• The Duchess War

  • The Brothers Sinister, Book 1
  • By: Courtney Milan
  • Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor
  • Length: 11 hrs and 3 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (2,143 ratings)

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The Duchess War  By  cover art

The Duchess War

By: Courtney Milan
Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor
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Publisher's summary

Miss Minerva Lane is a quiet, bespectacled wallflower, and she wants to keep it that way. After all, the last time she was the center of attention, it ended badly - so badly that she changed her name to escape her scandalous past.

Wallflowers may not be the prettiest 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.

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 Duchess War is the first full-length book in the Brothers Sinister series. It is preceded by The Governess Affair, a prequel novella.

©2012 Courtney Milan (P)2013 Courtney Milan

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What listeners say about The Duchess War

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    1,127
  • 4 Stars
    663
  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
    58
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Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • 4 Stars
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
    38

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

strong lead

strong intelligent lead, story started great then turned to feeling like it would never end. I would try another book by author as this was first novel, and there is interesting potential with intelligent charectors

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Could not get in to this book, very poorly written

Have you listened to any of Rosalyn Landor’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Rosalyn Landor always does a great job.

Any additional comments?

Just couldn't get past the first hour of this book. It was confusing, poorly written, and uninteresting for me.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

WOW!!!

I loved this book. It had a great storyline, love, mystery and well developed characters. As most writers a bit of repetition on pints and a bit of page fillers but overall I was very pleased with the book. The only thing I wish I had seen more of was passion. This was my first book by C. Milan and I can assure you it will not be my last. I highly recommend it.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Great narrator

Rosalyn Landor was excellent as usual. Storyline was interesting, if a little slow. I'll probably stop reading this author, even though these have been free, because I'm tired of hearing graphic descriptions of characters pleasuring themselves—in this case both H/h. It's unnecessary and not something I want as a visual, and this is the second book of hers it's been in so far. Fast forwarding and speeding up the narration doesn't cover it all up.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

This book is a standout!

Great story, fabulous characters. This is the best of Ms Milan's books that I've read so far. I love her books for the strong women and the caring men who love them. There were enough plot twists to keep you guessing and interested.

Rosalyn Landor is my favorite narrator and she is what brought me to Courtney Milan's stories.

Definitely credit worthy.

I look forward to more books in the series.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Started nice then 👎🏼

I like a little conflict in a book, but chapter after chapter of it and come on already!!! And her bbbiiggg bbaaaddd unforgivable secret that she had to create a new life to hide from… that she had to cower her personality, and feared losing her best friend because, SPOILER, her father dressed her like a boy when she was little?! Oh. Give. Me. A. Break! Nope, just couldn’t do it. I made it to chapter 16 before I just couldn’t take it. I’m returning this. And, I got it on a 2 for 1 sale so I’m going to go ahead and return them both just to get this one gone! .

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Not bad...

I will seek out other books by Ms. Milan. This was good fun. But It didn't bowl me over.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Secret past forged frienship and later love

Rosalyn Landor made this book a 4-star because the story was a little slow.

Minerva Lane was hiding a secret. She isn't who she says she is and she has been passing in the ton as the niece of two old spinsters. But now someone is investigating her.
See someone has been writing and circulating scandalous pamphlets trying to encourage workers to unionize against their betters and Mr. Stevens thinks that rebel rouser is Minnie Lane. The only thing Minnie can do is figure out the real author of the pamphlets so she can throw Mr. Stevens off the scent of her past before he discovers what she is really hiding.

Minnie's investigation leads her to Robert Blaisdell, the Duke of Clermont, whom we met in the prequel as the legitimate heir of Clermont. In the prequel, Robert was so miserable to his illegitimate half brother Oliver at their boarding until Robert decided he wanted a brother and they became close.

Robert admits to Minnie that he is indeed the author of the letters, but he tells her that no one will believe her since he is a duke and it's not in his best interest to get the lower class to unionize. But Robert offers her a deal instead--to marry him and become his duchess and they both will be covered.

What's a girl to do, give Mr. Stevens a new suspect or accept the offer of marriage to a man who is doing something that will call attention to her and her past?

This book was good though it took a while to develop. I liked Minnie and I didn't think the past scandal was that bad. What made this book a 4 star for me was Robert's thoughtfulness and need to fix some society wrongs. He was brave and I am glad he stood up for those unable to fight for themselves.

I wish the author told us what became of Minnie's aunts that took care of her despite the secret. I am also glad she reconciled with Lydia, the heroine of the next book as I just started audiobook 1.5.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

no plot

What would have made The Duchess War better?

if it had a plot

Would you ever listen to anything by Courtney Milan again?

no

What about Rosalyn Landor’s performance did you like?

Rosalyn's reading was the only thing that kept me listening. I needed something to fill my commute to work.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

boredom

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Thankfully stayed with it...!

There were moments when I considered giving up on this book. I rolled my eyes and persevered, thinking - “give it one more chance” - (more than once) ....And then it just got better and better. The characters vulnerability pulled me in; moments of bittersweet love and redemption sprinkled throughout. Milan has a way of developing damaged characters that stays with you even after finishing a book. It’s great writing- I’m hooked.

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2 people found this helpful