This was a really fun, kind of teen soap-y, escapist read for me – similar to something like American Royals, Gossip Girl or the like (dramatic, a bit over the top, indulgent). The story itself is billed as an “anti-historical Regency-era romp that’s Bridgerton meets The Count of Monte Cristo”, which definitely fits the vibe of this read and 100% made me want to try it.

While the story is set in the Regency-era, I will warn historical romance fans that it reads more as a contemporary book set in a historical era. The story was one that gave me the same feel as the show Gossip Girl with some good Revenge undertones as well. If you’re a Taylor Swift fan (which I am), prepare for some Reputation era / revenge songs to be on repeat in your head. I couldn’t help but associate it with songs like “Look What You Made Me Do” and “Vigilante S**t” while reading.

The “anti-historical” angle, where we got a more diverse cast of characters from different backgrounds and experiences was really lovely and something that I enjoyed seeing in the setting. This was a fast paced read, and one that I read in a day – as mentioned I got some strong GG, Revenge type vibes and so it felt like a fun, escape as you were pulled into the whirlwind of Ela’s quest for revenge. I enjoyed the cast of characters, the slow unwinding of what happened and was obviously rooting for Ela / Lyra the whole time. I wanted her to get her HEA (and her revenge too).

An enjoyable YA take on the classic Count of Monte Cristo in the Regency-era – thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s for the opportunity to read an early copy!

I had never heard the term "anti-historical fiction" before reading this book, but it might be my new favorite genre?? This book had all the fluffy goodness of classic historical romance, but with the added bonus of actual diversity and cultural representation in the cast of characters. I wasn't even really thinking about how I usually have to choose between those two when picking out a book, but I sincerely hope that more authors follow along this path. The plot of this book was good, although the prose was guilty of the saccharine simplicity that can often be found in YA novels, but the anti-historical setting is what really boosted this book from 4 stars to a full 5/5 ⭐️.

Best of the book: In addition to getting both historical settings and diversity, you also get romance and revenge. Truly the best of both worlds.
Worst of the book: Ugh, even in an alternate history cured of its white-washing, the patriarchy still absolutely sucks.

#TriggerWarning #ContentWarning This book deals with parental death, both before and during the timeline(s) of the book itself.

HONORED to read this title, and absolutely loved the introduction to Joy Revolution from Nicola + David, I am so thrilled about the opportunities this publishing house will bring to authors of color, and I am very excited to be a proud supporter, and that I was able to read and review QUEEN BEE early. I read many books early but I squealed at this approval and could not WAIT to read another amazing historical fiction title from Howard the approval coming on the SAME day I met her in person at Apollycon made it extra special to me before I started page one.

As the foreword mentions, this book starts off at a pace that leaves you hungry for me, I tore through the pages greedy to see where the book was going. After having read her recent adult release, I could not wait to read this young adult release from Amalie Howard & let me tell you, I was simply stunned at how well written the present tense and flashback scenes were written, I couldn’t get over how clear each age was in emotion and the charming characters. Perfectly crafted like the game of chess, I adored reading how each piece of the story moved along, fueled by Lady Ela's desire for revenge.

Somehow she perfectly captures snark swoonworthy romance and I need all the books ever written by Amalie Howard, forever.

"Goodness, why can't I think of any stories with happy couples in history?" "Ours will be," he said -- I mean seriously, LOVE.

"We don't get do-overs, Lord Ridley. We only get do better."

For fans of historical romance, you're sure to be delighted with this tale of second-chance romance and the effects of the mistakes and opportunities of our youth as we grow up. I myself wish I was as determined as lady Ela sometimes, this was an absolute joy to read and the characters will steal your heart. I KNEW I would be all about the titles releasing from Joy Revolution, but consider me SOLD, can't wait to see more from this amazing publishing house and the authors writing for them.

4.5 starts rounded up for Queen Bee! This book was described as a cross between The Count of Monte Cristo (one of my all time favorites) and the Bridgerton series, and it did not disappoint!

I love seeing diversity in regency era novels and shows now. There are also queer characters, though they did feel thrown in using supporting characters with no real exploration. I was still happy to see them though!

The story follows Ela/Lady Whitley, seeking revenge for wrongs that were done to her by her ex best friend Poppy a few years before and the boy who was supposedly her best friend, Lord Kesson. All does not go according to plan as she makes friends and begins to fall in love while she’s there.


The plot and characters were exciting and well thought out, and the book kept me on my toes. I got through it in two days, wanting to know more. I did feel a few characters like Poppy and Church could have been expanded upon, but I still enjoyed what they brought to the story. The scene where all was revealed (trying not to give spoilers), also left me wanting more. Dialogue to drive home Ela’s growth as a person or understanding Poppy better would have been great. But these are small details to a phenomenal book with good pacing, an interesting plot, and a bit of romance. I can’t wait to read some of the author’s other works!

