'It seemed to be a matter of basic, common sense. Miranda used her common sense, and in her own words. At one stage when Miranda was threatened I had expected the story to head down the well-worn romance path, that is, Miranda would try and keep the threat a secret from Smite, and this would be used to drive the plot forward as romance tropes are expected to do. The other thing that really impressed me with this story (and the series) was Ms Milan's avoidance of overdone romance devices. But again, this relationship was spot-lighted and finally dealt with in such a moving way and with such sweetness that rivaled (at least in some respects) the gorgeous romance between Smite and Miranda, darling. Their uneasy, undemonstrative affection has hurt Ash. We know he loves Ash but from an arm's distance. The other relationship that Smite has difficulty with is his elder brother Ash. This unforgiveness and ultimate reparation of their relationship is dealt with beautifully and quite emotionally.

Richard Dalrymple (Ash's wife, Margaret's brother) caused him untold grief when younger and Smite has never forgiven him.

His tragic, tortured past has made him the man he is with all his strengths, but also his weaknesses. Of the three brothers, he was I think the one that bore the brunt of their mother's unstable religious zeal. Smite is a man that has been hurt deeply in the past. But there are a couple of points, besides the romance itself, that I really felt worth mentioning. There is just so much to enjoy in this novel from the story, the romance, the characters of Smite and Miranda, to the technical aspects - the plotting, pacing, and even formatting and pricing. I loved this romance, it was exceptional as is this whole Un or Turner series. An educated and intelligent man, Smite sees through the disguises that Miranda has used and is determined to end her masquerade in his court. Miranda's work for the Patron requires she attend certain court hearings in disguise and deliver a (usually false) testimony to prevent conviction of one of the Patron's clients.įor Magistrate Smite Turner, or Lord Justice, his work is his life, determined to see that justice is done by the courts that failed him so badly when he was a child. For their protection she works at times for the Patron, a shadowy figure who keeps the peace and rules over the poorer district of Temple Parish, Bristol. Miranda Darling, seamstress and wig-maker, is at twenty years of age also the guardian of a twelve year-old boy. 'At the moment,' he muttered numbly, 'I may be coming a bit unraveled.'

He shut his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. Everything he kept bottled inside him came out. 'Although at the moment.' This was what came of violating the sentimentality quota.

Unraveled by Courtney Milan