I tried and DNFed the first book in the series, but decided to give the author another chance. I’ve concluded that this author’s writing style is not for me. There are so many characters introduced in the first two chapters, I can’t keep up.

I really enjoyed this entry in the Marleigh Sisters series, it had everything that I wanted based on the first book. It had a great overall historical feel to it and the characters were what I wanted. Amita Murray writes a great historical fiction world and left me wanting more.

4/5. Releases 5/14/24.

Vibes: "must marry or else", vaaaaague guardian/ward sorta kinda?, two people living on the edge of English society, light mystery

Heat Index: 6/10

Court sitar player Anya doesn't expect to inherit much, if anything, when her client dies. But the Dowager Countess Budleigh has left Anya half her fortune--with one condition. She must marry by her twenty-fifth birthday... which is four months away. Otherwise? The money will go to Lord Damian Ashton, the family outsider and now trustee. (Oh--and they think he killed his way to the title.) As Anya begins looking for a husband, Damian is there, initially to irritate and then, when she's accused of murder by the Budleighs, to help. The question is--if they make it out of this, can he bear to see her with someone else?

The second in Amita Murray's Marleigh Sisters series, I found Unladylike Rules of Attraction faster-paced and more exciting than the first installment, which is always lovely. The chemistry between Anya and Damian had me immediately--and though the relationship unfurled a bit more rapidly than I expected, their back and forth remained a treat. As did the very true reality of them both living on the edges of English society, seen as oddities or fetishized due to their races (Anya had a white father and an Indian mother, and Damian's grandmother was a Jamaican Black woman).

So while I do have nitpicks here and there, I have to say that this was an engaging romp with serious insights.

Quick Takes:

--If you enjoy romantic leads that snark, you'll be into this. Damian and Anya are kind of at each other's throats from the jump, but in, like, a fun way. They both find each other annoying, mostly because they want to bone, and I support that. I also really love the marriage plot setup: she's supposed to marry, or he gets everything, so maybe the best thing would be for them to marry each other...? But NO, God NO, that would be AWFUL.

Damian also has a lovely younger brother who enters the scene as a supporting character. He initially thinks that his brother is making a play for Anya, and the "I am quietly seething from across a ballroom" content was great.

--But, as I mentioned earlier, there's a lot of quiet understanding these two have for each other. Anya is seen as an exotic marvel at Queen Charlotte's court... to an extent. There isn't much actual real respect there, because women hate her (and let's be real, are often jealous of her) for who she is and men want to fuck her without offering any legitimacy or respect.

Although Damian didn't have an identical experience to Anya, he's also very much an outsider. I mean, people just assume this guy murdered someone to get a title... basically, let's be real, because he's of Jamaican descent. The novel is covering, basically, a lot of nasty, racist shit. However, it maintains an optimistic, if realistic attitude, and understanding reality doesn't mean that Murray is going to keep her leads from falling in love. It's a tough balancing act, and I think she executed it well.

--That said, these two do move pretty fast. And I'm not someone who loves a slow burn, right? I enjoy reading sex on the page early. It's not that the sex happens so EARLY in this book. It's more that I don't think there was quite enough build up between Damian and Anya. The chemistry was there, but when it began I was pretty surprised.

It's not a huge issue, but if I had to give a critique, that would be my main one.

--One thing I really appreciated was the way Murray dealt with Anya's trauma surrounding her separation from her sisters. She knows where they are, she loves them--but she can't really bring herself to be close to them because of this chasm of years apart. She wants to be! She feels guilty! But that doesn't make her reluctance built on years of separation go away.

--The mystery and murder stuff here is pretty light; there's nothing that's too much to bear here. But I found it entertaining, and I can be a hard sell with mystery, so that's a good sign.

The Sex:

This is an open door romance. It's not super explicit, it's not over the top. There are a few scenes, nothing super wild, and I do think Murray could go into a bit more detail with it. But as it is: if you enjoy a Lorraine Heath level of heat (and I do too, I could always appreciate more though), you'll enjoy these.

