Ladies of the House was blurbed to be a modern retelling of Sense and Sensibility. I loved the setting in Washington DC and it was interesting to read about the political scandals the family faces.

Daisy, her sister Wallis and their mother Cricket are grieving the loss of their father. Shortly after his ceremony a huge political scandal is unearthed about him and the family is left behind to pick up the pieces. They are forced to move out of their family home, they lose most of their possessions are they are somewhat exiled from their inner circle.

The family must find the courage to speak their truth and reclaim their lives from the media.

I confess that this debut was out of my comfort zone as I've never actually read one of the original Jane Austen stories and I wasn't sure how I would react to this modern retelling... But there was just something about the blurb of Ladies Of The House that convinced me to give it a try. I'm so glad I did now, as I ended up having an excellent time with this story! I can't compare it to Sense And Sensibility for obvious reasons, but what I can say is that this modern retelling is absolutely worth the time if you think you would be a good fit.

The main focus of the story is on both politics and family. Not only do we see politics pop up in Gregory Richardson and the scandal after his death, but his daughter Daisy works in politics herself and the consequences of her father's scandal for her career as well as her personal life are felt throughout the story. It also comes back in Wallis' love interest... And it was interesting to see this element pop up in general. The other important element in Ladies Of The House is family, and especially the bond between sisters. Daisy, Wallis and their mother Cricket have to stick together while they try to deal with the aftermath of the shocking reveals involving Gregory... And it was interesting to see them deal with it all in different ways as well as evolving over time. Especially Daisy's growth was inspiring!

Ladies Of The House isn't just a story about grief, family, politics and dealing with a ruined reputation... It also includes a love story. The whole 'I'm in love with my best friend' could get a little frustating at times, and I could have done without the love triangle, but as a whole the rest of the story mostly made up for it. Wallis could likewise get a little frustating with her obsession, but I liked how things wrapped up in the end and there is no denying that the characters themselves are all realistically developed.
The writing itself is really easy on the eye and flows naturally, making it really easy to fully invest yourself in their story. Daisy is the perfect character to narrate their lives, but it was interesting to see how the different characters reacted to the things happening in the plot. As a whole I ended up having a fantastic time with this modern Sense And Sensibility retelling, and I will definitely be looking forward to read more of her work in the future!

I don't remember Sense and Sensibility - the novel, the movie, anything. I know I read it - but it didn't stick with me the way other classics do.

Ladies of the House is a modernized version of the classic novel and frankly - I feel like I may have missed something in the original.

This is about two sisters and a widow who find out the truth and the depth of their father/husbands lies when he dies suddenly. Not only was he carrying on an affair, but accusations and evidence of money laundering have come to light since his death. The Richardson women must pick up the pieces and find what truly makes them happy.

Setting in the Washington DC and in the world of politics created a sense of high stakes and drama. I rooted for Daisy the entire time - maybe because I see a little of myself in her. Careers, family drama, blackmail, friendship and romance are all at play and these Ladies of the House all grow up over the course of time.

Lauren Edmondson does a terrific job of brining this classic story into the modern age and creating a world and plot that I can remember.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

What a terrific read this is! Yes, yes, it's meant as sort of Jane Austen fan fiction but ignore that and enjoy it as is- a truly Washington tale of family of women dealing with the destruction left by the lies of their father and husband. Daisy's father was a respected Senator until he died in the arms of another woman and his theft of funds came out. Daisy herself works for a Senator, her best friend is a journalist, her sister Wallis works for an NGO, and her mother Cricket is at loose ends. They must sell their family home, move into apartments, and figure out how to go forward. Then Wallis meets Blake, the son of a South Caroline Senator with strongly held views- and he woos her until he doesn't. Daisy holds everyone together as much as she can until her own situation spirals out. This is such a Washington novel-admittedly the Washington of Georgetown and Northwest- but some of it made me laugh out loud (the no-reservation restaurants named after fruits and flowers, the scrum at Wallis' book party, the gingham shirt). Edmondson has also captured how the town deals with scandal. I haven't read Sense and Sensibility in an amazing number of years so I wasn't looking for comparisons- I just enjoyed this as is. I loved the characters (I can see Cricket and Wallis and Daisy with her beige - until she wears a green skirt), I loved the setting, I loved the plot. Edmondson is a wonderful storyteller; I couldn't put this down. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. Highly recommend.

