Collection
Publication
Smashwords, 2013.
Description
Fiction. Romance. Historical Fiction. HTML: Miss Jane Fairfield can't do anything right. When she's in company, she always says the wrong thing�??and rather too much of it. No matter how costly they are, her gowns fall on the unfortunate side of fashion. Even her immense dowry can't save her from being an object of derision.And that's precisely what she wants. She'll do anything, even risk humiliation, if it means she can stay unmarried and keep her sister safe.Mr. Oliver Marshall has to do everything right. He's the bastard son of a duke, raised in humble circumstances�??and he intends to give voice and power to the common people. If he makes one false step, he'll never get the chance to accomplish anything. He doesn't need to come to the rescue of the wrong woman. He certainly doesn't need to fall in love with her. But there's something about the lovely, courageous Jane that he can't resist...even though it could mean the ruin of them both.The Heiress Effect is the second full-length book in the Brothers Sinister series. It is preceded by The Governess Affair, a prequel novella, and The Duchess War, the first book in the series. Each book stands alone, but those who prefer to read in order might want to start at the beginning… (more)
Language
Original language
English
User reviews
LibraryThing member carlyrose
This book made me laugh out loud, made me cry, and left me with a big, goofy grin on my face.
LibraryThing member Unreachableshelf
I love everything about this book. I love how Oliver shows Jane that she doesn't always have to stand against the world all on her own; I love how Jane gives Oliver the courage to be bold rather than always only working quietly in the background. I love how Jane's frenemies, to use a rather
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anachronistic but wholly accurate term, develop into real friends when they reveal that they have also been playing games on multiple levels. I love Emily's quiet strength and competence; a lesser author would have had Jane and Oliver come to her rescue as the climax of the book. I love Battacharya's assurances to Uncle Titus that he won't think Emily beneath him. And I love Free and her plan to be The Girl Who Did. I'm looking forward to her story in The Mistress Rebellion. Show Less
LibraryThing member dpappas
Bloody brilliant.
I was just going to let my review be that, but I thought I'd better explain why I felt that way. Every book (or novella) that I have read by Courtney Milan I have enjoyed and this was no different. She writes flawed characters that are so compelling that you can't help but fall in
If you've read the previous books in the series you'll know that Oliver is the Duke of Clermont's half-brother. He has spent his life dealing with the fact that he the bastard son of the previous Duke. In this book he meets Jane who is an eccentric heiress. As he fights for a place of power and she fights to protect her sister they will find themselves growing close, which neither of them wants.
This was my favorite book of the series so far. I was so hooked in the story and really loved Oliver and Jane. I felt like I flew right through this and was mad when I got to the end because I never wanted it to end. I would definitely recommend this to fans of the previous books in the series. I plan on reading the next book in the series (I purchased it when I was about 20% of the way through this one). I am also looking forward to reading some of Milan's other series and stand-alone books.
I was just going to let my review be that, but I thought I'd better explain why I felt that way. Every book (or novella) that I have read by Courtney Milan I have enjoyed and this was no different. She writes flawed characters that are so compelling that you can't help but fall in
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love with them.If you've read the previous books in the series you'll know that Oliver is the Duke of Clermont's half-brother. He has spent his life dealing with the fact that he the bastard son of the previous Duke. In this book he meets Jane who is an eccentric heiress. As he fights for a place of power and she fights to protect her sister they will find themselves growing close, which neither of them wants.
This was my favorite book of the series so far. I was so hooked in the story and really loved Oliver and Jane. I felt like I flew right through this and was mad when I got to the end because I never wanted it to end. I would definitely recommend this to fans of the previous books in the series. I plan on reading the next book in the series (I purchased it when I was about 20% of the way through this one). I am also looking forward to reading some of Milan's other series and stand-alone books.
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LibraryThing member jendoyle2000
Love, love, love. It's like biting into rich, dark chocolate, and then finding that the inside is full of sweet caramel perfection. And then seeing that there's a whole box just for you and you get to eat it all without one calorie passing through your lips. The only thing I didn't like was that
My favorite line: "Yes," he finally said. "I do things with stuff. How ever did you know?"
Can't wait to read the next book in this series.
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the book had to come to an end. My favorite line: "Yes," he finally said. "I do things with stuff. How ever did you know?"
Can't wait to read the next book in this series.
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LibraryThing member CMBlaker
Milan knows how to write historicals that resonate. I love how all her heroines are so different from typical books of the genre. Much more modern thinking women who just don't fit in with the Ton & "polite society", often they've been/could be ruined in some unusual way. I loved how Jane was not
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willing to give up the basics of who she is just to be with a man, one she loves even. Great lesson for then, better one for now. Show Less
LibraryThing member dukedukegoose
DON'T EVEN TALK TO ME ABOUT JANE FAIRFIELD.
