Trial by Desire by Courtney Milan

From Book Trigger Warnings
Trial by Desire
Cover of Trial by Desire by Courtney Milan
Author(s) Courtney Milan
Published September 28, 2010
Publisher HQN Books
Genre(s) Historical Romance
Age group Adult


Trial by Desire by Courtney Milan is an adult historical romance novel, originally published on September 28, 2010. It is the second book in the Carhart series.

Trigger Warnings

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Author-Provided Warnings

The following content warnings are listed on the author's website:

  • References to domestic abuse/IPV.
    Chapter 1: Kate thinks about how a horse being whipped reminds her of what she helped Louisa escape from.
    Chapter 3: It is stated that the Harcroft punched Louisa in the stomach.
    Chapter 7: Kate references Harcroft hitting Kate with a fire poker.
    Chapter 8: Kate explains that Mr. Alcott was brutally beating Mrs. Alcott and due to her advancing age he was likely to start breaking bones without intervention.
    Chapter 9: Louisa describes further particulars of her husband’s abuse.
    Chapter 16: It is stated that Kate’s old nursemaid, the first woman she helped, had her leg broken by her husband.
  • Reference to child abuse.
    Chapter 3: Harcroft told Louisa that he would break their infant son’s arm if she told anyone that he beat her.
  • References to bipolar disorder and suicidal depression.
    Throughout: Ned refers to depressive episodes obliquely as “darkness” or “winter” that creeps up and attempts to overcome him.
    Chapter 22: Ned admits that he nearly killed himself while he was in China.
  • Depiction of animal cruelty.
    Chapter 1: The carter whips his abused and emaciated horse.
  • Depictions of violent misogyny.
    Throughout: Harcroft is prone to rants about the inherent frivolity and incompetence of women in addition to blaming them for his violence against them.
  • References to and depictions of assault.
    Chapter 14: Harcroft attacks Kate in her home, slamming her into a wall, wrenching her arm, and punching her.
    Chapter 17: Ned relates being tied up and thrown into a latrine pit at the command of a British officer in China.
    Chapter 24: Harcroft attacks Kate a second time, pushing her to the ground and preparing to punch her.

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