It's like Bridgerton meets Robin Hood - but make it female af. I loved the friend group and the brief romantic interactions between Zia and Rafi. It was a great, quick read. I honestly didn't even realize it was Book 2 and didn't feel very lost in the characters and plot itself. I plan to go back and read Queen Bee to see what that's all about!

I first met Amalie via The Starlight Heir (via NG actually!!) and fell in love, so I knew I wouldn't be disappointed in this one!

There are definitely a few comparisons to be drawn to Bridgerton, particularly The Duke and I, but honestly? I liked Lady Knight a lot better. I won’t go into the similarities, but I’ll talk about what I liked so much.

More varied representation. More fun scenarios (a Robin Hood gang of gently bred ladies being only one). And better discourse on societal expectations and status and grounding in actual discourse of the time. And a wonderful through line that uses Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley to examine the rights and roles of women, but also what can be achieved by an enlightened mother who encourages her daughter to be the same.

Life got in the way so I got through this ARC later than I’d have liked, but it was so good! Didn’t realize it was technically book 2 in a series when I requested, but also absolutely going back to read Queen Bee. I don’t think I missed out by not reading it first, and don’t feel like there was nuance that I was missing.

The only other Amalie Howard I’ve read was a fantasy, so I wasn’t sure going into this what to expect, but I thoroughly enjoyed myself and would love to see this turned into a TV show one day.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Another historical romance hit from fav author Amalie Howard. This one has the daughter of a Duke becoming a part of a group of rebellious girls who call themselves the 'Lady Knights' where they read 'banned books', fight to save their favorite teacher and conduct undercover heists to steal from the rich and give to the needy. It was fun, feminist, full of great diverse characters and a swoony romance involving her brother's best friend. Excellent on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Erica Ridley. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!

I definitely enjoyed this one more than the first. I love Zia as a character and I love that the secrets come out early and we don't have a dumb third act break up or anything. The issues the girls were dealing with were timely both then and now and I loved the insight into other representations we got. It just felt like overall this one was more developed on its theme and message and is a series I would rather see on netflix than Bridgerton (even though I quite enjoy the show this just hits better in a lot of other ways)

Thank you to Netgalley and Joy Revolution for this ARC. My opinions are my own.

Lady Zenobia "Zia" Osborn and several of her female friends have started a secret society, calling themselves Lady Knights, and at night, they dress up as highwaymen and rob the carriages of Lady Zia's brother's rich friends. They need to collect enough money to ensure the survival of their boarding school, not to mention the orphanage next door to the school. The rents keep being raised, and if the nuns who run the orphanage can't pay, they and all the helpless children will be evicted.

One of Lady Zia's teachers is a progressive young woman who allows her charges to read controversial literature, like Mary Wollstonecraft or Frankenstein. She also encourages the young women's intelligence and critical thinking and encourages Zia's interest in music. Despite their best efforts to disguise themselves, someone recognises Zia, and can't for the life of him figure out why the daughter of a duke would risk her life at night, robbing noblemen.

Mr. Rafi Nasser, nephew to the unscrupulous nobleman who wants to evict the orphans, also happens to be the best friend of Zia's older brother. As such, he's had plenty of opportunities to observe Zia, and he can recognise her distinctive perfume and her voice, even when she's dressed up and robbing him at gunpoint. Even when he finds out why Zia and her friends (none of them from families as rich and influential as herself) are doing their dangerous nighttime raids, he encourages her to stop, before anyone gets hurt.

Even Zia's daytime pursuits are enough to make her father upset with her, wanting her to settle down and find a suitable husband. Rafi has a vested interest in keeping an eye on Zia, Zia needs someone her parents like as a suitor, so they agree to a fake courtship to get Zia's parents to calm down. As is always the case with fake courtships, it doesn't take very long before the feelings are all too real.

I know Amalie Howard has written a number of historical romances for adults, and this is her second one for a YA audience. While I own several of her books, including <i>Queen Bee</i>, the companion novel to this one (featuring Zia's brother and the woman he eventually ends up engaged to, in a YA Regency twist on <I>The Count of Monte Cristo</i>, if the description is to be believed), I have never actually sat down to read one of her books. So getting this ARC was a good thing because it forced me to actually commit to reading one of her books. I'm now really glad that I have a large back catalogue of her books to dive into, because this book was delightful.

While it may seem like Zia and her friends get up to all sorts of anachronistic lady shenanigans, it seems like Howard has actually done her research pretty well, although as with the Bridgerton TV series, the English nobility of Howard's fictional universe is certainly a lot more diverse than I suspect was the case in real life. Zia's formidable duchess mother is from India, and Rafi's mother is Persian. One of Zia's best friends is Asian, and there is also some very nicely done queer representation in the book, including Zia's asexual best friend, who's known her intended (also ace) husband since childhood. Representation matters, people, especially in YA books.

