Unveiled (The Turner Series) (Volume 1)

This story is clever, realistic, and over all enjoyed it. I liked the characters, etc. I gave this three stars because I never fell in love with the book or the characters or their love story. On fact, it was so realistic that it lost the "romance" part that makes reading these types of books fun. I felt like the story was boring and I kept waiting for it to pick up...

Unveiled is a blended story that roots for love, whether it’s filial or romantic, meshed with an intriguing buildup.

The story follows Ash Turner, a self-made man who rose to power by outwitting his enemies. He is determined, and he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty if the situation requires it. His desire to take revenge on the man who had forsaken his family had landed him as the possible heir of a dukedom. Then, he meets Lady Margaret. To his knowledge, she was the nurse to the duke of the manor, but little does he know, she’s one of his children.

I started reading a handful of regency books last year. There are so many that stood out for me, they all have an uplifting ending, swoony romance, and feminist values. What makes Milan’s books shine brighter for me is how she makes everything more unique. (Note: this is not a jab to other regency authors) She has a distinctive voice that I didn’t know I yearn for until I started reading her works.

The plot for Unveiled seems simple as if you’ve read it before. As expected, there is a robust presence of philosophy, politics, but the strongest focal point lies within the craft of the characters. We have a selfish, callous hero; who doesn’t conform with the parameters of the societal expectation. He’s the kind of Alpha male that respects and love women. I love his unfailing loyalty to her brothers.

The heroine Margaret has been through several hurdles, but still she tries. I love how she constantly struggled with her familial duties and her honor. Her growth from page one to the end has been notable.

The Romance

The romance is spectacular, it made my eyes misty at some point. Ash seduces–offers everyone he knows regardless of their station a promise of their self-worth. And to Margaret, who has barely hanging on with her insanity, he is dangerous. The validation is too tempting.

Similar to each other, they are both caught in between their loyalty to their family. There’s boundaries. I love how Milan avoided the usual plot device such as miscommunication for drama. This is the romance we all need.

“And then you looked at me and you told me I mattered. You didn’t need theories or arguments to make me believe it. You just… looked. And you believed.”

They’d touched before— in affection, in lust, even in comfort. But her hand, stroking his, returning the strong grip he gave her— this was something different.

“There is… there is something I came here to tell you, Ash. There’s a great deal you don’t know about me. But right now, I want you to know one thing.” Her hand whispered up behind him, finding the nape of his neck. She drew his head down to rest against hers.

“You matter,” she whispered to him. “You are important. And you are the single most magnificent man I have ever had the honor of meeting.”

Unveiled is a remarkable introduction to a series. It’s a good primer for new readers dipping their toes into regency romance. The short e-novella, Unlocked, set in this world is also a great read. It is not to be missed.

Review also posted at Hollywood News Source.

4 1/2

Margaret wanted to despise Ash Turner. He had exposed her father's bigamy, ruined her mother's reputation, made her and her brother's bastards and through legal machinations was attempting to inherit everything that belonged to her family. But Ash Turner wasn't at all who she expected when he shows up to inspect the holdings. He's handsome and amiable and quickly charms the staff. He seems to truly care about the people and the holdings and may possibly make a better duke than her own father, much to Margaret's dismay.

"One thing was for certain. Ash Turner was going to be a damn nuisance."

Margaret is torn. She stayed behind, posing as a nursemaid to the ailing duke in order to keep him safe and also to spy on Ash and report all of his failings back to her brothers who are attempting to get reinstated as legitimate heirs with a case in parliament. But Ash isn't nearly as awful as she suspected. He's kind, level headed, very business savvy and he ignites a longing in her she desperately attempts to keep at bay. She's lying to him after all and considering deceiving him in the worst way when he spills a very private secret about himself. The more time they spend together the more difficult it is for her to tell him the truth.

This was a fabulous love story, developed well with strong characterization and beautifully done sexual tension. At first I was all set to dislike Ash. After all, this is a guy who swoops in and basically takes over an estate booting out another family without a second thought to any innocent lives involved, all so he can seek revenge and lavish his brothers with luxury (brothers who don't even want it). And right off the bat, he spies a beautiful maid and declares her his before they've even had a conversation. What a jerk, right? But he's not a jerk as I quickly discovered. He has layers and reasons for behaving the way he does and I warmed up to him fast. Who wouldn't love a guy with a great sense of humor and a sense of dogged devotion to those he loves?

