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zephyr42's review against another edition
4.0
I've been reading through Courtney Milan's work for several years now, and I am always bolstered by her stories. I rarely wait until I'm in a specific mood to reach for them. They're always what I need.
Her books have consistently told stories of people who have been silenced, dismissed, or marginalized, crafting narratives to provide justice and compassion. This one takes a step further, demonstrating how people who grow to care for each other should lift the other up and use their respective privilege for the other's benefit. This isn't what you might expect from a forced marriage story, beginning with ambivalence or outright hostility. There's a fierce loyalty in both of them for people who are used as pawns, and rather than it coming out in anger at each other, they give each other what the world (specifically, the people who have power over them) has denied them: confidence, trust, and agency.
I loved reading this book. It was a welcome transportation from daily stress, but it was more than an escape. It was an edification and an encouragement to do better, not just for my own benefit but for others'.
Thank you, Courtney Milan, for the ARC of your excellent book. I've already pre-ordered it and recommended the hell out of it to everyone I wasn't already furiously texting about it over the weekend.
Her books have consistently told stories of people who have been silenced, dismissed, or marginalized, crafting narratives to provide justice and compassion. This one takes a step further, demonstrating how people who grow to care for each other should lift the other up and use their respective privilege for the other's benefit. This isn't what you might expect from a forced marriage story, beginning with ambivalence or outright hostility. There's a fierce loyalty in both of them for people who are used as pawns, and rather than it coming out in anger at each other, they give each other what the world (specifically, the people who have power over them) has denied them: confidence, trust, and agency.
I loved reading this book. It was a welcome transportation from daily stress, but it was more than an escape. It was an edification and an encouragement to do better, not just for my own benefit but for others'.
Thank you, Courtney Milan, for the ARC of your excellent book. I've already pre-ordered it and recommended the hell out of it to everyone I wasn't already furiously texting about it over the weekend.
danielles_reads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
After that explosive and intriguing ending of Once a Marquess, I was a little disappointed in this one. What happens in that ending doesn’t occur in this book until over 75% in, so I kept waiting and waiting for that scene to happen, which removed some of the tension and made this drag.
This audiobook is 2 and a half hours longer than book 1, and I don’t think there’s really any reason for it to be. There was a LOT of repetition, especially in the first half. I know Camilla struggles with insecurity and doubt, and while it was heartbreaking, I don’t need to hear about it 20+ times.
Adrian and Camilla had a cute friendship, and I was interested in both of their separate pasts, but I didn’t find their romantic relationship all that compelling. It got to the point for me where Camilla was SO insecure that it felt like her and Adrian’s relationship was built out of desperation more than anything. I can believe Adrian loves her (because man those tiger plates were cute af ), but I felt like Camilla loved the idea of being chosen more than the man who actually chose her. Even in their sex scene she kept saying “I’ll make you happy” over and over instead of talking about HER happiness.
I didn’t find the main non-romance plot as interesting as the first book. I just really don’t care about these random bishops, and I’m still a little confused on what exactly happened with them!
What made this book enjoyable for me was the side characters. I LOVED all of Theresa’s scenes, and I loved seeing little snippets of Judith and Christian’s married life. Plus, Theresa and Benedict’s scenes were even more hilarious than the first book, with him calling her general lmao. I loved Mrs. Martin, even though she was a bit ridiculous and probably anachronistic but every story needs a confident old lady. I’m intrigued by Grayson too. I also loved the stories of past annulment cases, and how Camilla wanted to make things right in honor of them.
I’m also dyingggg at the ending.The reveal with Priya had me shocked!! I can’t WAIT to read Theresa’s book, but I know based on past books’ release dates I’ll need to wait a while 🥲
I lost a bit of steam in the series now but I do plan to read book 3 relatively soon, especially since it has the best reviews of the books released so far.
This audiobook is 2 and a half hours longer than book 1, and I don’t think there’s really any reason for it to be. There was a LOT of repetition, especially in the first half. I know Camilla struggles with insecurity and doubt, and while it was heartbreaking, I don’t need to hear about it 20+ times.
Adrian and Camilla had a cute friendship, and I was interested in both of their separate pasts, but I didn’t find their romantic relationship all that compelling. It got to the point for me where Camilla was SO insecure that it felt like her and Adrian’s relationship was built out of desperation more than anything. I can believe Adrian loves her (
I didn’t find the main non-romance plot as interesting as the first book. I just really don’t care about these random bishops, and I’m still a little confused on what exactly happened with them!
What made this book enjoyable for me was the side characters. I LOVED all of Theresa’s scenes, and I loved seeing little snippets of Judith and Christian’s married life. Plus, Theresa and Benedict’s scenes were even more hilarious than the first book, with him calling her general lmao. I loved Mrs. Martin, even though she was a bit ridiculous and probably anachronistic but every story needs a confident old lady. I’m intrigued by Grayson too. I also loved the stories of past annulment cases, and how Camilla wanted to make things right in honor of them.
I’m also dyingggg at the ending.
I lost a bit of steam in the series now but I do plan to read book 3 relatively soon, especially since it has the best reviews of the books released so far.
earthboundcutie's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
Rounding it up to a 4 because I really do love Courtney Milan. However I didn't completely love the progression of the love story. The pacing just felt off, fairly slow for the whole book and then rushed at the end. I didn't fully believe all the emotions.
That being said it was really fun and I wasn't disappointed after waiting so long for this one to come out.