Since this is a YA novel, it is a rather chaste affair. I think there was some kissing between Zia and Rafi, but nothing beyond that. Their romance was very sweet, though, and I can't wait to go back to read the story of Zia's brother and future sister-in-law.

Ugh this book was just ok and I’m so bummed!!

I was really excited to finally get Lady Zia’s book but I wasn’t into the story as I wanted to be. The main conflict came off a little underwhelming and slow and took away from the momentum the book had in the beginning.

I really enjoyed Zia’s romance with Rafi, he was so head over heels obsessed with her and I looooved that so very much. However they had so few scenes!!! I wanted more banter and more interaction - they kinda felt like a secondary plot in the book.

I did love the friend group as always and it was fun to see the characters from the first book appear in this one as week! Excited to read whatever comes next!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review

Cute book I enjoyed reading this I will definitely be recommending it to my audience honestly cannot wait for the next book

I’m convinced at this point that it’s impossible for Amalie Howard to write anything I won’t love. I adored the first book in this series, Queen Bee, and I can happily say that I loved this second book in the series just as much.

This series is all about young women defying expectations and societal standards, and this book delivers that and so much more. A Robin Hood-esque tale where a group of young women turned thieves are trying to save their school, stealing from high-society and skirting danger at every turn. There’s a delightfully diverse cast of characters, a wonderful group of female friends, and a bit of romance to round everything off.

All told, this is a fantastic second installment in the fantastic Regency-era Diamonds series. I adore this series so much and will definitely be picking up book 3 when it’s available. Add this series to your tbr if you enjoy:

➸ Robin Hood inspired stories
➸ Diverse cast of characters
➸ Fun historical fiction/Regency romance
➸ Feminist fiction/girl power/defying societal standards
➸ Female friendships
➸ Equal parts sweet and angsty romance
➸ Witty banter

Zia Osborn is a member of the Lady Knights. She and her fellow members are rebellious to Polite Society rules. Within their social club they have freedom to read and talk about whatever they want and pursue their own personal creativity. These Lady Knights are also thieves. First and foremost is to find justice for those less fortunate, including women. A young adult clean romance.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

Book review: 4/5 ⭐️
Genre: YA regency romance
Themes: feminism, artistic endeavours, rebellions
📖 Read if you like: A Lady’s Guide to Scandal, Bridgeton

While I repeatedly say I don’t read a lot of romance, there is a niche in this genre that I very much enjoy and will always gravitate towards. A quality Regency romp littered with feminist ideas that makes me grin will always hold a place in my heart. I blame Jane Austen for this affliction. My teenage obsession with her novels has garnered a certain romanticism towards this era, but as a woman of colour and not an aristocrat, I have always had to reign in my imaginings. So these new anti-historical constructs of fiction where representation and differences are at the forefront of characterization are a breath of fresh air. And that leads me to this gem.

Lady Knight may outwardly be about a bunch of young privileged women rebelling against society by donning disguises in an attempt to be Robin Hood and gain access to places otherwise forbidden to women. Yet at its core it is about having agency over your own life in a world that may be pitted against you. About young women holding onto their need for knowledge and purpose, even when society expects them to simply be ornamental breeders. About dreams and compassion driving decisions and breaking the so called glass ceiling of their times.

It was clever to use Mary Wollstonecraft’s edicts on feminism to guide the story and I very much enjoyed the incorporation of music, books and art as passion projects. While set in a different time, I think much of this story can still be relatable to struggles young women face. Even the use of hysteria as a means of control is still used every time behaviour or heated arguments are ignored and attributed to PMS. Besides all the serious stuff, this was a genuinely adorable story of the rebel heiress and a notorious rake. Both are misunderstood and not quite what they seem, unhappy to stay within the confines of their delineated roles.

There are in fact several Lady Knights and the friendship between the girls is perhaps the cutest part of the story. Like minded women finding each other and seeking an education on more than just embroidery. All the different cultures and faces made this an equal opportunity setting, which I personally must laud. It is a very PG romance, so don’t expect spice, but the banter was decent and there was a wider plot at play. It was eventful and exciting with the undercurrent of how women are viewed and educated in society. Their privilege in the upper echelons of society is noted, especially in the frame of criminal activities. This is an awareness I needed to have to root this story back to relatability. It also nipped critiques I may have had in the bud.

Overall, I really liked this light-hearted yet thoughtful regency romance. I now want to read more from this author. Thank you to Penguin Teen and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel.