Margaret, perhaps?

"I have no wish to be your sordid love slave!"

She is an equally likable and well developed character, with some past hurts that help to round out her character and her own fierce sense of devotion to those she loves. She eventually gets to the point where she doesn't know who to trust anymore. I really did feel for her and admired her loyalty to her family even when I wanted to scream "Tell him the freaking truth, already!" But she couldn't and it was as frustrating for me as it was for her.

I have a few minor complaints. There were loose ends left dangling regarding Ash's relationship with his brothers so I didn't feel a complete sense of closure there. That bugged me. I also wanted to know more about Mark's childhood but maybe that was done purposefully so the author could keep us panting for their books? I don't know but she's suckered me into wanting to read them. Also, because I am no expert on heirs, holdings, dukedom's and all that jazz I was a little lost as to how the conclusion worked itself out. It seemed to come to quick and tidy after the big build-up but what do I know? Other than those minor nits I found this a thoroughly engaging and charming romance.

*stares at everyone* Good gravy! Courtney Milan sure knows how to bring on the emotion, doesn't she? I'm all flaily now. FLAILY. With hands going everywhere and crazy eyes. *hunkers down and tries to pull myself together*

Okay. OKAY. Margaret. She killed me. The disdain she puts up with from her father, the lies she's forced to tell, the pain Ash unwittingly put her through... everything about her flayed me. And she has to hold all the pain and emotion inside. Her jerkwad brothers expect her to give up everything to do her duty to the family and she gracefully acquiesces.

The moment when Ash tells her she matters and she begins to believe in herself again is beautiful.

And Ash... oh, Ash. What he sees as his failings killed me. Yes, again. That his vision of how he failed his brothers is so different from the way they viewed his actions was a heartbreaker. His secret shame, his way of working around his problems... everything worked.

Basically, I was a ball of mush after reading this book. Ball.Of.Mush.

In case you're wondering, I'll be reading the rest of the series at some point in the near future.

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

Ash Turner and Lady Margaret (Lowell) had great chemistry, even when she hated his guts. I loved the fact that she wasn't afraid to tell him like it is, even when she was supposed to be a lowly nurse. She had backbone... up until she realized that she was in love with him. Then she was afraid to tell him who she really was because she knew she was going to lose him. I can't blame her for being afraid of that, but when you love someone, you take a chance on them. And you definitely don't throw them under the bus for your two brothers who treat you like dog poo. I get that Richard helped her out of the fountain when she fainted years before at the party, but one tiny act does not take away from everything else he's done. Or what he's doing now. I wanted to slap her several times because she was acting so silly.

I loved Ash. His real name was hilarious (as were his brothers - and I say this being a Christian... naming your kids an entire bible verse is a sure sign you're not right in the head) and I loved how loyal he was to his brothers. Although he was completely bone-headed about wanting to take care of them and give them what they deserved, despite the fact that they both told him he didn't have to go through with his revenge plot. Just goes to show how stubborn men can be at times, I suppose.

I wanted to jump into the book and punch several people in their rotten faces: Margaret's father, both her brothers, both of Ash's brothers, that dreadful lady at the party who kept dissing Lady Elaine (if I spell any of these names wrong, it's because I listened to the audio version)... I gotta say: Courtney Milan is good at evoking some strong emotions, because I was raging at the characters the majority of the time. LOL.

I'm giving Unveiled a 4 out of 5.
Also reviewed for MamaKitty Reviews.
Book received as part of the the store Vine program.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

UNVEILED's first chapter started off somewhat slowly for me, but once the hero and heroine locked eyes, I was sucker-punched by the intense desire to see what would happen next in this historical.

Milan is a new author for me. I've heard some positive things about the author and her writing, including how hilarious her stories can be... and I was not disappointed. Scene after scene had me either smiling knowingly, snickering, or laughing long and loud. A certain amount of mischievousness has been layered into the story, thus lending the otherwise angst-filled story about discovery a new level of excitement and fun for the reader.

