DNF, 20%.

I'm not the right reader for this book. I originally requested it, probably because of the "unconventional" heroine. She got old fast-- we get it, she's "not like other girls." Her heritage takes a back seat, at least in the first quarter, to a performative persona that's nothing special. The story sets up an enemies-to-lovers or rivalry-with-chemistry romantic arc, and I don't connect well to that trope even under fair-to-middlin' circumstances. I wouldn't have minded sticking it out a little longer, but the writing is messy: it is chock full of fragments that don't match speech patterns, and sentences and fragments are both littered with dangling participles and other basic grammar errors. All together, it's too much work for me to parse in order to access a story that is so-so as best.

eARC from NetGalley.

I wanted to like it, but I just couldn't. I found Ivor a little bit too overbearing at the beginning.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Lila Marleigh is not a typical society lady. The illegitimate daughter of an English Earl and his Indian mistress, she has lived a privileged life with her father. However, his death left her with her cruel stepmother and half brother, and finally fleeing their abusive home, she is set to make a name and life for herself, not relying on anyone. Embracing her scandalous reputation, she forms a salon out of her drawing room, and the gaming club is enough to survive on. So when Ivor Tristram demands she stops her affair with his father - who she has never met, or slept with - Lila is not about to accept any demands than an aristocrat makes, no matter how handsome he may be. Ivor refuses to take no for an answer, and that is the only reason he finds himself darkening Lila's door again and again, right, not because he wants to see her?

I don't really know how to rate this book. The characters were decent enough, and Lila and Ivor definitely had a strong chemistry and romance, but the story was a little disjointed and confusing. The stepmother hated Lila and Anya, but still accepted them into her home, and saw that they were educated. Maybe that was to keep her husband happy, but it was a bit of a plot hole I didn't understand. I did like that plot line which got Ivor and Lila working together. Lila's friend arrives at her home, pregnant and distraught that her love is set to be executed, and only Ivor can stop it. I think that was the main reason I kept reading, as I hoped the pair would be able to be free and together, as a family. The romance was spicy, and like I said, Lila and Ivor's chemistry wasn't really the problem, it just didn't grip my attention as much as it could've. I'll maybe read Anya's book when that's released, but I don't think I'll be in any rush.

I enjoyed this hybrid romance / mystery, which features diverse, well-drawn characters and an intriguing mystery. Lila and Ivor made a likable, complementary couple and the supporting cast of characters helped flesh out Murray’s version of historical London. A refreshing, entertaining read. Thank you to Avon Harper Voyager and Net Galley for the advance copy.

The book highlights England's diversity and solidarity among women of color. It works better as a historical fiction with a mystery plot and a romantic subplot than a romance. The mystery is significant, but the romance plot lacks a strong point of view. The protagonist, Lila, is a mid-twenties woman who isn't fragile or insecure about her unmarried status. However, the hero doesn't bring enough to the table, and the sex scene isn't as creative as it could be. Overall, the book is well-done but doesn't quite hit the mark.


Thank you to Avon and #NetGalley for the early copy. The above opinions are my own in exchange for an honest review.

This 1st in Amita Murray's series featuring the 3 daughters of an English earl and his Indian mistress is the story of the eldest of the trio, Lila Marleigh.

Lila runs an exclusive Mayfair club. When Ivor Tristram accuses her of being his father's mistress and trying to pay her off, she is enraged.

Nevertheless, they end up working together to prove the innocence of a young man falsely accused and soon to be hanged.

Of course readers can see where this is all leading.

Oooof, this one was a hard one to get into. The first half dragged and was chaotic and I didn’t love it, pulled together in the second half, but came close to abandoning. The fmc was way too chaotic and the story was not comoelling

Thank you NetGalley, Avon, and Amita Murray for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! I sadly couldn’t really get into this one… I think other people would enjoy it more though, so be sure to give it a chance if you like historical romances.

“Despair is paltry and useless. We simply need a plan.”

This book is a mixed bag of good and bad elements.

There was a lot to love in this book! It’s fun, tense, and the characters really jump off the page. However, overall it felt unfinished to me.
Lila and Ivor were a unique couple with great chemistry, but their story never really came to a satisfying conclusion. The book is called “Unladylike Lessons in Love” and yet I don’t think Lila and Ivor ever actually said, “I love you”!
The side characters were all well-rounded and fun to read. I want Hector and Carly’s story, at least in a novella! But for a book in a series called, “The Marleigh Sisters,” there was not a lot about the sisters. I would have enjoyed the story of the sisters being laced throughout the book and built up.
Overall I really enjoyed the writing. The descriptions of Lila’s clothing and home were awesome; she had such bold style that really expressed her personality. There were a lot of things that felt repetitive though, as if the editors didn’t notice something had been mentioned or happened already.
I’m looking forward to the next book in this series. For her first historical romance, I think Amita Murray did well, and I’ll be keeping an eye out for more by her!