I was drawn to the premise and the fact that this was a retelling of the classic, Sense & Sensibility. I have not yet read the original, so I have nothing to compare the story to. But I do have a general idea of what the story is about, and who the main characters are.

Unfortunately, this didn’t wow me like I hoped it would. It was mostly slow and kinda flat in the romance department in my opinion. I did like the character set up and subject of political corruption. Had this book been at a faster pace, with a bit more drama and romance, it would have been a hit for me.

Overall, I think this will appeal to many others who will most likely enjoy it more than I did. But in the end, it was just ok for me.

Ladies of the House is a refreshing telling of Sense & Sensibility. Which i never read, so it was a completely new tale to me. I loved the dynamics between these women & how strong they found themselves to be when they had to be. I Hightower recommend this book to anyone. Thank you to Netgalley& Harlequin/Graydon House for my early review copy.

Are you a fan of everything Jane Austen? Do you love seeing modern retellings of her works? If the answer to both of those questions is yes, you're going to want to check out Ladies of the House, by Lauren Edmondson. It's a modern-day retelling of Sense and Sensibility, and it's guaranteed to move any Austen fan out there.

Daisy Richardson has had to deal with quite a lot of surprises, as of late. First, the sudden passing of her father. Then, the revelation of all his secrets – which hit the public before her family ever had a chance to cope.

Now she and the rest of the family are struggling to keep themselves together, while avoiding all of the mess and drama that these changes have wrought. In the times of internet and cell phones, that is a feat easier said than done.

“No longer caring about propriety, I held up the phone so they could see the latest Times news alert on my screen. Gasps, perhaps from them or from others, echoed in the room, one after the next.”

Ladies of the House is one of those retellings that will hit you right in the feels. At least, that is certainly what it did for me. It was impossible not to read about the Richardson ladies and not feel for their struggles.

The added context of the modern world both helped and hindered their case, in a delightfully complex turn of events. On the one hand, it's easy to picture how technology would accelerate the drama and shame of the whole situation.

On the other hand, there's this darker sense of politics and fortune that can't be ignored, and it adds a whole new level of subtext to what this one family went through. For good and for ill, it does change the story quite a bit.

All things considered, this has got to be one of the better retellings that I've read, especially in regards to Jane Austen's works. I strongly recommend Ladies of the House to anybody out there that struggled with the original (Sense and Sensibility), as this one should help to connect any of those missing pieces from your previous attempts.

A modern Sense and Sensibility set in the politics of Washington, DC. This engaging debut novel has witty and complicated characters along with scandal, dirty politics, and unrequited love. Redemption once the women stepped out of the shadows of flawed men and seek love and happiness. A truly wonderful bond between sisters. A good book club pick as I think there’s so much to discuss from this engaging debut novel.

For a modern retelling to be a success for me, I need to get the same feels as the original. Sorry to say that this one falls short for me. To be fair, that iconic moment when Elinor is overcome with emotion when she discovers that her Edward is not married after all. Emma Thompson NAILS it in the movie version. That is a high bar to be sure. Then if you add in the framework of our divisive political landscape, it is just not my cup of tea. Overall, likeable while disappointing. Would not recommend.

Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn't sure how this modern-day take on Jane Austin's Sense and Sensibility would work. The original book is about how a family of women lose everything, their home, their money, and their position in society, when the patriarch of the family dies. Back in Jane Austin's time, when there was no male heir, everything would go to the nearest male in the extended family. But how to create a similar situation that takes place now? Make the man who dies a politician, and then reveal a huge scandal during the funeral. This worked!

But, using this vehicle, the author found a way to discuss how women remain silent about bad male behavior. The reasons for this are many, but mainly women think that by keeping quiet, they will protect themselves. But does it?

