Reviews

The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman

shelliu13's review against another edition

medium-paced

4.0

yoitsred's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

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

4.25

altanava's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny inspiring tense fast-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

4.5

What a wonderful surprise, great in every way. Don’t let the cover fool you, the novel is sometimes truly dark. So unexpected characters an stories. Can’t wait for the next installment.

cass_89's review

adventurous hopeful mysterious tense 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

4.25

vibetrumpet's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring medium-paced

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

4.75

doal's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

3.5

roman_elise's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.5

rahiho's review against another edition

funny tense fast-paced

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

3.5

mlglenn's review against another edition

4.0

This was such a fun book! While I do wish there had just been one “case” focused on in the book to allow for more detail and a bit more realism, I think overall the premise was enjoyable and unique in terms of historical romance. Gus, Evan, Julia, and the whole cast of characters were well-written and have me so excited to get the next book and have all my questions answered! If you like adventure, mystery, and badass women going against societal expectations, you’ll love this!

*Possible spoilers below*

POV: single first person

You can expect: FMC in her 40s, twins, solving mysteries, 1810s detective work, only one bed, forced proximity, rescue missions. 

Rep: side character with breast cancer, queer side characters 

Spice: none, implied or otherwise

CW (there are a lot): death of fiance, death of parents, cancer, spousal abuse/DV, descriptions of 19th century unmedicated surgery, child prostitution, kidnapping, imprisonment, 19th century asylum mistreatment, murder/suicide

nozenfordaddy's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny 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? No

4.0

I love me an historical fiction novel, and an adventure and anything where the protagonist is a middle aged unmarried woman who still has agency and life in her. Gus and Julia are true equals with their own strengths rather than falling back on the genius and sidekick trope in many mysteries. I really enjoyed this, funny and entertaining with a mystery to be solved in the next book!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer