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A review by reading_historical_romance
A Lady's Formula for Love by Elizabeth Everett
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? Yes
4.0
I've had this book on my TBR for so long, and I am happily able to report that dusting it off and giving it a try was a great decision. I really enjoyed this debut novel. I think that the premise is fun and original, and that the romance between the widowed Lady Violet and her stoic bodyguard, Arthur, is sweet.
Both Violet and Arthur carry the burdens of emotional wounds in their pasts, and their hope of finding any happiness has faded over the years until they are both fairly resigned to being alone for the rest of their lives. I loved that Arthur embraces Violet for all that she is, a highly intelligent, but socially awkward, chemist. In turn, Violet is able to break down Arthur's walls with her straightforward but unassuming personality and sense of the ridiculous.
The found family dynamic between all of the quirky club members and the household staff is enjoyable as everyone is welcomed and has something to contribute. I disagree with some critics who say that this book embraces the "white savior" archetype. This is a historical romance set in the early 1840s in London. The only class of women at that time living in London who would have the resources, including the property needed, to build laboratories for female scientists would be both white and aristocratic. The fact that the main character is a white female aristocrat who makes the decision to use her resources in a way that all women of all classes can benefit from, if they so choose, isn't a strike against this novel.
I am interested to try the next two novels in the series because I am intrigued by many of the other characters, including Violet's grown step-son and her childhood friend the Earl of Grantham.
Both Violet and Arthur carry the burdens of emotional wounds in their pasts, and their hope of finding any happiness has faded over the years until they are both fairly resigned to being alone for the rest of their lives. I loved that Arthur embraces Violet for all that she is, a highly intelligent, but socially awkward, chemist. In turn, Violet is able to break down Arthur's walls with her straightforward but unassuming personality and sense of the ridiculous.
The found family dynamic between all of the quirky club members and the household staff is enjoyable as everyone is welcomed and has something to contribute. I disagree with some critics who say that this book embraces the "white savior" archetype. This is a historical romance set in the early 1840s in London. The only class of women at that time living in London who would have the resources, including the property needed, to build laboratories for female scientists would be both white and aristocratic. The fact that the main character is a white female aristocrat who makes the decision to use her resources in a way that all women of all classes can benefit from, if they so choose, isn't a strike against this novel.
I am interested to try the next two novels in the series because I am intrigued by many of the other characters, including Violet's grown step-son and her childhood friend the Earl of Grantham.