The Suffragette Scandal

Brothers Sinister #4

by Courtney Milan

An idealistic suffragette...

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.

...a jaded scoundrel...

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.

...and a scandal seven years in the making.

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.

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Adult, Audiobook

260 pages, ebook

First published July 14, 2014

About the author

Courtney Milan writes books about carriages, corsets, and smartwatches. Her books have received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Booklist. She is a New York Times and a USA Today Bestseller.

Courtney pens a weekly newsletter about tea, books, and basically anything and everything else. Sign up for it here: https://bit.ly/CourtneysTea

Before she started writing romance, Courtney got a graduate degree in theoretical physical chemistry from UC Berkeley. After that, just to shake things up, she went to law school at the University of Michigan and graduated summa cum laude. Then she did a handful of clerkships. She was a law professor for a while. She now writes full-time.

Courtney is represented by Kristin Nelson of the Nelson Literary Agency.

Reviews

[Jilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always been interested in the early suffragettes. It must have been a lot of society women because the working class ladies wouldn't have had the time to go out and march and makes signs and such. I mean, sheesh, it took an entire day to make a meal, let alone washing clothing by fire, pumping water, trying to keep the hovel clean while taking care of a boatload of kids because they had no access to birth control and no right to say no to sex with their husbands. Not to mention no disposable diapers or tampons. Talk about sucky! I think they were probably happy to die young of an ingrown toenail just to get some rest.


Oh Mr. Chair, you are so kind! I'm tired from just thinking about those poor women.

Our heroine is named Free (for Fredericka) and she is running a newspaper completely run by women. Her paper is successful, so of course it is pissing off the patriarchy.


It's a good thing there is no time machine. It would be better named an assassination machine if we got hold of one. Just angry, previously oppressed people going back in time and killing "the man".

The main dude who wants to discredit Free, and maybe have her lose everything, go to jail, and be roughed-up a bit, is a guy who had been spurned by her. Yes, he wants to ruin her life because she didn't want to be his mistress. How dare she?


Who wouldn't want him?

Luckily, this guy is such a dick that his own brother hates him. Edward comes to town to help Free. He has a very bad reputation and is completely untrustworthy, but at least he tells her this. In their first meeting, he tries to blackmail her. But, she's smart. She gets the best of him at every turn and he finds himself starting to respect her. And, she starts to fall for him because he is hilariously sarcastic and dry - along with being smart and sneaky. They partner up to stop his brother's bullshit.

This book was super fun. There may or may not be a mention of a puppy-cannon which only strengthens the story as far as I'm concerned. The love was a little insta, but I'll allow it because these characters are pretty lovable. Also, if you read the previous books, you will enjoy seeing those characters 10 years later.

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I get really overwhelmed when I'm faced with reviewing one of Courtney Milan's books.

I'm going to get really honest with all of you. I almost never buy books at retail price. I just don't. Most of my books are review copies, and the others? I'll wait for years for a book that I want to go on sale. YEARS. However, there are a few authors that I'll willingly shell out the big bucks for, and for Courtney Milan, I not only buy the ebook, but I also ALWAYS buy the audiobook too.

I have died over Rosalyn Landor's stellar narration of this series. In fact, when my daughter started listening to the audiobook of Mary Poppins, I screamed because I saw that Rosalyn Landor was the narrator. She simply KILLS it, just perfectly nailing the male and female voices. I wish most M/M narrators were up to her level, because she shows just flawlessly how it is supposed to be done.

But if the narrator didn't have such amazing writing to go from, none of what she does would be possible. And, let me tell you, Courtney Milan is a master at weaving tales of complicated woman, even more complicated men, and slow burn romances that take years to come to fruition. And I love her for it.

I've been waiting for Free's book since we were first introduced to her character many books ago, and it did not disappoint. She was an incredibly brave character, championing for women's rights when few other people were doing so. I loved her spunk, her disregard for society's rules, and the way she kept going, even when all odds were against her.

I loved Edward Clark even more. His story was heartbreaking, and I loved his character very deeply. I think that he wormed his way more and more into my heart over time, and I couldn't get enough of him.

And just when I thought that this book couldn't get any better, a F/F side story. Gah, introducing queer characters into a story is always a path to my good graces. I love that Courtney Milan went there.

If you are looking for strong, imperfect, interesting characters, look no further. If you want a narration that runs so seamlessly with the story that you forget that you are listening and instead you just FEEL the book, look no further. Courtney Milan does it again.

[Lady Wesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thoughts upon finishing this book:

Wow! How can I write a review that does justice to this magnificent book?

Well, I can't, but for what it's worth, here goes:

Huzzah! Courtney Milan!

This heart-tugging story of two people living in a world into which they do not fit is a an appropriate ending to Milan’s brilliant Brothers Sinister series. Consider this: despite being called the Brothers Sinister, the titles refer to women, and these books are truly about the heroines and the role of women in Victorian society. And in 1877, suffragettes represented the ultimate threat to the status quo.

Frederica “Free” Marshall is the daughter of Hugo and Serena Marshall of The Governess Affair. Her brother Oliver, hero of The Heiress Effect, was educated at Cambridge and is now a member of Parliament. In his story, we saw Free as a precocious youngster who wanted to attend Cambridge and didn’t see why she shouldn’t have just as good an education as her brother. Oh yes, and the right to vote. Fortunately, Girton College came along, and Free got her B.A.

Using a legacy from her namesake great aunt Freddy, Free establishes a newspaper – the Women’s Free Press – By Women, For Women, About Women. Free has made a name for herself as a crusading investigative reporter, exposing abuses against women in factories and hospitals and advocating for their right to vote. She has no illusions of achieving total victory, but she is unwaveringly committed to at least trying. At the suggestion that she could have had a easier life married to a lord, she retorts:

I’ve built something here. It’s a business that is not just for women, but for all women. We print essays from women who work fourteen hours a day in the mines, from prostitutes, from millworkers demanding a woman’s union. Do you think I’d give this up to plan dinner parties?

Free and her newspaper are, not surprisingly, quite unpopular with certain parts of society, and now some unknown person or persons are on a campaign to destroy the paper. One day, Edward Clark appears in her office offering to help Free fight her nemesis. After coolly announcing that he is a blackmailer, a forger, and a liar, Edward admits that he has his own reasons for desiring revenge against the man responsible for Free’s troubles. He won't divulge who that man is, but Free realizes that she has little choice but to, if not trust him, at least see if he can deliver.

It happens that Free’s adversary is James Delacey, Edward’s younger brother and perpetrator of a cruel betrayal of Edward. For almost seven years, Edward has been assumed to be dead, and James is now on the verge of claiming Edward’s rightful title as Viscount Claridge. Edward does not want the title or any of the responsibilities that go with it, and he had never intended to return to England. James’s vendetta, however, threatens one of Edward’s oldest friends, a young man who writes a column for Free, so Edward proposes to be her ally while keeping virtually all of the details of his life a secret from her.

The story takes the reader through several months of Free and Edward working together, and sometimes apart, to achieve their goals, never completely trusting one another. Along the way, Edward undergoes a remarkable, and unexpected, journey toward the discovery that he is not quite so much of a scoundrel as he had supposed. Gradually, he tells Free more about his life -- how he was exiled by his father, betrayed by his brother and eventually caught in the horrible siege of Strasbourg during the Franco-Prussian War, how he was held captive and tortured, and how he came to perfect the art of forgery. But he never reveals his true identity to Free, even after he marries her, and he knows that this is one deception she will never forgive.

There is so much to know about Edward that I would have to double the length of this review were I to discuss it all. Suffice it to say, then, that Edward is a reluctant, tortured hero unlike any other I have ever read, and I’m half in love with him myself.

Not surprisingly, the other Brothers Sinister and their mates appear as secondary characters, along with Free’s parents. Every book in this series has featured unforgettable characters, and it’s fun to encounter them again.

This review has barely skimmed the surface of Milan’s complex, satisfying story, but I want to say a word about the Brothers Sinister series in general. By polite society's standards, there is something "wrong" with each heroine -- Serena, the ruined governess determined to get justice; Minnie, the chess prodigy and political activist; Lydia, condemned by medical "science" for her sins at the age of fifteen; Jane, a naturally loud, talkative, argumentative woman who chose to make herself more even more undesirable to protect her afflicted little sister; Violet, who hides her scientific acumen knowing that society will not accept her discoveries; and now Free, brash, assertive, and committed, no matter that society disapproves of such unladylike behavior.

