I’ve been on such a regency romance kick, and seem to crave them more and more. I jumped at the chance to read Ladies Rewrite the Rules, a lighthearted historical romance with a twist on the old story of a woman looking for a wealthy man to turn her financial situation around. In this case, it is the men who coming looking to the wealthy women to better their station.

Filled with such charming characters, and all the great witty dialogue, I thought the chemistry between Diana and Maxwell was so good!

WHAT TO EXPECT
-historical romance
-enemies to lovers
-romcom
-witty banter
-themes of female friendship
-loveable characters

🎧I paired the book with the audiobook format and fully gave in to this immersive style of reading that transported me to the regency era. I loved the narration choice, and thought it was such a fun story.

*many thanks to Berkley Romance, PRH Audio and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

I really loved the friendships that were created in this book and the way that Diana and Regina interacted. With that being said, the characters of this book seemed really simplistic and almost childlike in how they viewed the world because they did not consider how their actions affected other people or the reasons behind the actions of others. This severely hampered my enjoyment of the book, but it was a short and sweet book that had a good setting and premise. I just wish that Allain had spent more time developing the characters so that they were more three-dimensional as opposed to reading like stock characters.

I was lucky to be given an ARC of this book to review. This is not my first time reading something by this author, and I have really enjoyed the previous books I’ve read. So I was very excited to dive into her newest work

This book grabbed my attention right away by the very unique plot. It follows a group of ladies who find out their names have been published in a book for younger sons who need help on the marriage mart, specifically with finding a lady with money. So they decide to change the rules of the game, and make the men work for them. It is something I have never seen done before, and I loved the “woman-power” elements we see as these women take control of their lives.

The chemistry between our main couple was so much fun to read about, our male lead especially. Unlike other regency novels, they let themselves have these feelings and don’t shy away with false pretenses. I just really enjoyed reading about them. Plus, this is a great book if you are not a fan of smut.

As a rule, I try not to compare a lot of regency romances to Jane Austen. It’s such an easy comparison, and never really accurate. However, I think if you are a fan of Austen’s satiric writing and romance creation then you would really enjoy this story. The writing is not too similar, but I found myself having the same feeling I did when reading Austen for the first time.

What a delightful little gem! This comedy of manners is an utterly fun treat about women taking back control of their destinies at a time when society tells them they’re powerless. Regency women discovering that they have more power than expected are the centerpiece of this entertaining novel, and I love that women's friendship is just important here as the romantic storylines. Don't miss this one!

After Mrs. Diana Boyle discovers that she is included in ‘an alphabetical list of the Widows and Spinsters of Great Britain with an account of their places of abode and reputed fortunes’, she is outraged. She tracks down and berates the anonymous author, then alerts others on the list. Most agree to form a group to challenge the conventions of the marriage mart by giving women greater power in the courtship ritual.
Since the novel is set during the Regency era when patriarchal authority was deeply entrenched, this act of rebellion provides ample opportunity for irony, needless to say. Though the resolution may seem overly optimistic, it certainly demonstrates the value of friendships and alliances between women. The lessons are applicable to all who find themselves victims of injustice and the misuse of power.
Recommended.

“But my goal in doing this is not to find myself a husband, but to participate in Lady Regina’s very revolutionary and novel scheme to remake the typical gender roles in our favor.”

In this book we follow the Ladies of the Registry - older, or widowed, or young women of fortune who are unmarried who the younger brothers are trying to woo. This book was so much fun to read because it flipped the script on Victorian ways. Strong female friendships, witty quips, and sweet love interests - couldn’t ask for more.

Ah! This better be made into a movie. I loved it so much. It gave me regency (which I love) but with the focus on widows, which aren't really talked about. It addresses double standards, and it is funny. I loved it!

Diana Boyle has discovered her name on a directory of rich, eligible women for “second sons” or other men who need to marry a woman with money, and she’s outraged! She was married at 18 to a man three times her age, so she and her mother wouldn’t go homeless, and the union wasn’t a happy one. Diana is not keen on marrying again. As a widow, why should she give over the wealth and independence she now enjoys? Instead, she writes to the other women on the directory to let them know so they wouldn’t be taken advantage of by fortune hunters.

