The final book in the popular series by 10 time USA Today bestselling author Jess MichaelsThe last of the Shelley triplets to remain unmarried, Juliana Shelley has never felt like she’s recognized as her own person. But now, scarred by a terrible attack, she’s never felt so alone. Or so tired of cleaning up every else’s mess. She longs for something just for herself. A taste of the desire that … taste of the desire that seems to make her sisters so very happy in their marriages. One desperate night, she goes to the wicked Donville Masquerade, looking for trouble and finds a handsome, masked stranger more than willing to provide it.
Ellis Maitland’s dangerous desperation caused the injuries Juliana suffered and he has felt guilty about it since. And drawn to her unlike anyone else he’s ever met. When he realizes she’s masquerading as a courtesan his best impulses, rusty as they are, cause him to try to stop her from making a mistake.
Only Juliana isn’t as easily deterred as Ellis believes she will be. And the desire that sparks between them soon cannot be denied. Although they begin a passionate affair, Ellis knows it cannot last. After all, he has a plan to take care of the villain behind all the trouble plaguing his family and it’s one he knows he won’t survive. Will Juliana’s help and faith save him? Or will it be too little, too late.
Length: Novel Length
Heat level: Sticky and sweaty
The book is part of the Shelley Sisters series, but can be read as a standalone novel.
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Juliana Shelley is the “fixer” in her family, one of the Shelley Triplets, but even she couldn’t fix the upheaval caused when Ellis “Handsome” Maitland convinced her sister Anne to run away with him. The ensuing events left Juliana scarred and her reputation in ruins, any hope of a happy marriage is put to rest by her father, he says she will never marry and will live with him as his secretary and hostess – not the life she hoped for. In an attempt to be the master of her destiny, Juliana secretly escapes to the scandalous club The Donville Masquerade, with the hope that she can at least know pleasure on her own terms. Never once did she expect to encounter Ellis there or to want him beyond reason, but that is exactly what happens.
Ellis is in the club trying to track down Lord Winston Leonard – the youngest son of the Duke of Coningburgh – the source of all his current troubles. Ellis is an accomplished thief and scammer, raised on the streets, he knows the underworld and has been running his “games” for years – but when he and his friend Solomon, the Earl of Harcourt ran afoul of Lord Winston and Solomon is killed, Ellis knows this game won’t end until they are both dead. To protect those he loves, he convinced the Anne, the fiancée of the new Earl of Harcourt to run away with him, hoping to learn what happened to the gem that Solomon stole from Winston. He never expected Winston to kidnap Juliana, thinking she was Anne or to hurt her and then disappearing but still leaving the threat to his loved ones. Nor does he expect to fall in love with the very stubborn Juliana. Ellis knows he is not good enough for her and that being with her places her in danger, so he tries to push her away – but when he learns Juliana has information he needs to find the gem – he will have to play by her rules and can only hope they both survive!
I thought this was a well written, fast paced story that neatly tied up the series with a surprising twist. The book has a little of everything, intrigue, mystery, steamy love scenes, surprises, danger, drama, a great cast of characters and an unexpected, yet delightful tie in to both the Notorious Flynns and the Wicked Woodleys series!! This is the third book in the series and I would really recommend reading the books in order for maximum enjoyment.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*
Such a perfect ending to this series. This third and final book of The Shelley Sisters is Juliana and Ellis’ story. I also enjoyed seeing the characters from the previous books as well.
I wasn’t sure how Ellis could ever be redeemed but the author managed to make it work and he ended up being quite the hero in my eyes:) When Ellis tells of his growing up years, I had tears in my eyes and my heart ached for him, plus it also answered a lot of questions of why he’d ended up the way he had. He’s now on a mission to kill the man who dared hurt his family, even if it means sacrificing his life.
Juliana, having been scarred by the villain of the story, thinks that being a spinster will be the only future she has. Then she meets up with Ellis again and passions run high and even though he says he’s not good enough for her, she can be very stubborn and determined:) He’s trying to keep her safe but she’ll have none of it, she wants to help him all she can. Lots of action and a few twists and turns to keep you on your toes!!
