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msmiz95's review against another edition
4.0
This was quite delightful. I am looking forward to the next one.
pn_hinton's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve been a fan of Courtney Milan since I picked up The Countess Affair. The premise intrigued me and it was a freebie so I figured it was a worthy gamble. And I was glad that I did because she fast became one of my favorite romance writers.
I still enjoyed this one, although it did take me awhile to get into. I was prepared to dislike Ash as a hero, and at first, I didn’t. His single mindedness for revenge, while warranted, did hurt Margaret and her mother as well as the men he wanted to hurt. And as with most every situation the women were innocent bystanders in this. However, as you read more about Ash and his history with the Duke, you could understand why he was so narrow minded. His issue with her brothers were a bit more to swallow since I, as the reader, just chalked that up to boyhood rivalry. Even Mark, who was the target of her brothers Edmund and Richard, didn’t understand Ash’s borderline obsession with revenge. There were also signs he’d be one of those heroes from the dawn of romance (meaning that he would pretty much force himself on Margaret) and but that didn’t happen. I had the “Enhanced” edition, and while Milan mentioned in the bonus features initially wanting to do that, she changed her mind knowing that wasn’t the type of hero she wanted for her stories.
Ash also let himself be vulnerable to Margaret. I won’t go into details for fear of spoilers but he shared a lot with her before anything physical happened. Margaret also didn’t use anything she found out for revenge, as she intended, which was interesting to see, considering what Ash had done to her family. It showed that Margaret was a true lady despite the bastard label society wanted to give her, but also helped to show that Margaret could be her own person and not do what society or her family expected of her.
Their relationship did start off as an odd sort of friendship which was nice. Both made mistakes, such as the cringe worthy moments when Ash would badmouth the Dalrymple family including the daughter not knowing it was Margaret. But it grew into love at a steady and believable pace.
This one took me a bit to get into, mainly due to my initial dislike of Ash. But it had in it what I love about all of Milan’s stories which is that the characters are people. They’re people who are flawed, who make mistakes, who have issues, who have pasts, who have scars, etc. And they’re intelligent, especially the women which is always nice to see. Overall an enjoyable book and one I would likely read again.
I still enjoyed this one, although it did take me awhile to get into. I was prepared to dislike Ash as a hero, and at first, I didn’t. His single mindedness for revenge, while warranted, did hurt Margaret and her mother as well as the men he wanted to hurt. And as with most every situation the women were innocent bystanders in this. However, as you read more about Ash and his history with the Duke, you could understand why he was so narrow minded. His issue with her brothers were a bit more to swallow since I, as the reader, just chalked that up to boyhood rivalry. Even Mark, who was the target of her brothers Edmund and Richard, didn’t understand Ash’s borderline obsession with revenge. There were also signs he’d be one of those heroes from the dawn of romance (meaning that he would pretty much force himself on Margaret) and but that didn’t happen. I had the “Enhanced” edition, and while Milan mentioned in the bonus features initially wanting to do that, she changed her mind knowing that wasn’t the type of hero she wanted for her stories.
Ash also let himself be vulnerable to Margaret. I won’t go into details for fear of spoilers but he shared a lot with her before anything physical happened. Margaret also didn’t use anything she found out for revenge, as she intended, which was interesting to see, considering what Ash had done to her family. It showed that Margaret was a true lady despite the bastard label society wanted to give her, but also helped to show that Margaret could be her own person and not do what society or her family expected of her.
Their relationship did start off as an odd sort of friendship which was nice. Both made mistakes, such as the cringe worthy moments when Ash would badmouth the Dalrymple family including the daughter not knowing it was Margaret. But it grew into love at a steady and believable pace.
This one took me a bit to get into, mainly due to my initial dislike of Ash. But it had in it what I love about all of Milan’s stories which is that the characters are people. They’re people who are flawed, who make mistakes, who have issues, who have pasts, who have scars, etc. And they’re intelligent, especially the women which is always nice to see. Overall an enjoyable book and one I would likely read again.
chirson's review against another edition
3.0
There is a section near the end when the male protagonist's behaviour crossed the line for me, and I've got to say I'd expected more positive female characters, but the families are once again interestingly drawn, the relationship is compelling (despite the instarecognition bordering on instalove) and the plot engaging. I wish Milan would have an equivalent series about female siblings and their successive matrimonial bliss.
wildwolverine's review against another edition
4.0
When I first picked up Unveiled, I thought I knew what I was getting into. Disguises, an unexpected ascendancy to a dukedom, star-crossed lovers... there's a certain cadence to these things. However, with Milan, every new chapter brought a surprise. That was the joy of her book: never knowing what was going to happen next.
Other things I loved were the symbolism, the pacing, the characterizations of the Dalrymple family. Margaret was fascinating and watching her growth from a spoiled princess to a depressed and discarded bastard to a loving and selfless woman was very rewarding. Her family also avoided being stereotypical. They alternated between loving and mercenary while maintaining their individuality. Even though I didn't like them, I felt bad for them, and that's infinitely more important.