However, the ladies decide to turn this directory around to their advantage, by letting these men know that they will be deciding the rules of courtship since they are the ones with the advantage. They were able to flout some of the ridiculous rules, like sitting out all the dances if they refused one man’s request.

The Ladies Rewrite the Rules was utterly charming! There were two delightful romances. Both low on drama, which I appreciated. I enjoyed seeing these women turn the tables on men and society where the advantages were usually in the male’s favor and grab up some happiness!

Fun and full of women taking their lives back!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I love the trend in some historical romance novels of these early feminist women taking a stand to be who they want to be, regardless of family obligations.

This author crafted a unique, original romance story that brings the words women empowerment to front and center.

The plot which brings together a group of women willing to take a stand is witty and imaginative. Tight friendships are found and we meet the perfect gentleman to help and support the newly founded Women of the Register.

I love how beautifully matched the two main characters are and watching them develop through the book was a sweet and delightful addition. Swoony and perfect together, Diana and Max make an impact on the ton and the reader!

The Ladies Rewrite the Rules is entertaining, fun, and full of women taking their lives back. Check it out!

Diane Boyle is a young widow, who never wants to marry again. Her marriage, to a much older man was a marriage of convenience and she can’t see herself ever marrying again.
She is a wealthy widow and doesn’t have much to worry about. She has a beautiful home and she lives with her sister in law. Actually life is pretty boring and she is ok with that. That is until she finds out she is in a directory of wealthy, widows and she starts getting called on by young men. Maxwell Dean is the creator of this list and at first he thinks it’s a good idea. But it turns out he thinks it was very inconsiderate. He has created this list for young men like himself, who haven’t been left with much money in their family line. So this list was going to help him find a wealthy woman and he would be set for life.
Diane is not going to let Maxwell get away with this. She is going to expose him to all the other women in the directory. With their help she is going to organize it so that they can get a step ahead of their potential suitors. These English women are a force to be reckoned with and the men don’t know what they are in for. This was a very cute book. I loved the relationships the author created. A quick read, that was lighthearted and uplifting.
I want to thank Netgalley and Suzanne Allain for my copy of The Ladies Rewrite the Rules, for an honest review. It was my pleasure to read and review this story. I always love to see the ladies rewrite the rules..

When a directory of eligible ladies of means is published to help young fortune hunters find rich wives, Diana Boyle is understandably infuriated. She seeks out the author of this list to reprimand him. What she didn't count on was Max Dean being apologetic, handsome, and charming. As the ladies of the registry band together to rewrite the rules of society in their favor, Diana gets much more than she originally bargained for- new clothes, a best friend, and possibly love. This is such a cute story and Allain does a great job of creating deeply likable characters. If you like a good, clean romance with a touch of feminism and loads of charm, this is for you!

The title of this book filled me with anticipation, and the story did not disappoint! It was delightfully humorous, with vibrant characters and depth of emotion. I enjoyed the journey of Diana, Maxwell, and their friends as they navigate the rules of Society and how they redefined their roles and themselves.

According to society at the time, younger sons had few options for their future without lowering their societal class. One of those options was to marry a woman with a large dowry or independently wealthy, such as the widow of a rich man. Those who pursued this course were labelled "fortune hunters" and looked upon with suspicion. How was a woman to know that she was valued for more than her financial assets? That she would be treated as well after the marriage as during the courtship? Maxwell proved sincere in his desire to assist both the men and women in these circumstances, although some misused his directory, bringing the criticism, wrath, and retaliation of many of the women listed. I loved that these women met and bonded, even though there was an array of perspectives and opinions on courtship, marriage, and men. The women's actions to take control and turn the tables were fodder for the gossips, and they had a fine line to walk without falling over into disfavor or ruin.

The story follows multiple characters who eventually pair off, but not before we see the layers peeled back and learn the motivations, nuances, and desires of those making up the ensemble cast. While there are a good number of ladies and gentlemen, a few are brought to the forefront as the focus, and the romance between each couple is sweet and genuine, filled with banter, misunderstandings, and reconciliations. Highly entertaining!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

"From the author of Mr. Malcolm's List comes a delightful romantic comedy set in Regency England about a widow who takes high society by storm.

