India Holton has done it again! I am in love with the world she has created in her books and so excited for the next installment in this series. These books are so hilarious, light-hearted, and just overall a real delight. Holton is a master at making the fantastical seem totally reasonable, and her world building, characters, and plot are second to none. This book makes me want to dress up in a Victorian dress and a large hat and make mischief.

I thought this book was so much fun. I just love the zany antics of this series and how the characters just nonchalantly talk about murder and magic. Charlotte and Alex's relationship is great. I love the enemies to lovers/instalust that they have. It makes for fun banter and shenanigans. I think if you like a British/Monty Python type of humor and romcoms then I think you'll enjoy this series. I know I do.

‘The League of Gentlewoman Witches’ by India Holton, the companion to ‘The Wisteria Society of of Lady Scoundrels,’ was an absolute delight: quirky, fun, swoonworthy romance. Highly recommend!

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

All Miss Charlotte Pettifer has heard is that she is the heir to the famous witch, Black Beryl, and future leader of the League of Gentlewomen Witches. So when Black Beryl's missing amulet is discovered, and put on display at the British Museum, every witch and pirate is on the hunt, and Charlotte won't let anyone get in her way, especially not the handsome pirate, Alex O'Riley, who she crossed paths with earlier in the week. When the amulet is stolen from under their very eyes, Alex and Charlotte join forces to try and retrieve it, but along the way they lose more than the amulet, they lose their hearts to each other.

Okay, this was fantastic! I started to read the book on the way down to London, and had just gotten to the theft of the amulet when I had to get off, and walked past the British Museum, which was amusing. Charlotte and Alex grew on me even quicker than Cecilia and Ned, though it was great to see them again, now happily married, in this book. Because Alex was a pirate, and Charlotte a witch, they were from very different backgrounds, and never group would accept them together. The whole to-do over who kidnapped whom was hilarious, as were the asides with Bixby. I loved the way Charlotte and Alex fell for each other. They clearly were attracted to each other from the moment they met, but the true romance grew gradually, until it was a fight over who loved the other the most. A truly fantastic book, and I can't wait to see them again in book 3!

Such a delightful period piece! I enjoyed the writing and the story line. It was funny and witty and incredibly entertaining! I loved all the magical elements and the characters were very loveable. I loved Charlotte and Alex's relationship and interactions together,

I'm not the right reader for this book. It's too whimsical for me. I prefer my books more earthy in terms of emotion. Great fun for the right person, I'm just not the right person.

Charlotte Pettifer, future leader of the League of Gentlewomen Witches, happens to steal a briefcase (meant to help her obtain a powerful witches amulet) from the piratical Alex O'Reilly. Alex is bewitched by this strange woman who whispers words that make things happen, and even with a history of hate towards witches, he cannot seem to shake her. Charlotte, for her part, decides to team up with Alex when the amulet is stolen by another fearsome female pirate, and she is in need of a pirate house in order to pursue. What follows is a chase that leads to something a lot more intimate, and also an escape from both their nosy societies.

This has to be one of the most original books I have read in a long time. The whole world building is fascinating. Pirates have floating ships, steared by magic, but the ships just happen to be their houses gifted with flight. Witches run the world by subtly correcting things to match their views of propriety and decency. Witches and pirates hate each other, but are seemingly the same. Witches just happen to redistribute what they steal to the poor where they can, while also funding their society.

The animosity between Charlotte and Alex is so steamy. From the very beginning it is obvious they spark a fire in one another, even if at first it seems like a murderous desire. Together they are able to overcome many odds and both heal trauma and encourage each other to show who they truly are to the world. They work well together, even while resisting the pull of wanting each other. They also have a group of companions that start out meaning to end their connection; but, who end up helping it forward.

The humor in this book was spectacular, I was laughing out loud to the audiobook on several occasions. I read a review that compared this novel to the Princess Bride meets Jane Austen, and that is precisely how this novel comes across. Continuous action, death defying odds, memorable characters, and tea just around every corner. Butlers who can buttle through any catastrophe and seem to know everything that is happening, all while keeping their charges in check. Mysterious spies who possess magic of their own, and somehow fit into the action. Police who are secretly witch hunters, trying their hardest to burn every witch in England. Pirates and Witches at war with one another, but in a most civilized manor (involving theft, the use of fine china as a weapon, and not eating certain offered foods as a sign of disrespect).

