Review: Talk Sweetly to Me by Courtney Milan

Nobody knows who Miss Rose Sweetly is, and she prefers it that way. She’s a shy, mathematically-minded shopkeeper’s daughter who dreams of the stars. Women like her only ever come to attention through scandal. She’ll take obscurity, thank you very much. 

All of England knows who Stephen Shaughnessy is. He’s an infamous advice columnist and a known rake. When he moves into the house next door to Rose, she discovers that he’s also wickedly funny, devilishly flirtatious, and heart-stoppingly handsome. But when he takes an interest in her mathematical work, she realizes that Mr. Shaughnessy isn’t just a scandal waiting to happen. He’s waiting to happen to her…and if she’s not careful, she’ll give in to certain ruination. 

Talk Sweetly to Me is the final novella in The Brothers Sinister series. The other books in the series are: 

½. The Governess Affair (prequel novella) 
1. The Duchess War 
1½. A Kiss for Midwinter (a companion novella to The Duchess War) 
2. The Heiress Effect 
3. The Countess Conspiracy 
4. The Suffragette Scandal 
4½. Talk Sweetly to Me

Goodness but I loved this short story. It was an absolutely wonderful way to pass my lunch hour and left me feeling fabulous for the entire afternoon. There's nothing better than watching a rogue fall in love after all when he loses his heart he won't worry about what he's missing because he'll have already gotten his share of lovin'. Stephen was so utterly charming and while he was over-the-top with his charismatic allure he never once came across as callous. Rose is a wonderful heroine so true to herself and her unique personality. I've never been a fan of mathematics but she had me looking at the subject through her eyes and understanding the appeal. Courtney Milan is always a solid choice if you are looking for a well-written and highly entertaining historical and this short story is no exception. She gives you all the elements of her full-length novels in a brief story you can enjoy during your lunch hour or if you can find a little pocket of quiet time.