Review: Unclaimed - Courtney Milan

Series: Turner #2
Genre: Historical romance
Pages: 425 (ebook)
Published: October 2011
Publisher: HQN books
Source: netgalley

Her only hope for survival…

Handsome, wealthy and respected, Sir Mark Turner is the most sought-after bachelor in all of London—and he's known far and wide for his irreproachable character. But behind his virtuous reputation lies a passionate nature he keeps carefully in check...until he meets the beautiful Jessica Farleigh, the woman he's waited for all his life.

Is to ruin the man she loves…

But Jessica is a courtesan, not the genteel lady Sir Mark believes. Desperate to be free of a life she despises, she seizes her chance when Mark's enemies make her an offer she can't refuse: seduce Mark and tarnish his good name, and a princely sum will be hers. Yet as she comes to know the man she's sworn to destroy, Jessica will be forced to choose between the future she needs…and the love she knows is impossible.

My thoughts:
This is book 2, but do not worry I could easily read this book without having read the one where the hero's brother found love first.

A hero who is a virgin, yes I do like that. So refreshing from all those rakes who are running around and surely have an STD or two by now. Instead I get a hero, Mark, who is a virgin, he has got a few issues, and at the moment he is sick of the praise put upon him. He may be a virgin, but he sure still is a man. 

The heroine on the other hand is a courtesan, so she has gotten around. And sure she has got her reasons, but to try to seduce poor Mark and ruin him, so not cool. But as we learn she does have her reasons, and I do understand those reasons and why she does feel like she does not have a choice. 

Thrown together it becomes a nice little tale, ok I should not call it nice. It's a tale about lies, feelings, and a woman who feels broken inside. 

Of course I disliked Jessica at times, who could not, she would ruin and break his heart. But it was obvious she was falling so I had to like her. And their situation was also so hopeless. A courtesan and London's most famous virgin? Not gonna happen! But of course we all know it will happen and I am was happy when it did. 

Conclusion:

It was a different sort of romance. You know there is trickery at the start, you want them to still be together, but Milan sure makes them work for it. And in the end everyone lives happily ever after.

'Cover:

I like the yellow

Review: Unlocked - Courtney Milan

Series: Turner 1,5
Genre: Historical romance
Pages: 111 (ebook)
Published: May 2011
Source: My own shelf
  

A perpetual wallflower destined for spinsterhood, Lady Elaine Warren is resigned to her position in society. So when Evan Carlton, the powerful, popular Earl of Westfeld, singles her out upon his return to England, she knows what it means. Her former tormenter is up to his old tricks, and she’s his intended victim. This time, though, the earl is going to discover that wallflowers can fight back. Evan has come to regret his cruel, callow past. At first, he only wants to make up for past wrongs. But when Elaine throws his initial apology in his face, he finds himself wanting more. And this time, what torments him might be love…

 My thoughts.

This was a short novella that had so much to offer. It dealt with something that I sure have not seen a lot of in historical romances before. And yes it seems to be a part of a series but it works well as a stand alone since I do not even know where it fits in the series.

The story was just wonderful and heartbreaking. Elaine was happy and sure of herself but her first season was horrible as she was being bullied and she become the eternal spinster that people made fun of, all because she sounded like a horse when she laughed. The person that started it all was Evan, he did not mean to since he actually liked her but it all went to hell, and they truly broke her down until she was a shadow of her former shelf. So yes my heart truly ached for poor Elaine as she hated the ton.

But this book takes place years after when Evan comes back since he ran away so he did not have to face what he had done. He wants to make amends but Elaine does not want to trust him, and who can blame her.

Could I have forgiven Evan? I do not know, he hurt her so badly and made her life hell. I am not going to say what happen but since we all know there is a HEA, I can only say that I forgave him bit by bit. He is truly heartbroken over what he done and the things he does now, well, my heart did melt.

Conclusion:

This was a truly wonderful novella that I do recommend to all historical romance fans. It is a look at the scene back then and how words could break someone, so much that no one wanted to touch you afterwards. If Milan always writes like this then I do want more.

Rating: 

Wonderful

Cover:

Ok