I love how this whole novel seems to revolve around Charlotte just wanting to get away with using Alex to retrieve Beryl Black's amulet in order to head home, relax, and contemplate how she is going to use the amulet to single-handedly fix all the problems of the world. And Alex just wanting to steal it to spite her.

I love the gender dynamics as well. The world is still very much male dominated in terms of it being Victorian times. But, women are pushing back, they are piratical, they are strong, they are fearsome, and they are not afraid to squash misogyny in its tracks.

Highly recommend this book, and I am excited to read the first book in the series next. I figured this is the kind of series where reading the second book first might be unconventional, but fits the theme.

Posted on Forever Young Adult on 6/30/22.

First Impressions: Grows On You

Cuz there’s ivy…get it? Ahem. It’s cute! It’s not a complete carbon copy of all the cartoony couples covers, so it grabs my eye. I like all the little bits hidden in the ivy that relate to the story.

What’s Your Type?

Rivals to lovers
Magical adventures
Swashbuckling comedy
Who kidnapped who?
Idiots in love
Dating Profile

Charlotte has grown up under the shadow of a prophecy that she is to be the next leader of the witches—if they existed, that is—and how convenient that her aunt just so happens to be the current leader. She’s dutiful and clever and never stands out…that is, until the day she steals a man’s briefcase and alters the course of her life.

Alex O’Riley is a self-proclaimed rogue, an Irish pirate with a wicked smile and a penchant for pretty ladies. Like all pirates, he dislikes witches on principle—fussy things who waste their magic by being subtle—but he’s got his own more personal reasons for his prejudice. If someone told him he’d be amused when a beautiful witch stole his briefcase, well, he would’ve laughed in their face.

Meet Cute: The Couple That Steals Together…
The amulet of Beryl Black (the woman who first learned the words of the magic spell that makes houses fly and all magic possible) is said to amplify the magic of anyone who wears it, so naturally Charlotte knows it should be around her neck, even if she uses it to escape her aunt’s demanding machinations. Of course, every pirate and witch worth their salt ALSO wants to get their hands on this treasure, especially a certain dashing pirate who infuriates and ignites parts of Charlotte she didn’t know existed…

The Lean: Idiots In Love
Alex and Charlotte have plenty of banter-y rivalry despite their very quick attraction to each other. I’m not usually a fan of my book couples getting together very quickly since I like the slow burn, but it really worked for me here. There was enough denials and issues for them to work through that it didn’t feel too easy.

Dirty Talk

I’d categorize Holton’s smattering of love scenes as a “soft R”. There’s a lot of imagery without a lot of explicitness, but it’s clear what’s going on.

Electricity began building again within her body. Every muscle clenched in anticipation. She could not breathe, just as he had planned—could not think— she moaned indecorously as the pirate filled her so deep, every proper word dissolved and tumbled right out of her. She clung to him even as he wrecked her; she inhaled his hot, ragged breath as her only hope for survival. It felt as devastating and exhilarating as being tossed from a roof high above the ground.

And this just made me laugh:

Alex watched as Charlotte lay on the bed. There followed an endless minute in which her chemise twisted around her hips and she had to raise them to rearrange it, and then do the same with her hair, and then shuffle over to avoid what must have been a loose spring in the mattress. Alex waited with an exasperation that bordered on intense, pulsing arousal. The woman was going to annoy him into an orgasm before he even placed a hand on her.

Ms. Perky’s Prize for Purplest Prose
My favorite part of this series is Holton’s witty writing style. She’s in a Naomi Novik, Sarah Rees Brennan level of sardonic humor that just drips through every phrase and scene so heavily that the narration is practically its own character. It’s cheeky and situational and it’s definitely not going to be for everyone, but if you’re looking for something new in your historical romance, this is a refreshing escape. I rarely highlight books, but I find myself stopping and giggling constantly as I bookmark whole passages. This exchange between some of the pirates, I mean:

“En garde!” Mrs. Etterly shouted.

