Queen Bee by Amalie Howard is a very delightful book! First and foremost, I really enjoyed the Bridgerton-esque theme of it. The writing is beautiful as it transports you to the picturesque English countryside. Vibrant, witty dialogue and high-stakes drama make the story come alive. The characters are interesting, with each having their own motivations and personalities. Beautiful gowns and brilliant ballrooms perfectly capture the Regency era. The plot is also engaging with its constant twists and turns. The story is filled with romance, mystery, and intrigue, and it’s easy to become invested in the characters and their journey.

I loved how the chapters switched between two timelines- how we saw the two different thought processes and journeys of the same character at different points in her life. It gave the story more depth and allowed us to gain a better understanding of how the character’s experiences had shaped her decisions.

There were a few things that bugged me here and there. It was disappointing how the ending fell a bit flat after so much build-up. The side characters were so interesting but their stories were so poorly explored. At times, it felt like they were only there to serve the main character’s motives. Other than these few things Queen Bee was a very engaging and fun read. I would recommend it to Bridgerton lovers who want to enjoy a captivating and fun romance book.

This was such a fun read!

I loved the alternating timelines showing Ela/Lyra's past and present. It was an interesting way to tell her story, and I think it really served the story well, making readers excited to know how she got to where she was.

A solid revenge plot set in Regency England, I was immediately sold. Ela/Lyra was a great protagonist, and I loved seeing her growth as a character. Poppy may have been one of the most annoying and horrible antagonists I've ever read, and while I was proud of Ela/Lyra's change I also was 100% behind the revenge haha

The other side characters were fun to read, and I liked the diverse group of friends they made. I think the author does a good job of showing the different "masks" the characters wear depending on who they're around, which really showcases the issues with the peerage and how many rules they had.

While I do think the story wrapped up a little too perfectly, I didn't have a problem with it. That's kind of what I expect from a YA romance! I like a happy ending.

If you're looking for a fun, YA regency romance, look no further!

"If revenge is a chess match, what happens when the queen falls for the king?"

Queen Bee is a stunning regency era Count of Monto Cristo retelling that I LOVED! This is a dual timeline story with Ela in the past and her rebirth as Lyra in the current. There is such a focus on revenge, healing and connection - very heavy on the bridgerton vibes. I find it rare for a novel of this time to have both a POC lead and love interest so this was GREAT to see!

Ela is shy, uninterested in high society and doesn't mind avoiding the spotlight unlike her best friend Poppy. But when a new Duke moves to two with his two kids, Ela loves spending time adventuring with them - esp Keston, but Poppy starts feeling jealous (and she wants to secure a marriage). After a perceived slight, Poppy betrays her and she's sent away with her reputation forever tarnished. Even worse? Keston casts her aside too.

But she doesn't lie down and die - fueled by thought of revenge, she bids her time until she can reenter society under a new name and fortune - Miss Lyra. "Ela can't come to the phone rn - Why? BC she's DEAD". Now Poppy has her eye on Keston fully, and Lyra knows she needs to take the two of them down - just as she was.

This book is FULL of chess metaphors - which I loved! There are hints of South Asian rep throughout the book as well - the food, the beauty treatments and the outfits that the MC wears. This was so fun to see in the regency era. Ela is also one of my favorite MC's in a romance book - we see her grow from her childhood to her bitter era to her revenge era to her kindness and found family one. I loved the happily ever after in this story and I can't wait to read more by this author! More POC x POC regency please!!

rep// South asian MC, side wlw

cw// regency era sexism, death

Thank you to the publisher for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Amalie Howard's QUEEN BEE is advertised as Bridgerton meets The Count of Monte Cristo and that is probably the best, most accurate description of the novel. If you love the diversity, romance, tension, and banter of Bridgerton, and the revenge plot of Dumas's masterpiece, you will adore QUEEN BEE. Howard's novel is a progressive, modern take on a regency romance. The representation is great. The unfolding of the plot is wonderful. The heroine is super cheer-for-able. The chess metaphors viewed throughout are beautiful. The ending is super satisfying. It took me a little while to get into the story, but once you're in you cannot put it down!

This is Amalie Howard's firs YA novel although to be honest, most debutatnes in the real historical time were younger than the lead here, but for YA purpsoses this works. I liked the story, the lead actors and I hope it becomes a series.