Star Rating: 2.75/5
Tropes: Enemies to lovers, scandalous lady
CW: Violence, SA, medical trauma, death, grief, racism, toxic relationship

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Ivar and Lila meet after he accuses her of sleeping with his dad. Lila is independant minded and a blustocking and Ivar is grumpy. They slowly sort their differences out while also fighting their attraction to each other. The subplot of Maisie and her secret boyfriend also forms a major storyline for Lila. I loved the pacing of the book and the romance. I can't wait for her sisters stories who can all pass as white. And the sisters who can't..

The one gripe is maisie's love story could have had a backseat to lila's.

Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

CW: racism, death of parent (past), cheating (non-MCs), violent assault of a side character, attempted murder, non-consensual kissing

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-m/f historical romance
-heist elements
-frenemies to lovers
-I hate how attractive you are
-this is just a hookup
-biracial South Asian rep

I had a lot of fun with this one. Lila runs an exclusive gaming club with zero desire to ever marry. But when Ivor confronts her about sleeping with his dad these two get set on an exciting journey. Lila has a lot from her past weighing on her, the death of her family, the racism and microagressions she experienced as a child and still does on the outskirts of society. When Maisie turns up at her door pregnant and her boyfriend in trouble with the law Lila draws Ivan into her plans to help Maisie.

There was so much excitement and twists and turns. Ivan and Lila had amazing chemistry because she thought he was a complete douche and he thought she was sleeping with her dad, but they both were so attracted to each other and frustrated by it. As these two failed spectacularly to avoid the attraction between them, all while trying to protect Maisie and her boyfriend this was fun to watch two stubborn people bang it out.

I'm excited to see where this series turns to next.

Steam: 3

Amita Murray's Unladylike Lessons in Love is quite an enjoyable romp including a little bit of everything from the historical romance genre. The beginning of the book is just slightly mis-paced, but once the reader becomes absorbed in the (very complicated!) plotline, that flaw is soon forgotten. Murray has created a complicated, interesting protagonist--better than the genre requires--and the book, as a result, is also better than required.

I wanted to love this one. Interesting premise, diverse heroine, strong female lead- unfortunately the execution didn't quite work for me. The pacing was a bit all over the place and the inner dialog weighed the story down without really propelling the plot.

Sadly couldn't get into this book at all. Didn't like writing style and too much old times language for me (I know that's style but it's easier watching movies and tv than reading apparently.)

Positive: Diverse characters. It is refreshing to read a historical romance that does not center on the white perspective.

Positive: Strong heroine. I liked that Lila was this independent woman that did not cower from "polite" society. I appreciated seeing that, especially with the historical context between England and its colonization of India.

Positive: Interesting setting/profession. Women did not have many avenues when it came to earning money or being in charge of their own finances. As a result, Lila being a the hostess of a gaming club, set up a really interesting dynamic.

No So Positive: Pacing. I think the pacing in certain parts of the story, affected the overall progression of the plot. It felt like the romance aspect took a back seat to the other components of the plot. I wish there was more of a balance in that manner.

Not so Positive: Mood. The mood of the story felt a little chaotic. There as a lot happening and the story kept shifting, so it was difficult to understand certain elements. I had to read several parts over again, but I was still left confused.

No so Positive: Tone. I felt that someone of language used within the story was implemented for shock factor. I do know if it was necessary to the plot as often as certain terms were used. I am detracting from authenticity of the historical context and the attitudes of individuals back then, but I question how it was used in terms of the story itself.

No so Positive: Lack of chemistry. Unfortunately, I did not buy into the romance aspect of this story. With all of the above factors, it is not surprising. I wish I felt more for the love story, however, it did not connect with me.

Overall: There is obvious potential within the writing, but I think there could be some improvement with the pacing, language, and plot progression.

ARC provided by Avon and Harper Voyager via NetGalley, and I have given my honest and voluntary review.

This romance from Amita Murray (author of the Arya Winters series) is clearly the start of a series about the Marleigh sisters, the daughters of an English earl and his Indian mistress. Raised by the earl's wife after their parents died (an unresolved mystery is pending regarding how that came about...) the three girls have made successful lives for themselves in England. Lila is a professional card party hostess and the object of many men's fantasies. While she manages to fend off their attentions and make a living off of their love for gambling (and need for a place to socialize with their mistresses), she is not acceptable in society, and expects never to marry. When she meets the judgmental Ivor Tristam, they immediately clash.

