I really enjoyed this cute Regency Romance. The story was engaging, and the characters and plot managed to feel modern while also remaining mostly historically accurate. I really hope we get more of Thalia's story, as well.

*I received a review copy from the publisher through Netgalley

This would have been more fun if I could have gotten through without having to check the narrator often. The beginning was also dragging, and I don’t know if the author had a good handle on the regency era.

I had a blast reading this! I love the regency era and liked that this was a little different with three leads instead od one.

The whole switching perspectives thing was a game-changer. Like, I felt like I was BFFs with each character by the end of it. They each had their own thing going on, and I was all about it. But let's talk couples – one stole my heart, no doubt. The others were cool, but that one pair? Legit felt the real deal.

A nice read with a fresh look on things!

When I saw this book being recommended for Bridgerton fans I knew I had to request it. This book did not disappoint. I was living for the drama all throughout this novel.

“I believe that what brings us pleasure is good, and that what we valorize as virtue occurs when self-interest coincides with a socially accepted ideal of what is right.”
A lot of times, YA books are ones that are distinctly “young” but in more recent years, I’ve found that YA books are just as enjoyable as a lot of Adult Romances specifically Regency Romances. Rosalyn Eves latest release, An Improbable Season, is now an easy recommendation for readers who enjoy a storytelling style with similarities to Jane Austen, Julia Quinn, and any other heavyweights in the historical romance genre.

“She was not a girl anymore; she refused to care what people who did not care for her thought of her.”
An Improbable Season is unique in its premise as it follows not one, not two, but three lovely young ladies as they traverse their debut season in London whilst juggling society expectations and family honor, the pursuit of their own desires. Thalia and Kalli are sisters who couldn’t be more different. Thalia is the eldest. A headstrong young woman who befriends their neighbor, Adam, and has a love of prose. Kalli, her younger sister, is quiet and reserved, definitely the least likely to warrant a scandal, and is the one best suited to a quiet country life —definitely not one of flashy and fast-paced London. Charis is the cousin who is the studious, scientific student. She’s opinionated, well-spoken, and will not back down from an inquiry. Charis is also the character who would gladly be exploring a garden rather than twirling in a ballgown.

Fans of Jane Austen, as well as readers who enjoy intertwined storylines, will also enjoy the various tropes that Kalli, Thalia, and Charis’ romances follow. I admire the adherence to traditional romance, and I admired that both Thalia and Charis eagerly pursue endeavors such as publishing and scientific study regardless of threat to their reputations.

“This was what she loved, the exchange of ideas, and witty repartee, the sense of being both challenged and challenging.”
While reading, I did enjoy the many references and subtle acknowledgements to Jane Austen’s most classic storylines. An Improbable Season read like a homage to some of the most beloved characters and subsequent drama in Austen’s prolific novels. I believe that Rosalyn Eves has written a beautiful novel that would be perfect to introduce young readers to the genre of Regency Romance and should not be missed as a new go-to for readers of all ages.

Stunning and an enjoyable read. I loved the writing, the vibes, the humour, and the characters. Such a lovely book!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this before publication date.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me access to the free advanced digital copy of this book.

Jane Austen inspired romance novels are a favorite of mine. Since my very first read through of Pride and Prejudice in high school, I haven't been able to get enough. I enjoyed every second of An Improbable Season, and can't wait to recommend it.

The three main characters are girls that are complex and fit in, both in their historical context, but deal with struggles that people of today can relate to. It's rare to find an author that can do both so well. I loved them individually, and I loved their relationships to one another.

I think this is a great intro to get readers into classic Austen literature. I would certainly have loved it as a teen.

A Massive Thank You to the Author, the Publisher and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this book prior to its release date.

I think this a good option for those looking for a YA bridgerton-like option. It felt slow to me at times and I just didn’t get super invested in the story, but I can see others really enjoying this. The povs could be a bit confusing at times and it was a lot of characters to keep up with. Overall, a cleaner option of a romance YA book though!