“Prepare to die!” Mrs. Rotunder shouted in reply.

“Never!”

“Um, dearest,” Mr. Rotunder said, tugging on his wife so he might whisper to her. She listened, then straightened again, her expression poised between fury and dignity.

“Prepared to be wounded!” she shouted in amendment. “But not so badly that you cannot sing at my soiree next week! The prince will be there, and you know how he admires your voice!”

“Never!” Mrs. Etterly repeated. “By which I mean never in this context! I of course look forward to the soiree!” And she leaped forward, sword raised.

One more:

“Fetch them for Miss Pettifer. Shirt. Coat, if there is one. Trousers.”

“I have my own coat,” Charlotte said. “I removed it when I entered your premises.”

Alex stared at her unfocusedly.

“Come along, miss,” Bixby said, gently placing his hand at her elbow. “Best not to mention removing clothes to the captain just now. Let us see what is available to outfit you more appropriately for shenanigans.”

We Need To Talk: Elizabeth Bennet Approves
The witches in this book are (slightly) less bloodthirsty than the pirates from the last, but they’re two sides of the same magical coin, and thus their rivalries are hilariously ridiculous. Charlotte is a fun main character, though Alex fell prey to a similar fate as Ned in that they are decent love interests but they don’t necessarily feel like real people, even when we see things from their POV. I did enjoy that the world-building was well-established from the first book and Holton didn’t spend too much time over-explaining herself. You can totally GET it if you haven’t read the first book, but I think you’ll get more OUT of it if you know the alternate history better. I don’t know if it was this fact, Holton’s writing improving with practice, or that the story itself worked for me, but I’d say this was my favorite of the two so far. I sped through it faster than Charlotte’s flying bike.

Was It Good For You? Ooh Yeah
What’s sexier than a book about a dashing pirate and a boss-witch that can make you laugh and swoon a little? Take me for a ride on your broomstick, baby.

FTC Full Disclosure: I received my free review copy from Berkley Books. I received neither money nor peanut butter cups in exchange for this review. The League of Gentlewomen Witches is available now.

My Highly Caffeinated Thought: A positively entertaining and fabulously witty read melding together historical fiction, intrigue, and fantasy.

THE LEAGUE OF GENTLEWOMEN WITCHES is exactly the type of book a reader can escape into and get lost within the pages. Holton has done it again with the second book in the Dangerous Damsels series. Her writing effortlessly flows as her characters come to life.

Here is the thing about the books in this series. The seemingly overtly whimsical and sometimes outlandish storyline could be too much or too crazy for it to work. Yet, the author manages to make it all come across as normal and just part of a carefully plotted historical novel. The mixture of witchcraft, pirating, flying houses, and thievery only makes the reader fall more in love with the characters. And it already is so easy to love the smartly crafted people we meet. The strength and intelligence of the women in this book shine through as they go toe-to-toe with their male counterparts. Then you add into the mix a hunt for the recently re-discovered amulet of Black Beryl which has been taken by the pirate Lady Armitage to round out an already binge-worthy read. It is sooooo good!

Honestly, this book is the perfect way to avoid the reality of day-to-day life. Holton delights with clever banter, action, magic, and even a bit of steaminess. I personally cannot wait to enter back into this world again.

Loved it!! I know these books are out there, but it makes it that much more fun. Pirates, witches, flying houses, crazy antics, adventure, and, of course, love, makes for a fun time. This had me smiling and laughing from cover to cover.

Fun, exciting, witchy, great! Love this series, can't wait for more. I think it's great to have such a fun interpretation of historical romance. We need more stuff like this!

4.5/5 Stars

I finally read The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels earlier this year and I adored it! Lady pirates! Assassins! Flying houses! So many gothic romance references! I fell for not only the main characters, Cecilia and Ned, but also for Ned's best friend and pirate, Alex O'Riley. Let's just say I squealed in excitement when I found out the next book in the series was his story! Add in the fact that we'd get to learn more about the witches that were mentioned a couple times and I needed to get my hands on a copy immediately!

