This is my first Amalie Howard and an eARC I’ve had sitting on my kindle since before its release date and I’m so happy I finally got to it! The pitch of this being Bridgerton x The Count of Monte Cristo is spot on, I also love how Lyra’s plans all connect back to chess moves. I feel like there are so many positive messages for a YA sphere in Queen Bee for all age ranges to enjoy. This has made me so excited to dive into Howard’s adult historical romances!

Such a cute romance. I loved the characters loved their story. The chemistry was cute hot and on pointe. Cannot recommend this book enough.

I really enjoyed this book. The revenge plot was strong, and I liked how Ela took control of her story after being betrayed and cast out. Watching her reinvent herself and go back into high society with a plan was really satisfying. The pacing kept me interested, and the drama was fun without feeling over the top. What kept this from being five stars for me was the romance. I didn’t feel like the hero made up for how badly he hurt Ela. She forgave him too easily.

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Queen Bee was such a fun book to listen to. If there is anything that I live for, it is great banter. This also gave me some Bridgerton vibes, which is a show and series I completely devoured with zero regrets. So, it's safe to assume that I was very excited to jump into this and fall in love.

In all honesty, I adored the setting. I also really liked how diverse the cast was and can't wait for the next book in this series. So, in this, you will meet Ela. She's very independent and has zero hesitation to plot revenge. I loved how she didn't color within the lines like most of society. Things only got better when Keston came into the picture.

Together, they had fantastic chemistry. Their bantering gave me life, and I just wanted more. It was only time for them to actually fall in love. The only downside was the drama that I knew was coming around the corner. It came, people were upset, and yet she still got the guy (and her revenge).

In the end, this was just so much fun. Mistakes were made, flirtations were happening, and I highly recommend the audiobook!

Historical romance is oftentimes hit or miss for me, so I was hesitant to read this even though the blurb sounded enticing. Especially since it’s YA. Boy was I impressed! I’m so glad I read it. I know not everyone is into revenge but when it’s done right it’s great. The characters were interesting and the plot kept me coming back for more!

I don’t typically love a revenge plot, but I did enjoy this book overall. The characters and romance were great and I did have fun seeing everything play out in the end. I also thought the inclusion of the dual-timeline was a perfect way to discover Lady Ela’s story. I wish there had been an epilogue though but hopefully we get a glimpse of the future in book 2.

The perfect book to pick up when you're in the mood for Bridgerton vibes and are hoping for an overall cute historical romance. It's an entertaining and sweet young adult historical romance that I will be recommending to others. Looking forward to what follows!

I love Amalie Howard and this felt like a much cleaner version of her other historical romances. I enjoyed the commentary and the inclusion of not white people a lot, but overall I felt like it got a bit too silly.

I have mixed feelings on this. The story was interesting, but also felt very young adult, or just targeted to a younger audience. Despite that, I felt like the was decently written, albeit a little corny. To see expected for what it is though. “Queen Bee” gave such Bridgerton vibes, which was really enjoyable. This is definitely worth checking out if you need just quick, easy read. Although there could be better options for that, this could work I guess.

What a fun book! The story was so entertaining and I had a great time reading it. The characters were lovable. The alternating timeline took a minute to get into, but then I really liked it! Overall, a really enjoyable read. I look forward to Amalie Howard's next YA novel!

Amalie Howard has a way of reimagining both fairytales and early 200's romcoms with a regency twist that will make your nostalgic heart swoon. If you love movies like Clueless, She's All That, and 10 Things I Hate About You, Ela and Queen Bee will hit every one of those tropetastic cravings.

A girl seeking retribution against her backstabbing former best friend finds her plans slightly derailed once she catches the eye of a familiar, handsome marquess. Bestselling author Amalie Howard delivers a delightful, anti-historical Regency-era romp that’s Bridgerton meets The Count of Monte Cristo!

Lady Ela Dalvi knows the exact moment her life was forever changed—when her best friend, Poppy, betrayed her without qualm over a boy, the son of a duke. She was sent away in disgrace, her reputation ruined.

Nearly three years later, eighteen-year-old Ela is consumed with bitterness and a desire for . . . revenge. Her enemy is quickly joining the crème de la crème of high society while she withers away in the English countryside.

With an audacious plan to get even, Ela disguises herself as a mysterious heiress and infiltrates London’s elite. But when Ela reunites with the only boy she’s ever loved, she begins to question whether vengeance is still her greatest desire.

In this complicated game of real-life chess, Ela must choose her next move: Finally bring down the queen or capture the king’s heart?

Queen Bee by Amalie Howard is a delightful and lighthearted historical romance that will captivate readers who adore Regency-era settings, swoon-worthy romance, and themes of revenge and self-discovery, making it a perfect fit for fans of Bridgerton and The Count of Monte Cristo.

5 stars! A refreshingly diverse YA historical romance. This book had me absolutely swooning and kept me flipping pages late into the night because I HAD to see Ela get her HEA.

I’m not big on revenge plots. However as the book went on I found myself invested in the characters and the outcome of the story. While I would have liked the end to go a bit further than it did or even an epilogue that was X number of years later, I was overall pleased with how it ended.

A well-written Regency romance about a young girl named Ela who befriends her neighbor, Kes, son of a Duke. Her best friend Poppy is angry and jealous and plots to ruin Ela. Ela is ruined, send to a boarding school for girls. At school, Ela plots her revenge against Poppy. which backfires time and time again.

i was super into this one. i thought it was entertaining and kept me interested the whole way. i thought it was a bit predictable but good nonetheless. i really enjoyed Ela’s revenge scheme and im a sucker for a second chance romance. the secondary characters were wonderful and the antagonist was absolutely devilish and so easy to root against. all in all, a very solid 3.5⭐️ rounded up to 4!

This book was so good! I absolutely loved being able to read it! Can’t wait for you all to enjoy it as much as I did!

Quick Summary: A YA historical fiction novel

My Review: Queen Bee by Amalie Howard is a multicultural romance geared towards teens and older YA. It is set during the Regency era in England.

About the Book: A lady's reputation has been tarnished by a person she considered to be a close friend. The one who knew her best did not stand up to defend her when it counted. As a result, she had to die to self. Now, her life as it was is never to be and her new identity will cost her.

My Final Say: This was a real treat in that it was completely unexpected for a YA. I loved that the story was set during the 1800s and that it provided a glimpse of the social hierarchy of the times. I also really liked that subterfuge was a huge part of the main character's story. She was a phoenix who had no choice but to rise from the ashes.

Other: There were many teachable moment concepts weaved into the novel, and it all worked so well. At the end of the day, readers can walk away knowing that:
1) You reap what you sow.
2) Love conquers all.
3) Forgiveness is necessary for one's total healing.

Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: T/OYA
Status/Level: Clean

Note: This story is a clean read, however, it does contain false accusations and scandal, set ups and deception, attempted murder and brutality, and heavy kissing. Additionally, a LGBTQIA strand is present.

Thank you to the author, to the publisher (Random House Children's, Joy Revolution), and to NetGalley for granting access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. The words I have shared are my own.

Thank you for sharing this book with me.
I appreciate the opportunity to read Queen Bee and share it with my followers.