Reviews

The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman

Only show reviews with written explanations

mliazano's review

adventurous medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? No

3.5

I do not normally read historical fiction, but the premise of this book piqued my interest and I am very glad I picked it up. The writing style transported me to the earlier 1800's and into the lives of the Colebrook twins. I felt all the emotions throughout this book: the grief, the anger, the disgust, and the love. I appreciated that this book did not shy away from the problems that women faced during this time period and instead highlighted it through the many adventures. I am excited to see with Goodman takes this series. I highly recommend!

seisha's review

Go to review page

5.0

A Regency romance slash detective (sort of), offering a perfect blend of sweet romance and surprisingly dark themes of the era, such as killing barren wives due to high divorce costs, vivid descriptions of 19th century mastectomies, sexual child abuse as a 'virgin cure' and madhouses for perfectly healthy women - I heartily recommend.

knf3824's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Loved this book. Lady Gus is very brave for the time. Her brother is awful but true character of the men at that time.

dghoiem's review

Go to review page

5.0

"The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies," drew me in from page one. Gus is a complex yet relatable protagonist and the interplay between her and the other characters is masterfully done.

And then there's Lord Evan, oh my. He had me reaching for my hand fan from the moment he arrived on the scene in a most original "meet cute." What set this romance apart from much of what I've read recently is its ability to be captivating without relying on gratuitous language or explicit scenes. Instead, it weaves a delightful tale of action and romance, proving that subtlety can be just as steamy.

In a literary landscape often dominated by vulgarity and overt sexuality, "The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies" stands as a refreshing departure. Its immersive setting serves as a time machine, transporting readers to a bygone era filled with elegance and intrigue.

I was genuinely bummed when the book ended—I didn't want to say goodbye to these characters. Knowing there's another volume on the way is a relief, but Alison Goodman, if you're listening, hurry up! I need another fix of Gus and the gang.