In none of these books does the hero come along, sweep the heroine off her feet and rescue her. Instead, these women persevere until they succeed in finding a comfortable mate and place in the world without surrendering their essential being. And the mates that they find are exceptional as well – men willing to accept the women they love for who and what they are. Milan’s talent is so remarkable that she is able to present these stories without ever straying into preachiness. In fact, each book is filled with warmth, sensuality and lots of clever humor.

Obviously, I adore romance novels, but Milan's books are really so much more than that. They are not merely historical romance novels. They are history. They are romance. They are excellent novels deserving of wide readership. As I’ve said before, she's playing chess, while everyone else is playing checkers.

[Katrina Passick Lumsden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you guys have any idea how much I love Courtney Milan? Do you?!

I don't think you understand. It's maddening at this point. I'm wondering if I can somehow lure her and Rainbow Rowell into some kind of polyamorous relationship. It would be even more perfect if we could find some kind of wizard to bring their characters to life and then we could all have an underpants party.

I'd invite the wizard. too, of course.

Anyway, what can I say? I fucking loved this book. Of course. I haven't always loved Milan's writing, but she's always scored higher in my books than a lot of other HR authors because her characterization is great, her plots are fairly original, her dialogue is funny and engaging, her pacing is excellent, and the sex scenes are hot without crossing the line into the land of purple prose. Previously, my favorite picks of her work have been her novellas. The Governess Affair and A Kiss for Midwinter are just amazing, and they were so good that I always felt like they overshadowed the full-length novels in this series. That is no longer true. I loved The Countess Conspiracy because I found myself completely in love with both the hero and heroine, despite their numerous flaws. Up to now, I considered that the strongest full-length novel in the Brothers Sinister series. This book, however, is a very strong contender for the title. Free and Edward are just so fantastic together. Their chemistry is palpable, and their verbal sparring is vastly entertaining. We do, of course, have to put up with a little emotional fuckwittage, but what is a romance book without that?

Milan didn't just write a love story here. She wrote a friendship story. She wrote a soulmates story. A redemption-through-the-power-of-love story. She also wrote a great story about a woman who refuses to just sit back and take what's handed to her. I sometimes get so tired of all the virginal blushing that goes on in romance books because even when I was still a virgin, I didn't run around blushing every time some hot guy made a suggestive remark. So imagine how much I cheered when I read Free's thoughts on sexuality:

"'Men use sexuality as a tool to shut up women. We are not allowed to speak on matters that touch on sexual intercourse - even if they concern our own bodies and our own freedom - for fear of being labeled indelicate. Any time a man wishes to scare a woman into submission, he need only add the question of sexual attraction, leaving the virtuous woman no choice but to blush and fall silent. You should know, Mr. Clark, that I don't intend to fall silent."



If you haven't read Courtney Milan, just...do it. OK? If you like historical romance, give her a shot. Start with The Governess Affair and then work your way through the series. If you're disappointed, well...I couldn't begin to tell you what's wrong with your brain box.

[Sam I AMNreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

1/22/2019: reread with my reading buddies, and this book is so goddamn good. That whole reread was excellent, and I hope to do it again next year!

Original Review:
I don't think I've ever had the pleasure of not having one disappointment in a series--other than Kate Clayborn's Luck series. Still, not all of those are gushing 5 stars. For the main novels in Brothers Sinister, they are. And as I've said, don't ask me to pick.

We've had the pleasure to get to know Free for the first 3 novels, and I was so looking forward to reading this idealistic force of nature's book. And while all my confidence was in Courtney Milan, I cannot tell you how many times I doubted that her hero could shine or match her.

But I'm not a genius and Courtney Milan is. I expected to identify with Free. I'm an idealist from a wonderful family who's done a lot of organizing in my 20s. I, too, challenged my husband in a spirited argument from the first times we hung out. I was correct, naturally. Free was such a natural and strong character to me--wonderful blend of her parents (heart eyes to Serena and Hugo of A Governess Affair)--lovely relationships and an unapologetic warrior for her cause. I chose to read this, hoping that as we near the election here and coming off the horrible treatment of women in a public, semi-permanent way, it would feel fortifying. It seemed a lot to ask. In the end, it wasn't. It was exactly what my heart needed. So Free was not a disappointment, she was a scrappy tower of a tiny woman who I would follow, hug, and admire.

And who can live up to that? The hidden man who doesn't really think he wears his heart on his sleeve, but Free is no idiot. And if his attempt to give her a soft landing from disappointment of the impossible task of "emptying the Thames with thimbles" didn't win me over with thimbles, his loyalty to his 'brothers' did. (But spoiler alert: I didn't stop falling for him. Or her. Or them). He was hesitantly, and yet eagerly bowled over by Free. And he never seemed to misunderstand her purpose, her person, or the best way to let her be who she is.

It's been said before and I hope it'll be said again that Milan knows how to create a match. She knows how to balance her characters. Edward is easily as large in life as Free, yet doesn't diminish her. No, they make a fantastic pair, a dynamic couple that will live in my memory for a good while. And if that weren't enough, I was reminded of why I tend to fall deeper with all her characters, through all the books and that this series, for me, is profoundly perfect.

I feel like all these words have tumbled out of me, and I'm pausing to take a breath, because I haven't even started in on how fantastically done the political and historical backdrop is--and how incredibly relevant and true it still is. Again, my iPad is sick with highlights. SICK with them. I want to put some here. Maybe I will, upon reread--but I don't know what I'd chose at this point.

[Caz · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Courtney Milan’s last book – The Countess Conspiracy – was a love letter to the forgotten women of science, those women who were ridiculed and derided because they dared to encroach upon the male preserve of scientific investigation and discovery, then The Suffragette Scandal is by way of being her panegyric to those women who were ridiculed – and far worse – for their advocacy of the cause of women’s rights.

It’s an extraordinary story, and after I had, with a feeling of immense satisfaction, finished it, my next thought was – “How the hell am I going to do justice to it in a review?!”

The answer to that, of course, is that I can’t. All I can do is encourage you to read it, too, because I can’t imagine that anyone picking it up could fail to be drawn in by the story, which is, as one would expect from Ms Milan, splendidly written, full of warmth and humour, possessed of a wonderful grasp of the social issues of the time, and boasts two complex and very well-rounded central characters.

Each book in her Brothers Sinister series has managed to combine a well-developed love story with some serious social commentary, the latter presented in such a way as to never feel preachy or overly didactic. Her heroines have all been extraordinary women, from Serena, the violated governess who refuses to be invisible, or Violet, the brilliant scientist whose history of repeated tragedy causes her to collapse in upon herself to the point she can’t see herself any more; to Free, passionate activist and campaigner for womens’ rights, who continually places herself in danger because while the world is a terrible place - she refuses to be cowed and is determined to make it better.

Each of these incredible women has met her match in a man who is much more than her perfect mate. Hugo, Robert, Oliver, Sebastian – and now Edward – are all men who do so much more than understand and support their women. They love them for who they are - difficult, challenging women though they may be – and wouldn’t have them any other way. Each of the men is a bit of subversive in his own right – as with Robert, the duke who wants to improve the conditions of the working man, and Sebastian, the joker in the pack who started down his particular path in order to help the woman he adored and along the way, found his true calling and his sense of self-worth along with it.

Edward Clark isn’t a hero. Or, thinks he isn’t. He’s a liar, a forger and a blackmailer, admitting to each of these things quite openly when he first confronts Frederica Marshall with an offer of assistance. Someone in a position of power is out to close down her radical newspaper, The Women’s Free Press , but more than that, is determined to exact a more hurtful and personal revenge against her. For his own reasons, Edward wants to thwart that plan, and has devised the perfect way to do it.

Given all the things Edward tells Free, she is suspicious of his motivations for wanting to help her, but reasoning that the enemy of her enemy is... if not precisely her friend, then at least someone she is willing to listen to, she hears him out. Her enemy is going to have one of her writers arrested for theft on a trumped-up charge and then use that to discredit her. Free goes along with Edward’s scheme to prevent this, and very cleverly pulls the metaphorical rug from under his feet when the job is done. Edward can’t believe she has outwitted him, but rather than going into a male fit of the sulks, he takes it on the chin and admires her for it.

But he is still keeping his motives hidden. He doesn’t tell her that the reporter is a dear friend of his, or that the person seeking to ruin her is actually his younger brother James Delacey, the would-be-Viscount Claridge.

