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shannonadouglas's review against another edition
4.0
This was an enjoyable read. For those that need them, trigger warnings: mentions of rape, child abuse, and suicide. They were not the main themes of the story but be aware they are mentioned throughout the book. Overall, the stories are unique and thrilling but also hold some comedy and is not too intense to make it unenjoyable. Definitely excited for the sequel!
ladysreads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
kyztien's review against another edition
5.0
Delightful! Highly recommend the audiobook, they do a great job with the characters
clairevn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
A little heavy handed in terms of its feminism and (lack of) religiosity, but an entertaining read
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault
emleemay's review against another edition
4.0
Had I not noticed this book was by [a:Alison Goodman|88685|Alison Goodman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1674777508p2/88685.jpg], an old favourite of mine, it would have gone sailing right by me. Who could have guessed this pastel-coloured cover featuring fine ladies in bonnets could contain such a dark, disturbing tale of abuses of power in Regency London?
The book is split into three sections called "cases". In each one, Lady Augusta Colebrook and her sister, Julia, (with some help from dashing ex-con Lord Evan Belford) set out to help other women in need. From Caroline, who has been imprisoned by her abusive husband, to Hester, who is trapped in a mental institution living in horrific conditions.
But "Gus" herself must contend with the restrictions placed upon her as a woman, with men frequently dismissing her concerns and her brother using his position as head of the estate to control and spite her.
Goodman knows this time well and manages to strike a perfect balance between staying true to the times and not making me hate everyone. Well, the main three at least. I hated a good many others throughout this book. In fact, it was probably my fury that made this such an engaging read. That, and Gus' unyielding spirit.
The book is split into three sections called "cases". In each one, Lady Augusta Colebrook and her sister, Julia, (with some help from dashing ex-con Lord Evan Belford) set out to help other women in need. From Caroline, who has been imprisoned by her abusive husband, to Hester, who is trapped in a mental institution living in horrific conditions.
But "Gus" herself must contend with the restrictions placed upon her as a woman, with men frequently dismissing her concerns and her brother using his position as head of the estate to control and spite her.
Goodman knows this time well and manages to strike a perfect balance between staying true to the times and not making me hate everyone. Well, the main three at least. I hated a good many others throughout this book. In fact, it was probably my fury that made this such an engaging read. That, and Gus' unyielding spirit.
tebs's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content
Moderate: Confinement, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Kidnapping
holly167's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Loved this book, witty banter, action, mystery, romance, heart all set in Elizabethan era.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, Vomit, and Murder
monica_pickles's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
mythuymat's review against another edition
4.0
This was fun, not as good as Lady Helen, but I love Alison Goodman's writing and sense of humour
danaisreading's review against another edition
4.0
The cover of this book is a bit of a symbol for the story - a pleasant wrapper hiding the darkness within. Most Regency novels paint a positive picture of the time, but this one isn't afraid at all to show a bit what life could be like for some people in that time.
Fraternal twins Lady Julia and Lady Augusta for the most part have a comfortable life, even if they are both 42 and firmly "on the shelf." Julia had been engaged, but her fiancé died in an accident a couple of years before the opening of the novel, while Gus had never gotten that far. As a result, they are considered spinsters and they have a fair amount of time on their hands. This leads them to do what they can to resolve the unfair treatment of women who don't have the means to escape their lot in life.
The novel is made up of three separate "cases", but with one common theme - rescuing women left in appalling conditions. The first is a noble woman locked in her bedroom because she couldn't have children, and so her husband leaves her to die so he can remarry and find someone to give him his all-important heir. The second is about rescuing a 14-year-old girl who was kidnapped from an orphanage and sold into a brothel. And the third deals with liberating another noble woman from a madhouse, who was locked up by a brother simply because she is a lesbian.
The three cases themselves are satisfactorily resolved and complete. This could be forgiven as a mini collection of short stories. What ties these all together into a single cohesive novel are the characters themselves. And there is a bit of a cliffhanger at the end of the novel, but that has to do with solving a 20 year old mystery involving one of the characters.
Goodman writes well, and I liked the main characters. They are probably more forward thinking than others of that time, but I can't say it was too anachronistic or jarring. I think that has more to do with the theme of the book, and the reader's desire to see the women they assist given their (relative) freedom from their captivity.
Because the book is so overwhelmingly dark, it's hard to say I enjoyed reading it. It's not something that many people could read all at once, however engaging Julia and Gus are. But I do look forward to the next novel in this series.
Fraternal twins Lady Julia and Lady Augusta for the most part have a comfortable life, even if they are both 42 and firmly "on the shelf." Julia had been engaged, but her fiancé died in an accident a couple of years before the opening of the novel, while Gus had never gotten that far. As a result, they are considered spinsters and they have a fair amount of time on their hands. This leads them to do what they can to resolve the unfair treatment of women who don't have the means to escape their lot in life.
The novel is made up of three separate "cases", but with one common theme - rescuing women left in appalling conditions. The first is a noble woman locked in her bedroom because she couldn't have children, and so her husband leaves her to die so he can remarry and find someone to give him his all-important heir. The second is about rescuing a 14-year-old girl who was kidnapped from an orphanage and sold into a brothel. And the third deals with liberating another noble woman from a madhouse, who was locked up by a brother simply because she is a lesbian.
The three cases themselves are satisfactorily resolved and complete. This could be forgiven as a mini collection of short stories. What ties these all together into a single cohesive novel are the characters themselves. And there is a bit of a cliffhanger at the end of the novel, but that has to do with solving a 20 year old mystery involving one of the characters.
Goodman writes well, and I liked the main characters. They are probably more forward thinking than others of that time, but I can't say it was too anachronistic or jarring. I think that has more to do with the theme of the book, and the reader's desire to see the women they assist given their (relative) freedom from their captivity.
Because the book is so overwhelmingly dark, it's hard to say I enjoyed reading it. It's not something that many people could read all at once, however engaging Julia and Gus are. But I do look forward to the next novel in this series.