Unlocked by Courtney Milan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Companion Novella to the Turner series

UNLOCKED is the story of Lady Elaine Warren who is a friend of Margaret in UNVEILED, the first book in the Turner series. Elaine is trained and tormented in the ballrooms of the ton. Because of her laugh, she is known as Lady Equine. The man who have her that nickname had returned after ten years. Evan Carlton, the Earl of Westfeld is immensely sorry for his treatment of Elaine. He recognizes the hurt he has caused and wants the chance to make amends and be a better person.

I really liked the romance between Elaine and Evan. The hurt that Evan caused does not go away easily. There are no quick solutions here. Elaine does not quickly forget her torment and fall in the hero’s arms. I liked Elaine. She has a quiet strength. “You cannot break me” is how she has survived.

This novella is not dependent upon the other books in the series and can be read independently.

Unveiled by Courtney Milan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Unique Version of Familiar Story

UNVEILED is th he first book in the Turner series. It is the story of Ash Turner who is the eldest of three brothers. Ash has managed to make himself the heir to the Duke of Parford a distant cousin by proving that the Duke’s children are illegitimate because the Duke had a secret marriage to his mistress in his youth. Margaret Dalrymple is the Duke’s daughter. She is, however, masquerading as the dude’s nurse to find out more information about Ash in order to restore her family.

The premise of this story may sound familiar but zero Milan has a way of executing these familiar story tropes in a way that is unique and empowering to her characters. Ash and Margaret are simply amazing. Ash makes Margaret see herself as empowered — as a person who makes things happen rather than having things happen to her. He gives her the confidence to see in herself the strength to make her own future.

Milan subverts the expectations of the reader and thus pulls her characters into being more real, more human.

I had read the synopsis of this book before reading it and had in fact put off reading the book because Ash sounded like a horrible person, but he is simply amazing.

Trial by Desire by Courtney Milan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Unique Concept

TRIAL BY DESIRE is the second novel in the Carhart series. It is the sequel to PROOF BY SEDUCTION and fans of that book will be happy to see Ned Carhart get his happy ever after. In PERIOD BY SEDUCTION, Ned gets married after mistakenly compromising Lady Kathleen. This book takes place three years later. Ned, who is bipolar (though it is never called as such in the book) left because of his struggles with depression. He has now returned to a wife he barely knows. Kate has spent the years that Ned has been away helping women flee their abusive husbands.

This story is about two people who have secrets and yet are married. I liked how Milan makes these two characters struggle. There are no magic answers in this book. At the end, Ned still struggles, but has learned to struggle with Kate. I thought that was a wonderful and hopeful message.

The edition I read is an enhanced version that includes some additional material from the author including deleted scenes, commentary, pictures and some small audio clips. While these enhancements are not extensive, they are an interesting addition. For example, I learned how difficult this book was for Milan to write and how many problems she still had with it.

Proof by Seduction by Courtney Milan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Story of People Trapped By Their Pasts

PROOF BY SEDUCTION is the first book in the Carhart series (there is a prequel novella as well). It is the story of Gareth Carhart, the Marquess of Blakely who is determined to save his cousin from the fraudulent fortune teller who Gareth believes is taking advantage of his cousin. Madame Esmerelda is actually Jenny Keeble who doesn’t intend to allow Gareth to judge her as unworthy.

This is Milan’s first book and is not as polished as her more recent books. Milan, however, has such an interesting take on characters. Jenny and Gareth are an interesting mix of hope and despair, optimist and pessimist. Both are constrained by what they see as their role in life although Jenny had taken the “bad” road while Gareth never deviates from what he sees as his role as Marquess. Jenny is adorable in this book and Gareth is hard to like because he protects himself with coldness and he has trouble connecting with people. I liked how Jenny challenges Gareth and he changes.

I ultimately liked this story because I felt that there was real change and growth in the characters.

The version I have is an enhanced edition that includes some additional information that reveals Milan’s thoughts about the book and explains some of the events, relationships, and quirks of the book.

This Wicked Gift by Courtney Milan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Interesting Twist on Premise

THE WICKED GIFT is a prequel novella for the Carhart series. It is the story of William White who has had his eye on Lavinia Spencer for a year. William is barely getting by and has no prospects for marriage because although he was raised as middle class, he had slipped down the social ladder. When William discovers that Lavinia’s brother is in debt, William spends his entire ten pounds to but her brother’s note so that he can blackmail Lavinia into going to bed with him. Lavinia is not about to allow William to control her. I loved their relationship and how William and Lavinia grow and change and manage to find a better life together. This prequel is not about aristocrats or gentry and this gives a different view than most historical.

The version I have has additional supplemental content by the author. There is nothing earth shattering here, but some of the material is very interesting especially about the dilemma that William faces.

What Happened at Midnight by Courtney Milan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Story About Complicated Lives

WHAT HAPPENED AT MIDNIGHT is a novella about Mary Chartley who is the daughter of the business partner of John Mason. When it is revealed that Mary’s father has embezzled from the partnership, it severs the relationship between Mary and John. Eighteen months later, John is searching for Mary because he believes she knows what her father did with the embezzled funds. He is surprised when he finds Mary living not on the money but as a lady’s companion.

I liked this story because there were many twists to edge secrets that Mary is keeping. My description of the heart of the story is from the story itself: “He wished this were clean and uncomplicated. But it was messy and complex. For a short novella, Milan packs a lot in about expectations and topless and overcoming limitations.

The Lady Always Wins by Courtney Milan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Story of Love Found,Again

THE LADY ALWAYS WINS is a short novella about Ginny Barrett and Simon Davenant. Simon and Ginny were childhood friends and sweethearts but when Simon wanted to marry her in the face of his father’s disapproval, Ginny refused. Seven years later, Ginny is a widow and Simon intends to marry her. He only has the days to convince her because he will lose everything in the days and she refuses to marry a poor man.

This is a great short story. Milan was able to give these characters life and a long story without rushing or shortchanging the romance. This story has a great plot and I liked the resolution to the romance. I liked the romance and ended up liking both characters even though I didn’t start out liking them. Great job for a short story.