Three words to sum up the book : Regency Era, Romance and Vengeance. Poor Lady Ela Dalvi was betrayed by her best friend and is now stuck in the boring English countryside while her new ennemi is joining the high Londonien Society. But Ella has a plan ! Disguised as a mysterious and rich heiress , she infiltrates the elite. Vengeance is hers now - strong Machiavellian laugh ! But her master plan didn’t count on Ella being reunited with the love of her life ! Now she has two choices : follow her heart, or follow her mind.

If you love drama and scandalous atmospheric novels, you will surely enjoy Queen Bee. This Young Adult novel is a fun read, especially if you love historical novels of the Bridgerton type.

This is my first time reading this author, and I did not know what to expect going in. Described as a diverse young adult regency romp. It is also quoted, as anti-historical novel. The way I deciphered the story, was it has an array of diversified characters and modernizes an historical era. It took me a little time to become comfortable with the characters, the storyline. As I got deeper into the book, I was captured by the story. It is a young adult story of revenge, friendship and young love. Being a young adult labeled book, it portrayed revenge in a means girls sort of way. The outcome doesn’t always go the way you expect it. When you are angry and hurt and put all your blame on others, it will come back and slap you in the face. The story had some good lessons to be learned about revenge, and friendship. I appreciate that it is a clean and sweet romance story. There were a few spots that dragged a little, but overall I thought the book was very well written, and I enjoyed it. I will be looking up other books by this author to be read at a future date.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I've been starting at this screen all day trying to come up with a review. This is so hard.

So, this book was okay. I didn't love it, but I really enjoyed it. The writing was good and kept me engaged. It did take about 50% in until I was fully invested into this one, but once I was, I liked it. Amalie Howard is a great writer, and this book is no exception.

I hate the lying about your identity trope, and that's what this book was; however, this one wasn't all that bad. Yes, I think the FMC should have told the MMC sooner, but it was still good. I loved how this was a play on chess. I feel like I need to go buy a chess board and start playing again after finishing this book.

I liked that this story had past and present chapters. It really brought the book around full-circle, which I enjoyed. And the overall message about revenge isn't everything and doesn't satisfy you is of course a great message.

Overall, this was a good book. If you like historical YA romances, then this one might be for you.

In some ways this book is similar to Bridgerton (the TV version) in that it has a diverse cast of characters, both racially and sexual orientation with some side characters, which was enjoyable.

In this book, Ela has been betrayed by her best friend Poppy, and she has been sent away. Several years later, Ela returns for the London season under a new name, vowing revenge against Poppy as well as the boy who didn't stand up for her when she was younger.

We see a little back and forth between the present actions and what happened in the past so we get to know both Ela as she was and Lyra (as Ela is now). Plans for revenge go well...until Lyra/Ela spends more time with Keston, the boy from her past. She has to decide if revenge is more important than potential love.

I enjoyed the interactions between Ela/Lyra and the other characters and overall this was a fun book. I do think that Lyra/Ela was a little too fixated on Keston's appearance, mentioning it multiple times (to the point where it became tiring). The ending also seemed a little too saccharine (a bit too easy and too sweet) and seemed to be more of a "lesson learned" type of ending.

But I thought this was a nice read in between some of the "darker" books I've been reading lately.

Regency period. Romance. Revenge. What could be more enticing that these three combined?

Queen Bee by Amalie Howard is a story that centers on Lady Ela Dalvi returning to high society three years after she was sent away in disgrace, with her reputation ruined, after her bestfriend betrayed her. With a plan to get even, she disguises herself as a mysterious heiress and infiltrates London's elite and her bestfriend's circle. But, when she reunites with the only man she's ever loved, she begins to feel conflicted whether her next move would be to stay in her vengeful path or capture the heart of the man she loves.

In this multicultural setting imbued with a modern essence of a high school romance mashed in the style of Netflix's Bridgerton, Queen Bee is a fun vengeful romcom that features characters of South Asian, East Asian, and African descent. In this Regency romp, Amalie Howard refreshingly explores themes on retribution, accountability, power, forgiveness, and a woman's agency on herself in a restrictive society.

Queen Bee satisfyingly sits at 3.75 stars in a tale spun with deception, romance, and revenge.

Thank you to PHR and TBR and Beyond Tours for sending me an e-galley of this delightful book in exchange for a review.