I was given an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
There are a number of kinds of villains in this world and we have several of them in this book and series. We have the really, really nasty, unredeemable villain, the villain who is a villain simply because of his lack of care and concern for anyone other than himself – a real user, and the villain who isn’t of sterling character but is in his current situation because someone else put him in a corner and he’s behaving desperately and rashly. One gets his just punishment, one just goes on with his life without suffering any consequences, and the other finds his salvation in the love of a good woman.
Two of the stunningly beautiful, identical, Shelley triplets are married. Thomasina (A Reluctant Bride), and Anne (A Reckless Runaway), have found their HEA’s and now it is Juliana’s turn. They have shared a face and form all of their lives, they’ve been inseparable and nobody could tell them apart until they met their husbands – who inexplicably always knew which one was their love. That inseparability is at an end and so is the three sharing the same face. With Thomasina and Anne married, they have formed that strong bond with their husbands and Juliana feels as if she is on the outside looking in – and she also now has a scarred face thanks to the knife of the vile Winston Leonard.
Things are tense for the Shelley sisters and their mates because Winston Leonard has gone to ground. They know he is waiting and planning his next attack on them – but when? Ellis Maitland knows he’s put everyone he cares about in danger and he intends to put that to rights – even though he knows he won’t survive. It is better a worthless, black-hearted man like him pay the price than his loved ones. All he needs to do is find the hidden diamond and flush Winston out from hiding.
This is the story of Ellis’ redemption and it is lovely. Ellis had a horrid childhood and survived on the streets as best he could. He is known as “Handsome” on the streets and it is for good reason – he looks like a Greek god. He is accustomed to playing “love games” to make his way in the world – until he got tangled up with Winston Leonard. Ellis isn’t nearly as bad as he thinks he is – but nobody can convince him of that. Well, almost nobody. As he was holding the beautiful Juliana after Winston Leonard had sliced her face, he knew he’d do anything to keep her from more harm.
Juliana needs a bit of redemption of sorts herself. Well, maybe not redemption – but she is restless and unhappy with her new status and she has to do something about it. Since she is now destined to be a spinster and live with her father for the rest of her life, she wants to have one exciting thing to remember. The Donville Masquerade is just what she needs – it is totally anonymous – nobody will know who she is. But the handsome stranger she encounters isn’t anonymous at all.
Juliana and Ellis are at odds. Each is attracted to the other, but he wants her to stay away from the Donville Masquerade and stay home where she’ll be safe. They are thrown together and get to know each other better – and they come to love each other. That just makes Ellis more and more convinced that he has to follow through with his plan to defeat Winston Leonard.
I enjoyed this lovely, steamy tale of love and redemption. There is a nice epilogue that shows them all five years in the future and it was sweet to know how Ellis was coming along.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A Counterfeit Courtesan
The Shelley Sisters Series #3
Jess Michaels
https://www.facebook.com/JessMichaelsBks/
Release date 03/03/2020
Publisher Passionate Pen
Blurb :
The last of the Shelley triplets to remain unmarried, Juliana Shelley has never felt like she’s recognized as her own person. But now, scarred by a terrible attack, she’s never felt so alone. Or so tired of cleaning up every else’s mess. She longs for something just for herself. A taste of the desire that seems to make her sisters so very happy in their marriages. One desperate night, she goes to the wicked Donville Masquerade, looking for trouble and finds a handsome, masked stranger more than willing to provide it.
Ellis Maitland’s dangerous desperation caused the injuries Juliana suffered and he has felt guilty about it since. And drawn to her unlike anyone else he’s ever met. When he realizes she’s masquerading as a courtesan his best impulses, rusty as they are, cause him to try to stop her from making a mistake.
Only Juliana isn’t as easily deterred as Ellis believes she will be. And the desire that sparks between them soon cannot be denied. Although they begin a passionate affair, Ellis knows it cannot last. After all, he has a plan to take care of the villain behind all the trouble plaguing his family and it’s one he knows he won’t survive. Will Juliana’s help and faith save him? Or will it be too little, too late.