Diana Boyle, a wealthy young widow, has no desire to ever marry again. Particularly not to someone who merely wants her for her fortune.

So when she discovers that she's listed in a directory of rich, single women she is furious, and rightly so. She confronts Maxwell Dean, the man who published the Bachelor's Directory, and is horrified to find he is far more attractive than his actions have led her to expect. However, Diana is unmoved by Max's explanation that he authored the list to assist younger sons like himself who cannot afford to marry unless it's to a woman of means.

She gathers the ladies in the directory together to inform them of its existence, so they may circumvent fortune hunters' efforts to trick them into marriage. Though outraged, the women decide to embrace their unique position of power and reverse the usual gender roles by making the men dance to their tune. And together...the ladies rewrite the rules."

If you didn't adore Mr. Malcolm's List, well, I feel sorry for you. If you did, I have good news for you!

4 stars

You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.

You guys, this book is so cute! It’s a fun and flirty Regency England historical romance about what happens when the tables are turned against men’s complete control over courtships. Diana Boyle is a wealthy widow who has no desire to get married again. She discovers that she’s listed in a directory of rich, single women to help younger sons without a fortune score a rich wife. Diana is furious and confronts Maxwell, the man that wrote the list.

She gathers other ladies from the directory to let them know about it. The ladies decide now that they have the power, they can reverse the usual gender roles and make men dance to their tune. I loved the friendship Diana developed with Lady Regina and Lady Gordon. Despite Lady Regina being shunned by the ton, Diana and Lady Gordon refused to believe it or accept it. This helps Regina be accepted by more of society. Diana and Regina, in particularly, become close confidants. It was great to see “girl power” in a historical romance.

Diana and Max made such a cute couple. They were both so cautious with each other, thinking that the other didn’t reciprocate their feelings. Their flirting was so cute, and I loved seeing Max protect Diana and look out for her best interests. Regina and Jerome were also a cute couple, and a wonderful story of second chance love. The book is full of HEA’s that will put a smile on your face.

This book is a quick and easy read that can be read in a day. I highly recommend you check out this fun book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from AustenProse PR and Berkley Romance. All opinions are my own.

This was simply DELIGHTFUL.

The Ladies Rewrite the rules is a mix of everything I love. A dollop of romance, heaps of lovable characters, and a strong hint of female empowerment in a time where choices were limited for the fairer sex.

When the ladies decide to finally ignore societal conventions and make their rules...their new found power results in strong female friendships, new opportunities and love when they least expect to find it. I loved the delightful cast of characters from all ages and situations. I also loved following our main character Diana as she navigates being a widow from an unhappy marriage, but manages to bring a whole bunch of women together in support of one another.

A truly uplifting book from start to finish. And while it wasn't romance heavy, I would say the romance portion was completely adorable and swoon worthy. The love interest was sincere, lovely, and just gone for Diana which is truly all that I could ask for. I fell in love with their sweet, tangible chemistry. I love a slow burn with misconceptions to much more...this did not disappoint and I gobbled it up.

All in all this is a read that just genuinely made me happy. I cannot wait to see what Suzanne writes next because I will be in line to read it.

4.5 stars

This was a fun historical romance with some societal rule swaps. A younger son (Maxwell, the male MC) created a directory of single ladies with money. He thought this might be helpful for other younger sons who don't have the means to support a wife or family. our main character, Diana, is a young widow and she is immediately visited by two single men. She discovers the directory and goes after the author. She also contacts all the other women in the directory.

This is the set up for an enjoyable story with some thoughtful role reversal. Diana soon makes a couple of friends in the ladies group. They decide to celebrate their inclusion in the directory and hold a ball for the ladies and eligible men. Watching the story unfold, both the friendships, the romances, and the role/rule reversals, was engaging. Watching the women question their place and their beliefs was nice. This definitely is rated PG, and was a pleasant way to spend a weekend afternoon.

