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!

I loved this book. The main character was a woman ahead of her time. I strongly recommend it to anyone who likes romantic comedy and/or historical fiction.

Thank you, NetGalley, for this book

I was skeptical about this book solely based on the title. I think it’s a bit silly, however, this book was much more fun than I was expecting. Set in 1815, Petra’s love has died, so she decides to never marry. Society has deemed her a spinster, of course. When one of Petra’s friends dies, she’s shocked because her friend was never ill.

Although Petra is shunned by most of society, she loves who she is and accepts others, as well. She has no problem with how she lives, whether two women love each other, or if they choose to marry or have children. However, the men of society disagree and are making sure their women are properly “looked after,” so to speak. This book started off a bit slow and features a lot of characters, but once the actual mystery of the book was revealed, it flew by. I was really pleased with how enjoyable this book was.

Holy homophobia, Batman. So, first: There were a list of isms and phobias in this book that, honestly, weren’t necessary to the plot or character development. It’s like Connally had a checklist of every group to offend and made sure to hit all except the BIPOC and Jewish. I’m sure they were supposed to paint our main character in a positive light and make her seem like a “modern woman,” but mostly just achieved making her feel insincere and like the girl in high school who didn’t understand why other people didn’t like her even though she was mean.

Let’s get into our characterization. Every character could have had more depth, but then how would we know how amazing Lady Petra was if there weren’t other people she was consistently condescending to and “helping” through their “problems?” Sure, this book takes place in 1815 where a lot of these attitudes were period typical, but if they can regularly drink water even though the filtration system that made this a regular thing didn’t exist for another 12 years, I’m pretty sure Connally could have created a more normative world for the commentary she was trying to make. None of which landed because almost all of her characters didn’t feel like people: they lived as caricatures.

This over-the-top yet simple characterization made some of the dialogue too much by being exposition and developing backstories that didn’t really add anything. Unfortunately, it happened often, but the most disappointing aspect was that it often left the story arc deprived of meaningful development. Spoilers, but Petra actually does very little detecting or putting any pieces throughout the book. Others consistently tell her the answers throughout the book and her main purpose is just to stumble on the clues they needed to do so while gossiping, thinking some crappy things about other women, and thinking highly of herself for being able to ride a horse and pick locks.

I will give this book credit where it is due: it is compulsively readable. It was easy to get through and the sentence structure worked. However, I don’t think I’d compare it to either of the comps (Bridgerton and Agatha Christie) for different reasons. Sadly, not recommending this one, friends. Though, I almost feel like I need to read the next one because of the little note at the end about her late fiancé.

I have a soft spot in my heart for Regency romances, and mysteries, so this book is a treat. Add in some good friends, a few interesting characters in town, and a huge cover up involving women suppressed by the patriarchy, and you’ve got an amazing novel. Highly recommend even with its cliffhanger ending.

This book was not at all what I was expecting, and I loved it. I had thought this was going to be more of a light Regency era romance, and it was anything but.

This is the first in the Lady Petra Inquires series, and I am excited to read more from Lady Petra.

This book was a thrilling read. I loved the main character, Lady Petra Forsyth. She was such a strong woman, not willing to follow all of the social conventions a woman was supposed to during this time period. She wasn't thinking about finding a husband and settling down. She wanted to have control of her life and her money.

When she realized something untoward was happening to the women around her, she wasn't willing to let it go. She was going to figure out what was happening and put a stop to it, even though it put her in danger.

This book evoked so many emotions, I really did giggle a bit at Lady Petra, but there was also heart-pounding danger and behavior that made me so angry. And the ending, what a hook!

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

I thoroughly enjoyed this Regency era mystery. Lady Petra was a delight; beautiful, intelligent, feisty and more than a match for any of the London bluebloods in her circle. In an age when women were raised to be subservient, Lady Petra was a woman of independent means and independent thought. After the death of her finance, she vowed to never marry. This, of course, was a shocking declaration in 1816 London.. She immediately became involved in solving a mystery, using her intelligence and instinct to sharpen her sleuthing skills. Highly recommend. Five stars

This novel blends the charm of Bridgerton with the suspense of an Agatha Christie mystery, offering a fresh Regency-era series with a feminist twist. The novel introduces Lady Petra Forsyth, a determined and independent protagonist who, after the death of her fiancé, vows never to remarry. Her resolve to maintain her freedom and wealth sets the stage for an intriguing plot that delves into the darker aspects of society, particularly the mistreatment of women. The story kicks into gear when Petra, spurred by troubling rumors, investigates the death of a friend under suspicious circumstances. Her quest leads her to uncover a sinister private asylum where women are unjustly imprisoned. This central mystery is engaging, as Petra's investigation uncovers layers of deception and exploitation. However, while the plot is compelling, the pacing sometimes lags, making it a bit of a slow burn for readers seeking constant action.