What I Liked:

Premise:

After a famous politician suddenly dies, the surviving family members (all female) must deal with a scandal that ruins the legacy of the man. As the women learn more about their father, they need to reconcile the man they think they knew verses who he actually was. The book follows the plot of Sense and Sensibility closely. Daisy holds a torch for a man who is a friend of the family, while her younger sister Wallis jumps right into a relationship with a charismatic man who may not be who he seems. I liked that I had some idea about how the plot was going to go. But also, it was refreshing that the emphasis wasn't on nabbing a husband.

Characters:

Daisy is the practical sister, who rarely lets her feelings show, while Wallis is an open book. I liked that the sisters looked out for one another, and their mom, but also maintained their individuality. Wallis and her mom assume that Daisy will wind up with Atlas, but let her figure things out for herself. They just want her to be happy. Similarly, Daisy just want to protect Wallis from disaster. Wallis fall for the son of an extremely conservative political (think Betsy Devos). But, ever the optimist, she just thinks everything will work out. Daisy knows this is headed for trouble.

I also loved the mom, Cricket. Often, when we see political wives "standing by" their man, we are critical. Whey are they doing it? Do they just want to maintain their position in society? I think that Cricket really believes that if she is supportive of her husband, she will protect herself and her children. At the beginning of the novel. Cricket is not the most secure person, and her confidence is rocked when her husband's scandal breaks. But, she is a survivor. She finds out how to become her own person.

Themes:

I found the themes of the story to be very compelling. What is the cost of silence? And why should women ever have to cover for the bad behavior of their husbands? Is it ever a win for the woman? But speaking out also has a price. You have tp be willing to find your self-worth in your own accomplishments. But women are conditioned to put the goals of their partners ahead of their own. Hopefully, this is just a generational thing. The challenge is finding that balance between supporting your partner, and pursuing your own dreams.

Daisy Richardson barely have time to properly grieve her father's unexpected death, when his scandalous secrets are revealed. Secrets that shake up the lives of not just Daisy but her sister, Wallis and her mother, Cricket. The Richardsons are forced to sell their home and have to adjust to their new norm - one without the respect of society and the income they once enjoyed.
Each of the women cope with the situation in different ways, but Daisy knows she can always rely on her best friend Atlas. He is not just her confidante but she suspects her one true love. Daisy moves forward, trying to juggle her job and overcome the public controversy even if that means keeping another secret about her father to herself.
The question as you read: Is whether or not each of these women will find the power within themselves to overcome their situation.
A question that the author answers in full by the end of the story.
I enjoyed the story although at times it did feel dragged out. I also didn't feel a strong love connection but the emotional connection between the best friends spoke to my heart. However, I am glad I persisted. This is a good debut and also a good twist on a well-known and well-loved tale. I do think book clubs will enjoy this modern day retelling because there is plenty to discuss.

What a delightful read! I have to admit that I have never (gasp!) read a Jane Austen novel, however, I have seen clips of movies and heard enough about Sense and Sensibility to know the concept before reading Ladies of the House by Lauren Edmondson. It was actually quite nice to go into the reading of this book without having a full picture of Austen's version so that I wouldn't know too much.

Ladies of the House: A Modern Retelling of Sense and Sensibility centers around Daisy Richardson, her mother Cricket, and her sister Wallis. They are Washington D.C. royalty, if you will, due to the Patriarch of the family being a Senator and the role being held by several generations. They have a beautiful home on "P Street" and are used to luxurious fetes, swanky soirees, and life within the political realm. In fact, Daisy has made a career for herself as Chief of Staff for an upcoming campaign. She has created a niche for herself in her career and has great friends in Bo and her best friend/wishes he was her boyfriend, Atlas.

As things progress after her father dies, things start to spiral out of control for her and her family when lies and deceit are discovered that turns their world completely upside down. They are forced to downsize and look within themselves to see what really matters to them.

The novel was really well written with unique details about the city of D.C. that really illustrated not only the location but also of American politics that was fascinating to me. An added bonus was learning more about all of that from a female's perspective and the roles they play within politics and how glass ceilings are being broken.

I really enjoyed each character and how well they were written on the page. I even found a lot of qualities found within them in my own friends and family, so I felt as though it was a little more personal for me as they navigated through each situation.

I really enjoyed the quick read and look forward to more from Lauren!

