The first 60% or so was enjoyable but not unputdownable. But once it hit that 60% mark (somewhere around chapter 21/22) I was so invested and couldn’t stop reading.
It did get a bit darker than I expected or cared for (maybe I should have expected it given the blurb).
That being said, I’m always impressed when an author gives me second hand embarrassment or, like in this case, second hand anger. I was feeling this even before Petra found out the extent of the evilness of the bad guy.

What a good story, historical fiction with a modern context and modern implications. I was amazed how similar we are in today’s world. Sometimes seems like we’re going backward again. I enjoyed Petra and her bravery, she was a character I admired. If you like great women’s fiction with a historical twang, you should definitely read this book!

There is a lot to enjoy in Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord (The title is not one of them). Petra is a fabulous character. The supporting characters are diverse and well-written. It was nice to see a diverse cast—and they felt authentic. Not shoehorned in for the sake of diversity. The plot rips along at a quick clip—the climax is a doozy that I could not put down.

However, at times, in her effort to draw a rich world and characters, the author drops information that it feels like I, as a reader, should have already known…though this being the first in the series, I couldn’t have. Is there a prequel I missed? Was there a different first book that got axed by the publishers? I don’t know
My other main issue is with the ending: everything wraps up so hurriedly in an effort to get to the cliffhanger ending.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ebook ARC. All options are mine alone.

I enjoyed this unique take on a cozy mystery! The historical setting was a lot of fun and made it different from the usual mystery. I liked Petra as a main character and the mystery had me invested

Any reader who loves historical mystery and romance would be attracted to the cover and title of this book, but the wit and charm of the writing take this into “favorite read” territory.

A strong and sometimes outrageous female main character is a mainstay on this genre, but Celeste Connolly gives Lady Petra Forsyth a backstory that is achingly beautiful…and conveys a personal tragedy in just a few, beautifully crafted sentences. This isn’t some carbon copy heroine. She has weathered profound sadness after the loss of a fiancé and she also feels rejected by her closest friend, someone who has just reappeared after being away from London for a few years.

The main storyline deals with society women who have gone missing. Petra’s friend died several weeks ago and the friend’s husband didn’t tell Petra. One of her friend’s former servants says he saw his employer just days ago. Petra decides to find out what happened to her friend and other women who have gone missing. Her childhood friend tries to keep Petra safe as she investigates and tension abound when they interact.

Throw in a sweet street urchin who Petra attempts to care for and employ, plus some adorable dogs, and you have a wonderful cast for what is hopefully the strong of a long series.

The best part: the ending manages to be happy while also setting up a sequel with a huge twist.

I absolutely loved this story with it's feminist, strong main character! The whole book is a fun and entertaining read with an powerful and uplifting message to all women. I love the witty title and banter between characters. Just a fun escape of a novel!

Thank you for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

I found this book to be a very enjoyable read, and a great cozy mystery. I enjoy books of this time period and the fact that it featured a woman who was a self declared spinster in a time when that was going against all the social norms for women was an interesting twist.

I enjoyed Lady Petra, found her to be well developed, strong and spunky, but was also caring of her friends and family.

The mystery element of this story was well written, it drew me in and kept me interested throughout. I’m also really hoping that this book is setting up to a series as the ending has a bit of a cliffhanger, and I hope that there will be another book where the author is able to investigate it.

The reason I only give 4 stars is that I sometimes found it difficult to keep all the secondary characters especially some of the lords and ladies straight as there are some with similar names and not a lot of defining characteristics to make them stand out from one another.

This book has been hotly anticipated on Goodreads and every book blogger has written about it so it has been on my to read shelf for a while. I was so grateful for the opportunity to read it and it was even better then I expected. I am a huge Bridgerton fan so I applaud Petra for standing up to the societal norms of that time. I loved following her journey through the misogyny lense- she was underestimated which allowed her access to information because she wasn't viewed as a threat. I really would love a series from this author like a Lady Petra Detective Agency or something.

Regency-era mystery with some romance thrown in. Lady Petra Forsyth is a likeable, strong-willed heroine who looks into the disappearances and/or deaths of several women. There was a lot of exposition and world-building, which makes sense since this will apparently be the first in a series. The mystery was straightforward and easy to solve if the reader has previously read many novels (mystery or romance) set in this period. Lady Petra is an interesting character - smart, strong-willed, independent, determined - interesting enough to forgive her for a couple of dumb, out-of-character decisions made toward the end of the story. The ending was a cliffhanger, which I do not like, but I will still read the next in the series. Four out of five stars. Thanks to #Minotaur and #NetGalley for the ARC.

ACT LIKE A LADY, THINK LIKE A LORD is the first book in a brand-new Regency-era cozy mystery series by Celeste Connally. While historical mysteries aren’t my usual go-to reads, I was drawn in by the description and by the author (who also writes under S.C. Perkins). The book did not disappoint. While it’s a slow build, I appreciated the setup of the era, the characters, and the setting. It gives the reader a chance to get to know the protagonist, Lady Petra Forsyth, along with gaining an understanding of how difficult it was being a woman in those times. Just the description of trying to get dressed for the day made me feel exhausted, without even getting into the limitations placed on women by society. Lady Petra is a breath of fresh air and she’s quite independent, much to some of her family’s dismay.

