This was not your average Regency romance. The main character, Petra, decides to remain unmarried after losing her fiance. Not long after, she receives the devastating news that she also lost her best friend Gwen. But the circumstances around Gwen's "illness" are quite suspect. As Petra tries to uncover the truth, she finds more than she bargained for!

Petra is a strong and interesting character and this was an intriguing story.

I took a long break from NetGalley and did not post many reviews before leaving, but I did want to come back and say I thoroughly enjoyed Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord. Thank you for the opportunity to review this, Im sorry it took so long!

Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord by Celeste Connally is a captivating historical romance featuring a strong, independent heroine, Lady Petra Forsyth. After the sudden death of her fiancé, Petra declares she will never remarry and chooses to live life on her own terms, using her wealth and title to enjoy the best of Regency London without societal expectations.

When gossip suggests a friend died under suspicious circumstances at the hands of a questionable physician, Petra sets out to uncover the truth, discovering a sinister private asylum where women are locked away by their families. As Petra’s investigation deepens, her own independence is threatened, putting her freedom at risk.

Connally blends a compelling mystery (the last twist? Did not see that coming) with a romance that takes a backseat to Petra’s journey of self-discovery and empowerment. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a twist on the classic Regency Era novel.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for allowing me to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I love a strong female lead. I would consider this a "potato chip" read: you start with one chapter and suddenly you've read twelve. There was good chemistry between the characters, the plot was worth reading, and the dialogue was quippy and enjoyable. I will seek more books by this author.

This book is definitely for cozy mystery fans who enjoy reading about the Regency era.

It wasn't my cup of tea, but I can see the the appeal of the story. I thoroughly liked the main character, Lady Petra Forsyth. A strong woman who is not willing to follow the social conventions a woman was supposed to during the time period. I can get behind that!

I really enjoyed this first entry into the Lady Petra Inquires series. I adore the character of Lady Petra, a young woman who in this time (early 1800s) decides not to marry so she can retain ownership of her property. She gets involved in a messy mystery involving other ladies who for one reason or another are sent to an asylum. Really fun characters and great dialog. I want to thank the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for giving me an e-copy of this book, in return for an honest review.

I like it for the most part (feminist Regency era novel) even though I find some parts hard to get into. It made me not want to buy the upcoming books with my own money unless it's available from the library.

I had such a great time reading this book! Historical mysteries are always enjoyable, and when you add in gender politics, of a lady stepping out of the bounds that society puts her in, yeah, that's so great! I really enjoyed Lady's Petra's story, and I'm glad that this is a series!

I can totally understand Lady Petra's decision not to marry, she has the means to not need a man to depend on-it's more the societal expectations, and given that her fiancé died, she doesn't have a reason to get married.

The idea of an asylum that women were sent to, because they were inconvenient, that was enough to boil my blood. The power structure that enabled something like that, I'm glad it's gone. We're still not at equality yet, but it's much better than it used to be.

Watching Petra investigate, finding out what happened to her friend, and what was going on with this murder, I loved it! She was clever, and the mystery was well-crafted, and between the mystery and the writing, I was hooked until the end!

This was such a great read, and I can't wait to see where the series goes!

This book just didn’t work for me. I found it to be a bit to pick me in how it described the ladies acting.

A huge "Thank you!" to Celeste Connally, St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for an eARC of Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord!

This book felt like Bridgerton meets Sherlock Holmes with a strong female character. I enjoyed it so much and I can't wait to read the sequel because that last minute cliffhanger had my jaw DROP.

Things I Loved:

The Buildup: We learn about one of Petra's friends passing away under some suspicious circumstances. The mystery grows from there with other women going missing or getting sent away. The situation builds up to concerning levels and very quickly ties into some unsavory behavior from Petra's uncle at the beginning of the book. I did feel like Petra's dad wouldn't have behaved the way he did, but I was so glad he came around in the end.

Petra: She was likeable and kind, but also flawed and stubborn. She was incredibly relatable and independent. I love a strong female lead!

The Plot: I thought the story was fun and attention grabbing. Period pieces where women flaunt the expected norms of the day are always interesting, but this one was a bit scarier because it truly showed how men could pretty much snap their fingers and have a woman "taken care of" back then. Even though it had a mostly light tone, the book did get serious at time.

Something I Didn't Love:

Not Enough Duncan & Petra: We hear A LOT about Duncan and Petra's childhood, but Duncan comes back into the picture and I felt like we didn't get enough scenes with them together. I think the story skirted the lines of romance and murder mystery, trying to lean more towards murder mystery. I just felt like Duncan was talked about so much that he should have played a bigger role in the story than he did. Hopefully we'll see more of that in book 2!

