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whatsmacksaid's review
4.0
Tons of fun. My favorite was The Countess Conspiracy (I loved that one!), but they were all great and every book was special in its own way--A Kiss for Midwinter talks about the frankness and necessity of sex ed., The Heiress Effect was about learning to not care what the rest of the world thinks about you, etc.
The only one I wish I'd skipped was The Heiress Effect. I really admired the heroine, but the love interest was kind of a dick and basically had to take a long time (with lots of hemming and hawing) to decide if he liked the heroine enough to be seen with her in public. And she still wanted him after all that! Pffft, she was too good for him.
ETA: totally worth the $10, btw.
The only one I wish I'd skipped was The Heiress Effect. I really admired the heroine, but the love interest was kind of a dick and basically had to take a long time (with lots of hemming and hawing) to decide if he liked the heroine enough to be seen with her in public. And she still wanted him after all that! Pffft, she was too good for him.
ETA: totally worth the $10, btw.
darcerenity's review
5.0
In a nutshell: I think I underlined more of these books than not. The writing is just that good. The characters are solid, layered, three-dimensional people with (sometimes contradictory thoughts, feelings, desires), they are almost always relatable, and they are always interesting. I love that the conflicts come from sources besides ridiculous misunderstandings and that the characters talk to each other and support one another. I love that history comes alive in all its multi-colored, multi-cultured, multi-faceted diversity.
If I thought they would appreciate these books for the gems they are, I would recommend these books even to readers who aren't typically enamored of romance.
If I thought they would appreciate these books for the gems they are, I would recommend these books even to readers who aren't typically enamored of romance.
bel017's review
You can read the first novella for free, if you like that you'll likely like the rest of them.
My favourite heroine was Free, as she was so eloquent about her independance; my favourite romance was Sebastian and Victoria, as they'd known each other the longest; my favourite story was Rose and Stephen, because I am a nerd; my favourite dialogue was the doctor talking about sex without euphemism.
I didn't like the way adoption was talked about. The biological father isn't the "real" father, Oliver isn't Free's half-brother. He is her brother. Real is the wrong adjective, but if you have to use it then his "real" father is his adoptive father - the one who turned up every day and did the work.
I also didn't like the sex scenes. No one asks what the other likes, or spends any time finding out: they all followed a similar pattern of kisses, marriage, (graphic sexual content) women who are virgins or who have had negative sexual experiences providing very clear (but uninformed, to varying degrees) consent, the men going down on them to bring them to orgasm, then immediately climbing on top of them for penetrative sex, with both parties orgasming shortly thereafter. I think queer romances have ruined me for straight romances. In *Brothers Sinister* sex scenes there was no exploration, very little talking, not even any real variety. Whereas in, for example, m/m romance *Band Sinister* (which I'm 100% choosing as an example because of the similar name) by KJ Charles, there is so much about found family, deft handling of power imbalance and consent, exploration, and so much talking (the hilariously dirty pillow talk includes the conjugation of Latin verbs for various sexual acts). I would have loved to have seen more of that here, not just the feeling of hitting the beats.
Despite those two complaints, I really enjoyed this series, it was a great distraction while I've been suffering with a flu. There are some fabulous characters. And Milan has clearly done her research, I enjoyed her notes at the end of each story, explaining what was real and what was stretched. I love that she gave the women such an interesting variety of vocations. And the call backs to earlier stories gave a lovely cohesion.
My favourite heroine was Free, as she was so eloquent about her independance; my favourite romance was Sebastian and Victoria, as they'd known each other the longest; my favourite story was Rose and Stephen, because I am a nerd; my favourite dialogue was the doctor talking about sex without euphemism.
I didn't like the way adoption was talked about. The biological father isn't the "real" father, Oliver isn't Free's half-brother. He is her brother. Real is the wrong adjective, but if you have to use it then his "real" father is his adoptive father - the one who turned up every day and did the work.
I also didn't like the sex scenes. No one asks what the other likes, or spends any time finding out: they all followed a similar pattern of kisses, marriage, (graphic sexual content)
Despite those two complaints, I really enjoyed this series, it was a great distraction while I've been suffering with a flu. There are some fabulous characters. And Milan has clearly done her research, I enjoyed her notes at the end of each story, explaining what was real and what was stretched. I love that she gave the women such an interesting variety of vocations. And the call backs to earlier stories gave a lovely cohesion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Miscarriage and Sexual content
Minor: Rape and Racism
melodicfate's review
5.0
I already individually reviewed each of the books in this series. But since the boxset is how I bought and read them all, I thought it'd be nice to give my overall impression of the series. I'll link each of the reviews down below.
When I heard people talk about Courtney Milan, it was always this series. I heard about her unique heroines, and great historical settings. I had previously read the first Carhart novel, and liked it well enough. But when I saw that this series was in a boxset and on sale for $5, that was just too good a price to pass up. So I didn't. And I read The Governess Affair. And was HOOKED!!!
What everyone said about Courtney Milan is absolutely true. Her heroines in this series ranged from not-what-they-seem wallflowers, female scientists, mathematical geniuses, and suffragettes. Her heroes were dukes, doctors, liars, and more. Her settings? I absolutely loved how Courtney Milan not only set her books in Victorian England, but she set them all against some sort of political, scientific, or feminist backdrop. So, so good!!!
