About Last Night by Ruthie Knox

About Last Night by Ruthie Knox

Published June 11, 2012

“Listen, City,” she said. “About last night. Thanks for—”

For getting me back on the train? For taking me home with you, undressing me, letting me sleep in your bed, washing my clothes, setting out a towel and a toothbrush for me, and making me breakfast? Oh, and let’s not forget kissing me and touching me until I damn near lost my mind.

“— for taking care of me,” she finished.

Grade: A-

Official Summary from Author’s Site:

Cath Talarico knows a mistake when she makes it, and God knows she’s made her share. So many, in fact, that this Chicago girl knows London is her last, best shot at starting over. But bad habits are hard to break, and soon Cath finds herself back where she has vowed never to go . . . in the bed of a man who is all kinds of wrong: too rich, too classy, too uptight for a free-spirited troublemaker like her.

Nev Chamberlain feels trapped and miserable in his family’s banking empire. But beneath his pinstripes is an artist and bohemian struggling to break free and lose control. Mary Catherine — even her name turns him on — with her tattoos, her secrets, and her gamine, sex-starved body, unleashes all kinds of fantasies.

When blue blood mixes with bad blood, can a couple that is definitely wrong for each other ever be perfectly right? And with a little luck and a lot of love, can they make last night last a lifetime?

I Say:

About Last Night is not light and fluffy; it’s intense and dark, with a very damaged heroine and the world’s hottest banker. I haven’t been reading many contemporaries lately, but Courtney Milan’s review convinced me to give this book—and this author—a try. I’m glad I did.

The Heiress Effect by Courtney Milan

The Heiress Effect by Courtney Milan

Book Two in The Brothers Sinister series

Published July 15, 2013

 “What ungodly color are you wearing?”

“Green,” she said. “Serpent-belly green. Or perhaps it’s the green of a cloud of poisonous chlorine gas.”

“And yet nobody is shrieking and averting their eyes.” He gave her a smile. “Nice trick. How do you manage it?”

She gave him a brilliant smile. “Simple,” she said, adjusting the diamonds at her neck. “I already told you. It’s the heiress effect.”

Grade: A+

Official Summary from Author’s Site:

Miss Jane Fairfield can’t do anything right. When she’s in company, she always says the wrong thing—and rather too much of it. No matter how costly they are, her gowns fall on the unfortunate side of fashion. Even her immense dowry can’t save her from being an object of derision.

And that’s precisely what she wants. She’ll do anything, even risk humiliation, if it means she can stay unmarried and keep her sister safe.

Mr. Oliver Marshall has to do everything right. He’s the bastard son of a duke, raised in humble circumstances—and he intends to give voice and power to the common people. If he makes one false step, he’ll never get the chance to accomplish anything. He doesn’t need to come to the rescue of the wrong woman. He certainly doesn’t need to fall in love with her. But there’s something about the lovely, courageous Jane that he can’t resist…even though it could mean the ruin of them both.

I Say:

I don’t consider this a romance novel so much as a piece of literature. It’s magnificent, one of the best things I’ve ever read. It’s challenging, sometimes heartbreaking, not exactly light reading…and yet I giggled aloud at least ten times while reading some of the more buoyant scenes. I’ve been anticipating this book since December, and counting down the days since Courtney Milan announced its release date. I didn’t dare to hope that this would be better than The Duchess War, which was a revelation; this book was so much more than I ever expected.

A Kiss for Midwinter by Courtney Milan

A Kiss for Midwinter by Courtney Milan

A novella in The Brothers Sinister series

Published December 16, 2012

“I see what you’re about, Grantham. You think to teach me a lesson. You want to show me that the world is more frightening—and more dark—than I believe.” 
“Maybe I’m simply looking for an excuse to spend time in your company.” Maybe he wanted her to see him outside the social settings where he performed so poorly. He wanted a chance for her to see him, a chance to break through the impossible wall of her dislike. “Maybe,” he said, “I’m thinking that the days are dark and long, that midwinter is approaching. Maybe, Miss Charingford, all I really want is a kiss.”