Speaking of angst, this isn't your typical romance. There's drama, of course, but remember that humor I just mentioned? It nearly eradicated the disquiet lurking in the background. But Milan doesn't let you forget it's there; in fact, she'll remind you every chance she gets--when the characters are alone. Usually with the romances I read, it's all adversity, all the time. It can get quite tiring, but I suppose that comes with the tortured hero, right?

The only point in time where I started to lose interest is towards the end of the story. I don't want to spoil anything, but it's obvious the two will hook up at some point (it's a romance, after all). The question, then, is when will they? My problem was, once the two did get together, my enthusiasm began to wither away. I began to lose focus and interest in what would happen next, and I'm not sure why.

Like another reviewer, I found it fairly hard to believe that Ash didn't figure out Margaret's identity sooner--especially since he had this "intuition" when it came to people.

Aside from those two complaints, I found UNVEILED to be a fun and engaging read. Anyone who enjoys historicals must check out Milan's Turner series. I will definitely be checking my library to see what other books are available there.

Every single Courtney Milan book I've read has been so full of win. Her writing really speaks to me on so many levels. Courtney's skill as a writer is shown perfectly with her heroes and heroines and the interactions that on the surface seem to be one thing, when really underneath their dialogue and conversations is another thing altogether. Not many authors can write a successful character driven story, but Courtney has done it time and again. Her latest, Unveiled is another beautifully written historical romance that I can't find any fault with. The majority of the drama that occurs is internally, mainly from the heroine, Anna Margaret Dalrymple, who's entire world has been destroyed not only because of the selfish and amoral actions from her father, but from a distant cousin who rips it all away as a revenge on his part.

Ash Turner and his two brothers lived in near poverty because their mother was sick in the head and become a religious fanatic who gave away all their money and livelihood after their father died. Ash lives with guilt over the death of his sister who could have been saved if only his distant cousin, Richard, the Duke of Parford had given him the funds needed for a doctor. The Duke turned Ash out on his ear just because he felt like it. Left with nothing, Ash leaves his family for India where he makes his fortune. When he returns, his brothers are living on the streets. He quickly makes amends, but it's not enough, or at least from his view. Ash promises to get back at Parford, and after years of waiting, has figured out a way to take away the Dukedom from Parford and in a legal way. Parford is a bigamist who married one woman, threw her away and then married another woman of society who became his Duchess. From that union he had three children, two sons and a daughter. Now Parford is dying, and after Ash has taken legal action, Parford's children are considered to be bastards. Ash has come to take over Parford Manor, along with his younger brother, the studious Mark in tow.

Ash wishes it didn't have to come down to this, but the former Duke forced his hand. Ash really doesn't need the title, the lands or the money, but it's the principal of the thing. He's not sure what to expect, especially in regards to the staff. But he quickly charms them, mainly by treating them like equals. But one member, former Parford's nurse, Margaret Lowell looks upon him with cold disgust. Ash doesn't know why she has such disdain toward him, but he plans on doing his best to change her mind. But what Ash doesn't know is that Margaret is former Parford's daughter, Lady Anna.

Margret keeps her real identity a secret because her brothers have left her to be a spy and report back to them about anything about Ash they could use against him in court. Not only has Margaret's fiancée dropped her, but her father acts like he can't stand her and says the most horrible things about her dead mother. Margaret is adrift in the world, with no real place or social status. Ash confuses her because he doesn't act like that soulless, greedy thief she expects him to be. Instead he is very kind, as well as makes her yearn for something deeper than she shouldn't feel since he's the enemy.

Ash wants to get to the bottom of the skittish Margaret and have her trust him. He lets her in on his darkest secrets about feeling like an outcast where his brothers are concerned, including something so damaging that if Parliament or the public finds out could make him return to being a commoner. All Margaret has to do is pen a letter to her brothers to tell them what she knows. It all comes down to Margaret and how far she will go to take back what is rightly hers, even if it means betraying Ash who wants her for the woman she is and not her role as a daughter of a duke.