For Edward is the rightful holder of that particular title, but, having been missing for almost seven years is about to be declared legally dead. He doesn’t want the title or all its trappings anyway and is quite content for Edward Delacey to remain dead so his brother can inherit.

We met Frederica Marshall a few times in the previous books; she’s the daughter of Serena and Hugo from The Governess Affair and is Oliver’s (The Heiress Effect) youngest sister. A precocious child, a supremely confident teenager and now a fiercely intelligent and dedicated woman, she has thrown herself into her cause with little regard for her own personal safety, as did so many of those women who sacrificed much to gain little. And that’s another amazing thing about this book – its pragmatism. Free knows she isn’t going to turn the tide of male opinion by publishing her newspaper, or putting on demonstrations. She is under no illusions that change will come overnight – all she can do is chip away, brick by brick at those bastions of male superiority and authority and make enough inroads for those that follow to keep chipping away until the foundations are undermined enough for the walls to crumble. There’s a wonderful moment, where Edward, out of weariness and frustration, points out that she might as well try to drain the Thames using a thimble.

"You see a river rushing by without end. You see a sad collection of women with thimbles, all dripping out an inconsequential amount…

But we’re not trying to empty the Thames… Look at what we’re doing with the water we remove. It doesn’t go to waste. We’re using it to water our gardens, sprout by sprout. We’re growing bluebells and clovers where once there was a desert. All you see is the river, but I care about the roses.”

Free is an idealist, but she’s a realist, too. And that makes her one of the most exceptional heroines I’ve ever come across.

There’s no glib “yay – it’s all going to be plain sailing from now on!” ending, or assurance that things will turn out well. I was left with the impression that here are two people who have enough determination and love for each other to make things work, but that it won’t be easy. And I think that’s been the case for all the couples in this series.

If I have one criticism about the book, it’s that it uses the “I’m a bad man and aren’t good enough for you” trope to put roadblocks in the way of the HEA, but it’s a very, very minor niggle. I was so tied in knots for Edward and the things he had suffered and had to work through as a result, that I honestly didn’t care about that. The relationship between the couple is beautiful, both complex and breathtakingly simple at the same time. He makes things complicated; he doesn’t want to fall in love but he can’t help it; he doesn’t want to hurt Free, but knows it’s unavoidable once she discovers the truth about his identity. But for Free, the hurtful thing isn’t that he lied to her, it’s that he doesn’t trust her to forgive him, or believe they can work things out together. He is floored by her reaction, which finally sets him on the road to the realisation that he person he has been lying to more than anyone, the person he really needs to trust is himself.

I say this every time I write a review of a Courtney Milan book, but it’s the truth. I am in awe of her ability to craft a sensual and tender love story while she is also telling me about social injustice, and in this case, the horrors and indignities suffered by so many women, or about the threats and abuse heaped upon the heads of those women who dared to speak out about them.

Courtney Milan’s really is a unique voice in the field of historical romance, a genre which has suffered its fair share of criticism for poor writing and a dearth of good ideas. But with her around, I can, at least, paraphrase Mark Twain and say that “reports of its (HR’s) death are an exaggeration,” because this entire series really does represent the pinnacle of what can be achieved in the genre, and has set the bar incredibly high for everyone else.

This is the final full-length novel in the Brothers Sinister series (there is a “coda” novella to follow in August) and I’ve enjoyed every single one of them immensely.

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ‘Huzzah! Suffragettes!’ stars!!!

The Suffragette Scandal is the fourth installment in Courtney Milan’s brilliant Brothers Sinister series. It’s fun, romantic, thought provoking and passionate. It's a tribute to the women of old who blazed trails, conquered new frontiers, and at great cost to themselves paved the way for their modern day sisters to enjoy the rights and freedoms we do!

Description…

An idealistic suffragette...

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.

...a jaded scoundrel...

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.

...and a scandal seven years in the making.

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.

My review…

Courtney Milan is, without a doubt, a truly gifted teller of tales. Book after book she takes pages from history and brings them to life, and in doing so pays tribute to the women whose names we may never know, but whose stories deserve to be told – and the men who love them!

Freddy “Free” Marshall is an amazing woman. She’s strong, insightful, determined, and quite the forward thinker. I love her perseverance and dedication and passion to and for the things she believes in, and her unconditional love for those around her.

Edward Clark! What a wonderful, tortured, stubborn man. In the beginning it’s the need for revenge that drives him, but once he meets Free that drive is fueled by a fierce need to protect her. His brilliant, calculating mind makes for some exciting twists and turns to the story.

The bottom line…

If you’re a fan of historical romance and are looking for stories that make you think while making you smile, then look no further than Courtney Milan. She will make you laugh, make you sigh, and maybe even make you cry, but one thing for certain… she will make you fall in love again and again and again.

My thanks to Netgalley and Courtney Milan for providing me with a copy of The Suffragette Scandal.

[Ingie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written December 21, 2014

4.6 Stars - Devoutly impressed and totally charmed

Book #4

This sixth part, #4.0, in the Brother Sinister series by Courtney Milan is another triumph to this amazing HR series.



An 11 hrs audio narrated by Rosalyn Landor.

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The Sufragette Scandal is set ten years after previous books.

Cambridgeshire / London 1877

Miss Frederica "Free" Marshall, an idealistic suffragette on the barricades for women's rights. Free is Oliver Marshall's (#2) younger sister and after some years at the University is she now publishing a newspaper for women about women's rights.

He, a jaded mysterious scoundrel, Edward Clark is a man of a noble family who has a new identity after some hard years overseas in France.

‘She wagged a finger at him. “You’re mispronouncing that word.”
“Your pardon?” He groped, trying to remember what he’d said. “Suffragette? How does one pronounce it, then?”
“Suffragette,” she said, “is pronounced with an exclamation point at the end. Like this: ‘Huzzah! Suffragettes!”

These two becomes acquaint when he needs to help her to save his best friends Shaughnessy's younger brother (Stephen in #4.5) from false accusations.

‘It had been so long since anyone had made her feel fluttery. It felt like winter sunshine—something to be savored because it surely wouldn’t last.’

***********************************************************

Hurray, Hurrah - genre-newish and brazenly dared
I got the same feeling again. This is kind of freshly and also quite 'radical'. We get that touch of some for that time (...and still) important political questions and the issue about women's situation. These books must be (are?!) perfect HR reads for every feminist girl.

Added to that you gets:
• Strong women and a bit angsty men.
• Lovely intelligent men which have to struggle (rightly) to get that outstanding appealing woman in their dreams.
• Not the most beautiful characters, not the sweetest or the loveliest, but always a truly "real" believable hero and heroine.

...So also this time.

Former series reviews:

★★★★★ #0.5 - The Governess Affair (4.5)
London 1835, Serena (Barton) & Hugo Marshall (the wolf...)
★★★★☆ #1.0 - The Duchess War (4.5)
Leicester 1863, Minnie (Wilhelmina Pursling / Minerva Lane) & Robert Alan Graydon Blaisdell, the ninth Duke of Clermont
★★★★☆ #1.5 - A Kiss For Midwinter (4.0)
Leicester 1863, Lydia Charingford & Doctor Jonas Grantham
★★★★★ #2.0 - The Heiress Effect (4.8)
Cambridge 1867, Jane Fairfield & Oliver Marshall
★★★★★ #3.0 - The Countess Conspiracy (4.5)
Cambridge 1867, Violet Waterfield (Countess of Cambury) & Sebastian Malheur

Even better to enjoy with an (for a low nice price..) audiobook narrated by Rosalyn Landor. She does it in a splendid way every time. Her voice, 'feeling' for a scene and pronunciation is simply perfect. ~ A pleasure, just to listening and be enchanted over and over again.

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Frederica and Edward made me feel, made me worry for them and made me smile a lot. I giggled, I chuckled and I even fell some wet tears - both the sad and the lucky sort. Their story never stopped to be interesting and strong.

OMG, this fragile love, this steaming lust, these "dirty" thoughts in those old days. So delicate and so beautiful described by Ms Milan. Just read this:

‘His fingers went to the buttons of his jacket, and her mouth dried. His buttons were simple cloth and metal affairs, scarcely worth a second thought. And yet as he undid them, she had second thoughts and third thoughts, none of them proper. His gloved fingers were long and graceful, and every button he undid revealed another inch of creamy linen, one that hinted at broad shoulders and strong muscles.

