Book Review–> The Brothers Sinister #0.5- The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan

Title and Author: The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan

A prequel to her The Brothers Sinister Series, I loved just about everything in the book. The plot is well conceived and admirably executed with no loopholes. The story is well paced and it manages to keep the reader glued to the book until the very end. I just had to finish this book in one sitting, so engrossed was I in the story!


The writing style is simple, elegant and the sentences well phrased to suit the era of the story. The settings are believable and I was able to picture every scene and event in the book like it was happening right in front of my own eyes. Courtney takes the readers on a ride to the Regency era England with wealthy and pompous Dukes, Marriages based on the dowry brought by the brides and a stringent social structure with no regard to the feelings and self esteem of the lower social strata people.


I admired and respected Serena for her perseverance and strength of endurance to all the difficulties she faced on the path to justice. In a time when women were considered fit just for dressing and looking beautiful, Serena is independent, opinionated and strong.


“I will not be browbeaten, however nicely you do it. I am done with things happening to me. From here on out, I am going to happen to things.”


Hugo is an enigma and a man damaged by his unhappy childhood. He is sometimes kind, considerate and seemingly “safe” while the next moment he is the “Wolf of Clermont”, ruthless and with no conscience. The romance between Serena and Hugo is both touching as well as sensuous. It is a romance that leaves you with a ear-to-ear smile on your face and a soaring heart. The character contrast between Serena and her sister is also very expertly portrayed and a message sent to the readers. Same is the case with Hugo’s traumatic past. A strong message is sent across by the author at the end which made this book more than just a good story. It came into the category of books that entertain as well as enlighten the reader.


Thoroughly enjoyable and a great start to a critically acclaimed series, I just cant wait to get my hands on the next books in the series. A full 5 on 5 to The Governess Affair and a strong recommendation that you go read this book.


Some quotes I liked:


1) “What is a husband, but the man who offers you support when all the world turns you away?”


2) “What is a wife, but a partner who will see through to your deepest wishes? 


3) “I thought I had to prove myself with money and accomplishments. But those will always ring hollow. They will never be enough. I want to be somebody. Let me be your husband. Let me be the father of your child -of all your children.” 


4) “You always put things at risk. If you fell out of a tree as a child, I’d clean you up and bandage your knees, and next I looked you’d be out climbing again. You never learned your lesson.”

Oh, she’d learned her lesson. Climb harder.”