Book Review
May. 31st, 2022 04:15 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kenjariThe Heiress Effect
by Courtney Milan
Set in 1867, The Heiress Effect centers around Jane Fairfield, a very wealthy heiress who is deliberately making herself sufficiently unacceptable enough to avoid marriage. Her aim is remain able to defend her sister Emily from their uncle and guardian, whose approach to Emily's epilepsy involves potentially harmful quack treatments and strict limitations on her activities. Oliver Marshall, the illegitimate and ambitious son of a duke, is working to get the Second Reform Act passed. A powerful Marquess whom Oliver is trying to sway attempts to have Oliver socially* humiliate Jane in return for his vote. The problem is that not only does Oliver have moral qualms about the proposition, he finds that he actually likes Jane too much to do such a thing. As he finds himself increasingly in her company, they both begin to like each other far too much.
This was an absolutely amazing romance novel. I loved Jane so much - she's incredibly brave and strong to withstand being an object of derision, she's incredibly smart and clever, and she refuses to be squashed into society's box. Oliver is a very interesting, complicated hero. He's not perfect and has to grapple with the conflict between his political ambitions and what his heart truly wants and needs. I really liked how their relationship started off as a friendship and built from there. I also thought that the hurdles and angst that had to be overcome for their happy ending were just right for a truly satisfying ending. Their story is all about shaking off the confines of conformity and speaking up for who you really are. Plus, there is a very sweet secondary romance involving Emily.
*And only socially. There's no sexual assault/harrassment/misconduct in this book.
by Courtney Milan
Set in 1867, The Heiress Effect centers around Jane Fairfield, a very wealthy heiress who is deliberately making herself sufficiently unacceptable enough to avoid marriage. Her aim is remain able to defend her sister Emily from their uncle and guardian, whose approach to Emily's epilepsy involves potentially harmful quack treatments and strict limitations on her activities. Oliver Marshall, the illegitimate and ambitious son of a duke, is working to get the Second Reform Act passed. A powerful Marquess whom Oliver is trying to sway attempts to have Oliver socially* humiliate Jane in return for his vote. The problem is that not only does Oliver have moral qualms about the proposition, he finds that he actually likes Jane too much to do such a thing. As he finds himself increasingly in her company, they both begin to like each other far too much.
This was an absolutely amazing romance novel. I loved Jane so much - she's incredibly brave and strong to withstand being an object of derision, she's incredibly smart and clever, and she refuses to be squashed into society's box. Oliver is a very interesting, complicated hero. He's not perfect and has to grapple with the conflict between his political ambitions and what his heart truly wants and needs. I really liked how their relationship started off as a friendship and built from there. I also thought that the hurdles and angst that had to be overcome for their happy ending were just right for a truly satisfying ending. Their story is all about shaking off the confines of conformity and speaking up for who you really are. Plus, there is a very sweet secondary romance involving Emily.
*And only socially. There's no sexual assault/harrassment/misconduct in this book.