Rounding it up to a 4 because I really do love Courtney Milan. However I didn't completely love the progression of the love story. The pacing just felt off, fairly slow for the whole book and then rushed at the end. I didn't fully believe all the emotions.
That being said it was really fun and I wasn't disappointed after waiting so long for this one to come out.
yourbookishbff's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Once again, the social and political commentary in this is so expertly done and so nuanced. Our biracial and Black male main character navigates (and even explains) code switching on page, and provides a unique contrast to the code switching of our female main character, who is white and formerly of the nobility, but now must navigate life in the servant/working class. The intersections of race, class difference and gender are explicitly examined through the story.
I struggled with the third-act conflict and wished for a bit more apology/grovel in one scene, but ultimately these two characters navigate a rocky path to a truly beautiful happily ever after. And the resolution of the family separation was heart wrenching in the best way.
I loved the audio production, but will note that Milan's author note is not included in narration and well worth reading, as she reflects on her lived experiences that informed key plot points. It is available on her website to read in full.
I struggled with the third-act conflict and wished for a bit more apology/grovel in one scene, but ultimately these two characters navigate a rocky path to a truly beautiful happily ever after. And the resolution of the family separation was heart wrenching in the best way.
I loved the audio production, but will note that Milan's author note is not included in narration and well worth reading, as she reflects on her lived experiences that informed key plot points. It is available on her website to read in full.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Racism, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Gun violence, and Confinement
Minor: Sexual assault
jess_justmaybeperfect's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexism
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Slavery and War
ipomoea's review against another edition
4.0
I received an advance copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It's been a while, so if you haven't recently read Once Upon A Marquess, go reread it to refresh yourself for this one.
While I'm always game for one of the zillions of dukes lying around historical romance's England, Courtney Milan's ability to write about the everyday people is refreshing. Camilla is that poor relation that gets passed around- first to distant family, then as a "companion", and finally, as a fallen woman/maid. She carries her family's secret close to her heart, that her father was executed for treason and her sister has married into a title. After all, when she turned her back on her family at 12 for dresses and tarts, why would they want her back?
Adrian is the child of abolitionists, a black man in England, and runs a ceramics/pottery factory on his family's land. His uncle is a (I think ) bishop and, in hopes of being recognized as his family, Adrian poses as a rival bishop's valet, where of course he meets Camilla, and then there's a wedding... at gunpoint (and nobody is pregnant!).
Camilla's story and character made me cry, like maybe more than usual, because Milan is so good at writing characters that life kicks down, yet they never stop believing in their worth (har har). At points I felt like the conflict about her family was a little forced, but I'm willing to roll with it for this level of skill in writing.
I wanted to know a LOT more about Adrian, his parents, and his family-- "child of abolitionists, brothers dead in the civil war" is not a lot, and felt like it could use a whole book on its own.
I'm going to recommend this book, but only if people have read the first in the series, because I don't feel it could stand on its own otherwise, which I hate to say about any of Milan's books.
It's been a while, so if you haven't recently read Once Upon A Marquess, go reread it to refresh yourself for this one.
While I'm always game for one of the zillions of dukes lying around historical romance's England, Courtney Milan's ability to write about the everyday people is refreshing. Camilla is that poor relation that gets passed around- first to distant family, then as a "companion", and finally, as a fallen woman/maid. She carries her family's secret close to her heart, that her father was executed for treason and her sister has married into a title. After all, when she turned her back on her family at 12 for dresses and tarts, why would they want her back?
Adrian is the child of abolitionists, a black man in England, and runs a ceramics/pottery factory on his family's land. His uncle is a (I think ) bishop and, in hopes of being recognized as his family, Adrian poses as a rival bishop's valet, where of course he meets Camilla, and then there's a wedding... at gunpoint (and nobody is pregnant!).
Camilla's story and character made me cry, like maybe more than usual, because Milan is so good at writing characters that life kicks down, yet they never stop believing in their worth (har har). At points I felt like the conflict about her family was a little forced, but I'm willing to roll with it for this level of skill in writing.
I wanted to know a LOT more about Adrian, his parents, and his family-- "child of abolitionists, brothers dead in the civil war" is not a lot, and felt like it could use a whole book on its own.
I'm going to recommend this book, but only if people have read the first in the series, because I don't feel it could stand on its own otherwise, which I hate to say about any of Milan's books.
tessanne's review against another edition
2.0
This just is not up to the Courtney Milan level I’ve come to know and love. The story was interesting as were the characters, but it was super repetitive. The heroine’s thoughts were all the same, over and over again. Was an editor missing? And the hero was mostly lovely, but he sure made some idiotic—and really shocking—decisions.
I did like that the bad guys got their comeuppance.
I did like that the bad guys got their comeuppance.
readingwithstardust's review
3.0
3.5 stars? I feel like this book could've used a trim. Because it's Courtney Milan, I absolutely adored the characters and the central tension of the novel was -chefs kiss- however it was... repetitive. Too many internal monologues from both of the MCs repeating the same thoughts over and over again which isn't unrealistic but gets less interesting to read the more times you have to read thru a near identical thought spiral. Has me a little concerned about continuing on to book 3 but we're gonna give it a shot anyway.
anna_23's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cmf11's review against another edition
2.0
2.5/5
This was way too long. I didn’t really care about the characters and a lot of things kept getting repeated a bunch of times to the point where one statement was the characters whole personality.
This was way too long. I didn’t really care about the characters and a lot of things kept getting repeated a bunch of times to the point where one statement was the characters whole personality.