Character development is a strong point in Connally’s novel. Petra is a well-crafted character, embodying strength and resilience as she navigates societal expectations and personal loss. Her interactions with other characters, particularly those who challenge or support her, add depth to her journey. However, some supporting characters lack the same level of development, leaving readers wanting more from the ensemble cast.

Overall, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord is a promising start to a new series. The novel's feminist undertones and intriguing mystery make it a noteworthy read, despite some pacing issues. Connally's ability to blend romance, mystery, and social commentary suggests that future installments could refine and expand on the strengths introduced in this debut.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

Lady Petra Forsyth has made a proclamation after her betrothed dies, she will never marry. She has her inheritance when her mom passed and she can do as she pleases. However, the men of society look down on any woman who does not have a man and is docile, obedient, demure. At a ball after her fiancé's death, gossip is running amok that one of Petra's friends has died. There was a small private funeral that virtually no one attended. A staff member of the house claims to have seen Gwen within the last few days; however, Gwen died over a week ago. As Petra digs into this, she learns of an asylum where women are being taken when they are no longer..... "convenient." However, Petra does not realize that she will be going there herself soon.

This Regency mystery is intriguing and entertaining. Lady Petra is shocked to find out about the death of her friend. Suspicious of the circumstances, she begins to investigate. At the same time, her father is manipulated into thinking that she is crazy and needs to be committed to an asylum for not wanting to marry after the death of her first love. Intriguing and with shocking discoveries at every turn, this will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Regency-era set novels will inevitably get compared to the Bridgerton series these days, for better or worse. In the case of Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord, the comparison feels like a bad marketing choice. While the book shares a few things with the series - the setting, the gossipy ton, and a strong female protagonist - it has far more differences than similarities.

Perhaps because this book serves a series starter, a lot of things ultimately felt like filler used to introduce characters and put the reader in the particular time and place before truly getting to the heart of the story.. Which meant that by the time Petra was well and truly on her way to sleuthing and solving a mystery, things felt rushed.

Undecided on if I would pick up more of this series, but it's not one that will be at the forefront of my mind when recommending books to patrons.

Overall, I liked this book in the end. It took me to about twenty percent in for it to grab my attention, I had to go back and reread a bit before that because my mind kept wandering, but after that I was interested and involved in my reading. There were a ton of characters and I still don’t know if I had them all straight in the end, but I figured out the main players and their position in the story. I like that this is a new series and there will be more mysteries with Lady Petra. She’s a wonderful character full of strength, integrity and empathy. Definitely worth the read and I will look forward to the next installment.

This is the first book in the series. Petra faced devastation, and has declared she will not marry. THis causes a lot of gossip about her, but she doesnt care. When her married friends start disappearring though, this is when the story begins.

I enjoyed this boook. It was a fast read and kept me on my toes.

Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord by Celeste Connally was a fun read, I truly love books from this time period and look forward to reading more from Celeste Connally.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I really liked it, super predictable but charming nonetheless. Seemed like a book 2 but is actually book 1??

Connally's work has an interesting mystery woven throughout, and I found myself occasionally liking Lady Petra and her dedication to being herself and solving the mystery. I can see why this work was nominated for an award, but sadly I can also see why it didn't win. Don't get me wrong there are some good things about this work, and I know that there are many readers of historical mystery that will love this work.

The other characters and often even Lady Petra pulled me away from fully enjoying the story. I enjoyed the setting and appreciated Connally's use of language and description.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this work in exchange for my honest review.

It took me a moment to get into ACT LIKE A LADY, THINK LIKE A LORD by Celeste Connally, but as soon as I was hooked, I couldn’t stop reading. I like that the book blurb lists it as a “Regency-era mystery series with a feminist spin” because that is a perfect description for this first book in the series.

Usually, Regency-era novels have the FMC, feminist or not, aching for love, but unlike the typical crowd, Lady Petra Forsyth, in a proclamation, has declared she will never remarry and remain a spinster, shocking the ton. This allows her to get into the best places and investigate why ladies of the ton are starting to disappear.

If you like the gossip of Bridgerton and the mystery of Agatha Christie, this is a book for you. It was a refreshing take on the ton compared to the typical Regency reads. And I’m looking forward to Lady Petra’s mystery in the next book!

Thanks, Minotaur Books, for the arc!

Content warnings: misogyny, forced institutionalization, gaslighting, medical trauma, panic attacks, drug abuse