This is such a fun read. I really love the setting. The mystery throughout the book was fast paced and exciting. The flow of this book is fabulous. There’s lots of action, the dialogue between characters is never dull or unnecessary and the humor sprinkled throughout is entertaining.
Petra is a strong FMC, reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes or Agatha Christie with a feminist twist. Her tenacity is powerful. The characters are all delightfully loveable or disgustingly vile which causes the book to give you all the feels.
The shocking revelation at the end leaves me hoping there will be a Book 2 soon.

This is such a fun read. I really love the Victorian setting and the mystery throughout the book was fast paced and exciting. The flow of this book is fabulous. There’s lots of action, the dialogue between characters is never dull or unnecessary and the humor sprinkled throughout is entertaining.
Petra is a strong FMC, reminiscent of a feminist female Sherlock Holmes. Her tenacity is powerful. The characters are all delightfully loveable or disgustingly vile which causes the book to give you all the feels.
The shocking revelation at the end leaves me hoping there will be a Book 2 soon.

I had the pleasure of receiving the audiobook through NetGalley and I loved being able to listen to this book and read simultaneously. The narrator is fabulous and transports you to the English setting immediately.

I have posted this review on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/p/Czg0Qx0L5_z/?igshid=MTRoNjhhc2k0MHJiMQ==

Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5963013736

And will post to Amazon after pub date.

If you’re a fan of mysteries and Bridgerton, this is a good one to check out! Set in the regency era, it follows Lady Petra. Right before she is set to marry, her fiancé dies and she decides to be a spinster. But through this revelation, she winds up deep in the rumor mill where she uncovers a secret asylum of fellow society women. The mystery begins as to who is responsible and how to help free the women while fighting for her own. I found this a refreshing story of independence during society times.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ARC. This comes out 11/14!

I really just wasn’t a fan of this one. It was overall predictable and just totally unenjoyable. I was really looking to the Bridgerton meets Sherlock vibes. The female main character was against racism, class ranks, and homosexuality. Although she was perfect fine with using her class title when it benefits her. Meanwhile the men are racist, homophobic, and arrogant. So the feminist aspect was just totally unoriginal and men hating.

I came very close multiple times to not finishing this one.

Made it 30% through and nothing happened? We met a lot of characters that were hard to keep track of and that’s about it. Moving on to my next listen!

Love, LOVE, loooove this book. I got to experience it in both audio and ebook form, and I have to say both were perfect.

For the audiobook, the narrator was very good at bringing you into the story and keeping you there. It helped that she had an English accent which is fitting for the Bridgerton-esk setting and time. The storytelling was so good, that I had to stop and switch over to the ebook just so that I could give myself the choice of how fast the story was progressing. (I tend to be flighty when emotional and/or the climax of the story arrives)

As for the story itself. I loved it. It is like if Bridgerton focused more on the whodunit of Lady Whistledown and sprinkled in the finery and social aspects of the time.

Petra declaring herself a spinster automatically made me love her. Her acknowledging the fact that her privilege was what allowed her to make that decision showed how aware she is as a character. She was headstrong, kind, and did her best to put goodness out into the world. Her inquisitive nature unfortunately gets her into the mess of the mystery, but you love her for it.

The relationship she has with Duncan is full of typical romance miscommunication. It is quite silly, but since this isn't a romance focused book, it was cute. Especially since it is very obvious that Duncan loves her. I really wish they talked sooner in the story. But seeing how Petra was being pretty obstinate in not wanting to have a full private conversation with him, I can understand why this did not happen earlier. The romance aspect of the story is more of a slow burn, but I expect their relationship to be developed more come future books. Seeing how Petra has a talent for putting her nose in other people's business, pertaining situations that need it of course, I expect they will be saving each other because of her shenanigans.

I also have to mention THE PUPPIES that showed up. They were perfect, and I especially love their trick of jumping up and biting people in the arse.

This book was a very good read and listen, and I can't wait to read more from this author!

I enjoyed this book! Lady Petra is truly a reluctant Lady! She knows all the rules of society and follows them when she must, but relishes in the moments when she is able to relax unseen.

She turns society on it’s head when her beloved fiancé dies and she vows to remain unmarried. Everyone is scandalized except for a few dear friends. Suddenly everyone is giving her their opinion on the matter. Especially her misogynistic uncle who will do anything to “help“ his niece “learn her place.”

Meanwhile one of Petra’s dear friends dies but people have claimed to see her alive. Petra puts on her sleuthing hat and tries to find out the truth. She runs into all sorts of predicaments while trying to solve the mystery but when a servant ends up murdered things become very serious.

I enjoyed Petra’s personality. She behaves as a lady but is quite cheeky when treated badly. She can be a bit off-color at times but it is done in a humorous way.

I listened to the audio and the narrator does a great job at the voices. She does a large range of voices from upper class to servants and Teddy, the street waif that is always assisting Petra in her endeavors.

I can’t say much more without adding spoilers but I will say that I was shocked at the ending!

TW: Murder, mild talk of sexual exploits and men trying to touch women inappropriately.

