This is a very promising start to a five-book series. I picked it up in between my other reads because I wanted something quick and relatively sweet and straightforward. I got what I was looking for.

We meet Sophie, who has ideas beyond what her society allows. She is artistic and uses that art to write for a newspaper. She is well known to be the author of the column despite writing it under a pseudonym. She wants to cover more critical details which are usually brushed under the rug. The callousness of the 'ton' is shown in very stark shades towards the end.

We are introduced to the case quite early on, there is an investigation into an unknown body and Sophie pushes her way in. She does her investigation thoroughly and practically. I suspected the person(s) who might have done the deed, but I assumed the wrong reason. Although I could see where it was going, it was still fun to see this play itself out. Notably the newly formed Blue Orchid Society and all its members. Each comes with their own unique abilities, and this does set the path for future books. I would love to see how each find their own happily ever afters, and if my guess is right, I know exactly who is meant for at least one other member.

I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience and my previous affinity to 'Regency romances'

Lady Sophronia has made a name for herself among her peers as a society columnist, but she years to write something meaningful. Her chance comes when she hears of a murder in a London rookery. The only problem is Detective Graham doesn't believe a young lady should help investigate. When it becomes clear that the murderer may be among the London Elite, the detective takes a chance on the lady to keep another murder from happening.

I almost didn't get past the prologue of this story. This is where we are introduced to Lady Sophronia who has no interest in balls and parties. She meets other young ladies who also do not fit into among their peers and they agree to form the Blue Orchid Society so that they may do as they please. (There were also several very negative statements regarding fashion and corsets that took me out of the story.)

From there, we jump into the mystery part of the story with Detective Graham and the murder. We do not really learn how Lady Sophronia became a columnist in the first place, let alone why she differs from her family. The mystery itself is interesting, as they follow the clue to the solution.

The romance suffers from a lack of substance on both parties. i cannot get behind a couple who spend a week investigating a crime together and then declare they love each other. We can see this from a moment where Detective Graham believes Lady Sophronia betrayed him and will not listen to her. If they had known each other better and communicated better, this plot detail wouldn't have happened. (Detective Graham also gets a raised eyebrow from me for a judgemental sentence where he senses that there is little to Lady Sophronia's sister when he has just met her.)

Overall, this is not a bad story. it is well written and the pace is good. I would have liked it better if Lady Sophronia had fit better into the time period, instead of seeming like a present day woman sent back in time. Other readers may not have the same qualm, and I would recommend this to readers who enjoy a historical mystery.

What a good story. I loved how these women want to make a contribution to the world, to use their mind and make a difference in their world. Sophie has a gift with pencil and paper and uses it to change police work and solving multiple murders. This was a fun story, I am excited for the next one in this series.

Victorian romances are a new favorite of mine. I really enjoy looking at some of the changes that were beginning to happen in society, and with this new Blue Orchid series, Jennifer Moore gives readers a look at women who are breaking into fields previously closed to them. I really liked how Sophie was determined to become a reporter who covered real stories and that she believed in her abilities and put them to good use. I also liked seeing how she enlisted the support of her friends as well as how she and Jonathan worked together. I would have liked to see more of Jonathan's background (and a little more romance, since it mainly happened at the end), but I did enjoy the mystery element and trying to piece together who the murderer was alongside the characters. I didn't like Sophie's family, and I couldn't help but wonder, having read the prequel novella, how Sophie's grandmother reared a son who cared more about society than his daughter; that aspect of the book was disappointing. All in all, a great start to a new series; I can't wait to read more!
4.5 stars.
I read an ARC provided by the publisher via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Solving Sophronia was my intro in Jennifer Moore’s writing and the first book in her new series The Blue Orchid Society. Lady Sophronia Bremerton, affectionately known as Sophie, is a society columnist who longs to be an investigative reporter. When she hears of a murder in a London rookery, she races on the scene to prove her skill. I loved Sophronia’s tenacity, her investigative nature and ‘bright-eyed enthusiasm’. I was engrossed from the first page and hooked in to discover not only the mystery but also if Sophie would get the opportunity to achieve her dreams. It was a perfect read for this rainy Monday and I look forward to Book 2 in this series.

A big thank you to Covenant Communications for providing a digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #SolvingSophronia #Goodreads

Lady Sophronia writes a society column for the Illustrated London News but wishes to become a real news reporter. She has an amazing talent for detailed drawings. When she stumbles upon a murder scene, she decides to use the opportunity to try some real investigating. If only Detective Jonathan Graham will acknowledge her ability to contribute.

This is a fun story. The characters are wonderful. The mystery is satisfactory. The clues are given at a good pace. It’s pretty easily solvable, but I still enjoyed it.

The highlight of this story, in my opinion, is definitely the Blue Orchid Society itself. I love the idea of the Blue Orchid Society. I love how it began. I love how these ladies support each other. I look forward to reading more about them.

