Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Lord by Celeste Connally.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for sending me a finished hardcover copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Book Synopsis
Bridgerton meets Agatha Christie in Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord, a dazzling first entry in a terrific new Regency-era mystery series with a feminist spin.
When Lady Petra Forsyth’s fiancé and soulmate dies just weeks ahead of their wedding, she makes the shocking proclamation—in front of London’s loosest lips—that she will never remarry. A woman of independent means, Petra sees no reason to cede her wealth and freedom to any man now that the love of her life has passed, nor does she intend to become confined to her country home. Instead, she uses her title to gain access to elite spaces and enjoy the best of society without expectations.
But when ballroom gossip suggests that a longtime friend has died of “melancholia” while in the care of a questionable physician, Petra vows to use her status to dig deeper—uncovering a private asylum where men pay to have their wives and daughters locked away, or worse. Just as Lady Petra has reason to believe her friend is not dead, but a prisoner, her own headstrong actions and thirst for independence are used to put her own freedom in jeopardy.
My Thoughts
I do enjoy a well written historical, regency time period romance, especially since I read the first two books in the Bridgerton series and I have also enjoyed other books of the regency romance genre including those written by Evie Dunmore which I have read all but the newest two books in the series.
Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Lord features the elements I have come to enjoy in a regency romance historical novel including strong female main character (s), historical detail, connections between the characters, and detailed descriptions of the setting which allows me to visualize the setting when I am reading the book. I always appreciate a novel which can easily transport me and make me feel like I am right there with the character.
This book is very focused on the mystery part of this novel and is less focused on the romance compared to other books of the regency romance genre I have been reading and I was pleasantly surprised by this fact and I didn't feel that the fact that the book was a slow burn romance affected my level of enjoyment at all. In fact, I found it to be a refreshing palate cleanser of a read with a main character who was courageous, self reliant, and intelligent. I do enjoy a "swoony" romance novel from time to time, but I also enjoy female characters who are also well-read and independent and I was in the mood for something different in a regency romance genre book and this book was just what I needed to read.
I enjoyed the England setting, the time period and the feminist angle and also the friends of Lady Petra who aided her in her mystery solving adventure. Oh wow, that ending certainly left me wanting more and on such a cliffhanger. I hope there will be a next book and that I don't have to wait too long to read more of these characters.
My Rating: 4/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book Details
Author: Celeste Connally
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication Date: November 14, 2023
Genre: Historical. Mystery. Historical Romance. Regency Romance. Regency. Mystery/Thriller. Adult.
Edition: Hardcover
Pages: 304
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