The second book in the series is as delightful as the first. It has Gus and Julia harboring Lady Hester, who they rescued from an asylum in the first book. They are trying to thwart Lady Hester's brother, Deele, who is trying to put her back in the asylum before she ruins his reputation. They chase across Britain to the country where they find Lord Evan who is romantically involved with Gus and who she is trying to protect from the authorities . The adventures are many as they try to shed some light on Lord Evan's arrest 20 years before and protect Lady Hester. Fun characters who defy the norms of society.

I looooved The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies in 2023, and 2025's follow-up, The Ladies Road Guide to Utter Ruin, lived up to its predecessor. The historical prose and Regency setting are pitch perfect.

Lady Augusta ("Gus") is our narrator. She and her twin, Lady Julia, have both found inappropriate love "later in life" (they're 42): Gus with disgraced nobleman/highwayman Lord Evan, and Julia with the Bow Street Runner tasked with bringing Evan to justice. Gus is the more adventurous of the sisters, and she takes the lead in investigating how she might be able to clear her love's name. I really enjoyed the inclusion of real-life Regency figures like Beau Brummel, the Ladies of Llangollen, and more: this felt to me like a deliberate callback to traditional Regency romances.

That said, the genre of this series is hard to categorize: the books aren't exactly romances or mysteries. Perhaps "historical adventure" might be the best way to describe them? Whatever you call them, I love them, and I already can't wait for the next book to be released. The slow burn romances are really working for me, and I really love having slightly older characters take center stage. I said slow burn - there is no steam in either book, just some heated kisses and passionate hand clasps. The unresolved sexual tension is impeccable!

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

Fans of period novels, and readers who enjoy strong, feisty female characters will enjoy this historical novel.

I loved the two principal female characters and found the complicated family dynamic in the novel interesting. The pressure to make “ appropriate choices” may still exist, but when reading a book like this, even if it is ficti9n, we realize how dramatically women’s positions in society have changed.

The incursion into the scandalous, secret club was a fascinating part of the novel…and, the thought of activities even approaching that level of behavior ,was sobering. I was also intrigued by the story behind a false murder charge….and, the almost impossible attempts to right a wrong.

The book was not always fast-paced, and some of the interpersonal dynamics se3med repetitive, but the book held my interest and Inloved the period setting and detail.

While not as strong as its predecessor, The Benevolent Society for Ill-mannered Ladies, the second in Alison Gooddman's very clever series still delivers plenty of clandenstine romance, ladies ahead of their time, and just deserts from those who would try to drag them down. I think it is my strong desire for a happily ever after for heroine Lady "Gus" Colebrook and her beau, the wrongfully convinted Lord Belford that makes the lack of a concrete ending for them wrankle.

Another novel of sass and sensibility, starring the two spinster sisters (Augusta and Julia), full of danger, wit, poor decision-making, and the triumph of heart and sheer willpower over evil.

In tracing the truth of the death for which Lord Evan was transported, our heroes are led to a Gentleman's Club full of the worst the aristocracy has to offer, and threatened by a thief-taker who thinks themself above the law. Terrible decisions on the part of all characters concerned threaten to pull the sisters' hidden secrets onto their heads, and there are several entirely awful brothers on display.

Somewhat too much romantic pining for my tastes, but this may be a feature for other readers.

3.5 stars, but I spent most of the time trying to figure out what was going on-- this book follows *very* closely on the heels of book one, and readers will need to remember a lot of details. While I still really like the series as a whole, I'm going to say, wait for the series to finish publication and then read everything in one go (or, re-read the series each time a new book comes out, if you're really into it). This story ends right on the set-up to book 3, ready to throw everyone headlong into another adventure.

No new characters (I think? maybe just 1 or 2) but the same authentically-diverse crew as before.

eARC from NetGalley.

The Ladies Road Guide to Utter Ruin is a masterful fusion of suspense, wit, romance and feminist flair. The Colebrook sisters, Augusta and Julia, are compelling, multidimensional characters who defy Regency conventions with their sharp minds and daring adventures. Gus, in particular, stands out as a heroine full of intelligence, courage, and vulnerability. Her romance with Lord Evan adds emotional depth, but it’s her unwavering commitment to justice that truly captivates. The plot is rich with twists, turning the expected Regency narrative on its head with moments that are both clever and unpredictable. From the fast-paced mystery to the heart-pounding suspense, this is a story brimming with intrigue, rich character dynamics, and feminist undertones. If you’re a lover of historical romance mysteries where the women take center stage, then this book is an absolute must-read. It’s an adventurous and thrilling tale that will keep you on your toes, with protagonists who are not only ahead of their time but brilliantly ahead of the story itself.

An excellent read that fits well into a lot of modern discussions about feminism, sex, patriarchy, and more, despite its historical setting.

This book swept me off my feet! The Colebrook sisters are everything I never knew I needed; intelligent, resourceful, and so unapologetically bold. Gus and Julia are so much more than the “old maids” society paints them to be. I absolutely loved their quiet defiance and how they worked behind the scenes to protect those who needed help. Gus and Lord Evan’s dynamic is such a beautiful, slow-burn romance that had me hooked. Add in the mystery, danger, and high stakes, and you have a truly unputdownable read that had me cheering for these women every step of the way. I definitely can’t wait enough to start recommending it to HR lovers.

Really enjoying this series and am so looking forward to the next book. Great story telling that flows so well. Lots of great research must have been done as well.📖📖👏👏

I didn't think it was possible, but, yes, this was better than The Benevolent Society of Ill Mannered Ladies! It was such a great continuation of the first book! And it set us up for the third book which sounds so promising! The girls and their guys while trying to right Evan's wrong and keep Lady Hester safe fall into an even worse situation than the ones in the first book. I just couldn't put it down and devoured it much too quickly! So sad I have to wait for more!