As soon as I saw the comparison between Bridgerton and this book I knew I had to read it because I am enjoying the modern outlook that is injected into these Regency stories and I was hoping for some drama. Since this is a plot centred on revenge I was sure that there would be scandal and comeuppance, so I knew I was going to be hooked.

Queen Bee was actually so much better than I expected, yes there was scheming and flirtations and scandal, but it also went a bit deeper at points and Ela’s character evolution was superb. The book is told in the present in 1817 and from three years previously in 1814 and this works so well to tease out how Ela knows the people that she is targeting in the present, but also shows how far she has come.

I loved Ela’s machinations, everything she sets out to accomplish she does without being direct, and whilst she brings about situations that cause trouble for one particular character, she doesn’t really go down an outright nasty route which I appreciated. Also, my contempt for Poppy was palpable, I was so glad that she didn’t get any kind of redeeming feature because she didn’t deserve one but it made everything that happened feel that little bit sweeter.

There were a lot of interesting characters in this book Keston being one of them, the son of a duke torn between being his own person and his duty to his title, I liked seeing the more playful side in the younger version of him that turns into a charm that could turn any head. You could really feel the chemistry between him and Ela even though she was trying to fight it, and I very much enjoyed their banter especially when they both let down their guard a little. I loved Rosalin’s transformation into a much more confident version of herself and Zia was also a great character, I wish we had gotten to get to know them both even more.

Something that was unexpected but that I found fascinating was the author’s note at the end of the book, I don’t always read them but I’m glad I did in this case because I found out so much more about Regency England and it really showed how much the author had done to capture the spirit of the time even in a slightly more modern interpretation.

I loved getting totally engrossed in this book, full of drama and scandal and scheming but also about reclaiming your confidence in yourself and not letting the harmful actions of others take over, Queen Bee is a book I would highly recommend.

QUEEN BEE is a young adult historical fiction revenge story and romance. It follows Lady Ela who, three years after lies and manipulation ruined her reputation, returns to London during the season in order to exact revenge against the ex-best friend, and ex-crush, who turned their backs on her. However, the game of revenge isn’t all she bargained for and might be more than she’s prepared to handle.

I’ve been really into historical romance novels the last few months, but they’ve all been adult so when I saw this new release, I jumped at the chance to see how well the genre translates. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this book! I wasn’t completely sold on the revenge side of the plot and I had a hard time getting engaged in the beginning. However, I really fell in love with the setting, the drama and the characters. Ela is a really compelling main character though not without faults. I think the ending was a little rushed, but also satisfying for me. Definitely recommend for other historical romance and young adult lovers!

Bridgerton (minus the sex) + The Count of Monte Cristo (minus the murder)
I actually really loved this revenge-filled love story. It was the right balance of vengeance-seeking and love-finding and friendship-making for an entertaining read.

Language: Mild
Violence: None
Drugs: Mild
Sex: Mild

Queen Bee is an anti-historical novel set in the Regency era. Lyra Whitley (fka Ela) has been preparing to take down those in the ton that deceived her three years ago and ruined her reputation - including her former best friend, Poppy Landers, and neighbor/friend, Lord Keston Ridley. Armed with a new identity, lady’s maid, and friends, Lyra is ready for battle. As a rich heiress, she is attending her first season in London - but with revenge in her sights instead of marriage. However, the potential for real friends and love may get in the way.

Queen Bee is a young adult historical fiction novel that was so engaging and full of scandal and intrigue! I read it in one night and could not put it down. Amalie always does a magnificent job with her attention to detail in historical romances - I’ve been a fan of her adult romances and this one is also superbly done. I highly recommend it and gave it five ⭐️.

I received an advanced reading copy via NetGalley, receipt of which did not impact my review.

A fun and entertaining historical fiction about revenge set in the regency era. All of the characters were POC, the chapters alternated between present and the past which I enjoyed, and I enjoyed that the main character went against patriarchal expectations of their society. The author did research in order to make sure the book was historically accurate, such as how hair was dyed back then. I think the lessons the main character learns throughout the book on her mission for revenge are important life lessons. The main character was sent away when her best friend betrayed her and her friends essentially abandoned her and when she returns 3 years later, no one recognizes her. It did say that she grew taller, changed her hair and her skin cleared up but I find it hard to believe that no one would recognize her. It was only 3 years and those people were supposed to be the people who were closest to her. I also think that the resolution was just a little too convenient.