Many thanks to Celeste Connally and Macmillian Audio for the ARC via NetGalley.

“I am to act like a lady, am I? Well so be it, but I shall think like you, Your Lordship, and make my decisions accordingly.”

With a title like that, I knew I wanted to read this book. Seeing it described as Bridgerton meets Agatha Christie turned that want into a need. What a fun, suspenseful, and exciting read!

I will say I expected more spice with it being compared to Bridgerton, but I was not upset that it wasn’t as included. The gossip of the ton but with a mystery I fully believe could have happened in this time period made the events of this book just stressful enough to where I was on the edge of my seat but still enjoyed it. I know cliffhanger endings can be frustrating for some, but I personally love them! I want a clue about if there will be another book and what it will likely be about. This ending did not disappoint! I’ll be not so patiently waiting for the next book in the series.

The narration was very nicely done. The dialogue was read in such a way that it felt like I was getting let in on the secrets of the ton in the ballroom with Petra. This was definitely a different side of the Regency-era stories I have read and it’s something I didn’t know I was missing!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC!

This was a really enjoyable read, and completely different than any other regency book I’ve read. Usually those center on a romance, but there is only a smidge of romance (not spicy) as the book mainly centered around a mystery, and even edged into the thriller category near the end. The premise is that Lady Petra, a feminist in a time before that truly existed, stumbles into a mystery while asking about her friends’ recent death. I don’t want to spoil anything, but the plot when way further than I expected, and the mystery was not just about her friend. It was well written and very detailed in the description of characters, emotions, setting, everything…for some that might be tedious, but I love that kind of detail (as long as it’s relevant). It also helped that the narrator reading those descriptions was fantastic. Not quite five stars, due to a couple of reasons: 1) Petra was a bit much at times, it drives me nuts when a character continually makes dumb decisions to prove their stubbornness. 2) There are a few characters who just kind of dropped off, leaving plot holes and questions. But with that ending, maybe there will be a book 2? In which case, I’d definitely read it! Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Lady Petra Forsyth, who lost her fiance in an accident, has decided never to marry again. This is quite a shock to society in London, 1815. But Petra has made up her mind to enjoy her life and freedom as best she can without her love, even while having to take on the mocking title of "spinster." But when women around Petra start disappearing, she discovers something shocking. Men are paying to have their daughters and wives put into an asylum, for crimes such as feeling sad, speaking their minds, or being too independent. The asylum is run by a cruel and dangerous man. Lady Petra, who dares to ride astride instead of sidesaddle and possesses her own fortune, is in danger as well. Can she stop this man for good? Love a good mystery series and this is the start of a GREAT one. Lady Petra is one to watch.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this audio e-arc.*

3.5 stars⭐️

I think I discovered a new favorite genre!

I knew very little about this book going into it and assumed it was going to be a romance. Little did I know I was going to read a fun but slightly nerve wracking regency mystery/thriller!

I absolutely love the fmc, Petra. She had strong character development and I love how spunky, loyal, and true to her values she was.

I listened to this as an audiobook and the narrator did an amazing job with all the characters.

Thank you so much to Celeste Connally and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this audiobook-arc.

I just couldn't quite get into this one. I mean, the writing was nice, I really enjoyed the conversation tone so this wasn't a poorly written book. And Eilidh Beaton did a nice job as the narrator. But the beginning was just so long. I just could not get any momentum with the story and I am at around 40% and I just can't finish it right now. I may come back later when I am feeling less impatient. From other reviews I gather that the story does pick up so if you can make it that far you may be rewarded. 3 stars because honesty the writing was solid there is just too much meandering and listing people at the start to catch my attention. Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is not my typical genre for reading, but if Celeste Connally keeps writing about Lady Petra, I'll continue reading. What an utterly delightful book! The book has perfect Regency vibes, with delectable details of privileged life in early 19th century England. Lady Petra is a great crime-solving protagonist, going beyond the typical "plucky" to full-on feminist. I loved this. The story is well-paced, and though there aren't big unexpected twists, Connally unfolds the story with great pacing. Further, the banter (both among women and between men and women) is really well-done. I listened to the audio of this one, and the narrator is excellent.

This was categorically fine, but I found the tone of it very “I’m trying to be ahead of my time while going along with every class rule ever developed” and for that reason it fell flat for me. Like I love regency books, but this one was in constant internal conflict with itself about what was proper feminism for the time and what wasn’t. The ending also annoyed me.

I liked how insidious the villain was, and also that it showed how anyone can be effectively gaslit. I just wasn’t a huge fan overall.

Rep: gay side character

spice: none

tw: institutionalization, kidnapping, homophobia

I love a good mystery, and this was a decent one. It wasn't as enthralling as I hoped it would be but, I did enjoy listening to it. It's my first historic mystery that I've listened to, and so I found many parts of it interesting. I especially like the main character. She's strong-willed, smart, and has a knack for doing her own thing regardless of her position in society. I also enjoyed the narrator! They were effective in creating a sense of being in that era, and they were quite enjoyable to listen to. Although it was a bit predictable, I still enjoyed the story and the characters.

If Sherlock Holmes and Bridgerton had a baby, it would make Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Lord.