My review :
While this book can be read as a standalone, to better appreciate the background plot, I would recommend to read the two previous books in this trilogy.
From the beginning, I have been intrigued by Ellis, while there is no doubt he is no angel, some of his actions and thoughts show a different man, one hiding behind his hardened mask.
And now he is reaching his goal, seing no escape from the course he has set in motion, he rethinks some of his past deeds and wishes he could have done things an other way.
He bears the weight of his choices and mistakes, which leaded to Juliana being hurt and his friend killed. Now, that those he tried to hide he cares about are threatened, he sees only one outcome.
So when Juliana comes crashing in his life, refusing to take no as an answer, he finds himself unbalanced and his goal compromised.
He appears to everyone as a devilish seducer, extracting with his charms and wits informations and coins. Yet it is a facade thoroughly practiced to protect the little boy who had to run away to save himself. So much it became a second nature and he rarely drops the mask.
And Juliana with her demand of trust and faith endangers everything he has come to expect, even his own demise.
Juliana is sure like a fish out of water when she puts feet in Ellis’ universe , it might be the shining facade, it is still a very different world of the one she was brought up.
But now she is left on the edge of society, she wants to explore what has always been marked as forbidden.
She needs to find a way for herself to still exist as her life has been forever altered and she has lost her own purpose. By looking for her new self, she steps in Ellis’ place and while he is behind the whole scheme that changed her life for good, he also showed commiseration when she was abducted and wounded.
She is attracted to him like Eve to the forbidden fruit, and feels there is more to Handsome Ellis than he is willing to show but drawn to another they are and both can’t fight permanently their chemistry. When she wants to surrender, he pushes her away but like a magnet, they road cross again and again.
Both are moved by one another and when she pursues him, as he stirs new sensations from her; he wants to avoid her, afraid to cause her more pain than she has already endured.
Even when they agree to collaborate to find the true culprit and villain, both has a different view of the result.
By deciding to sacrifice himself to free those he cares for from the threat posed by the evil man whose aim is only to hurt more and more, Ellis redeems himself and shows he is not the bad guy he was portrayed at first.
4.5 stars for this lovely conclusion to this trilogy, now I do wonder if we will see again some of the side characters like Marcus, the owner of the Sex club.
I was granted an advance copy by the author and preordered my own. Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
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As a triplet, Juliana Shelley has never quite felt like her own person and that’s become even more true with her sisters now happily, though scandalously, married and her face scarred by a vicious attack. Her prospects are few and her father is determined she’ll remain with him working as his secretary. Juliana is sick of solving the problems of others and wants for herself just a taste of the desire her sisters so obviously enjoy with their husbands. This goal leads a desperate Juliana to the Donneville Masquerade in search of a man to fulfill those desires.
It was Ellis Maitland’s money making scheme gone wrong which ultimately led to Juliana’s attack and he continues to feel responsible. He’s also drawn to her like he’s never been to any other woman. When he recognizes her at the Masquerade, he steps in to try to stop her doing something she’ll later regret. But Juliana won’t be cast off so easily and the fire between herself and Ellis is not so easily ignored. Ellis knows he’s not worthy of her and nothing between them could ever last, especially since he knows he won’t survive his plans to take down the villain threatening the lives of everyone he cares about. Juliana’s belief in him makes the sacrifice even harder, but his deepening feelings make Ellis even more determined to protect her at all costs. Juliana is the only one who can save Ellis from himself, but only if she can learn of his plans in time to put a stop to his noble sacrifice.
I loved Juliana and Ellis together. Despite is lies, fears, and past mistakes, she saw right through him to the good man he actually was. This wound up being a lovely story of redemption for both Juliana and Ellis with two lost souls finding solace and acceptance in each other. This was a great wrap up to a very charming series and I’m rather sad to see it end.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Redemption
Juliana Shelley is the last of the triplet sisters to look for love. Adjusting to the scar on her face is difficult. She longs for a relationship like her sisters. Ellis Hamilton saved Juliana from further hurt after her attack. He lives in the underground of London and doesn’t see living a normal life, even though Juliana makes him think otherwise. His goal is to destroy the man who harmed her, his friends and family. With Julia’s love, Ellis is a changed man who garners trust and finds the love of his life. Is he willing to give up on revenge? Explicit sex with an engaging story.