Lyra, otherwise known as Lady Ela Dalvi, does exactly as Confucius suggested—“Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves”—but neither are for herself. Lyra has readied her shovel for Lady Poppy, the former friend who betrayed her, and Lord Keston, the handsome Marquess who stomped on her tender feelings. This is why she needs the second persona called Lady Dalvi, the one no one would suspect was originally the country-girl heiress they harmed. In this Regency-era YA romance that we hope will become a streaming series, Amalie Howard gives us a masquerade ball filled with Machiavellian machinations, vivid vengeance, baleful backstories, and the sweetest swoons. With all of that, you might mistake Queen Bee for fluff—but this AU (alternate universe) story, stacked with a multicultural British ton, is far from it. The story might be bound for a joyful conclusion but on the way there, Howard shows us how cruel the era of Queen Charlotte could be to women and how badly it could taint anyone who hunted status. Queen Bee is a highly enjoyable read, especially if you love girls who play the game to win.

Beckoning to fans of Netflix's "Bridgerton," Howard incorporates an "anti-history" of racial and ethnic diversity and tolerance into her Regency-esque world, although she doesn't grapple with racism and colonialism in this work they way she typically does in her adult romances. Tailoring the Regency Romance genre for a younger audience, she also eschews steamy love scenes (and sex in general) and focuses not on the more mature themes of matrimony and parenthood typically on the minds of Regency teenaged heroines but instead on cliques, crushes, and more modern-feeling teen camaraderie. It is a compelling foray into the YA sphere, and I hope that Howard continues bringing her wonderful sense of humor and perspective as a biracial author to this age group.

This was so much fun! I love Regency-era stories, and this was no exception. We follow Lyra--once known as Ela--as she seeks revenge on one of her childhood friends-turned-enemies during the London season. We follow two time periods, the primary one as she goes through this season, and another from two years ago that explains why she is seeking revenge. Her plan goes awry as she falls in love with the boy from her past and makes new friends--neither a part of her original plan. This book was such a blast. Usually, high-drama revenge novels stress me out to the point where I don't enjoy them, especially if the character has adopted a new identity, but luckily that wasn't the case with this one! I read it so quickly because I couldn't wait to see how Lyra enacted her revenge; she was creative and it helped that the mean girl really did deserve what came to her (lol). The love interest is indeed verrrry lovable, and the cast of friends was endearing as well. I would highly, highly recommend this if you're looking for a quick YA historical romance and a guaranteed good time--it's got romance, friendship, found family, and a strong, independent main character.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children's/Joy Revolution, and Ms. Howard for the opportunity to read and review this title. An honest opinion was requested but not required.

I do love a retelling. When they are executed well, they are a DELIGHT. I don't see a lot of Count of Monte Cristo-inspired retellings. I don't know why not; the Count of Monte Cristo is SUCH a good story! I know why "Bridgertons" got slapped on this story but I think it does this book a disservice; first of all, Bridgertons (debatably) already peaked and secondly, corsets and gowns does not automatically equal Bridgertons. But anyways. I would say definitely more of a Mean Girls influence. I was feeling distinct Regina George vibes from Poppy, although Poppy was arguably even meaner. All this to say: I think that Queen Bee takes inspiration from Count of MC + Mean Girls + a little something original, and I loved it.

As much as I liked the characters and the story line, what I REALLY liked was that Ela/Lyra did not shy away from pursuing her revenge. I know she was meant to learn to be the bigger person and to find peace within, blah blah blah, but get real, there was NO WAY that Poppy was ever changing/repenting/whatever. No way. Every last feeble chance she had, she was clawing back into the ring. Most people aren't like that, but some are, and you just cannot give them even a crumb of your agency. It *did* seem a little neat and tidy that Church showed up at the end to save the day but frankly I didn't mind it.

I really enjoyed this and will be recommending it widely.

⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2

Rating: 4/5⭐️
This was my first Amalie Howard book, and it was quite enjoyable. While reading this you experience an alternatively time line of the main character (past Ela in 1814 and present Lyra in 1817) and you are able to to see her characters growth and why she seeks revenge on her former best friend and the guy that stole her heart.
The writing was easy to read, and the story read smoothly with no difficulties. Between the cast of characters and the witty banter, this book was unputdownable.
If you like revenge stories and regency romance, this book is definitely for you.