Talk Sweetly to Me

Against all odds, Milan ends her Brothers Sinister series with a banging novella. More often than not, novellas tend to have pacing issues. Either they feel too compressed or even too long. Talk Sweetly to Me is the perfect length to allow a new romance to develop without feeling too rushed.

Readers will recognize Stephen Shaughnessy from the previous novel in this series, The Suffragette Scandal as a witty writer on Free's newspaper. He was a joy to read about, and he's even more fun to read about in his own story. Unlike the other heroes in this series, he doesn't have a super traumatic past to brood over; although, he certainly hasn't had an easy life being Irish and writing for a feminist periodical, but this works in his favor as show more he anchors the story. Meanwhile, the plot centers around the vibrant Rose Sweetly.

Rose is brilliant and loving. She's an aspiring astronomer and brilliant with numbers. At the same time, she dotes on her pregnant sister and takes care of her while her brother-in-law is away at sea. Her relationships round her out as capable and dedicated without making her too stuffy. The other thing readers will instantly notice about Rose is that she is black. As a white woman, I can say I appreciated a heroine of color, and I thought Milan did a marvelous job creating a character who's complex and tough as she fights against the cards dealt her, namely being a woman and black, without making her a martyr or a stand-in for other black women of her era. The scenes with the aptly names Dr. Chillingsworth showcase the prejudice black women faced then and, unfortunately, still face now. The ending, while immensely satisfying, is likely far most optimistic than most women's actual encounters with racist doctors. Still, I appreciated the balance and a more honest portrayal of life back then for women of color.

Not just romance novels, but period drama series and movies often gloss over the fact that people of color existed in the past, let alone had their own love stories. Milan's story is not only heart-warming and romantic but important. It's about more than representation. Stephen not only vows to protect and support Rose as she navigates an unjust world, he promises to preserve what makes her unique. Rose wants to be an astronomer, and Stephen will always support that dream. It's the most romantic gesture I can think of, and one that lets every woman know - regardless of their race - that their dreams are important. They deserve to thrive, as well as survive. Can't recommend this novella enough. show less

Rose Sweetly is a mathematical genius with a passion for astronomy. Aside from her work, all she wants is a quiet life. For that, she has to guard her reputation, particularly because too many people will see a middle class black woman as not a lady and somebody of whom advantage can be easily taken. Stephen Shaughnessy, novelist and author of the "Ask a Man" column in the newspaper published for and by women which featured in the previous book in the series, is widely known as a rake. Rose knows that he's the last man that she should even let anybody think she associates with. Nevertheless, when he appears under the pretense of wanting to learn about astronomy for his next novel, she agrees to teach him.

I adored this book. Stephen is show more the best sort of romance rake: he genuinely likes women, he never hurts anybody, and he never pressures Rose to risk anything she doesn't want to. He loves her for her brilliance and the way she sees the world, and he makes it clear that if she marries him he'll support her continuing her work. Rose starts the book having learned to keep her head down and stay out of trouble as a method of survival; by the end she learns to take a stand for herself and her family, and when to dare to be a little bit outrageous. And when she *does* stand up for her sister... I can't give specifics without spoilers, but I love that Stephen joins in by threatening to help her rather than taking over the lead. Courtney Milan just writes the best beta heroes.

This *might* have became my new favorite Courtney Milan novel, except that as a novella, there just isn't enough of it to unseat the wonder that is The Suffragette Scandal. Which isn't to say that it feels too short in itself: it is exactly the right length for its own purposes. show less

Another in the Brother's Sinister series, but other than being a romance set in Victorian England I failed to see any connection. Rose Sweetly works as a computer for a scientist and has a crush on her rakish neighbourhood writer. All my previous complaints about Milan books are back in force; an overly rushed romance, an implausibly wonderful love interest, and an oh-so-exceptional protagonist. My biggest peeve is that Rose's experiences as a Victorian-era British Black woman seem under-explored but if you like Milan's "formula", you'll like this.

Rose Sweetly has no problem calculating complex numbers and understanding complex theories in astronomy but when it comes to understanding just what is happening between her and her handsome neighbour, Stephen Shaughnessy, she's much less certain. Given the difficulties of his reputation and the daily struggles Rose faces due to the colour of her skin, can they ever have more than just discussions about math?

A very sweet novella that wrapped up the Sinister Brothers series that I devoured in less than two hours. Stephen's wry humour cracked me up and I immediately loved Rose. A great final entry in the series.

I wanted more. That's my big issue with this novella. I wanted more information on Rose's background. I wanted appearances by the other Brothers Sinister. This book didn't feel part of that universe at all. That said, I enjoyed Milan touching about race relations in the 1800s and throwing some mathematical and astronomy our way via the heroine.

Rose Sweetly does her best to keep Stephen Shaughnessy out of her mind. He has a reputation from the articles he writes, and Rose knows her duty is to marry one of the men her family has their eyes on for her. As a black woman she doesn't have the luxury to be flirted with or ruined. I loved the fact that Rose has such an interest in mathematics and astronomy and even though she tries not to, has show more fallen for Stephen. I found her relationship with her sister interesting and wish we had more details concerning their parents than what we got.

