The Suffragette Scandal

Courtney Milan

The Suffragette Scandal
Courtney Milan
2014

The Summary
"Miss Frederica "Free" Marshall has put her heart and soul into her newspaper, known for its outspoken support of women's rights.  Naturally, her enemies are intent on destroying her business and silencing her for good.  Free refuses to be at the end of her rope...but she needs more rope, and she needs it now.

"Edward Clark's aristocratic family abandoned him to die in a war-torn land, so he survived the only way he could:  by becoming a rogue and a first-class forger.  When the same family that left him for dead vows to ruin Miss Marshall, he offers his help.  So what if he has to lie to her?  She's only a pawn to use in his revenge.

"But the irrepressible Miss Marshall soon enchants Edward.  By the time he realizes that his cynical heart is hers, it's too late.  The only way to thwart her enemies is to reveal his scandalous past...and once the woman he loves realizes how much he's lied to her, he'll lose her forever."

The Good
Free is independent, intelligent, and impetuous.  She won't take no for an answer, and she won't back down from a challenge.  Edward, on the other hand, is the tall, dark and handsome cliche personified.  He's dangerous, more so than anyone realizes, and yet he harbors a genuine affection for Free--and he's willing to risk everything to protect her.

Overall, it's a good story.  Free has a lovely sense of humor, and I loved the dynamic between her and Edward.  They're misfits in society, who have managed to find one another and do the impossible:  fall in love.

It's sweet and amusing, and it does a decent job of rounding out the series to which I've dedicated so much time.  Moreover, I was rather excited to see all the characters that I'd come to know and love throughout the series.  It was nice seeing everyone again, including Hugo and Serena.

The Bad
I have two complaints about The Suffragette Scandal:  one, I didn't like the portrayal of Oliver, Free's brother; two, I didn't like the way that this novel felt like it was tacked on to the end of the series.

Throughout the Brothers Sinister series by Courtney Milan, I've had a certain amount of respect for the male characters.  In a way, they have managed to conquer their personal demons and they have made successful lives for themselves, including Oliver.  Granted, I know Free has always had a blatant disregard for her brother's reputation and attitudes; however, I was a little bothered by the way Oliver--as well as Sebastian and Robert--were portrayed.

Free seems to think they're all stuffy and archaic, which they might be given her more radical (for the time) tendencies, but Edward just seems to kick them down a notch.  Oliver, for instance, seems too stiff and practical in comparison.  More to the point, Edward seems to openly mock the camaraderie of the men involved in the "Brothers Sinister."

That is, I've grown to view the "brothers" as a sort of family.  They build their relationships out of necessity, attempting to balance out the more damaging influences in their lives.  They--Sebastian, Robert, Violet, and Oliver--are all very close for it.  I appreciated their humor and I appreciated the lightness their club seemed to provide.

Edward just kind of destroys that feeling, which I really didn't like.

Moreover, I felt like The Suffragette Scandal was just tacked on to the end to give the series some semblance of a conclusion.  It brings together a few narrative threads, drawing in all the characters I'd met in the past, but, in my opinion, it doesn't feel quite right.  I liked the novel, but I don't think it ended the series on the right note.

Part of this could be that I wasn't as attached to Free as I was, say, Violet or Minerva or even Sebastian.  Another aspect is that I was a little bothered by the way this books seems to skip so far into the future, going from 1863 in the The Duchess War to 1877 in The Suffragette Scandal.  It seems so far outside the first three novels, almost feeling like a completely different generation.

I think I might have had a bit of a problem reconciling the knowledge that every character I'd grown to know was suddenly growing older...and their stories had officially come to an end.

The Ugly
Edward's past.

It's more than a little painful.

The Countess Conspiracy

Courtney Milan

The Countess Conspiracy
Courtney Milan
2013

The Summary
"Sebastian Malheur is the most dangerous sort of rake:  an educated one.  When he's not scandalizing ladies in the bedchamber, he's outraging proper society with his scientific theories.  He's desired, reviled, acclaimed, and despised--and he laughs through it all.

"Violet Waterfield, the widowed Countess of Cambury, on the other hand, is entirely respectable, and she'd like to stay that way.  But Violet has a secret that is beyond ruinous, one that ties her irrevocably to England's most infamous scoundrel:  Sebastian's theories aren't his.  They're hers.

"So when Sebastian threatens to dissolve their years-long conspiracy, she'll do anything to save their partnership...even if it means opening her vulnerable heart to the rake who could destroy it for good."