4 1/2 STARS****
Ellis Maitland has a huge mess to clean up and he has no one to blame but himself. Except he never knew the depths of brutality and cruelty that Winston Leonard would go to to get back what Ellis stole from him and now Miss Juliana Shelley has paid the price with a vicious knife slice across her cheek. Ellis is trying to fix the situation all the while trying to stay away from Juliana, but the lady has other ideas. Can Ellis stop Winston Leonard while trying to protect those he cares about?
This was my favorite of the Shelley sister books. Juliana was the “fixer” of the family, always tidying up the messes caused by her sisters and smoothing things over with their tyrant of a father, but when both of her sister’s found true love, Juliana was lost. She was scarred and missing the close connection with her sisters. She was a strong and resilient character who proved that she was much more than her father’s “secretary.” I loved Ellis–the bad boy trying to walk the straight and narrow, but his past kept coming back to haunt him. Ms. Michaels does a great job of teasing out Ellis’s true character as he tries to keep Juliana and the rest of her family safe from Leonard while the author’s ending for Ellis fit the life he led. I’m sorry to see the series end. I loved reading about all 3 sisters.
This is the third in Jess Michaels Shelley Sisters series, I have loved the whole series but this is my favorite. The unlikely hero of this story has been one of the villains from the previous two stories, Ellis. He at first seems unredeemable but Jess expertly tells his story and we discover there is more to him than his past deeds, ultimately we find he is willing to sacrifice all for those he cares and loves. Our heroine Juliana, the peacemaker of the triplets, finds her life tragically altered from her only previous encounter with Ellis. Though that meeting brought feeling to the surface for both of them. A chance encounter at an exclusive club brings our pair together that leads them on a dangerous path towards the true villain. Along the way these two damaged people open up to each other finding true love and forgiveness. WithJess’s usual steamy scenes a great story is told. Cannot recommend this series enough, once you read one you will want to read them all.
A Counterfeit Courtesan by Jess Michaels is book Three in The Shelley Sisters Series. This is the story of Juliana Shelley and Ellis Maitland. I have read the previous books which of course added to my enjoyment of this one, but I did feel you could make it a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Ellis feels the guilt of what happened to Juliana when she was hurt because he of his actions. Juliana has always been the person to take care of things and fix what is needed in her family. Juliana sees her sisters happily married knowing that wont be her because of her scars. In addition, her father informing her that she will stay with him and work for him. But Juliana wants to know passion something she never experience and something just for her. This leads her to go the the wicked Donville Masquerade to find that excitement. But she finds Ellis and the attractions she so wants. Ellis knows it is wrong to want Julianna with the danger he is facing but he can’t seem to stop. Then she offers to help him which again he shouldn’t allow but they can’t seem to stop their feelings. This was a exciting hot read!
A Counterfeit Courtesan is the third and final book in the incredible The Shelley Sisters series by Jess Michaels. If you haven’t read the first two, will this stand alone? In a word, no. You will still enjoy it, but the hero in this book was such an integral part of this series and the impetus behind all that happens up to this point. You will be doing yourself a disservice if you don’t start this series from the beginning.
Juliana Shelley is the last unmarried Shelley triplet. Facially scarred by a knife attack and consigned to a miserable life as a secretary to her horrible father, Juliana wants to experience at least once the passion her sisters appear to enjoy in their marriages. One evening she arrives incognito at the Donville Masquerade, a club where masked patrons can satisfy their base sexual urges. She is confronted by a handsome stranger and is immediately drawn to him. Unbeknownst to Juliana, this man is Ellis “Handsome” Maitland, the man who is partially to blame for her scarred face and behind most of her family’s current hardships. Ellis feels horribly guilty about Juliana’s injuries, especially since she touched his heart in a way no one ever had before. They begin a passionate affair, but Ellis knows it won’t end well. He needs to stop the villain who threatens everyone he loves, and Ellis doesn’t expect to survive.
