I greatly enjoyed reading this whimsical and cozy historical romance with elements of Pride and Prejudice and other works by Jane Austen. A Lady Would Know Better follows a damsel in distress who is unsure of who she is after an unfortunate head injury. We follow Jane as she is saved by the Maycotts, a wealthy aristocrat family and watch as they attempt to piece her life together and avoid a scandal in the process. This book has mystery, intrigue, passion, loss and forbidden romance, perfect for any adult historical romance lover.

I liked that from the first chapter, we are sucked right into the action when Jasper, the Earl of Belhaven and his family discover Jane on the road. "He pulled her closer to him, desperate to ascertain if she was still breathing." There is not a dull moment in this book, as it is filled with drama, tension and witty banter from the entire family. The Maycotts are a host funny but unique characters, from little Violet who is desperate for attention and love to Helena who is a calm and steady presence and often a voice of reason for the entire family. I found myself laughing and crying with the family as they navigate their situation. And of course, I found my own unease growing as tensions continued to rise when unexpected guests arrive in Belhaven. Our main character Jane is both soft and fierce and is desperate to piece together her former life, even if it places her in danger..."Then her luminous gray eyes open just long enough for her to plead, don't let them get me. '" It is instantly made her loveable and I was eager to learn more about her character and her heart. And if this wasn't enough, there is an undeniable tug between Jane and Jasper that becomes increasingly harder to ignore as the days pass. The Earl of Belhaven has been closed off to everyone around him, including his family and it was enjoyable to watch as he is forced to change who he's become in order to protect the ones he loves.

The only downside to this book was that it was fairly predictable. There were alot of different characters introduced in the middle of the story and I became confused at who was who. But, I found it did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the book.

Overall, I am glad I was given the opportunity to read this wonderful story. It was cozy, warm and perfect for Winter weather a coffee and a cozy chair. This book is perfect for fans of Jane Austen or those who are looking for an easy historical romance to sink their teeth in. I urge you to check out A Lady Would Know Better!

Thank you to Entangled Publishing and Netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review. All my opinions are my own.

*ARC REVIEW*

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

After reading this book, I was completely sold on historical/regency romance! I never found myself reading this genre until this book came along and I knew I had to give it a go as soon as I seen the cover. Now I can gladly say, historical romance has become a favorite genre of mine!!! 😍

This story was so captivating and I loved how the author created such a mystery surrounding “Jane”, our FMC. I loved turning each page and learning just a bit more about these wonderful characters and seeing them all interact with each other.

Jasper Maycott, Earl of Belhaven, had me intrigued from the very get go! A tragedy leaves him with emotional wounds and the responsibility of having to care for his younger siblings.

Jasper also had me swooning when he finds our “Jane” in the snow with no memory as to who she is. He decides to bring her back with him and tries to help and recover her lost memories. For all he knew, she could be betrothed to another or even a conwoman. I also loved reading about the family aspect of it all and found myself completely relating to the Maycott sisters and their love for literature!

This is definitely a slow burn romance that will leave you wanting more! I absolutely loved getting to ARC read this one and look forward to reading more from this author in the future!

Thank you so much to Entangled Publishing, NetGalley and Emma Theriault for providing me with this ARC copy in exchange for my honest review! 🫶🏻
*Opinions are my own*

This book was way, way, way too long. I had to DNF around 50-60% of the way through it. It seemed so repetitive and redundant, the time frame of it all was so confusing, and it just seemed very unrealistic at times. I wanted to love this book so badly, but just could not bring myself to do so.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC/Entangled: Amara for the arc!

This is a light, mysterious love story set in the late 1800s. It was a bit longer than anticipated, but it is worth the read.
The young Earl and his sisters encounter a young lady unconscious in the snow one evening. Once she awakens, they find she has no memory of who she is or where she came from. The story then centers around Jane, who tries to discover who she is and what she may have been running from while trying her best not to fall for the young Earl.
This story was full of mystery, humor, and love. I truly enjoyed reading every moment of their story and wish to know more about the lives of the rest of the siblings.

I knew when I read that this book was a mix of Jane Austen and Bridgerton, I was in for a fun read. Add in a woman with amnesia found unconscious in the snow and a grieving family, and you get A Lady Would Know Better. I loved that the FMC “Jane”was quick-witted and strong, even though she didn’t know anything about her past, including her own name. But what I loved the most was watching how Jane found a way to bring the entire family living in Mulgrave Hall back to life. Like Bridgerton and Jane Austen, Jane is required to follow all of the rules of society to ensure she isn’t ruined, which isn’t so easy with Jasper invading her every thought. I won’t provide any spoilers, so I will just say that this has a mystery, lots of love, and was a really fun read. I think it will be very popular for people who enjoy romances set in this time period!

