fact, Queen Victoria is mentioned in these books a number of times, namely with regards to Mark Turner, who was knighted upon the virtue of having written celebrated book on men's celibacy. The Regency period ended in 1937 (I looked it up for my book club discussion), and these books are set in 1940 and a few years hence.
In book one, Ash Turner uncovers the truth of the parentage of his distance Dalrymple relatives, making them bastards, so he can become the Duke of Parford. He becomes romantically involved with the de-ladyfied daughter, Anna Margaret, who is posing as a servant to remain in her childhood home.
The next book, 1.5, is a novella about her friend Elaine who was destined to be a spinster, but then meets her archnemesis back from the Alps.
Book 2 is about Mark Turner, now Sir Mark who is pledged to chastity, but becomes enamored with a courtesan posing as a widow in his hometown of Shepton Mallet.
Finally, Book 3 goes completely awry by taking a commoner who has been educated in proper speech, and pairing her with the 3rd Turner brother who is working as a Magistrate in Bristol. This one has the most adventure and probably the most unique of the couples.
These books are set earlier than the Brothers Sinister series and seem as if they should be more about "the Ton" than less so, given that they are closer to the Regency period. Instead, they diverge more from the typical Victorian era romance and get into more interesting places. There isn't a lot set in the ballrooms of London in the 3 main books, although the novella takes place chiefly in these settings. Unveiled does have some society stuff in the second half, but mostly takes place at the country estate of the Duchy of Parford (or whatever the correct term is for these things). Unclaimed takes place in Shepton Mallet, and actual town over 100 miles west of London and 20ish miles south of Bristol. Unraveled takes place chiefly in Bristol and involves the working class and a crime syndicate.
With Courtney Milan, what you will get are romance novels with feminist leanings, with a fair amount of explicit sex at certain points. In all romance novels, the male characters are fundamentally decent and aren't complete criminals by modern terms, but in some older novels, it's clear that only their preternatural, inexplicable love (of which the heroes try so hard to divest themselves, being the cynical, sardonic creatures they are) for the heroine is the only thing keeping the whole thing from devolving into a horror story. Not so in Courtney Milan's modern take on Victorian romance. The male characters are unique from the main part of society for some fundamental reasoning in their upbringing that makes them understand privilege, feel empathy, and want things to be just for others.
It honestly doesn't have to be completely believable to work, because most of us reading romance novels these days dislike the domineering male character who forces his searing kisses on the young ingenue as a punishment, and who is written in such a way that we would believe him capable of rape, a la Violet Winspear. In Milan novels, enthusiastic consent is absolutely a thing, as is masturbation. Frankly, I find that refreshing because nothing is more unbelievable than a man with an erection strong enough to pound nails in a board taking a cold shower when he is unable to slake his lust. Come on!
Oddly enough, however, this almost makes the stories more disturbing rather than less so. Many of the other characters have the attitudes one would expect of those in their time and station in life, particularly in the nobility/house of Lords stratum. In one of the Brothers Sinister novels, a Marquess is angry at a lower class woman, and arranges for her to be arrested and raped. Milan doesn't shy away from calling things rape, and talking about the negative effects of repeated pregnancies and miscarriages on a woman. Even though the male protagonists adhere to more modern ideas about bodily autonomy and consent, that just emphasizes the lack of agency that most people would have had. And those without money are just completely screwed.
I personally had a hard time with the first book of this series, as Lady Margaret posed as a servant, and Ash Turner started flirting with her almost immediately. It took a long time to get to a part where I felt comfortable with their relationship, but I did ultimately enjoy this story. It's too bad that the Margaret character comes off kind of like a jerk in subsequent stories, seemingly concerned with social standing and what should be made public.
The heroines in Unclaimed and Unraveled were not necessarily ladies--I'm not actually sure what a lady is, but Jessica was from the middle class as a vicar's daughter, and Miranda was a member of the working class. They had their own unique talents and strengths and didn't have to rely solely on their social standing for protection. Jessica's story was disturbing, but there was a lot of good discussion between Mark and Jessica at the end. Smite was an interesting character with a lot of boundary issues, but Miranda's natural tendencies lent themselves well to their pairing. I did have a hard time at first understanding why he wanted to be with her in particular, but she was already responding to him in a different way because of her circumstances, so that played into it.