Moving along at a clip, Unladylike Rules of Attraction is both romantic and astute. I see it being compared to Bridgerton, and while I get that on paper... First off, this is a lot smarter in general than that show. Second, it's certainly more attentive to the issues of race. If you want something fun and different and very much its own thing, check this out.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I never read the first book I still had such an incredible experience reading this book.
I loved every second of it from start to finish. I didn't feel like I missed much from starting this book first.

Today I’m reviewing Unladylike Rules of Attraction by Amita Murray. In this rivals to to lovers, we follow the songbird and sitar player Anya Marleigh, who is employed by the Queen of England and her scheming court. When the Dowager Countess Budleigh passes away and leaves a small fortune to Anya, who became an honored guest over the years prior to the Dowager's death, prompts a series of unfortunate events, including the broodingly handsome Damian Ashton.

Now, let’s chat about the book itself.

Unladylike Rules of Attraction‘s premise is a great one. I loved the concept of a young independent woman with little means, is given an opportunity of a lifetime. The only problems are a certain handsome someone and a rather inconvenient deadline to marry to obtain her gifted fortune.

Great idea right?

But for me, it is the execution of the story, the lack of witty banter, and the romance between the two main characters that became a struggle.

Further, I grappled with the romantic relationship between Damian and Anya. I’m always game for an enemies to lovers trope. Where it takes the couple most of the novel to find sure footing before they’re consumed by their very obvious attraction for each other. But I felt that the interactions between these two didn’t really sustain that initial spark that leads to the inferno that is their romance. Where you as the reader are smiling ear to ear, toes curling, and the playlist of every hit love song playing in the background, because of the banter, the clear chemistry, and the graceful fluidity of two rivals coming together like the musical notes to an epic song. That never really happens in this one.😭

Although this one wasn’t for me, historical romance readers who enjoy court dramas, a family of cutthroat snobs, and enemies to lovers, should give this one a try.

Loved reading the fabulous and fantastic romance story. When the Dowager Countess Budleigh leaves Anya part of her fortune, Anya has to marry before her twenty-fifth birthday, and if she doesn't, the fortune goes to Damian. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, and a must read riveting love story.

The main thing that I have to point out is that they meet each other for the first time at the reading of the Dowager's will, and as soon as they are alone, he's already kissing the inside of her bare wrist showing that this will indeed be a case of insta-lust, something I hate with a passion. And it may be because of this that I simply did not enjoy these two together. Sure, they occasionally exchanged some witty barbs with one another, but I never saw them actually falling into anything other than lust. In fact, I barely thought they were friends, and then they were sleeping together.

Secondly, I don't think I have ever met a couple with more bad luck than Anya and Damian. These two were very seriously the epitome of "if it can go wrong, it will."

First there are attempts made on Anya's life starting right after it was announced that she would inherit (although they were so odd at first you have to wonder if the person behind them was serious or not). When that doesn't work, she is then accosted (on the palace grounds nonetheless), and someone ends up dead. Now, I know there were other more important things happening at that same time, but it still seems odd that Anya would have missed a crucial piece of what might be considered evidence when she was checking the body for a sign of life. But she does. And thus, she is blackmailed even more.

Which somehow leads to Damian, his brother, his brothers friend and Anya's own sister not only getting involved but coming up with a scheme that while brilliant in some aspects, is also rather dumb in others. And yet, despite there being an actual brilliant story-line within that scheme, it is tossed aside for, you guessed it more blackmail! Only this time they are going to go after Damian and the old rumor that he killed his predecessor just to inherit a title he didn't want.

Now while our rag-tag group of amateur sleuths are busy trying to figure out how to extricate Damian from this mess, something big happens. And Damian automatically assumes the worst of Anya (do you see what I mean about it only being lust)? Lots of angst happens, Anya does some dumb shit (like literally accosting a highwayman she suspected of murder and expecting him to openly admit it)? She gets rescued, Damian realizes he's in love with her, but of course she is much too prideful to admit she feels the same (especially since you know he entrusted her with information on one else knew, and once that truth was brought to light he rightfully assumed she had given the information since she didn't like his valet in the first place, and he was too stupid to realize it might be a set up).