A Lady Would Know Better was a fun read. I really liked both of the main characters, Jasper and "Jane". The story begins with Jasper finding Jane half frozen to death and when she comes to, she has lost her memory. Jasper takes her in to help her but has his suspicions about her origins all while still in the throes of his own grief. The premise of this book was great however the tension between the two was a little too much. I felt like the story could have been shorter as well.

Huge thanks to @entangled_publishing and @emmalynn for the ARC of Emma Theriault’s historical romance, A Lady Would Know Better.

While we keep hearing that historical romance is “dead” I know I’m not alone in refusing to accept this! Let me know in the comments if you’re a HissyRoNo fan and your faves!

This romp of a romance pubs January 28, 2025, which means if you’re in Canada, you can buy it during the GST/HST tax break and save some money!!!!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading ALWKB; strong female characters, a family of siblings who are devoted to each other, shenanigans, mystery….

Readers should be aware that grief is very present in the book; all deaths are off page and before the book starts, but they are referenced. Be gentle with your heart if you choose to read this book.

Emma writes so well - even amidst the themes of grief and loss, there is so much humour. She writes her characters with care, making them fully dimensional (even when the FMC is dealing with amnesia!) and this made me root for the FMC and MMC while also not-so-secretly hoping we get stories for the siblings so we can spend time with each of them.

If you enjoyed Duchess Material, Ne’er Duke Well, or Hot Earl Summer, I think you’ll enjoy this one.

For having a brightly colored illustrated cover, we sure do start the story in lots of tragedy. Jasper is an earl who has been in mourning for over a year because his village was ravaged by scarlet fever and he lost his fiancee, parents, and older brother to the illness. He’s doing his best to keep it all together, even if that means he’s a stern and grumpy bastard to his remaining family. And then they find an injured and unconscious woman down the lane and bring her to the safety of their manor house. Waking up with no memory of herself or how she was injured, the family have named the woman Jane. And Jasper and Jane have almost instant chemistry with some flirty bickering. It’s a bit of a mystery to figure out her identity, and we mostly spend the book with a push-and-pull of Jasper’s emotions. See, he’s trying his best to stay away from Jane, but it’s not working, so then he feels conflicted and guilty. I did enjoy his slew of meddling sisters and how they instantly become attached to Jane during her stay. A nice mix of angst and drama here.

Personally felt like this book was wayyyyyy too long for a romance!! Almost 400 pages. Just felt like it kinda dragged on.

This was an entertaining amnesia trope historical romance that an interesting cast. It didn't massively stand out to me, but it's a solid mainstay for fans of the genre.

3.5/5⭐️
Due to the unfortunate losses in his family, Jasper is now Earl of Belhaven. While he copes with grief, he continues to care for his family and the members of the nearby community. To his surprise, he finds “Jane” injured and unconscious on one of his outings.

With Jane suffering from amnesia, she continues to live in his home (along with his sisters and aunt) as she recuperates. Their chemistry is blazing hot but Jasper vacillates between hot and cold towards Jane.

As the mystery behind Jane’s identity is slowly revealed, my heart ached for Jane who had been badly treated. The ending was a beautiful one with Jane striving to make a change to improve others’ lives.

Loved this and sped through it. The author does a wonderful job with characterization and alongside the romance, I felt propelled by the revelation of who Jane was. Charming, slow burn, and fun, with a deep thread of grief processing that I really enjoyed. I'm excited for the other books in this series.

Thank you so much to the publisher for the opportunity to read this title early. I cannot wait to dive in. Review to come!

Thank you Entangled Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A Lady Would Know Better follows to story of a young woman who, after an accident, is found without her memories. While recovering in Mulgrave Hall with those who found her, Jane works to try to regain her memories. Jasper, the new Earl of Belhaven, is vexed by their new houseguest. After promising to never open his heart again, meeting Jane and the feelings she awakes within him are making it difficult to keep that promise. Miscommunication, heartbreaking pasts, and absent memories cause turmoil in Mulgrave Hall. Their only goal was to help Jane heal, but maybe she’s helping the Maycotts heal too.

I absolutely adored this book! Jane was so kind and determined, her character warmed my heart. Jasper is the king of miscommunication trope and putting his foot in his mouth! A Lady Would Know Better is more than a romance, it’s a story of found family and healing from trauma. The multiple strong, resilient female characters were the icing on top!

I feel absolutely awful but I could not finish. I got about 25%. I started it, put it down since I couldn’t get into it. Decided to pick it up and try again and just sadly this one wasn’t for me. It just could not capture my attention and I’ve seen such great feedback I just couldn’t push through anymore.