All novels of this sort have the wrenches thrown into the plot to cause conflict that needs to be resolved. Sometimes these things are the flimsiest of devices that nevertheless carry on for pages and pages until you really just want to skip to the end. Not so in Milan's novels. There are the standard misunderstandings, or deceptions revealed, and you think, "Awww, crap, someone is going to jump to conclusions, and no one will EVER clear the air, and we are going to have to read 100 pages of these people dancing around hurt feelings and pride." Nope. The characters are very sensible, and might fly off the handle, but then seem to realize they are being emotional, and resolve things quickly. It's only then that you realize that there are things that aren't easily resolved, because they may involve deep personal feeling: aversions and antipathies that have to be dealt with in creative ways. But this means there are a number of conflicts and resolutions to sort out. Fortunately, you don't get that, "Oh NOOOO, don't do THAT, you can't easily come back from THAT, just explain what is going ON!!!" feeling you get with other series.
The one thing that does happen is that the characters, even working class, will have a reason they are educated and can pass in society. They have to be smart and have some of the trappings in order to work in this world, and there always have to be rich men who are willing to use their money to make the world a better place for some people. These are happily ever after stories, after all. I only wish she would write a novella for Richard Dalrymple, because I wanted more of his story to be resolved.
I first started reading Courtney Milan because I was tasked with choosing a romance for my book club selection, and I wanted something that fit the criteria of a mass market romance as opposed to some other genre that happened to contain romance. I ended up picking The Duchess War, which then lead me to reading the entire Brothers Sinister series. I liked them all, but my favorite of those ended up being The Suffragette Scandal, which was the last full length novel.
I came back to do some research in order to create book club questions, and discovered that there were a number of people who preferred the Turner series to the Brothers Sinister, so I decided I had to read those too.
The Turner series were set earlier in the Regency period, right after the Regency period, as it happens, so the early Victorian times. In fact, Queen Victoria is mentioned in these books a number of times, namely with regards to Mark Turner, who was knighted upon the virtue of having written celebrated book on men's celibacy. The Regency period ended in 1937 (I looked it up for my book club discussion), and these books are set in 1940 and a few years hence.
In book one, Ash Turner uncovers the truth of the parentage of his distance Dalrymple relatives, making them bastards, so he can become the Duke of Parford. He becomes romantically involved with the de-ladyfied daughter, Anna Margaret, who is posing as a servant to remain in her childhood home.
The next book, 1.5, is a novella about her friend Elaine who was destined to be a spinster, but then meets her archnemesis back from the Alps.
Book 2 is about Mark Turner, now Sir Mark who is pledged to chastity, but becomes enamored with a courtesan posing as a widow in his hometown of Shepton Mallet.
Finally, Book 3 goes completely awry by taking a commoner who has been educated in proper speech, and pairing her with the 3rd Turner brother who is working as a Magistrate in Bristol. This one has the most adventure and probably the most unique of the couples.
These books are set earlier than the Brothers Sinister series and seem as if they should be more about "the Ton" than less so, given that they are closer to the Regency period. Instead, they diverge more from the typical Victorian era romance and get into more interesting places. There isn't a lot set in the ballrooms of London in the 3 main books, although the novella takes place chiefly in these settings. Unveiled does have some society stuff in the second half, but mostly takes place at the country estate of the Duchy of Parford (or whatever the correct term is for these things). Unclaimed takes place in Shepton Mallet, and actual town over 100 miles west of London and 20ish miles south of Bristol. Unraveled takes place chiefly in Bristol and involves the working class and a crime syndicate.
With Courtney Milan, what you will get are romance novels with feminist leanings, with a fair amount of explicit sex at certain points. In all romance novels, the male characters are fundamentally decent and aren't complete criminals by modern terms, but in some older novels, it's clear that only their preternatural, inexplicable love (of which the heroes try so hard to divest themselves, being the cynical, sardonic creatures they are) for the heroine is the only thing keeping the whole thing from devolving into a horror story. Not so in Courtney Milan's modern take on Victorian romance. The male characters are unique from the main part of society for some fundamental reasoning in their upbringing that makes them understand privilege, feel empathy, and want things to be just for others.
It honestly doesn't have to be completely believable to work, because most of us reading romance novels these days dislike the domineering male character who forces his searing kisses on the young ingenue as a punishment, and who is written in such a way that we would believe him capable of rape, a la Violet Winspear. In Milan novels, enthusiastic consent is absolutely a thing, as is masturbation. Frankly, I find that refreshing because nothing is more unbelievable than a man with an erection strong enough to pound nails in a board taking a cold shower when he is unable to slake his lust. Come on!
