I didn't enjoy this book which felt like it was trying to be "Bridgerton" worthy and it didn't really meet the mark. Very disappointing and then far too salacious towards the end.

THIS BOOK!

This is why I never miss a Julia Bennet book! There so many layers of complexities when it comes to the relationships in this book. Themoral grayness that makes the characters relatable. It's just so good.

As someone who reads over 100 book a year, sometimes genres begin to feel like so much of the same. This book breathes fresh air into the historical romance genre. Give it a read!

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for an arc. All opions expressed are my own.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Julia Bennet for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Worst Woman in London coming out May 7, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I have another book by Julia Bennet to read. Her books seem so interesting and I love to check them out. Historical romance is one of my favorite genres. I loved this book. I thought it was unique in the Victorian romance fiction genre. I think the divorce storyline is rarely explored in historical fiction. It’s not something that happened a lot. It was definitely hard for women to divorce during that time. I think they both made mistakes, but it was best for them to divorce. There were a couple parts I didn’t care for, but it was a fun read. I loved James and Francesca’s relationship. I don’t think it was as predictable as most romances I’ve read.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys unconventional Victorian romances!

A totally different take on historical romance while still feeling sweetly familiar. The pacing, different POVs, humor, and sweet aching friends to lovers romance was a delight. Totally lovely

For so much of this book, I was so mad for Fran - trapped in a loveless marriage with very little hope of divorcing her unfaithful husband. I really felt the injustice of living in a time when a woman had to have a spotless reputation for a divorce while still having to jump over hurtles to prove her husband was a bad husband. It all really made me root for Fran to be free and live her life the way she wanted!!

I did like the relationship between James and Fran but I wanted a bit more depth. And for Edward and Sylvia, I didn't really understand their relationship at all besides lust and I didn't like that Edward and Sylvia's relationship developed so late in the story - it didn't feel convincing in the end.

It may have just been the editing of the ARC, but the story did seem to unexpectedly jump from POVs and parts of the story that I would get confused. There were points that the writing didn't flow smoothly between different plot points.

I really liked the feminist angle with Fran and the overall story, but some parts just missed the mark for me.

JAMES AND FRANCESCA FOREVER. I absolutely flew through this book. i dont know how i simultaneously felt all the juicy angst but still found it in my to laugh at the story as well. i will be patiently waiting further books from julia bennet

Full disclosure, the title and blurb of this book is what got me to read it. Francesca and Edward are unhappily married. However, societal conventions overlook Edward’s philandering ways and paints Francesca into an unhappy corner. That is until Francesca wants a divorce. Amid all this enters James, Edward’s best friend and possible forbidden love interesT for Francesca. I was very much interested in what the author had in store for us but honestly the story fell a little bit short for me at this point. I was very disillusioned by both male characters. This was an okay read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sterling Publishing for the opportunity to evidence The Worst Woman in London by Julia Bennet. It was a fine historical romance. Francesca wants to divorce her husband who has abandoned her for wild women in London. Her husband is against the divorce but mostly because he doesn’t particularly want her to be happy and is not interested in the scandal. He sends his friend James (who was his best man) to offer her money to stay wed. Once Francesca and James get reacquainted, they realize there love for one another. The story is heartfelt and the MCs obviously want the best for each other. It was a fine book. But the banter was, awkward somehow. The book tries to walk the historical/contemporary line and just misses. I wonder if perhaps editing and streamlining some of it would help. (But what do I know). I loved that the characters were complex and there was no real villain in the end. But it just didn’t wow me.

I’d like to start by saying this cover is so cute! I love the regency era romances and a forbidden romance added to it was chefs kiss. I loved the characters, the attraction, the spice. It was so good!

You might think that not much happens in The Worst Woman in London, and you'd be right. This is a romance between a married woman and her husband's longtime BFF. In fact, the book opens a few weeks before Francesca's marriage to Edward, when James meets her for the first time. It's not love at first sight - the next chapter is 10 years later, 10 years during which James and Francesca have only socialized in the presence of her husband. But now, she's petitioning for a divorce, and Edward asks James to negotiate on his behalf. Get Francesca to drop her suit and settle for an unofficial separation, and Edward will fund her lavishly. James isn't exactly happy to represent Edward's interests, but since he basically agrees that Francesca should just drop the idea of divorce, he reluctantly visits her. Once he renews his acquaintance, they both realize that they are almost irresistibly attracted to each other. But their romance is forbidden for many reasons: Francesca's marriage might be over in all but name, but if she doesn't maintain a pristine relationship, she won't be granted a divorce. Plus James is trying to abide by the Victorian bro code - he might be able to indulge in an affair with another man's wife, but not his best friend's.

