3 stars

You can read all of my reviews on my blog Nerd Girl Loves Books.

This is a cute historical fiction romance with a tenacious FMC and an honorable but conflicted MMC. The main characters, Blythe and Briggs, have been frenemies since they were small children. Blythe had a crush on Briggs, and when they were teenagers Briggs played a practical joke on Blythe, humiliating her and cementing their rivalry.

Years later, the two meet again and are stunned with how much they are still attracted to each other. Unfortunately, both of their families have suffered financial setbacks, and they both need to make advantageous marriages to save them. Despite knowing it can go nowhere, the couple find themselves setting aside their rivalry and growing closer. But, are they just playing with fire?

I liked the MCs, but I'm not a huge fan of the constant back and forth of liking/disliking the other person and the miscommunication trope. They are both smart, determined and hardworking, and yet the simplest things spun them out, causing them to act out. I mean, a little of this is ok, but at some point it's just too much. I also felt like the book was about 50-70 pages too long.

That said, the book did have some very cute banter between the MCs, and the side characters added depth to the story. I really enjoyed it when the couple were teasing and flirting with each other. It made me smile. I'm not sure if it's historically accurate, but I had no idea bee apiary's weren't a common thing during this time period and I enjoyed learning more about them.

I liked the author's writing and it was a fun and easy read. I had mixed feelings about the book and I struggled with the rating. Ultimately I rated it a 3 because of the constant back and forth and the length, however that is just me - others probably won't have an issue with that. I still encourage you to read this book.

I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from NetGalley and TBR Beyond Tours. All opinions are my own.

Regency Romance fans, please raise your hand! WITTY IN PINK has a contemporary flare of writing, and it was cute.

Thank you @entangedteen for my early digital copy of @theericageorge new release, out now!

Briggs, the MMC has a long-time acquaintance, one that landed in a barn mess as a young girl…except now she is of course beautiful, witty, and smart. She of course doesn’t want to have anything to do with him (can you blame her?).

Briggs has his own period-appropriate financial struggles, and of course she is trapped by the “trappings” of her time period.

I loved the bee keeping motif and of course the childhood enemies to more is a cute little trope!

If you enjoy YA, bee keeping, enemies to more, and second chances, you might just enjoy this one!

A Regency riff on Pretty in Pink...

Blythe has a nemesis and his name is Briggs.
They are both responsible for their families finances, meaning they are both flat broke and looking for ways to secure funds.
YA, but with very modern sensibilities.

3.75 ⭐
This filled the regency sized hole that a trip to the English countryside always brings me and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect time to read it! I was hooked from the beginning and loved the summery, sunshine feel it brought me. I really enjoyed our main character's rivalry as the author struck the perfect balance between spiteful and playful and I found their banter hilarious. I could also be invested in the slow-burn romance as the backstory setup was the perfect conflict to come between them. Where this book started to derail for me a bit was around the 80% mark. We have a scene where 21st century sex standards were imposed on regency society and it just didn't work. The character's argument for this was that it was founded on 'trust', but then a few pages later that 'trust' completely disappears at the slightest conflict. Then we have a feminist moment at the end which just didn't fit either. If you want to write a regency novel, write a regency novel. A big reason I love to escape into the past is because I don't have to worry about politics or popular culture. The regency age wasn't perfect, especially when it came to women's rights, but I don't think this means we should go try and over-correct it. Overall, I still had a great time reading this book, I just wish the third act had been developed a bit better. Happy Reading :)

Hello pride and prejudice with a twist. I loved the backstory of 2 people who have a friendly banter, until one takes it too far, and ruins the relationship. However when they meet again…. Oh it’s great.
I love the banter and how witty Blythe is!
There’s also so many other characters that actually have stories of their own that add to the story and aren’t people that just exist.
This was a great read and I can’t wait to read more by Erica George!

If you enjoyed the banter of Bridgerton and slow burn with a dual POV, pick up this book! The characters are perfect and so very witty. This book will have you giggling for sure.

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for a copy of this book.

This was a low three star read for me. I felt like I glossed over the first 70-75% of the book. The ending was so much better than the beginning. I had high hopes with this book especially with the tagline being start a scandal but I honestly don't feel like that even came close to what happened. There was not a scandal in sight.

Full review: https://medium.com/@briannashrout/witty-in-pink-earc-review-12a651a90742

Witty in Pink by Erica George is a delightful Regency romance that combines humor, heart, and a touch of modern sensibility. The story follows Blythe Rowley, a determined young woman who must team up with her childhood nemesis, Briggs Goswick, to save both their families from financial ruin. Despite their rocky past, the two find themselves drawn together in unexpected ways as they navigate societal expectations and personal ambitions.

