I missed my stop on the train because I was so caught up in reading that I forgot where I was. I really appreciate the rise in what I think of as "good-hearted romance" -- stories where the hero and heroine are both fundamentally good, kind people who are trying to do good things, rather than at least one of them being the subject of a redemption arc -- and this is a really great example of why you don't need deceit and redemption to power a romance plot. Are Adrian and Camilla perfect people? No, of course not. They're both occasionally oblivious or self-centered and do hurtful things, but they apologize and try to fix their mistakes; it isn't the source of half the plot. It's so nice to read about hero-and-heroine-against-the-world instead of hero-and-heroine-against-each-other. (As a side note, the way Camilla is gradually empowered to fight back against her situation -- by reading up on legal cases until she understands the laws and precedents concerning marriage annulment -- is really beautifully handled.) The minor characters are wonderful, too, especially Theresa and the dowager marchioness. Also, since the blurb doesn't make this clear and I think they're selling points for anyone who actually reads my reviews, this book features a biracial hero and a bisexual heroine and they are both GREAT.

A deeply affecting love story between two marginalized characters. Milan doesn't shy away from racial or sexual politics, and both Camilla and Adrian are utterly likable. I really loved how much weight was given to deserving kindness, and I especially loved how Adrian and Camilla were great allies. Adding in stunning secondary characters--I would happily become Mrs. Beasley when I grow up--and Milan's latest is a moving story of hope, consent, family, and human decency.

This is one of those titles that I don't really want to review because I feel horrible that I didn't like it more. 

Courtney Milan writes outstanding historical romances (to date, The Duchess Deal has not been topped, in my opinion). Milan's historicals are inevitably unique and thoughtful. So, I am surprised that After the Wedding missed the mark for me. 

Camilla Worth is a lady with a capital "L"; however, she is working as a maid because of scandal and her own self-loathing. For me, the reasons given for Camilla's exile from the family were weak and ultimately overly complicated. While I enjoyed her romance with Adrian, I couldn't help but feel like something was missing in the development of their relationship. There were so many elements to the plot in After the Wedding that I struggled to maintain an interest in the overall narrative. It's inevitable that Cam and Adrian were going to be together, but that journey to the happily ever after felt way too long and I never fully bought into either character's reasons for resisting the relationship. Yes, the ultimate resolution was sweet, but perhaps a bit too heavy handed, in the sense that it delivers a strong message to readers. 

I really, really wanted to love After the Wedding and I just didn't. The story was just okay for me. I feel horrible - but I suppose you can love every book by an author. Here's hoping the next book in the series is more my style.

Don’t judge a book by its cover, although I also didn’t really like the cover much, I didn’t enjoy the contents. I think that both the hero and heroine lacked substance. 
The hero reminded me of Dido Elizabeth Belle, a real-life person who was the first black aristocrat. I saw the movie and her situation was complicated, her family hid her during social events, but she was neither part of aristocrat social circles nor was she a slave or servant. Watch the movie, its really good, now back to the book. 
Adrian is a likable character that wants his uncle, a power-hungry bishop, to acknowledge him, that where I stopped liking him. His mother was white, and his father was black. Why does he need his uncle’s approval, if what he wants is a happy life with a happy wife, he is better off without his uncle in his life? 
Camilla was less likable. She left her family when they were going through a very hard time to live with her rich uncle. She goes from being an aristocrat to being a maid. Ha! She deserved that. She is constantly saying she wants love but doesn’t deserve it and soon I find myself agreeing with her. 
Courtney Milan please come back and try again.

Several months ago, I read a few of Courtney Milan's contemporary romance novels, including Hold Me. I was impressed by her thoughtful portrayal of a transgender woman. I appreciate that Milan offered me the opportunity to read and learn about people unlike myself. The novel I'm reviewing now, After the Wedding, offered me a similar opportunity, as our hero and heroine make up an interracial couple. 

Milan is wonderful, and one of my favorite romance novelists. The stories she shares are engaging and heart-warming and steamy, and the characters are always delightful. I highly recommend this book!

I was not a big fan of Adrian and the way he let his uncle manipulate him. Seemed rather childish to me.

I loved this! I always enjoy Courtney Milan’s characters, but I particularly appreciated that Adrian was not the pushy alpha male hero. They were kind and considerate of each other. I loved the younger sister side character and look forward to more of her story!

An incredibly moving story, this is not a book for someone looking for a light historical romance.  There is a. profound sense of sadness in the beginning of the novel that is only somewhat offset by the heroine's determination to be positive.

The story is unique, with the English hero being bi-racial, and the heroine admitting to previous attempts to find love.  It also features characters, while connected to the aristocracy, that are of the merchant and servant classes.

A beautiful, thoughtful novel. 

Thank you to Net Galley for an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

It’s been a long wait for this book to arrive, but thank goodness, it was worth it. It always is with a Courtney Milan book and I found this a particularly delightful read with its refreshingly honest characters, who might start out with deception but who never lie to each other if they can help it. There’s also a lot of ecclesiastical drama, which is a lot less boring than it sounds, and an attempt at an annulment done properly. Plus plenty more from the always interesting Worth siblings and quite a bit of fun with Adrian’s pottery works.