In the end, I enjoyed this book so much, I immediately had to check when book 2 was coming out! I am so excited to read the next installment and see what antics Petra gets up to with her crew in the next book. 4/5 Stars

I love Bridgerton. I love Agatha Christie. I am in my Regency era. Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord by Celeste Connally is the perfect combination.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

Enjoyed this one very much, another great historical suspense from author Celeste Connally. Never disappoints, highly recommend!

Doesn't defy expectations but it was a nice cozy mystery. Just the type of book one needs after more darker reads.

Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord is an engrossing and thrilling mystery. Lady Petra is a funny and charming character, and the supporting cast are vibrant as well. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to find out what was going to happen. As it did, I was satisfied by the payout of earlier foreshadowing and the comeuppance that the villain received.
The villain is terrifyingly realistic: a creepy, manipulative misogynist seeking power over women. There were scenes which, while not graphic, were enough to turn my stomach at the pain inflicted on women with no societal power to stop him.
Petra, the protagonist, is strong-willed and brave, rushing into potentially dangerous situations to try and help others. She was portrayed as a feminist who might fit into our current world, with a lot of support from her friends and father. While it was fun to see this group of offbeat characters, something about it also felt a little hard to believe. Perhaps that the only people who objected to her immense freedom were actual bad actors, without any of the kind of general disapproval that her social circle would have had.
Especially given that all these women are disappearing without apparently generating a lot of attention in society. It suggests that women are expected to kind of fade into the background, which in turn makes me think Petra's behavior would turn heads. That being said, I was pleased that she found romance without sacrificing her spinster status, because she had put so much emphasis on being one.
I would probably read other books in this series, especially since I appreciate mysteries that don't include finding a corpse.

I was stoked to give this book a go with the "Bridgerton Meets Agatha Christie" concept, but it fell flat for me. I wanted to Love Petra because of everything she stood for, but it was so slow to get into and her rebellious nature was pointed out so often it started to become an eye roll inducing moment whenever it was brought up. The mystery aspect was alright and the romance was predictable in the way many of the regency-era romances are. Overall, the novel was ok, nothing terrible about it, but nothing that makes it a favorite for me. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC opportunity!

A perfect weekend read with a sprinkle of romance and of mystery. Love that Lady Petra is an independent woman that has no fear of showing society who she is.

A gritty reality here: families sending their woman folk off to asylums because their were "troublesome".
The main character dives deeply into this reality when she realizes multiple friends and acquaintances have disappeared this way.
Then she realizes that she is, in fact, one of those troublesome women!
The romance is pretty obvious, but pleasant enough.

Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and Celeste Connally for free e-ARC of Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord in return of my honest review.

"Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord" presents an intriguing setup with a blend of romance, mystery, and social commentary. After the tragic death of her fiancé, Lady Petra makes a bold declaration that she will never remarry, choosing instead to embrace her independence and wealth in a society that often confines women to traditional roles. This premise offers a promising exploration of female empowerment and societal expectations in the context of Regency-era London.

However, while the initial concept is compelling, the execution feels somewhat lackluster. Petra's journey into the elite circles of society and her investigation into the mysterious death of a friend provides the framework for intrigue, but the narrative often falls into predictable patterns. The pacing can feel uneven, and while there are moments of tension, they are often overshadowed by a lack of depth in character development and plot progression.

The exploration of the private asylum and the darker aspects of mental health during that era is a thought-provoking element, but it doesn’t fully capitalize on its potential. The societal critique regarding how women were treated and confined is timely; however, it sometimes feels secondary to the plot rather than a central theme. As Petra uncovers secrets about the asylum, her motivations become clearer, but the stakes don’t feel high enough to keep readers fully invested.

The supporting characters, while interesting, often serve more as plot devices than fully fleshed-out individuals. This makes it challenging to form a strong emotional connection with them, which diminishes the overall impact of Petra’s quest for truth and justice.

In summary, "Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord" is an okay read that offers moments of intrigue and social commentary but ultimately lacks the memorability and depth that would elevate it to something truly special. It’s a light, enjoyable read for those interested in historical fiction with a hint of mystery, but it may not leave a lasting impression. If you’re looking for a quick escape into a Regency setting, this book fits the bill, but don’t expect it to linger in your thoughts long after you've closed the cover.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Fans of Bridgerton and cozy mysteries check this one out! A regency based mystery that is perfect to binge.

This was a fun one! I always love a regency romance and this was a vibe. I also received a had copy of this. Thanks for the arc in exchange for an honest review!