I didn't know what to expect going into The League of Gentlewomen Witches but I was hoping for a similarly delightful and fun story as the first book. And it blew all of my expectations out of the water! In fact, I loved this book even more than the first one. Part of that is because I was already familiar with the world so this book read a lot smoother and I was instantly pulled into the story. The shenanigans in this book are still absolutely bonkers but they are also delightful! I thought flying pirate houses were an excellent and refreshing twist. I didn't know I needed these witches in my life who were constantly trying to slightly maim or murder each other!

I loved Cecilia in the first book but Charlotte quickly replaced her as my favorite! I loved seeing her interactions with Cecilia and the other lady pirates! But what I adored was her interactions and constant banter with Alex! Y'all! The romance hit me in the feels and I just needed everything to work out for them to get their happily ever after. They both have some serious baggage they needed to work through.

And can we talk about all of the Jane Austen references in this book! It made my inner Austenite so, so happy! I found myself loving the side characters in this book as much as the first one. I can't be the only one absolutely intrigued by the butlers and maids in this series, can I? Y'all! They could easily have their own series and it would be just as delightful and bonkers! It was also fun seeing so many familiar faces from the first book as well as seeing a different take on the overbearing aunt trope.

My one critique of this series in general is that there isn't much plot in the two books. It is a very character driven series. That being said, I think that the lack of plot didn't phase me as much as it would in other books because the book was just so much fun to read! Honestly, I didn't recognize there really wasn't a plot besides steal the amulet until I started to write this review because of how delightful the story was.

I ended up listening to the audio of this one on my morning commute and Elizabeth Knowelden did an amazing job on the narration! I would highly recommend picking it up! It's one of my favorites of the year so far!

I hope we get more books in this series! Hopefully, one that follows a certain butler.

Get your tea (and absolutely do not pour in the milk before the tea) and scones ready.

This book is the second in the Dangerous Damsels series and follows a society similar to the Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels (in fact both societies have the same founder) but in this case, they're witches. Of course, witches don't exist and it would be preposterous to say that they do but anyways.

The story focuses on Charlotte Pettifer a young, beautiful bookish woman who is definitely not a witch and definitely not the prophesized witch who will become the new leader of the league. Her nemesis and romantic partner is the Irish, definitely a pirate (or at the very least a rake) Alex O'Riley. Readers met Alex in the previous book because he is the best friend of Ned Lightbourne. Alex and Charlotte (as well as the Wisteria Society and the League of Gentlewomen Witches) are hunting down a powerful amulet belonging to the founder of both societies and therefore very much in demand. Charlotte stows away in Alex's house and the two decide to begrudgingly work together to find the amulet. Unfortunately, they can't stop arguing or making out.

The romance in the book is top-notch and there is more spice in this book. The two clearly have deeper feelings for each other but their own insecurities and personal backstories keep the romance strictly physical for most of the book but love sneaks in anyway. Their relationship evolves from rivals to lovers to friends to eventual partnership and it is fun to watch. Other characters from the first book make an appearance and the budding friendship between Cecilia and Charlotte is also very cute, This book is slightly more serious than the first especially when it comes to Alex's backstory but everything is pretty much resolved in the end. I'm excited to see where this series goes because it is delightful.

I was provided a free copy of this book through NetGalley.

I didn’t realize this was a series. I never read the first book, so I feel as if my experience was a bit deterred. However, you do not need the first book to understand or enjoy this book! Super fun read! It had me laughing and smiling.

As the prophesized heir of Black Beryl and the niece of the formidable head of the Wicken League, it is Charlotte Pettifer’s duty to retrieve Beryl’s long-lost amulet…even though she’d much more like to be strolling through Hertfordshire like Elizabeth Bennet. But duty calls and thus Charlotte must answer. Except all the witches and pirates in the area are also trying to steal it, which is rather irritating. And none of her competition is so maddening as pirate Alex O’Riley. The rogue is no Mr. Darcy but soon Charlotte decides she has no better option than to join forces with the man to retrieve her amulet. Their partnership is temporary as there is no way that a witch could ever fall in love with a pirate…is there?