The one thing I didn't care for was the hero. I know I know. How can I dislike someone as selfless and rich and handsome as Ash who clearly worships the ground Margaret walks on? The reason is simple: he didn't feel human. No matter what Margaret did or said, he was never mad at her. He always did as she asked, what everyone asked, and while he did have his faults, they were framed in a way that he felt he wasn't perfect enough. So he had to keep doing things to be accepted, especially with his brothers. Ash's relationship with his brothers often over-shadowed the love story, and it just didn't feel romantic.
If you're looking for a unique romance with great characters, I highly recommend this. It's well worth a read, despite my reservations.
Other things I loved were the symbolism, the pacing, the characterizations of the Dalrymple family. Margaret was fascinating and watching her growth from a spoiled princess to a depressed and discarded bastard to a loving and selfless woman was very rewarding. Her family also avoided being stereotypical. They alternated between loving and mercenary while maintaining their individuality. Even though I didn't like them, I felt bad for them, and that's infinitely more important.
The one thing I didn't care for was the hero. I know I know. How can I dislike someone as selfless and rich and handsome as Ash who clearly worships the ground Margaret walks on? The reason is simple: he didn't feel human. No matter what Margaret did or said, he was never mad at her. He always did as she asked, what everyone asked, and while he did have his faults, they were framed in a way that he felt he wasn't perfect enough. So he had to keep doing things to be accepted, especially with his brothers. Ash's relationship with his brothers often over-shadowed the love story, and it just didn't feel romantic.
If you're looking for a unique romance with great characters, I highly recommend this. It's well worth a read, despite my reservations.
lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition
4.0
Unveiled was a nicely paced historical romance, with the possibility of ruin, but also with the possibility of great victory. But which of the possibilities would bring love?
I love historical romance, especially when we have a hero who is able to see further than what society demands, and Ash was rather unconventional, in more than one way.
I love historical romance, especially when we have a hero who is able to see further than what society demands, and Ash was rather unconventional, in more than one way.
roseybot's review against another edition
5.0
More like 4.5, but I round up. Courtney Milan has yet to disappointment with her books. There's so much there, with characters that sparkle and pull you in, and stories that get wrapped up so well -- I just love everything she does apparently.
rosetyper9's review against another edition
4.0
I have to admit it took me a little while to get into this book. I also feel like there was some inside information I was missing, or an inside joke, or something that I just was not getting about the younger brother...I mean is he gay, I couldn't figure out what was going on there. Maybe we will find out later.
I liked Margaret but I think she put up with way to much when it came to her family. They treated her like crap and she gets no thank you at all, ever. It is ridiculous. I was so happy at the end when she finally decided she needed to do what needed to be done. I was ready to jump up and down, it took her way to long to find her own voice.
Like every other book I have had the pleasure of reading from Ms. Milan this book is smart. It has good vocabulary words and even as a romance novel I felt smarter for having read it. Keep up the wonderful writing Ms Milan and I will support you where ever you decide to write.
I liked Margaret but I think she put up with way to much when it came to her family. They treated her like crap and she gets no thank you at all, ever. It is ridiculous. I was so happy at the end when she finally decided she needed to do what needed to be done. I was ready to jump up and down, it took her way to long to find her own voice.
Like every other book I have had the pleasure of reading from Ms. Milan this book is smart. It has good vocabulary words and even as a romance novel I felt smarter for having read it. Keep up the wonderful writing Ms Milan and I will support you where ever you decide to write.
bookhaulin's review against another edition
4.0
Veers between a 3.5 and a 4.
Margaret annoyed me in the beginning with her snobbish adherence to class differences, but Courtney Milan makes sure that we see her grow from that. I really enjoyed Ash as a hero though: he was forthright and he never played games with Margaret, and there was little needless angst or anger. This definitely isn't a slow burn romance on Ash's part, but that was made up by how naturally Margaret fell for him. I'm also a huge fan of how devoted Ash is to his brothers. Honestly, I don't think Mark and Smite deserve him.
Margaret annoyed me in the beginning with her snobbish adherence to class differences, but Courtney Milan makes sure that we see her grow from that. I really enjoyed Ash as a hero though: he was forthright and he never played games with Margaret, and there was little needless angst or anger. This definitely isn't a slow burn romance on Ash's part, but that was made up by how naturally Margaret fell for him. I'm also a huge fan of how devoted Ash is to his brothers. Honestly, I don't think Mark and Smite deserve him.
kalayk's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ada33's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
I've read this book countless times by this point and I love it. The characters are immaculate, the story is inspiring and an interesting plot that makes you wonder how they're going to get out of the situation and the writing is great. Courtney milan's earlier works are unmatched in historical romance I think (except for the Queen herself Georgette of course). I love all of this trilogy but this one and the third are my favourites. Ash is what I'd want in a husband. Highly recommend 👌