The Good
After the cataclysmic rupturing of their friendship in The Heiress Effect, I really didn't expect to read a romance novel about Sebastian and Violet.  I mean, I loved them in The Duchess War and I liked them in The Heiress Effect.  But would they really make good romantic material?

Answer:  yes.

Sebastian and Violet have been friends for many years and they have hatched plots for just as many.  Together, they made mischief as children and, as adults, they made the most scandalous scientific discoveries to date.  They made a great team and they shared a sense of humor, a witty intelligence that made them seem inseparable.

While I was bothered by Sebastian's violent reaction to Violet in the previous novel, I grew to love the guy.  Violet is intelligent, head-strong, and witty, which I appreciated.  I love strong, smart heroines, especially when no one expects them to be; however, I think I appreciated Sebastian for his complete and utter loyalty to Violet more than anything.

Sebastian is a goof.  He's the Regency equivalent of a class clown, and he doesn't really grow out of it.  And yet he's probably the most stable relationship that Violet has ever had in her life.  She's dealt with the death of her father and then her husband; she's a woman of science in a world that scoffs at intelligent women; she's endured a tumultuous childhood under her chilly, reserved mother.

And Sebastian has always been there.

He's like the other piece of her heart and mind, even if she doesn't realize it.  When she's consumed by her experiments, focused so keenly on planting the next seed and documenting her latest discoveries, he's by side handing her a ceramic pot filled with soil.  Don't ask me why, but I found that to be one of the most romantic things I've witnessed.

He's memorized her routines; he knows what she needs, even without her asking; he understands and encourages her to explore, to experiment, to be whoever she wills herself to be.  Their relationship is far from perfect, I know, but I just love how Sebastian is always there.  He makes her laugh, encourages, he supports, and he appreciates her--and I absolutely loved that about him.

The Bad
No complaints.  I enjoyed The Countess Conspiracy almost as much as I enjoyed reading The Duchess War.

The Ugly
Violet is damaged.

Not only was she hurt by her father's unexpected death, she endured a terrible relationship with her husband before he died.  Abuse is ugly, no matter the circumstances, and it was rather distressing to read about what she faced.  It makes her chilly, reserved manner and her inability to connect in intimate relationships more understandable.

The Heiress Effect

Courtney Milan

The Heiress Effect
Courtney Milan
2013

The Summary
"Miss Jane Fairfield can't do anything right.  When she's in company, she always says the wrong thing--and rather too much of it.  No matter how costly they are, her gowns fall on the unfortunate side of fashion.  Even her immense dowry can't save her from being an object of derision.

"And that's precisely what she wants.  She'll do anything, even risk humiliation, if it means she can stay unmarried and keep her sister safe.

"Mr. Oliver Marshall has to do everything right.  He's the bastard son of a duke, raised in humble circumstances--and he intends to give voice and power to the common people.  If he makes one false step, he'll never get the chance to accomplish anything.  He doesn't need to come to the rescue of the wrong woman.  He certainly doesn't need to fall in love with her.  But there's something about the lovely, courageous Jane that he can't resist....even though it could mean the ruin of them both."

The Good
Like Courtney Milan's previous novel, The Heiress Effect is a delightful little romance novel filled with many of the same humorous characters I enjoyed the first time and packed with unconventional heroines.  And, speaking of unconventional heroines, I loved Jane Fairfield precisely for her ability to say and do the wrong things.

Although she's a walking fashion faux pas, Jane is a witty and intelligent young woman.  She's unexpectedly crafty, and she's calculating.  Jane doesn't simply step on everyone's toes because she doesn't know any better; rather, she does it with the knowledge that she will offend.  That's her goal:  to keep everyone at arm's length and protect her sister.

She's startlingly selfless and she's resilient, which makes her a force to be reckoned with.

I liked Oliver, too.

He's smart and, like Jane, he's calculating the repercussions of every step.  He's a quiet observer of human nature; however, rather than using it to offend, he pounces on every opportunity to gain traction for his ideals in Parliament.  More to the point, he's kind to Jane even when the rest of society is openly mocking her--even when she doesn't exactly attempt to be polite to him.

Plus, he makes the attempt to fix his mistakes.  For instance, when he breaks Jane's heart, he doesn't just tell her he loves her; rather, he makes a huge gesture to win her back.  He makes a point of showing her that he loves her more than his career, and he always will.  It's an incident that's guaranteed to give you all the warm and fuzzy feelings.