He’d not shown her the slightest bit of skin, but the act of unbuttoning his coat sparked indecent thoughts—memories of his arm coming around her, his mouth on hers…

He stopped undoing buttons, and she realized he’d only wanted to reach the inside pocket. She sat back in disappointment.’

But don't worry you get some of the real smexy hot romance-stuff as well. This time even more than awaited in a historical regency romance. Amanda's touching story was stunning beautiful... And what about the stable master!? ~ Yeah, rub my hands!

***********************************************************

Outstanding wonderful audiobook listening once again.
I'm grateful for these hours. ~ Highly recommended HR books. Best read in order.

Next the last part, the already owned audio-novella:
Book # 4.5 - Talk Sweetly to Me.

I LIKE - So very much


*********
# A buddyread with Sofia. Thanks hon!

# The Brother Sinister series by Courtney Milan. Four novels and three short novellas.


...Next: the last novella

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of people avoid Romance as a genre because
1) they don't care about women in ballgowns
2) everything they know about Romance novels is 40 years out of date
3) they assume Romance is a genre for lonely women with too many cats
4) they consider books by and about men to be universal, where books by and about women are niche
5) they have no idea where to start.

Let me address those concerns.
1) The ballgown on the cover is just to let you know that this is an Historical Romance; no actual ball gowns are worn during the story [um, actually there is a scene at a society party, but there is no discussion of gowns by characters or narrarator]
2) Some old themes are being reimagined, as here the Scoundrel is a character with depth and period-appropriate back story. This book reflects first wave feminism in all its activist glory and contradictions.
3) I only have two cats now.
4) One would like to believe such notions are outdated, but the Gender Police are more epressive, aggressive, and extreme in the US than at any prior point in my life, and it is scary to see the maternal death rate rising
5) Courtney Milan's website, Jezebel.com, Smart Women, Trashy Books, and Sarah MacLean in the Washington Post are just a few sources

This book is pure enjoyment, but it's the end of the series [um, actually, there is a novella after this] so if this really is your first Romance in a while (or ever), go check out The Governess Affair. Selling shorter interstitial works in the series between novels is a genius move, by the way. You don't have to read the series strictly in order, they aren't that closely tied, but they do share some characters.

***

Since a book can't be both Read and Currently Reading, rereads are harder to keep track of. I try to put in the date I start a new read, but circumstances can move something off the active spot in the kindle carousel. Thus I find myself looking at something else, perhaps the next book to read, when the thought is triggered and I remember there was something. So today I will pick up where I left off two months ago.

***

26 April 2023

I love this series. And yes, I need a reminder of the importance of activism because the Republican Party appears to have devoted itself to laying waste everything enraged that white men aren't in charge of everything. And not just in a "Let's continue to deny Global Warming and shore up the vast wealth of fossil fuel corporations because we'll be dead soon or on Mars and who cares if all future generations suffer." I want to believe these are the death throes of dinosaurs, but fundamentalist and repressive regimes are a recurring theme in politics, admired by multiple indictee Donald Trump, as long as he was in no way bound by it, so why not hand Afghanistan over to the safe keeping of the Taliban? Why not encourage totalitarian regimes in Russia, and Turkey and elsewhere? What possible danger could there be?

Perhaps I've been too caught up in current events lately. Anyway, I've gone back and corrected some errors and such in my prior, undated, comments

Personal copy

[Alba Turunen · Rating 5 out of 5]

4'5 Estrellas, porque ha sido "casi" "casi" perfecto. Por fin he llegado a ése libro de la serie del que no sabía qué esperar, y que me ha llenado de regocijo, me ha gustado mucho, me ha encantado. Ése libro cuyos personajes me han cautivado de una manera sublime. Desde que lo empecé me enganchó y no he parado hasta que lo he terminado, cada vez me iba gustando más y más. Por ahí he leído que es el libro más aburrido de la serie ¿ABURRIDO? ¿En serio? ¿Qué libro habéis leído? En éste libro no dejan de pasar cosas, las interacciones de los personajes son continuas, las conversaciones de Free y Edward son de las más deliciosas que he leído.

Al igual que el resto de la serie, me he acostumbrado a que Courtney Milan se sale de la norma, tiene su toque de originalidad, sobre todo en el personaje femenino. Edward ha sido más el cliché de la trama, pero Free es totalmente como dice su nombre. ¿Qué encontramos en "El escándalo de la sufragista"?

En los anteriores libros conocimos a Free Marshall, era una joven que se salía de la norma. Aunque se había criado en una granja, era una mujer inteligente que había recibido cierta educación (no olvidemos que la madre fue institutriz y una dama en otro tiempo). Su mayor ambición era ir a la universidad, ser independiente, no depender de la voluntad de un hombre, ya sea un padre, un hermano o un esposo. ¿Lo consigue 10 años después? Sí. No fue propiamente a la universidad, pero sí a una escuela para señoritas (que no para damas), y con el tiempo, y gracias al dinero que le legó su tía Freddie, Free pudo montar su sueño: convertirse en periodista de investigación y crear un periódico por y para mujeres. Un periódico que abogaba por los deseos y las libertades de las sufragistas, que no fuera una guía para damas, si no algo más, mujeres adelantadas a su época que querían derechos y voto, en una época convulsa para las mujeres como fue finales del siglo XIX. Y gracias a esfuerzos como los de éstas mujeres, en la época actual y en el mundo desarrollado tenemos lo que más ansiaban ellas (en algunos casos, y en otros menos, porque no es perfecto y las leyes de igualdad siempre pueden ser mejores).

¿Qué más tenemos? Siendo como es Free ¿pensáis que el que se enamore y pueda unirse a un hombre minará sus esfuerzos? Para nada, ella es y siempre será Free, y aunque se enamore, tiene la suerte de conocer a un hombre lo suficientemente inteligente como para ser su igual y no alguien superior a ella, Edward es un hombre paciente y comprensivo que ama todo lo que es Free, si la cambiara no sería su Free ¡Y esto es lo que realmente me ha encantado de éste libro! ¿Pensáis que sólo me ha gustado Free y tengo halagos para ella? No, porque Edward se los merece tanto como ella. En otros libros de ésta serie he destacado unos personajes por encima de otros, raro era que en una pareja me gustaran los dos por igual. En el relato amé a Hugo Marshall, en "La guerra de la duquesa" Minnie y Robert me gustaron mucho, casi por igual los dos, pero es un libro al que le puse algunas faltas, en "La ventaja de la heredera" ansiaba que me gustara Oliver, pero la cagó y fue eclipsado por su protagonista Jane, y finalmente en "La conspiración de la condesa", libro del que leí tanta crítica positiva pensé que me encantaría y no, me gustó Sebastian, pero Violet no me despertó nada, y aunque hubo una cosa que me gustó mucho, no por ello destaco el libro por encima de los demás. Ahora es cuando he llegado a ése libro que me ha parecido el mejor de todos por su historia y por sus personajes. Que ha sido un libro equilibrado, ha sido conmovedor, y la historia romántica me ha gustado tanto, que he creído su enamoramiento, e incluso lo que ocurre después.

Y todo ello ha sido gracias a Edward. Sí, Edward ha sido el personaje donde vemos más tópicos en la historia. Nació como hijo y heredero de un vizconde, pero debido a un "error" que cometió (pues siempre abogó por las mejoras de sus arrendatarios) fue exiliado a Estrasburgo por su familia. En el momento en que más los necesitó le dieron la espalda (sí, gracias a la "joya" de su hermano menor James), se vio en el extranjero y sin poder volver a Inglaterra cuando estalló la guerra Franco-Prusiana de 1870. Desde ése momento decidió estar muerto para ellos y labrarse su propio porvenir. Edward siempre fue un buen artista, no sólo como dibujante, con el tiempo se convirtió en un falsificador de primera, y también como un experto artista metalúrgico. En la actualidad dirige una fábrica de metalurgia en Toulouse. Pero una carta de su mejor amigo de la infancia, Patrick, hará que vuelva a Inglaterra para solucionar un asunto.

Ahora es cuando empieza el libro. El hermano menor de Patrick, Stephen, trabaja como columnista en el periódico de Free. Patrick se ha enterado de que el hermano menor de Edward, James, está decidido a arruinar a la dueña, humillarla, y destruirla, y con ello Stephen se vería en la calle. Nada le regocija más a Edward que frustrar los planes de su hermano menor. Sí, él estaba muerto para ellos, y Edward no quiere el vizcondado, que se lo quede el inútil de su hermano. Pero le llena de dicha infiltrarse en el periódico de Free para destruir los planes de James.