Once the mystery takes off, the fast-paced action, and the intrigue kept me glued to the pages. I’d heard of asylums where inconvenient wives, mothers, sisters, and daughters were shut away in olden times, but Ms. Connally brings the horrors of the practice to life. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to find out if Lady Petra’s friends were saved and if she could uncover the villain(s) who had jeopardized the women’s lives. The author’s deft way of weaving Lady Petra’s investigation together evoked so many emotions in me, which made me even more invested in finding out what happened next. The bone-chilling reveal had me on the edge of my seat until I could finally breathe a sigh of relief with the final conclusion. I’ll be looking for the next book in the series with the hope it won’t be too long of a wait!

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It did not bother me that it was more a mystery than a Regency romance. I found Petra to be refreshingly intelligent and thoughtful which does not happen much in Regency romances. Her independent attitude causes her problems when she declares she will not marry, and I appreciated that she did not swoon at the sight of an available man. Good for her! She was a lot more canny than her father, that's for sure. I received this as an complimentary copy from the author via NetGalley and leave this review voluntarily. The title is a bit long I feel.

I honestly loved this book. For a cozy mystery, it wasn’t as cheesy as I’ve come to expect them to be. The main character, Petra, is a force to be reckoned with. I love that the author has set us up for a second book. I will say there were parts of the book that referenced previous events in a way that made me think this was actually a second book in a series and I was confused when I realized this was indeed the first book. Still enjoyed it and can’t wait to read more of Lady Petra!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord in exchange for my honest review.

The beginning of the book instantly had me hooked! I was ready for a cozy murder mystery with a little regency romance—an excellent blend of genres in my opinion!

Petra is an excellent protagonist. She’s independent, strong-willed, a good judge of character, and a loyal friend. As she tries to uncover the criminal mastermind behind her friend’s mysterious disappearance, the “romance” with her childhood best friend, Duncan, is on the back burner. He turns out to make few appearances until almost the complete end of the book. This made Petra’s revelation that she’s in love with Duncan feel a little forced, even though it was expected from the moment Petra first mentions their friendship.

The first half of the book is really strong, but it felt like new characters kept being introduced unnecessarily when Duncan could have instead filled the roles of the new characters in helping progress the plot.

Overall, I enjoyed Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord, and after the cliffhanger at the end, I’ll definitely be reading the sequel when it comes out.

Be sure to check our Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord, coming November 14, 2023.

Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord

I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley for review. My opinions are my own.

5/5 stars

I cannot begin to explain my love for this book. As you can tell by my reviews, I’m a lover of Regency and Victorian romances. This book is a fabulous spin on the typical Regency romance…

Petra is a self-proclaimed spinster after he fiancé dies suddenly 3 weeks before their wedding. Duncan, her best friend, has come back to London after 3 years on the Continent. They have not spoke these 3 years due to harsh words prior to his leaving.

What makes this book different is the mystery aspect. Petra notices strange happenings. Women of her acquaintance begin to go missing or are dead and it isn’t adding up. She discovers that they may be locked up in a private asylum.

I’ll leave you with this. But let’s just say that I think we haven’t seen the last of Lady Petra and Duncan….

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. There was a touch of romance in the story, but it was minimal and not truly central to the story, thus I would consider this more a mystery than a romance. The mystery at the heart of the story was captivating and built a tension that kept me turning the page long after I should have gone to bed. Petra was well written, a headstrong female character determined to live the way she wished, and not how others believed she should live. Petra is also loyal and dependable to those whom she considers friends. When a drunk former suiter accuses her of having “sapphic tendencies” in front of others at the ball, she does not defend herself and deny it despite it being untrue, because she feels she would be “diminishing the hearts and feelings of friends like Juddy, Captain Smythe, and even a dear female cousin…” Overall, a very enjoyable read, and the ending seems to indicate there may be another book in the future, which I hope to look forward to.

I really enjoyed reading this story about Petra and her investagative skills. The way she stumbles upon the mystery was interesting and I was shocked by some parts being very progressive and coming out of nowhere and felt anachronistic until I got used to Connally's writing style and understood the characters a little better.

I liked Petra as a character and her friends and her lady's maid were so fun and I loved her banter with her former best friend, and while I thought this was bringing soem enemies to lovers energy I was suprised at how it played out and it felt new. The cliffhanger at the end was a good twist and I am looking forward to book two!

There are many good qualities with this book, but at the same time, I wasn't as invested as I usually am for other Regency-era books I've read. I mean, it's got a strong feminist vibe and good mystery, but lacks romance.Overall, this was pretty fun, regardless, I am open to reading the sequel when it comes out.

ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Was not quite expecting the real mystery in this book, I was pleasantly surprised and intrigued by the story.

I love Petra's character and her ability to be herself, regardless of what others think.

I am glad this book ended in a way that opens it up for more to follow!

I found this book to be a very enjoyable read, and a great cozy mystery. I enjoy books of this time period and the fact that it featured a woman who was a self declared spinster in a time when that was going against all the social norms for women was an interesting twist.

I enjoyed Lady Petra, found her to be well developed, strong and spunky, but was also caring of her friends and family.

The mystery element of this story was well written, it drew me in and kept me interested throughout. I’m also really hoping that this book is setting up to a series as the ending has a bit of a cliffhanger, and I hope that there will be another book where the author is able to investigate it.

The reason I only give 4 stars is that I sometimes found it difficult to keep all the secondary characters especially some of the lords and ladies straight as there are some with similar names and not a lot of defining characteristics to make them stand out from one another.

Thank you to netgalley and the author for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, this one just wasn't for me. I think I went into it expecting something very different than what I got. I'm a BIG fan of historical romance and was excited to see it mixed with cozy mystery, which I also love. However, this was definitely more of a mystery and didn't have those historical romance vibes I was hoping for. Perhaps it's just an issue of the way the book is marketed.