Such a fun read! Highly recommend.

Many thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Edie Cay’s In Knots Over You is a delightful historical romance that blends adventure, witty banter, and an unexpected love story with strong feminist undertones. Set in the glamorous world of 19th-century aristocracy, this novel takes readers from ballrooms to treacherous mountainsides, with richly developed characters and a storyline that is as charming as it is unconventional.

At the center of the story is Eleanor Piper, a young woman who defies societal expectations. Raised with the freedom to learn about ships and navigation from her one-eyed former captain mentor, Eleanor isn’t your typical debutante. With her family’s shipping company now a major economic force, her parents push for a suitable aristocratic marriage. But Eleanor isn’t interested in balls and matchmaking. In fact, when she meets the vibrant and ambitious Miss Ophelia Bridewell during her first ball, it’s a refreshing—and slightly intimidating—change of pace. The accidental meeting, born from a fashion mishap, draws Eleanor into the eccentric and bold Ladies Alpine Society, a group of women with a passion for climbing mountains, not men.

Cay excels in crafting a unique and likable heroine in Eleanor. While she’s unpolished by high-society standards, her knowledge of knots, ships, and independence give her a refreshing edge. Her desire to escape the stifling world of aristocratic expectations and her curiosity about the uncharted territory of friendship and adventure make her a compelling character. Eleanor's journey isn’t just about romance—it’s about discovering who she is beyond what’s expected of her.

Enter Tristan Bridewell, the younger brother of Ophelia, and a quintessential second son. Tristan is the “spare” in his family, leaving him free to dabble in various pursuits without the responsibilities of an heir. His good looks and easygoing temperament make him popular, but like Eleanor, he feels a bit aimless in his life. His devotion to his sister Ophelia and her singular goal of conquering the infamous Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the UK, introduces him to Eleanor. Tristan’s personality is a great match for Eleanor—charming, but not overbearing, and he quickly becomes intrigued by her unique blend of strength and vulnerability.

The chemistry between Eleanor and Tristan is slow-building and delightfully subtle. Cay steers clear of typical insta-love tropes, instead allowing their bond to grow through shared experiences and mutual respect. Their connection is forged not just in stolen moments at society events, but also in the thrilling (and often dangerous) setting of mountain climbing. The choice to center part of the story on their shared adventure up Ben Nevis is a brilliant move that gives the romance an element of excitement and unpredictability.

But In Knots Over You isn’t solely a love story. The book is steeped in themes of independence, ambition, and societal defiance. Ophelia Bridewell’s character is a standout example of this. Her passion for mountain climbing, an endeavor largely dismissed by the men around her, drives much of the narrative. Ophelia’s unwavering determination to summit Ben Nevis mirrors Eleanor’s quiet rebellion against the expectations placed on her as a woman in high society. The Ladies Alpine Society itself serves as a symbol of women defying the roles prescribed to them, supporting one another in their ambitious pursuits rather than conforming to traditional norms.

Cay also excels in creating a vivid sense of place, from the elegant ballrooms where Eleanor feels out of place to the misty, treacherous slopes of Ben Nevis. The detailed descriptions of mountain climbing add depth to the story and make the physical challenges faced by the characters feel real and compelling.

Final Thoughts:
In Knots Over You is a refreshing and engaging romance that blends historical detail, adventure, and romance in a way that feels both modern and true to the period. Edie Cay has created a cast of strong, ambitious women who are not afraid to challenge societal expectations, and the romance between Eleanor and Tristan is both sweet and believable. This novel will appeal to readers who love historical romance with a feminist twist, as well as those who enjoy stories of self-discovery and adventure. With its witty dialogue, unique characters, and unexpected plot twists, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Don't laugh–What was I thinking reading a historical book about sailors in the regency era? And also about mountain climbing? Like what is going on here? The premise sounds absurd, it was! As someone who loves strong independent women, I usually don't like regency era romances because the men's entitlement and women's submissiveness drives me nuts. What I'm saying is that I had no business reading this book. It was not my usual genre.

Historical romance
No women wear athletic wear
Or drink coffee

I would never in a million years entertain a book like this, except I was offered an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review and if an author and publisher is going to give little ol’ me a copy and ask for my review, you bet your butt I'm gonna read it and review it!