Ash Turner is a man with faults, who beats himself up for things in the past that occurred by no fault of his own. Courtney has written an amazing hero with Ash who doesn't see things as black and white, but all different shades of gray, especially in regards to Margaret. As soon as he sees her, he feels a connection and wants to claim her as his own. He doesn't try to seduce or plunder Margaret as most heroes may do, but takes care with her since he senses her mistrust.

Mistrust is a big underlying theme in Unveiled. This mainly concerns Ash and Margaret, but also the lack of trust with Parford and what he has done to his family. Ash feels he's lost the trust of his brothers, especially the seemingly emotionally distant Smite. Mark is Ash's conscience in a way where he tells Ash what he doesn't want to hear. Even with the strain that appears between the Turner brothers, you do feel the love between them. The same applies to Margaret with her two brothers, Edmund and Richard, who at first may seem as villainous as their father, but surprisingly are not.

Watching Margaret and Ash fall in love is very tender and sweet. You'd think their passion for one another would be tumultuous with everything between them. But it isn't, which is a welcomed relief is because we see this far too often in historical romances, especially when the hero and heroine are at odds with one another. Another familiar, stereotypical trend is the big misunderstanding. Courtney gets even more brownie points for staying far away from that trope and I so wanted to cheer when it didn't happen.

One thing to cheer about is that Courtney can write an awesome, heated exchange in a store-room pantry with Ash and Margaret during a ball.

Unveiled is an absolutely delightful historical romance. With Unveiled, Courtney has shown that she's not on her way to become a master in this genre, but has already arrived there.

Katiebabs

Courtney Milan has crafted a plot that seemed to be going in one direction as she played on the readers' sympathy, and then she made us doubt our assumptions. She brought the characters to life as very human with all their good points and all their foibles.

We fall in love with Ash Turner, so handsome, righteous, self-sacrificing, a product of his childhood. We are sometimes angry with his brothers but not always for they too are the product of a tortured past. We want Margaret to love Ash but understand her dilemma. All of this keeps us turning pages because we can't understand how any of it can be resolved successfully.

Do you believe in love at first sight? Ash Turner does and he embarks on a mission to convince Margaret that she loves him too. Can two lovers from two families at odds truly find happiness? That is the question this delightful novel proposes. It becomes even more a question when one of the lovers has started the war.

P.S.- I really like it when the front cover of the book actually reflects what the characters look like. Ash is described in the book as having a cleft in his chin just like the hunky guy on the cover.

Courtney Milan has developed into one of my top recommendations for historical romances, ready to vie for the crown of the likes of Mary Balogh, Liz Carlyle and Julia Quinn who have been the queens of this genre for some years. Milan is certainly one of the best, if not the best of the recent newcomers. And this book cements her place as a top author.

Previous reviewers have talked about the plot in length, so check back with them for all the details. I adored the book because Ash was a darling hero. He was strong and rugged, but had his weaknesses that gave him a vulnerability that really connected him to me. Lady Margaret also was very vulnerable but found a strength that saved her from being insipid, and made her more than a match for Ash. The book was sexy, romantic and had an interesting story line. If I had any complaints they would be that Ash was too easily reconciled with Margaret's brother at the end of the book, and that there was not more tension when Ash found out who Margaret was. Having said that, it was a pleasure to read a decent book compared to the other nondescript books that have recently been published. Highly recommended.

I loved the story and the characters. It was hard to stop reading to do any work! How Ash and Margaret fell in love was very nice. He was already an honorable man and she learned a lot from him and from her circumstances. There's a lot to overcome and some twists and turns near the end. I'm glad to hear that the series will continue so I can hear more about these characters.

Ash Turner is getting his revenge. As a young child, for religious reasons his insane mother gave away all of their money and Ash found himself on the doorstep of Parford Manor begging his very distant cousin, the Duke of Parford, Richard Dalrymple for help. His young sister was very ill, and everyone was hungry. Parford slammed the door in his face refusing any support. After his sister's death a short time later, Ash decides to never see his brothers suffer the same fate. He takes himself off to India for four years to amass a fortune. Returning, he finds his two brothers skinny as a rail and on the street, but gets them through school.

