Suzanne Allain

A group of women find themselves quite aghast when informed of a new publishing that makes them susceptible to all manner of fortune hunters. To retaliate, they band together to “rewrite the rules of society” and give the ladies “the opportunity to taste some of the freedoms that a gentleman took for granted.”

While the story is humorous and feels light, there is still depth to the characters and their lives. Diana and Regina are both remarkable, and a tad sassy, and while finding themselves on the fringes of society, they have banded together in a pact to thwart societal expectations and each become her own woman. I loved how each woman helped the other find goodness in herself, and grow into the kind of women they could be. I absolutely love books that showcase women lifting each other up and coming together in friendship and goodness, and this book delivers on that. This book is really about friendship first.

I thought it interesting that this story works with characters who are widows and “eccentric old spinsters,” yet in both instances the women are younger than I am. It just illustrates how the social expectations regarding age have really changed over time. I also loved how the women in Diana’s circle wanted to improve their circumstances and were willing to bend some of the rules they felt restrictive, but weren’t anxious to outright flout all sense of decorum and poise. They were delightful and the rules they chose to focus were fun and made me smile.

Lest you think this is a book riddled with anti-male and “buck the system” dialogue, let me assure you that it is not. The women are not anxious to be rid of the male species, nor do they find their entire lives repressive. They just want to be respected without bowing to the whims of every society matron—and therein actually lies the crux of the their problems: other women! Anyway, the male protagonists in this book were just as much fun to read about as the women were, and I was cheering for them from the very beginning. It would be really hard not to, because they are absolutely wonderful.

Suzanne worked every difficulty over with a delicate pen, so much so that I was surprised how things worked time and time again. The story about Diana and her mother and father, not to mention her much older husband; Regina and her difficulties in the past; Maxwell and his publication and personal feelings about second and third sons; Lord Jerome and his involvement in the overarching story; and Lady Gordon’s shocking past and what it means for Diana’s life. All of it was incredibly well done. The challenges weren’t brushed aside or suddenly resolved, and difficulties were respected and given time to work through. There was a measure of grit, but the book is not heavy.

This was my first Suzanne Allain, and I enjoyed it immensely. The prose is delightful, the dialogue witty, the characters charming. The narration style is engaging, with occasional asides from the narrator’s or principle character’s pov, which makes it so fun to read. This book is entertaining and charming, exactly what any lover of regency romance is looking for.

**Thanks to AustenProse, NetGalley, and Berkley for the advanced copy. These thoughts belong to me.… (més)

Goose, Gander and Romance!

When widowed Diana Boyle discovers her name listed in a directory “The Rich Ladies Registry or the Batchelor’s Directory” she’s livid. Diana is living a quiet life tucked an hour away from London. Now two, no make that three gentlemen have invaded her privacy under false pretences.
Gathering her anger about her she uncovers the author’s name and pays him a visit to vent her mind. Maxwell Dean is not what she expected. All he was trying to do was help younger sons to find suitable wives, much like the season for debutantes. Younger sons had no chance when pitted against titled marriage mart prizes. Diana did have a few words with Max over his ill advised muttering about what’s good for the goose should be good for the gander!
Determined to warn other ladies in the directory she writes to them, arranging a meeting.
The ladies are suitably shocked and decide to turn etiquette upside down. They hold a ball and invite eligible men. The ladies make their own rules about who they can dance with, how many dances, and they also allow the waltz.
Unfortunately the patronesses of Almack’s are quite cross with them. Their dances are stealing patrons as they’re held on the same night.
There’s quite a lot happening here, some of it off stage. I would have liked to see Diana’s friend Lady Gordon, given more page space as her romance developed.
All the hooks are in place but I did find my attention wandering from time to time.
I loved the cover btw.

A Berkley Group ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.… (més)

This was a pretty good book! I saw the trailer for the movie and was intrigued by it.
The Honorable Jerry Malcom is looking for a Bride. Not just any bride but one that meets all of the qualifications on his list. Julia who feels that she's been spurned by him decides to retaliate by convincing Salina to deceive him and pretend thar she has her own list. But, Salina and Jerry find themselves falling in love which infuriates Julia. She tries to retaliate and even pretends to be Salina to break them up. They have to overcome their stubbornness and realize that their love will last.… (més)