I loved Adrian – especially when I realised who his great uncles were (see In the Pursuit of… in Hamilton’s Battalion). He’s hard working, smart and despite having very few illusions about the world still manages to be hopeful and try to see the best in people. He doesn’t always get it right, of course, but I really liked him. And I loved the way he saw Camilla and made her see herself. He also happens to be black and support other POC at his factory, adding a much needed depth of diversity and reality to this slice of Victorian life.

I liked Camilla too. She’s been through a lot, constantly reaching out to those around her and being rejected, sometimes in the cruelest ways. Her ability to keep on dreaming and hoping despite everything was pretty admirable. I also loved that she saw everything that was best about Adrian even before she got to know him. It was great seeing her grow in strength throughout the story and I loved how she fought her more selfish impulses in order to get what they both deserved. However, some of her thoughts got a bit repetitive at times. She says she doesn’t dwell on the past, but you could have fooled me. Perhaps it was this that stopped me from loving her as much as I wanted to.

We also spend a fair bit of time with Camilla’s youngest sister, Teresa, who is a far from conventional girl on something of a mission. I cannot wait to see how her story progresses as this series goes on, because the way things end with her… gimme more.

So on the whole this was definitely worth the wait. The romance is steady and slow, with an adorably sweet resolution, the characters are diverse, often unconventional and likeable. The plot is intriguing and different, with a refreshing lack of foolish misunderstandings and unnecessary deceptions, and everything just works. It took a long time for this book to arrive, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I look forward to seeing where this series heads next. Even if it takes another three years… (but hopefully not).

This is one historical romance that is full of diverse characters, major and minor which contributes to a short but entertaining and often times poignant romance.  After the Wedding is the second book in a series about siblings whose family’s tragic past follows them into their present luves and how they managed to overcome it.  Camilla’s tale is more gut wrenching since she had such a hard time coping with feelings of being unloved and unwanted.  Although Adrian has his own family things to overcome as well, I think it is more Camilla’s story of acceptance of her own worth that makes it a compelling story.  I’m definitely looking forward to the next books.

Camilla and Adrian’s story builds from tremendously difficult beginnings – truly a shotgun marriage.  They get to know each other during the worst of their lives.  Camilla could at times be needy while still a strong person who takes care of herself.  She keeps hope in her heart.  Adrian is such a gentleman even when pushed.  He, too, looks for the good in difficult situations.

This may be the best mixed race book to be written in this genre is quite some time.  Courtney Milan is one of my favorite romance writers.  She can build a romance like no other in a novella.  The length of this books gives time to truly get to know Camilla and Adrian, including all of the ups and downs.

To say this is one of the best books I have read this year is an understatement.  I really don't even know where to start.  First,  I am pretty sure this is the first Historical Romance I have read where a hero is a black man. Second, the story has so many profound messages that I don't know if I can name all of them. Third, after reading this book, this must be how a foster child would feel being sent from person to person until all they have left is hope,  that is what it reminded me of, you might see and feel a different message.

I cried a lot while reading this book, I admit I am a big softie, but what Camilla goes through is tragic, heartbreaking and beautiful.  Adrian Hunter is just the man to love Camilla for a lifetime.  He is a Gentleman to his bones, he loves his family and wants nothing but to make them happy.  If you read the first two books in "The Worth Series" you have met Camilla.  

What I received from reading this book is that you should never give up hope that you will find love and in the most unexpected places.  Family is family, you may never get along all the time but if you need to go home, they are always there for you.  Sometimes you have to take a journey on your own to find what life gives you and for you to realize that you had it in you all along.

This is must read this book for all Historical Romance Readers and Writers!

After the Wedding by Courtney Milan is book Two in The Worth Saga.  This is the story of Adrian Hunter and Camilla Worth.  I have read the previous books but feel this is easily a standalone book. 
Adrian is undercover as a Valet to help his Uncle.  Camilla father was convicted of treason and instead of being a 'Lady' now she is past around from family to family.  This time they have her being a maid and when she and Adrian are caught in a compromising position they are forced to marry.  Camilla thinking she might have finely found someone that might want and keep her learns pretty fast that not the case.  Adrian thinks that his Uncle can help with getting this marriage annulled....but can he keep his hands off Camilla for his Uncle to do so.   
Enjoyed reading their story!

Wow! This was a very interesting book, I have never read a historical romance where the hero was biracial, which was an interesting twist. I loved Camilla and Adrian's story, and all it's twists and turns.  I have read many books where the female lead is a strong woman, but Camilla and Theresa were very different.  I can't wait to read Theresa's story.  Another great read by Courtney Milan.
I was given and ARC by NetGalley for my honest opinion.