Oddly enough, however, this almost makes the stories more disturbing rather than less so. Many of the other characters have the attitudes one would expect of those in their time and station in life, particularly in the nobility/house of Lords stratum. In one of the Brothers Sinister novels, a Marquess is angry at a lower class woman, and arranges for her to be arrested and raped. Milan doesn't shy away from calling things rape, and talking about the negative effects of repeated pregnancies and miscarriages on a woman. Even though the male protagonists adhere to more modern ideas about bodily autonomy and consent, that just emphasizes the lack of agency that most people would have had. And those without money are just completely screwed.
I personally had a hard time with the first book of this series, as Lady Margaret posed as a servant, and Ash Turner started flirting with her almost immediately. It took a long time to get to a part where I felt comfortable with their relationship, but I did ultimately enjoy this story. It's too bad that the Margaret character comes off kind of like a jerk in subsequent stories, seemingly concerned with social standing and what should be made public.
The heroines in Unclaimed and Unraveled were not necessarily ladies--I'm not actually sure what a lady is, but Jessica was from the middle class as a vicar's daughter, and Miranda was a member of the working class. They had their own unique talents and strengths and didn't have to rely solely on their social standing for protection. Jessica's story was disturbing, but there was a lot of good discussion between Mark and Jessica at the end. Smite was an interesting character with a lot of boundary issues, but Miranda's natural tendencies lent themselves well to their pairing. I did have a hard time at first understanding why he wanted to be with her in particular, but she was already responding to him in a different way because of her circumstances, so that played into it.
All novels of this sort have the wrenches thrown into the plot to cause conflict that needs to be resolved. Sometimes these things are the flimsiest of devices that nevertheless carry on for pages and pages until you really just want to skip to the end. Not so in Milan's novels. There are the standard misunderstandings, or deceptions revealed, and you think, "Awww, crap, someone is going to jump to conclusions, and no one will EVER clear the air, and we are going to have to read 100 pages of these people dancing around hurt feelings and pride." Nope. The characters are very sensible, and might fly off the handle, but then seem to realize they are being emotional, and resolve things quickly. It's only then that you realize that there are things that aren't easily resolved, because they may involve deep personal feeling: aversions and antipathies that have to be dealt with in creative ways. But this means there are a number of conflicts and resolutions to sort out. Fortunately, you don't get that, "Oh NOOOO, don't do THAT, you can't easily come back from THAT, just explain what is going ON!!!" feeling you get with other series.
The one thing that does happen is that the characters, even working class, will have a reason they are educated and can pass in society. They have to be smart and have some of the trappings in order to work in this world, and there always have to be rich men who are willing to use their money to make the world a better place for some people. These are happily ever after stories, after all. I only wish she would write a novella for Richard Dalrymple, because I wanted more of his story to be resolved.
October 8, 2018
Every time I read a Courtney Milan book, I wonder why I don't read her books more often. She writes with a distinct mix of humor, serious affection, and a not so bad guy or women that makes for a fun way to kill a few hours without being too much. That made this 3 book with additional novella book bundle perfect for me. I could read a full Milan trilogy with extra short story and not later wonder why I never sought out the rest of a series. I finished it a few days ago, remember thinking how fun it was at the very end, but now don't really remember much about it except for the basic details. Fun while it lasted but with no lasting impact.
This trilogy features 3 brothers, Ash, Mark, and Smite and their lady loves, each a scandalous romantic choice in some way. The short story features a very minor character from book 1 (falls at 1.5 in the order) that I didn't care about at all and can be skipped with no impact on the overall trilogy. Milan weaves some modern feminist commentary into historical romance with mixed success. Generally good execution but each of the plots requires the female leads to lie to the male leads for a significant part of the story. Each has good reason, but lying and romance don't work well together for me which is why I can't rate above 3 stars.
Edited to include: I should note that the version of this bundle I read was an enhanced edition. It had links to author interviews, additional information, and some great photos of the actual places mentioned in the text. I very much enjoyed the enhanced content and think it added to the reading experience.
This trilogy features 3 brothers, Ash, Mark, and Smite and their lady loves, each a scandalous romantic choice in some way. The short story features a very minor character from book 1 (falls at 1.5 in the order) that I didn't care about at all and can be skipped with no impact on the overall trilogy. Milan weaves some modern feminist commentary into historical romance with mixed success. Generally good execution but each of the plots requires the female leads to lie to the male leads for a significant part of the story. Each has good reason, but lying and romance don't work well together for me which is why I can't rate above 3 stars.
