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Turner #2
Unclaimed
Handsome, wealthy, and respected, Sir Mark Turner has made a name for himself as an upright moralist. But behind his virtuous reputation lies a hidden passion, one that he keeps in careful check... until he meets the beautiful Jessica Farleigh and discovers she is the one he's waited for all his life, to take to his bed and let into his heart.
But Jessica is a courtesan, not the respectable lady Sir Mark believes. When Mark’s enemies ask her to seduce him and destroy his good name, she agrees. The money they offer will allow her to escape a life that has become unbearable. But along the road to seduction, the worst happens: Jessica falls in love. The only way to win the freedom she needs is to destroy the most honorable man she’s ever met...
But Jessica is a courtesan, not the respectable lady Sir Mark believes. When Mark’s enemies ask her to seduce him and destroy his good name, she agrees. The money they offer will allow her to escape a life that has become unbearable. But along the road to seduction, the worst happens: Jessica falls in love. The only way to win the freedom she needs is to destroy the most honorable man she’s ever met...
426 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 20, 2011
195 people are currently reading
4627 people want to read
About the author
Courtney Milan
68 books5,484 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 - 30 of 822 reviews
November 22, 2015
“But you’re— you’re—”
“A virgin?” There was a note of amusement in his voice. “True. But just because I don’t believe in poaching out of season doesn’t mean I can’t hunt.”
As I’m sitting here trying to write this review, I can’t begin to tell you how much I loved Unclaimed. So much passion, so much wisdom, so much hope, so much truth, so much… just… so very much!! And quotes? Literally pages worth of quotes I’d love to share with you. Some that took my breath away, some made me swoon, others made me cry.
So, where to begin? Well, if you’re a fan of historical romance, you know how unfair society could be towards “fallen women.” That double standard that literally ruined lives, sometimes for a single “transgression,” while yet allowing men to get away with anything and everything, the more debauched, the better! I adored this book because it took that very issue and stood it on its ear, showing it from an entirely different point of view. I absolutely adored Mark Turner, whose book A Gentleman’s Practical Guide to Chastity, had become an overnight sensation, garnering a near cult-like following of men and women passionate about giving up sex! In fact, so great was his stardom, even Queen Victoria had heard about the book and bestowed Knighthood on Mark!
And to be completely honest, I wasn’t sure how entertaining a book about a male virgin would really be, but leave it to Courtney Milan to make it work! I cheered Sir Mark in his convictions, his reasons for choosing abstinence and his often humorous determination not to be swayed.
Jessica Farleigh was a fallen woman who had reached the point of desperation, and decided to do whatever she had to in order to survive. She had no desire to find herself on the streets again, so in this instance, survival meant seducing the infamous virgin, Sir Mark Turner, in to giving up chastity, and then publicly ruining him by giving away all the details of their night of passion. Having been hired to do so by a ruthless, power hungry politician who wanted Mark destroyed, the money she’d earn if she succeeded would make it so she’d never have to sell her body again. Tired, bitter and desperate, she didn’t care what it would cost the virtuous Mark Turner.
I really am having trouble explaining all the reasons I loved this book. Humor, passion, seriousness... I've decided I'll just share a few of my favorite quotes, in hopes that they can show you why I adore this story so much. It was so hard to choose which ones to include, though, because they’re all so, so good, and so true!
“If you were any other man,” she said softly, “I would think that you had just threatened to seduce me.”
“Worse.” He leaned down, close enough to whisper. “I threatened to like you. I suspect seduction would be easier for you to understand.”
A small smile touched her lips. “Sir Mark, there’s no need to threaten me with anything so drastic as like. Mere acceptance would be sufficiently shocking.”
“A man who is sufficiently strong in his own right need not be jealous of power in others.” He glanced at her. “I know ugly men who insist on ugly wives, believing that they will not stray.” He shrugged. “For myself, I’ve always wanted a beautiful woman.”
She let out a little laugh. “Because you are so beautiful yourself?”
“Because I intend to win her affections to me, mind and soul.” And then, as if in an afterthought, he added: “And body. I definitely look forward to winning her body.”
“It cheapens what I’ve accomplished,” Mark said, “to imagine me a saint. To believe I am untempted, that I pass through this life without feeling lust or want or desire. I said it in the first chapter of my book, and yet nobody seems to believe me. Chastity is hard. ”
“I hadn’t thought—”
“I want. I lust. I desire.” He scrubbed his hand through sandy blond hair at that, shaking his head. “No. You’re right. You don’t deserve euphemisms. I want you. I lust after you. I desire you. ”
She might have been the only woman in the world, pinned by his gaze.
“But what I don’t do is act.”
“You’re a duke’s brother. A knight. And I’m a whore.”
He grabbed her wrist. “Don’t call yourself that. I wouldn’t let anyone else talk about you that way— why should I let you?”
“Very well. Call me a fallen woman, then.”
“Do you think that matters to me? My mother used to say that there was no such thing as a fallen woman. You just had to look for the man who pushed her down.”
The bottom line - With Unclaimed, Courtney Milan has outdone herself, and it has become one of my all time favorite historical romance novels. I loved seeing the desire to be chaste from the male perspective - both the humor and the seriousness of it. This story is heartwarming and heartbreaking, romantic and passionate. And don't be concerned that it's a "holier than thou" pulpit pounding tale, far from it. Mark's reasons for his chastity are made very clear, and they'll have you cheering him just as I did. Ms. Milan had me laughing out loud, sighing and wishing it would never end. And visiting with Ash and Smite… so much fun! Unclaimed, is definitely an addition to my Keepers shelf.
This ARC ebook was provided free of charge by netgalley.com in behalf of HQNBooks. This had no influence on my rating or my review.
May 6, 2012
FULL REVIEW NOW POSTED
4.5 stars.
"It is the most astonishing thing," he whispered against her skin. "To touch you, to feel you tremble. To know that I'm the cause of it."
LONDON JUNE, 1841
Our heroine, Jessica Farleigh is a courtesan who wants to get out of prostitution. She wants to get rid herself of the murk and the mire that had filled her. Jessica is in dire need of money since she wants to buy a cottage in the country to settle down and begin a new life. For a long time, her former protector, George Weston, intended to destroy Sir Mark Turner's reputation and offers a reward to the woman who will seduce the pristine virgin. Jessica agrees to seduce Mark. George Weston is eager to become the next Commissioner for the Poor Laws. In fact, this position has been offered to Mark. However, if Mark will be disgraced and ruined Weston will be the new Commissioner.
Sir Mark Turner is the author of A Gentleman's Guide to Chastity and a 28-year old virgin. Mark is returning to his boyhood home for the summer--a small market town called Shepton Mallet. He wants to escape the adoring throngs for a a while. Jessica, the official town disgrace, seizes her chance and is rather astonished to realize that even though Sir Mark Turner is a virgin, he did not look like any virgin she had ever seen before.
What didn't quite work for me
I have to confess that at some point Jessica just wore me out a little bit. I got it that she thought she was not good enough for Mark, however, towards the end of the story she took it too far. I felt there was a bit too much of needless drama. Naturally I was glad that she rectified her mistake, after all.
Unfortunately the ending felt a bit too rushed for my liking. I'd have loved to read a proper epilogue.
What I liked
I adored the richly textured dialogue and the author's beautiful and descriptive writing. A touch of well-placed humor made this story (almost) perfect.
Overall I really liked the stillness of this book. The story benefits in a major way of two exceptional lead characters and their great and witty dialogue. The plot is interesting and kept me turning pages. As a matter of fact, I'm all for steamy and hot love scenes. If you want a steamy HR then Unclaimed is NOT for you. Sometimes it's very satisfying to read a story that is more heavy on the romance part than the love scenes though. Unclaimed fit the bill perfectly. The main love scene is nicely written. It's sweet, tender, and sensual. You get a feeling how much Mark is worshipping Jessica. He is in love with her.
Over the past years, Jessica's desires, her wants, had been submerged in the service of the men who'd paid for her. It had been years since she'd owned her own sexual response. Mark was the man to make her feel again--like a wake-up call. Mark won her body, mind and soul.
This feeling, this tentative flutter in her belly--this was hers. This was sunlight on her face. It was the warmth she'd dreamed of. It was a curl of honest attraction, the first she'd experienced in years. And so slowly, deliberately, she crooked her fingertips under his, so that the curve of his hand caught against hers.
It's beautiful, isn't it?
I love the author's ability to show so much emotions on many different levels. Positive and negative emotions have to be genuine and believable, and Ms. Milan delivers anything and everything a HR reader could wish for. Further, she did a fine job at portraying two scarred souls who find their well-deserved HEA.
"Do you know why I professed to believe in chastity? Because I don't believe in doing harm, least of all to someone I care for."
Yes. Mark is Jessica's champion.
4.5 stars.
"It is the most astonishing thing," he whispered against her skin. "To touch you, to feel you tremble. To know that I'm the cause of it."
LONDON JUNE, 1841
Our heroine, Jessica Farleigh is a courtesan who wants to get out of prostitution. She wants to get rid herself of the murk and the mire that had filled her. Jessica is in dire need of money since she wants to buy a cottage in the country to settle down and begin a new life. For a long time, her former protector, George Weston, intended to destroy Sir Mark Turner's reputation and offers a reward to the woman who will seduce the pristine virgin. Jessica agrees to seduce Mark. George Weston is eager to become the next Commissioner for the Poor Laws. In fact, this position has been offered to Mark. However, if Mark will be disgraced and ruined Weston will be the new Commissioner.
Sir Mark Turner is the author of A Gentleman's Guide to Chastity and a 28-year old virgin. Mark is returning to his boyhood home for the summer--a small market town called Shepton Mallet. He wants to escape the adoring throngs for a a while. Jessica, the official town disgrace, seizes her chance and is rather astonished to realize that even though Sir Mark Turner is a virgin, he did not look like any virgin she had ever seen before.
What didn't quite work for me
I have to confess that at some point Jessica just wore me out a little bit. I got it that she thought she was not good enough for Mark, however, towards the end of the story she took it too far. I felt there was a bit too much of needless drama. Naturally I was glad that she rectified her mistake, after all.
Unfortunately the ending felt a bit too rushed for my liking. I'd have loved to read a proper epilogue.
What I liked
I adored the richly textured dialogue and the author's beautiful and descriptive writing. A touch of well-placed humor made this story (almost) perfect.
Overall I really liked the stillness of this book. The story benefits in a major way of two exceptional lead characters and their great and witty dialogue. The plot is interesting and kept me turning pages. As a matter of fact, I'm all for steamy and hot love scenes. If you want a steamy HR then Unclaimed is NOT for you. Sometimes it's very satisfying to read a story that is more heavy on the romance part than the love scenes though. Unclaimed fit the bill perfectly. The main love scene is nicely written. It's sweet, tender, and sensual. You get a feeling how much Mark is worshipping Jessica. He is in love with her.