Bennet brings off what many historical authors try but fail to achieve: she gives us characters who feel historically accurate but with a modern sensibility. The true villain of this book isn't Edward, despite his boorish and sometimes cruel actions. Instead, the obstacle keeping James and Francesca apart are societal expectations. Francesca's friends and relations have cut off all contact with her until she drops her divorce case. James's aunt has made it clear that he is expected to follow all of her demands or he will not receive the inheritance she holds over his head. And in the beginning, James agrees with all of the social strictures. Why shouldn't he have to kowtow to his aunt? Why can't Francesca see that she should just knuckle down and make the best of things?

This is a subtle book that focuses on nearly imperceptible changes in its characters' motivations, desires, and ultimate goals. With gorgeous, period-appropriate prose, appealing characters, and obviously-detailed research on divorce law, it's a great example of the best of historical romance. It's also angsty and emotional without falling into melodrama. HIGHLY, highly recommended!

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

4⭐
Spice Rating - 🌶️🌶️

Love! I am a fan of Historical Romances and this book just ticked all the checkboxes for me. Loved the feisty heroine, the forbidden romance and the struggle to break out of societal pressures, expectations and stigma. I loved the spice in this book as well.
This book follows Francesca and her character growth post separation from her husband which show her vulnerabilities and inner turmoil as she battles societal norms and we can't help but root for her throughout. Her chemistry with James (her husband's friend) was perfect although I do wish their equation during her marriage was also explored.
The characters were well rounded and written well. But unfortunately, nothing in the book could redeem Edward in my eyes. Even then, I was expectantly waiting for a redemption.
The pacing in the middle was a bit off for me, but the book caught up after the 60% mark.
All that being said, I really liked Julia Bennet's writing and would love to pick up the Hardcastle Inheritance Series by her as well.
Over all, well written, interesting Historical Romance perfect for when you want to read a romance with substance.
Thank you to Netgalley, the Author and the Publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love historical romances so much and this book is such a good example why so. I absolutely devoured this book in one sitting!

This book tells the captivating story of Francesca, a strong-willed Victorian wife who finds herself trapped in a loveless marriage with an unfaithful husband. Determined to break free from the shackles of her unhappy life, Francesca embarks on a journey to obtain a divorce, a task that proves to be incredibly challenging in the late 19th century.

As the plot unfolds, readers are taken on a rollercoaster ride of emotions as Francesca's path crosses with James, a mutual friend of the couple. Initially, their relationship is purely platonic, but as they spend more time together, a deep connection begins to form. The forbidden love that blossoms between Francesca and James becomes the central focus of the story, adding an element of tension and excitement.

Throughout the novel, the author skillfully weaves in the societal norms and expectations that constrained women's freedom during this era. Francesca's struggle to divorce her husband highlights the immense challenges faced by women seeking independence and agency in a male-dominated society. The book sheds light on the hypocrisy and double standards prevalent at the time, as well as the limited options available to women who dared to defy societal expectations.

Francesca's character is beautifully developed, portraying her as a strong, intelligent, and resilient woman who refuses to be confined by the limitations imposed upon her. Her determination to fight for her own happiness and freedom serves as an inspiration to readers, showcasing the strength of the human spirit even in the face of adversity!!!

Meanwhile, James undergoes significant growth throughout the story. Initially, he is portrayed as a loyal friend to both Francesca and her husband, but as he becomes entangled in their lives, he begins to question his own beliefs and values. James's transformation from a passive observer to an active participant in challenging societal norms adds depth and complexity to the narrative.

The novel also delves into the broader social injustices of the era, shedding light on the struggles faced by women in their fight for equality and recognition. It explores themes of gender inequality, the lack of legal rights for women, and the stifling expectations placed upon them. By intertwining these historical contexts with a forbidden love story, the book offers a thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of Victorian society.