A partir de aquí todo irá como la seda, se averiguan algunos planes que frustran, otros llegan a ocurrir, pero Edward siempre estará ahí para Free, y como es obvio, él estará con Free hasta que puedan solucionar sus problemas. Ahí será cuando se conozcan realmente, cuando se enamoren. Como digo, me ha parecido una historia que se ha cocido lentamente, cuyo amor me he creído en todo momento. Pero me ha gustado cómo ha nacido ése amor y cómo se ha fraguado, ella quiere a Edward, su granuja que está dispuesto a aceptarla pese a todos los problemas y escándalos que pueda arrastrar, porque es una mujer adelantada a su época que no puede cambiar por lo que lucha. Y Edward la quiere por lo que es, y no quiere cambiarla. ¿Qué queréis que os diga? Pero éstas son mis historias favoritas.

El libro nos dejará algunas de las mejores vueltas de tuerca en el argumento que he leído (sí, gracias a Jane tuvimos algunas), Edward y Free nos depararán más de alguna sorpresa. Volveremos a encontrarnos con los personajes de los anteriores libros, mención especial a cuando Free acude a Robert en busca de ayuda ¡Y qué deciros del momento armario ropero de Jane! Lo que habré podido reírme. Sí, y hasta una historia secundaria que no esperaba para nada, porque eso sí es original y ríete tú de la historia de la hermana de Jane y el estudiante hindú.

En conclusión, me ha parecido el mejor libro de la serie, por lo que dice, por lo que despierta, por sus ideales, por sus personajes, por su historia de amor. Sí, mi crítica es subjetiva y puede que no todo el mundo esté de acuerdo con ella, pero a mí me ha parecido sin duda el mejor libro de la serie. Desde éste momento ficho a Courtney Milan como una autora a seguir, me ha convencido con sus libros, y me han encantado sus notas del autora del final explicando lo que ha creado, cómo lo ha hecho, en qué se ha basado, lo que es real, y lo que es inventado. Realmente esto último no tiene precio, me encantan las escritoras que se toman la molestia de investigar para darnos una historia que realmente merece la pena y está currada. Sin duda seguiré todo lo que escribe.

[Nakeesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Milan's writing is like an After School Special for grown women. You sit down after a hard day's work, pull back the cover and settle in for what you assume will be mindless entertainment. But what you get is edge of your seat drama, heart pounding adventure, and sweet romance which contains a thought-provoking moral and an insightful history lesson.

When you crack open this book you will meet an all-grown up Free Marshall who is a Huzzah! Suffragette! She was the strongest, craftiest, ballsiest of female leads I've ever read from Milan. She completely bowled over the hero, Edward, and both he and I loved every minute of it. Through Free you get a first hand, visceral account of the Women's Movement, and for a second you will feel grateful for all that real women like her did for us...until you turn on the news, ofcourse.

You will also be treated to Milan's trademark motif writing, which this time includes punctuation marks, thimbles and roses. She turned exclamation points into foreplay!!!

And best of all everyone's back in this last full episode to say farewell. The Clermonts are cozy in ducal bliss. The Malhuers are still bickering while making googoo eyes at each other. The junior Marshalls (Oliver and Jane) are still full of color. And the elder Marshalls (Hugo and Serena) are still feisty out in the country.

This is the series that got me reading historicals. I'm feeling emotional about it ending. I'm even more emotional that brave, ballsy Milan is ending the series with a POC novella! There's a sneak peek at the end of this work and its out in August. Can Not Wait!!!!!!!

ARC provided by Netgalley

[Renaissance Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhere around 3 stars. For my full review, please tune in to the podcast!

[WhiskeyintheJar · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

I bought this book, so I don't "have" to write a review for it and thank goodness because there is no way I could. Here is the bare bones assessment: Edward the hero was amazing, he only wanted to enhance and increase Free's flame. Loved him, loved their relationship. Free is who you want to be. Her character was strong, fierce, and vulnerable; all that is woman. It slowed for me at parts as I thought certain scenes dragged for a while and it felt like the story could have ended three or so times.

This story was so much more than romance to me. With the issues affecting the women of the world today (really hitting home ones, being I live in the U.S., Hobby Lobby and abortion) I internalized so much of Free. Ultimately, this is what this book was all about to me,

“I started listening to what I said to her. When she was three, I told her that she couldn’t contradict the boy next door, even when she’s right, because it’s indelicate for a lady to disagree with a gentleman. I told her that she mustn’t run, because ladies never hurry. Every day, from the moment she took her first step, I’ve told her to stop: to stop thinking, to stop speaking, to stop moving about. And I didn’t know why I said any of it. Those words kept coming out of my mouth, passing through me.”
Amanda reached over and gripped her sister’s hand.
“I think that’s when I understood that you only ruined my life because my life needed ruining. Because the life you rejected demanded that I spend all my time telling my daughter to be less and my son to be more.”

This, a million times, this. Let's free our daughters.

When I read the last page I cried for my grandmother, mother, and all my women ancestors for who they never got to be, for who they repressed, and for all they have given me.

Vote ladies.
And excuse me while I go wrap myself up in my Notorious R.B.G. shirt.

[Pepa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Lo mejor ha sido la primera mitad. En ella nos encontramos con una protagonista, como siempre en esta autora, con fuerza e independencia, de las menos en la época pero que con sus "dedales" consiguieron gran parte de los cambios que en la actualidad disfrutamos en algunas sociedades.
Él, un descarado encantador, auto-convencido de que no es bueno y sin tiempo para el amor, pero que no duda en reconocerlo cuando lo siente.
Es una novela con un pequeños misterio que la hace interesante e iba de camino para gustarme tanto como las otras pero a la mitad del libro la historia da un gran giro y la novela pierde su fuerza para convertirse en "otra más"... otra de yo no te convengo.
Ella me sigue gustando, pero lo que no me ha parecido coherente es el personaje de él. Me esperaba que me transmitiera más sentimientos y me ha dejado un poco fría su pasado.
De todas formas es una lectura recomendable, como toda la serie

[Ginger · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! Excellent ending to the series! I loved both characters of Free and Edward.

Frederica “Free” Marshall was such a wonderful character. She's a feisty, focused woman that wants to change the world. She’s the editor and owner of the Women’s Free Press and is hoping to bring change for women. Huzzah Suffragettes!

Edward Clark is a lying, tortured, thieving scoundrel that’s come back from the "dead” and realizes that his brother is trying to destroy her newspaper and ruin her life. He was intelligent, cunning and just a fabulous character!

Two complicated people, a complicated plot and let the adventure begin!

The writing is wonderful in this book. Milan’s writing is just solid. She writes well thought out romances with more depth in them then the typical historical romance.

There’s even a F/F relationship that happens in the book! Yay Milan!

[Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Really enjoyed reading this yesterday - I spent the whole day with it in fact. One of the best in this series in my humble opinion.

In her inimitable style Milan gives us Edward and Free. I liked that we get so much of the book from Edward's point of view. I also like that Milan as usual walks such a fine line in her historical romances giving us new perspectives of how things might have been always shrouded in a romantic glow of course.

Her Patrick and Amanda subplots were a quiet lovely surprises - more please!

BR with Ingela and Irina (from afar), my partners in HR

[Caz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review from 2014

A+ for narration / A for content.

The Suffragette Scandal is an extraordinary book, and one which is quite difficult to encapsulate in a review. It’s the last full-length novel in Ms Milan’s Brothers Sinister series, and like the books which precede it, contains a beautifully developed romance set against a thoroughly researched and fascinating historical background. Ms Milan is surely unique among the writers in the genre of historical romance for the incredible insight she affords her audience into the issues of the time at which her books are set and for the way in which each story is developed so that these elements are fully integrated into the plot and characterisation rather than seeming like a tacked-on history lesson.

In 1877, Frederica – or Free – Marshall is the owner and editrix of The Women’s Free Press – a newspaper by women, for women and about women. When Mr Edward Clark appears in her office one day, telling her that while he’s not a man to be trusted, he’s discovered a plot to ruin her and destroy her newspaper, Free is, of course, suspicious. Being a woman fighting for recognition in a man’s world is a dangerous occupation, after all; but she hears him out and, in spite of his confession to larcenous activities, comes to the conclusion that what he’s saying isn’t outside the bounds of possibility.