I'm not sure but to say that I was pleasantly surprised is an understatement. These women were portrayed as strong and fierce and I loved that. Eleanor and Tristan are attracted to each other but he doesn't want a relationship because of her social status and many other reasons. Eleanor is very independent and I appreciated her growth throughout the book. Tristin was a little immature at times but not enough that he seemed whiny. The mountain climbing aspect of the book was the most interesting actually and I was more invested in that than the actual romance. Overall a good story with well written characters. If you are a fan of historical romance novels this would be a good read for you.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and (Publisher) for sharing this book’s digital advanced review copy with me in exchange for an honest review.

“We learn the rope of life by untying its knots” and “We all have an old knot in the heart we wish to untie” are just two of the many quotes about knots. Having co-written a book on knots with my husband, I thoroughly enjoyed the multiple layers of meaning and the many varied uses of knots in this book.

Both Eleanor and Tristan must learn to untie knots in the rope of life as well as the knots they possess in their own hearts. But first they must meet and become invested in each other and that happens in the context of a Victoria era ball in which Eleanor is pulled into the Ladies Alpine Society, in which first two and later four women climb Ben Nevis in Scotland in preparation to climb the Matterhorn in Switzerland.

In typical romance style, there are problems to overcome and plenty of romance and heart-pounding sex. I really enjoyed this twist on romance in the Victorian era as well as the characters and the adventure. I look forward to reading more in the series.

Feminist, Victorian Romance

She knows how to tie knots, and that is essential to mountain climbers. Eleanor has no idea that when she helps a lady fix her dress during her first ball, she will change her life forever. With Ophelia’s support, she joins the Ladies Alpine Society and finds herself falling in love with Tristan, Ophelia’s brother. They are off to climb a dangerous mountain, but will they successfully navigate the tumultuous emotion they call love?

I enjoyed this story and would recommend it to those who like Victorian Historical romance with adventure, a feminist bent, and class differences. This is my first book by this author, and I look forward to reading more of her stories.

Thank you to @authorediecay for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

I can tell already that this series is going to be so much fun — a pack of lady mountaineers in a historical romance setting? I am always here for an atypical period piece — what are women doing that isn’t sitting around doing needlepoint? The answer is planning a dangerous climb. Ophelia is the ringleader, supported by her adventurer father (and mother!) and accompanied her brother Tristan, a second son. Justine is Ophelia’s bosom pal, a beautiful troublemaker that Tristan calls “Bad News.” Justine and Ophelia accidentally meet Eleanor, a shipping heiress, and after she fixes Ophelia’s ribbons by tying a shipping knot, Eleanor is invited to join the Alpine Society to teach them climbing knots.

Eleanor has never climbed, but her stomach is in knots over the beautiful and charming Tristan, and as they prepare for their big treacherous climb by partaking in smaller climbs and fitness, Tristan and Eleanor fall in love. Of course, Eleanor is expected to marry for a title, something her rather absentee parents want desperately to legitimize their shipping riches. Tristan has been a bit of a selfish, sloppy mess, bickering with Justine and being a prat, but he tries to grow up for Eleanor.

Treacherous and dangerous external situations bring them closer together. Will Tristan be the first to choose Eleanor first above anything else? Or is he all talk? Is Eleanor more than just a dutiful daughter who can’t run laps around a lake? Is expeditioning as a young lady even allowed to happen? What about wearing corsets??

I thought this book was truly unique, which is pretty much on par with what @authorediecay does in general. If you haven’t read about lady boxers in her last series, you’re missing out. But also, add lady climbers to your list. And yes, there is an answer to this burning question: if Eleanor is such a goddess with ropes, will she use it for *that?* I’ll never tell. Xoxo! 🔥🔥🔥

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this ebook and this is my freely given opinion.

This is the start of a new series, set in Victorian England, with some differing social status tropes, and a women forward storyline. Eleanor Piper is a wealthy heiress, from a commoner background, with parents who gained their wealth through trade and are hoping to launch their chick to advance themselves in Society. Eleanor is a bit of a wallflower though, and is more comfortable spending time on the docks amongst the sailors that her father works with. It is through them, she has learned an unusual skill, a great knowledge of ropes and knots. Thanks to this particular skill, she gained the notice of two notable female peers in Society who have invited her to join their newly formed Ladies Alpine Society. These two young ladies hope to gain support for their endeavour to climb mountains, specifically Mont Blanc in the future, with a trial run at Ben Nevis in Scotland in the near future. After demonstrating her skills with knots, they figure Eleanor would be a possible valuable member of their team.