I loved Juliana as a heroine. She was the family fixer, expected to take care of everyone else’s problems. She felt left out of the triplet bond she had with her sisters once they married for love. She was a bit timid but resented everyone treating her as a fragile wounded woman who needed protection. But when the going gets tough, the tough…well, you know. Even though Juliana was wonderful, it was Ellis who made the book and ultimately the series the wonder that it was. Ellis was such a villain in the beginning of this series and I had no idea how Ms. Michaels could possibly make him into a credible hero. However, his transformation throughout the three books was masterfully done. He moved from being a seemingly horrid man to one who is willing to sacrifice all to save his loved ones. As a couple, Ellis and Juliana’s chemistry was incendiary. I totally recommend a pitcher of ice water to be close at hand; not to drink, but to douse yourself with when things get really steamy! My only regret about this series (besides it ending!) is that we didn’t get to learn more about Marcus Rivers, the intriguing owner of the Donville Masquerade. I hope Jess Michaels is writing quickly…I must have more of her steamy goodness!
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
And then there was one Shelley triplet left unmarried… Juliana and this is her journey to hopefully a happy ever after. But how to achieve that with her scarred face and emotions? Spinster secretary to her father? Well if that was in store, she was determined to find that “something” her sisters were so happy about. The wicked Donville Masquerade would be the perfect place because nobody would know who she is and she can maybe have one wicked night. Oh yes and she does find him in the form of one Ellis Maitland who sparks an inferno of desire!
Ellis is a wounded soul. But he is determined to keep Juliana safe and kill the villian that is still out there and who caused her injuries in the first place.
A wonderful dance of passion, suspense, mystery, a treasure that needs to be found and these wonderful characters that bring the story to life at the nib of Jess Michael’s talented pen!
Great epilogue and although I am a little sad to see this series end, I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next! I read this through NetGallery
Juliana Shelley is the last of the Shelly triplets, she’s had quite the scar that has left her scarred for life by the madman everyone is searching for and another man she can’t seem to forget. She longs for adventure and to be recognized for her own self. She attends the wicked Donville Masquerade determined to lose her virginity, looking for trouble and finds a handsome, masked stranger, or so she thinks. Ellis Maitland is trouble, he kidnapped one of the Shelly sisters and has left another on scarred for life so when he realizes Julianna is need of rescuing he intercedes to stop her reckless actions. Ellis is out to right a wrong when he set in motion a devastating scheme that has turned a madman an loose on the Shelly sisters and their families. Ellis knows he’s the only one to end this reign of terror and he’s determined to keep Julianne safe. I love these two as they grow to accept their feeling for one another. Will Julianne the rich girl and Ellis the dangerous street kid from nowhere have a future, love knows know boundaries and the heart wants what it wants!!! An excellent story I loved and I voluntarily wrote a review.
This book was everything I wanted!! A perfect end to a fantastic series!
******
Overall Rating:
******
“ “To the Shelley Sisters. And to the very happy lives we somehow managed to build against all odds.”
I have been anxiously waiting for this final book about the final Shelley triplet. Based on the first two books I was skeptical that Ellis’ character could be redeemed and how Juliana would be involved.
I was amazed, and overjoyed that Ms. Michaels was able to pull it all together!!! The clock is ticking down and Leonard is becoming impatient. Ellis sees only one way out of this mess and Juliana has resigned to being a spinster. But what will happen next?
Will Ellis get the issue resolved? Will Leonard get what’s coming to him? Will Juliana find love? I am not going to tell. I want you to enjoy this book as much as I did! Actually, I want you to enjoy this series as much as I have!
I have loved every book of this series and this one was amazing just like the others. The Shelley sisters are one of my fave series now and I will reread again and again! Definitely recommend this book and this series!!!