As an adult he accomplishes something very important to him. He discovers Parford had married a mistress, prior to his current marriage, and after going through parliament he has Parford's current marriage declared void for bigamy. Therefore, the children he had with his second "wife" are no longer able to inherit his title. This leaves Ash (his sixth cousin, twice removed) next in line. With Parford on his deathbed, Ash has the title of Duke in the very near future.

Margaret Dalrymple has lost her title, her fiancé and her mother all in the recent past. She is Parford's daughter - and as her brothers are in London battling Parliament for their father's title back, she is pretending to be a servant, in particular Parford's nurse to essentially spy on Ash. To gain any information she can to send back to her brothers that would help them get the bigamy ruling overturned.

Ash takes one look at Margaret, standing in the servant line and an attraction develops. Margaret thinks Ash is a greedy tyrant intent on ruining her family's name. Ash thinks Margaret is a mere servant, but one with spunk and independence. But their attraction towards one another will lead them to discover many new truths.

Unveiled is the third book I have read by Courtney Milan and the third that I have adored. And by adored I mean - this book is on my favorite list for 2011 and will proudly sit upon my favorite shelf. From the very beginning Courtney Milan had me. She has such a way with words - they are to be absorbed and savored.

Ash is great with people. He is not good at analyzing things on paper, but let him look someone in the eye, and this is how he has built his fortune in trade. The reason he has a fortune, and the reason he is vying for the Dukedom are for his brothers Mark and Smite and only his brothers. After he watched his young sister die, he vowed to himself his brothers would have a better lot in life. While earning his fortune there were many years he did abandoned them - but once he had the funds, he forced them to go to school and encouraged them to be successful members of society. But his relationship with them is far from perfect. They don't dote upon him - both Mark and Smite have bonded with each other, leaving Ash out of their circle. Their dynamics are very intriguing and different.

Ash never looks upon Margaret as a lowly servant (for a time, he doesn't know she is actually Parford's daughter). He is enamored from the start. Margaret wants to hate him for what he has done to his family. She is not only mourning the death of her mother, but her father is on his deathbed and her and her brothers have all been proclaimed bastards. But the man she meets is not the man she expected. He really is trying to do the right thing. Yes he wants revenge on Parford (who truly is scum) but he treats everyone else with the utmost respect. He is charming and just - nice. As Margaret notices he can be a man of business, with the utmost honor in parliament, but also have dinner conversations with servants without a struggle.

The best thing Ash does for Margaret is gives her confidence. He dares her to defy her station in life. He tells her by both words and actions that she matters. She is important. Something I love about Margaret is her trust and acceptance of Ash. She may have confusing feelings because she doesn't want to go against her brothers, but she knows Ash would never do something to intentionally harm her, and she has no qualms about letting people know that.

Mark and Smite both get page time in this book, especially Mark, whose book is out later this fall. Mark is a scholar writing a book on why men should practice chastity, something he himself follows so I very much look forward to watching how he gets his happily ever after. And Smite is still somewhat of a mystery. He lives a very small lifestyle, and not a lot is resolved about his relationship with Ash or who exactly he is. Which of course has me extremely intrigued to find out more about him!

Unveiled is an absolutely beautiful book.

This is easily the best romance novel I have read in at least a year ... and I would estimate that I have read well over 100 in the past year. Both Ash and Margaret were eminently likeable characters. In fact I'm rather afraid I've developed the sort of crush on a fictional character (Ash, and I see huge potential for adolescent-style fanlove for Mark and Smite) that is far more typical of young Twilight fans. Ash is just so ...good. Not perfect, not always sweet, but thoughtful and faithful and so understanding that it almost borders on impossible. I have written fewer than a half-dozen the store reviews (primarily because pecking it out on my first-generation kindle is tedious and aggravating), but I had to express my appreciation for this book. The relationships are so deep, so complex and real -- and that goes for the hero and heroine, the family relationships, even the very brief glimpses of minor characters. If this book has not won an award yet, it should.

