Book: Unclaimed by Courtney Milan

A different kind of romance novel - Unclaimed by Courtney Milan is a very lengthy story about s jaded courtesan must seduce a virgin celebrity and ruin his reputation, but didn't count on falling in love with him instead.

Rating: 7/10

Pros: I was touched by the courtesan character and her belief that happiness was not for her. There are many parts in the novel that showed me her strength and how she was willing to fight for her survival. While there are many bad things that happen to her, she has always found a way to survive and venture forward. It is a good lesson to learn.
Cons: I felt the story was a bit long - While I enjoyed the fact that the author has covered many angles of the story as a whole (SPOILERS AHEAD... For example - getting her family to acknowledge her again, taking care of the antagonist and the threats he offered, and avoiding a scandal their marriage would have caused because of their class difference), I felt the story was a bit slow paced. I was disappointed in the beginning where she was supposed to seduce him.


My favorite part in the story (Yes, I know it isn't about the romance between the main characters, but I thought it was adorable and it showed the brotherly love through their teasing):

“Here.” He pulled out the bundle—it was wriggling, and that made it feel twice as heavy—and held it
out.
Smite simply stared at him. “Dear God,” he said finally. “What is that thing?”
“Somewhere in the furthest reaches of your voluminous memory, you will recall seeing similar
creatures.”
“Yes,” Smite said, gingerly extending a finger. “Perhaps. Somewhat similar creatures. But in all my
prior experience, I have generally encountered puppies that have…eyes. Not great mounds of fur, topped by
a big black nose.” He parted the gray fur on its head, almost tentatively. “Good Lord. There are eyes in there
after all.”
Mark thrust the bundle out; Smite took it, his face a pattern of bemusement. “What sort is it?”
It was all long fur, gray everywhere except the white of its feet and chest. “It’s the progeny of the most
capable sheepdog in all of Somerset. But don’t think you need to rush out and purchase a flock. The owner
tested it for herding instinct. Apparently, it failed utterly, thinking it much more interesting to turn up grass.”
“Hmm.” Smite set the animal down, where it stood on clumsy legs. “And I suppose you thought I needed
a puppy to dribble on the floor? You imagined I wanted a beast that would demand to be taken on great
circuits of the surrounding areas? You wanted to make me a slave to sticks thrown and sticks fetched?
Have you any notion how much work a dog is?” His words were harsh, but his tone was light, and he gently
caressed the little dog, who immediately sank its teeth into his cuff. Smite tried to pull his hand back, but the
dog dug its claws in and growled in mock play. “Don’t tell me. This is all part of a clever plan to see my
shoes chewed to bits.”
“Not in the least,” Mark informed him. “I didn’t think you needed a dog. I thought the dog needed you.”
Smite looked up, his expression momentarily stricken. He looked down at the dog. “Thank you,” he
said quietly. It was the only acknowledgment Mark was likely to get from him.
Gently, his brother disentangled the dog’s teeth from his coat. “Cease that behavior, Ghost,” he
admonished. “Here—you may chew on this instead.”
Mark clouted him on the shoulder. “That’s my satchel, you buffoon.”
Smite didn’t answer, and when the pup grabbed one end of the strap and pulled clumsily, a smile lit his
face. “Good dog.”