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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
In this Regency romance, wealthy widow Diana Boyle discovers that she's been listed in a directory of single rich women, which results in random men turning up at her door, sparking her fury. When confronting Maxwell Dean, the directory's author, she finds him unexpectedly charming. Determined to thwart fortune hunters, one of the other ladies on the registry rallies the listed women to turn the registry around to their advantage.
This book had a really strong premise but I don't think it did enough with it. There wasn't a lot of passion between the main characters, and there wasn't any public backlash to the women who were involved in the registry until 70% of the way through the book and even then the impact was revealed and then basically never mentioned again. This would be highly unlikely given how improper the ladies' new rules and their actions would be viewed, even for widows and spinsters. Even amongst the group themselves, the women and men all paired off without any sort of drama, even though the men were self-admitted fortune hunters and that didn't change just because the women became aware of the registry. I felt that there should have been more conflict with or admonishment towards the men who used the Registry without informing the women of its publication as they had a right to be angry. But it only showed Diana feeling that way during her initial conversation with Maxwell and there was one passing reveal right at the end regarding a minor character.
Overall, it was like a watered down version of Mr Malcolm's List by the same author - one where no-one involved got any sort of comeuppance, everything just worked out pleasantly and everyone turned out not to be a villain despite all signs of villainy and deception throughout the book. I didn't love the miscommunication trope in the last half either and just wanted Diana and Maxwell to talk to each other about their feelings. This was called out by another character, but it came a bit late for my liking.
I really wanted to love this, and the story could have been amazing but it just played everything too nice.
This book had a really strong premise but I don't think it did enough with it. There wasn't a lot of passion between the main characters, and there wasn't any public backlash to the women who were involved in the registry until 70% of the way through the book and even then the impact was revealed and then basically never mentioned again. This would be highly unlikely given how improper the ladies' new rules and their actions would be viewed, even for widows and spinsters. Even amongst the group themselves, the women and men all paired off without any sort of drama, even though the men were self-admitted fortune hunters and that didn't change just because the women became aware of the registry. I felt that there should have been more conflict with or admonishment towards the men who used the Registry without informing the women of its publication as they had a right to be angry. But it only showed Diana feeling that way during her initial conversation with Maxwell and there was one passing reveal right at the end regarding a minor character.
Overall, it was like a watered down version of Mr Malcolm's List by the same author - one where no-one involved got any sort of comeuppance, everything just worked out pleasantly and everyone turned out not to be a villain despite all signs of villainy and deception throughout the book. I didn't love the miscommunication trope in the last half either and just wanted Diana and Maxwell to talk to each other about their feelings. This was called out by another character, but it came a bit late for my liking.
I really wanted to love this, and the story could have been amazing but it just played everything too nice.
funny
lighthearted
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:
No
Short and sweet. I liked that the ladies took control of things instead of just letting life happen to them.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
lighthearted
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:
No
absolutely charming and delightful, a regency romance in true rom-com style
Suzanne Allain has done it again with The Ladies Rewrite the Rules! This book was an absolute joy to read, combining sharp wit, charming characters, and a heartfelt celebration of sisterhood.
The story is bursting with fun, from the sparkling dialogue to the clever plot twists that keep you turning pages late into the night. What I loved most was the strong bond between the women—it felt authentic and uplifting, like a love letter to friendship and solidarity. Watching them challenge societal norms and support each other through thick and thin was both inspiring and entertaining.
If you’re a fan of feel-good reads that highlight the power of friendship and resilience, this is the book for you. It’s the perfect blend of fun, heart, and empowerment. I absolutely loved it and can't recommend it enough!
The story is bursting with fun, from the sparkling dialogue to the clever plot twists that keep you turning pages late into the night. What I loved most was the strong bond between the women—it felt authentic and uplifting, like a love letter to friendship and solidarity. Watching them challenge societal norms and support each other through thick and thin was both inspiring and entertaining.
If you’re a fan of feel-good reads that highlight the power of friendship and resilience, this is the book for you. It’s the perfect blend of fun, heart, and empowerment. I absolutely loved it and can't recommend it enough!
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book is a dainty historical romance that builds slowly to a happy ending where everyone gets what they want. I am a fan of spicier stories, personally, and I got a little impatient with the characters for not moving faster or being bolder. The writing took me out of the story at times - a lot of POV switching mid-scene, for one, and constant use of the word “however” - which I think was exacerbated in the audiobook version. Overall this book was not for me, but I was still pleased when our two main character hotties finally got together. Yay for love.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No