Edited to include: I should note that the version of this bundle I read was an enhanced edition. It had links to author interviews, additional information, and some great photos of the actual places mentioned in the text. I very much enjoyed the enhanced content and think it added to the reading experience.
July 6, 2018
I think I'm biased here - I'm very, very done with the secrets that will change everything trope. It's very tired, it makes me very tired.
The only saving grace was Milan's writing. But the content just couldn't hold me. I was skipping pages and skimming lines. Great HEA, seriously woke MC (!) but small things kept bothering me - like no attention from the author to what was happening in the house. Surely Lady Margaret had something to note or say about how the servants treated her or how she felt about anything at all that wasn't roses, father, brother or lust?
It was all mostly flat to me. I'm not reading any more of this series.
The only saving grace was Milan's writing. But the content just couldn't hold me. I was skipping pages and skimming lines. Great HEA, seriously woke MC (!) but small things kept bothering me - like no attention from the author to what was happening in the house. Surely Lady Margaret had something to note or say about how the servants treated her or how she felt about anything at all that wasn't roses, father, brother or lust?
It was all mostly flat to me. I'm not reading any more of this series.
May 22, 2022
I feel like the rating for this series is almost entirely about "how much tolerance do you have for people not having conversations"
Which Milan is very aware of, especially by the third book, and threads the needle pretty deftly in justifying why (it's usually reasonable fear and trauma, so points for that).
And also there were moments of "have you people considered not hurting each other to protect each other!? Maybe?"
A significant amount of what I appreciate about Milan is that she has such fun upending tropes as well - often the places where you would expect the separation to show up are the moments where her characters say "yeah, so what?" Which is very nice.
And also this was a series about three brothers, each traumatized by a fundamentalist mother in a different way, and each coming to terms with their (lack of) religion in their own way and like, there was just so little about the theology. Which I know she talks about as distancing herself from "inspirational romance" (meaning Christian...*laughs in Orthodox Jew*) and this very clearly is not that and also...some non-inspirational romantic conversations about faith would be very nice.
(Also, now that you've written Hamilton's Battalion, go back and write Richard Dalrymple's story!)
Which Milan is very aware of, especially by the third book, and threads the needle pretty deftly in justifying why (it's usually reasonable fear and trauma, so points for that).
And also there were moments of "have you people considered not hurting each other to protect each other!? Maybe?"
A significant amount of what I appreciate about Milan is that she has such fun upending tropes as well - often the places where you would expect the separation to show up are the moments where her characters say "yeah, so what?" Which is very nice.
And also this was a series about three brothers, each traumatized by a fundamentalist mother in a different way, and each coming to terms with their (lack of) religion in their own way and like, there was just so little about the theology. Which I know she talks about as distancing herself from "inspirational romance" (meaning Christian...*laughs in Orthodox Jew*) and this very clearly is not that and also...some non-inspirational romantic conversations about faith would be very nice.
(Also, now that you've written Hamilton's Battalion, go back and write Richard Dalrymple's story!)
July 24, 2022
If you want to read brilliantly plotted romances, read Courtney Milan's books. Some of the best characters I've ever encountered. And they don't do stupid things just to make a plot device work. And they don't have simple, unrealistic relationships. These books are brilliant.
I had put off reading all of Courtney's books, even though I own most of them, because her books make me feel. In Covid land, feeling is painful because a layer of grief sticks to everything I say or do. So I had to read these 3 novels and a novella in short bursts, or I would have just wept for days. But I am determined to read them all. It'll just take me a while.
I had put off reading all of Courtney's books, even though I own most of them, because her books make me feel. In Covid land, feeling is painful because a layer of grief sticks to everything I say or do. So I had to read these 3 novels and a novella in short bursts, or I would have just wept for days. But I am determined to read them all. It'll just take me a while.
May 2, 2021
I loved the first book. It was bonkers and intense and complicated. I didn't understand what was happening in the second book at all. Mark was weird and I didn't get it. The third book got deep into various different ways people connect to each other so I was really into it again. Mental illness, learning disorders, trauma, sexuality conflicts, but also love and fierce sibling loyalty. I would absolutely read books 1 and 3 again...
Continuity errors are apparently not something the editors look for, though. But that's not exclusive to these books.