Over the past years, Jessica's desires, her wants, had been submerged in the service of the men who'd paid for her. It had been years since she'd owned her own sexual response. Mark was the man to make her feel again--like a wake-up call. Mark won her body, mind and soul.
This feeling, this tentative flutter in her belly--this was hers. This was sunlight on her face. It was the warmth she'd dreamed of. It was a curl of honest attraction, the first she'd experienced in years. And so slowly, deliberately, she crooked her fingertips under his, so that the curve of his hand caught against hers.
It's beautiful, isn't it?
I love the author's ability to show so much emotions on many different levels. Positive and negative emotions have to be genuine and believable, and Ms. Milan delivers anything and everything a HR reader could wish for. Further, she did a fine job at portraying two scarred souls who find their well-deserved HEA.
"Do you know why I professed to believe in chastity? Because I don't believe in doing harm, least of all to someone I care for."
Yes. Mark is Jessica's champion.
September 6, 2011
4.5 stars. I started this book expecting it to fall neatly into various tropes. The 28 year old virgin who’s the author of a celebrated book on male chastity -- of course he’s going to be a stuffy hero who gets his comeuppance from the heroine (Ooooo!) The courtesan heroine who has grown to loathe and fear sex -- of course she’s going to have to be gently led to love it by the hero (Eh...)
But very little about this book was what I expected. Sir Mark isn’t stuffy at all, he’s just a principled, decent man in the wrong place at the wrong time. (Yes, he’s famous for his views, but he’s an unwilling and highly misunderstood celebrity.) His fame has made his attempts to form a meaningful relationship with a woman impossible: “If I talk to a woman once, it’s in the papers the next day. If I talk to her twice, people start making bets. I hardly dare talk to anyone a third time.” And those are just the women who might want to marry him -- other women have a very different agenda for a notorious virgin. Including Jessica.
“He wanted, in short, to like her. He’d been inclined to do so from the beginning… He’d been curious about her ever since he’d seen that flinch. Like a callow youth, he’d enlarged upon it in his mind. See? There is more to both of us than anyone else will acknowledge.”
And Jessica has sold herself so many times -- physically and emotionally -- that she feels like there’s nothing left of her. She doesn’t need to be gently coaxed; she needs to rediscover her mind, her self and her power.
“For years, every conversation she had with a man had been colored by calculation. Would she put him off if she spoke her mind? What did he want her to say? When a man took a mistress, he purchased not just the rights to her body, but the contents of her thoughts.
Sir Mark wanted her as she was, not as he wished her to be. The thought made her head hurt.”
Mark and Jessica have very different backgrounds and different forms of damage, but both are basically yearning for the same thing -- love accompanied by understanding and respect, love that enables them to have their own self-respect. And they find that in each other.
Here is Mark during a pivotal competition between them: “‘Do you think you need to hold back because you’ll anger me?’ His throat felt tight. ‘Do you think me so small and pitiful a creature that the sign of the slightest competence on your part will send me into a spiral of depression? You have it quite wrong. I know you can do better. I expect it of you.’”
“... she loved that he wanted her to win. Men had complimented her beauty, and she’d stayed detached. They’d written poems about the timbre of her voice, and she’d been unmoved. But just the thought of Mark, saying in a voice roughened by desire that she could do better… that had brought her to the edge. It was the first time in years that she’d liked it when a man kissed her.”
This is an extraordinary book in many way, and anyone drawn to the unusual in romance should try it, though it will also satisfy readers who just want an entertaining historical. The issue keeping it from being 5 stars for me was that I wished for more subtlety. The basic metaphor, I loved: Mark is literally a knight, of course -- knighted by Queen Victoria for “his contribution to popular morality.” But part of what both he and Jessica must learn is that she is not a damsel in distress: “‘I promised you once that I would be your knight, willing to do battle for you. But I don’t think that’s what you need of me.’
She shook her head mutely.
‘You’re always been your own knight,” he said, ‘riding to your rescue. I’m just the man who came along and saw how brightly your armor shone.’”
But much of the book spells things out so directly and so often, that I wished for more of a chance for discovery.
Still, it's an exceptional romance, with fascinating characters and beautiful love scenes. I highly recommend it.
(I received this as an e-arc from netGalley.)
But very little about this book was what I expected. Sir Mark isn’t stuffy at all, he’s just a principled, decent man in the wrong place at the wrong time. (Yes, he’s famous for his views, but he’s an unwilling and highly misunderstood celebrity.) His fame has made his attempts to form a meaningful relationship with a woman impossible: “If I talk to a woman once, it’s in the papers the next day. If I talk to her twice, people start making bets. I hardly dare talk to anyone a third time.” And those are just the women who might want to marry him -- other women have a very different agenda for a notorious virgin. Including Jessica.
“He wanted, in short, to like her. He’d been inclined to do so from the beginning… He’d been curious about her ever since he’d seen that flinch. Like a callow youth, he’d enlarged upon it in his mind. See? There is more to both of us than anyone else will acknowledge.”
And Jessica has sold herself so many times -- physically and emotionally -- that she feels like there’s nothing left of her. She doesn’t need to be gently coaxed; she needs to rediscover her mind, her self and her power.
“For years, every conversation she had with a man had been colored by calculation. Would she put him off if she spoke her mind? What did he want her to say? When a man took a mistress, he purchased not just the rights to her body, but the contents of her thoughts.
Sir Mark wanted her as she was, not as he wished her to be. The thought made her head hurt.”
Mark and Jessica have very different backgrounds and different forms of damage, but both are basically yearning for the same thing -- love accompanied by understanding and respect, love that enables them to have their own self-respect. And they find that in each other.
Here is Mark during a pivotal competition between them: “‘Do you think you need to hold back because you’ll anger me?’ His throat felt tight. ‘Do you think me so small and pitiful a creature that the sign of the slightest competence on your part will send me into a spiral of depression? You have it quite wrong. I know you can do better. I expect it of you.’”
“... she loved that he wanted her to win. Men had complimented her beauty, and she’d stayed detached. They’d written poems about the timbre of her voice, and she’d been unmoved. But just the thought of Mark, saying in a voice roughened by desire that she could do better… that had brought her to the edge. It was the first time in years that she’d liked it when a man kissed her.”
This is an extraordinary book in many way, and anyone drawn to the unusual in romance should try it, though it will also satisfy readers who just want an entertaining historical. The issue keeping it from being 5 stars for me was that I wished for more subtlety. The basic metaphor, I loved: Mark is literally a knight, of course -- knighted by Queen Victoria for “his contribution to popular morality.” But part of what both he and Jessica must learn is that she is not a damsel in distress: “‘I promised you once that I would be your knight, willing to do battle for you. But I don’t think that’s what you need of me.’
She shook her head mutely.
‘You’re always been your own knight,” he said, ‘riding to your rescue. I’m just the man who came along and saw how brightly your armor shone.’”
But much of the book spells things out so directly and so often, that I wished for more of a chance for discovery.
Still, it's an exceptional romance, with fascinating characters and beautiful love scenes. I highly recommend it.
(I received this as an e-arc from netGalley.)
August 16, 2012
I'm in production on Guild season 6 and so exhausted that the only thing I crave is to escape into some good book brain numbing at night before bed. I found this author through my book club, Vaginal Fantasy, after someone recommended it as a stand-out MAN virgin historical romance. I was skeptical at first because the concept seemed either cheesy or maybe preachy, but ended up LOVING this book. I just gobbled up 2 other books by this author, and I really love how she twists the traditional characters of the genre to be more interesting than you'd expect. This is a very non-traditional pairing, man virgin and courtesean, but they are perfectly paired together. And there are really interesting arguments about morality and chastity here, this isn't an inch-deep book IMO. I really enjoyed it, and will be a fan of this author in the future!
June 8, 2019
I wasn't interested in Mark. At all.
Until the first pages of this book.
I didn't really like the first Turner, something was really off, so I will definitely admit revisiting this was a) hoping for CMM (CM magic, obvs) again, via smart discussions and flawed characters in tough situations. I was looking for the hero who simply loves the woman for all that she is, not for her being different, and those heroes seeing all she is besides. Ever noticed how her heroes listen? They think. So do her heroines, and there's one particular point in this book after a big conflict where Jessica shows up to Mark after he is devastated, and she made me cry.
So when I set out to read this book, I was simultaneously dreading it and pinning my hopes on it.
I haven't read much in the past week. I haven't wanted to. I stayed up with this book much past my bedtime and woke up reaching for it--and hopefully that says what this review doesn't. 4.25
Until the first pages of this book.
I didn't really like the first Turner, something was really off, so I will definitely admit revisiting this was a) hoping for CMM (CM magic, obvs) again, via smart discussions and flawed characters in tough situations. I was looking for the hero who simply loves the woman for all that she is, not for her being different, and those heroes seeing all she is besides. Ever noticed how her heroes listen? They think. So do her heroines, and there's one particular point in this book after a big conflict where Jessica shows up to Mark after he is devastated, and she made me cry.
So when I set out to read this book, I was simultaneously dreading it and pinning my hopes on it.
I haven't read much in the past week. I haven't wanted to. I stayed up with this book much past my bedtime and woke up reaching for it--and hopefully that says what this review doesn't. 4.25
August 1, 2021
On Kindle sale today 1st Aug 2021 for USD 0.99.
This book has been on hold on my kindle for almost a year, because a male virgin hero and a courtesan are two of my most disliked tropes. But I loved book #1 and #3 so I finally read this one.
And...
it freakin' delivered. Not perfect, but a strong 3 - almost 4 stars. It was not at all what I expected, and was handled intriguingly well.
C Milan is now among my most favourite historical romance authors. The characters, the dialogue, the humour, the flaws, the passion - it's all great.
This book has been on hold on my kindle for almost a year, because a male virgin hero and a courtesan are two of my most disliked tropes. But I loved book #1 and #3 so I finally read this one.
And...
it freakin' delivered. Not perfect, but a strong 3 - almost 4 stars. It was not at all what I expected, and was handled intriguingly well.
C Milan is now among my most favourite historical romance authors. The characters, the dialogue, the humour, the flaws, the passion - it's all great.
July 21, 2012
Minor spoilers:
Seriously? This author wrote Unveiled??
Maybe I missed a chapter, but this book was literally about a famous Chaste Virgin man who pretty much stays that way. Naturally he ends up with a hooker with a heart of gold. But wait.....she is also the preacher's supposedly- dead daughter.
Then the queen of England comes to their wedding..,
Seriously I can't believe I kept reading.
Seriously? This author wrote Unveiled??
Maybe I missed a chapter, but this book was literally about a famous Chaste Virgin man who pretty much stays that way. Naturally he ends up with a hooker with a heart of gold. But wait.....she is also the preacher's supposedly- dead daughter.