Free decides to go along with the plan Edward outlines to foil the plot – but not without a contingency plan, should the mysterious Mr Clark turn out to be as untrustworthy as he insists. When she pulls the metaphorical rug out from under his feet and outwits him, Edward is shocked – but instead of indulging in a male fit of the sulks, he finds himself admiring her for her ingenuity and sheer, bare-faced cheek.

In fact, that’s one of the many remarkable things about Edward Clark. He might think of himself as a blackguard, but if he is, he’s an extremely egalitarian one. A self-professed liar, forger and blackmailer, Edward tells Free outright that he doesn’t give a damn about her and warns her not to trust him. In fact, he tells her that repeatedly, yet every single one of his actions shows us the complete opposite (which earns Ms Milan a big bravo! for the way she SHOWS rather than just TELLS the listener the things we need to know about her characters).

He’s also one of Ms Milan’s most complex, emotionally scarred heroes. Abandoned in war-torn Europe, he had to face inconceivable horrors and then to re-invent himself just to survive. Believed dead by his aristocratic family, he is content to remain so, having no wish to return to England or to inherit the wealth and title that have become rightfully his upon the recent death of his father.

Free is an amazing heroine: a woman who is prepared to suffer indignity and abuse because of the strength of her belief that it’s down to people like her to make the world a better place. Fiercely intelligent, dedicated and passionately devoted to the cause of women’s suffrage, she’s both an idealist and a pragmatist. In fact, her pragmatism is one of the most extraordinary things about the book; it would have been easy to have written a story in which the suffragette heroine wins some sort of hugely important victory for her cause, but that’s not how things happened and it’s not what happens in this book. Free is well aware that change can’t be effected overnight and knows that for anything to happen there have to be people like her, people willing to keep chipping away at the foundations of their male-dominated society until those foundations begin to crumble and to allow for something else to take its place.

The relationship between Free and Edward is complex and beautifully developed. The friendship that grows between them is genuine, and the strength of the attraction they feel for each other is palpable and undeniable. Edward is keeping a big secret, however, one that he knows will lose him Free forever – and oh, the cruel irony of the fact that the only way he can keep her physically safe is by revealing it.

I listened to this ten-hour audiobook in two sittings because I just couldn’t bear to turn it off. (I was also fortunate enough to have been able to spare the time across two days in order to do so). The story is wonderful, and I enjoyed it every bit as much in audio as I did when I read the book. Ms Milan is a top-notch writer, and it’s hard to imagine that her work could be improved upon, but – and I mean no disrespect to her – I think The Suffragette Scandal is even better in audio.

Rosalyn Landor has fantastic material to work with, it’s true, and she always delivers a highly polished, strongly characterised performance that is expressive and possessed of a good deal of emotional sensitivity. Yet in every one of the Brothers Sinister books, I’ve felt that she’s raised her game, because she has absolutely nailed Every. Single. One. There hasn’t been one point at which I found myself wincing at an accent or having to rely on dialogue tags to remind me who was speaking; there isn’t anywhere I felt emotional nuances have been missed or exaggerated, or that a character’s motivations have been misinterpreted or a character inaccurately portrayed.

Edward is described as having a slight French accent because of his years spent living there, and Ms Landor gives him exactly that – the tiniest cast to his speech that immediately marks him out for the listener as being “different”. She’s just as successful at portraying him when he has to slip into the role of “titled gentleman”, his bored drawl and unthinking superiority of tone painting a swift portrait of a man who accepts obsequiousness as his due. While the entire audiobook is superb, there are a couple of scenes which really stood out for me. One features Oliver Marshall (Free’s half-brother) and Edward hiding in a cupboard waiting to catch a thief red-handed. It was funny in print, to envision these two rather large men who are jealously protective of Free (who would, of course, kick both their arses should she get wind of such a thing!) being forced to spend time together in a restricted space. In audio, it’s funnier, because Ms Landor has so perfectly captured Edward’s air of bored superiority and Oliver’s exasperation. The other stand-out scene features the letters Edward and Free exchange after he returns to France. Funny, poignant and tender in print, when spoken aloud with the right emotional emphasis, they’re even better.

Every audiobook in this series has gone straight onto my “favourites” shelf, and The Suffragette Scandal is going to join the others there. Ms Milan’s incredible writing combined with Ms Landor’s sensitive characterisations has proved to be a winning formula, and even though this series is (almost) finished, I hope they continue to collaborate on future projects.

[Mara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Queen Courtney, oh how I love you. While I agree with the consensus that this is the weakest of the books in this series (I think the ending really strained credulity, which is fine if it sells me on it, but in this case... not so much), but Milan is my go to purveyor of smart, satisfying angst in a historical. Her books always make me laugh in moments, cry in others, and think throughout. Her prose is lovely, as always, and all in all, I just love this series. I've got 2 novellas left, but I'm loathe to actually read them because I want to savor the experience!

[Serena Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Que cierre más excepcional para esta saga. Edward y Free se complementan perfectamente. Una novela que me ha tenido enganchada de principio a final

[Tiff · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars.

Courtney Milan wins everything. This is easily my favourite of the four full Brothers Sinister novels - maybe because it stars a suffragette. Frederica Marshall is the little sister of Oliver Marshall, the MP, and the male MC in The Heiress Effect. Free is wonderfully rebellious, extremely intelligent, and the editor of the Women's Free Press who is fearless in her reporting. She believes so strongly in her ideals and the written work that it's hard not to fall for her.

And fall for her Edward Clark does. Edward is a master forger who still has a lot of loyalty to his childhood friends Patrick and Stephen Shaughnessy. Edward was essentially kicked out of the country by his father and brother, who were noble, because of his lack of belief in the way they treated their servants. Edward is now presumed dead, but has secretly come back to England to ensure the safety of Stephen, who is currently writing for the Women's Free Press, and is, obviously, a target of those who don't want women's suffrage.

As a romance, Edward is a pretty dark character - from the beginning, his narrative voice is dark and pretty cynical about the world. He's definitely the roguish Han Solo to Free's Princess Leia - except that Free would never want to be a princess. The way the two of them fall in love through their matched wit and cunning is trademark Milan, and the way they inspire each other to greater heights and learn to accept one another is fascinating and sexy.

As a reader, I fell in love with the way the story twisted and turned - as a romance, of course you know what will happen in the end, but the story and the writing are always sharp and compelling. I should also mention that Free's story sort of parallels that of her mother and father in The Governess Affair - so if you liked that one, you'll really like The Suffragette Scandal as well.

I would highly recommend reading The Suffragette Scandal if you like romance and feminist issues. I think it works okay as a standalone, but it's so much richer of a reading experience when you've read about all the other characters first, so please, pick up the rest of the books in the Brothers Sinister series!

[KatLynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Courtney Milan never fails to give the type of heroine I enjoy. Her trademark for producing unconventional, intelligent female leads always captivates. She’s created one of my favorites in Miss Frederica "Free" Marshall. Free is the daughter of Hugo, now all grown up and fighting the injustices against women. This outspoken, clever young woman abounds with optimism and is confident in a brighter future for women. She's willing to work hard, take risk and do what she can to ensure this happens. She’s unique, brave and I was swept into her Era as Milan once again touches on issues important to women.

While Milan gives heroine’s I love, she also gives the same attention to her heroes. Who couldn’t fall for the brooding, Mr. Edward Clark, scoundrel extraordinaire. Circumstances from his past have left him more a realist, leaving him with little faith in humanity and less hope for change. Surrounded in mystery, he’s returned home determined to rescue a childhood friend. This endeavor brings him front and center into Free’s world. Needing her cooperation to succeed, he quickly learns intimidation and blackmail doesn’t work with Free and neither does his charismatic charm. …. “It’s just that you’re trying to use my attraction to you to set me on edge.” She smiled at him. “It won’t work. I’ve been attracted to you since the moment I laid eyes on you, and it hasn’t made me stupid once.”

Milan’s execution of the plot is refreshing making Edward and Free’s story alluring, believable, as well as utterly appealing. It’s filled with clever, humorous as well as provocative dialogue and she’s taken punctuation marks to new levels, turning them into appealing banter. Who knew exclamation points could be so enticing? Her analogies using thimbles and roses are remarkable reminders of hope and perfect for this story.

The writing is superb and while enjoying an engaging romance, I also came away with a greater appreciation of the sacrifices made from the women who fought diligently for women's rights. If you enjoy a historical romance with humor, one that's subtly provocative and brimming with witty banter, you'll not want to miss this delightful tale! Highly recommend.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 High Quality Pure Enjoyment Stars!