It felt like a mix between Bridgerton and Gossip Girl, and I think many young adults, especially young women, will really enjoy it. I loved the in-depth discussion of Frankenstein as a parallel to what was happening in the lives of the women at the school. Rafi and Kes were cute additions to the story, and I loved how Rafi stood by Zenobia, even at the height of her scandal. I thought this was a great clean, historical rom com for young adults.

Omg this was such a quick read ! Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for this book! This YA book follows Zia who so focused on saving her community and resisting against the societal constraints, and she happens for fall right into the arms of her brother’s best friend!

I really enjoyed this one! I feel like at the beginning I was worried that I was not going to enjoy it, because it starts off a little slower for me! However, around 20% the book really picked up for me! I feel like Rafi and Zia are great compliments to each other and to watch them both fall in love was so cute! I feel like my high school self would’ve loved this story and even as an adult I enjoyed it! The author does a great job inducing butterflies and sweet moments, while weaving together lessons about oppression, patriarchy, and women banding together to get things done.

*4.5 stars*

I really enjoyed this regency era, brother’s best friend romance. I felt like this book was way more than a romance. It was a very feminist-forward book and I loved it. I loved Zia’s character and her friend group. I appreciated the way the author implemented actual historical events/ideas into the plot. I really enjoyed how she added in a literature aspect with referencing Mary Shelley and other important literary figures into the story. I appreciated the discussions that were included on a lot of issues women have had and still have with being seen as their own people in society. I also enjoyed the romance aspect, I thought the dynamic between Zia and Rafi was really fun and kept me engaged in their story. I loved how supportive Rafi was of Zia’s opinions and actions, I’m glad that he was written as a man who supported the ideas of his love interest. Overall, I highly recommend this adorable YA historical romance!

Very cute story following a teen rebellious girl with a great group of friends all trying to educate themselves as women when it’s not accepted in society. This felt like I was reading about teenager Eloise from Bridgerton. Enjoyed this cutesy book with wonderful messages.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for this arc!

Lady Zenobia “Zia” Osborn, a duke’s daughter, is frustrated with the limitations society has placed on women. She was able to team up with like-minded women and work towards a common goal. This put them in dangerous situations. Several times, Zia was also caught but was saved by Raf, her brother's best friend. We get to see how their relationship develops and how they both find ways to support their dreams. I couldn't put this book down!

This story was an absolute delight! I loved how Zia, the duke’s daughter, defies societal expectations to live on her terms. Her secret involvement in the Lady Knights, a rebellious group of young women, allowed her to explore her passions, whether fencing, reading controversial books, or helping those in need. The slow-burn romance between Zia and Rafi, her brother's rakish best friend, was full of chemistry and sweet moments. I adored how Rafi supported Zia’s independence while also protecting her. The friendships in this book, especially with her fellow Lady Knights, were heartwarming. The story tackled important issues while being fun, humorous, and swoon-worthy. A must-read for fans of historical romance.

I picked up Queen Bee when it released and I've been obsessed with Amalie Howard since, and so when Lady Knight was announced and that the series would be continuing I knew I had to read this one asap! Lady Knight was even better than Queen Bee, I loved the added criminal element in a way that went beyond deceiving the ton, but instead the Knights were robbing Zia's brother's friends and participating in traditionally men's activities while pretending to be a boy! The robberies, the horse races, and the fighting, I was hooked and loved how well this book balanced both romance and thrill making the story so addictive I couldn't put it down!

Zia and Rafi have a great, brother's best friend, and slight hatred towards each other in the beginning that becomes balanced out by learning that Rafi is obsessed with Zia and even though he is rake, he is willing to change his ways, especially when he learns of her knightly activities. I also loved how much he supported her and was willing to fight anyone who would come between them!

I can't wait to see what other books come in this series!

This was absolutely adorable and fun. The banter between Zia and Rafi was fun, but I don’t know if I got “rakish” vibes from Rafi. I loved that he gave her the space she needed to be herself. I enjoyed the book clubs and the vibes of found family. The character development was well done, and Howard tackled some pretty serious topics with ease. There was drama, humor, and admiration. I thoroughly enjoyed this.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Amalie Howard for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Lady Knight coming out April 1, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I really enjoy this author. I think she has some fun historical fiction mixed with modernness books. I really love the diversity in the book. The quotes by Mary Shelley added a lot to the story. I think the story mostly focused on Zia. I think I would’ve loved it more if there was more with Rafi and his story. Some things seemed a little rushed. However, I enjoyed it.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys diverse historical fiction!

Deeply need this to be adapted in netflix. Lady Knights, those who still from the overly rich to give to those in need. I found the FMC deeply compelling, trying to find her place in a world where women must be demure but its a box she clearly refuses to be placed in. The banter for this book is so wildly fun, the pining as well just so good.