One of the ladies, Ophelia Bridewell, is the female lead for the future Mont Blanc expedition, is the daughter of a Viscount and his wife, both noted adventurers, and exploration and mountaineering is in her blood. It is also in the blood of her brother, the second son of the Viscount, Tristan Bridewell.

This story is about the group of them, including Tristan and Eleanor, as they learn to work together as a team to gain support for their endeavours and engage in building the skills needed to scale a snowy mountain. Especially as this was not something Eleanor wanted to do until it was brought to her attention by her new friends. But it is also about two people, Eleanor and Tristan, who are seeking a purpose in their lives and to be seen as well. They find and see each other, but Tristan initially resists their attraction, with excuses such as not wanting to marry, she is not of the same social status, and not wanting to destroy the team dynamic of the expedition. Eleanor, through her new found skills and confidence is finding herself and reveling in her growing independence and confidence. When Tristan acknowledges his attraction to her and acts on it, he almost destroys the burgeoning relationship by not respecting Eleanor's growing sense of self and autonomy.

This was a cute story, and I never thought I would find mountaineering interesting. But it was. However, there were some relationship dynamics that I found bogged the story down. Tristan and his reactions at times seemed rather immature and self absorbed, which I guess is the point considering how he almost self-sabotaged his relationship with Eleanor. His relationship and the back and forth between himself and Ophelia's friend is at times quite grating in how childish in tone it was, and felt it was a distraction to the overall story.



3.25 stars out of 5

Great story with wonderful characters. Extremely well written. Fun to read and re-read. I will be reading more by Ms. Cay.

4/5 Stars

As a fan of Regency Historical Romance this book was a fantastic surprise read!! I loved the character development in this book for almost all characters involved. Getting to see woman of that time showed as leaders and adventures was so different (& well done!)!! Eleanor's growth of learning more about her self with the support of this new friend group. Who all have strong personalities on their own and are all such different people. Her growth of gaining new dreams and being able to go for them even though its out of her comfort zone and can be scary! I truly loved Eleanor's story and believe for the most part it was beautifully done. Tristan's story I believe was also well done when it comes to men of those time. He recognized his flaws and how they had hurt others. How he was wrong in his thought process and needed to change his view point. The ending did feel rushed in some ways. I wish we saw more of them as like a courting/fiancé couple and other parts of their relationship that were discussed but not shown. The side characters are also all developed almost all very well! It makes you want to learn more about all of them and read their stories when they come! I particular hope that a book on the Viscount and the Lady Emily is written!

This book was very good! The story was a little slow paced at first. But I really enjoyed it once the pace picked up!

This author is a first for me and I love the idea of mountain climbing ladies set in regency era, it was a little slow paced for me but overall I really enjoyed the book.

The novel is set during the Victorian exploration craze, when members of the aristocracy traveled the globe striving to be the first at everything; in this case, the youngest daughter of a viscount is determined to be the first woman to summit the Matterhorn. To that end, she recruits on Emma Piper, daughter of a shipping magnate, who knows everything there is to know about both knots and ropes, both essential equipment for any climber.

Other members of the expedition are Ophelia's father, Lord Rascomb; her brother Tristan Bridewell; her best friend, Justine Brewer, and one Prudence Cabot, a widowed American recently arrived in England; the putative protagonists are Eleanor and Tristan.

explicit sex; some rope play; DNF

The Pipers are commoners with enough money to receive some invitations to ton events, and have recently started pushing their only daughter to try and lure some titled gentleman into matrimony, to further elevate their social standing.

Eleanor, twenty five years old at the start of the book, may have been written as having ADHD; she fidgets, struggles with excessive sensory input, and has social anxiety. She considers it her duty to fulfill her parents' social ambitions, and, given her age and class, takes it as a given that any attention a ton gentleman my pay her is more about her father's fortune than any personal attractions she may offer.

