The Duchess War

The Brothers Sinister, Book 1

By: Courtney Milan

Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

Length: 11 hrs and 3 mins

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

Clever and intriguing

Loved it! The story started slowly, but got so interesting that I couldn't stop. I am a hopeless romantic and rooted for Mini and Robert the whole time! great listen.

Very engaging and full of surprises.

This is the typical romance novel with quite a few twists. The characters were very memorable and unique.
Also
Spoiler:
I LOVED that Robert was a virgin. Their first time was so sweet and erotic and awkward and real.

Perfect

I just adored every minute of listening to this. I’ve just recently started to read Courtney Milan and I’m so happy I have!

Excellent slow burn; but worth the wait

I’m not usually a huge fan on slow burns, and in truth, Ms. Milan does give us some teases that do satiate a little.

But wait is worth it when you have such endearing characters as Minnie and Robert. And it is refreshing to have a sex scene not go well, but to have a partner who is willing to learn. And then once we do get to the steamy scenes, Ms. Milan does not disappoint. My only complaint is that I would have like subsequent scenes to have a little more detail. But she is a master at crafting the anticipation.

Most entertaining

Liked the story very much. The interaction between a reclusive lady chess player who was raised by a selfish father & a Duke who was raised by 2 cold & distant parents was interesting & kept my attention. The ending was well done.

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.

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.

Great story!!!

I'd forgotten Courtney Milan can be risqué with her writing. Most people like it. I guess I'm a bit old fashioned. It was a bit to graphic in parts. But the story was fantastic!!!
Loved what a nice guy the hero (Robert) was, and how he saw past outward imperfections and was fascinated by the heroines (Minnie's) intellect and wit. He was intrigued by her, but also attracted to her.
Loved how Minnie was such a strong, intelligent woman, but had a major imperfection brought on by a traumatic experience, and she is quiet and reserved and fearful of crowds.
The person she is at the beginning bears little resemblance to the person she becomes because of the love and constant encouragement of Robert.

first timer

this is the first time I listened to a romance novel's audio book version. the love scenes were not as bad as I was expecting. I also think because the narrator was good. I wouldn't mind listening to her other performance. :)
And for the novel itself, I've always loved Milan's books. :) that's why I immediately grabbed this book when I saw it on sale.

Enjoyable first half

I really loved this book up until about halfway through. It ended up being so slow and boring that I didn’t even finish the whole thing. I loved the characters and this had an excellent plot but then went downhill. There was way too much ruminating inner dialog with the same worries repeated to the point of annoyance. I found myself skipping parts and then eventually gave up entirely. The narrator is highly skilled but many of the characters sounded much older than they should have. The less than 50-year-old mother-in-law sounded like the dowager great grandmother from Downton Abbey -in other words ancient. So, I’d love to find this caliber of narrator who sounds more age appropriate.