The chemistry between Francesca and James is palpable, adding an extra layer of intensity to the narrative. Their forbidden love affair is both captivating and heart-wrenching, as they navigate the treacherous waters of societal disapproval and personal sacrifice. The author skillfully portrays their emotions, making readers feel deeply invested in their journey!

Overall, this book is a highly recommended read for those interested in Victorian romance and the societal norms of the time. It combines historical context with a compelling love story, offering a thought-provoking exploration of the challenges faced by women in the late 19th century. With well-developed characters and a captivating plot, this book is sure to leave readers both entertained and enlightened!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending an arc my way!

This book was lovely, angsty, and left me with a smile on my face once I finished it - which is really all I could ask for. It was also incredibly infuriating in the way only a reminder of what women were going through not even a hundred years ago can be. I was rooting for Fran the whole time and I'm so happy she got her happily ever after.

"the worst woman in london" is a victorian romance about francesca thorne, née heller, as she petitions for divorce from her unfaithful husband and ends up falling in love with his best friend. as fran deals with the aftermath of her divorce, being shunned by her family and society circles, she forms a bond with her husband's best friend, james standish. james had been sent by her husband, merely to deliver a message from edward, but he found himself wanting to spend more and more time with fran. if you know me, you know i'm a sucker for historical romances with a feminist twist, so needless to say, i absolutely ate this book up. there's just something so romantic about saying a big eff you to society and its expectations so you can be with the one you love. i also really loved how edward got a bit of a redemption and got his chance to be happy as well (but he's still on thin ice). i would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who loves historical romances with badass female characters and men who break societal norm for the women they love.

The Worst Woman in London had fabulously strong opening chapters, but by the end, one incredibly odd choice on the part of the author ruined what should have been my first 5-star romance read of the year.

What I liked; I really liked Francesca. She is so self-possessed and knows herself. She isn't perfect or perfectly strong, but she's strong in a realistic way. I loved how Bennet contrasted her public and private "faces" so well--it felt SO true to the period and made me seriously question any previous desire to time travel to the Victorian era. I also liked James as an independent character. He also felt so true to the time, and his character arc made sense, though I felt it was rather rushed in the end.

The problem: about halfway through the book, Bennet makes the choice to begin opening up the POV so it's no longer the dual 3rd person POVs of our hero and heroine. Instead, we now have the ex's POV and a debutante's. I can see WHY she wanted all these. It helps us make sense of Edward's motivations--loathsome though they are--and Bennet, thankfully, doesn't ever try to make them palatable. Just wants us to see how and why he thinks and acts how he does. Sylvia's POV is to give us a an additional female POV to Francesca's: someone who is also struggling against society's expectations.

But here's the thing. Because now page are dedicated to secondary characters' POVs, it a) takes away from the time spent with our main characters, and for me, that took away momentum and sucked passion out of the pages. James' and Francesca's relationship ended up being weaker for it. <SPOILER> B) It allowed Edward to be humanized and have a happy ending. Edward never truly gets his just desserts for his treatment of Fran, and sure, that's how history would have gone for him, but this isn't a history book. It's a romance book. Call me petty, but I want my bad guys to get their comeuppance. I did not WANT him to have a happy ending. </spoiler>

For all that, it is a good, engaging read. I'm interested to read more of Bennet's work after this.

Thank you to NetGalley and Union Square & Co for the ebook ARC. All opinions are mine alone.

The numerous changes in narrative choppily interchanging throughout the chapters made it really difficult to feel completely immersed into the story. I also think more focus should have been put in writing Fran’s journey to independence as this was the central theme to the story but it seemed to get lost in the many subplots of the side characters.

At about 45% the story got more intriguing but was still hardly gratifying as the romantic interest did not seem fully developed as anything more than a really confused and lustful friend. I was hoping for some of Antony Bridgerton’s “I am a gentleman” energy to aid in building up the tension but the gun was very much jumped and I didn’t feel any tension at all between the two main characters. This led me to feel more invested in the antagonists’ developing relationship as opposed to the main characters’ which in turn left me very conflicted about the purpose of the book after finishing.

A great premise for a book that fell a little flat for me. The romance was so sweet and I really felt for Francesca but her husband falling for a young woman (not even 20!!!) who is exactly like Fran and he’s suddenly just okay with it??? Max ick. It ruined the book for me. Still giving 3 stars because I loved James.

Can honestly say this is the first regency-era romance I’ve read about a divorce and it did not disappoint.