"She glanced back at her parents, older than most of the other chaperones. They were staid and staunch, unflagging and thoroughly gray in their quiet love of her. She knew that. It was security and expectation, all rolled into one." (Eleanor, chapter 3)

Tristan seems to be a few years older, not yet thirty; he's the third child and second son, and while not independently wealthy, he has never lacked funds. He gambles, ostensibly to help fund her sister's ambitious expedition to the Matterhorn, but also to pay for his mistresses. He basically wanders through life without occupation or personal goals.

The Bridewell family dynamics are somewhat interesting; apparently the viscount and his lady spent many years travelling, climbing mountains, crossing deserts, and so forth, with all their children except the firstborn son, who was kept safe at home, since he's the heir apparent.

"Herringbone wasn't coming tonight. He rarely did. Tristan didn't know if he felt excluded since he was forbidden to go with his father on those adventures. Tristan was the spare, so it didn't matter if he risked his neck. It offered a sense of freedom, but also a reminder that he was expendable." (Chapter 2)

So far, not a bad set up, right?

Unfortunately, things get weird in a hurry.

First, Tristan spends almost as much time thinking about, and bickering with, Justine Brewer, as he does about Eleanor, and the impression it creates is that there's some buried enemies-to-lovers energy there; at the very least, there is some past history, as there are references that it was Tristan who gave her the nickname of "Bad News", which is now widespread and has essentially nixed any marriage prospects for her.

I might have been able to ignore this weirdness if the worldbuilding had been more internally consistent.

On the one hand, the expedition to the Matterhorn is presented as something that they've been thinking about for a while; they have already planned to climb Ben Nevis that very spring as training. The Bridewells, as stated above, have some mountain climbing experience and know first hand the risks; in fact, Lady Rascomb almost died during one such adventure a decade prior, and now has to use a cane to walk.

And yet, until Eleanor appears on the scene, they had never worked out that they would need to know about ropes and knots.

Then there's the corset situation.

We have two experienced climbers, Ophelia and her mother, who know that you cannot wear a Victorian corset and climb a mountain. Yet, they don't tell the two newcomers, Eleanor and Prudence, that they need to adjust their clothing choice, until they arrive to their "training camp". Let me spell it out: they don't tell two women, whose entire wardrobe is tailored to wear over corsets that reduce their waists at the very least by one or two inches, that they'll be expected to run, climb trees and ruins, bend over, sit on the ground, and so forth, without the reduction.

How their clothes are supposed to fit their uncorseted waists is never once addressed by the text.

It is mentioned that three of the four are slender, and that Eleanor, who isn't, is provided with some short stays to support her bosom in lieu; but the thing is, this is not Regency empire style gowns we are talking about, this is the Victorian hourglass silhouette. Once you eliminate the corseted waist, you cannot button or hook those bodices. You just can't.

I kept reading, but I just grew ever more impatient by the sloppy planning and haphazard organization; they're going to attempt a dangerous ascent in a few short weeks, even though half the women have zero experience, and the two men are still sloppy with their knots.

There are other goings on that left me scratching my head--the idea that a ton house can transform a ballroom into a meeting room with sitting for a hundred people or more, in a matter of minutes, and offer refreshments for the attendees, without warning or preparation defies belief.

Between the weird Eleanor/Tristan/Justine dynamic, and my impatience at the idea of people so ill-prepared willing to risk the lives of innocent people who are trusting them to know what they're doing, I gave up at 42%.

In Knots Over You is a DNF.

In Knots Over You was a first read for me from the author. It was well written, a little slow in pacing for me, but overall I enjoyed the plot line and HEA. Free NetGalley for advanced reader copy.

Edie Cay - you have created another phenomenal book. Eleanor and Bridewell both struggle to feel like they are enough, but they each see so much more in the other person. Then throw in mountain climbing on top of it all, and it makes an absolutely best selling novel! I hope there are more books regarding Ophelia, Justine and Prudence! I wish I had more stars to give this story that touched me deeply.

In Knots Over You by Edie Cay is an unusual Victorian romance in that is is the story of a young woman who is the daughter of a ship magnate and spends her days learning to tie knots from an old sea captain in her father’s employ. This become relevant when she uses a knot to repair a dress for another young lady in the retiring room at a ball. This young woman is putting together a group whose goal is to climb the Matterhorn, an unknown feat for women. Eleanor Piper decides to become part of this group, trying to reach a personal goal, so she begins training. Ophelia has a brother, a second son totally at loose ends, who helps the group and climbs with them. When they are climbing in Scotland, the highest peak in Great Britain, Tristan and Eleanor fall. Having been attracted to one another, it is a short leap to what happens next. By the next day, they are betrothed. It is not an easy row to hoe, however, as Eleanor’s father views Tristan as a rake and a gold digger.