Then the queen of England comes to their wedding..,
Seriously I can't believe I kept reading.
June 4, 2016
*3.5 stars*
I liked this one, just not nearly as much as I was expecting.
I was really anticipating this one, not only because I LOVED Unveiled, but I also have a little kink for male virgins. What?! We all have our things...
I listened to the first book in the series (and the second novella, Unlocked) in audiobook form, and that really made the book come alive. I decided to read this one in ebook form, but I sort of wish that I didn't. That might have made up the difference.
I liked Jessica and Mark, and I liked them together a great deal. I thought that they had excellent chemistry, and I loved the basic plot premise- full of tension! Yum! Also the writing... so thoughtful. Courtney Milan is one of my absolute favorite authors, and it is because she writes such compelling, captivating characters. Everyone from the MCs to the preacher to the rest of the side characters were really well conceived.
Though I enjoyed this book overall (somewhere between "like" and "really like"), I had a few small issues that knocked my rating down.
To start, I didn't think that this book was as well paced as some of Courtney Milan's others. I felt that parts of the book were a little slow and parts were a little redundant. However, what bothered me the most was that I kept getting a preachy vibe from Mark. Yes, I well understand the points about women and their rights and the double standards between men and women, and I love that Courtney Milan fabricated a character based loosely around those ideas, but he still gave off a "perfect" feeling that slightly irked me.
Overall, I have no real, substantial complaints about this story. I paid full price for this one, which I rarely do, and still no regrets! I'm really, really looking forward to Smite's story, which I'm praying will blow me away.
I liked this one, just not nearly as much as I was expecting.
I was really anticipating this one, not only because I LOVED Unveiled, but I also have a little kink for male virgins. What?! We all have our things...
I listened to the first book in the series (and the second novella, Unlocked) in audiobook form, and that really made the book come alive. I decided to read this one in ebook form, but I sort of wish that I didn't. That might have made up the difference.
I liked Jessica and Mark, and I liked them together a great deal. I thought that they had excellent chemistry, and I loved the basic plot premise- full of tension! Yum! Also the writing... so thoughtful. Courtney Milan is one of my absolute favorite authors, and it is because she writes such compelling, captivating characters. Everyone from the MCs to the preacher to the rest of the side characters were really well conceived.
Though I enjoyed this book overall (somewhere between "like" and "really like"), I had a few small issues that knocked my rating down.
To start, I didn't think that this book was as well paced as some of Courtney Milan's others. I felt that parts of the book were a little slow and parts were a little redundant. However, what bothered me the most was that I kept getting a preachy vibe from Mark. Yes, I well understand the points about women and their rights and the double standards between men and women, and I love that Courtney Milan fabricated a character based loosely around those ideas, but he still gave off a "perfect" feeling that slightly irked me.
Overall, I have no real, substantial complaints about this story. I paid full price for this one, which I rarely do, and still no regrets! I'm really, really looking forward to Smite's story, which I'm praying will blow me away.
July 31, 2011
Updated- 7/31- forgot to mention about the book cover.
Intro
Image is everything especially in 1841 London. The problem is sometimes your image is not self-created but how other’s want to see you. Just ask Sir Mark Turner how bad life can be when your image has been elevated to godlike proportions, but you are simply an ordinary man wanting an ordinary life.
The characters
Sir Mark wrote a book called A Gentleman’s Practical Guide to Chasity. The popularity of the book, for reasons unknown, skyrocketed Sir Mark to celebrity status. As the brother of a Duke, Sir Mark’s every move is scrutinized. As the author of a book almost as popular as the Bible itself, Sir Mark cannot even exhale without it being the subject of gossip.
Jessica Farleigh is a courtesan. She hates her life, and wants more than being at the mercy of a man’s wants and desires. She is tired of not having any of her own wants or desires met. She is tired of wondering when she is not going to be pretty enough for the so-called protection she receives as a courtesan. Most of all, she is tired of not having anything of her own.
The story
So what is a disgruntled courtesan to do? Try to seduce the superstar virgin of the 1840’s of course! See, Jessica’s former protector (and we use the word “protector” in the loosest terms) hates Sir Mark and wants him to be destroyed. That’s were Jessica comes in and his promise to pay Jessica if she seduces Sir Mark.
Just one problem. Sir Mark is real. He didn’t just write the book for the fame and popularity, he wrote it with real conviction behind the principals of chastity. Not only is Sir Mark the real deal but he has also lived a hard life, and can see behind Jessica’s initial attempts at seduction.
What occurs after the initial seduction attempt is the meat of the story, and there are surprises and twists that made this story different and engaging.
The book cover
Overall nice BUT isn't there multiple comments in the story about Jessica's hair going all the way down to her thighs? I realize you wouldn't be able to see her dress if her hair was tumbling down her back, but at least make it a bit more realistic to the physical description of the characters in the story!
My final thoughts
I absolutely loved Sir Mark. He was so perfectly written that I was anticipating disappointment from him (it never came). I did not say he was perfect. Far from it. The author just made him what I call the perfect imperfect hero.
Jessica was a smart cookie until the very end. She was not too bitchy, and definitely wasn’t a weeping willow. There was one single scene at the end that was a disappointment (bringing the rating from a 5 star to a 4.5 star). But overall, Jessica was a worthy challenge for Sir Mark, and turned out to be a excellent love match for him.
The sexual tension in this book was off the charts. I’ve read a lot of books where there was sexual tension and I’m not usually overly impressed. Let’s just say I was VERY impressed. My Kindle smoked after some of the scenes and I loved it!
Overall
Almost perfect historical romance with twists, surprises, and depth.
My favorite lines from the book (both from Sir Mark)
I want a wife I can love, Mrs. Farleigh. One who I want to be faithful to because there is simply nobody else for me, not because it is the right thing to do.
I will be your champion, if you let me. If I have to take on the role of knight, I want to be yours. Let me be your protector.
Intro
Image is everything especially in 1841 London. The problem is sometimes your image is not self-created but how other’s want to see you. Just ask Sir Mark Turner how bad life can be when your image has been elevated to godlike proportions, but you are simply an ordinary man wanting an ordinary life.
The characters
Sir Mark wrote a book called A Gentleman’s Practical Guide to Chasity. The popularity of the book, for reasons unknown, skyrocketed Sir Mark to celebrity status. As the brother of a Duke, Sir Mark’s every move is scrutinized. As the author of a book almost as popular as the Bible itself, Sir Mark cannot even exhale without it being the subject of gossip.
Jessica Farleigh is a courtesan. She hates her life, and wants more than being at the mercy of a man’s wants and desires. She is tired of not having any of her own wants or desires met. She is tired of wondering when she is not going to be pretty enough for the so-called protection she receives as a courtesan. Most of all, she is tired of not having anything of her own.
The story
So what is a disgruntled courtesan to do? Try to seduce the superstar virgin of the 1840’s of course! See, Jessica’s former protector (and we use the word “protector” in the loosest terms) hates Sir Mark and wants him to be destroyed. That’s were Jessica comes in and his promise to pay Jessica if she seduces Sir Mark.
Just one problem. Sir Mark is real. He didn’t just write the book for the fame and popularity, he wrote it with real conviction behind the principals of chastity. Not only is Sir Mark the real deal but he has also lived a hard life, and can see behind Jessica’s initial attempts at seduction.
What occurs after the initial seduction attempt is the meat of the story, and there are surprises and twists that made this story different and engaging.
The book cover
Overall nice BUT isn't there multiple comments in the story about Jessica's hair going all the way down to her thighs? I realize you wouldn't be able to see her dress if her hair was tumbling down her back, but at least make it a bit more realistic to the physical description of the characters in the story!
My final thoughts
I absolutely loved Sir Mark. He was so perfectly written that I was anticipating disappointment from him (it never came). I did not say he was perfect. Far from it. The author just made him what I call the perfect imperfect hero.
Jessica was a smart cookie until the very end. She was not too bitchy, and definitely wasn’t a weeping willow. There was one single scene at the end that was a disappointment (bringing the rating from a 5 star to a 4.5 star). But overall, Jessica was a worthy challenge for Sir Mark, and turned out to be a excellent love match for him.
The sexual tension in this book was off the charts. I’ve read a lot of books where there was sexual tension and I’m not usually overly impressed. Let’s just say I was VERY impressed. My Kindle smoked after some of the scenes and I loved it!
Overall
Almost perfect historical romance with twists, surprises, and depth.
My favorite lines from the book (both from Sir Mark)
I want a wife I can love, Mrs. Farleigh. One who I want to be faithful to because there is simply nobody else for me, not because it is the right thing to do.
I will be your champion, if you let me. If I have to take on the role of knight, I want to be yours. Let me be your protector.
December 26, 2018
One of my abs fav romance tropes: the male virgin!!
Not only that, the male virgin paired with a courtesan! (If only she was one, an unabashed one who was going to show him a good time... still waiting for one of those books). She's a "good" courtesan, forced to sell her body cuz she fell on hard times.
Anyway, not only is he a MALE VIRGIN, he's famous for writing a book on chastity! I wanted his book from the time I met him in book 1 Unveiled!
They don't describe him terribly flatteringly tho. He didn't sound tall (tho apparently he is) and he didn't sound leanly muscular (just slim/ slight). And blond. Like an innocent angel.
But the man has a temper! And he can beat bullies up! AND he's gorgeous to boot! What's not to like???
Unfortunately for me, bc he's one of those pale blondies, I can't really use Mr. Blondie Bun's image as I'm imagining Mark.
Some of my fav quotes were in this book. I love that he struggles with his passions but CHOOSES to wait for the right woman. And more than once she hurt him, quite badly broke his heart. I'm not terribly fond of this heroine... but my fondness for Mark makes me still give this book a 5 :)
Not only that, the male virgin paired with a courtesan! (If only she was one, an unabashed one who was going to show him a good time... still waiting for one of those books). She's a "good" courtesan, forced to sell her body cuz she fell on hard times.
Anyway, not only is he a MALE VIRGIN, he's famous for writing a book on chastity! I wanted his book from the time I met him in book 1 Unveiled!
They don't describe him terribly flatteringly tho. He didn't sound tall (tho apparently he is) and he didn't sound leanly muscular (just slim/ slight). And blond. Like an innocent angel.
But the man has a temper! And he can beat bullies up! AND he's gorgeous to boot! What's not to like???
Unfortunately for me, bc he's one of those pale blondies, I can't really use Mr. Blondie Bun's image as I'm imagining Mark.
