This was just a fun take on the Regency Era with all of the markings of an incredible lead protagonist. I loved so many aspects of this story and I was sad when it ended (very happy with the ending though!)

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

Since Bridgerton came out a few years ago, there's been a surge in Regency-era romances with diverse characters. While Jane Austen purists would be upset at the liberties authors have taken with romances from this time period (not just with the diversity in cultures, races, sexual identities, etc., but also with the language, since the language used is not true to the time period and cursing would not have been written so freely into books of the time period), a new generation of reader is finding themselves reading these romances and, perhaps, exploring some of Austen's work afterward. Anytime an author can pull in a reader, as a librarian, I'm all for it! Queen Bee focuses not so much on finding a husband, but on hooking one particular man into thoughts of matrimony, then dropping him like a dead fish once he's been reeled in. The main character, Lady Ela, has been betrayed by a scheming "best friend" and the boy who was used in the scheme, unwittingly, turned his back on her. Now Ella is determined to seek revenge on both of them for ruining her reputation and, thus, ruining her chance at a happy future. Without a fortune and forced to go to an ultra conservative boarding school in the countryside, Ela feels she has little hope for a place in the London Elite. With a little luck in meeting the right benefactress, however, Ela now has the opportunity to be back in her former social circle and have some payback with Poppy (her betrayer) and Lord Keston (her former love interest). Let the games begin! This is definitely written with teen readers in mind, but it has a good message about forgiveness in it. Parts of it are a little predictable, but there are enough twists and turns to keep it interesting. Also, the intertwining of various cultures gave this book more appeal as I read it. Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the chance to preview Queen Bee!

The cover copy for this book describes how Lady Ela Dalvi was betrayed by her former best friend, but as the storyline veers back and forth between the past and the present, it's very clear that this was not just a straightforward betrayal of confidence but rather a malicious plot to destroy her.

Ela plots revenge and reinvents herself in order to destroy her former best friend as well as all the people who failed to protect or believe her. But Ela's plotting only lasts a couple of chapters into her reunion with a former friend and love interest, at which point it starts to unravel into a more convention YA Regency (anti-historical) romance a la Bridgerton. Luckily, the alternating backstory keeps the revenge plotline alive and well, fleshing Ela out as a character and showing us how she's grown over time, adding tension to the plot. The ending is never really in doubt, but the final confrontation and denouement is both surprising and entertaining, well worth the journey to get there.

Overall this was a fun romp - more Bridgerton than Count of Monte Cristo, but either way very engaging.

I enjoyed the book. The plot was definitely aimed at young adults. Certain points were overly predictable. I loved the diverse cast.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC.

I am absolutely obsessed with Bridgeton so I was so excited to find this book! It was amazing and such a fun read. The characters were relatable and my emotions were all over the place with this book. I will be purchasing this book and recommending it to all of my family and friends.