DNF. I liked the concept of this book, but even though this has cute illustrations, this was too modern to appeal to me. The idea is that a fictional character from the Regency Era is going to answer modern people's etiquette questions and questions about love and life, but without a sufficiently authentic and convincing voice for that character, this doesn't fly.

The advice is extremely bland and generic, and even though the character will express her shock and confusion at futuristic technology and some changed social dynamics, the author doesn't lean into the real differences between the two eras. The Regency character is utterly accommodating of everything and doesn't seem suitably shocked by extreme societal changes, and the advice she shares sounds like a 21st century advice column with some random historical window dressing. This is only for people who like modern attitudes dressed up in Regency fashions, not for people who are interested in actual history and the real comic contrasts between two wildly different eras.

This book is super cute. It is structured kind of in a "Letter to the Editor" type spiel. Each page or set of pages has a question that someone "asked" the narrator, and she writes out an answer. The narrator is also super quirky. She is a woman who seems to be from Jane Austen-era England who was transposed into modern life. All of her advice is this interesting combination of taking older ideas and trying to modernize them without seeming overbearing. She also seems like a best friend, as if she is giving advice to one of the closest people in her life. Finally, a lot of the pages have beautiful illustrations that are related to the question that page is answering.

Lady Whistledown may even find a tip or two in "A Regency Guide to Modern Life" by Carly Lane. A humorous and delightful book examining social questions from the twenty first century through a regency lens. Beautifully and comically illustrated, Bridgeton fans will rejoice! The advice may be simple but true, and can help all from a diamond of the first water to a wallflower. Thank you to Netgalley and DK for the digital ARC of this book, all opinions are my own.

This book was a little different than what I expected, but I thought it was really fun. The illustrations were lovely and really made the book come alive. This would be a lovely gift for fans of Bridgerton and Jane Austen.

OMG, this is such a delightful book! I found it to be more Bridgerton-esque than strict Jane Austen, but that did not make it any less delightful. In fact, more so because some of the situations the narrator, Lady A, addresses are much more likely to be seen in a Bridgerton universe.

I like how the author has included very modern situations like dating apps in her relationship section. Plus some great content around navigating friendships (not just love relationships), taking time for self-care and employment situations. The tone is consistent throughout: fresh and fun, but Lady A takes her subjects' questions seriously which I appreciate. This isn't a jokey book, but one with genuine, heartfelt advice.

The thing that really makes this book is the illustrations. I have to give a HUGE shoutout to Jo Podmore (whose credit was very difficult to find) for her charming pictures. And I love that they include depictions of a variety of types of relationships in the Love section. Seeing a picture of two brides really helps the book live up to it's "Modern Life" title. Well done!

I think this book would be the perfect gift for any young Regency-phile, particularly one who is deeply into Bridgerton. Definitely recommend. Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read an ARC.

I enjoyed the illustrations of this more than anything else. The advice is mostly sound, though it's mostly common sense that any advice columnist would give wrapped in a regency ribbon. It's definitely cute and I can see this being given as a gift quite a bit.

This is very cute and would be well received by fans of Bridgerton and other Regency literature. It is presented in a Q&A format on various topics including love, friendship, work, and others. The advice is not particularly detailed, or revolutionary, but it's well-intended and amusing to read. The illustrations are a fun complement to the text and have a lot of humor. As a gift or a light diversion, this definitely meets the mark.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

This book answers the question of how Jane Austen would respond to modern day challenges with many good examples of how to respond in social situations with examples from the Regency era. It is funny, well-written, and I will definitely take away some of its advice.

It offers advice no matter the type of relationship you encounter whether it is friends or lovers and includes what to do in work situations which can be tricky to navigate in this modern world. I enjoyed the focus on learning how to be happier in life and making sure you maintain your good relationships with people.

My honest review in exchange for receiving a free ARC from Netgalley.

I was not sure exactly what this was when I requested it on netgalley, but man I am so glad I was able to read it.

This is not a romance, it is not a story, it is a person answering questions to do with life in the now, but they are in the regency age of history.

It was absolutely funny and the actual answers were honest and true, but it was the illustrations that I adored. Seeing someone dressed up that way but in a modern scene was awesome.

I highly recommend getting this one in hardback.

I had no idea what to expect from this book when it was announced, and I'm so delighted by it. It's every Regency/Jane Austen/Bridgerton-obsessed girl's modern-day gospel that's so well written and gorgeously illustrated. The illustrations done by Jo Podmore breathe fantastic life into Carly Lane's words, making the whole book stand out in a unique and memorable way. This is a coffee-table physical copy must-have that you can turn to at any time. There's clearly love poured into every page, and it's obvious right from the start.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance review copy!

Such a cute, fun book! Essentially imagine if Bridgerton's Lady Whistledown handed out advice - and had way less of a snarky bite. A Regency Guide to Modern Life's Lady A offers advice on friends, family, dating, work, and how to be your best self, all with a fun 1800s spin.

The advice throughout is practical, if a little shallow, and this little book was a delight to read. The winks and nods at the differences between the Regency Era of the early 1800s and today kept a smile on my face, as did the narrative voice. The illustrations are also super cute, with plenty of diversity and the hilarious juxtaposition of modern activities with people in Regency dress.

All in all, a joyful, quick read that would probably make a great gift!

4/5

This is a funny, silly little read, perfect for the Bridgerton obsessed person in your life! I love how inclusive this is, with the questions that are being posed to "Lady A" all being gender neutral, so the person posing the question isn't just assumed to be a woman/young girl, and there are at least one obvious same sex couple in the illustrations. Cute life advice book!

A fun and light read perfect for regency romance lovers!

This was a cute and quirky book that was super enjoyable to read through. I thought the concept of applying historical romance tropes and etiquette to modern day situations was hilarious and super fun.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

A cute gift idea for the right fan! The writing is quaint, and the humor enough to get by on the novelty. While I would not order a case, I can see a display with this thrilling the right younger fan of Bridgerton.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced digital copy.

This was a fun and witty advice book for young adults, if the advice were given by Lady Whistledown. I liked it but I also felt like it was trying to hard to be funny rather than actually being funny.

This book was really funny and entertaining. I definitely recommend it! The characters were hilarious and well-developed at the same time. I wasn't bored for a single moment.

An interesting look at how Austen can be helpful advice for the modern life. As well as giving it a humorous look.

This is a fun, beautifully illustrated agony aunt type of guide with advice from your good Regency friend on anything from dating apps (or 'courtship applications' as she calls them) to being ghosted ('do you mean you are being haunted right now?'). Each page has a problem and a solution, and topics range from love to friends to family to work to personal growth. I can't imagine reading this cover to cover in one sitting but this is enjoyable.

This is a fun, quick read. The illustrations are completely adorable and the advice itself is solid!

Any Bridgerton fan worth their salt knows about Lady Whistledown and her gossip column. But what would happen if, say, that column were less about deconstructing the flaws of the ton, and more about giving readers the advice they need to navigate the often turbulent landscape known as "society"? That's where you get Carly Lane's A Regency Guide to Modern Life.

A Regency Guide to Modern Life is an extremely cute, fun read, feeling like a spiritual successor to Meg Cabot's Princess Diaries Guide to Life that was so instrumental to me as a tween. The book dispenses practical, bite-size life advice, complemented with vivid illustrations.

Lane's love of romance novels, and of the Regency era really pop out in the writing style, evident in the little winks and references her fictional Lady A makes as she guides the reader through troubles related to romance, work and friendship.

<i> A Regency Guide to Modern Life is available February 7. Special thank you to Netgalley for an advance copy for review purposes </i>