The Bad
Admittedly, I didn't like The Heiress Effect as much as I liked The Duchess War.  I think I might have been more attached to Robert and Minerva, simply because read their story first; however, I think it might be because this novel was also setting up for the next in the series.

You have a little bit of that in The Duchess War with the introduction of Lydia and Jonas (from A Kiss for Midwinter), but you have more of it in The Heiress Effect with Violet and Sebastian, Emily (Jane's sister), and more.  I found there was a little bit too much going on with this novel, which dimmed the central story a little.

It's still a great book, don't get me wrong, but it's not quite as good as The Duchess War.

The Ugly
The Marquess of Bradenton.

A Kiss for Midwinter

Courtney Milan

A Kiss for Midwinter
Courtney Milan
2012

The Summary
"Miss Lydia Charingford is always cheerful, and never more so than at Christmas time.  But no matter how hard she smiles, she can't forget the youthful mistake that could have ruined her reputation.  Even though the worst of her indiscretion was kept secret, one other person knows the truth of those dark days:  the sarcastic Doctor Jonas Grantham.  She wants nothing to do with him...or the butterflies that take flight in her stomach every time he looks her way.

"Jonas Grantham has a secret, too:  He's been in love with Lydia for more than a year.  This winter, he's determined to conquer her dislike and win her for his own.  It all starts with a wager and a kiss..."

The Good
A Kiss for Midwinter answers a very important question I had at the end of The Duchess War:  who did Lydia Charingford marry?

After the very loud, very public implosion of Lydia's engagement midway through The Duchess War, I was surprised to learn she had a husband in the epilogue.  Lydia was a rather lovely character--happy, optimistic, caring, kind--and a wonderful friend to Minnie, so, of course, I was intrigued to see who won her heart.

It was Jonas, which I didn't expect.

Given the animosity she harbors for him and the apparent distaste he carries for her, it seemed like such an odd coupling.  I decided to find out what happened, and I'm pretty glad I did.  I mean, I wasn't thrilled with A Kiss for Midwinter, but it wasn't a bad novella.  I liked it, because it has a sweet little story that culminates in a wonderful relationship--and I definitely liked the author's note.

The Bad
Jonas is a bit of an ass.

The Ugly
My heart went out to Lydia for what she suffered.

I knew a little bit about her predicament from The Duchess War, but directly hearing what she endured, knowing how she suffered so terribly at the hands of her lover and then her doctor, it was heart-wrenching.  I mean, you can really see why she distrusted Jonas so much:  he was another pompous male in her life, he was a doctor, and he knew her darkest secret.

No wonder she hated him at the outset.

The Duchess War

Courtney Milan

The Duchess War
Courtney Milan
2012

The Summary
"Miss Minerva Lane is a quiet, bespectacled wallflower, and she wants to keep it that way.  After all, the last time she was the center of attention, it ended badly--so badly that she changed her name to escape her scandalous past.  Wallflowers may not be the prettiest blooms, but at least they don't get trampled.  So when a handsome duke comes to town, the last thing she wants is his attention.

"But that is precisely what she gets.

"Because Robert Blaisdell, the Duke of Clermont, is not fooled.  When Minnie figures out what he's up to, he realizes there is more to her than her spectacles and her quiet ways.  And he's determined to lay her every secret bare before she can discover his.  But this time, one shy miss may prove to be more than his match..."

The Good
I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Duchess War.  This actually makes the second time I've read it, and I enjoyed reacquainting myself with the story and the characters.  It's a surprisingly complex story:  not your generic boy meets girl, but rather boy meets girl and girl, who has already had a tough history and wants none of the attention a duke can bring on her, immediately decides to wage a quiet war against said boy to keep him at arm's length.

That's a gravely simplified plot, but it's fairly accurate.  You see, Minnie--I much prefer her name Minerva to Whilhelmina--harbors a dangerous secret and she's not about to let anyone else exploit her.  She's a wallflower now, and she's content (or wants to feel content) with simply slipping into the background.  She doesn't want to be the center of attention, anyone's attention, including Robert's.

And she'll be damned if she lets Robert outsmart her in any regard.

I suppose that's why I enjoyed this novel so much.  Minerva is quiet, unobtrusive, but she's incredibly intelligent.  She's always thinking ten steps ahead of anyone else, in order to protect herself and those she loves.  Even when odds are stacked against her, she manages to pull the rug out from any opponent.  It's thrilling to watch.