In this fun Regency romance, the Earl of Belhaven, Jasper Maycott, discovers a woman unconscious in the snow, pleading for help. With no memory of her past, she takes on the name “Jane” and captivates Jasper with her charm and beauty. As they navigate the complexities of her amnesia and the dangers that threaten her, Jasper grapples with his own grief and the responsibilities of his title. The slow burn romance between Jasper and Jane unfolds against a backdrop of societal expectations and personal loss. The author masterfully depicts the emotional struggles of the characters while exploring themes of identity, love, and the societal constraints placed on women. With each turn of the page, readers are drawn deeper into Jane’s mystery, as her past threatens to catch up with her. The relationships she forms with Jasper and his siblings serve as a catalyst for healing, both for Jane and for Jasper as he learns to open his heart again. With relatable characters and witty banter, the narrative keeps readers engaged as they unravel Jane's mysterious past alongside her.

Romance readers will find delight in the rich character development and the intricate relationship dynamics between Jasper and Jane. The slow burn romance is filled with tension and yearning, allowing readers to invest in their journey toward love. The witty exchanges and heartfelt moments create a captivating atmosphere that resonates with fans of the genre. Additionally, the exploration of grief and healing adds depth, making the characters' struggles relatable and engaging. With a blend of mystery and romance, this novel promises an enjoyable escape into a world of love and societal intricacies. I REALLY want a book with Japser’s sexy doctor friend ;) I also liked the family dynamics and how they all try to support each other. Definitely low on the spice scale, but a sweet and enjoyable weekend read.

I don’t know why I thought I would enjoy this book. I’ve never been a fan of “Bridgerton” era books. I guess at the tail end of 2024 I decided to branch out. Well I can officially confirm in 2o25 these styles of books are not for me. Maybe if this book was shorter I would’ve enjoyed it more but sadly this book dragged on.

The only reason I didn’t DNF this book was because of Jasper. I found him to be super relatable. He’s a character that has loved and lost and overall just a genuine good person. However, my love for Jasper wasn’t enough to sell me on his relationship with “Jane”. There constant push and pull felt repetitive and dragged from chapter to chapter.

Also another random gripe I had revolves around historical accuracy. I graduated from college with a history degree now my focus wasn’t on this era however if I remember correctly names were used in a formal manner. First names weren’t commonly used on first basis. Also Gentleman weren’t allowed to just visit ladies bedchambers. Like come on even Bridgeton got that right. Overall, this wasn’t for me and even though I didn’t love it maybe someone else will.

Big thank you to NetGalley & Entangled Publishing for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This really wasn’t for me. The amnesia trope is not really one I enjoy and I’ve also discovered regency romance is not for me. With all of that said, I feel like this book was well written, maybe just a little long for me. I enjoyed the banter between the MCs!

I really enjoyed this debut. I felt there was some plotting and character issues that kept me from giving this book more then 3 stars but overall I am excited to read more from this author in the future if the premise intrigues me.

“You cannot think that being reckless is living, either, Jane.”
“Neither is simply surviving.”

A Lady Would Know Better was an awesome read. Jane falls from her horse in Jasper’s lands and wakes up without her memories. That theme is written with a lot of tact, and creates some kind of suspense that makes the book a page turner. Far away the intention for me to spoil, but I loved that in the end we don’t know every little detail, it made the book feel truer. In the end, even without amnesia, we all have things to discover about ourselves, no matter how old we are. Women’s condition is another deep theme in the novel, and the author dealt with that with a great balance, crafting powerful feminine characters but without denying their need to be protected by a man –because of the Society’s rules that makes them vulnerable (OMG the epilogue).
As a consequence of her memory loss, Jane begins to think she’s a burden. However, she remains strong and empowered. Jasper –the MMC– is very interesting too. Afflicted by many losses, he closed himself to feelings –and life. He becomes an empty shell full of the torment of grief, making him complex and hesitant (and then very human). I loved how he progressively takes on his responsibilities and realizes it doesn’t have to come with pain. He is what I love the most in a MMC: empowering. He lets Jane and his sister act, and trusts them to make their choices, even though he doesn’t always approve, even though sometimes it doesn’t end well. His very mature behavior makes them stronger –makes him stronger– and in this very patriarchal society it was super refreshing.
In the end, that story felt like a mystery, but with a taste of a Christmas tale, in which characters find a taste for life again. I can’t wait to read Emma Thériault’s next book, and I hope it will feature the story of one (or several) side characters of this one, as they are all very lovable.

Thank you to Entangled Publishing, Emma Thériault and NetGalley for the ARC. My opinions are my own.