A very modern spin on Sense and Sensibility that I adored. Daisy, Wallis, and their mother Cricket never expected the sudden death of father and husband Senator Gregory Richardson. And they certainly never imagined it would be in such a salacious way. The media is all over this juicy headliner and Daisy just wants to disappear.

What they know is bad. What they don’t know is worse. They can’t afford their Georgetown home now and they must sell it and move into much smaller accommodations. While Cricket clings to her former life, and Wallis finds a man and is ready to move on that, Daisy is just trying to support them and protect them. Yes, the journalists are camped out on their doorstep but the worst part is the journalist writing the expose’ on her father.

Atlas has always been her best friend and to be honest she wants more. The question is can she trust him? Is this story only going to bring more pain to her family?

Those Richardson women. My grandmother would say they come from strong stock. And they do. They may have been gobsmacked in the most public and sordid way possible, but they get right out there and figure out who they are and make a new path in the world for themselves.

A very engaging book that I loved. It is so refreshing to not see simpering females in a story like this. Well Done!

NetGalley/Harlequin-Graydon Trade February 09, 2021

Book: The Ladies of the House
Author: Lauren Edmondson
Rating: 3 Out of 5 Stars

I would like to thank the publisher, Graydon House, for sending me an ARC.

This one is a very tricky one for me to rate. On the one hand, I enjoyed this and all the things that the characters found themselves getting into. On the other hand, I found this very difficult to make any kind of connection with any of the characters. I have not read Sense and Sensibility, which is what this story is based on, nor am I at all familiar with the story. I think had I had that background information, maybe I would have felt more of a connection. However, Jane Austen is one of those authors who I struggle with.

Let’s start with the characters. I did have a really hard time making any kind of connection with them. I did enjoy following them and getting to see their day to day lives, but I just felt like there needed to be something more. It really felt like all the characters were just swept up in their rich lives and had no real connection to what it was like to hit bottom. Granted, we do get to see them at their worst, but it didn’t really feel like that. It just seemed like they were clueless and really mature. There was no grounding in them. However, I did get some entertainment about reading about how the rich lives. I liked getting to see them struggle, but, again, I really felt no connection with them.

There also seemed to be a little disconnect with the writing. I think had some things, such as the plot, been fleshed out a little bit more, then we would have gotten a more put together novel. It seemed like the author had a good idea, but it just wasn’t done the best. It felt like there was honestly too much for this book. Again, I have not read Sense and Sensibility, so I may not be the best judge on this. I just felt like there was something missing that it needed in order to actually bring the point home.

I guess that what I am getting at is that I felt a disconnect for the book. I wanted to enjoy it and there were parts that I did enjoy, but it was just missing something to actually bring it home and pack at punch.

This book comes out on February 9, 2021.

*Review will be posted on blog site on 2/8/21*

Likes:
*I love how it is a Sense and Sensibility retelling, but modernized. It is set in Washington D.C. in the world of politics and I found it so fun to read.

*The family bond is wonderful especially after the scandal that Daisy’s dad left behind. They are strong together as they try to move on past all the hate thrown at them in the community. The sister relationship between Daisy and Wallis is lovely.

*Daisy was my favorite because she is smart, strong, level-headed and yet cares so much for her friends and family as well. Her character voice is strong and distinct. She’s in love with her best friend Atlas, but he is in a relationship. Daisy is also chief of staff for a senator in D.C. and is on the verge of losing her edge and job, so she’s dealing with a lot on her plate. But she owns up to her dad’s mistakes and tries to right a wrong somehow and I love that she knows what is right and does it.

*The romance retelling was spot on with Daisy in love with Atlas who she couldn’t have because he has someone and Wallis who meets someone dashing who breaks her heart. It’s a happy ending for both.

Random Notes:
It slowed down for me in the middle only because it was predictable to me but not in a bad way. I’ve just watched the Sense and Sensibility a lot haha ~ so I pretty much knew what would happen. But really, I do love the political atmosphere.

Final Thoughts:
I enjoyed this modern retelling of Sense & Sensibility! It had scandal, drama, humor, romance, and best of all a bond between sisters and a mother that was on display in face of everything thrown at them.