Blythe is a spirited and determined young woman who is fiercely independent. She is driven by a strong sense of duty to her family and is willing to go to great lengths to secure their future. Blythe's intelligence and wit make her a formidable heroine, and her journey throughout the novel showcases her growth and resilience. Her entrepreneurial spirit and desire to start her own business add a modern twist to her character, making her relatable and inspiring.

Briggs is Blythe's childhood nemesis, but as the story unfolds, we see that there is much more to him than meets the eye. He is charming and intelligent, with a hidden depth that makes him a compelling character. Briggs is also dealing with his own family pressures and expectations, which adds layers to his personality. His evolving relationship with Blythe is central to the story, and his character development is both satisfying and heartwarming.

The novel also features a rich cast of supporting characters who add depth and color to the story. Various friends and acquaintances of Blythe and Briggs who contribute to the social dynamics and humor of the story.

Each character is well-crafted and contributes to the overall charm and appeal of the novel. Their interactions and relationships are woven together seamlessly, creating a vibrant and engaging narrative.

George's writing is engaging and witty, capturing the essence of the period while making it accessible and enjoyable for contemporary readers. The characters are well-developed, with Blythe's fierce independence and Briggs hidden depths providing a compelling dynamic. The slow-burn romance is beautifully paced, allowing readers to savor every moment of their evolving relationship.

Overall, Witty in Pink is a charming and satisfying read that will leave you smiling long after you've turned the last page.

Top 5 Reasons to Read *Witty in Pink*

1. Engaging Characters: Blythe and Briggs are both complex and relatable, making their journey from enemies to lovers all the more enjoyable.

2. Humor and Wit: The book is filled with clever dialogue and humorous situations that keep the story light and entertaining. You will absolutely enjoy reading it.

3. Historical Setting: The Regency era is vividly brought to life, providing a rich backdrop for the romance and drama.

4. Slow-Burn Romance: If you love a romance that builds gradually and keeps you on the edge of your seat, this book delivers in spades.

5. Empowering Themes: Blythe's determination to save her family and start her own business is inspiring and adds depth to the story.

Do you want a YA/NA spin on a historical romance?

Do you like enemies-to-friends-to-lovers ? This is such a fun take on these tropes.

Blythe wants to help her family with a business idea, and Briggs reveals that he’s also broke— but he has connections. Maybe they can both help each other get what they want — Blythe’s bee business and a suitable marriage for Briggs.

Of course, there are so many fun shenanigans along the way, and watching their relationship evolve was incredible.

Their story was a ray of sunshine. It was absolutely hilarious to watch Blythe pitch business ideas to unsuspecting gentlemen in Regency-era Britain.

I highly recommend for a light historical romance filled with heart and of course, plenty of wit!

Okay, I’m going to be honest and say that I did not want to read this book- at the current moment. I’m such a mood reader, and while I originally saw this book and decided yes I wanted it and wanted to read it, I got stuck in a horror/thriller mood and just wanted to continue down that lane. But I had committed to this one, and so I picked it up to read it this past weekend, a bit reluctantly… and I am SO glad I did! I very much enjoyed so many aspects of this book, and I was smiling away while reading it.

First, if you’re a fan of Bridgerton, you’ll love the regency romance going on here. It is YA, though, so the only spice you’ll find is in a forbidden kiss or two. But the swoon-worthiness is still very high. And the banter was SO good! Blythe always had a funny quip or jab for Briggs, who couldn’t resist responding in kind.

This also had my favorite trope: enemies to lovers. (Although, Blythe would have considered him as her enemy at first, I don’t think Briggs really saw it that way ever. Maybe just slight rivals to play pranks on.)

With dual POV, and a third-act breakup, this book kept me interested throughout. I loved how strong, determined, and confident Blythe was, and I loved Briggs’ character arc. All around a very cute YA regency romance!

I’m not usually into historical fiction, but I was pleasantly surprised by this one. It was super cute and really enjoyable. This YA was full of angst, banter and chemistry between the two main characters and I was here for it. Both characters, but especially the MMC, had great growth arcs and it was refreshing to read about a driven FMC.

If you like YA, historical fiction, frenemies, and regency romance, this one is definitely for you!

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book's title is an important indicator for the kind of writing within it. The characters' interactions, the dialogues and even the general descriptions are definitely witty.

Blythe is visiting her uncle's home when she runs into an old nemesis/ crush next door. Briggs has his own problems and probably has to marry soon to save his land.   Blythe has a budding beehive building business, although her parents do not see much of a future with it since she too needs to be married off.

There is a mutual laying down of arms as they decide to help each other find their way.

Although I really enjoyed the writing, I felt like the book could have been much shorter. The story dragged in parts and the only reason I was able to keep going is because I enjoyed the writing.

I would recommend this book to readers of the genre.