Ah heck, I am rambling. Much like this novel tended to do. In fact, I do hope before it gets published, someone does some edits because honestly, how many times do we have to read that Damian is mad because Anya is talking to a potential suitor when he has this dimwitted plan to propose to her?

And please don't get me started on the ending, and how not only did things not actually get resolved, but Anya goes and does one of the stupidest things I've ever seen a character do (although maybe that's just me and Anya is a better person than I am who knows at this point).

All things considered, I don't think I will continue on with this series, although I may give this author another chance down the road.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

Anya, a gifted sitar player, finds herself thrust into a whirlwind of events when she unexpectedly inherits a fortune with the condition of marrying within four months. The tension escalates as the deceased's family vies for control, adding complexity to Anya's already complicated life.

One of the coolest things about this book is how it's all about representation. Anya, with her Indian background, and Damian, who's got roots tracing back to an enslaved Jamaican woman, bring such fresh vibes to the story and unique perspectives against the backdrop of historical London.

However, while the central romance and dramatic elements are compelling, the pacing leaves much to be desired. At times, the story feels rushed, and the abundance of subplots makes it challenging to fully engage with each character's story. And while the resolution ties up loose ends, it lacks the satisfying depth and nuance that the story deserves.

Unladylike Rules of Attraction remains an intriguing read for fans of historical dramas with diverse casts. With tighter pacing and a more focused narrative, it could have been a truly outstanding tale. But still, it’s an entertaining read, albeit with some room for improvement.

Very Bridgerton! There is romance, tragedy, smut. The beginning was quite simple and fun.

Eventually, the plot became complex- it took some time to get to the point and felt quite predictable.

The characters started out strong, but later fell flat. The writing is repetitive and unnecessary information causes digressions from the main story. Some historical events and characters have been inserted, that seem irrelevant to the storyline and just doesn’t have the expected impact. I found myself less and less invested as the chapters went by.

The Marleigh Sisters story continues with book two of the series. This story features the second sister, Anya, who has made her way as a court singer for Queen Charlotte and is drawn into intrigue when she gains an unexpected inheritance and meets a reluctant earl.

The story has positives in that it features a diverse historical London and a combines mystery and romance into a storyline with great potential. But the overall storyline has been diminished by too many storylines that in the end did not tie neatly together. Every time on plot theme started to pick up steam it seemed that another unnecessary twist was thrown into the story. Overall the second story was stronger than the first in the series and I may continue to see where the series goes with the third sister.

Rating: 3 Stars ⭐️

This is my first book by this author. The story line is unique and original. The heroine is strong, independent, and has a profession. She is a musician in Queen Charlotte’s court. There is a lot going on in this book which distracts from the romance plus it’s an insta-lust. There are some witty lines, mystery, and intrigue but I found myself skimming through most of it. The story was missing something. The authors writing style is choppy and contemporary.

Thank you to the publisher for providing the ARC.

Unladylike Rules of Attraction was a fun period romance! I have not read the first book but was easily able to read this one as a standalone without missing too much.

Anya is the second Marleigh sister and plays the sitar for Queen Charlotte in the palace. It was refreshing to read a period romance that allowed the woman to be more than just a ‘spinster’ for being unmarried at 24. I loved the side characters (Jeremy is a dream) and how they all worked together to help Anya get what she wants most.

If you love period romance, mutual pining, strong FMC, found family, and a slight miscommunication trope, this book is perfect for you!

This book was an interesting take on the historical romance category. It referenced multi racial characters but did not delve into their experiences as much as I would have liked to see. The romance is solid, the mystery was predictable

I stopped after chapter 2 (6%) but it seems like an easy three stars for the target, four for the right readers. It’s slow and easy, and should go over well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC.