I read Suzanne Allain’s debut novel Mr Malcolm’s List when it first came out and I just wasn’t a fan. Which made me so sad because by all accounts, this should have been a book for me to LOVE, but at the time I just wan’t loving it. But that isn’t to say that I wouldn’t enjoy other books by this author. I just didn’t love that particular book at that particular time. When her second book came out, Miss Lattimore’s Letter, I found that her writing had improved and I enjoyed this story quite a bit better than her debut.

When I saw this book was coming out, I decided to give it a read and see if her progress continues. When I started this one, I was on a full blown historical romance kick and I was eager to read something else set in Regency England. I knew from experience that Allain’s writing was less formal than some of the other historical romances I had read and I was excited to check this one out, plus I loved the premise of the story from the description and seeing other reviews out there made me excited to sit down with this one!

I did an early micro review of this book when I was just starting it back in October. I finished it in a couple of days (the book is on the shorter side even for a romance) and I am now excited to share my full review of this sweet romance with all of you readers out there. If you enjoy historical romances and are looking for something to satisfy your Bridgerton addiction, this would be a book you should add to your TBR!

Summary

From the author of Mr. Malcolm’s List comes a delightful romantic comedy set in Regency England about a widow who takes high society by storm.

Diana Boyle, a wealthy young widow, has no desire to ever marry again. Particularly not to someone who merely wants her for her fortune.

So when she discovers that she’s listed in a directory of rich, single women she is furious, and rightly so. She confronts Maxwell Dean, the man who published the Bachelor’s Directory , and is horrified to find he is far more attractive than his actions have led her to expect. However, Diana is unmoved by Max’s explanation that he authored the list to assist younger sons like himself who cannot afford to marry unless it’s to a woman of means.

She gathers the ladies in the directory together to inform them of its existence, so they may circumvent fortune hunters’ efforts to trick them into marriage. Though outraged, the women decide to embrace their unique position of power and reverse the usual gender roles by making the men dance to their tune. And together… the ladies rewrite the rules. (summary from Goodreads)

Review

One of the first things I will say about this book is that it runs more to the sweet side of romance rather than the spicy. So if you are looking for something that’s more hot under the corset, then this is probably not the book for you but there is still plenty to love. I was pleased to see that Allain’s writing has improved greatly from the first book I read and I found that her storytelling also improved. This book felt more natural and the story progressed appropriately even if it was on the shorter side. While the story did wrap up well and everything felt appropriately paced, I would have liked to have seen a little bit more ‘length’ to this one. I felt like I finished it too fast and would have liked to enjoy the world a little longer.

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The ‘directory’ aspect of the book was also intriguing. It was a new way to spin the marriage market that is so prominent in other historical romances. There is always such an emphasis on ‘the season’ but with this book and “The Rich Ladies Registry or the Bachelor’s Directory”, I felt like it gave readers a new approach to finding love during this time period. Getting to know Diana and Max was also a treat. From the beginning I was invested in their stories and romance and I thought that Allain did a great job giving them a HEA that was appropriate and fitting. The other characters in the book were charming and fun to get to know but didn’t overshadow the principal characters in the romance.

I started off thinking this book would be a 5 star review. It had a lot to recommend itself and I loved the characters, humor, sweetness, premise, and overall tone of the story. As it went on though I still think it is worthy of a 5 star rating but I do think there were some things I would have liked to have seen more of, for example I would have liked to have seen a little more length to the book that would expand possibly on the characters just a bit more. But overall I felt like this was a charming read that kept my attention for a few days and allowed me to escape into a world of romance and HEA.

Book Info and Rating

Format 272 pages, Paperback

Expected publication January 9, 2024 by Berkley

ISBN 9780593549643 (ISBN10: 0593549643)

Free review copy provided by publisher in partnership with Austen Prose in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and in no way influenced.

Rating: 5 stars

Genre: historical romance, romance, historical fiction

In the spirit of her earlier dazzling Regency Romp, Mr. Malcolm’s List, another misguided hero has published a list- a directory of Spinster heiresses and wealthy widows. One of those widows isn’t having it and sets in motion a sparkling, humorous, but heartwarming new path to love with ladies calling the shots.