This was an interesting read. It is such a different take on a romance. Eleanor is a good character; a spinster, almost on the shelf, when she decides to do something for herself. Tristan grows up in this relationship and Cay writes it well. This is a decidedly good book, a different take on an age-old situation: courtship. Tons of anxious moments while surviving the night in the snow add to the charm of the book. Amazing what a few knots can do. Good read!

I was invited to read In Knots Over You by Dragonblade. All thoughts an opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #EdieCay #InKnotsOverYou

I found this novel well-researched and informative regarding mountaineering in the Victorian era, leading me to an internet search for women who risked the mountains in their long skirts. I also loved the main characters as Eleanor and Tristan found common ground resulting in a courtship that Tristan had not anticipated. Forced to rein in his rakish tendencies while on the climb, when he and Eleanor find themselves in a critical situation, the relationship is cemented by their need for survival and the growing mutual respect between them. The only oddities are Eleanor's parents who seemed rather disagreeable, to put it kindly. Fortunately, Tristan's family gives her what she most needs, bringing the novel to a lovely conclusion. I received a copy of this romance as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

A uniquely different and enjoyable plot! Mountain climbing, wow! Eleanor joins a group of ambitious young people in their desire to climb one of the tallest mountains. Often overlooked and lacking a tremendous amount of confidence, her skills in rope tying bring her into the group and into Tristan's life. As a second son, Tristan is searching for a place to exist and thrive in society. Together, they find commonality and more. The first of what looks to be an exciting series, this story introduces future characters gained the readers attention to follow the series and the adventures. Well done 👍

“In Knots Over You” is Edie Cay’s new Dragonblade series The Ladies Alpine Society. This first book in the series introduces us to Eleanor Piper, the overlooked daughter of a wealthy shipping merchant, who becomes an expert at knot tying. She learns this skill from a scruffy one eyed retired sea captain who appears to be her only friend growing up. Feeling uncomfortable and trying to escape the ball she is attending, Eleanor runs into, literally, Tristan Bridewell. Thus begins the moment Eleanor’s life veers onto a new path. After a bit of a slow start, the book finally gets into the heart of the story, a group of women planning to climb the tallest mountain in Great Britain, Scotland’s Ben Nevis. I definitely enjoyed the plot, women mountain climbers were definitely not the norm during the Victorian age. This was an interesting setting for a romance. I thought Eleanor Piper’s character was well done. Becoming part of the Ladies Alpine Society put her on a path of self discovery. She was in her element teaching the group about rope and knots that would be useful for mountain climbing. At first, Tristian’s character was immature rather self serving. As a viscount’s spare son he had no direction in his life, although he was extremely loyal to his family. He needed direction, which he discovered through Eleanor. The many side characters, Ophelia Bridewell (Tristan’s sister), Bad News Justine, Widow Prudence, Lord and Lady Rascomb all added color, comedy, friendship, and depth to the story. Overall, an interesting plot with interesting characters, some romance, and some steamy moments. Recommended for lovers of Victorian era romances. This is the first story I’ve read by Edie Cay, I would definitely choose this author again.

I really enjoyed this read! The narrator's voice was very strong and enjoyable to follow along with, and the plot was really cute. Not gonna lie, the title did make me think this would be werewolf related somehow, but overall, really good read.

Eleanor Piper’s best friend is a one-eyed former ship’s captain who taught her every knot he ever knew. With the family business, Piper Shipping Co becoming prosperous, Eleanor’s parents are keen for her to marry into aristocracy. When she encounters Miss Ophelia Bridewell at her first ball, Ophelia finds herself invited to the Ladies Alpine Society where she meets friends her own age. She also meets Ophelia’s brother, Tristan who is the second son and is free to do as he pleases. When Ophelia and the women of the society wish to climb the Matterhorn, Tristan volunteers to assist, in part to be close to Eleanor.
A great start to a series, that fits plenty into the short story. It was fun to see Eleanor develop in confidence as the book progressed. Tristan also matured in the book, largely due to his lack of responsibility as the ‘spare’. An entertaining read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.