MY THOUGHTS
Unveiled reveals to us a time in history when wealth and social standing were the sole defining characteristics of a person's worth, their entire being summed up in a fancy title and a series of numbers on paper. In the midst of the glittering superficiality of this world to which few of us can possibly relate, Ms. Milan creates for us two protagonists who draw us into their story with ease, and we read utterly enraptured as Ash and Margaret's conflicting goals begin to shift and alter as their relationship progresses, but the weight of society's expectations is ever present and a constant reminder of the time in which they live. We plow recklessly forward with the two of them, hearts in our throats as we are painfully aware of the pressure resulting from their respective stations and watch helplessly as it wreaks havoc on their romantic entanglement.

One of the shining strengths of this story is male lead Ash, a man who unequivocally knows what he wants, sets out to claim it, and achieves his purpose with a charm and grace expected of a gentleman of the time, but also with a lack of artifice and mock dignity so many of the social elite thoroughly embrace as they hide their selfishness and greed behind a good family name. Ash is nothing other than honest, his intentions toward Margaret sometimes slightly less than honorable as he makes his attraction abundantly clear, but his feelings never waffle and his affection never abates despite outside familial and societal influence. Though he is plagued by a need for vengeance for the suffering endured by his two younger brothers, it's always those he cares about who come first. He often hurts others in his haste to please those he loves, but it's a flaw we ultimately understand and can't entirely hold against him, especially when the men of influence around him gladly sacrifice friend, family, or foe to gain more sure footing among the privileged.

So many times in romance novels, the focus on the male and female protagonists is so singular secondary characters become merely fleeting references instead of flesh and bone individuals who earn our loyalty and affection as much as the main characters do. This is most certainly not the case in Unveiled, as the emphasis on family dynamics and the joys and pains that result from interacting with those who know us best, and therefore can hurt us most deeply, is prominent. Ash's relationship with younger brother Mark and Margaret's connection to her invalid father are as emotionally taxing as the sensual turbulence between the two of them, creating an additional level of intimate knowledge we didn't necessarily expect but are more than grateful is included. For Ash and Margaret, two people with exceptional fortitude and strength of will, family is their greatest vulnerability-the one thing that belies the impenetrable mask they present to society, and our access to both their passionate relationship with one another and their personal struggles with those who share their blood is an enchanting combination that results in a richer, deeper, and far more memorable reading experience.

Lovers of historical romance will surely delight in this story, but it's appeal will certainly extend to those who love to be swept up in strong characters and engaging stories regardless of the time period in which they are set.

Rating: 4/5

Plot Summary: Ash Turner is a smart, resourceful man. Despite his lack of education, he's built a fortune, and he intends to make up for his brothers' lost childhood. He sets his sights on a hated relative, the Duke of Parford, who turned his back on Turner's family when they were desperate. Through a bit of legal maneuvering, Ash has had the Duke's three children declared bastards, and that makes Ash the next in line for the title. Lady Margaret is on the verge of losing everything thanks to Ash, so when he comes to the estate to inspect the Duke's management of his future assets, Margaret poses as a servant in her own house to ferret out Ash's secrets.

Unveiled is a beautifully constructed story. Everything fits together in such a convincing fashion that I kept switching my allegiance between Margaret and Ash until I finally acknowledged that I couldn't choose which one I'd rather see harmed. Unveiled is much more than just a simple romance; it's complicated by the family ties that Ash and Margaret feel toward their brothers. Family loyalty comes into play more than once, and this sense of duty is what threatens to tear this couple apart. There are no easy answers, and because I loved the characters so much, it made for a powerful reading experience.

I've read many iterations of the "mousy heroine" who finds her backbone, but I think this one is now my favorite for the simple reason that it was not overdone. It was credible in every way, and Margaret's grief and loneliness was all the more poignant because of her strength of character. Several time she stood on a moral precipice where I held my breath wondering if she'd do the right thing or act in her own self-interest, and those little moments of doubt were real for me. I truly didn't know, and that element of unpredictability is what signals to me that this is a great character.

Ash is seemingly transparent and too good to be true, but as the story progresses his flaws are laid bare. While his actions were a bit more predictable, I was still amazed by my change of heart over the course of the story. In the beginning, I was firmly in Margaret's court, and I hated him greatly. Every time Margaret had a little victory over him I cheered, but as Margaret fell in love with him, so did I.

