The Lady Always Wins

This cute little story actually has some meat and potatoes to it! It's also quintessentially Milan: there's a quirky lead paired with a 'straight man', and the two fall in love but only after the hero decides to remake himself before the heroine swoops in to rescue him.As brief as the story is, it's pretty sweet. The two leads have obvious chemistry, aided by the fact that they're both fully fleshed out characters. Ginny grew up dirt poor until she ran away to her aunt for a semblance of normal life, but the trauma of her past still haunts her to this day, hence why she refuses to marry without some kind of financial security. I honestly loved this. While I am a romantic at heart and believe true love conquers all, I also live in an era where I can work and have my own money. Ginny didn't have that luxury, and so her only path to security was to marry as wealthy as she can, which she does initially, and to a man who wasn't a monster even if they didn't love each other. Good for her.Meanwhile, Simon came from wealth but has always been a bully and a dreamer. When he discovers he can't have Ginny, he dreams and bullies his way to a prosperous existence, only to have that existence be in financial jeopardy. Still, he has enough that he plans to trick Ginny into marrying him before he loses it all. Ask for forgiveness and not for permission. That's his strategy. Unfortunately, I don't feel like he's really given time to atone for his mistakes and misdirection. He kind of just says he'll do better, and the next thing you know, he's with Ginny. It's not the end of the world. Really, the most unbelievable part is Ginny's final act.All in all, the story's cute. It's not particularly memorable, but it was cute and sweet and fun while it lasted. However, I don't think I'll be coming back to this one, but that's my personal preference.

Really enjoyed this story! Much more than a routine short, it conveyed a passionate love, intense hurt, and an eventual joining that was ment to be.

Ginny & Simon’s story was very short but Courtney Milan managed to pack so much into it: humor, strong emotion, star-crossed first loves brought back together after seven years apart, and all the while the reader is given vivid details which brings the characters and setting to life without any tediousness.

3.5 starsI guess it had to happen some time: that I read a Courtney Milan novel I didn't love. And now it has. This novella was originally part of an anthology 'Three weddings and a murder' which explains the lack of length. Unfortunately it doesn't explain why the novel has a bit of a flat rushed feel to it. Because Milan can normally write a wealth of information and character depth in very few pages - as an example I would recommend any of Milans other novellas, such as 'This wicked gift' from 'The heart of christmas' anthology, 'Unlocked' or 'The governess affair' - possibly the best HR short ever written!Back to this story. Simon and Virginia were childhood sweethearts, both from landed gentry, but she with a scandalous family steeped in debt and poverty. His parents did not approve of the match and Virginia ended up marrying somebody else. Seven years later, Virginia is now a widow and Simon a rich man in his own right. He will do whatever it takes to marry Virginia. All is fair in love and war and Simon loves Virginia with a ferocity, that enables him to lie and cheat in order to get what he wants.I never really warmed to the heroine and didn't think she went through sufficient growth at all. I did warm to the hero though. Heroes are Milans strength - she writes fantastic men. Men who empower the women they love and admire... they are just yummy! I enjoyed that the couple were at the 'I love you'-phase right from the word go and their power plays were fun to read, but generally the book didn't live up to my expectations...But maybe that is unfair? Maybe I would have deemed this a 5 star novella if it had been written by another author? But from Ms. Milan I expect more. She is my favourite author and on my 'auto buy' list. I can't help feeling cheated out, that I spent 3.74 on this novel, compared to the fact, that the best Historical Romance novel I ever read: The Duchess Wars (also by Ms. Milan) was 3.99...

Reviewed at Another Look Book ReviewsCourtney Milan writes the best historical heroines. They're always so smart and admirable. I know so many readers love a hero but for me, the heroine makes or breaks a story. Even though The Lady Always Wins is a novella, the heroine Ginny is just as commendable and memorable as though I had read about her story in a full length novel. I just adored her.Ginny and Simon were childhood friends, adolescence sweethearts and then parted ways desolately before they had a real chance to have their love bloom into a mature romance. Courtney Milan provides excellent background history and writes entertaining flashbacks to their first meetings.Due to the circumstances placed before the juvenile couple, Ginny married another man and Simon sought out to build his fortune and make a name for himself. I felt their heavy disappointment seep through the pages even though their story was recollected by the couple from years past. The span of time apart did not soften the hurt. Clearly they never got over each other and they were in each other's thoughts daily.With Ginny's recent status as a widow, Simon wasted as little time as possible to pursue Ginny. Although The Lady Always Wins is a novella, I felt it was the perfect length for Ginny and Simon's story. From the moment they see each other after being apart for years, they immediately slide into the easy and fun banter that they both enjoyed from the past. It was if no time had passed. I LOVED their smooth transition into the little game of Simon seducing Ginny by a deadline. It fit this couple perfectly. In fact, when I finished reading The Lady Always Wins, I went right back and re-read it.The Lady Always Wins is a gem and only .97 on Amazon. A delightful read that is sure to put a smile on your face.Teasers: beetle meeting, check-mate, tulips, fake meteor shower

Another excellent story, loved it must d another book by Courtney Milan. Love arrived in time always be honest with your man love him always like mrs crosswell did and should have told him to wait but therein lies the story.

Not a bad book but nothing spectacular. A nice short read so it's good if you only have an hour spare and want a quick read. A little too historical for me but I wouldn't let it put you off.

I normally love Courtney Milan's work - but not this time. The book carried no punch and I found it rather bland. It's not actually bad but not in the same league as The Governess Affair or A Kiss for Midwinter.

Like all her books this carries an endearing storyline which does not become trapped in the merely erotic. Which is why, as a man, I rate her amongst the top of her genre.

WOW! All I can say is what a difference a great writer makes! I've been reading a lot of on-line books by unknown authors and sometimes you hit upon a great one. Most of the time, they're pretty good . . . just not quite 5 star material. Sometimes, I can't even quite put my finger on what keeps them from being 5 star reads. But now that I've read this book, I can. It is absolutely writing style. OMG! I love Courtney Milan's writing - the words she uses as descriptors, the flow, the wit. It is something special. The X factor that some performers have? . . .well, she has that! As soon as I read the first few paragraphs, I knew this book would absolutely be 5 stars. See if these first few paragraphs don't hook you . . .Simon Davenport had just three days to woo and marry a woman.Not just a woman - the woman.Right now the only things standing between him and the object of his affections were a field of exuberant colored tulips, a walkway of white crushed stones, and seven years of pointed silence on his part.