'Once Upon a Marquess' by Courtney Milan is a historical romance novel that delves into the complexities of love, family, and societal expectations. The story follows Judith and Christian as they navigate their past mistakes, family tragedies, and the challenges of rekindling a lost love. The book is set in a historical backdrop filled with quirky family dynamics, poverty, and a touch of mystery, creating a unique and engaging storyline. Courtney Milan's writing style is described as refreshing and compelling, with multidimensional characters and realistic family dynamics that add depth to the plot.

Characters:

The characters, particularly Judith and Christian, are complex but have varying degrees of development, with Judith emerging as a strong, resourceful heroine.

Writing/Prose:

Courtney Milan's writing style is characterized by sharp dialogue and humor that balances the darker themes of the narrative, although some find it occasionally convoluted.

Plot/Storyline:

The story centers on Judith's efforts to support her family after a scandal involving her father and brother's treason, complicated by her past relationship with Christian, who played a part in their downfall.

Setting:

Set in a post-scandal Victorian context, the story explores themes of societal class and tragedy tied to historical events.

Pacing:

The pacing is inconsistent, with some moments dragging while the ending feels rushed, leading to a sense of unresolved tension.

If it could have spoken, the tea table would have groaned. Biscuits, oranges, cordial, and two sorts of preserves were only the beginning of the burdens that Judith had forced the poor furniture to ca...

Notes:

The book is the first in a planned seven-book series called The Worth Saga.

The main character, Judith, is left to care for her younger siblings after their family faces disgrace and poverty.

Judith's father committed suicide after being accused of treason, and her brother was sent away under similar charges.

The story explores themes of resourcefulness, family loyalty, and societal expectations during the Victorian era.

Judith supports her siblings financially by selling clockwork designs, showcasing her ingenuity.

Christian Trent, the Marquess of Ashford, was once engaged to Judith but plays a pivotal role in her family's downfall.

The book features a complicated romance that includes elements of misunderstandings and forgiveness.

Judith's younger sister, Theresa, is portrayed as a difficult character who often adds tension to the story.

Christian is depicted as having characteristics that suggest he may struggle with OCD, adding complexity to his character.

The secondary characters are not given much development compared to Judith and Christian, leading to mixed reviews.

The narrative includes humor, particularly through Christian's attempts to diffuse situations with jokes, which may not always resonate with the readers.

The setting involves historical issues like the Opium Wars, which adds depth to the family's backstory.

Judith saves money for her estranged sister's debut, indicating her desire to restore family honor despite their circumstances.

The book ends on a cliffhanger, leading to anticipation for the next installment in the series.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

There are several content warnings, including themes of treason, mental health issues, familial tragedy, and poverty.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance in the book, as the relationship between Judith and Christian develops amidst their complicated history and personal struggles.

implied steam level

From The Publisher:

The last man Judith Worth wants to see again is Christian Trent, the Marquess of Ashford-the man who spent summers at her family home, who kissed her one magical night…and then heartlessly ruined her father. But when a tricky business matter arises, he's the only one she can ask for help. With any luck, he'll engage a servant to take care of the matter, and she won't even have to talk with him.

But Ashford has never forgotten Judith. He knows she will never forgive him for what he's done, but when offered the chance to assist her, he arrives in person. His memory of Judith may have haunted him, but it pales in comparison to the reality of the vivacious, beautiful woman he rediscovers. Throughout his life, he has always done what is correct. But now, he finds himself doing something utterly wrong…falling in love with the one woman he can never have. more

Ratings (2)

Liked It (1)
It Was OK (1)

Reader Stats (6):

Read It (2)
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1 comment(s)

katyana

It Was OK

2 months

I enjoyed it, but it's a format I usually struggle with: second-chance romance. And in this particular case, the reason behind their falling out was so serious that it is hard to believe recovery is possible.

It's made the very sudden change of heart, at the end, a tough resolution to swallow. I guess I don't buy that he'd really do that. *shrug*

Separately, I really disliked her family. The way they treat her, and take her completely for granted... It was sad, and they are old enough to know better. The situation isn't her fault, and she has bent over backwards to give them the best possible life in spite of it. The fact that they still basically worship Anthony, who has done nothing for them and, by his actions, doesn't seem to give a shit about them... I really disliked that. And them. And I don't want to meet Anthony. Nor do I care about Celeste or Theresa. So I don't know that I'll be continuing on with the series.

So I give this story 3 stars. And I'd give the main characters and their banter 4 stars.

Overall: 3.5 stars

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Once Upon a Marquess

Courtney Milan

Book 1 in the series:The Worth Saga