Some of my fav quotes were in this book. I love that he struggles with his passions but CHOOSES to wait for the right woman. And more than once she hurt him, quite badly broke his heart. I'm not terribly fond of this heroine... but my fondness for Mark makes me still give this book a 5 :)
November 1, 2011
Another great book by Courtney Milan….and I Loved it; I liked that Mark Turner was no stick-in-the mud, pompous cad but a truly swoon worthy, sexy hero and that he loved Jessica just as she was and didn’t try to change her. I liked his reasons for being celibate. I liked that Jessica is a smart, intelligent survivor and I could feel her despair when she states, “best not to want; that way, she’d feel no disappointment. Hope hurts.” How terrible life is without hope.
This is no light & fluffy read. Complicated emotions and issues are touched upon, heart-wrenching and endearing. I did love the ending and only wished for an epilogue.
So many wonderful quotes…I’ve limited to two of my favorites:-)
This is no light & fluffy read. Complicated emotions and issues are touched upon, heart-wrenching and endearing. I did love the ending and only wished for an epilogue.
So many wonderful quotes…I’ve limited to two of my favorites:-)
December 21, 2015
I admit that this book has a very interesting premise with an extremely intriguing hero, Mark. A virgin hero who advocates that men only have sexual relations with their legally married spouses. Now that is an original character.
Too bad he is paired with Jessica. I see what Courtney Milan is going for and she certainly has a cool story to tell here. Great writing, a very imaginative way with words. I just cannot warm up to Jessica. She is just a little too "broken" for my taste.
The pairing has been done before, just usually with a vicar. This vicar-like hero with a courtesan-like heroine kind of pairing seems to be a trend. I have tried quite a few books with such character pairing and only one of them ever made me want to continue reading, and that was a novella.
Quite to my dismay I cannot pinpoint what did not work for me in this story. I know I did not mind Mark, honestly I never mind much what the heros do. It is the heroine that either makes or kills a story for me. And I did not like Jessica. I know that she had a difficult life, that she was only trying to make a living for herself, that she was only deceiving Mark to ensure her survival. I don't dislike her. I just don't like her, which, according to Countess Violet, are 2 quite different things.
Why? I wish I knew.
I will try to describe what I don't like about Jessica. These are personal feelings and have nothing to do with the writing quality or the story. But the character of Jessica totally destroyed the story for me.
Jessica was a courtesan. Like most women in the business, it was not her dream job. So she wanted out. She wanted to secure funds before she "retired" so she offered Mark's political enemy to engage Mark in sexual activities to discredit him, because Mark was famous for his self-imposed celibacy. He wrote a book about it, god damn it. So they met and of course the saint Mark, who was only just a man, oft tempted but never succumed to his baser desires before he met Jessica, found Jessica irresistible.
This was my first ever problem. Why? I did not understand Jessica's undefinable allures. I am usually pretty lenient on such things but with Jessica and Mark, I wanted to ask: why Mark? She was beautiful yeah but you have met beautiful women before. The entire plot just felt like one convenient excuse to make this vicar and courtesan kind of thing work. Only that I was not buying.
So often with courtesan heriones, they must hate their job and the sexual act. They could not respond to the normal stimula and so on and so forth, you catch the drift. So basically with such a pairing the relationship is some kind of a sexual awakening for the heroine, to have sex with a man she loved. This storyline never goes down well with me. I am not interested in another woman's road to sexual fulfillment. Good for her, but thanks no thanks. I don't need to see it.
Then there is this self-defeating thought: "I am a courtesan. Why would a respectable man love me? People treat me like shit because I am a courtesan. So let me act cold and pretend not be hurt because I have my pride and I am still a good woman even though I sell my body for money." I mean this kind of self-defeating narratives get old quickly with me. OK you have had a difficult life. Must you act like a poor little girl who acts tough but secretly craves acceptance? It was not your fault that you had to become a courtesan so get over it and show some some respect for the tough decisions you have made to support yourself. Now let me quote Countess Violet again:
Now I believe I have established 2 things:
1. I do not like Jessica.
2. I love Countess Violet.
So you see, Jessica and I never had a chance. I feel nothing for her, not her suffering, not her struggle, not her dilemma, not her sexual self-exploration and naturally, not her relationship with Mark. I cannot establish a connection with Jessica. I could not care less about her love story. This "a woman who is just waiting for the right man to do right by her" kind of story.....it is just not my thing. Such characters always make me feel that they are emotionally inadequate. They are looking for acceptance, for salvation. And one man comes along and loves her and her life is now different......it pisses me off just thinking about it.
My rating and review are my personal views. They do not reflect the quality of the book. I would have given the book 3 stars if I liked Jessica a little better. But I really don't like this heroine. No offense, Jessica. It is not you, it is me.
Too bad he is paired with Jessica. I see what Courtney Milan is going for and she certainly has a cool story to tell here. Great writing, a very imaginative way with words. I just cannot warm up to Jessica. She is just a little too "broken" for my taste.
The pairing has been done before, just usually with a vicar. This vicar-like hero with a courtesan-like heroine kind of pairing seems to be a trend. I have tried quite a few books with such character pairing and only one of them ever made me want to continue reading, and that was a novella.
Quite to my dismay I cannot pinpoint what did not work for me in this story. I know I did not mind Mark, honestly I never mind much what the heros do. It is the heroine that either makes or kills a story for me. And I did not like Jessica. I know that she had a difficult life, that she was only trying to make a living for herself, that she was only deceiving Mark to ensure her survival. I don't dislike her. I just don't like her, which, according to Countess Violet, are 2 quite different things.
Why? I wish I knew.
I will try to describe what I don't like about Jessica. These are personal feelings and have nothing to do with the writing quality or the story. But the character of Jessica totally destroyed the story for me.
Jessica was a courtesan. Like most women in the business, it was not her dream job. So she wanted out. She wanted to secure funds before she "retired" so she offered Mark's political enemy to engage Mark in sexual activities to discredit him, because Mark was famous for his self-imposed celibacy. He wrote a book about it, god damn it. So they met and of course the saint Mark, who was only just a man, oft tempted but never succumed to his baser desires before he met Jessica, found Jessica irresistible.
This was my first ever problem. Why? I did not understand Jessica's undefinable allures. I am usually pretty lenient on such things but with Jessica and Mark, I wanted to ask: why Mark? She was beautiful yeah but you have met beautiful women before. The entire plot just felt like one convenient excuse to make this vicar and courtesan kind of thing work. Only that I was not buying.
So often with courtesan heriones, they must hate their job and the sexual act. They could not respond to the normal stimula and so on and so forth, you catch the drift. So basically with such a pairing the relationship is some kind of a sexual awakening for the heroine, to have sex with a man she loved. This storyline never goes down well with me. I am not interested in another woman's road to sexual fulfillment. Good for her, but thanks no thanks. I don't need to see it.
Then there is this self-defeating thought: "I am a courtesan. Why would a respectable man love me? People treat me like shit because I am a courtesan. So let me act cold and pretend not be hurt because I have my pride and I am still a good woman even though I sell my body for money." I mean this kind of self-defeating narratives get old quickly with me. OK you have had a difficult life. Must you act like a poor little girl who acts tough but secretly craves acceptance? It was not your fault that you had to become a courtesan so get over it and show some some respect for the tough decisions you have made to support yourself. Now let me quote Countess Violet again:
Now I believe I have established 2 things:
1. I do not like Jessica.
2. I love Countess Violet.
So you see, Jessica and I never had a chance. I feel nothing for her, not her suffering, not her struggle, not her dilemma, not her sexual self-exploration and naturally, not her relationship with Mark. I cannot establish a connection with Jessica. I could not care less about her love story. This "a woman who is just waiting for the right man to do right by her" kind of story.....it is just not my thing. Such characters always make me feel that they are emotionally inadequate. They are looking for acceptance, for salvation. And one man comes along and loves her and her life is now different......it pisses me off just thinking about it.
My rating and review are my personal views. They do not reflect the quality of the book. I would have given the book 3 stars if I liked Jessica a little better. But I really don't like this heroine. No offense, Jessica. It is not you, it is me.
May 27, 2021
I'm not sure I'll ever read another historical romance not written by Courtney Milan. Her books are *chef's kiss*. Love the romance, love the writing, love the trope-subversion, love the feminism. All around awesome.
May 28, 2020
4 1/2
I listened to this book as an unabridged audio which was read most skillfully by Rebecca De Leeuw. She did a beautiful job bringing the story to life, voicing Jessica with all of the vulnerability and sensuality necessary for her character while managing to make Mark come across as masculine, confident and likable. It would have been so easy to voice him as an uptight prig and I’m so very glad the narrator went down a different path.
When Mark Turner wrote a book on the importance of male chastity the last thing he expected was to become knighted by the Queen and the most sought after bachelor in the ton. Now he can’t make a move without an over-eager parent foisting their young innocent daughter upon him and having it all described in the gossip rags. Being the only adult male virgin (or the only one who admits it) in the ton isn’t easy and he’s gained a huge following who have created a chastity club all in his honor. Poor Mark. In an attempt to find some peace he leaves behind the madness and returns to the small village where he was raised.
Mark is used to being tempted. “Chastity is hard” and he’s the first to admit it. It seems the ton have nothing better to do than plan his downfall so Mark isn’t surprised when Mrs. Jessica Farley, the sexy shunned widow new to village (shunned because she dresses provocatively), puts the moves on him. But he is disappointed. He liked her, she appeared smart and witty and he was certain she was hiding something painful behind her façade of experience and sensuality. He had hoped she was different from all the rest but she has secrets that are just as painful as his and she needs to discredit and deflower him in order to live a life without selling her body. Will they overcome the odds stacked against them and find true love?
Well, if they didn’t I would’ve been pretty damn disappointed! But it’s the getting there that is all the fun. Just like it’s prequel Unveiled, this one features two characters who have the odds stacked against them and a world of secrets as well as a constant shadow of betrayal hanging over them. Though the reasons for it all differ from Unveiled, the formula is the same and it was a little tiresome to read those bits directly on the heels of all of the impending betrayal looming in Unveiled. But that’s my only complaint. The rest of the book is fabulous and Mark will go down as one of the most understanding, kind and self-effacing heroes ever put to page. When they first meet Jessica introduces herself as “a very wicked woman” and “the town disgrace” and in return he says “I speak with the tongues of 1000 angels, butterflies follow me wherever I go, birds sing when I take a breath.” Both are quick witted and a perfect match and from the beginning you can feel the connection and the genuine “like” between them. There’s more than lust drawing them together but when the sparks begin to fly, boy do you ever feel them.
I was rooting for these two to find their happy ever after from the moment they first met but things don’t go easy for them. Crap happens (of course!) that nearly broke my heart but in the end love wins the day and that’s why I read romance. This is great love story definitely read it if you l
I listened to this book as an unabridged audio which was read most skillfully by Rebecca De Leeuw. She did a beautiful job bringing the story to life, voicing Jessica with all of the vulnerability and sensuality necessary for her character while managing to make Mark come across as masculine, confident and likable. It would have been so easy to voice him as an uptight prig and I’m so very glad the narrator went down a different path.