Diana Boyle comes out of official morning and is ready to enter a life sans men. Marriage taught her to want nothing more with a system that allows a man to coldly treat his wife like property. But, just as she starts to breathe the air of freedom, men start descending on her home eager to court the wealthy… and very pretty widow. Diana rushes in to rescue herself and other beleaguered women from the greedy predators… or so she planned until she catches sight of polite, gentlemanly Maxwell Dean, the author she has come to scold.

Maxwell has suffered his own past heartbreak and due to a woman who might have accepted his overtures of love until she uses him as the step up to his titled and wealthy brother. He is sincere in wanting to protect other second sons from such a mistake and it never occurred to him that he might be siccing the unscrupulous types on vulnerable ladies until Diana points it out. Max is a sweetheart and puts himself forward as Diana’s knight in shining armor to make amends.

It is not long before this pair go from enemies to friends and then more though Diana has made it clear she never wishes to marry and Max won’t ask because he won’t let Diana or the rest of society wonder if its money and not Diana he is interested in. A surprising circle of friends and courting partners arise from their encounter over the directory and her subsequent warning to the other ladies. I enjoyed this group who grew close and started to pair off and fall in love. This is Max and Diana’s story, but others get their romance, too.

The tone is light and there is fun and mischief in the courting game. But, there are those deeper undertones of why the situation arose on both sides. I liked seeing the women feel strong and confident rather than vulnerable and the men see their own worth as more than what they have in the bank to provide for and love a worthy woman. There is a bit of underhandedness going on and I enjoyed the surprise twist that came from an unexpected character revealing the truth. Diana steps up as a big-time heroine in that matter.

All and all, a sparkling Regency era RomCom for sweet historical romance fans to appreciate for the wit and banter among a glad circle of characters.

Thank you @berkleypub and @prhaudio for my gifted book. My thoughts are my own.
#penguinrandomhousepartners

I love a good regency romance novel, and the original storyline and unique situations in this one made it a delight to read!

When wealthy widow Diana Boyle discovers her name listed in 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘓𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘙𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘺, a book for bachelors detailing heiresses and suitable ladies with fortunes, she is furious! So, she pays a visit to the book’s handsome author, Maxwell Dean, to register her anger.

Then she gathers the other ladies listed in the registry and together they realize that they have the upper hand with these fortune hunters! So, they rewrite the social rules of the time! Suddenly it becomes acceptable for a lady to dance with one man as many times as she wishes; or she may turn down a gentleman’s offer to dance without having to sit out for the rest of the evening. The scandalous waltz is now acceptable, and the 𝘭𝘢𝘥𝘺 may ask a gentleman to escort her somewhere if she wishes! The bachelors are completely puzzled, and the society matrons have taken notice! And one Maxwell Dean is truly besotted with Diana!

This one was a lot of fun! I loved the chemistry between Diana and Max and Diana’s friendships with the ladies. My only complaint was I wanted to see the ladies defy society even more!

✨ Review ✨ The Ladies Rewrite the Rules by Suzanne Allain; Narrated by Elizabeth Knowelden

Short, sweet, a little silly, and totally bingeable!

In this book, the ladies do just as the title suggests -- rewrite the rules! After Diana, a recent widow, discovers her name in a book of wealthy widows, she organizes a group of women to make their own claims to marriages that meet their needs. Diana (somewhat surprisingly?) befriends Max, the man who created the directory, and friendships and a romance bloom around Diana as she discovers an entire life beyond what she previously imagined could exist.

I love books that twist traditional gender roles and this does just that (though maybe not always entirely believably). I thought it was a lot of fun to listen to and the silliness of it at times made this feel so light and enjoyable.

I loved the audio narration and binged my way through it in a day. I think I would have loved even a little more development between Max and Diana, but overall, I enjoyed the plot and the whole adventure this took me on!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: f/m historical romance, pretty closed door
Setting: London
Length: 6 hrs and 24 mins
Reminds me of: Evie Dunmore
Pub Date: 09 Jan 2024

Read this if you like:
⭕️ overturning gender roles in historical romances
⭕️ new friends / found family
⭕️ short and sweet historical romances

Thanks to Berkley, PRHAudio and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!