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 of 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.… 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 books in the Brothers Sinister series:
½. The Governess Affair (prequel novella)
1. The Duchess War
1½. A Kiss for Midwinter (a companion novella to The Duchess War)
2. The Heiress Effect
3. The Countess Conspiracy
4. The Suffragette Scandal
4½. Talk Sweetly to Me
more
I’m a big fan of Courtney Milan’s historical romances and this is one of my favourites. The heroine is a bluestocking and a wallflower, who wears glasses and is terribly shy…or is she? Turns out Miss Minerva Lane was once at the centre of a scandal, and the hero – Robert, Duke of Clermont – gradually finds out there is a core of steel to this …
I loved this story. I loved that the Duke wasn’t the usual scoundrel or rogue that we see so often in historical romance. He has morals and is determined to be a better man than his father. He’s also sweetly shy and inexperienced. In short he is a breath of fresh air. I loved Minnie as well. A seemingly quiet girl that is actually strong of mind …
Historical romances are my catnip when I’m stressed, but this one was incredibly well-done. Not just your usual Jane Austen imitation but real issues, 3D characters, female characters that exist beyond the men in their lives, complex relationships… and of course, a happily ever after, all the better for seeming like it was impossible.
Good book. I thought the beginning was a little bit slow, but it picked up quickly. The story’s premise was interesting, if a bit unlikely, and ended up being a fun read.
Robert and Minnie first meet at a ball where he hid behind a curtain to avoid dealing with people. While he is there, Minnie comes looking for a place to escape her wannabe …
I am a nit-picky reader of Regency and early Victorian novels: I want excellent prose, zero anachronisms, and a plot that has more real human issues than exclamation marks. In The Duchess Wars I have found just such an author, and I am binge-reading Courtney Milan’s full series of “The Brothers Sinister.” At last, a worthy addition to Mary Balogh …
Great character development. I’m looking forward to Oliver and Sebastion stories.
Loved that characters!
I haven’t read a historical romance book in quite some time, which I should read them more often because I tend to love reading books that take me back in time. The storylines, characters, clothing, and time periods are what keep me intrigued by the historical romance genre. It also helps when you have an author that can write a fantastic …
It has recently come to my attention that through no fault of my own a mistake was made. I fell in love with a story and eagerly posted a review. The problem was the wrong person received credit for this beautiful read and I’d like to take the time to make that right and apologize to the mastermind behind the story. Courtney Milan, your story …
Another great book. Definitely a re-read!
Nice entry from the prequel, the Governess Affect. 3.5 Stars rounded to 4 Stars
Minerva Lane was hiding a secret and is passing in the ton as the niece of two old spinsters. But now she is being investigated by another peer of the ton. They believe she has been writing and circulating a lot of scandalous information to encourage workers to …
I don’t usually find novels that are more than 250 pages long enjoyable in their entirety. I usually find that there are more words, sentences, paragraphs and even chapters that are unnecessary. I can’t say that for this book. I found the flow delightful and not bogged down with the color or the drapes or the food on the table, etc etc. The …
Geez Louise, this book was a huge disappointment. I’d really enjoyed the prequel novella and was looking forward to this book. But finishing it was like pulling teeth. I usually read a book of this length in two to three days. I believe it took me six days, possibly seven, to finish it.
It really did have promise. I liked the idea of the “war” …
Just read it!!
Loved it!
Main characters are realistic and you care about their problems. The writing is good and well-edited.
If you like regency romances, you will like this book. Entertaining, engaging, true to the genre.