While the diversity and background of characters is interesting, and many aspects of the central love story are tantalizing, the book feels a bit rushed and scattered. It's packed with so many elements that at times it feels like something needs mores pace to breathe, while other aspects needs to be shortened. All in all, not a favorite.

In this Georgian era novel Anya is a musician and member of Queen Charlotte’s court. One of her patrons/clients, a Duchess, has left her a fortune- with the proviso that she marry before her next birthday. Oh, and there’s a trustee who must approve of the marriage. Of course, that trustee, Damian, has reason to dis-approve of any marriage as he will keep the fortune should she not wed. He has much to lose should she marry. The dastardly Damian!


But then there’s Damian’s perspective. Who is this scheming mercenary that conned her way into the good graces of the duchess? Well enough to inherit the fortune that should have gone to the current duke? She must be a sly devious one. Foul play! Ultimately, though, it was not his business and he didn’t have time for the drama. He hoped she would marry soon and he could wash his hands of the mess. For if she didn’t marry, the fortune would revert to him which would look criminally self serving of him. There are already rumors of suspicious deaths leading to his inheritance from the earldom. He does not need more gossip.

Damian and Anya are amazingly likable and endearing given how shut down and emotionally isolated they are. Both are imperfect yet yearn for one another. For the trust and closeness with each other. This is also an intriguing murder mystery. Overall it is a charming and engrossing tale.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Anya discovers she has been left a great deal of money by a recently deceased rich, aristocratic woman she was friendly with and sometimes worked for as a singer. There’s a catch though, she only gets the money if she finds a husband by her next birthday, four months away, and the trustee of her new fortune approves the marriage. Damian, a distant relative of the deceased old woman, has been named the trustee. If Anya doesn’t marry, Damian gets the money. Meanwhile, the old woman’s greedy, selfish children want the money for themselves.

One of the first things that stood out to me in this book and made me care about Damian and Anya’s story happened throughout the sixth chapter. At this point in the story it’s already clear that Damian doesn’t trust Anya—he doesn’t really know her yet—but he is clearly physically drawn to her and, more importantly, concerned about her wellbeing.

I felt that the evolution of the relationship between Damian and Anya was well paced, which made the book very enjoyable to read and kept the story moving. I love historical romances, but they’re not all built the same and I can usually tell pretty early on if one will hold or lose my attention. This one hooked me early on.

The only thing about this book that I didn’t totally love was the resolution at the end. It felt rushed and underdeveloped. But this is no way detracted from the preceding story. Still, it’s the reason I gave the book 4 stars instead of 5. I hate to really enjoy a romance and then have the end be a little lackluster. I would definitely read more books in this particular series or even just other books by this author, though; and I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical romance books.

ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for honest review.

Unladylike Rules of Attraction by Amita Murray
Pub date: May 14, 2024
Rating: 4/5

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
I came to this not having read the first book in the series, but that’s okay, it stands alone. I will probably get the first book on my tbr soon though, since I very much enjoyed this.
Definitely bridgerton show vibes in terms of diverse characters which is super cool to read. Had a soap opera feel to the level of drama. Pretty entertaining!

Anya works as a musician in Queen Charlotte's court as a sitar player. She unexpectedly inherits a patron's fortune ... if she marries before her 24th birthday. The family of the deceased is not happy, and try to ensure she marries one of them. It features some pretty bonkers stuff, including some suspicious deaths, a disapproving (but very hot) will executor, intense family dynamics (her own and the family she's inheriting from), and a (very sexy) garden hookup.

I had a great time reading this one, but be prepared for some challenging miscommunication. I especially liked the historically accurate inclusion of BIPOC characters: Anya is of Indian descent, and the MMC Damian is the grandson of an enslaved Jamaican woman. This felt like the best of Bridgerton (including the soapy plot twists) without some of the weird historical contortions of the show. This is the second in the Marleigh Sisters series, and I highly recommend starting with book 1.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

A refreshing and lovely story with well developed characters. You do not need to read the first in this series, but it was fantastic as well, to keep up with the story as the details are superb!