When Mark Turner wrote a book on the importance of male chastity the last thing he expected was to become knighted by the Queen and the most sought after bachelor in the ton. Now he can’t make a move without an over-eager parent foisting their young innocent daughter upon him and having it all described in the gossip rags. Being the only adult male virgin (or the only one who admits it) in the ton isn’t easy and he’s gained a huge following who have created a chastity club all in his honor. Poor Mark. In an attempt to find some peace he leaves behind the madness and returns to the small village where he was raised.
Mark is used to being tempted. “Chastity is hard” and he’s the first to admit it. It seems the ton have nothing better to do than plan his downfall so Mark isn’t surprised when Mrs. Jessica Farley, the sexy shunned widow new to village (shunned because she dresses provocatively), puts the moves on him. But he is disappointed. He liked her, she appeared smart and witty and he was certain she was hiding something painful behind her façade of experience and sensuality. He had hoped she was different from all the rest but she has secrets that are just as painful as his and she needs to discredit and deflower him in order to live a life without selling her body. Will they overcome the odds stacked against them and find true love?
Well, if they didn’t I would’ve been pretty damn disappointed! But it’s the getting there that is all the fun. Just like it’s prequel Unveiled, this one features two characters who have the odds stacked against them and a world of secrets as well as a constant shadow of betrayal hanging over them. Though the reasons for it all differ from Unveiled, the formula is the same and it was a little tiresome to read those bits directly on the heels of all of the impending betrayal looming in Unveiled. But that’s my only complaint. The rest of the book is fabulous and Mark will go down as one of the most understanding, kind and self-effacing heroes ever put to page. When they first meet Jessica introduces herself as “a very wicked woman” and “the town disgrace” and in return he says “I speak with the tongues of 1000 angels, butterflies follow me wherever I go, birds sing when I take a breath.” Both are quick witted and a perfect match and from the beginning you can feel the connection and the genuine “like” between them. There’s more than lust drawing them together but when the sparks begin to fly, boy do you ever feel them.
I was rooting for these two to find their happy ever after from the moment they first met but things don’t go easy for them. Crap happens (of course!) that nearly broke my heart but in the end love wins the day and that’s why I read romance. This is great love story definitely read it if you l
September 22, 2011
Mark is annoyingly perfect, but this still worked pretty well up until the end, when it went completely hearts-and-flowers in a completely unbelievable way.
I am also annoyed that even with a prostitute heroine and a virgin hero, the hero ends up being more assertive and sexually confident than the heroine. Oh, romance novels.
Milan always has a point around three-quarters of the way through where the heroine finally explodes/asserts herself and the man goes away and then reflects and comes to the realization that she's right and he hasn't respected her opinions/independence enough. And this private reflection is clearly part of Milan's thematic point, but narratively and emotionally it's unsatisfying -- the major emotional rapprochement between the two effectively takes place with only one present.
Heroine's best friend could have used a LOT more fleshing out. Despite lip service to the power of female friendship, this doesn't pass the Bechdel test.
I am also annoyed that even with a prostitute heroine and a virgin hero, the hero ends up being more assertive and sexually confident than the heroine. Oh, romance novels.
Milan always has a point around three-quarters of the way through where the heroine finally explodes/asserts herself and the man goes away and then reflects and comes to the realization that she's right and he hasn't respected her opinions/independence enough. And this private reflection is clearly part of Milan's thematic point, but narratively and emotionally it's unsatisfying -- the major emotional rapprochement between the two effectively takes place with only one present.
Heroine's best friend could have used a LOT more fleshing out. Despite lip service to the power of female friendship, this doesn't pass the Bechdel test.
May 11, 2019
I was excited for this one! I loved the first book. And I thought Mark was great in the earlier book.
This felt really cerebral. More academic and interested in proving a point than invested in its characters.
I liked it. I just didn’t love it.
This felt really cerebral. More academic and interested in proving a point than invested in its characters.
I liked it. I just didn’t love it.
August 10, 2016
3.5-stars
I like Courtney Milan’s unique take on this love story of courtesan heroine and virgin beta hero. Toward the ending, I kind of lost a bit patience with Jessica’s unnecessary drama. That said, the highlight of the book for me is the heroine’s strength to survive, and her ability to overcome conflict and obstacles. Rich characters. Beautiful writing. This is a good read.
I like Courtney Milan’s unique take on this love story of courtesan heroine and virgin beta hero. Toward the ending, I kind of lost a bit patience with Jessica’s unnecessary drama. That said, the highlight of the book for me is the heroine’s strength to survive, and her ability to overcome conflict and obstacles. Rich characters. Beautiful writing. This is a good read.
July 17, 2014
4.25 stars
“I wanted peace and balance. But I should have put you first. First. Last. And, Jessica—always.”
“True. I never dreamed of this. But now that I’ve found you, anything else seems a nightmare. Dreams change with circumstances. Often for the better.”
This is another great installment to the series! I adored Sir Mark, he's just so sweet and amazing and hot... Fine, I was mostly okay with Jessica, too. But she had her moments...
Sir Mark is endlessly popular and revered by the London society. All because he wrote a book about chastity 'A Gentleman’s Practical Guide to Chastity'
Sir Mark had done the impossible. He’d made chastity popular.
But, Mark just wants peace and a place where people don't treat him as if he'd come from heaven. After all, he's just a man. A good man, but a man, nonetheless. A virgin, not a saint. But Sir Mark's spotless reputation is problematic to some, and somewhere in London a man has offered a reward... To any woman who can seduce the chaste Sir Mark.
Jessica Farleigh is a courtesan, forced to become one at an early age. Now, she's tired and she wants out of that life, to no longer be forced to give herself to men... It's her dream. Now, she has a chance to realize it. All she has to do is seduce a lord, and collect more money than she'd ever imagined. What harm could it be? Maybe a little embarrassment for him,but nothing too bad.
Then she meets him. And she starts feeling again, admiring him. The weight of her secrets is too much at times, because she realized doing what she'd planned would ruin him. So now she's forced to choose between safety... and love.
"Best not to want; that way, she’d feel no disappointment. Hope hurt."
I adored this book. The reversal of roles was refreshing. We have a male virgin(who's not so innocent) and a woman determined to seduce him. Again we see a man who respects women, sees them as equals. Who only wants to marry for love.
I liked that while Sir Mark was amazing, he wasn't perfect. He only knows what he wants and is generally... nice. He is chaste not because he sees himself as pure but because he doesn't want to harm women, to leave them pregnant or dishonored or the like.
“There are no unchaste women, or profligate men.” He set his hands on the podium. “There are no saints. None of you men want to hear me say that. After all, if it’s not a woman who’s led you astray, you’ve gone down the wrong path all on your own. If I am just an ordinary man, it means that chastity is attainable for everyone. It means that you are all responsible for your own mistakes, that you must own up to the wrong you have done without laying the blame on anyone else’s doorstep. It means you can never hold a woman scapegoat for your shortcomings again, not even if she is pretty and lively and intelligent.”
We also see he is a romantic
"I want a wife I can love, Mrs. Farleigh. One who I want to be faithful to because there is simply nobody else for me, not because it is the right thing to do. I don’t want to resent my fidelity. Or my wife. And so…I wait.”
I also liked the way the friendship(and the relationship) developed. With teasing and flirting and getting to know each other, while Jessica confronted and found herself.
“What do you mean, walk me home?”
“Walk.” He held up two fingers and mimed. “Most people learn how to do it at a young age. I’ve observed that you’re reasonably proficient in the activity.”
She paused, her eyebrows raised. “I remind you of your brother? Sir Mark, scores of men have flirted with me. I do not hesitate to tell you that you are absolutely the worst. You must work on your compliments. No woman wants to be told she brings a man to mind—even if the man happens to be a duke.”
So, we are left with Jessice. Surprisingly I did like her, for the most part. I truly felt for her. But at the ending, she did some things I felt were unnecessary. Confronting the bad guy in such a way, then running away every time a difficulty emerged. I know she was hurt before, but a little bit of trust, faith? When you're with someone you make those decisions together, don't you? That's the only reason this isn't 5 stars for me.
And, finally, an amusing conversation:
“It’s the old ‘tupping for kittens’ argument. I hear that one a lot.”
She choked. “Tupping for which?”
“Kittens. It usually goes like this—suppose that a madman has sixteen precious, innocent kittens in a sack. He threatens to throw them all in the river to drown unless I engage in intercourse with some woman, who is agreeable. What do I do?”
Mrs. Farleigh stared at him. “What do you do?”
“Assuming those are my two choices—tup, or the kittens shuffle off this mortal coil—well, it’s simple. My moral code is not so rigid that I would let innocents suffer.”
“But—”
“I would also tell lies, strike another man in the stomach and blow my nose in the Queen’s presence. All for the benefit of kittens.”
See, he also loves kittens! *sigh*
“I wanted peace and balance. But I should have put you first. First. Last. And, Jessica—always.”
“True. I never dreamed of this. But now that I’ve found you, anything else seems a nightmare. Dreams change with circumstances. Often for the better.”
This is another great installment to the series! I adored Sir Mark, he's just so sweet and amazing and hot... Fine, I was mostly okay with Jessica, too. But she had her moments...
Sir Mark is endlessly popular and revered by the London society. All because he wrote a book about chastity 'A Gentleman’s Practical Guide to Chastity'
Sir Mark had done the impossible. He’d made chastity popular.
But, Mark just wants peace and a place where people don't treat him as if he'd come from heaven. After all, he's just a man. A good man, but a man, nonetheless. A virgin, not a saint. But Sir Mark's spotless reputation is problematic to some, and somewhere in London a man has offered a reward... To any woman who can seduce the chaste Sir Mark.
Jessica Farleigh is a courtesan, forced to become one at an early age. Now, she's tired and she wants out of that life, to no longer be forced to give herself to men... It's her dream. Now, she has a chance to realize it. All she has to do is seduce a lord, and collect more money than she'd ever imagined. What harm could it be? Maybe a little embarrassment for him,but nothing too bad.
Then she meets him. And she starts feeling again, admiring him. The weight of her secrets is too much at times, because she realized doing what she'd planned would ruin him. So now she's forced to choose between safety... and love.
"Best not to want; that way, she’d feel no disappointment. Hope hurt."
I adored this book. The reversal of roles was refreshing. We have a male virgin(who's not so innocent) and a woman determined to seduce him. Again we see a man who respects women, sees them as equals. Who only wants to marry for love.
I liked that while Sir Mark was amazing, he wasn't perfect. He only knows what he wants and is generally... nice. He is chaste not because he sees himself as pure but because he doesn't want to harm women, to leave them pregnant or dishonored or the like.