Continuity errors are apparently not something the editors look for, though. But that's not exclusive to these books.
May 19, 2020
This enhanced ebook was a delight to read. Just imagine not having to wait to read all the books of a series!
I like Courtney Milan‘s writing style, the characters were all likable, the plots interesting and engaging and the romance was fantastic. The background information the author provided was smashing and really enhanced (pun intended) my enjoyment of reading the 3 books and 1 novella.
My favorite story was the last (Unraveled)
I like Courtney Milan‘s writing style, the characters were all likable, the plots interesting and engaging and the romance was fantastic. The background information the author provided was smashing and really enhanced (pun intended) my enjoyment of reading the 3 books and 1 novella.
My favorite story was the last (Unraveled)
April 15, 2018
I bought this as a boxed set. I loved the Turner brothers, their complex back story and the strong bond between them.
I loved Ash and Smite's stories best. The others were great too.
There are three stories in the box set, plus a novella and short story. Absolute bargain for a week's worth of entertainment.
I loved Ash and Smite's stories best. The others were great too.
There are three stories in the box set, plus a novella and short story. Absolute bargain for a week's worth of entertainment.
November 23, 2019
This is really just a review of the last one, Unraveled, because I reviewed the rest already. I liked it! It was enjoyable! Courtney Milan is a reliably good author, and I will continue to enjoy her books.
August 16, 2021
I enjoyed all four narratives a lot, but the last one really had me struggling. Not because it was bad! Just. The stakes were too high for my brain at the moment. Excellent series for a good price. Do recommend.
October 24, 2018
shows you how long it's been since I've checked in here that I'm pretty sure I finished this book ages ago. probably loved them.
July 6, 2019
(added this because of the extra content, the books are rated individually)
March 21, 2020
Nett und mal was anderes als immer nur the ton.
abandoned-dnf
December 11, 2021started 9/8/2018, read 1, 1.5, and 8 chapters of 2. dnf 12/10/2021 at 45% of compilation — need to be in more of a histrom mood.
March 29, 2022
Overall, a good readable series.
April 18, 2022
Kept my interest
I found each of the stories involving the three brothers interesting and ultimately enjoyable. The second story about Elaine was not up to par with the others.
I found each of the stories involving the three brothers interesting and ultimately enjoyable. The second story about Elaine was not up to par with the others.
April 8, 2024
Unlocked is my favorite.
September 5, 2015
No spoilers.
These 3 stories were all fabulous and wonderfully written. The 3 Turner brothers Ash, Mark and Smite all have very interesting and well researched story lines, interlinked but each one story separate as well.
Over the course of the 3 books - Courtney Milan deals with the weighty subjects of childhood abuse, madness, illegitimacy, prostitution, blackmail and coercion, homosexuality, poverty, gang crime, the rights of woman to inherit, illiteracy, and the social and sexual mores of men towards women in Victorian England. These subject matters could make heavy going, however Courtney Milan interweaves these into each story with such aplomb that the stories and the characters in each book are enhanced and enriched rather than bowed down by them.
The research is excellent and all of the main characters are well rounded and entirely believable and the more minor characters are wonderfully drawn as well. The ongoing story of Richard Dalrymple - Smite's schoolboy friend and later Ash's brother in-law - is also compelling - and Courtney Milan's technique of revealing his character through the eyes of others - until part way through the 3rd book is very cleverly done. I would love to see him get his own complete story.
Ash, Mark and Smite are all fascinating in different ways - and they all have their own crosses to bear, relating back to their shared abusive childhood and the different after effects it has on each of them. Margaret, Jessica and Miranda are all very different from each other, and they also have their own hardships and problems to deal with. The common thread that links them is they are all strong, vibrant women, with a depth to their characters and how they dealt with their problems, that made them entirely believable and as each relationship unfolded, you could see why each pair was drawn to, and fell in love with, each other.
Each story was multi-layered and rich with moments of poignancy, humour, compassion, sensuality and love. I enjoyed them all but in particular the 3rd book - Smite's and Miranda's story - (so much so I have reviewed it separately) as it was quite simply wonderful but it also completed Ash & Margaret's and Mark & Jessica's stories as well, bringing a very satisfying completion to the 3 novels.
These 3 stories were all fabulous and wonderfully written. The 3 Turner brothers Ash, Mark and Smite all have very interesting and well researched story lines, interlinked but each one story separate as well.