I really enjoyed reading about Camilla and Adrian's relationship and it growing, and developing, and them falling in love. I liked the interactions between Theresa and Benedict, and all the scenes Grayson was in. The dowager was extremely likeable the few times we saw her. The bad guys bored me; the overthinking by Camilla and Adrian bored me; The factual recounting bored me; In fact, I'll admit, I skimmed the majority of the book, only stopped at the items above that I liked

But the parts I liked, I really liked. They made me smile, they made me laugh, they made me cry

I really like Courtney Milan's books and her writing style, but unfortunately, this book didn't impress me.  In particular, I had an issue with the heroine, who really didn't get enough of a backstory to explain why she was in the position she was in or why her behavior was so odd.  The reader was basically thrown into the middle of a very elaborate story without understanding what happened to the heroine in the past, and it made for a difficult first few chapters.  The hero was written much better, but then I had a hard time believing that he was a mixed race man who was not looked down upon by all and sundry.  Yes, a lot of behavior in the book made sense with respect to him, but then the heroine didn't seem taken aback at all by him.  I would think, given the time period, that their relationship should be more taboo?  That her relation would allow her to be compromised by a mixed race man and then force her to marry him seems, in those times, to be almost inconceivable.  I didn't believe them as a couple, and that combined with the confusing history of the heroine made me unable to enjoy the book.

I have been waiting so darn long for this book and boy, was it worth the wait. The characters are rich and beautifully written and I absolutely loved Camilla and Adrian. My heart broke for what Camilla had been through since childhood but I adored how she kept hoping for a better future with someone that would love her. The other aspect that I really liked about the novel was the secondary relationships and characters in this book. I especially loved Judith and Theresa’s relationship and cannot wait for Theresa’s own story. This is book two in the Worth Saga series. If you haven’t read the previous books, I would highly recommend it but this book can be read as a standalone. 

* I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review*

This was funny, emotional and romantic! At first, Camilla was so desperate to be loved, to be chosen, I was thinking I might have to put this down. But then, her humor shows through and it turns out her spirit is not entirely crushed, and she slowly comes into her own. I loved the way she she sticks up for herself and even though she wants something really badly, she doesn't compromise on wanting to be a choice instead of a make-do. Adrian was a great character too, but he definitely played second fiddle to Cam's character growth.  And the lead in to the next book with Theresa made a great teaser, so I can't wait! You don't have to read the first book in the series, but you'll get more out of this one if you do.

I can’t tell you how excited I was to see this book releasing.  I’ve literally waited years for this!  And to the point that I can’t say I remember much from the Worth family or the first book in particular.  I wish I would’ve had some time to do a quick re-read and refresh.  However, rest assured if you’re like me you can go into this book and slowly things will fall into place.

AFTER THE WEDDING is the story of Camilla Worth.  She’s the middle Worth sister and when her father was accused of treason she decided to go live with her uncle who promised her dresses and lemon tarts after the ruin of her family.  Her older sister Judith told by doing that she would be refusing their love and couldn’t come back.  For years, much after the disappointment of being rejected a short while later by her uncle, she’s been bouncing from home to home and working for half price to just survive.  And that’s all about to change when she’s forced to marry Adrian Hunter at gunpoint after a misunderstanding.  Now they must work together to get an annulment and that includes not consummating their fake marriage.

The premise of this book was so fun and interesting.  I love how Courtney Milan’s stories usually are full of smart plots and characters.  In this case, while Camilla is brilliant at some things, she’s also not so bright about life choices.  In a way I liked that about her character because it make her a bit more human.  A little broken.  Adrian was a perfect match for her in so many ways and I loved how they defied the odds even at the end.  Theirs is not a traditional story and I’m glad there’s a little less traditional HEA then imagining all their problems go away and they can fit into society.

But what’s keeping me from giving this book a higher rating was the pacing of the story.  I found it hard to get in a reading groove in the first half of this book.  It dragged a bit even as I was enjoying the story and I found myself putting this down easily.  But after the halfway point it picks up speed and we are back enthralled in the story that Ms. Milan knows how to weave.  I wished that would’ve been the same for the whole book.

Nevertheless, I am so anxious for more books about the Worth siblings!  So many possibilities with these broken characters that have gone through so much.  I hope we don’t have years to wait, but if that’s the case, I’ll still do so gladly.

I often find that Milan's characters are a teensy bit nice for my tastes (not that I require everyone to be an asshole). However, her writing is good and she fleshes out her characters enough that they're not boring.

In this book, I particularly liked the way Milan included things that aren't normally present in in historical romance.

1) black hero (and other characters of color)
2) bi heroine (and the brief appearance of other non-straight characters)
3) the notion that "comfort is a cage." Some of the characters find their lifestyle stifling and actually do something about it

I did find the thoughts of the characters, particularly Camilla, to be a bit repetitive at times in the first quarter of the book. Oftentimes Milan's heroines are much more interesting to me than her heroes, but here I liked that Adrian oversaw a plate factory. It was a nice look at another aspect of the times, rather than just fancy houses and balls and propriety. I look forward to Theresa's book, and other books in the series with characters that don't fit the usual HR mold.

3.5 stars