“There are no unchaste women, or profligate men.” He set his hands on the podium. “There are no saints. None of you men want to hear me say that. After all, if it’s not a woman who’s led you astray, you’ve gone down the wrong path all on your own. If I am just an ordinary man, it means that chastity is attainable for everyone. It means that you are all responsible for your own mistakes, that you must own up to the wrong you have done without laying the blame on anyone else’s doorstep. It means you can never hold a woman scapegoat for your shortcomings again, not even if she is pretty and lively and intelligent.”
We also see he is a romantic
"I want a wife I can love, Mrs. Farleigh. One who I want to be faithful to because there is simply nobody else for me, not because it is the right thing to do. I don’t want to resent my fidelity. Or my wife. And so…I wait.”
I also liked the way the friendship(and the relationship) developed. With teasing and flirting and getting to know each other, while Jessica confronted and found herself.
“What do you mean, walk me home?”
“Walk.” He held up two fingers and mimed. “Most people learn how to do it at a young age. I’ve observed that you’re reasonably proficient in the activity.”
She paused, her eyebrows raised. “I remind you of your brother? Sir Mark, scores of men have flirted with me. I do not hesitate to tell you that you are absolutely the worst. You must work on your compliments. No woman wants to be told she brings a man to mind—even if the man happens to be a duke.”
So, we are left with Jessice. Surprisingly I did like her, for the most part. I truly felt for her. But at the ending, she did some things I felt were unnecessary. Confronting the bad guy in such a way, then running away every time a difficulty emerged. I know she was hurt before, but a little bit of trust, faith? When you're with someone you make those decisions together, don't you? That's the only reason this isn't 5 stars for me.
And, finally, an amusing conversation:
“It’s the old ‘tupping for kittens’ argument. I hear that one a lot.”
She choked. “Tupping for which?”
“Kittens. It usually goes like this—suppose that a madman has sixteen precious, innocent kittens in a sack. He threatens to throw them all in the river to drown unless I engage in intercourse with some woman, who is agreeable. What do I do?”
Mrs. Farleigh stared at him. “What do you do?”
“Assuming those are my two choices—tup, or the kittens shuffle off this mortal coil—well, it’s simple. My moral code is not so rigid that I would let innocents suffer.”
“But—”
“I would also tell lies, strike another man in the stomach and blow my nose in the Queen’s presence. All for the benefit of kittens.”
See, he also loves kittens! *sigh*
August 15, 2012
Unclaimed was Unbelievable! This is one of my least favorite tropes - courtesan heroine and virgin hero. But it was so much more than that! Love these Turner brothers - Ash, Mark and Smite. This is Mark's story, who has recently become an unparalleled success for his book, A Gentleman's Practical Guide to Chastity (and chastity is hard!). Mark seemed like a good guy - maybe too good? - and is very likeable. Jessica wants to change her life around and an opportunity presents itself for her - but involves seducing Mark.
Reasons I love this book:
1. I really like both Jessica and Mark. Nothing annoying about either of them.
2. Story development made sense. The one misunderstanding was quickly resolved.
3. Turner brothers = pure awesomeness!
There was only one sex scene (and not until page 320). Ms. Milan writes so beautifully, the reader doesn't need tons of steam. We feel the love each one has for the other. Mark was just what Jessica needed - and she was perfect for him too.
I highly recommend this series and can't wait to read Smite's story.
** I had to add one of my favorite songs to this review. I kept thinking about this couple and somehow this song kept popping into my head. http://youtu.be/fd0uuy4mDrE - Such a sexy song to go with a sexy couple!
Reasons I love this book:
1. I really like both Jessica and Mark. Nothing annoying about either of them.
2. Story development made sense. The one misunderstanding was quickly resolved.
3. Turner brothers = pure awesomeness!
There was only one sex scene (and not until page 320). Ms. Milan writes so beautifully, the reader doesn't need tons of steam. We feel the love each one has for the other. Mark was just what Jessica needed - and she was perfect for him too.
I highly recommend this series and can't wait to read Smite's story.
** I had to add one of my favorite songs to this review. I kept thinking about this couple and somehow this song kept popping into my head. http://youtu.be/fd0uuy4mDrE - Such a sexy song to go with a sexy couple!
August 2, 2011
If there’s one historical romance author you should be reading, it should be Courtney Milan. Courtney continues to astound me with her books, and Unclaimed (Turner #2) is yet another amazingly written book by her. And the fact she has a crush on Mho Fho, makes her number one here at Casa de Babblings.
Jessica Farleigh is a courtesan who wants to leave her old life behind. In order to do that she needs money so she can retire. A former protector of hers will give her a nice sum if only she seduces an advisory of his. Sir Mark Turner is a celebrity of the Ton and of England because of a book he wrote about virtue and abstinence. Jessica has no qualms about bringing a man like Mark down a peg or two and off she goes to the small village he’s staying at for an extended holiday.
Mark hates his superstar status and longs for peace and quiet. But he won’t get that because the lovely and vivacious Jessica has arrived on the scene. He enjoys their bantering and flirting but doesn’t take it too far. Mark won’t give into the desires of the flesh and never has, although Jessica makes him want to. He thinks he can rebuff her subtle advances, but doesn’t want to because he likes Jessica and the act she spins in public. He also hates how the townspeople treat Jessica. They assume she’s a woman of loose morals because of the way she’s dressed and how she acts. They ostracize her and want Mark to do the same. He does the complete opposite.
Jessica thinks she has Marc caught in her web, but he’s very different from the men she has known. Guilt eats away at her for what she must do, but surprisingly Mark figures it out, or rather she tells him. He doesn’t turn away from her and decides she is worthy of him, where he wants to belong to her and she to him. Mark asks Jessica to take a chance and trust him, but she is wary of doing so because of her reputation and how admirable Mark is. Mark wants to me admirable in Jessica’s eyes, but not placed on a pedestal. He’ll willingly give into temptation if only she’ll be his forever.
Unclaimed is smart reading, as in it’s a mature romance between two headstrong people who have made their own way in the world regardless of those who try to take them down. Mark at times comes across as too perfect, but he quickly reminds Jessica and the reader that he isn’t. He’s a man with needs, but one who knows how to control them. He’s intelligent, sharp as a wit and can see through people, just like he has done with Jessica. Mark isn’t some innocent just because he hasn’t been sexually intimate with a woman and he proves that to Jessica not only with his body but with his mind.
What has been claimed cannot be unclaimed in Mark’s eyes. Jessica and Mark complement each other so well and when you think there will be a big misunderstanding or Jessica’s lies will go on for too long, it’s quickly nipped in the bud.
I love virgin heroes and Mark is the very best one. The dialogue here isn’t over the top and the ending has a slight fairy tale feel to it, which is wonderful because it’s the best type of HEA.
Unclaimed was a wonderful read and everything I want in a romance. Courtney makes a great case why there should be more virgin heroes in romance. *HINT HINT PUBLISHING WORLD*.
Jessica Farleigh is a courtesan who wants to leave her old life behind. In order to do that she needs money so she can retire. A former protector of hers will give her a nice sum if only she seduces an advisory of his. Sir Mark Turner is a celebrity of the Ton and of England because of a book he wrote about virtue and abstinence. Jessica has no qualms about bringing a man like Mark down a peg or two and off she goes to the small village he’s staying at for an extended holiday.
Mark hates his superstar status and longs for peace and quiet. But he won’t get that because the lovely and vivacious Jessica has arrived on the scene. He enjoys their bantering and flirting but doesn’t take it too far. Mark won’t give into the desires of the flesh and never has, although Jessica makes him want to. He thinks he can rebuff her subtle advances, but doesn’t want to because he likes Jessica and the act she spins in public. He also hates how the townspeople treat Jessica. They assume she’s a woman of loose morals because of the way she’s dressed and how she acts. They ostracize her and want Mark to do the same. He does the complete opposite.
Jessica thinks she has Marc caught in her web, but he’s very different from the men she has known. Guilt eats away at her for what she must do, but surprisingly Mark figures it out, or rather she tells him. He doesn’t turn away from her and decides she is worthy of him, where he wants to belong to her and she to him. Mark asks Jessica to take a chance and trust him, but she is wary of doing so because of her reputation and how admirable Mark is. Mark wants to me admirable in Jessica’s eyes, but not placed on a pedestal. He’ll willingly give into temptation if only she’ll be his forever.
Unclaimed is smart reading, as in it’s a mature romance between two headstrong people who have made their own way in the world regardless of those who try to take them down. Mark at times comes across as too perfect, but he quickly reminds Jessica and the reader that he isn’t. He’s a man with needs, but one who knows how to control them. He’s intelligent, sharp as a wit and can see through people, just like he has done with Jessica. Mark isn’t some innocent just because he hasn’t been sexually intimate with a woman and he proves that to Jessica not only with his body but with his mind.
What has been claimed cannot be unclaimed in Mark’s eyes. Jessica and Mark complement each other so well and when you think there will be a big misunderstanding or Jessica’s lies will go on for too long, it’s quickly nipped in the bud.
I love virgin heroes and Mark is the very best one. The dialogue here isn’t over the top and the ending has a slight fairy tale feel to it, which is wonderful because it’s the best type of HEA.
Unclaimed was a wonderful read and everything I want in a romance. Courtney makes a great case why there should be more virgin heroes in romance. *HINT HINT PUBLISHING WORLD*.
December 30, 2021
Reread 12/30/21 - Still heart-wrenching and lovely.
Have I mentioned in the last 5 minutes that I love Courtney Milan? No? Okay, then it’s past time I talked (again) about how much I love Courtney Milan!
I love how she inverts tropes of the romance genre to make something surprising and new. I love how both her heroes and her heroines are feministy to the max. (Heroines that can stand up for themselves are great, but I especially love a hero who treats a woman like the equal she is.) I love how she brings together people from different backgrounds and social classes. I love how her characters face real problems, but things always turn out okay in the end. I love how she depicts people who are trying to live meaningful lives beyond just locking down a romantic partner. And I love the banter. God, the banter!
Before I artfully collapse to my fainting couch, let me talk specifics. I read the entire Turner trilogy in just over a week, and I didn’t even intend to start it, much less finish it. What happened was, one day I tragically forgot to bring my book with me to work, so I perused my library’s ebook offerings to see what I might check out to tide me over. They didn’t have a copy of the first Turner book, Unveiled, but they did have a massive “boxed set” ebook with all three novels. It seemed a little excessive since I was just planning to read the first book, but oh well, I thought, it’s not like it will be any heavier to carry around. So I started the first book, one thing led to another, you know how these things go, and then before I knew it I’d read the whole thing. It was a trilogy about three brothers, after all, and I had to find out what happened with each brother!