Grade: A

Official Summary from Author’s Site:

Miss Lydia Charingford is always cheerful, and never more so than at Christmas time. But no matter how hard she smiles, she can’t forget the youthful mistake that could have ruined her reputation. Even though the worst of her indiscretion was kept secret, one other person knows the truth of those dark days: the sarcastic Doctor Jonas Grantham. She wants nothing to do with him…or the butterflies that take flight in her stomach every time he looks he way.

Jonas Grantham has a secret, too: He’s been in love with Lydia for more than a year. This winter, he’s determined to conquer her dislike and win her for his own. It all starts with a wager and a kiss…

I Say:

I love overly logical characters, especially because I tend toward being one myself. Jonas Grantham, doctor and pragmatist, is no exception; at one point, the narrator says of him, “The labyrinthine rules attached to kind words usually left him bemused,” and I thought, “YES EXACTLY” before realizing that I was trying to justify my lack of social skills by identifying with a fictional character. Anyway. But, seriously, how can you not love a hero that thinks like this? (after the jump!):

The Duchess War by Courtney Milan

The Duchess War by Courtney Milan

Book One in The Brothers Sinister series

Published December 6, 2012

“Well, then,” he said, keeping his voice low. “I’ll do it my way, and you try it yours—and we’ll see who wins out.”

“That’s impossible,” she said flatly. “You can’t flirt with me. I’m going to be at war with you.”

“No, you won’t,” he said politely. “Try going to war with an unwilling combatant. I don’t think even you can manage that.”

Grade: A+

Official Summary from Author’s Site:

Miss Minerva Lane is a quiet, bespectacled wallflower, and she wants to keep it that way. After all, the last time she was the center of attention, it ended badly—so badly that she changed her name to escape her scandalous past. Wallflowers may not be the prettiest of blooms, but at least they don’t get trampled. So when a handsome duke comes to town, the last thing she wants is his attention.

But that is precisely what she gets.

Because Robert Blaisdell, the Duke of Clermont, is not fooled. When Minnie figures out what he’s up to, he realizes there is more to her than her spectacles and her quiet ways. And he’s determined to lay her every secret bare before she can discover his. But this time, one shy miss may prove to be more than his match…

I Say:

The Duchess War is one of my favorite books EVER. It’s one of my top three romance novels—and I’ve read hundreds at this point. It is one of those books that makes you feel better about being a human, and want to be a better human. Sometimes I giggled helplessly, sometimes I wept for the characters. Stop reading this review and just go read it. CarrieS at Smart Bitches Trashy Books said it best: “Read it right away - yes, now.  Everything on your to-do list can wait, believe me.” Actually, just go read Carrie’s review, because I can’t really top it. But I’ll offer a few thoughts (below the jump, of course!).

The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan

The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan

Novella prequel to The Brothers Sinister series

Published April 14, 2012

“You see,” Clermont muttered, “there was this governess.”

Hugo rolled his eyes. Any confession that started thus could not end well.

Grade: A

Official Summary from Author’s Site:

SHE WILL NOT GIVE UP…

Three months ago, governess Serena Barton was let go from her position. Unable to find new work, she’s demanding compensation from the man who got her sacked: a petty, selfish, swinish duke. But it’s not the duke she fears. It’s his merciless man of business—the man known as the Wolf of Clermont. The formidable former pugilist has a black reputation for handling all the duke’s dirty business, and when the duke turns her case over to him, she doesn’t stand a chance. But she can’t stop trying—not with her entire future at stake.

HE CANNOT GIVE IN…

Hugo Marshall is a man of ruthless ambition—a characteristic that has served him well, elevating the coal miner’s son to the right hand man of a duke. When his employer orders him to get rid of the pestering governess by fair means or foul, it’s just another day at the office. Unfortunately, fair means don’t work on Serena, and as he comes to know her, he discovers that he can’t bear to use foul ones. But everything he has worked for depends upon seeing her gone. He’ll have to choose between the life that he needs, and the woman he is coming to love…

I Say:

I own everything Courtney Milan has published because I adore everything she writes. This novella is no exception. Despite its curtailed length, it contains fully-realized characters, thought-provoking issues, and a satisfying story.