LibraryThing member C4RO
Regency Romance. Brothers Sinister 2. Clever Oliver Marshall and unique (pink ruffly dresses) Jane who wants to stay unmarried. OK-
LibraryThing member MickyFine
Jane Fairfield has never been a proper lady. Her clothes are too bright, her voice too loud, her manners never quite the thing. Unsuspected by her social circle, however, is that Jane is doing everything in her power to keep it that way. So when she meets Oliver Marshall, she continues to be too
I thoroughly enjoyed this second entry in the Sinister Brothers series. Jane, with all her foibles, is thoroughly endearing and watching Oliver battle with his political aspirations and his fight to be more than his past, the character development was thoroughly worthwhile. Jane's humour also made me laugh quite a bit and I was very pleased with the eventual happy ending.
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much. And while Oliver knows that a man with political aspiration like himself should never even contemplate courting a woman like Jane, he just can't keep her out of his thoughts.I thoroughly enjoyed this second entry in the Sinister Brothers series. Jane, with all her foibles, is thoroughly endearing and watching Oliver battle with his political aspirations and his fight to be more than his past, the character development was thoroughly worthwhile. Jane's humour also made me laugh quite a bit and I was very pleased with the eventual happy ending.
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LibraryThing member rivkat
Another book in the same universe as The Duchess War, this time involving heiress Jane Fairfield, who has to stay unmarried so that she can protect her sister from the sort-of-well-meaning torments inflicted on her by her guardian, who’s seeking to cure her sister’s epilepsy. Oliver Marshall,
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the duke’s half-brother, has political aspirations, and they can’t be reconciled with Jane’s over-the-top personality. More banter, more attraction and external barriers. Frothy. Show Less
LibraryThing member PNRList
I adore this series and author!!!! The heroine, Jane, is a new favorite. I loved her unique personality! And her strategizing and bravery and sense of humor - this book cracked me up several times. Oliver is another soft and complex hero; Milan does like to break from stereotypes with her
I do sort of wish there had been a bit more focus on Jane as a plus-sized heroine (I think she's like a 16 or maybe 18), but she isn't really the insecure type. I think I love insecure heroines because they are vulnerable, but Milan manages to make her heroines vulnerable without making them weak. Good stuff!
Now I am all caught up and have to wait for MONTHS for Sebastian's story! I have some theories and the anticipation is killing me!
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characters, for which I am grateful. Both deeply complex and interesting. I also really enjoyed the secondary romance. I do sort of wish there had been a bit more focus on Jane as a plus-sized heroine (I think she's like a 16 or maybe 18), but she isn't really the insecure type. I think I love insecure heroines because they are vulnerable, but Milan manages to make her heroines vulnerable without making them weak. Good stuff!
Now I am all caught up and have to wait for MONTHS for Sebastian's story! I have some theories and the anticipation is killing me!
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LibraryThing member WhiskeyintheJar
The Aunt Freddy storyline wrecked me. I can't wait for Oliver's sister Free's book.
LibraryThing member Narshkite
A positively charming, smart, altogether swoonworthy read. I smiled continuously every morning I read this on the F train. Milan, as she often does, focuses on the drawing room b-list, in this case Jane, an untitled and unschooled heiress and Oliver, a semi-acknowledged by-blow with an inheritance
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and political ambitions as well as a loving very non-noble family life up until Eton. Both of these characters have people in their lives whom them care about deeply, some of whom I suspect got their own book (Free and Sebastian come to mind) and some of whom have their own stories covered here, and they are interesting characters indeed. We also get to check in with Hugo and Serena from the earlier novella The Governess Affair, which is really fun. The main characters and their conversations here are amusing and smart, the story setup is really true to life, racism and classicism are acknowledged, we have an actual asexual character, which is rare in romance, and the British legal history is fun (I am a law nerd, like Milan herself a former lawyer who is intrigued by all the aspects of law that won't bring in a paycheck. ) A most enjoyable read that helped me feel the love on a rather shit workweek. Show Less
LibraryThing member thewestwing
I really loved the character of Jane in this book. She was a strong, intriguing heroine. I also loved finding out more about how Serena’s family (from the original novella) are getting on.
LibraryThing member Lauren2013
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
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 thatAunt 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.
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
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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 -
All in all, an entertaining read, and I absolutely loved the final twist that
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LibraryThing member ansate
there is a reveal that is so good that I had to stop reading and just bask in it for awhile.
LibraryThing member raschneid
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
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.
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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.
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