Once upon a Marquess by Courtney Milan (The Worth Saga #1)
Released: December 8, 2015
Historical Romance
Self Published

Reviewed by May

 “When you say this particular situation is difficult, did you mean needing to dispose of this fellow here, or were you referring to the fact that we were going to get married until I proved your father and brother were traitors?”

 She looked up at him with wide, outraged eyes, and stared ahead with compressed lips.

 Better. If she was going to hate him, she’ best o so for the right reasons. “I see we’re not discussing that,” he said.

 Christian Trent, the Marquess of Ashford was once Judith’s fiancé and her brother’s best friend. That is, until he testified against Judith’s brother and father causing both those men to lose their lives, and for Judith and her siblings to fall to a near poverty level. Now back in her life for some closure, Judith and Christian find the old feelings returning and their love one worth fighting for.

 This is a new family and series from Courtney Milan, and an interesting premise as well. Judith is the head of her household, wrangling her siblings and working to keep them fed with a roof over their heads. I loved how practical and no-nonsense Judith was, and how she embraced her new role.

 “If I’d married,” she said softly, “I would never know what I was capable of doing. It turns out that when you take away my kid gloves and my morning dresses, I can do quite a bit. This may sound ridiculous, but I’m proud of myself.”

 Christian on the other hand continues a pampered and wealthy life. Though he has his secrets, and the worries that he did the wrong thing all those years ago still haunts him. Unable to sleep at night and hoping that closure can help, he decides to help Judith and see if he can get some peace at long last.

 Courtney Milan writes beautifully, and while this story is no exception I did find myself unengaged and bored with this couple. I’m not sure if it was because I never found them especially romantic as a couple, or perhaps they just didn’t really appeal to me. Without more excitement in the story, or more dramatic things happening “live” on the page it is hard for me to get invested in a second chance at love story such as this one. I was never moved to tears or laughter – two things Milan always makes me do when reading one of her stories.

 The younger siblings, the hunt for the long-lost sister, and the questions being brought up about Judith’s brother all were entertaining enough and I will definitely want to return for more on their stories. Indeed, I think despite the lack of emotion this particular story stirred up for me I will continue to read and enjoy this series. If you’re looking for an interesting fresh series (historical romance) then you’ll definitely want to check out this book.

 Grade: B-

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