If I had to pick a favorite, this one (Unclaimed) wins, but each of the three is great in its own way. In case you couldn’t tell, I highly recommend all of Courtney Milan’s books. There isn’t a bad one in the bunch. And what’s better this time of year than a happily ever after?
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
Have I mentioned in the last 5 minutes that I love Courtney Milan? No? Okay, then it’s past time I talked (again) about how much I love Courtney Milan!
I love how she inverts tropes of the romance genre to make something surprising and new. I love how both her heroes and her heroines are feministy to the max. (Heroines that can stand up for themselves are great, but I especially love a hero who treats a woman like the equal she is.) I love how she brings together people from different backgrounds and social classes. I love how her characters face real problems, but things always turn out okay in the end. I love how she depicts people who are trying to live meaningful lives beyond just locking down a romantic partner. And I love the banter. God, the banter!
Before I artfully collapse to my fainting couch, let me talk specifics. I read the entire Turner trilogy in just over a week, and I didn’t even intend to start it, much less finish it. What happened was, one day I tragically forgot to bring my book with me to work, so I perused my library’s ebook offerings to see what I might check out to tide me over. They didn’t have a copy of the first Turner book, Unveiled, but they did have a massive “boxed set” ebook with all three novels. It seemed a little excessive since I was just planning to read the first book, but oh well, I thought, it’s not like it will be any heavier to carry around. So I started the first book, one thing led to another, you know how these things go, and then before I knew it I’d read the whole thing. It was a trilogy about three brothers, after all, and I had to find out what happened with each brother!
If I had to pick a favorite, this one (Unclaimed) wins, but each of the three is great in its own way. In case you couldn’t tell, I highly recommend all of Courtney Milan’s books. There isn’t a bad one in the bunch. And what’s better this time of year than a happily ever after?
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
July 21, 2020
This book is pure drivel. The virgin son of a duke marrying a whore, who had no compunction about taking his virginity to win a bet and humiliate him, is bottom of the sewer story plotting. On top of this, that his aristocratic family would give this sordid pairing their blessing is just too ridiculous to suspend belief. They would have been cut from the Ton for the next five generations.
Inaccurate historical fiction is one of my pet peeves and Courtney Milan is unquestionably the queen of anachronistic, faux “historicals.”
Inaccurate historical fiction is one of my pet peeves and Courtney Milan is unquestionably the queen of anachronistic, faux “historicals.”
January 18, 2021
Well... this broke my heart. And was beautiful. I really liked what the author was doing with this. I loved that it was kind of a gender-swapped version of a "virginity bet". I just... really loved it.
Not as steamy as I would normally like... but it was still so moving.
Not as steamy as I would normally like... but it was still so moving.
July 30, 2020
Time and time again, Courtney Milan absolutely kills it with her novels. I think at this point it’s safe to say she’s my favorite romance author of all time. Every book of hers that I’ve read is gold. Unclaimed, this second book in the Turner series, far surpasses the first book or the half-step novella that came in between. And surprisingly, this is a book that deals with tropes I actually kind of hate (i.e. lying and disguises). But, in typical Courtney Milan fashion, this novel takes my least favorite clichés and twists them in unexpected ways to just do things to my heart.
So, the story sounds kind of bad just on paper. Mark is a Victorian celebrity after writing a book on chastity; Jessica is a courtesan desperate for money. She’s offered a grand sum to deflower Mark, so she sets off to seduce him. Then they fall in love. Then complications. Then Happily Ever After.
I realize this sounds unbearably cliché and bad, but you just have to trust Courtney Milan to stay far, far away from anything corny or tropey. You think you know where Unclaimed is going, but then Mark and/or Jessica does something completely unexpected but also completely in character and you just fall in love with the two of them and Milan’s creativity all over again. I mean, I’m sure it’s hard to write a new twist whilst dealing with centuries’s old conventions (and it’s also why I’m convinced that romance is the hardest genre to write effectively), but Milan does it. And I love that she honors traditional genre conventions even as she finds ways to subvert them. Her style of romance is completely different than anything else I’ve encountered.
Um, just, also: in this book, Mark, the male lead, is one of the most vocal and hardcore feminists I’ve ever encountered. He respects women, he likes women, and, more than that, he uses his privilege to champion them. As he says, “there are no fallen women—just look for the man who pushed her”. Though he’s not quite there, Unclaimed’s Mark made serious inroads in claiming my top spot on my Favorite Milan Character ranking. What a guy, that Mark.
And, of course, this is not to take the spotlight away from our female protagonist, Jessica! She is a shining example of what society does to a “fallen woman”. She’s been abandoned by her family, abused, nearly killed, and impoverished. It might be easy to villainize her, since she lies to and deceives Mark, but honestly, what other choice did she have? It was a choice between seducing him for money or something worse. Like any Milan book, Unclaimed is about more than just the romance—it’s also about the female lead’s journey (and, sometimes, the male lead’s). Jessica in this book is mired in self-loathing and shame, but she’s incredibly strong for all of that. Also, she shoots a gun like a boss.
All this to say: Unclaimed is fan-freaking-tastic. Unique plotline, wonderful characters, sizzly chemistry. Courtney Milan has, unsurprisingly, done it again.
📌 . Blog | Review Database | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads
So, the story sounds kind of bad just on paper. Mark is a Victorian celebrity after writing a book on chastity; Jessica is a courtesan desperate for money. She’s offered a grand sum to deflower Mark, so she sets off to seduce him. Then they fall in love. Then complications. Then Happily Ever After.
I realize this sounds unbearably cliché and bad, but you just have to trust Courtney Milan to stay far, far away from anything corny or tropey. You think you know where Unclaimed is going, but then Mark and/or Jessica does something completely unexpected but also completely in character and you just fall in love with the two of them and Milan’s creativity all over again. I mean, I’m sure it’s hard to write a new twist whilst dealing with centuries’s old conventions (and it’s also why I’m convinced that romance is the hardest genre to write effectively), but Milan does it. And I love that she honors traditional genre conventions even as she finds ways to subvert them. Her style of romance is completely different than anything else I’ve encountered.
Um, just, also: in this book, Mark, the male lead, is one of the most vocal and hardcore feminists I’ve ever encountered. He respects women, he likes women, and, more than that, he uses his privilege to champion them. As he says, “there are no fallen women—just look for the man who pushed her”. Though he’s not quite there, Unclaimed’s Mark made serious inroads in claiming my top spot on my Favorite Milan Character ranking. What a guy, that Mark.
And, of course, this is not to take the spotlight away from our female protagonist, Jessica! She is a shining example of what society does to a “fallen woman”. She’s been abandoned by her family, abused, nearly killed, and impoverished. It might be easy to villainize her, since she lies to and deceives Mark, but honestly, what other choice did she have? It was a choice between seducing him for money or something worse. Like any Milan book, Unclaimed is about more than just the romance—it’s also about the female lead’s journey (and, sometimes, the male lead’s). Jessica in this book is mired in self-loathing and shame, but she’s incredibly strong for all of that. Also, she shoots a gun like a boss.
All this to say: Unclaimed is fan-freaking-tastic. Unique plotline, wonderful characters, sizzly chemistry. Courtney Milan has, unsurprisingly, done it again.
📌 . Blog | Review Database | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads
October 7, 2011
This is a book with the most unusual and unlikely coupling of any story you have ever read or will ever read. The hero is Sir Mark Turner. At age 28, he has become a celebrity of sorts due to a book he has written entitled, The Gentleman's Practical Guide to Chastity...the contents of which he embraces wholeheartedly. The heroine is Jessica Farleigh, a seasoned courtesan who wants nothing more than to free herself from the demeaning life that fate has bestowed upon her. Seeing a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, she accepts a wager that has been made by an enemy of Sir Mark...bring the man to ruin so he will be publicly denounced.
Jessica's first attempts to seduce Mark are easily thwarted, as he knows what she is trying to do but is uncertain as to why. When asked about her motives, she candidly replies, "because I hate you." Mark senses the truth behind those words and appreciates her honesty. As he is the "darling" of society and put on a pedestal by most everyone, he is thoroughly sick of the adoration himself and can wholeheartedly understand the resentment some people might harbor against him. He repeatedly tells admirers, "I'm not a holy man. I just wrote a book." And he tells Jessica, "I am just a man"; and as all men, he has sexual desires...he just doesn't act upon them. Beginning to like this woman and confident of his restraint, he tells Jessica "If you truly liked me enough to tempt me, I should not mind seeing you try."
From then on, a bond is forged between the virtuous man and his would-be seductress, and they become friends. However, perhaps it's the "when Harry met Molly" curse, but their friendship inevitably gives way to love. Mark has finally met the woman he has been waiting for all of his life and Jessica...well...personal feelings must be put aside - she still has to seduce him to collect on the wager.
Unclaimed is by far the best book Courtney Milan has written to date. I've read all of her books so I am used to her excellent characterization and her ability to transport her readers to whatever time and place she chooses. But with this story, she engages your heart; and in so doing makes you feel what you would otherwise just read. Mark and Jessica's love story is not easy, but it is real and powerful and emotional, and will touch you to your very soul.
5* plus for a wonderful book that any true reader of romance will not want to miss!
Jessica's first attempts to seduce Mark are easily thwarted, as he knows what she is trying to do but is uncertain as to why. When asked about her motives, she candidly replies, "because I hate you." Mark senses the truth behind those words and appreciates her honesty. As he is the "darling" of society and put on a pedestal by most everyone, he is thoroughly sick of the adoration himself and can wholeheartedly understand the resentment some people might harbor against him. He repeatedly tells admirers, "I'm not a holy man. I just wrote a book." And he tells Jessica, "I am just a man"; and as all men, he has sexual desires...he just doesn't act upon them. Beginning to like this woman and confident of his restraint, he tells Jessica "If you truly liked me enough to tempt me, I should not mind seeing you try."
From then on, a bond is forged between the virtuous man and his would-be seductress, and they become friends. However, perhaps it's the "when Harry met Molly" curse, but their friendship inevitably gives way to love. Mark has finally met the woman he has been waiting for all of his life and Jessica...well...personal feelings must be put aside - she still has to seduce him to collect on the wager.
Unclaimed is by far the best book Courtney Milan has written to date. I've read all of her books so I am used to her excellent characterization and her ability to transport her readers to whatever time and place she chooses. But with this story, she engages your heart; and in so doing makes you feel what you would otherwise just read. Mark and Jessica's love story is not easy, but it is real and powerful and emotional, and will touch you to your very soul.
5* plus for a wonderful book that any true reader of romance will not want to miss!