The League of Gentlewomen Witches is a delightful romp filled with magic and – despite witches’ love for orderliness – mayhem. India Holton’s second Dangerous Damsels novel has all the wit and charm of the first but the story and romance feel like they have more depth.

Charlotte isn’t entirely likeable at the start of The League of Gentlewomen Witches and I quite liked that. For all that she references Elizabeth Bennet, Charlotte is somewhat of an Emma Woodhouse. Charlotte comes into her own over the course of the story, though definitely not like a Jane Austen heroine would. I enjoyed watching her rebel and become more of a free spirit (within witchy reason, of course). As for Alex, the Irish pirate is a dashing rogue with some hidden wounds caused by those who should have loved and protected him as a child. The two of them clash and spar at first, but there’s an attraction neither can deny for very long. They slide into love seamlessly and it was a delight to see.

Charlotte and Alex are not the only ones searching for the amulet – or for our adventurous heroes. Pirates and witches alike are on their tail which provides action and amusement. If you enjoyed The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels then you’ll like revisiting with Cecelia and Ned, along with some other familiar pirates. There are quite a few viewpoints and characters with their own agendas in this book and there’s definitely at least one that could have been eliminated to make the story feel tighter. Still, The League of Gentlewomen Witches is great fun and as a Janeite I was particularly charmed by all the Austen references. Holton has style in spades and the world she has created is vibrant and highly entertaining. I’m very much looking forward to seeing what she does next with the Dangerous Damsels book.

India Holton's latest adventure is a definite win for fans of hilarious, whimsical, blood-thirsty romance. When a young witch striving towards her future meets a pirate bent on forgetting his past, they both discover that sometimes the best thing you can do is just be yourself.

Witches, pirates, romance and Jane Austen combine into a delightful romp. I’m sorry I missed the first book in the series.

This was a cute historical fantasy romance that definitely checked off all the boxes. There's a lot of humor and whimsy, ultimately a little bit over-the-top for my taste, but if that is your sweet spot, then this book certainly delivers. The plot was kind of over-stuff in my opinion, somehow both incredibly rushed/chaotic and also oddly low-stakes with frequent pauses and gaps. I think this book maybe tried to do too many things at once, catching us up on the couple from the previous book, establishing our current couple, and setting up romantic pairings for future installments. Ultimately, I think this book's strongest element was the romance, with our two main characters being relatively well-developed, and their relationship growing very naturally and sweetly. I would have liked the tone to be a little bit more balanced between silly/goofy/whimsy and more serious sections. My overall impression was one of sensory overload. I would have liked more quiet time with the romantic leads. It's not one of my all-time favorites, but it was a decent read.

4.5 Stars rounded up!

OK, when I started this book I felt a bit uneasy, because I could not really remember what happened in the first book. I was hit with a similar sense of confusion as I did when reading the first one, because the world that India Holton has created is just so fantastic and so unique, that my brain almost couldn’t figure out what was going on.

But then we met our hero of the story. Or, should I say our heroine’s boy. Alex. An Irish pirate and WOOOOOOOO YESSSSSS MA’AM. And honestly, the chemistry between him and our heroine, Charlotte, is just so *chef’s kiss* superb that I was like “BRAIN JUST CHILL AND DONT WORRY ABOUT UNDERSTANDING THE FANTASTICAL PLOT OR FLYING HOUSES! JUST ENJOY THEIR ROMANCE AND BANTER”. Once I did that, GOOD GRAVEY I JUST FELL IN LOVE WITH RHIS BOOK!

I do love the unique writing and world and magic systems even though I don’t understand the politics or how it works, but what I do know is, we have fierce lady pirates, and equally fearsome lady witches. They have a beef and Alex and Charlotte are caught in the middle AND IT IS DELICIOUS.

I cannot wait to read the third book now and truly think this installment was much stronger than the first and I flew through it.

In the words of Bixby, Alex’s butler, “is this a romance or an adventure?” Who knows, but I absolutely loved it by the end.

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a free eARC copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased review*

I absolutely love this series, and this one had the rare accomplishment of being better than the first in the series. Alex and Charlotte were such a great duo to follow and seeing all the members of the Wisteria Society fit themselves into this story was delightful. I'm very excited to see where the series goes next!