I received an ARC for this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun regency romance. I love that the main characters had a long history before the start of this book, and we get to see glimpses of that history in flashbacks. No insta-love here, a trope that I am not a fan of at all. I'm not sure how much of a YA audience there is for regency romances, but I hope this book finds its audience because it was an enjoyable read.

Have you paid attention to the new imprint @joyrevbooks led by @nicolayoon and @davidoftheyoon?

If you haven't, you are missing out.
It is committed to publishing YA romance novels starring people of color and written by people of color. I, for one, plan on reading each book.

Their first release, out in April 2023, is this swoon-worthy regency romp that had me hooked from the first page.
Thank you @penguinrandomhouse for the preview ARC.

With a fresh new take on the revenge romance plot, shifting between two different ages, a gutsy main character, and a fully fleshed-out romance, this is what every YA romance book should read like.
Page-turning, heart-gathering, epic fun.

While April is far away, you can pre-order it now. I would not wait, you are going to want to read this one right away. Nothing too salacious so good for all ages of romance lovers.

Thank you Netgalley for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

First off, I loved this book! It was a teen girl version of the Count of Monte Cristo in the London area. Lady Ela was a great protagonist and the author did an amazing job making me feel for her and her need for revenge against her childhood friends. The story alternates between two timelines: the timeline leading up to and the actual incident that resulted in Lady Ela being ruined, and when she returns to society under an assumed name to take the London season by storm and destroy Poppy!

What was refreshing about the twists and turns is that the things that occur are in fact intentional. There was no misunderstandings or miscommunications. The people in the book made the active choice to go the path they did with relatively the all the information. That's pretty rare and that their are real consequences and repercussions for a variety of people involved (in the past as well as in the present timeline). It was great and I highly recommend it; I will definitely read more of Ms. Howard in the future!

I enjoyed the diversity of characters in this Regency Era YA romance, and the little added mystery kept me turning the pages. A fun read. This will be a great book to recommend to readers who love Bridgerton or other Regency/period drama. No language or mature scenes, for those librarians who might be wondering.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!! Queen Bee was good across the board. I found myself suffering from secondhand embarrassment often, though. I think I give a good deal of grace when it comes to reading YA because I lower my cringe alarm but this book... it was setting it off for sure. There are a lot of cringeworthy moments. It's very Bridgerton-esque of the diversity present in the regency era but more teenage-friendly than the Netflix show is, so it scratches that itch while altering itself to cater to a teenage audience. For that, I have to give Queen Bee props.

I loved this book so much. It gave exactly how it was supposed to give and I'm so here for the Regency romance it's not even funny. I was so invested in the main couple and the side characters also gave in the best way. It felt so Bridgerton but also in a league of its own. The diverse cast of characters was so amazing and all of them were so well developed. One of the most powerful parts for me is the way that all of the characters, especially Ela and Keston, fought these difficult inner battles that only made them stronger and better. I adored the themes of standing up for yourself and advocating for yourself. And the lessons about forgiveness? Oh my goodness absolutely slayed. Please please read this book when it comes out!

This book is definitely Mean Girls meets Bridgerton and it’s fun, but it’s also a bit cringe too.

I liked most of the characters but the plot was very predictable and there were too many flashback chapters for my taste. (Those flashbacks actually drove me a bit insane lol)

I really enjoyed this book! I think the idea of a protagonist actively choosing to be the villain is something you don't see it often, and Howard explored it well. The plot was fast paced, but still connected well. The one thing that I really appreciated about this book was the Indian influence. You often hear about British influence on Indian society, but never the other way around, and this was a fun way to do this. Overall, I really liked it! it was a fun read and I read it in one sitting. If you like mean girls and Bridgerton, this is right up your alley!

✨Sorry, the old Ela can’t come to the phone right now. Why? Oh, cuz she’s dead.✨

I HAD SO MUCH FUN. Amalie Howard is one of my favorite historical romance authors, and I was so excited to see her venture into YA! I got into historical romance in part by another YA title—Dangerous Alliance—so I’m happy to see another one! If you loved (or wanted to love) Reputation by Alex Croucher, I definitely recommend Queen Bee.

I simply blew through this book and didn’t want it to be over!! It was as charming and sharp as I could have hoped for, especially the second chance romance aspect. I’m not generally a fan of alternating timelines, but this one used them quite effectively. The momentum never faltered and I’ve never rooted for a main character more.

I’m obsessed with a character intent on revenge, truly revenging the SHIT out of the villain. Sure she had some qualms towards the end but she took back what was hers. A lot of times when a character wants revenge, other characters try to be massive party poopers with “be the bigger person” bullshit.

NO. This is 2022 and for the love of god I’m so tired. I need revenge. I crave it. I was pleased that most of her friends just helped Ela achieve her goals and the big reveal was actually very refreshing.

The relationship was very cute and Keston was such a swoon. I think he understood his errors in the past and handled everything very well at the end (YAY). Second chance isn’t always my cup of tea, but I loved it here. Ela’s glowup was fun to witness, but obviously Kes saw beyond that.