She wagged a finger at him. "You're mispronouncing that word."
"Your pardon?" He groped, trying to remember what he'd said. "Suffragette? How does one pronounce it, then?"
"Suffragette," she said, "is pronounced with an exclamation point at the end. Like this: Huzzah! Suffragettes!"



"But we're not trying to empty the Thames," she told him. "Look at what we’re doing with the water we remove. It doesn't go to waste. We’re using it to water our gardens, sprout by sprout. We're growing bluebells and clovers where once there was a desert. All you see is the river, but I care about the roses."

[Keertana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel as if I've woken up every week craving a new Courtney Milan romance. Much like an addict, I've stalked her upcoming releases eagerly, refreshing the page in the fruitless hope that the release date will magically change and my pre-ordered copy will arrive, hot off the press, in just a matter of days instead of months. And though the clock has been ticking and July has creeped closer and closer, my impatience for her work has, in no way, diminished. Thus, to say I scrambled to download this ARC onto my Kindle would be the understatement of the year. I ran, my fingers flying over the keyboard in a frantic effort to click "Send to Kindle" now, now, now.

My poor Kindle. It suffered quite the barrage of abuse as I tapped my foot more and more impatiently, unable to wait much longer for the document to download. Once it did, I hardly spared a glance for the Table of Contents or the necessary preface about grammatical errors present in an ARC; I just read. Of course, I'd already read the first chapter on her website but I read it again and--truly--it was just as enchanting as I remembered. From the first sight of our romantic leads, the tragic Edward Clark and fierce Frederica Marshall, I knew theirs would be a Milan love story I secreted away in my heart, content to steal back to on the days I truly needed.

Frederica, the half-sister to beloved Ollie, graduated from an all-women's college to become a suffragist. Now successfully running a newspaper--for women, by women--she won't rest until women are given the right to vote. Edward Clark, originally born to an aristocratic family who abandoned him to die in a country about to be destroyed by war, never thought he'd be back in England--or, for that matter, back to meet his younger brother, James. Once again, however, James is creating trouble for Edward's childhood best friend, Stephen, and in order to stop him this time, Edward must return home. Though the peerage is rightfully his, he wants none of it, preferring to put behind the legacy of his traitorous family and allow James to claim what is rightfully Edward's. In targeting Stephen, though, James has also targeted Ms. Marshall whose newspaper Stephen writes for. Since an enemy of his enemy can only be a friend, Edward joins forces with Frederica, helping to save her newspaper from his younger brother's wild schemes to discredit her movement. Edward's motive is revenge against James and Frederica is merely meant to be a pawn in his game. Instead, the headstrong woman turns his world upside down, utterly enchanting him, and if it weren't the fact that he's a scoundrel of the worst kind--the kind that lies through their teeth--Edward would swear he's falling in love with her...

The Suffragette Scandal is a riot of wits from the first chapter itself. Edward arrives in Frederica's office determined to throw her off her game; he blackmails her, shows her his expert forgery skills, and then proceeds to tell her that she's merely a means to an end for him. In the face of these truths, however, Frederica is more than a match for him. Thus, a tenuous partnership is struck between the two and though Edward warns Frederica from the beginning itself never to trust him, his actions prove otherwise. Edward and Free's notable fascination with each other is charming. Through their alternating perspectives, Milan effortlessly builds their love story, complete with the dark secrets from Edward's past and his efforts to resist falling for Free. Perhaps it should be dramatic and angst-driven, but rather it all unfolds quite naturally, the love and regard these two hold for one another shining through against all odds.

For me, there is simply too much to love within this novel. Is it the blooming lesbian love story between Frederica's close friend and business associate and another woman she befriends? Is it the unending banter between Edward and Frederica, laced with intelligence, sexual desire, and wonder all at the same time? Or is it merely the manner in which Edward allows Frederica to be; be who she is without labels or expectations or more responsibilities than the ones she chooses to handle? The Suffragette Scandal, being a historical romance set during a time period of women awakening to both their political rights and sexual desires, is a wonderfully forward, feminist novel. Although it makes us appreciate the struggle women years before us have undergone--and the rights we reap as a result of that today--it also brings into sharp focus the truth of how much more is still left to be done today.

Yet, for all its political discussion on feminism, The Suffragette Scandal is primarily a love story and, on that front, it is written beautifully. Milan has always written empowering romances--tales where a woman discovers the power of her own sexual desire or joins the rankings of men in scientific discovery or merely creates a relationship of equal standing with her husband. Naturally, her latest is no different and perhaps what I love most about these romances are that Milan showcases men bowing down to and respecting the professions of the women they love, but in such a manner that their power or equality is never diminished either. I find it is all too easy to believe that in a marriage, one party or the other must hold the reigns. Either it is the man who controls his wife or the man who bows down to his wife. With Milan, however, her heroes and heroines never have to choose. Despite the struggles, they make it work and their love prevails--and, hopeless romantic that I am, I love that.

Granted, I am terribly biased against Courtney Milan, all-women's colleges (I'll be attending one this Fall!), suffragettes, and feminism in general (not to mention muscular men like Mr. Clark!), but even disregarding that, I am confident I'd have loved this novel through-and-through. I read it in a matter of hours, ignoring the World Cup for the delightful dialogue sparked between Edward and Free and, long after I'd finished my dinner, I couldn't quite stop grinning when I thought of them both and their lovely life together. I cannot wait to get my hands on Milan's upcoming novella, continuing to be set in this series, nor can I contain my excitement for an entire saga planned by her to begin releasing towards the end of this year. If it's not already clear, I'll confess it: I'll read whatever she writes.

[Anne Boleyn's Ghost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite being pregnant during a pandemic, I haven't been reading much. Inability to concentrate coupled with feeling less than human during said pregnancy because, well, pregnancy is tough. Baby is due in a few days, and I'm not sure when my reading will resume as normal. But what even qualifies as normal?

Still, I was able to concentrate enough to finish The Suffragette Scandal. Not exactly a shock, seeing as it's a Courtney Milan story - meaning it is smart, dryly amusing, and rich, with flawed but infinitely enjoyable characters. Throw in side f/f and m/m romances and a thoughtful exploration of social and political issues, and it is easy to see why Milan's approach to historical romance checks all of my boxes.

The pairing between Edward, a broody aristocrat turned con artist, and Free, a spunky suffragette reporter and publisher, was delightful. Sure, Edward technically kept his identity secret while helping Free thwart his corrupt brother's machinations and society's prejudices. But he shared his essence freely. In Free and Edward, Milan crafted a delicate, playful, steamy and angsty relationship. This is a rare but wonderful combination to read. Their connection featured a bit of insta-ness, but it was genuine and well-formed enough to overlook it.

Finding comfort and contentedness isn't always easy, but I found it here. So whenever reading - and life - find a new normal, Milan will surely be a go-to author for me.

[Starr (AKA Starrfish) Rivers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not another dud! I don't know what it is about this series - I loved the Turner series, but this one! The full-length novels are so CONTRIVED! I hate twists for the sake of twists! The only one of these that I liked (besides the novellas) is the first one.

Arrggggghhhh!

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Felt forced with all the girl power, and the back story with the hero made no sense to me. Add in all the twee cameos from the other books and I could barely finish.

[*The Angry Reader* · Rating 5 out of 5]

2019 is my year. I had proclaimed this The Year of the Historical. What I mean by that is it’s the year of me. I’ve been reading romance with increasing frequency for about 10 years. Over the last couple of years I’ve really begun to figure out what I like. And I’ve made some exquisite book friends. Women I can look to for meaningful recommendations that take me into account as a whole person and reader.
This book may be the pinnacle of my reading journey thus far. A feminist historical romance with a subplot that literally curled my toes, a heroine who sacrifices nothing and a hero that adores her for it.
This book’s emotional IQ is off the charts. And on top of that it is sexy and sweet. The thimbles. The puppy cannon. The THIMBLES!
Plus I really dug the reemergence of Robert and the role that he got to play.
I am happy to be in this place. Shying away from nearly all contemporary romance. Saying unabashedly that I prefer feminist romance. Historical romance. Consent. Heroes with more brains than brawn. Sentences that make me gasp at their beauty and ingenuity. And reading buddies that appreciate those qualities.
I am living my best reading life. And this book - this series- is evidence of that fact.