•Regency Era mystery
•Cozy mystery
•Loved the feminist touches in a time when women did not have much power.
•Epilogue ended with a twist I didn’t anticipate.

I love a strong female lead and the girl power throughout the book. My one problem is the pace of the book was really slow. Once you pass the halfway mark it picks up a lot but without the audio I might not have got that far. Overall I would say this one was okay but won’t go down as a personal favourite for me.

Thank you @minotaur_books and @macmillan.audio for my advanced copies. Think Like A Lady, Act Like A Lord is available November 14th!

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. However, I have more negative to say than positive.

The mystery was rather simple, requiring no armchair sleuth skills at all. Petra, the heroine, is foolish and foolhardy. She takes one misstep after another while the reader is – or should be – asking why she would do such a foolish thing. The woman is supposed to be clever but rather embodies the stupidity that women were accused of for that time period.

The book itself is written in such a way that one feels they are missing having read the previous installations – of which there are none. It concludes with the suggestion of another installation. One must wonder if this, too, is just a plaything of the author.

The resolution was very fast and largely creepy. The villain felt much like a hypnotist initially. Later, he just seemed evil, losing all his smooth, intoxicating approach. The epilog was frivolous and wholly unnecessary, adding nothing to the story, except the cliffhanger suggestion of a next installment.

I was excited by the premise and cover of the book. Cozy mystery meets Regency with a feminist bent? Yes, please.

Unfortunately, though, this one didn’t live up to my expectations. The start was slow to me, and the forward momentum of the story tended to get bogged down by what felt like superfluous details.

The themes covered here and the crimes themselves are ones I’ve seen before in books set in the Regency period, and it doesn’t feel like this story adds anything new to that discussion. The resolution of the book felt a bit rushed as well.

I didn’t feel very attached to any of the characters other than Teddy, the street urchin who provides assistance along the way.

The book isn’t bad; it just didn’t suck me in.

The audiobook is pleasant overall. The accents are good, and I could easily keep track of which character was speaking for the most part.

I received an advance copy of the audiobook from Macmillan Audio and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.

If you love a Regency Historical Fiction novel, look no further. Just be ready for a crazy ending!

After losing her fiance and soulmate, Lady Petra decides to use her mothers inheritance to live off of instead of looking for a man to keep by her side. During 1815 in London, that was unheard of. When Petra hears of a dear friend's suspicious death, she starts to look into it. She discovers a private asylum where men can take their wives and daughters to be locked away. Petra starts to wonder if her friend is actually dead, or being kept in this facility.

I loved Petra, her independence and fiery heart was so refreshing. Feminism radiated from every chapter of this novel. While Petra wants to crush social norms she also doesn’t want to ruin her family's reputation, but some things are just more important.

The beginning of this novel was very slow for me. I loved the hints of romance but really wish there was more in this department. The ending of this novel took me by surprise. I love a good cliffhanger but also need some closure. I do think that regency novels might not be for me!

The narrator did a great job portraying the voices. I switched back and forth between physical, ebook and audio!

Lady Petra Forsyth is a woman ahead of her time. Thanks to her mother's will, she is in complete control of her own fortune. Her father is fond and indulgent, so she's left to pretty much do as she pleases, which is not at all the normal state of affairs in England in the early 1800s. She was once engaged, but her fiancé died in a fall and after that, Petra has decided to remain a spinster of independent means. The only unhappiness in her life is her estrangement from her childhood best friend, Duncan Shawcross. She's been writing to him for the past few years they've been apart, only to never receive a reply. She's therefore unsettled to learn he's returned from his travels and is back in town . . .

Meanwhile, at a society ball (are there any others?) Petra is startled to learn from a footman that her friend, Gwen, who has unfortunately been reported to have died in a fit, has recently been spotted very much alive. When Petra decides to dig into this mystery, she is suddenly thrust into a dangerous world where women are at the mercy of unscrupulous men.

I really enjoyed the plucky Petra and her loyal band of friends. The historical events portrayed are not at all outside the realms of possibility, so it was quite an uncomfortable read at times. I enjoyed the narrator's characterizations and how the characters were portrayed. Since the book ended on something of a surprising revelation, I'm hoping there's going to be a sequel!

This is a compelling mix of mystery, romance, and thriller, and a look at how few rights women had at that time. Lady Petra is impetuous, headstrong and somewhat naive. She has strong convictions and the best intentions but does seem to step in it quite a lot. Duncan Shawcross, her former childhood friend, is a great foil to Petra's character, and their misunderstandings fuel the plot in many ways. The villain in this story is so very evil, as are the men who help him. These men made my skin crawl -- I was glad I was listening rather than reading this book as I wasn't reading it before bed!

It's a strong look at the harsh treatment of women, even women of means, in early 1800s London. There were parts that touched on mental health as well as mistreatment of others, as well as some sheer suspense.The narrator did an excellent job with voices and characters. I would highly recommend to anyone who likes audio books, and to bear with it; it starts out slow but picks up steam shortly!

I listened to the audiobook version, which is well narrated by Eilidh Beaton. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.