Ivor and Lila are brought together, however, by a desire to see justice done for a young woman and her partner from Lila's past. As they work to clear the man's name and save his life, they fall in love in a relatively uncomplicated way.

I enjoyed the setting and slightly unusual backgrounds of the characters of this novel. Ivor and Lila's path to romance is not completely smooth, but it isn't as overwrought with misunderstanding as this trope often is.

With two sisters and several more secret siblings whose existence is revealed at the end of the story, Murray has the material for a longer series. I look forward to it.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Lila was such a fun, strong main character. As a bastard to an Earl with his Indian mistress, Lila and her sisters lead interesting society lives. One sister is a sitar player in the queen's court, while Lila owns a successful gambling hall. The story was a bit lightly and definitely needed some editing to help the flow.

I absolutely loved the inclusivity and very real challenges faced throughout this novel. Lila's journey is navigated so thoughtfully. I wasn't as much of a fan of Ivor as Lila, especially the intricacies her story shows about racial tensions in 19th century Britain. I was relieved that Lila didn't really give up who she was for him.

I have mixed feeling about this book. I enjoyed the story and really liked the characters, I just felt that the ending was lacking of romance and then the epilogue didn't give me the resolution that I was looking for.

I did enjoy it enjoy the story overall enough that I would give other books in the series a try.

I would recommend this is you are looking for a bit more of a outward plot driven mystery than more of a deep connecting romance.

I was approved pretty late to get the ARC of Unladylike Lessons in Love by Amita Murray, so I apologize for getting this out past the publication date. However, this review includes good news on all fronts so I hope she and the publishers will forgive me! I was gifted a copy of this book and am giving this review voluntarily. Overall, I thought this book was fantastic and give it a rare five out of five stars.

Lila Marleigh, a half-caste bastard of an Earl, made her way in society any way she could, as did her sisters. She found her niche as a salon hostess where society enjoys drinks, flirtation, and fair gameplay. At one of her salons appears Ivor Tristram, a man with a piercing gaze who wants to make it clear to her that she needs to stay away from his father. She’s fine agreeing to that, seeing as she hasn’t been near the man, anyways. When, on the same night, she runs into a childhood friend that needs help, Lila Marleigh realizes that her life has just gotten a lot more complex. Of course Tristram would be involved in the friend’s problem, so Lila strikes a deal: she will “stay away” from the elder Tristram if the younger will help her. As the pair find themselves spending time together, they begin to wonder if they ever want to be apart.

From the synopsis on NetGalley, I was expecting to be underwhelmed by Unladylike Lessons in Love. Instead, I’m giving it a rare five-star rating! My romance-mysteries haven’t been great from NetGalley lately; usually, the plots are a little too heavy on one element and too flimsy on the other for the story to really mesh. Not Unladylike Lessons in Love. This plot was well-balanced and multilayered. I think it’s hard to balance romance and mystery, but for the mystery to be layered and nuanced takes skill. It’s a lot to wrap up in one book, and Murray accomplished it admirably.

What I liked most about Lila was that she was really level-headed; she kept her cool throughout the investigation, her attachment to Tristram, and the stress of the denouement. She was also realistic in her objectives and expectations. Tristram was also a likable character most of the time, he came to his own conclusions about Lila’s friend’s problem, and Lila’s relationship with his father in his own time and didn’t rush to judgment. There was one scene where he clearly wasn’t his usual self, but we do see this as a fear reaction rather than one of real hate.

What impressed me a lot about this book, aside from the great balance of mystery and romance, was how complex the characters were. Lila has a rich and complex history, which makes her a relatable and realistic character. She and her sisters barely speak because of the way they were raised, and a traumatic event from her past has affected her in many ways. Tristram is the victim of his parents’ unhappy marriage and societal expectations, and the other characters in the book have depths yet unplumbed as well.

Unladylike Lessons in Love should be categorized as a romance (and it is), but it comes close to a romantic mystery. But, the focus of the book is more on the romance than the mystery. I haven’t been this satisfied with this type of newly released book since…oh, Doughty Bishop’s Silence and Shadows series? Anyways, if you’re in the market for a great romance, read this! If you’re looking for a decent mystery with a cheerful ending, read this! If you want the combination, you’ve hit the jackpot. Let me know what you think!