Upon publication, I will immediately be purchasing the audiobook and shouting from the rooftops that a movie NEEDS to be adapted. If you always get mad at your mother for being the devil’s advocate whenever you just want to vent, this is the book you need in your life. There’s nothing I like better than revenge.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

The summary says Bridgerton meets The Count of Monte Cristo, but I also detected a distinct Mean Girls influence. Bridgerton is comped because at this point it just means anything historical romance. Amalie had a wonderful author’s note detailing why this is called an “anti-historical” novel.

I hadn’t encountered the term before, so if like me you were confused, Amalie defines anti-historical as a historical novel with a fully diverse cast. While history did include characters such as those found in this book, most historical romances do not.

Queen Bee is a funny, smart, and enchanting anti-regency filled with diverse characters. The story alternates between past and present throughout most of the book, some plot points where points were overly predictable.

This was enjoyable, but there where times i had a hard time getting into it as it seemed TOO much Bridgerton. But that may be more of a personal prefrance. I would still reccomend this if you want a diverce anti-historical romance.

Interesting YA regency novel! Loved the racial diversity. The origin story for the main character was sad and touching. The male lead was kind of annoying for allowing such a fate to fall upon the heroine. I loved the ending and how the antagonist got what was coming for her. I’d recommend this for anyone looking for a quick read!

After being betrayed by her best friend, Ela sets about the ultimate revenge. She plans to change her identity, infiltrate regency era upper class society, and bring down her former friend (and the boy she was crushing on as a kid for good measure). Of course things don't quite go according to plan; maybe because revenge doesn't pay. Ela soon finds that she's falling in love with Keston again, but will she be able to find her happily ever after with all the lies she's told?

I thought this was a fun, light regency romance. I loved the added diversity along with the author's note at the end about actual diverse people in high society. It's a story that is not often told, and I enjoyed learning it. I think the story has positive morals about being yourself, forgiveness, and more. Solid romance with slightly more substance than whipped cream.

I absolutely LOVED the diversity of the characters in this book, and who doesn't love a little revenge? While I've never watched Bridgerton, I can see how fans of the series, especially teenage fans, would really love and resonate with this novel.

If revenge is a chess match, what happens when the queen falls for the king?

Lady Ela Dalvi, daughter of the Earl of Marwick, grew up lacking wealth and self-confidence, and she often hid in the shadow of her best friend, Miss Poppy Landers. But at the age of 15, their friendship fractured over the arrival of a duke's family in the neighborhood -- and the introduction of the handsome young Marquess of Ridley, Keston Osborn, into their lives. Betrayal forced Ela into a bleak boarding school in the north of England for years, where she nursed her heartbreak and plotted her revenge.

Three years later, Ela dons the disguise of a young heiress, Miss Lyra Whitley, and enters London society, determined to play out her strategy of befriending the leading debutante (Poppy) and making the most eligible bachelor (Keston) fall in love with her -- before destroying them both. But what happens when you start to see the pawns in your game as having more worth than you expected?

I've enjoyed some of Howard's previous romance novels, but this first venture into YA books really captured my attention. Billed as "an anti-historical Regency romp" for its many diverse characters and feminist vibe (I love how Ela/Lyra repeatedly ponders smashing the patriarchy), the book combines the revenge theme of The Count of Monte Cristo with some serious Mean Girls scenes. Generally speaking, I don't care for books where girls fight over boys and denigrate each other while they do it, but that theme is (sadly) still realistic for a teen romance, and Howard deftly gives Ela/Lyra the character growth needed to overcome that petty nonsense.

Most of the characters are skillfully written with care and humor, and they get the space to grow through the plot. Poppy, while being the sort of mean girl it's easy to hate, might have benefited from having at least one sympathetic characteristic to make the otherwise excellent ending more believable. (Or not. That might be Howard's point.) I loved all the details used to create more vivid mental pictures of the characters in the reader's mind, such as Ela/Lyra's chaperone's chai and saris, the physical symptoms of Church's illness, and the contrasts between Ela's younger and less confident self and Lyra's captivating presence.

The story alternates between past and present throughout most of the book, building the tension behind Ela/Lyra's motives for revenge and planting the seeds for the eventual showdown at the end of the book. I really liked how Howard used the chess theme throughout the story, both as a way to connect characters as well as to highlight the conflict.

As mentioned by other reviewers, this book will definitely appeal to fans of Bridgerton -- and anyone else who, like me, really loves the recent growth of historical romances featuring people of color as lead characters., And that makes it a perfect fit for the new Joy Revolution imprint at Random House. More of this, please!

Thank you, Joy Revolution/Random House Children's and NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this book. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.

This was a spectacular anti-historical (I believe that’s what they’re calling it) regency romance! So many POC were seamlessly represented, the revenge story was told through fantastic flashbacks, and the found-family was giving homey vibes. 10/10 would recommend.

*Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC*

This was a super sweet YA read for fans of Bridgerton. The appropriate age group for a book like this is somewhere in the High School realm, although certainly it can be enjoyed by older readers as well, as long as they know what to expect in terms of lexile level and content, etc.