Book Review: Unveiled


Title: Unveiled (Book 1 in the Turner Series)
Author: Courtney Milan

Synopsis:

Ash Turner has waited a lifetime to seek revenge on the man who ruined his family - and now the time for justice has arrived. At Parford Manor, he intends to take his place as the rightful heir to the dukedom and settle an old score with the current duke once and for all. But instead he finds himself drawn to a tempting beauty who has the power to undo all his dreams of vengeance..

Lady Margaret knows she should despise the man who's stolen her fortune and her father's legacy - the man she's been ordered to spy on in the guise of a nurse. Yet the more she learns about the new duke, the less she can resist his smoldering appeal. Soon Margaret and Ash find themselves torn between old loyalties - and the tantalizing promise of passion..

Genre: Historical Romance

Thoughts on the Book

ASH TURNER. Short for And ye shall tread down the wicked, for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet. I guess her mom is really mad to name him after a very long verse from the bible. She's so obsessed with the bible preaching that she took all the word scriptures literally. He's the most devoted brother in all of the historical romance novels I've read. He loves his brothers so much that he worked hard to climb his way to the top. He wanted to give everything to them. He doesn't want them to experience all the hardship he suffered and he doesn't want them to go back to the streets of Bristol again. His ambition for dukedom was driven by his dream that his brothers be known someday. He considers himself illiterate because he can't read nor write. I guess his illiteracy is not because he's stupid but because of a popularly known condition called dyslexia. Yes, he is now rich but he is still considered a commoner thought he doesn't try to fit in. He was not properly educated with how the royalties should carry themselves in public. He doesn't care a bit what people think of him. There were times when I feel his loneliness especially when he's ignored by his brothers. I really pity him because he's trying really hard to win back his brothers but every time he attempts to give them something or talk to them, he is immediately shut out from their world. They don't know about his condition and he doesn't want to tell them. His illiteracy was never a hindrance for him because he is an excellent communicator. He has this so-called magic touch. It's hard to say no to someone like him. He just gives his handsome smile and ditto, they'd adore him instantly.

LADY ANNA MARGARET DALRYMPLE. She's the youngest in the family. When the court found out that her father committed adultery, her brother's chance for dukedom may or may not be possible and her dowry was revoked. Their only chance is to prove to the court that they're worthy to be legitimized. To succeed, they came out with a plan. Margaret was to remain at their house and disguise as a nurse. She will then gather evidences that may incriminate Ash Turner. However, as she continues to observe Ash, she saw his genuineness ans his ability to rule the house better than her brothers. Even though, she found out that Ash is a illiterate, she decided to hide this information from his brothers. Eventually, she fell in love with him. I am not fond of her by the way. Yes, I understand that her loyalty should be to her family, but her family shows least love and care for her. In my opinion, she doesn't deserve Ash because he deserves someone better.

MARK TURNER. He seemed so mysterious and too good to be true. I know there's something dark hidden underneath that saintly poker face. Even if he won't admit it, I know he is still bothered by those days when they roamed and lived at the streets of Bristol so they could get away from their mom. What I can't understand here is his claim of practicing chastity which is similar to vow of celibacy. His brother is so proud of him and he vowed that someday people will recognize his writings. He is intelligent too and he's a proud product of Oxford.

A GENTLEMAN'S PRACTICAL GUIDE TO CHASTITY. This was a book authored by Mark Turner. Chastity is hard. For instance, we have all heard that if a man lusts after a woman, he has already committed adultery in his heart. This admonition is rooter in good intentions - after all, one ought to keep one's thoughts uplifted at all times. Unfortunately, the base male mind, always keen on having its own way, often inverts the principle. Well, if a man reasons to himself, if I am already damned for committing adultery in my heart, I might as well have the enjoyment of committing adultery in the flesh. The truth, is that chastity is hard. It is particularly hard for the young, unmarried gentleman who is besieged on the one hand by admonitions that he not even so much as consider a woman's ankle, and on the other, by invitations to avail himself of the great multitude of opportunities available to any man with a few coins to his name. For most such young gentleman, a choice between the impossible and the pleasant is no choice at all. Male chastity is absolutely vital for 3 reasons. First, it is commanded by God and Holy Scripture. Second, profligacy in such relations causes harm to the families who must endure such infidelity, and to the children who result from the union. And third, and most important to a chaste, practical gentleman - third, as the ladies have clearly mastered the female art of chastity, our masculine's inability to control our urges rather weakens our claims to be the stronger sex.

THE CONFLICTS. I guess this is where the book lost its potential to score a 5 for me. The conflicts are too lame. There aren't much excitement. So it got boring and I have this notion to finish it the soonest possible time so I can read the next book

I have so much hope for this book. I was quite excited to read it but I was disappointed. The story didn't come quite as strong and intriguing to me as what my goodreads fellow believes it to be. I guess I wasn't in the mood to read this genre considering that I've read a McNaught novel before this. Anyway, there's no harm in trying readers. Who knows? You may not share the same feelings towards the book. You might love it instead.

Quotes from the Book
Margaret: You don't love me. You've looked at me the same way from the instant we met.
Ash: Don't tell me I don't love you. Don't you dare tell me that, Margaret. I have loved you since the moment you read my brother's book to me. I love that you are the one woman I can trust with my weakness, that you know all the dark parts of me and does not turn away. I love the fierceness with which you protect the ones you love, even when they don't deserve it. I love every inch of you, and I want you for my own. Although, God knows, I don't deserve you.
Rating: 3/5

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