Narrated by Rebecca De Leeuw

After reading Courtney Milan’s The Heiress Effect, I knew I would be a devoted fan. Unveiled, first in the Turner series, did nothing to dispel this notion. In fact, it served only to strengthen my belief that Ms. Milan is a phenomenal writer of historical romance.

Ash Turner is soon to be named the Duke of Parford. He arrives at Parford Manor to take stock of what he is to inherit, and, if he is to be completely honest with himself, to take his revenge on the current duke, the man responsible for the ruin of Ash’s family.

Lady Margaret is the only daughter of the current duke, an ailing and exceptionally cruel old man. Margaret’s brothers are not much better, as they fled the estate once they learned of Ash’s impending arrival. Margaret is left to act as a spy. Disguised as her father’s nurse, she has been ordered to learn all she can about the enigmatic Ash Turner, in hopes of turning up a scandal that will keep him from claiming the Parford title.

Margaret has no love for her family. She is well aware of their weaknesses and cruelties, but she can’t help but feel a hint of loyalty along with the dislike. In this way, she and Ash are quite different, as Ash is devoted to his younger brothers, and wants only to give them all they were deprived of as children. The revenge factor is nice too, and he won’t turn his nose up at the chance to get even with Margaret’s father, but, when it comes down to it, his brothers are what’s truly important.

Narrator Rebecca De Leeuw was a pleasure to listen to. She has a lovely, midrange voice, which allows her to perform a wide range of characters with a great deal of authenticity. When she reads narrative, she speaks in a cultured British accent, but she employs a variety of accents, both British and otherwise, to bring Ms. Milan’s characters to life.

I was pleased with her depiction of Ash. She deepened her voice just enough to suggest Ash’s masculinity, but not enough to make him sound silly or unbelievable. I was also impressed by the range of emotions Ms. De Leeuw was able to allow the listener to hear when this very complex hero is being portrayed. We are aware of Ash’s anger at the injustices he feels his family has endured, his deep but awkward love for his brothers, and the undeniable passion he feels for Margaret, even though everything in him says she is not someone he should give his heart to.

Ms. De Leeuw’s portrayal of Margaret is equally laudable. Lady Margaret is a woman of great conviction. She believes staunchly in doing what’s right, even if it means going against her best interest. Initially, this is a character flaw, but, as the story progresses, Margaret gains a backbone, and Ms. De Leeuw allows us to hear our heroine blossom.

If I could give an award to a narrator for the performance of a particular character, I would gladly give it to Ms. De Leeuw for her portrayal of Margaret’s father. He is so cruel and ungrateful. He treats Margaret horribly throughout the book, and, even on his deathbed, he will not beg Ash for any kind of mercy. While he was not a character I liked, I must applaud the narrator for creating such a convincing character. She allowed me to hear both his frailty and his unwillingness to bend. She also speaks with a convincing quaver to denote his age.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story of how Ash and Margaret come together. I look forward to reading both Unclaimed and Unraveled, Books 2 and 3 in the Turner series. I found both of Ash’s brothers extremely likable, and I want to know how things turn out for them. Sadly, Rebecca De Leeuw does not continue narration of the series.

Shannon

Narration:  A

Book Content:  A

Steam Factor:  Glad I had my earbuds in

Violence:  Fighting

Genre:  Historical Romance

Publisher:  Audible Inc.