While I liked the three main leads, the story didn't quite gel for me unfortunately. The love stories didn't quite do it for me

Great for fans of Bridgerton, but this title is so generic, I'm not sure if it'll come to mind when I'm thinking of books to pitch.

Perfect for fans of historical romance-think of a PG rated Bridgerton. This story unfolds through the eyes of multiple female characters; this technique keeps the reader engaged and kudos to the talented author for writing a book with such strong young women ensuring that the reader will identify with at least one of them.

I ended up liking this book more than I had initially expected!! I didn't jump into this story until I found out that there was going to be a sequel so I was a bit confused when there were some plots that tied up pretty nicely by the end of the book, but enjoyed the last story line that is still left undone.

The writing was super easy to fly through and the story was intriguing! I enjoyed the Bridgerton-esque YA vibes of this book and I do think I'll be picking up the next installment.

I wouldn't say this is anything groundbreaking, but it's super fun and I will be recommending!

I usually really enjoy regency era romances. And I think this was unique in that all three main characters were kind of pushing against the expectation of women during that time. Which I did like that aspect.

But overall I didn’t find much enjoyment in this read. It was a bit flat and a bit boring for me.

I don’t think any of the characters were particularly enjoyable either. At least to me. I didn’t feel any type of connection to them, and I didn’t really feel like I was rooting for any particular f them.

It took me longer to finish this than it has to finish most books that I read. It took a lot of effort for me to want to read it once I started also.

I really wanted to love this book because I was looking forward to reading it but I just wasn't a fan. I didn't like any of the characters and just found everything to be slow.

This was a DNF for me. I couldn't muster up enough care about the characters or their concerns. This might work for folks who love this time period, but it was not for me.

1817, and three young women travel to London for their first season with very mixed feelings. Thalia Aubrey is not looking for a husband but for ‘salons with the brightest ideas’ and for a publisher for her poems, though she does hope to be ‘a little reckless for once.’ Her vivacious younger sister Kalliope looks forward eagerly to parties, social gatherings, and admirers. Uncomfortably aware of her social ineptitude, their cousin Charis is much more interested in science than in social events. How their aspirations are fulfilled or frustrated is presented with both considerable irony and keen insights into the challenges that await the inexperienced. Nor does it take long for disaster to strike, for they are confronted with a highly judgmental society that places a higher value upon appearances than upon reality.

The adverse consequences of their early missteps and subsequent errors in judgement create a rather sobering mood throughout much of the book, but the sympathy and support they receive from friends, parents, and, most importantly, each other help the trio weather the storm. And to recognize that modifying one’s expectations may lead to surprisingly satisfying opportunities.

This coming-of-age Regency romance is marketed for a teenage audience, and the tone does verge on the didactic at times. The lessons, however, remain applicable for a modern audience, especially the need to be honest about one’s feelings, to be ready to make apologies, and to offer forgiveness to others. Recommended.

HNR Issue 104 (May 2023)
https://historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/an-improbable-season-unexpected-seasons-1/

I don't remember my first historical romance; it was more than likely a Signet Regency. I was absolutely drawn to the books because they were brightly covered, with illustrations of women having afternoon tea, dancing in ballrooms, or being helped into it out of carriages. I always wished I could be transported into the covers if the characters were having tea.

Which is why I'm so glad that YA Historical Romance is having its moment (again). With the recent releases of The Davenports, Queen Bee, and now AN IMPROBABLE SEASON, I'm glad that historical romance will be reaching a younger crowd..

As a seasoned historical romance reader, sometimes the introduction to the Regency era England felt heavy handed. It seemed as though many of the tropes/plot lines were forcing their way through the book. However, I do feel that this would be good for YA readers who are interested in reading historical romances, but not sure where to start.

With three different POVs for the story, that were connected by timeline, but not necessarily storyline, I wonder if it would have been a better experience to have three separate books that happened simultaneously. Or maybe drop hints at future novels with an overarching storyline.