As you can tell from the title, this is a modern twist on Sense and Sensibility. It is utterly charming and hard to put down.

Instead of the Dashwood sisters, we have the Richardson sisters, Daisy and Wallis. After the sketchy death of their father Gregory, a senator, information comes to light that throws the family into a Washington scandal. He was stealing money. They have to sell their Georgetown home, Wallis and their mother Cricket moving into the same apartment building as Daisy. Daisy works in government so this also throws her career into disorder. She feels responsible for her family.

Besides the turmoil from their father, there is their love lives to attend to. Wallis falls for the son of a congresswoman who is not the sweetest, let's just put it that way, and Daisy has feelings for her best friend Atlas, a journalist who is tasked with writing a story about her father. Oh, love. It will take some different roads until the finale. If you know anything about Sense and Sensibility, I think you can figure out how it all works out.

It was almost jarring to read the part of Daisy giving a tour in the capitol, after all the nonsense of earlier this year. All that grandeur and history.... I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this story. I was totally invested in Daisy and Atlas. I was totally invested in this family who obviously loved each other very much and were just trying to navigate this new life they were thrown in by no fault of their own. I look forward to more from Ms. Edmondson in the near future.

Thanks to Netgally and Graydon House for a copy of an advance copy of this book.

Ms. Austen would be thrilled with this modern retelling of Sense and Sensibility.
So many quotes to love! An absolutely well needed story of women, strong women, determined to their lives without shame.
Senator Gregory Richardson died from a massive heart attack. Months later his family holds his funeral - a must attend for those in DC. In the middle of the eulogy, a news release reports Gregory did not doe alone at the family lake cottage. His mistress has stepped forward.
Daisy and her family return to their home - where her best friend, Atlas, gives them much needed support. Wallis, Daisy's sister, and Cricket, her mother, revel in his attention. While Daisy yet again attempts to squash her love for Atlas.
Then the truth is revealed - Gregory stole funds to keep up their lifestyle.
Daisy struggles with her identity- she is her father's daughter after all.
Unrequited love. Whirlwind romance. Coping with a new reality without money.
How will Daisy help her family to survive?

This debut novel is a modern-day story loosely based on Jane Austen's classic, Sense and Sensibility. Those are some big, charming shoes to fill but Edmondson brings her own twist by addressing interesting topics as she sets her story within American politics.

Ladies of the House is a story about the Richardson family, a political family whose patriarch made some horrible choices before his sudden and untimely death. Told through the eldest daughter, Daisy's POV, the reader sees the impact of the scandal on the women in the family and shows how they come together to rebuild their lives.

The story has a good premise and I particularly enjoyed the issues Edmondson raises issues relating to women. How, despite the changes made in society, we continue to be judged by the actions of the men in our lives. Great topics for sure and I loved the focus on the bond of sisterhood, female strength, and tenacity. But the story falls short in a few places with its weak romance, its strong focus on American politics (I've had quite enough of that for awhile) and its pacing that falters midway through and never quite gets going again.

All in all, this was a good but not wow read for me. It has a great message and issues, making it a good pick for book clubs, but it was too drawn out and lacked the charm and humour of the original Austen story.

Disclaimer: I received this advanced copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

This book was received from the Author, and Publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

Ladies of the House by Lauren Edmondson is an excellent fictional novel that recreates the story of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility into a contemporary tale.

Set to the backdrop of Washington DC, and it’s political landscape.
A matriarch that is found to be embroiled in controversy and shadiness as an after fact after his death.
The deceased matriarch’s two daughters, Daisy and Wallis Richardson are the main benefactors of the controversy. The book takes off as the two daughters struggle with difficult choices and decisions on how they conduct themselves as the fallout becomes overwhelming. A tale of dirty politics misappropriation of funds, scandal, and cheating. This family drama with plenty of girl power and a juicy Georgetown society setting

#JaneAusten references are sprinkled throughout the story

This is a modern retelling of Sense and Sensibility. I will admit I have never read it. After reading this book I had to think; is it fair the crimes of the patriarch falls on family members? I for one do not think so. This is a book that made me think, long after I read the last sentence.