I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

Obviously the punny title grabbed me when I first heard about it. So when the publisher sent me a Netgalley link to read this one, I quickly downloaded it. Unfortunately I didn’t get to it until it was actually published, but then I devoured it pretty quickly!

This is a story for anyone who has loved Bridgerton, especially for the YA crowd, as it doesn’t have the extremely steamy parts that the tv show and the novels have. But it was still a fun romance, set in a time where titles were important and you might have to marry due to money need for your family, etc. There was also a Jane Austen feel to it.

Briggs was a character, we got the enemies to lovers because he and Blythe had a habit of some misunderstandings leading to pranks, leading to a really horrible prank the last time the two saw each other. Both of them had family financial issues that kept any attraction between them from being able to be acted upon because of the responsibilities they felt needed to take care of their families. So then they made a deal to help each other. Blythe to help him win a very quiet, hard to get to know girl with a huge dowry. Briggs was supposed to help introduce her to possible inventors for her proposed beekeeping business.

Of course the two had so many sparks, and so many close encounters. Not to mention more misunderstandings and half-truths, blowing up at each other, then making up. There was a man that through the trying to find investors became a suitor for Blythe, and he was a nice guy, so it was really hard to not root for him. Again, reminded me of the last season of Bridgerton.

So many wonderful side characters as well. I loved the cousins and best friends, and would love if the author maybe wrote some connected stories for some of their HEAs/love stories. Even just the people that lived on Briggs’s land, and his friend who ended up also kind of saving them in the end with his own romantic past.

While there is a bit of a third act break-up/drama portion, it fit into the story enough that I didn’t mind it. I also loved the way the author solved the obstacles for these two star-crossed lovers to be together in the end.

Rating: 4.5/5
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.

This book is perfect for anyone who wants to read cute, funny, friends to enemies to lovers. This book will have you laughing and cheering for the characters to finally give into their feelings and be happy. You will be introduced to Blythe who is a smart, savvy, young lady who wants nothing more than to show the world her inventions for her apiary business and show everyone the great qualities of Honey. However, sadly her family is in financial need, and she is encouraged to marry a wealthy man to help them, even though she would rather do it all herself. You will meet Briggs who is now the man of the house, he finds out that his father has left him and his family with nothing really and the only way that he can see himself out of his father’s choices is to marry a wealthy lady, but we all know that just because you want one thing… love isn’t ruled, it rules you.

I really liked the plot of the book and having it told with dual POV’s made it easier to connect/relate to the characters. I thought the author did a great job with drawing the readers to the book and keeping them enthralled throughout the book, with laughter, with joy, with a little sadness and for me I wanted to shake a few characters to get their minds to start working correctly lol. I like that you will see the characters that used to be childhood friends to enemies, help each other with their problems and during all this you will see how they each look at each other differently. I liked that the author didn’t just make the readers connect with the main characters but with the side ones as well. I know for me that I just loved that Briggs' relationship with his brother August was just adorable and really helped me to see him in a different way. I found myself with Bridgerton feels and I was so there for that.

I will be looking for more books by this author. If you want a book with witty banter, great plot and characters, romance and Bridgerton feels you need to read this book.

I want to thank NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to review this book.

Last week I read Witty in Pink, a YA regency romance - many thanks to Entangled for the NetGalley ARC and LibroFM for early access to the audio as part of their ALC educator program.
I haven't read many YA books this summer, but I want to get back into the genre to have recommendations for my high school students when school starts back up in September! I'm not usually a regency romance reader but this one was really cute. Blythe and Briggs had an unfortunate run-in five years earlier, and now Blythe is hoping she can use his social status to boost her new business venture, which was really interesting to read about. And Briggs, in return, needs her help wooing a rich heiress. But the two former rivals find they have more in common than they previously thought in this slow-burn, wit-filled romp, perfect for Bridgerton fans. I will definitely be recommending Witty in Pink to my students!

*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher; the review is my own.*

I would love to give this book 5 stars, but I think it's more like 4.5. So close, though. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will quite likely borrow the audiobook from my library at some point so I can enjoy it again. It's definitely taken some inspiration from Jane Austen, though it's less polite and proper. (I saw a nod to Mr. Knightley in a dancing scene, and he is my absolute favorite Austen hero.)

Blythe (18) and Briggs (20) couldn't have been more perfect for each other. Yes, they spent much of their adolescence pranking each other, and one went too far (wait for the explanation). But their relationship with each other (regardless of the phase--friends, frenemies, nemeses, partners, lovers) was genuine, and each was able to truly see the other in a way that the rest of society couldn't. They could be raw with one another, even when they weren't being entirely forthcoming. Blythe and Briggs challenged each other in a way that made them better. I adored them individually, too. Were they perfect? Absolutely not. But their strength and vulnerability made them very easy to like even when I was irritated with them.

