The Heiress Effect

By: Courtney Milan

Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

Length: 11 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's Summary

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 in the series. Each story stands alone, but those who prefer to read in order might want to start at the beginning.

©2013 Courtney Milan (P)2013 Courtney Milan

Great story with an even better narration...

I loved this book!!! The characters are complex, the conflicts are real and it's written in a way that you get to care for the different characters. This is a rich story that handles intense subjects such as political influence, human rights, mental illness and epilepsy. And the thread that binds all of those subjects are two great love stories. By the end you feel satisfied and happy because you see that love conquers all.
Narration: Rosalyn Landor is one of the most experienced and amazing narrators I've ever listened to. She adds intensity and passion to the story and has an uncanny ability to make very different voices to all characters (and this story had lost of characters). She nails every characterization (men, older men, young women, old women).
If you enjoy historical romances then you must add this title to your collection.

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

Funny and Endearing and Unique - good combo!

This story is about two rather unusual lovers, and some readers have been put-off slightly by the fact that the female heroine does not conform to the stylish image of ladies commonly found in romances. She seems to be rude and loud and completely unfashionable. But she has a reason for her behavior, which we come to understand, and her pairing with the conservative Oliver, who feels he has to be on good behavior because he is the bastard son of a Duke, actually makes for a totally inspiring as well as endearing love story. Oliver has lessons to learn about himself, as well as healing that needs to take place - a healing that only someone like Jane can provide. In fact the theme of the story is about having the courage to be true to the self, as Oliver eventually learns from his mother, his sister, and his aunt. The heroine Jane, a peacock not the wren that Oliver says he needs for his career, may never be fashionable in the mode of others, but she learns to use her pain and rejection as a springboard for growth, never showing any malice towards those who have hurt her. The love between the two is endearing because it is so unexpected, so difficult and their coming together shows how opposites can, indeed, attract. It is also a source of a great deal of humor. Like so many of Milan's stories, the heroines of these adventures are strong influences on their mates in a positive way. The prequel to this series, The Governess Affair, is definitely worth a read to enrich the understanding of Oliver, though the book stands entirely on its own.

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

Well-rounded and satisfying

Setting: 1867. Cambridgeshire, Nottingham, London.
Genre: Romance
Rosalyn Landor does her usual, wonderful performance. Great vocal range, excellent transmission of emotion.
This is the 2nd full-length novel in The Brothers Sinister series.
Miss Jane Fairfield is loud. Everything about her. She wears loud colors, she speaks her mind loudly. She is bold and bountiful. People laugh and denigrate her even when she can hear them. Her dowry is one hundred thousand pounds, but she has no wish to marry so she exaggerates her loud, unmannered qualities to put men off. You will laugh at many of the insults she "innocently" doles out.
Oliver Marshall is her opposite. He is quiet, well-mannered and knows his place. He is fiercely ambitious, and uses these characteristics to draw support for his causes. He has the obstacle of his birth (The Governess Affair, 0.5 in this series), so he is careful in his associations.
Jane is an "impossible girl" according to Oliver. I love how the meaning of that changes over the course of the novel. He needs a quiet, well-mannered woman to assist his political career, and they both know she will never be that woman.
There are a couple of people you think are villains but aren't, and there are a couple who definitely are, though one is sort of inadvertent.
This story is so poignant. I laughed at some of the dialog and action, but I cried as well. This is SO worth the credit and your time. I loved it.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

love the dialog, not typical romance or characters

This was a great next book in the series. Makes me want to listen to the first one again as it's been a while. These two main characters are definitely unique, especially Jane. As one other reviewer said, probably a little over the top to think her actions and attire would have been accepted in that time period. But, it is fiction so I like to believe it. Many social issues described here as well. Makes me appreciate living in this century. I really liked Jane's strength, in spite of many struggles. I also liked the fact that Oliver was not 'perfect', he had flaws too and that makes it more interesting. As always this narrator is fabulous. Really glad to find this series, and this one is definitely worth a credit.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Political influence, social action, civil rights

CM highlights the historical climate of voting rights, discrimination, and woman's rights in this colorful romantic adventure.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

The heiress effect

What did you love best about The Heiress Effect?

The witty banter, down to earth characters in the high society.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Heiress Effect?

When the h/h actually start out being honest with each other.

Which character – as performed by Rosalyn Landor – was your favorite?

Jane

Any additional comments?

This was my 1st time reading a book by Courtney Milan. I picked a good one with enjoyable characters, not a lot of bickering between h/h, actually they developed a friendship with honest, witty, & forthright dialogue. A page turner that you want to keep reading.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Humorous yet so real!! Book 4 The Brothers Siniste

I loved this book. This was about Oliver, the bastard brother of The Duke. We see more interaction with Oliver's family. We get the benefit of a father/son talk. His 'real' father as he puts it, not his sire. We're introduced to his half sisters. It was great to see their stories intertwined with Oliver's.
Oliver meets Jane. A bold and brilliant, what you see is what you get woman.
I was fascinated by her character. She is an heiress, which was not looked on kindly by the aristocracy. She pretends not to see insults and fires back at them with truths that blow their minds. Politely, of course. She's a "blaze". She's not stick thin and she wears outlandish colors and outfits and doesn't give a fig what other people think.
She uses these things in her fight to stay unmarried for her sisters (Emily) sake.
What she helps Oliver find again in himself is wonderful.
There are a few stories going on around them. All wonderful in their own way. Emily and Unja. Free and Aunt Freddie. You'll love them all. There were some tears in listening to this book but there was a lot of laughing.
Rosalyn Landor, did a wonderful job of reading the story and making me feel every moment. As always kudos to her for her outstanding abilities.
Looking for the next one out on audio!!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

A humorous start and a serious ending!!!

A good read but the heroin was certainly eccentric. Perhaps in books it’s easy to find a man with the hero’s qualities to fall for someone this different from himself but in real life I find it hard to believe this can stand true. This is the one aspect I did not like about the book because I found it hard to relate to. Aside from that I liked the way the two love stories got presented and their timing. I would have liked to give this book a 3.5 but again since I can not, I gave it a four star rating.

9 of 11 people found this review helpful

I love Courtney Milan!

If you could sum up The Heiress Effect in three words, what would they be?

Addictive, Heart Wrenching, Entertaining

Have you listened to any of Rosalyn Landor’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listened to several Rosalyn Landor's preformances, she is my favorite reader. This book is just another great one.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The part that moved me the most was when Jane and Oliver say good bye for the first time and he till her she it never alone.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

A perfect example of the contradictory nature of humans.

This was very interesting. The two main characters have very deep and vulnerable talks which really adds a level of rawness that I think can be one sided in romance novels. I really related to Jane because I consider myself an emotionally honest person, I say what I feel when I feel it, with the people I feel most comfortable with. And the complexity of her playing the roll of the "anti-chameleon" and Oliver playing his own roll mirror each other nicely. This one had me at the edge of my seat banging my hands on any solid object in order to contain my excitement. I really admire Jane and her fierceness and her determination to not quash her flame. Oliver is so brave and fragile at the same time it's perfect!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A complex narrative with a satisfying conclusion

The story is a slow-burner - there's a lot of complexity and narrative threads. At first I was bemused at the seeming lack of 'romantic' content and the heavy emphasis on the historical 'background' story. However it all comes together in a pretty satisfying way and the various plot threads are all resolved and neatly fit together by the end. The cameos of various characters within the Brothers Sinister series are fun and feel very well rounded. Rosalyn Landor as always is flawless and amazing to listen to.

Too boring

Any additional comments?

Could not relate to any of the characters. The story was too weak to hold my interest

0 of 3 people found this review helpful