[Amanda Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book a few days ago but I've been sitting on my review because I wanted to get it right and be sure I remembered everything I wanted to say about it.

Readers (and writers) of romance get a lot of grief for their reading choices. Historical romance in particular receives undue negative criticism. People say they're unrealistic, badly written and (my personal favorite) anti-feminist. As if because the story takes place in a time when women didn't have the rights they do now that somehow the book and/ or author is advocating a return to such times. I saw one hand-wringing essayist actually wonder if because modern, enlightened women enjoy reading historical romance, maybe it meant that secretly we all wanted to return to that time when we had no personal freedoms and were considered property. Believe me, I had strong words for that essayist in the comments section.

So when a book like this comes along, it's not only an enjoyable read, it's downright important.

Criticism that historical romance is full of delicate society misses happy to let their alpha male heroes run their lives always comes from people who admittedly never read the genre. In the modern publishing landscape, you'd be hard-pressed to find a heroine who isn't struggling to assert herself in some way. They are often hemmed in by family, by society, by the law, but they're always trying and every woman has at least the expectation of agency in her own mind. The fascinating thing about historical romance is how that conflict is explored and many authors do a great job at it.

Courtney Milan goes miles further in this book. As the title would lead you to believe, the heroine is a suffragette, advocating for women's right to vote along with other political and social gender issues. She lives independently and runs her own newspaper. The secondary themes focusing on the struggle for independence and agency present in many novels are brought to the forefront simply because it's what Free does for a living.

Because it's 1877, she faces a tremendous amount of push back from society for the way she chooses to live and what she advocates. Again, this is a place where the message is surprisingly current and made all the more resonant because it's taking place over a hundred years ago. Some of the things that are said to Free and the backlash she endures could be written about women today embroiled in Gamergate. The way Courtney has written it, it feels all too familiar, more familiar than it should considering we were supposed to have won these fights decades ago.

Another criticism often leveled at historical romance is that the heroes are unenlightened alpha male archetypes from another era. Those same critics like to ponder whether or not it speaks to women's deep-seated desire for men who take charge and disrespect our voices. We don't really want equality or we wouldn't be drawn to these books, right? Again, those charges are uniformly leveled by people who don't read the genre. In modern historical romance, it would be difficult to find a hero who rides roughshod over the wants and needs of the heroine, or treats her like the possession society views her as. What makes the hero appealing is that he doesn't do that.

And that brings me to the hero of this book, Edward. Like many heroes in the genre, he's noble, he has a dark past, he's damaged. But Edward rises above all that. Quite recently another online hand-wringer spoke with some confidence that romance novels lacked feminist allies. I pointed her directly to Edward Clark. He is perhaps the ultimate feminist ally. He doesn't just tolerate Free's deep-held beliefs, he's impressed by them. Her passion, her commitment to her cause, is one of the key factors in his attraction to her.

At one point, Free is in danger and Edward has to act to save her. To do so, Edward faces the very thing he fears the most, in fact, committing his life to it, because it will keep her safe. And through it all, he never once thinks his actions will win him her love. It's not a transaction, she is not something to be fought for and won. He acts entirely selflessly without any hope for his own personal happiness.

There is a moment in the book, about midway, when Edward, jaded and disillusioned with mankind, is trying to understand the way Free thinks, and why she so tirelessly continues to fight what seems to him like an unwinnable war. Her explanation nearly brought tears to my eyes. It made me stop and think about why any of us fight for what's right. It makes Edward stop and think as well. Likewise, Edward has seen darkness that Free has not. She's been in the trenches, but not in the way Edward has, facing the kind of depravity that damages your soul. These two characters learn from each other, and are both better for it.

I'm bookmarking a link to this book, because I suspect I'll be referring people to it for many years. Whenever someone criticizes romance novels, and asserts that they don't depict enlightened women and the men who love them, I'll tell them to read The Suffragette Scandal and see how it's done.

[Ursula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this book.
There were so many elements to the story and the author was able to interweave them so beautifully.

The political and social aspects that Milan loves to include on her HRs were all there, and they revolved around the battle to get universal suffrage in Britain (it was about getting women the vote, too, but there was a bigger picture that was not neglected) and the many drawbacks of such a rigid, class-based society. I love a good context for my romances and this was here in spades. Milan also
does not hesitate saying something about the dubious value of torture as a means to extract truth, irrespective of the morality aspect, and seen in the light of Guantanamo Bay and former US policies such as rendition etc, it is very timely. The hero gives an incredibly powerful and articulate speech on this issue.

But rising above all this are the two wonderful MCs. What fabulous people they were! Free (Frederica) is a suffragette who publishes her own news sheet (about women, by women, for women!) and helps agitate for political change. She is a stark contrast to her half-brother, whom we met in a previous book and who is much more conservative and careful in his modus operandi (although his goals are the same as Free's). She is fearless and passionate, yet very caring and empathetic. So when she meets the superficially charming Edward Clark, a man with a dark past that has really scarred his soul and caused him to believe he is beyond forgiveness or redemption, she is able to resurrect in him his sense of self-worth and help him to believe that he is actually deserving of love.

Milan is a master (mistress? boss?) of witty, often acerbic dialogue between the characters and it had me chuckling. The cherry on top were the hilarious articles written by the Token Man for Free's news sheet, that reminded me not a little of the brutally clever wit found in the Lady Justice letters of the Falcon Club series by one of my favourite authors, Katherine Ashe.

The emotional depth was intense for me. This was my second read and I was stunned to find tears in my eyes towards the end of the book:

It was a simple matter to get on his knees before her, and an even simpler matter to bend his head. "Free," he said. "I want to make you happy, but I don't know how."

This humble confession from a formerly masterful and manipulative scoundrel was very moving, and Free's struggle with and then acceptance of the very different circumstances from those she had believed would characterise their marriage resonated with me. Any partnership requires a willingness to compromise by both parties. Milan's characters acknowledged how difficult that can be, yet how great the reward, if each side recognises there are some things that cannot be compromised, because they are the things in that person that you fell in love with in the first place.

Characters from previous books in the series appear (I particularly like the Duke of Clermont, he is such a sweetie, desperate to feel part of a family he never had, and so wanting to be a brother to Free) and the card game at the end was very funny, when the "Brothers Sinister" got together again as tradition demanded.

Straight to my favourites shelf!

Just listened to the audio- bloody brilliant!!! And the story is just as good the third time around!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

First: I really liked this book.

Second: I’m really disappointed I didn’t five star love it.

Third: I invented a word to describe my disappointment. That word is ‘swooners,’ and it is to be used in the context of things that make you swoon (obv). As in, unfortunately as much I as I liked this book, it didn’t hit me in my swooners. I’m not exactly sure what part of the body the swooners are in . . . maybe the back of the throat? That would make sense. Maybe swooners are why you sometimes want to make this sound:

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

and then run around until you calm down.

I feel like this book hit everyone in their swooners except for me.

BUT, and I want to make this clear, THIS IS STILL A REALLY GOOD BOOK.

It’s got two extremely likable heroes who sass each other a lot, scheming and plotting, a sub-plot involving a really cute lesbian romance (I don’t think I’ve ever seen lesbians in a mainstream romance novel before???), and it actually puts the “history” in “historical.”

Frederica “Free” Marshall came into an inheritance as a teenager, and always a bit wild and inconventional, used it to get herself an education and start a newspaper produced, written, and for women. This has not made her life easy, in fact at times it’s turned her into a target. When she turns down a marriage proposal from a complete arsehole, the arsehole begins a campaign to make her pay, ruining her and her newspaper. Enter Edward Clark (nee Edward Delacey, Viscount of Claridge), brother of said arsehole, long believed dead. He and Free enter into an uneasy partnership to thwart his brother’s plans. Only, Free doesn’t know he’s the guy’s brother, and she certainly doesn’t know he’s a lord. She just thinks he’s a scoundrel.

Of course they fall in love and it’s totally perfect.

So why didn’t I lurrrrrve it? I honestly don’t know. Would it make me a perve to admit that I wished Courtney Milan’s books had more sex in them? They’re very cerebral and socially aware, which I love! My thing is, why can’t we be cerebral and socially aware AND have lots of steamy sex? (I don’t think this was my problem with not lurrrrving it, but it’s definitely a thing that I am thinking.)

Anyway, these books are great, I think even if you DON’T like romance novels. And more people definitely need to be reading Courtney Milan. How is she not a bestseller???