Unclaimed was a very surprising read. I went in reading it knowing the main heroine was a courtesan and that is not a favorite type of heroine for me regardless of the circumstances that made her one, but her character was great. The heroine is sassy, smart and beautiful. She has made bad choices in her life but is doing her best not to make more. To escape the life of being a courtesan she decides to seduce Sir Mark Turner, a 28 year old virgin who wrote a book about chastity. I am not sure if I got Sir Mark well enough but I loved the heroine. Jessica is vivacious, full of life and the conversation. The book is fantastic read for anyone who likes smart heroines that outshine the hero most of the time. The book is also full of quotes to die for. Some of my favorite, starting with they introduction:
“Mrs. Jessica Farleigh, official town disgrace. At your service”
“Sir Mark Turner, I speak with the tongues of a thousand angels. Butterflies follow me wherever I go. Birds sing when I take a breath.”
“Do you know what the difference is between a male virgin and the Elgin Marbles?”, “Oh I could not say.” She peered at him in manufactured befuddlement. “They seem quite similar to me – are they not both very hard?”
I laughed so hard and am still smiling writing this review. If you like historical romance, you will enjoy “Unclaimed”. You will see the desire from Sir Mark’s point of view and his inner struggle to continue being one, however he is no match for Jessica. The only thing this book was missing is an epilogue.
I think that when you get to the end you will want to bask in their happiness a little more.