Just plain lovely. That's what this book is. There's a dash of feminism, found in the Blue Orchid Society and Sophie's eccentric, titled grandmother. There's an element of mystery, found in the triple murder that gives Sophie her big break into crime journalism and into seeing what life outside her priveledged circle is like. Then, to top it off, there's the opposites attract romance that takes a middle class detective and a nobleman's daughter and throws them together in the midst of it all.
Great writing. Easy reading. I hope the author continues this series with the other ladies of the Blue Orchid Society.

This book was not for me... I am not saying It a bad book. When I read the synopsis of this book , I guess I expected something completely different. What I do like about this book is the Main female character differs from other females from her class.She expects more out of life. The plot sounded to me intriguing But it becomes too thin. And the romance in the book feels too rushed. But thank you to netgalley for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review

INTRIGUING HISTORICAL MYSTERY WITH A SPLASH OF ROMANCE

You might be tempted to think that this is mainly a historical romance book, but that is actually not the case. This is far more historical mystery - a good one at that - that features a bit of romance. This is the first book in a series about the Blue Orchid Society, a band of young women in Victorian England who set out to make their own destinies without the interference or need of men. When I first read this premise, I had a bad premonition - that this was all going to hinge on a man or a romance contrary to the premise - but I am very happy to say that it was not the case. I stand corrected and I am glad of it.

"We shall do remarkable things this year, make ourselves into remarkable people, and none of us will need to rely on marriage to make it happen."
- Elizabeth


👍 WHAT I LIKED 👍

Mystery: This murder mystery was intriguing and beguiling - it had twists, half truths, half reveals and cover ups in spades. I really liked how it was slowly build up and how the case kept evolving piece by piece. It felt very well thought out, I was impressed and captured.

Feminism: Feminism in historical fiction is spreading and becoming more and more common. However, it hasn't (to my recollection) made much of an impact on historical romance. I was very happy to read about these five women, who set out to create their own destines without the involvement or need of men. They want to break society norms. Sophie, the main character of this book, sets out to make a name for herself in series journalism. I am looking forward to reading about the other women's attempts in the next couple of books.

Romance: Yes, the romance was not the focal point of this book and that made me love the romance even more. It evolved so slowly, was actually quite understated and that made it very sweet and tentative. No insta-love - or lust! - here, thank god!

"With so any factors unknown, two things he was certain of: a young lady belonged nowhere near a murder investigation and Miss Sophie Bremerton belonged nowhere near him"


👎 WHAT I DISLIKED 👎

Characters: The two main characters, Sophie and Jonathan, were sweet and all, but that was pretty much it. They felt underdeveloped and slightly flat. I enjoyed Jonathan's peppermint quirk, but other than that I had a hard time pinpointing any real character traits.

I want to thank NetGalley, Covenant Communications, and author Jennifer Moore for providing me with an ARC of this novel!

Historical fiction with some murder and mystery sprinkled in? Heck yes! I loved the sparkling theme of girl power in this novel, especially with the time frame we were dealing with. Following Sophie and The Blue Orchid Society, we see a group of women as they follow their dreams despite many an obstacle. The mystery aspect kept me on my toes, and I didn’t know the true answer until the final reveal. The supporting characters complimented the hero and heroine 100%, and everything was delightfully intertwined. What a talented author, I can’t wait to read more of her work! I hope this series continues.

Thank you to those named above for the chance to read and review this novel!

‘Solving Sophronia’ follows Lady Sophronia Bremerton who strives to be an investigative reporter, which is no mean feat given that she is living in the Victorian era. Together with several other women with burning ambitions, they establish the Blue Orchid Society, where women support each other, rather than striving to undermine each other due to status. Sophronia finds her opportunity when a murder occurring in the London rockeries, brings her into contact with Detective Jonathan Graham. Whilst Jonathan struggles to initially accept her presence in the investigation, they soon find themselves working closely together.
Whilst the romance between Jonathan and Sophronia is slow to build, the relationship together with a great storyline, made for an interesting read. This will be a great series with characters who are described in such detail to make them very realistic.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

#SolvingSophronia #NetGalley

Sophie isn't like the other women at the ball, she likes to research and writes articles for a newspaper. When Sophie finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation, she joins forces with a police detective to help solve the crime. After persuading the detective that he needed her on this case.I don't normally like suspense, but I got caught up in the story.

A fast-moving Victorian mystery with the potential for future intrigue.
Lady Sophronia writes and illustrates a society column for a London paper, but she wants a more serious position: news reporter. So when she hears about an unexplained murder in the area, she immediately puts herself front and center in the investigation, which the detective on the case does not at all appreciate. Much to his chagrin, he discovers he may need her connections and her wits to help apprehend the criminal.
Lady Sophronia and Detective Jonathan Graham work well together after some initial sparring, and the story moves along at a nice pace.
Lady Sophronia is one of a group of women who banded together during one disappointing society ball, each vowing to pursue her own particular passion in life rather than be dictated to by fashionable expectations. Although the other women are not given too much page time in this book, readers learn enough to be interested in where their stories are going next.