I wasn't a huge fan of Stephen at first. Especially because he's focused on seducing Rose. Then all of a sudden he gains depth and is in love with her (the story really needed to be longer) which did give me whiplash a bit.

We don't get much time to develop secondary characters in this and as I said, I was disappointed with the lack of appearances by the other characters in this book. I thought the doctor was an ass, but didn't really get why the character didn't just switch doctors. I saw the racism thing coming a mile away. It wasn't exactly subtle.

The writing is top notch and there was a flow hiccup towards the end and that was about it.

The ending was okay, but once again I just needed a bit more since the HEA felt a little too pat for me. show less

"He's never once offered to seduce me. I don't even think he's thought of it." "He's thought of it," Patricia said dryly. "And...frankly, Rose, the way he's talking to you? I don't think he'll even need to offer."

Reading this novella was bittersweet to me because while I was excited to read it I was also sad that it was the last installment of the Brothers Sinister series. I love the Brothers Sinister series and know that it had to come to an end eventually but part of me still wants more. This novella was a great end to what was a great series.

Rose Sweetly has a passion for mathematics and astronomy and she just wants to continue on with her work in both fields and be left alone. Stephen Shaughnessy, an advice columnist, has quite the show more reputation. Once Stephen takes an interest in Rose and her work in mathematics and astronomy Rose, to her dismay, will find herself finally being noticed by someone. She may try her hardest to not be affected by Stephen but she just can't stop those unwanted feelings.

Rose was just a genius and I loved her. I have always had somewhat of an interest, or a fascination, in astronomy, so getting to read about her work in astronomy was a treat for me. I am not as interested in mathematics but reading about that was also pretty interesting as well. Her passion for those things makes it interesting not only for Stephen but also for readers. I loved Stephen in the previous book in the series and was happy to learn that this novella would focus on him. He has a great sense of humor and it was great getting to see a softer and more serious side to him also when he was around Rose. Those two make a great pair, whether Rose was willing to admit it or not.

I just cannot fully explain how much I have loved reading this series. I highly recommend this series to historical romance fans. show less

Originally posted at The Bookaholic Cat

Talk Sweetly to Me is the last installment in the Brothers Sinister series by Courtney Milan.

Rose Sweetly’s is not an ordinary woman; first, she is smarter than most men in an era where women are expected to be nothing more than mothers and wives. Secondly, she is of African descent, a black woman in a racist society plagued with prejudices. Despite those limitations Rose does what she loves, she works for an astronomer doing mathematical calculations.
Rose might be an analytical woman, but that doesn’t mean she cannot admire her neighbor, the known rake, Stephen Shaughnessy.
Stephen knows he doesn’t have the best reputation, he writes a scandalous column for a women’s newspaper and has show more well-earned fame as a rake. Stephen has always liked women, but has never been intrigued by one as he is by Rose Sweetly. He loves the way she looks and loves the way her mind works.
Stephen wants Rose in his life and is willing to do anything to win her heart, even if that means learning mathematics.

I liked Stephen in The suffragette Scandal (book 4th in the series), but I adored him in this book. Stephen is a good man. He has a big heart and he’s very caring. He’s funny, smart, witty, honest and sinfully handsome. I loved how he was able to see the real Rose and how he was there for her when she needed him most.

Rose is one of those heroines that are very easy to like and to admire. She is not just an intelligent woman, she is a genius. She is caring, strong and reserved. She knows she has to be more careful than most because of her race, notwithstanding the limitations society has placed on her, she has a good life and is successful at what she does.

Rose and Stephen had already met when the story starts. Rose likes Stephen from afar, she knows there are many factors against them and a relationship between them will be almost an impossibility, for that reason she tries to keep her distance from him. Something very difficult to do with a man as persistent as Stephen.
Stephen knows what he wants and he wants Rose. He’s a dreamer and doesn’t worry unnecessarily. He doesn’t consider the discrimination Rose experiences until he sees it first hand.
Their romance is sweet and fun. Their mathematical banter is hilarious, it made for very interesting scenes. Seeing them fall in love was a very nice and fun treat.
Rose and Stephen know their future won’t be an easy one; a mixed-race couple in the 1880s is not a normal occurrence, but they are together and willing to fight for their love. They know that together they are stronger than alone.

As with previous books in this series Mrs. Milan gives us strong characters and social problems of the time.
Talk Sweetly to Me is the first historical romance I read with a black heroine and I can only hope more writers follow Mrs. Milan example. Kudos to her for her originality and for giving us an interracial couple in a historical romance book. *applauds*

Talk Sweetly to Me can be easily read as a standalone, but I recommend you to read previous books first, especially The suffragette Scandal (book 4th in the series) where Stephen was first introduced.

I’m sad to see this series come to an end, but I’m happy Mrs. Milan ended it with such a cute couple as Rose and Stephen. show less