The Suffragette Scandal by Courtney Milan

The Suffragette Scandal by Courtney Milan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This book is both the sixth work I’ve read in this ‘Brothers Sinister’ series, and the sixth work I’ve read by this author. The book is listed as being 4th in the series – I didn’t read the series out of order, the other two works were short stories.

This book stars Frederica ‘Free’ Marshall’ and Edward Clark. Both of whom have points of view in the book. Free has previously appeared in the series and is the daughter of the main characters in the prequel short story (‘The Governess Affair’), and the sister (half-sister, they have different fathers) of Oliver Marshall, the lead male character in ‘The Heiress Effect’. Clark, nor any relative of Clark, has not previously appeared in the series.

There were aspects of this book, from the description and from mentions here or there, which lead me to be somewhat reluctant to read this book. Yet, when I finally did, I found it quite enjoyable. Riveting even. I rather enjoyed both main characters, Free and Edward Clark, though it really seems to be more of a Edward story, though Free both has a point of view, and seems to ‘come out on top’ in most situations with Clark.

‘For reasons’, Edward Clark, not the name he was born with – that’d be Edward Delacey, has spent a good portion of his adult life living . . . elsewhere. To the point that Edward Delacey is about to be declared legally dead, due to . . . um, being missing? For about 7 years. There are reasons for that being important – Edward Delacey, see, is supposed to be the new Viscount Claridge, his father having died about nine months before the start of the story. With Edward being declared dead, his brother James would take over the estate and title.

Edward’s back in England now, though, but not to reclaim his life, nor claim the title. His brother can have that. No, he’s back because he’s been informed by an old friend, Patrick Shaughnessy, that Stephen Shaughnessy (Patrick’s brother) is being targeted and is in trouble. Edward is back to try to help Stephen.

Stephen Shaughnessy writes a column called ‘Ask a Man’ in a newspaper that has the motto of ‘By Women, For Women, and About Women’. That specific newspaper is owned by the other main character in this book, Free Marshall.

Edward works out what’s going on, and decides that the best method of ‘dealing with’ the issue is to insert himself into the newspaper organization. Though, admittedly, he came to that conclusion after having spotted Free and finding her intriguing. So there’s that added bonus of being able to be near her, while also attempting to help Stephen.

Edward openly admits, to Free, that he’s a scoundrel, a forger, a . . well, a bunch of stuff. He admits this as he’s talking with Free about joining together in a partnership of sorts to help defeat the forces against Free. Edward is interested in doing so more for the revenge possible to him in doing this – and doesn’t otherwise give a damn about Free – at least that’s what he tells Free.

They slowly begin to work together, with certain reluctance on Free’s part. They both develop unexpected feelings for the other.

Stuff happens. Graphic sex occurs. The world is saved for another day, so to speak.

Gah. At some point I was going to make mention of the fact that this story takes place in 1877. I forgot, I did. Mmphs.

Rating: 4.76

June 17 2018




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