I've read Courtney Milan's other historical romances, Proof by Seduction and Trial by Desire, and one of her great strengths is realism. She is faithful to the time period in her little details, and that makes all the difference. When Ash begins lusting after Margaret, his attention is riveted by a flash of her ankle, the feel of her wrist, or a glimpse down her décolletage. While I'm sure his imagination takes him further, I appreciate the eroticism that arose from these small moments.

Unveiled took me through a host of emotions. Sometimes I was smiling, sometimes I was tearing up, and sometimes I felt the heat of passion. It was a wonderful experience. Unveiled will be released on January 25, 2011. I'm already looking forward to Ms. Milan's next release, Unclaimed, in October 2011.

Courtney Milan is quickly becoming an all-time favorite HR author for me and "Unveiled" is the perfect example as to why. The characters of Ash Turner and Lady Margaret are two of the most endearing, yet believable, honorable yet torn characters on page today. The story is engaging with twists and turns one never expects - especially the big one at the end! The only glitch for me was the "from the moment he saw her he knew he would seduce her" aspect.. it just didn't fit with his otherwise sigh-worthy, clutch the book and fan the face characterization. The type of man Ash was would not be so blase' about ruining a young woman whether nurse or aristocrat. With that exception, this story is the stuff romance is made of and the reason people gobble it up!

Courtney Milan is the next superstar of historical romance, and this is her breakout book. Her first two books were innovative, intelligent, and deeply emotional and are also on my keeper shelf, but this book is something truly special. Milan offers a unique voice to the genre--deeply emotional writing that also stays true to deep POV with rich characterization and innovative plots. With the rise of the super-sexy historical, this book is a great middle ground with the intelligent plot and characters driving the plot, not contrived desire, but deeply satisfying love scenes that are the more potent because the characters truly earn each and every one. Ash and Margaret are so wonderfully portrayed that I truly felt immersed in their world. I don't want to give away spoilers, but there is a climatic scene where it would have been very easy to have Ash react one way for the sake of conflict and plot, the more conventional reaction if you will, and he doesn't--because that's not who he is. And that's really at the heart of this book--two people being exactly who they are and discovering who they are not and who they will be at the same time. An Absolute Must-Read, even for those who don't read much historicals. There's nary a season, simpering deb, or unrepentant rake in sight

The hero of "Unveiled", Ash Turner, is a perfectly imperfect functioning dyslexic. Not only has he managed to hide his learning disability from the world at large, he has triumphed in the business world. He is charming, stubborn, devoted to his family, single-minded, and the owner of a huge, vulnerable heart. He meets his match in Margaret Dalrymple, a caregiver who has not received enough care in her own life. Complicating matters is the fact that Margaret is the daughter of the man on whom Ash has reeked vengeance, revealing the man to be a bigamist and making bastards of Margaret and her brothers. Ash has done all this to claim the dukedom of Margaret's father, a self-serving lout who is a distant relative of Ash and his two brothers. Ash is devoted to his brothers and has lived his life in order to protect and provide for them, although his singular intent sometimes blinds him to the truth around him. Margaret and Ash are both wounded creatures, and their vulnerabilities become each other's strength. The romance is lovely, and Ash is a refreshing change from the smugly sensational heroes of many romantic reads. The story line somewhat lacks depth, and it is less than satisfying, but Ash makes it all worthwhile!

My first Courtney Milan book and the first in her Turner series. I was inspired to read this because twice in one week tantalizing quotes from the Tumblr blog, quotesfromromancenovels, as well as an excerpt from Sarah Wendell’s non-fiction tribute, Everything I Know About Love I Learned From Romance Novels, mentioned this book. So, of course, I had to read it.

For my full review on my blog: [...]

