The two have an online friendship that might be turning into something else and an offline hate relationship that might not be something they can overcome. Maria secretly runs a doomsday blog and Jay has been commenting and communicating with Maria. What neither of them knows is that they have been corresponding and flirting for months. Maria is cautious and Jay’s dismissal of her hurts even though she believes him a jerk. The first terrible meeting between Jay and Maria sets the standard for their combative relationship. When he meets Maria Lopez, a student, he first insults her, and then knows that she is a distraction but insists that he is not interested. A professor at Berkeley, he has focused on his work to the exclusion of all other relationships in his life. Maybe a re-read in a year or two will change my mind. But there was enough in it for me to give it another chance.

Jay started out unlikable and I don’t know that he ever evolved enough for me to truly like him. Parts were brilliant and moving and parts just felt like distant. How do I admit that?”įINAL DECISION: I wanted to like this book more. I failed to see her on every conceivable level. Jay: “If we hadn’t managed to hate each other first, Em would have been it for me. Daydreams are great, but an established salary and health benefits have to come first, thank you.” But storms come and lightning strikes, and it’s no fun being exposed on top of the world in those moments. I learned long ago to avoid the mountaintops of life. Hold Me (Cyclone Book 2) by Courtney Milan This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. I received this book for free from Netgalley in order to prepare an honest review. It would be good to read the prequel THE GOVERNESS AFFAIR because it really sets up Oliver’s story. By the end of the book, I had sympathy for Oliver and as Jane was able to forgive him, so was I.Īlthough this is the second full novel, it is not necessary to have read the first. Oliver and Jane are not simplistic characters. Milan has done a great job of making over complicated characters.

When I started reading the book, I skipped around to get an idea of the plot and I really, really did not like Oliver. He treats Jane in an abominable fashion by treating her like she is not good enough. Oliver was too judgemental and too rigid in the beginning of the book. I really didn’t expect to like this story. He meets Jane Fairfield who definitely doesn’t fit into his plans. Oliver was raised in humble circumstances (see the prequel THE GOVERNESS AFFAIR for the story of his parents) but has great ambitions. It is the story of Oliver Marshall, the illegitimate son of the former Duke of Clermont and half brother to the current duke. THE HEIRESS EFFECT is the second novel in the Brothers Sinister series. Published by Courtney Milan on July 15th 2013 The Heiress Effect (Brothers Sinister, #2) by Courtney Milan

The Duke Who Didn't by Courtney Milan