Now here are my reviews.
The Governess Affair, Book 0.5
5 stars
Very important themes, and likable characters who aren't aristocratic.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13190596-the-governess-affair
The Duchess War, Book 1
4 stars
Shy hero, intelligent and sympathetic heroine, with great political themes.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13489919-the-duchess-war
A Kiss for Midwinter, Book 1.5
4.5 stars
Plain-spoken hero with an awful sense of humor, and a flawed but strong heroine. Plus, it's set at Christmas-time.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16116470-a-kiss-for-midwinter
The Heiress Effect, Book 2
4.5 stars
A heroine who fights off marriage by being awful and wearing over-the-top clothes. And a hero who's honest. There's also a secondary romance featuring an interracial couple. Love!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13489922-the-heiress-effect
The Countess Conspiracy, Book 3
Friends-to-lovers does not usually work for me, but then. I read this novel, and oh how it worked!!! Angsty, but great. Amazingly strong heroine, and a funny and loyal hero. Plus science. YES!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13489925-the-countess-conspiracy
The Suffragette Scandal, book 4
5 stars
Suffragettes, scoundrels, and strife. Great book.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1401670542
Talk Sweetly to me, Book 4.5
4.5 stars
I love interracial romance, and that's what Courtney Milan gives us in this book. A very sweet romance featuring a black mathematical genius heroine, and an Irish hero who was a hilarious rake. So wonderful.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20325481-talk-sweetly-to-me
My point is, go read this series. It's smart historical romance done right. I read all of these books in a two-week span, and now I have no idea what to read next.
When I heard people talk about Courtney Milan, it was always this series. I heard about her unique heroines, and great historical settings. I had previously read the first Carhart novel, and liked it well enough. But when I saw that this series was in a boxset and on sale for $5, that was just too good a price to pass up. So I didn't. And I read The Governess Affair. And was HOOKED!!!
What everyone said about Courtney Milan is absolutely true. Her heroines in this series ranged from not-what-they-seem wallflowers, female scientists, mathematical geniuses, and suffragettes. Her heroes were dukes, doctors, liars, and more. Her settings? I absolutely loved how Courtney Milan not only set her books in Victorian England, but she set them all against some sort of political, scientific, or feminist backdrop. So, so good!!!
Now here are my reviews.
The Governess Affair, Book 0.5
5 stars
Very important themes, and likable characters who aren't aristocratic.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13190596-the-governess-affair
The Duchess War, Book 1
4 stars
Shy hero, intelligent and sympathetic heroine, with great political themes.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13489919-the-duchess-war
A Kiss for Midwinter, Book 1.5
4.5 stars
Plain-spoken hero with an awful sense of humor, and a flawed but strong heroine. Plus, it's set at Christmas-time.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16116470-a-kiss-for-midwinter
The Heiress Effect, Book 2
4.5 stars
A heroine who fights off marriage by being awful and wearing over-the-top clothes. And a hero who's honest. There's also a secondary romance featuring an interracial couple. Love!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13489922-the-heiress-effect
The Countess Conspiracy, Book 3
Friends-to-lovers does not usually work for me, but then. I read this novel, and oh how it worked!!! Angsty, but great. Amazingly strong heroine, and a funny and loyal hero. Plus science. YES!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13489925-the-countess-conspiracy
The Suffragette Scandal, book 4
5 stars
Suffragettes, scoundrels, and strife. Great book.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1401670542
Talk Sweetly to me, Book 4.5
4.5 stars
I love interracial romance, and that's what Courtney Milan gives us in this book. A very sweet romance featuring a black mathematical genius heroine, and an Irish hero who was a hilarious rake. So wonderful.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20325481-talk-sweetly-to-me
My point is, go read this series. It's smart historical romance done right. I read all of these books in a two-week span, and now I have no idea what to read next.
lenoreo's review
THE GOVERNESS AFFAIR:
4.5 stars -- https://celebrityreaders.com/2021/08/29/the-governess-affair-by-courtney-milan/
THE DUCHESS WAR:
A KISS FOR MIDWINTER:
THE HEIRESS EFFECT:
THE COUNTESS CONSPIRACY:
THE SUFFRAGETTE SCANDAL:
TALK SWEETLY TO ME:
4.5 stars -- https://celebrityreaders.com/2021/08/29/the-governess-affair-by-courtney-milan/
THE DUCHESS WAR:
A KISS FOR MIDWINTER:
THE HEIRESS EFFECT:
THE COUNTESS CONSPIRACY:
THE SUFFRAGETTE SCANDAL:
TALK SWEETLY TO ME:
turophile's review
4.0
I poured through this whole set earlier this year and forgot to review as I went along. I'm sure I'll reread some day.
esadday's review
5.0
Great series. I love The Bridgerton Series by Julia Quinn and this series was similarly witty and engaging. Great characters with some overlap across the series. My favorite couple of the set was Free and Edward; some of the things he expressed were so darned romantic it made me cry. This is not a clean read, but you can skip over them and still enjoy the story. Highly recommend.
joonlily's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
snapjack's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The romance author who switched the default voice in my head from male to female; Milan is the queen of writing women who don't have things happen to them--they happen to someone else.
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