Member Reviews
Cecilia Bassingwaite is a remarkable thief and pirate just waiting to be promoted to an official position in the Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels. Now that there's an assassin on her tail, she's sure that the promotion is forthcoming. She keeps encountering her would-be assassin, though, and instead of being afraid, she's curious. He doesn't seem to be in any rush to fulfill his job obligation, either. It's not long before cautious sparks fly between the two of them while she chases after her father, a notorious pirate who killed her mother.
This story is so innovative and creative. The pirates don't captain ships, but houses, and everyone's always out to get everyone else. This is the perfect book for anyone who enjoys Regency Romances. There are many nods to the Brontes and poets of their time. It brought me back to my summer studying in the United Kingdom. A totally delightful read.
This was such a fun read! I had tried to read this one last year, but could not get past the first few pages. I think I was just not in the right headspace to follow along. But I'm so happy I gave it another try!
I will say I was still confused at the beginning. You aren't given much explanation as to the world-building and rules within this society, so you just kind of have to accept things and not question things too much. Once I did that, it was a great ride.
I ended up listening to the majority of the audiobook which was so well done! The narrator was wonderful and for some reason, I was able to follow along with the story better while listening rather than physically reading it.
When I tried to explain what this book was about to a friend, it was a bit difficult to describe. It's a historical romance set in England but in sort of a fantasy/alternate reality world where there are pirates – who are polite, proper ladies – magic, flying houses, and plenty of tea.
It was such a fun world to be in and I'm looking forward to reading the other books in the series.
A delightful rom com/chicklit romp through Victorian England with Cecilia Bassingthwaite, a prim and proper lady thief, and her charming would-be assassin, Ned Lightbourne. Their chemistry is electric as they navigate a world where houses fly like pirate ships, adding a whimsical twist to their daring escapades. This book is a perfect blend of humor, romance, and adventure, and was absolutely a joy to read.
The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton is a delightful fit for readers who crave a lighthearted, adventurous, and humorous tale of romance and piracy, set against the backdrop of Victorian-era high society, with a dash of wit and whimsy that will leave them giggling and eager for more.
What a surprise! This book is a original whimsical take on a historical romance. The less you know about this book the better and I recommend you just go along for the ride. Perfect for fans of Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Fairies and The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy.
This was a cute, unique historical read! The writing style was hard for me to follow but I see the appeal of this series.
This book was delightful! I loved the characters, I loved the premise, and it felt delightfully fast-paced and easy to read! I'd consider this one of those books that you sit down and read when you just want to have a fun good time and not worry about anything else. I'll definitely be recommending it to several of my friends to check out, even though it isn't something I would normally pick up!
This book from India Holton truly made me a fan. As a lover of this era in novels, it didn't take very long for me to become enthralled in the world of this sarcastic regency romance.
I love these books! They are so fun to read. Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read in exchange for a review!
Could not finish this one. I thought I liked historical fiction but I’m learning there’s only a few I do enjoy.
This book was entertaining, witty, and quite hilarious! There was a sarcastic sense of humor to the story, along with espionage, action, and the romance aspect. I honestly did not expect to have as good a time as I did reading this! I was laughing out loud throughout, and was intrigued to see where the story was going to go. I can't wait to read more from India Holton!
After seeing a lot of good reviews for this I decided to give it a shot and I ended up DNFing this about 40% in. I can't even pin point what it was I just know that it wasn't for me.
I enjoyed this book. The idea of lady pirates flying houses around as they pillage and plunder, with utmost decorum of course, it lots of fun. Still, the story did drag a bit at times and it took me longer to get through than I would have thought. I am, however, looking forward to reading the next books in the series.
The dialogue! The banter! The whimsy!!! Oh man, I just ate this book up. I think this is such a fun concept and I honestly cannot wait to finish the rest of this series. I realize that this book may not be for everyone because of the flowery language and plot, however, it was very much for me. If you think you are interested in a society of lady pirates with flying houses, spies, assassins, magic, a touch of romance, and high tea, then this is for you as well. This particular blend of fantasy, satire, adventure, and romance is just what I needed in my life. Think of it along the lines of The Princess Bride and Stardust. I really enjoyed all of the characters but especially Cecelia and Ned, but the rest of the cast were standouts as well. I think the worldbuilding in this is quite clever, so I'm excited to see what's next in the following book in the series. Definitely recommend this one.
PIrates, scoundrels, asasinations, and a few other strange ocurrances. This wasn't what I was expecting and found it challenging to finish. I really wanted to enjoy it more.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for honest feedback. This book isn't my usual genre, but I was drawn to this book after a bout of Bridgerton binging. I also loved the cover and the title. The cover is stunning, especially in real life. I've since bought a paper physical copy and love the details of the design. The story itself is really quaint and fun. I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes cozy mysteries, period era books, historical romance and historical fiction.
This book is bonkers.
An romp of ridiculous yet lady like proportions.
There’s pirates and society ladies with the skills to steal, assassinate, and wield a weapon all while having a spot of tea. Flying houses and pirate flags? You bet ya.
Humor is SO subjective but I laughed out loud while reading this book. Some humor was spot on, some a little out in left field and some parts had me shaking my head.
Go into this book with an open mind and know not to take it too seriously. It was a delightful escape from reality with My Lady Jane/Princess Bride/Monty Python type humor. It’s campy and fun and I always love when a book can make fun of the societal norms of the times.
There’s a handsome roguish pirate and a girl who can handle herself but also can’t resist said roguish pirate. And let’s be honest the romance plays a huge role in this book and I was just along for the ride.
All in all my expectations were met and I thought this was a delightful, silly but fun summer read.
^*open door romance scene. A few spots of language.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.
The League of Gentlewoman Witches follows the events of 2021’s The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels. While the first book in this series followed the outrageous adventures of house-flying lady pirates, book two centres on The League of Gentlewoman Witches, a coven of high society witches, operating covertly and in complete opposition to the pirates. The league’s young heir apparent, Charlotte Pettifer, aims to capture and secure a talisman, an amulet the pirates also claim as their own. When one particularly unhinged lady pirate absconds with the amulet, Charlotte is forced to team up with Alex O’Riley, a notorious pirate bachelor. Readers of the first installment will recognize the dark and dangerous O’Riley as the long-time friend of Ned Lightbourne. Of course, the tenuous alliance between Charlotte and Alex soon becomes something far spicier.
Dangerous Damsels is, by far, my most favourite new series. Combining elements of satire, fantasy, adventure, and historical fiction/romance, this series is an absolute riot. The premise is completely creative and outlandish, setting it distinctly apart from the pack. The series’ refusal to take itself too seriously grants it a fresh perspective and is the exact escapism I’m craving in these overwrought times. It’s smart too. The self-reflexive nature of the book and its engaging, confident (albeit flawed) characters are like a conspiratorial wink to the reader. I have read this entire series wearing a silly grin, barking out laughter and gasps at regular intervals.
I cannot get enough of Dangerous Damsels. I hope India Holton has many more adventures on deck.
Thank you to Berkley Romance and NetGalley for access to this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
First off, this book cover is stunning!!! This book was witty, absolutely entertaining and a very sweet slow burn romance. Both Ned and Cecelia had such difficult pasts and I loved that they were able to be vulnerable with one another at the end. But seriously, this book is just so funny at the end of the day and that is what I will remember when recommending this book.