Over the course of the 3 books - Courtney Milan deals with the weighty subjects of childhood abuse, madness, illegitimacy, prostitution, blackmail and coercion, homosexuality, poverty, gang crime, the rights of woman to inherit, illiteracy, and the social and sexual mores of men towards women in Victorian England. These subject matters could make heavy going, however Courtney Milan interweaves these into each story with such aplomb that the stories and the characters in each book are enhanced and enriched rather than bowed down by them.
The research is excellent and all of the main characters are well rounded and entirely believable and the more minor characters are wonderfully drawn as well. The ongoing story of Richard Dalrymple - Smite's schoolboy friend and later Ash's brother in-law - is also compelling - and Courtney Milan's technique of revealing his character through the eyes of others - until part way through the 3rd book is very cleverly done. I would love to see him get his own complete story.
Ash, Mark and Smite are all fascinating in different ways - and they all have their own crosses to bear, relating back to their shared abusive childhood and the different after effects it has on each of them. Margaret, Jessica and Miranda are all very different from each other, and they also have their own hardships and problems to deal with. The common thread that links them is they are all strong, vibrant women, with a depth to their characters and how they dealt with their problems, that made them entirely believable and as each relationship unfolded, you could see why each pair was drawn to, and fell in love with, each other.
Each story was multi-layered and rich with moments of poignancy, humour, compassion, sensuality and love. I enjoyed them all but in particular the 3rd book - Smite's and Miranda's story - (so much so I have reviewed it separately) as it was quite simply wonderful but it also completed Ash & Margaret's and Mark & Jessica's stories as well, bringing a very satisfying completion to the 3 novels.
May 10, 2016
Wonderful series, author's comments, pictures, deleted scenes
This is a fantastic set. I like reading Milan, but this set has audio clips, photos of locations in the stories, author comments and answers to questions. So much extra information and another set of good Milan stories.
I had just finished rereading The Brothers Sinister which I really enjoy. I realized that this set was in my Kindle library unread. I had not known that it was a special set with extras. What a treat!!!
This is a fantastic set. I like reading Milan, but this set has audio clips, photos of locations in the stories, author comments and answers to questions. So much extra information and another set of good Milan stories.
I had just finished rereading The Brothers Sinister which I really enjoy. I realized that this set was in my Kindle library unread. I had not known that it was a special set with extras. What a treat!!!
March 4, 2017
I read and loved the whole series. Starting with Unlocked, then Unveiled, Unclaimed and Unraveled (my favorite!). I loved reading about Ash, Mark and Smite and their tortured childhoods (with their crazy biblical names) and their individual ways of dealing with their tragedies. And the characters grow together throughout the series - they are in no way isolated from one another throughout the books. Can't wait to read her next series!
April 21, 2015
I really enjoyed the Turner Series. Ash, Mark and Smite are brothers with a strong connection, and interesting conflicts stemming from their upbringing. Their respective love interests border on TGTL (especially Jessica) but the writing in strong. I particularly enjoyed seeing the development of Smite through the novels - a troubled hero with good reason.
Milan is quickly moving to the top of my Must-Read category for romance novels. Can't wait to dig into more of her backlist.
Milan is quickly moving to the top of my Must-Read category for romance novels. Can't wait to dig into more of her backlist.
December 21, 2014
I loved that the Turner men were complex conflicted compelling men, with a kind heart and proclivities for non ton/fascinating women.
with Ash and Margaret-4 star
Ellen and Lord West... 5 stars
Sir Mark and the courtesan 4 star
Smite and Miranda's story was my favorite. 5 star
with Ash and Margaret-4 star
Ellen and Lord West... 5 stars
Sir Mark and the courtesan 4 star
Smite and Miranda's story was my favorite. 5 star
June 5, 2016
I think the final story in this series (Smite's story) was my favourite - I'd give it 5 stars if I were reviewing it as a standalone. In all a good series with some fascinating characters - I really liked Mark's take on chastity, maybe some day we'll get to read his 'Gentlemen's Practical Guide' ;)
February 27, 2015
Loved the enhancements which included photos, some audio snippets and some behind-the-scenes writer's notes.
May 24, 2015
Unveiled ****
Unlocked ****
Unclaimed ***
Unraveled ***
plus additional content. Good purchase - I'm very satisfied.
Unlocked ****
Unclaimed ***
Unraveled ***
plus additional content. Good purchase - I'm very satisfied.
May 18, 2017
I wanted an escape and this was a solid one. Mark's story was my favorite, I think.
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