Reviews

I wanted so much to love it. It’s got themes I love, a quirky title, and not to mention is by one of my all-time favorite authors. But this book is really Mansfield Park. From the poor-relation critique of the Cinderella story to the rich-people-get-away-with-everything right on down to the business in Antigua. It’s Mansfield Park but with a much more frank grappling with race and colonialism (which makes sense as it’s written in 2024 about 1919 and people in both times are more open about that than in 1814). Not to mention a much more appealing love interest (thank goodness!). And a club I wish Maddie Brodatt could join. But we all know how I feel about Mansfield Park.
It’s Helen Simonson, so of course it’s good. But her other books set my expectations so high and it being Mansfield Park meant I just spent most of it hopping mad. And I feel like for a title character, the motorcycle club was way too much in the background. I wanted much more of them and much less of the odious Lady Mercer.
Oh well. I suppose Helen Simonson was bound to have a Mansfield Park too. But she’s still one of my favorite authors.

isobel_shobs's review

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hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

paperbackportals's review

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adventurous emotional lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I enjoyed The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club. I read at a more leisurely pace, because I was prolonging my visit in this seaside British town that has all the meddling and social dramas expected of the time period (1917). The protagonist and the other characters are delightfully real and lovable (or troublesome) in exactly the way of a Jane Austen novel.

If you love Downton Abbey or any 20th century British Drama, be sure to check it out.

Content Warnings

gsquared's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

cherylg123's review

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emotional informative inspiring relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

hayleym24's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

While I did like this book, I’m not sure I’m quite the target audience age wise. It was slow and felt a little older than what I usually read. I listened to this one on audio and some of the voices were a little shrill to listen to. I did like how strong and self reliant the women characters were.

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