Book with emotional complications and funny scenes. Dan's personality burns up the pages. I really enjoyed Margaret also. How Courtney got me to hate and then like the bad guys was awesome. I can't wait for more in the series.

great story, not the usual romance plotline, but am i the only one that missed why ash fell so hard and quickly for anna? i couldn't put my head around his devotion to her and i couldn't believe he fell in love with her so quickly. this was really unbelievable except i guess in romance novels.
also, since she was so prim and proper, how the heck did she let herself sleep with him over and over again? before any commitment on his part? i can't conceive how the author could write on and on about proper society and rules and then upend it with this action on behalf of her heroine. it makes no sense to me whatsover. anna doesn't want to be seen with him at a ball, but then has sex with him in the closet?? yikes!!

I've read hundreds of romance novels and this one stands out.

Reasons:
1. The villain of the book is a nice person who makes weak decisions. Not some cartoon ultimate evil.
2. The loving family has problems and hurts that are not solved at the end of the book.
3. The romantic conflict is creative and is resolved creatively.
4. The hero and heroine are set up to hate each other and he wins her over in a believable way.

Read this. You will not be disappointed.

This was such an enjoyable story. The characters were wonderful. Margaret was so strong and loyal. Ash was what most women dream about. What more can I say about a guy who says " I knew the instant Margaret spoke that she intended to use me as a weapon. What you fail to understand is this: I am her weapon to use."

Unveiled is an appealing cover, and an appealing story. I'd consider it a light right, however, and perfect for the coming winter. Ms. Milan's heroes are imperfect, her lady's brilliant, and a little cagey, but their interactions are delightful.

Wow, this was a great historical romance! All the praise this book has received in these reviews is definitely deserved. I'll just add a couple of comments.

Courtney Milan presented us with a great plot and well developed characters. The conflict for the story arose, very naturally, from the situation the characters found themselves in. It was about family, loyalty, betrayal and being who you are. I'm especially pleased at the way she avoided cliches. There were several instances when a lesser author would have had her characters resort to childish, peevish actions. (We've all read those books.) But her characters remained reasonable adults. Highly recommended.

While this was an entertaining read, I thought it fell a little short of its promise. This was a great story but the secondary characters were almost more compelling than the main characters, I found a number of their reactions at key moments to not be "in character" and much opportunity for the characters to develop seemed to be missed. I sort of felt like I had been promised a bowl of silky creamy mushroom soup and got something made with skim milk and canned mushrooms. The flavors were there, but the body was not.

There was not one character I found likable--she was too spineless, he was too nice, and all their family members were horrid.

There was not one part of the story I found likable--They fell in love immediately, I got tired of hearing about his disability, I got tired of her putting off telling him who she was (though it would have been obvious to even a blind man,) I got tired of all their repetitious internal dialog, and I got tired of looking for even a hint of humor and finding none.

Narrator was unbelievably dull.

While this was an entertaining read, I thought it fell a little short of its promise. This was a great story but the secondary characters were almost more compelling than the main characters, I found a number of their reactions at key moments to not be "in character" and much opportunity for the characters to develop seemed to be missed. I sort of felt like I had been promised a bowl of silky creamy mushroom soup and got something made with skim milk and canned mushrooms. The flavors were there, but the body was not.

There was not one character I found likable--she was too spineless, he was too nice, and all their family members were horrid.

There was not one part of the story I found likable--They fell in love immediately, I got tired of hearing about his disability, I got tired of her putting off telling him who she was (though it would have been obvious to even a blind man,) I got tired of all their repetitious internal dialog, and I got tired of looking for even a hint of humor and finding none.

Narrator was unbelievably dull.

This is a standard romance novel, that follows a standard formula. Hero and heroine find themselves in an improbable situation - very improbable this time - and against the odds, they fall in love. They are torn apart by circumstances and reunite, and it all works out in the end. It was a fun read. The pages turned quickly, and the conclusion was satisfying if improbable.

In no way does this silly little book deserve 5 stars. It is just a fun bit of fluff you can read on a beach chair and forget about immediately when you put it down.

The part that annoyed me was the younger brother's supposedly hilarious essay on chastity. Was it hilarious? Who knows? The author kept saying it was hilarious, but she didn't show us any hilarity. The heroine read it to the hero, but we only got to hear the first couple sentences, which weren't hilarious at all.

If you are in the mood for very light reading, this is a good choice. The words flow smoothly, there are a few emotional moments, and a few sexy ones, and the all-important happy ending.