Having read the previous two books in this series i’ve been especially excited to see how the final book would play out, being already aware of most of the characters in this book, from the three sisters and their husbands to the villains including Ellis ‘Handsome’ Maitland, i’ve been wondering about him for a while and of just how he was going to redeem himself of his part he played and to become a hero you could fall in love with. Make no mistake that in the beginning I thought that I would never grow to like Ellis, but the more you get to see of him, he starts to reveal the kind of man he is underneath the surface, and all is not what he at first seems.
Ellis and Juliana’s story was a good ending to the series as it tied up all the loose ends but I felt it lacked a little of the drama and sense of adventure of the previous two sisters stories. This is my only reason for only giving this story 4 stars.
I have really enjoyed reading about the Shelly Sisters and the paths that their lives took them on. Jess Michaels is a great storyteller and really gets a feel for the time period that she writes about. It’s always a pleasure to read her stories and i’m looking forward to see what she will write about next.
A Counterfeit Courtesan by Jess Michaels
The Shelley Sisters #3
Three women with the same face.
Nobody can tell them apart.
They are the same but also very different.
The series tells their stories one by one and
This one is Juliana’s
And the conclusion of the tale of the Shelley Sisters…
Unless…there is a spin-off that takes us to the “underground” other perhaps to the next generation.
In book one Juliana and Harcourt found one another
In book two we heard how Anne, who ran away, found her HEA with Rook
In book three we find out how Juliana found strength, purpose and her HEA with Ellis
What I liked:
* Juliana: dealing with changes but willing to at least find some happiness and pleasure before she settled down into spinsterhood. She went after what she wanted and didn’t take no for an answer.
* Ellis: dealing with guilt and wanting to protect those he cares about is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to keep them safe – and – he really really likes Juliana.
* The fact that the couples from the previous books made appearances
* The bad guy got his comeuppance
* The steamy scenes were HOT
* The introduction of characters I hope will show up in a new series (Marcus, Golden, Reginald, Gabriel and perhaps others?)
What I did not like:
* Winston Leonard: a truly evil character that deserved rabid dog justice
* The triplets father: a waste of space and very selfish
* Having to say goodbye to this set of characters
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more books by this author? Without a doubt!
Thank you to NetGalley and The Passionate Pen for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
Juliana Shelley has never felt like she’s recognized as her own person. But now, scarred by a terrible attack, she’s never felt so alone. One desperate night, she goes to the wicked Donville Masquerade, looking for trouble and finds a handsome, masked stranger more than willing to provide it.
Ellis Maitland’s dangerous desperation caused the injuries Juliana suffered and he has felt guilty about it since. When he realizes she’s masquerading as a courtesan his best impulses, rusty as they are, cause him to try to stop her from making a mistake.
Only Juliana isn’t as easily deterred as Ellis believes she will be. Ellis knows he has no future because he has a plan to take care of the villain behind all the trouble plaguing his family and it’s one he knows he won’t survive.
This is the final part of the trilogy & it could be read on its own but to fully appreciate it I’d highly recommend reading the three books in order. I’ve loved Juliana since the first book, she’s the ‘fixer’ sister but now finds her sisters now look to their husbands & she feels left out. Ellis is a charmer, rogue & has earned his nickname Handsome but he’s never been captivated by a woman before & strives to be a better man for Juliana. The attraction between the pair sizzles from the start but they also start to see the real person behind their facades. I didn’t think Ellis could be redeemed & it was tough & go. A well written story that flowed well, strong characters & a villain to defeat had me glued to my kindle for hours – I read the book in two sittings & it was an engrossing series finale
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Juliana, the fixer, is uniquely qualified to save Ellis from the mess he’s in.
The story that started in Book 1 with Harcourt’s brother and his friendship with the evasive conman, Ellis, concludes in this final book that reveals all the heartbreaking history and fierce determination necessary to redeem a truly irredeemable man.
Both of Juliana’s sisters have had their lives upended by Ellis and his quest to protect what family he has left. Juliana’s story starts with a chance encounter with Ellis that leads to them both helping the other with their particular problems. Along the way, these two find strength in each other, even as Ellis is convinced he won’t survive the necessary confrontation he’s orchestrating.