Fran is ten years into a sham of a marriage with her cheating husband Edward. Instead of doing what society expects her to and just accepting his awful behavior, she files for divorce. Even though this means getting the cut direct from her relatives and most of society and the legal barriers she has to overcome require her to basically be a pious saint.

In the midst of this she does quite possibly the worst thing for her case — she starts to fall for her husbands best friend James. The two just can’t seem to say away from one another, despite the consequences.

This book was filled with nuanced and complex characters that felt both modern but appropriate for the era they were in. The book also felt incredibly well-researched from a legal standpoint. I loved getting a glimpse into each of the main characters motivations, even when they were contradictory and confusing at times.

A unique read for this genre & I thoroughly enjoyed.

Genre: historical romance
London, 1882

Mr and Mrs Thorne are horribly suited for one another. James Standish knew it from before he saw his friend Edward Thorne married to the young Francesca, in whom Edward believed he had found the perfect wife. Only James saw Fran’s lively spirit and knew they would never be remotely happy or even satisfied. Ten years after their marriage - two in misery and eight apart - Fran has requested a divorce on the grounds of Edward’s infidelity. But Edward insists it’s simply “not done” and requests that James plead his case for Fran to basically “shut up and deal with her lot in life.” Of course, James has been half in love with Fran for ten years, and finds that beneath their longstanding acquaintance something more than admiration and respect stirs.

I was a little nervous at the outset, with one main character trapped in a loveless marriage and the other a close friend of the estranged husband and half-engaged to someone else, but this is a novel where you trust the writer to take you where the characters need to be and not worry about propriety. You understand at the outset that Fran and Edward are miserable and that theirs has no hope of being a real marriage ever again.

You also quickly realize just how unfair it is for women in the Victorian era to seek a divorce, even for blatant infidelity. My blood boiled as Francesca speaks with her lawyer and realizes she’ll have to prove he has harmed her while Edward only has to give suspicion of her own infidelity and she’ll lose her case. This is probably the first historical romance in which I’ve read at length about divorce, and it really emphasizes the importance for women to have access to divorce rights.

If Edward is made out to be a piece of work, James isn’t all that much better. He’s a bit lazy and loves living in comfort as heir to a wealthy aunt. But his friendship with Fran makes him want to do better and prove himself. He realizes very quickly as his aunt thrusts a new debutante in his path that there really hasn’t been anyone but Francesca for ten years. And yet as the story progresses, James has a refreshing change of heart. He is desperate to prove himself to Fran at any cost.

Francesca is fascinating, because at the outset of the book, we assume she is exactly what Edward wants in a bride, and it turns out Edward is too young and Fran not precisely biddable. She’s not stereotypically-romance-heroine-feisty or bluestocking (though she is both of those things in her own subtle ways), she just wants more out of life than a loveless marriage. I found her clever and kind, and remarkably mature as she looks to create boundaries for herself in search of true freedom.

And yet none of the characters are truly bad or good. They are multi-dimensional people who have complex needs and desires. Even Edward (who quite rightfully deserves a punch to the face) isn’t entirely bad. Despicable, maybe, but not bad. These realistic qualities bring the book to life. There isn’t a lot of driving plot, and it doesn’t matter because the character development and social interactions move the story along.

4.5 stars*

Thank you so much to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.

The worst woman in London? More like the worst MAN in London aka Edward Thorne!!!

I found this to be very unique, for it's genre. I have never read Evie Dunmore's series (I will now) but I suspect that if you liked that, you will also really enjoy this.

We follow Francesca who married Edward after 6 weeks of knowing him and now, 10 years later, wants to divorce him (I would too if I were her). However, Edward does not want to divorce Fran, (because what would people think... how dare they, so scandalous... I mean they haven't lived together for the last 8 years and all Edward does is go around cheating on Francesca... but divorce, that's just too much for the 19th century) and asks his good friend, Edward (who by the way so this whole divorce coming from the moment he met Fran) to make Francesca a proposition.

Through this proposition, Edward and Fran realize that there's definitely some chemistry between them and the story goes on from them. All I can tell you it that Edward is so swoony, I mean:

"There's no one for me but you. I'm in love with you, you silly woman."

Also, this is coming from a law student, but seeing how the law worked back then and how women where held to a much higher standard then men was infuriating, ofc, but also very interesting.