The Suffragette Scandal is the fourth novel in the Brothers Sinister series by Courtney Milan.
Finished on: 12.2.2022
[Here are my reviews of the other books in the series.]

Content Note: torture

Plot:
Edward Clark had meant to stay away from England, but when he hears that one of his oldest friends, Stephen, is in trouble and it’s the fault of Edward’s own brother James, he comes to help. Stephen works at the Women’s Free Press, a paper run by Frederica – Free – Marshall who is also in James’ crosshairs. Edward offers Free his support, but warns her that he is a scoundrel himself and she should not trust him. Running a paper devoted to women’s liberation, Free is no stranger to untrustworthy men and knows how to deal with them. But it appears that with their partnership, they both got more than they thought and maybe more than they can handle.

The Suffragette Scandal is the final novel in the Brothers Sinister series (there is still a novella left, though) and a really wonderful finish. Not all of the novels in the series worked equally for me, but The Suffragette Scandal is one of my favorites of the series.

I’m usually not one for brooding heroes. I find them often obnoxious, and their self-pity so often becomes a form of aggression that they turn outwards, towards the heroine (thinking of you, Mr Rochester). Edward could have easily fallen into that category. He is traumatized, his self-worth is below zero, and it is all very understandable. Despite everything, he retained a sense of humor though, and he does not brood at all. He is actually resigned to being who he thinks he is (which is another problem), and there is no glowering, no putting his problems on Free. In fact, he could have used some more brooding for his personal development, probably.

It is rather amazing that despite Edward’s past, and despite the high stakes for Free and her business, this book is one of the funniest in the series. There’s a warm and sometimes wicked sense of humor that is a constant companion to the dark topic matter, and that makes the book particularly delightful.

Plus, there is Free and she is absolutely amazing. I loved how she talks about her activism, and the book really spoke straight from and to my heart regarding that. Related, I felt like applauding when the point is made that not everything that is sweet is a lie, and not everything that is bitter is the truth. YES! Exactly!

The chemistry between Free and Edward is electric, and the emotional connection is wonderful. And to sweeten the deal even more, there is the cutest wlw subplot that made my queer little heart dance. Overall, there is nothing more that I could wish for.

Summarizing: wonderfully satisfying.