Plus, I really like Robert.

Personally, I thought he was probably one of the best romantic heroes I've come across.  He has his flaws--I mean, who wouldn't after the childhood he suffered?--but he's willing to admit his mistakes and he's willing to change.  He cares deeply about his friends and family; he loves Minerva, even if he isn't quite sure how to say it.

I think that's what I liked best about this novel:  Minerva and Robert are both badly damaged by their upbringing.  Minerva acquired a phobia of crowded rooms and a distrust of men; Robert distrusted affection and saw relationships as tumultuous, harmful, and dangerous.  They don't immediately meet and fall in love; in fact, Minerva wants nothing to do with him, and Robert can't see her in any other light than a mouse spinster.

However, as they get to know one another, they slowly grow in the other's esteem.  Minerva learns that not all men merit distrust and she finds that, sometimes, it's okay to make decisions for love and affection; Robert discovers that marriage doesn't have to be quiet, cold and hostile, and he learns that some people are worth risking everything.

I know how corny it sounds to say they learned to love again, but, in a way, they did.  Their relationship was built on mutual respect and a budding trust in the other.  They didn't simply jump into marriage and hope for the best; rather, it grew from Robert's appreciation of Minerva's intelligence and, eventually, her ability to trust him with her heart and well-being.

The Duchess War has believable relationship development.  That is, you can visibly see how Minerva and Robert are drawn together.  Their love isn't spontaneous; it takes time and effort and more than a few bumps and bruises.  I loved that aspect of Courtney Milan's novel, and I honestly couldn't wait to read more from her.

The Bad
Admittedly, The Duchess War does get a little explicit.  If that's not your cup of tea, it's pretty easy to just skim over.

The Ugly
I'll admit, it's kind of hard to read about Robert's childhood under his abusive and controlling father, and Minerva's betrayal at the hands of the father she loved most in the world.  I mean, they were both screwed over by the people who were supposed to care for them--and it's kind of heart-wrenching to watch.

The Governess Affair

Courtney Milan

The Governess Affair
Courtney Milan
2012

The Summary
"She will not give up...

"Three months ago, governess Serena Barton was let go from her position.  Unable to find new work, she's demanding compensation from the man who got her sacked:  a petty, selfish, swinish duke.  But it's not the duke she fears.  It's his merciless man of business--the man known as the Wolf of Clermont.  The formidable former pugilist has a black reputation for handling all the duke's dirty business, and when the duke turns her case over to him, she doesn't stand a chance.  But she can't stop trying--not with her entire future at stake.

"He cannot give in...

"Hugo Marshall is a man of ruthless ambition--a characteristic that has served him well, elevating the coal miner's son to the right hand man of a duke.  When his employer orders him to get rid of the pestering governess by fair means or foul, it's just another day at the office.  Unfortunately, fair means don't work on Serena, and as he comes to know her, he discovers that he can't bear to use foul ones.  But everything he has worked for depends upon seeing her gone.  He'll have to choose between the life that he needs, and the woman he is coming to love..."

The Good
After hearing so much about Hugo Marshall and Serena in following novels, I felt like I needed to go back and visit their story--and I'm glad I did.  I absolutely loved reading The Governess Affair.  On the one hand, I enjoyed filling in the gaps of my knowledge; on the other, I found The Governess Affair to be a supremely satisfying romance.

Plus, I loved the humor and heart.  I loved how Serena was able to go toe-to-toe with Hugo, who was one of the most feared men in the Duke of Clermont's employ; I loved how Hugo treated her gently, after her ordeal with the Duke of Clermont, and how he was able to gain her trust with even the smallest actions.

And I liked the way that Serena and Hugo's relationship developed.  I mean, at first, he treats her like he would treat any problem; however, as time goes on, he begins to see her as the indisputably tough, incredibly intelligent, and unexpectedly resilient woman she is.  When he grows to admire her--and when she learns to trust him in return--it's so supremely satisfying.

I loved it.  I loved the whole thing.

It's short, yes, but it's incredibly sweet and it's certainly worth reading.

The Bad
No complaints.

The Ugly
The Duke of Clermont.

I hate him.  I knew I would hate him, because I'd read of his exploits in both The Duchess War and The Heiress Effect.  However, the reality is that I hated him even more after reading The Governess Affair.  He deserves every terrible thing to befall him.