Juliana really comes into her own in this story, stepping out of her expected family role to grab what she wants out of life. Meanwhile, Ellis is becoming a better man as he faces the consequences of his earlier libertine lifestyle and finds the courage to move beyond his checkered past.
Like the first two books, our focus couple gets their HEA by the end. Despite being standalone romances, however, the story arc connecting the three books is so intricately woven throughout each of the books that I would not recommend starting anywhere but with the first story, A Reluctant Bride.
That said, this is a story that is well worth investing in all three books. It’s one of the best series I’ve read, full of heroes and rogues, triumph and joy, passion and suspense. The final epilogue in this book gives us an extended HEA for the entire family. I loved every bit, and I can’t recommend it enough. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
So the mystery of the missing gem is finally solved. Ellis and Julianna’s journey to a happily ever after is a hard fought battle with Ellis feeling that he is not good enough. Sometimes when the hero/heroine feel like this it gets on my nerves but not in this story. I love how Julianna would not let go and let Ellis’ feelings take over. Their interactions were wonderful and their love story was beautiful. And oh yeah, we get lots of Marcus Rivers and some Paul Abbott!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
This was by far my favorite book of the trilogy. Obviously after the cliffhanger book 2 ended on, I could not wait to get my hands on this story. Jess Michaels (as always) did not disappoint!
I love a villain. Villain’s stories are almost always deeper, and more interesting. Ellis was no exception. I sort of understood his motivations based on the previous two books, but not as clearly as I do now. The best part of his character’s evolution for me, is that it was not rushed. It was a gradual struggle. This struggling transition seems ever so much more realistic than when characters just fall in love and all of a sudden, as if by magic, they’re good guys now.
It was also amazing to see Juliet come into her own. She has been largely silent in previous stories. Her journey of self realization is something we all struggle with.
As always, the plot is dynamic and engaging. The characters fully realized and believable. The romance is exquisitely balanced between sweet and steamy. I will definitely be revisiting this story in the future, but first, I need to go reread Marcus Rivers’ story!!!
Starring Juliana Shelley and Ellis “Handsome” Maitland.
It’s been a while since I’ve read a new book from Jess Michaels, who happens to be one of my all time fave, keeper shelf author. I absolutely loooooved her ALBRIGHT SISTERS series (and re-read it gabillion times), so I was very intrigued and eager to read her SHELLEY SISTERS series. I have to admit that I didn’t read Thomasina’s or Anne’s stories… but I felt that the backstory was explained in this 3rd installment and I was able to follow through.
Juliana has always been the “fixer” among the triplets. But now she’s feeling a bit misplaced and a 5th wheel since her sisters have fallen in love and gotten married. She is strong and stubborn… and when a continuing threat to her family hangs over all their heads, she is determined to go after the madman who scarred her physically.
Ellis is a wonderful alpha hero with a dark past. He is so drawn to Julian but fights his attraction to her because he feels responsible for what happened to her and her family. So he’s determined to sacrifice himself in order to save them all. I mean, swoon-worthy, right?!?
This is romance… and steam… and intrigue… oh my!! Together Juliana and Ellis are a delicious pair and sparks definitely flies when they’re at close proximity. If only they could stop fighting and resisting each other, and lock lips… I mean, arms… and go after their common enemy.
I love that this is a little bit darker than what I’ve previously read of Jess Michaels‘s books. I was so engrossed in the story from beginning to end. And even with all the intrigue, I did ugly cry in this book. I love the relationship between Juliana and her sisters….. and Ellis’s relationship with his cousin Rook. And of course, Juliana and Ellis gave me all the wonderful feels!! Another great read from the great Jess Michaels. She is totally a keeper shelf author for me!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily review it and the comments are 100% my own.
My Star Ratings: 5 Stars
Ugly cried AF. Characters and storyline were amazing. Made me wanna hug the author for writing a book that gave me all the feels!! Will be re-reading this story over and over and over again!!