A new author for my "I guess I read romance" spree. This was a pretty delightful historical romance—funny, energized by a strong sense of social justice, and populated with unusual characters who are wrestling with issues of identity and purpose. Author gets style points for a sensitive portrayal of an Indian romantic hero whose parents expected him to have an arranged marriage.

So a lovely work of light fiction, but I wasn't blown away by it as a romance novel? Courtney Milan has written a LOT of books so probably she knows what she's doing, but I didn't think the romantic scenes were the most compelling part of this book. The characters' hand-wringing around their romantic futures, now, that was interesting. ( )

If Dickens only focused on the relationships between his zany characters and watered down his social commentary to the bald basics, then you would get Courtney Milan's The Heiress Effect, and I mean that in the best way possible. As I was reading this book, I could imagine this as a great period drama with beautiful costumes, dramatic homes, and dynamic actors. It felt like something Dickens or Austen would write, if they wrote strictly romance, and I loved every second of it.

Milan's Oliver Marshall and Jane Fairfield are flawed, real, but lovable characters. Their desires feel familiar, and their frustrations feel universal. At the beginning, both of them chafe at society's restrictions around illegitimate sons of dukes and women. By the end, they've triumphed in true romance novel fashion but also in a way that feels grounded. I don't know how Milan did it, but she did.

There's a secondary romance in Jane's younger sister Emily and the barrister-in-training Anjan. Despite being secondary, it didn't feel rushed or incomplete. Milan fleshed it and them out perfectly, and she did this in a way without taking away from the main romance. In fact, all of the supporting characters just added to the main story without falling into a cliche. It made this a unique and delectable experience. In particular, read to the end for the Aunt Freddy surprise. What a blast!

Highly recommend this book to all readers: classics fans, historical fiction fans, romance fans. Get your fix right here! ( )

there is a reveal that is so good that I had to stop reading and just bask in it for awhile. ( )

Kinda got bored in the middle. Jane was a hoot. Cried about Freddy.


Sometimes there is so much focus on the real life history at the expense of character dev. ( )

The Heiress Effect
4 Stars

As an heiress with an enormous dowry, Miss Jane Fairfield is a magnet for every indebted lord in society. Determined never to marry, Jane is forced to take drastic steps to ensure her spinsterhood, including but not limited to making herself a laughing stock. The illegitimate son of a duke, Oliver Marshall is very familiar with the cruel barbs and snide comments directed at Jane, but his political ambitions convince him that he should avoid her at all costs. Unfortunately, his heart has other ideas...

Series note:While the romance itself is standalone, reading the series in order provides necessary backstory for the hero.

Jane is a delightful heroine, and her skill at insulting those around her while pretending ignorance and feigning innocence leads to some very amusing and satirical moments. It takes longer to warm up to Oliver as he is rather straightlaced and some of his thoughts, if not actions, are questionable. Nevertheless, he eventually comes up to snuff, and the HEA is very satisfying.

That said, the reason for Jane's decision not to marry does not make sense. This is confirmed by the ease with which her concerns for her sister are ultimately resolved - as with everyone else, money and the threat of public humiliation eventually keep her uncle in check. Moreover, the secondary romance between Jane's sister, Emily, and a local student, while utterly charming, is rather unrealistic given the time period.

All in all, an entertaining read, and I absolutely loved the final twist that Aunt Freddy was Mrs. Larriger. The next installment focuses on the third Brother Sinister, Sebastian Malheur, and the reasons for his disturbing behavior. It will be interesting to see how Violet, the Countess of Cambury, is connected to this. ( )