I think all of the characters were written well. Nobody struck me as flat, even those I assumed were (not saying I liked a certain character any more by the end of the book--that would be a lie). Even though I didn't want him for Blythe, Lord Colchester stole my heart a little bit.

And of course I cannot omit Blythe's bees. I absolutely love that she was so focused on apiaries and establishing them throughout the county.

This is my first Erica George book, but I'm interested in looking into her other books now.

Note: Some swearing. Some sensuality. Two LGB side characters.

✨ “I will myself not to admire her. I clamp my mouth shut, trying to hold my breath, but it's soon too overwhelming a task to maintain. I tilt my head to the side, allowing myself a deep breath of her scent, and I'm dizzy with her sweetness. I should have walked away when I had the chance- I shouldn't have allowed myself this intimacy with Blythe Rowley, because I know she will be the only thing on my mind tonight as I pray for sleep." ✨💖

4.5 rounded up

“Witty in Pink” is so cute! This is an 1800s setting, enemies to lovers tale focusing on families that have known each other for generations. A guy (Briggs) and girl (Blythe) have grown up always teasing each other, but it grew sour as they got older. Despite their long standing feud as children, they eventually need each other's help, but along the way realize what they REALLY want is each other. However, there are many social and economic hurdles keeping them apart.

So many great quotes and beautiful storytelling/ verbiage. I loved the way the main characters' emotions and attraction for each other were expressed! Highly recommend for those who enjoy:
💖time period romance
💖rivals/enemies-to-lovers banter
💖dual pov with mutual pining
💖forbidden love due to societal difference
💖family driven drama
💖coming of age hurdles & self-recognition

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Entangled Publishing, and author, Erica George, for the opportunity to read an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was everything and has instantly become a new favorite. Erica George has truly knocked it out of the park as far as YA historical romcoms go. It’s safe to say that if she writes it, I’ll read it. And I really appreciate that this reads as a more mature YA romance. Let’s face it, people had to grow up a lot quicker in this time period, and both Briggs and Blythe face very adult problems and decisions in this story.

This story was filled with every emotion from beginning to end. It was a romcom in every sense of the word. The banter and wit was top notch; I found myself constantly laughing out loud or chuckling. I simply couldn’t get enough of the back and forth between Blythe and Briggs. But then I LOVED how the shots and jabs at each other slowly morphed into real conversations and they really got to know each other. The fact that they’re both trying to set each other up with other people but starting to like each other…lawwwwwd the tension and angst this created. It just about killed me and made me giddy at the same time. The sacrifices they were willing to make for each other just about broke my heart. I absolutely love these two cuties.

There are also so many side characters that shine! I loved Charlotte and how much she supported Blythe. I also loved Westley and Julian, but I think my favorite was August. You’ll just have to read to find out why. 😏 There is also a fun twist at the end and characters you like, but then don’t and then do again. It’s a bit crazy, but I loved how everything works out in the end. It was so satisfying and I will say it again — I’ll read anything this woman writes. I can’t recommend it enough.

Content: make outs, mild swearing

Thank you to Entangled Teen for my copy. My thoughts are my own.

Thank you Entangled Publishing and Turn The Page Tours for the ARC.

If you’re a fan of strong independent females in the Regency era, family and friend group drama, and banter for dayssss, you should definitely read this. I loved how mature this young adult romance felt to read - both Briggs and Blythe are putting aside their personal desires for the sake of their families and estates. My heart ached for Briggs as the repercussions his father’s death left behind. And no matter how hard they tried to stay apart, their attraction and chemistry was undeniable. As someone who doesn't read nearly enough historical romances and often skips YA books, I'm so glad I read Witty in Pink and highly recommend.

Wrexford Park - 1812

Blythe is staying at Wexford Park and facing trying to find a match that will help her save her family finances. Recently, neighbor Briggs Goswick has become the master of Mistlethrush Hall. While he appears to be quite wealthy, the truth is that he is not. As children, Blythe and Briggs used to play tricks on one another and now that they are grown, they seem to not care for one another. This was after he embarrassed her at a soiree. Now, both of them are needing to find a way to get the money they need for their families.

When Blythe is invited to spend some time at Mistlethrush Hall, she reluctantly accepts even though she does not like to leave her bees. She keeps bees which produce honey that she can sell and make money for her family. She wants to be able to establish these for other people and make even more money for the family. While at Mistlethrush Hall, Blythe enjoys seeing Briggs again but he is looking to try and marry Sabrina, a young woman with a large dowry. Sadly, the young woman is not a very nice person. When Sabrina notices that Blythe and Briggs are becoming closer, she is determined to break them apart. Can the growing love between Blythe and Briggs be saved?

I enjoyed watching these two characters struggle to hide secrets as they tried to save their families while not being able to follow their hearts. But love always prevails, doesn’t it? A sweet and clever book. And Boo-Hiss to Sabrina! Enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.