February 7, 2014
I blame myself. I began this series with the third Turner brother, Smite, who is by far the most enigmatic, intriguing, and (let's be honest) sexy sibling of these three very fine brothers. After absolutely loving Smite's story, I - naturally - rushed out to grab a copy of the previous books in this series. While I've found myself falling in love with both Ash and Mark, the other two Turner brothers, and their respective romantic interests, there has always been a missing spark, if you will. Neither of these brothers charmed me nor did they win over my hearts. Moreover, the plot lines towards the end of these two installments veered off, becoming increasingly drawn-out. While I admire Milan's knack of including truly historical aspects into her work, the romances in these first two novels did, nevertheless, leave me feeling a twinge of disappointment.
Nevertheless, Mark Turner of Unclaimed makes extremely important points regarding sexuality, chastity, and mutual respect in a relationship. Seeing these ideals espoused - and carried out - by a strong, inspirational male character (who is a virgin, no less!) is the direction I wish more novels would move towards. Especially in an era which glorifies the male empowerment over the female. As such, I found myself pleasantly surprised by Milan's discussion of female treatment in this book, along with her exploration of their sexuality. Jessica, despite being a courtesan, has never liked herself or felt empowered by her gender. Instead, she has seen relationships as possession - only she is the one being possessed. While I didn't always enjoy the direction Jessica's actions took her, I really did love her continual growth throughout the novel which was linked both to her physical and mental psyche.
While not a stunning Milan piece, Unclaimed is still far superior to the majority of historical romances out there. And, if you read this series in the right order, you'll be awarded with Smite Turner next. Who could turn that down? ;)
Nevertheless, Mark Turner of Unclaimed makes extremely important points regarding sexuality, chastity, and mutual respect in a relationship. Seeing these ideals espoused - and carried out - by a strong, inspirational male character (who is a virgin, no less!) is the direction I wish more novels would move towards. Especially in an era which glorifies the male empowerment over the female. As such, I found myself pleasantly surprised by Milan's discussion of female treatment in this book, along with her exploration of their sexuality. Jessica, despite being a courtesan, has never liked herself or felt empowered by her gender. Instead, she has seen relationships as possession - only she is the one being possessed. While I didn't always enjoy the direction Jessica's actions took her, I really did love her continual growth throughout the novel which was linked both to her physical and mental psyche.
While not a stunning Milan piece, Unclaimed is still far superior to the majority of historical romances out there. And, if you read this series in the right order, you'll be awarded with Smite Turner next. Who could turn that down? ;)
June 7, 2022
Mark Turner is the most famous virgin in Victorian England. He's also a famous writer with a following dubbed "The Male Chastity Brigade." Mark believes chastity is the answer for men because he believes that men casually harm women, not because he thinks that women are temptresses. He just has to convince his following of that, now.
Jessica is a courtesan that was hired by Mark's political rival to seduce him, then reveal Mark as a hypocrite. It's tougher than she thinks, because Mark isn't a hypocrite at all, and his interest dwindles to almost nothing once he catches on to her scheme. They have a delightful push and pull while they try to figure each other out: Mark knows that Jessica sees him as a man, not a saint, and that's gratifying to him. Jessica knows that Mark sees her as a woman, not a harbinger of disaster.
This is so sweet and so clever I don't think I'll ever tire of it.
Jessica is a courtesan that was hired by Mark's political rival to seduce him, then reveal Mark as a hypocrite. It's tougher than she thinks, because Mark isn't a hypocrite at all, and his interest dwindles to almost nothing once he catches on to her scheme. They have a delightful push and pull while they try to figure each other out: Mark knows that Jessica sees him as a man, not a saint, and that's gratifying to him. Jessica knows that Mark sees her as a woman, not a harbinger of disaster.
This is so sweet and so clever I don't think I'll ever tire of it.
December 30, 2021
✨Didn't know how lost I was until I found you✨
This one was HEFTY but overall super fricken cute and had that good good mush-gush feels. He was a virgin hero and she was a courtesan set to ruin him so you can imagine the entanglements that ensued.
Jessica was an incredibly unique character. I loved how she found herself again and how she was able to reclaim her body both by herself and with Mark. It was really sweet to fall in love along with her. Also her first attempt at seduction was hilariously terrible and Mark’s response was beautiful. Jessica sounded a bit like a broken record by the end, being so shocked that Mark meant to marry her and that he could ever love her/ that she would deserve him. I really did like this one even towards the end where she sends him off and cuts him deeply but then immediately is like no screw that I’m sorry and explained it all. SO nice to read after thinking the fight scenes were all done before that one. I ultimately loved her final character arc; a bad bitch to the max.
Mark was such a compelling hero!! This was my first virgin hero read (hehehe virgin hero virgin) and it did not disappoint. He wasn’t anything at all like what I thought he was going to be. I really liked how his motivations for chastity were multi-layered and how they evolved throughout the book. He was such a Hottie Lamottie and he made me WEAK. He didn’t take any shit and he was one confident motherfucker. Like seriously no self-pity or self-doubt was anywhere near his Swimmers Body. And the entire book was so tense and delicious just waiting for him to lose all control. I wish we could have explored his carnal side even a bit more because I really couldn’t get enough. Mark was the definition of a spicy cinnamon roll.
If you’ve read CM books does she have a pretty average spice level or does she have some steamier reads?? Like it was hot but that moreso had to do with the situations they found themselves in rather than the sex scene writing. The few scenes were also rather brief! Epilogue sex would have RUINED me and been absolutely perfect. I just found that the scenes were nice but didn’t make me sweat. They were super sweet though and a lot of the teaser scenes were honestly the spiciest.
Overall, this premise was so fun and enthralling. I just wanted to keep on reading to see how everything played out and I wasn’t disappointed. It definitely makes me want to read more Courtney Milan books, especially the other ones in this series.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
🌶🌶🌶.25/5
This one was HEFTY but overall super fricken cute and had that good good mush-gush feels. He was a virgin hero and she was a courtesan set to ruin him so you can imagine the entanglements that ensued.
Jessica was an incredibly unique character. I loved how she found herself again and how she was able to reclaim her body both by herself and with Mark. It was really sweet to fall in love along with her. Also her first attempt at seduction was hilariously terrible and Mark’s response was beautiful. Jessica sounded a bit like a broken record by the end, being so shocked that Mark meant to marry her and that he could ever love her/ that she would deserve him. I really did like this one even towards the end where she sends him off and cuts him deeply but then immediately is like no screw that I’m sorry and explained it all. SO nice to read after thinking the fight scenes were all done before that one. I ultimately loved her final character arc; a bad bitch to the max.
Mark was such a compelling hero!! This was my first virgin hero read (hehehe virgin hero virgin) and it did not disappoint. He wasn’t anything at all like what I thought he was going to be. I really liked how his motivations for chastity were multi-layered and how they evolved throughout the book. He was such a Hottie Lamottie and he made me WEAK. He didn’t take any shit and he was one confident motherfucker. Like seriously no self-pity or self-doubt was anywhere near his Swimmers Body. And the entire book was so tense and delicious just waiting for him to lose all control. I wish we could have explored his carnal side even a bit more because I really couldn’t get enough. Mark was the definition of a spicy cinnamon roll.
If you’ve read CM books does she have a pretty average spice level or does she have some steamier reads?? Like it was hot but that moreso had to do with the situations they found themselves in rather than the sex scene writing. The few scenes were also rather brief! Epilogue sex would have RUINED me and been absolutely perfect. I just found that the scenes were nice but didn’t make me sweat. They were super sweet though and a lot of the teaser scenes were honestly the spiciest.
Overall, this premise was so fun and enthralling. I just wanted to keep on reading to see how everything played out and I wasn’t disappointed. It definitely makes me want to read more Courtney Milan books, especially the other ones in this series.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
🌶🌶🌶.25/5
May 14, 2019
The story of Jessica, a courtesan who wants out of that life after a traumatic event and having nothing to lose, she decides to win the wager that would win her enough money to leave, having little to no misgivings about it. That wager involves seducing Sir Mark, a duke's brother who became the darling of society when he wrote a book about chastity for men that became a surprising hit.
Mark is an honestly moral man, who believes what he wrote and wanted no part of the notoriety it brought him. Jessica has become so jaded that she doesn't believe that and is not above using him for her own gain.
I intensely disliked the heroine throughout this whole story! I even put the book aside a couple of times, but couldn't decide on what else to read at the time so ended up picking it up again, but that's probably the only reason why I ended up finishing it.
It wasn't because she was a courtesan or anything about her past, which could in part excuse her behavior. It was how she handled the whole situation, from beginning to end, knowingly going in to ruin a good man who did nothing to her and then .
No warm and fuzzies despite the awesome hero, who knew and actually liked himself, and the happy ending.
Previous book reviews:
✦ Unlocked (Turner #1.5)
✦ Unveiled (Turner #1)
Mark is an honestly moral man, who believes what he wrote and wanted no part of the notoriety it brought him. Jessica has become so jaded that she doesn't believe that and is not above using him for her own gain.
I intensely disliked the heroine throughout this whole story! I even put the book aside a couple of times, but couldn't decide on what else to read at the time so ended up picking it up again, but that's probably the only reason why I ended up finishing it.
It wasn't because she was a courtesan or anything about her past, which could in part excuse her behavior. It was how she handled the whole situation, from beginning to end, knowingly going in to ruin a good man who did nothing to her and then .
No warm and fuzzies despite the awesome hero, who knew and actually liked himself, and the happy ending.
Previous book reviews:
✦ Unlocked (Turner #1.5)
✦ Unveiled (Turner #1)
October 31, 2011
One of the most emotional and highly enjoyable HEA's I've had the pleasure of reading. I didn't think I'd enjoy a story about a courtesan who sets out to intentionally discredit a man for money, nor did I think I would enjoy a story about a virgin beta male who in previous books seemed to skirt the "goody two shoes" image just a little too closely.
I love being wrong. ;-)
Jessica is anything but a whore who will do anything for money and the more I read the more I liked her and respected what she was so clearly conflicted about doing. Could anyone realistically say they cannot see themselves doing something similar were they to be in her shoes? And Mark. Mark...Mark....Mark.....he is the furthest thing from a virgin hero as you could imagine while still being chaste at 28. When I read the WHY for his being chaste and living a life that too many would say seemed puritanical? Oh catch me while I swoon! Beta male? Hardly.
Courtney Milan pulled a sneaky on me with this one and I loved it. This will happily be added to my Desert Island Keeper shelf.
5 stars / A+
I love being wrong. ;-)
Jessica is anything but a whore who will do anything for money and the more I read the more I liked her and respected what she was so clearly conflicted about doing. Could anyone realistically say they cannot see themselves doing something similar were they to be in her shoes? And Mark. Mark...Mark....Mark.....he is the furthest thing from a virgin hero as you could imagine while still being chaste at 28. When I read the WHY for his being chaste and living a life that too many would say seemed puritanical? Oh catch me while I swoon! Beta male? Hardly.
Courtney Milan pulled a sneaky on me with this one and I loved it. This will happily be added to my Desert Island Keeper shelf.
5 stars / A+
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