I think this is my favorite of all of Ms. Moore's books that I've read so far. The mystery was good and it took me a long time to figure out whodunnit. And even then I wasn't 100% sure until the reveal. The romance is a slow burn but obviously coming. I wondered how they would cross the differing social classes. The book doesn't really deal with that but I think that Sophie will just plow ahead not caring what anyone thinks just as she has been doing.
I enjoyed the two main characters as well as the surrounding support characters. I loved that Sophie actually cared about people and was not one to sit back and wonder what to do when she sees people's suffering and she has a way to fix it. She is a genuinely good person. And so is Jonathan. He has already pulled himself up by his bootstraps and made something of his life. Even though he starts off with typical male attitudes it really doesn't take long for him to bend toward more feminist views.
This is an enjoyable read though I confess my heart rate was up during parts of it.

No sex or language
It is a multiple murder mystery. We didn't "see" any of those but the reader does witness an attempted murder. Not graphic.
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book through NetGalley and voluntarily chose to review it.

I love mysteries, romance, historical romances, stories with women that push the boundaries of their time, and I got all of that and more in the first book in Jennifer Moore's new series. Lady Sophronia Bremerton isn't your typical Victorian lady. She and four other young women formed The Blue Orchid Society--a sisterhood where they'll follow their dreams despite the obstacles they may face. Sophronia (Sophie) works at a newspaper writing the society column, but her dream is to write serious pieces. Hearing of a murder in one of the rookeries in London, Sophie inserts herself in Detective Jonathan Graham's investigation, and he's none too pleased to have her there at first.

I loved everything about this story--the characters, the setting, the mystery, the way Sophronia and Jonathan get together, and of course her grandmother Mimi!! Jonathan was a wonderful character. He'd grown up in a rookery but been lucky enough to rise above it to become a respected officer of the law, and try to help others who are now where he has been. I also liked the secondary characters that worked with Sophie and Jonathan on the case(s). Grandmother Mimi was a wonderful example for Sophie and probably was a balm for her spirit from her critical mother. I'm excited about this series and look forward to the other books as they come out.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

#netgalley #solvingsophronia
What a twist on Regency Romance! I was not expecting a female detective story and I was thoroughly thrilled! What a highly engaging storyline full of twists and turns. I recommend this one for fans of mystery and romance.

I loved everything about this book. The hero, the heroine, the mystery, the supporting characters, the social clashing and the slow burn love story. I’m thrilled this is the first in a series and I cannot wait to read more!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I love books that show that women can be feminine and strong. Strong women don't all fit the same mold. By page 7 of Jennifer Moore's latest release Solving Sophronia I was already fascinated with all the future members of The Blue Orchid Society.

This series wont be books all about reporters, or all about nurses, each subsequent book with take it's own unique direction and I can't wait to get to know each of these strong female characters individually.

The tension between Sophie and Jonathan was very well written right from the beginning of the book. However I loved that it wasn't the cliche cop versus reporter tension. Jonathan's character definitely had the cop pride gruffness, but he also understood Sophie's worth and quickly saw her as an asset not an inconvenience. Luckily that didn't lesson the wonderful tension between the two, it made it more real and unique.

The book was full of delightfully written scenes, witty banter, fun character idiosyncrasies, and a gripping mystery. I could literally gush about how much I enjoyed this book.

I was interested through out the book how the author was going to reconcile Sophie and Jonathan's class difference. I felt a little underwhelmed with the two paragraph resolution at the end of the book. I'd be interested to know a few more details about how they merge their lives. Maybe I'll be lucky enough to get glimpses of that in the subsequent Blue Orchid Society books, which by the way I'm anxiously already anticipating.

The first book in The Blue Orchid Society series is fantastic. Sophronia is a member of the upper class, but shows care and kindness to all around her. I love that character trait. Jonathan has protected his heart because of the hard life he had growing up, while keeping kindness as well. He realizes that not all upper class are the same and that confuses him. But having the two work together makes for a great story. Excellent start to a series!

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

Sophronia has to be my perfect heroine. She is smart, intuitive, spunky, and not you “typical beauty.” She has a goal and she is determined to see it through. Jonathan is not ready for her, but he will be.

Sophronia goes against some of what her parents expect in order to reach her goals. She goes against societal expectations, but isn’t that how change happens?

The best thing about this book were the relationships between the women. The group of friends that support each other is full of amazing women with goals and spunk. They support each other and celebrate each other’s wins. The romance was there, but this was a story truly about Sophronia and her friends supporting each other. After all, where would any of us be without those relationships.

I was able to purchase an early copy of this book and completely recommend it.