I've really loved Alexandra Vasti's regency romances and thought I would love this one! Unfortunately the writing style was a bit hard for me to follow and ultimately led me to not become invested in the story. This book would be perfect for those who loved the first book in the series or regularly like to read regency romances.

I really enjoyed this book! Like the first in the series, it focuses on the lives of two "spinsters" and their adventures and love life. The men are supporting (and supportive) characters, with the women leading the way in solving the mystery.

Ladies Augusta and Julia Duffield are trying to find a long term solution to the problem of Lady Hester and Miss Grant, who are in hiding from Hester's brother, Lord Deele. Deele wants to send Hester back to the asylum for loving a woman. Unfortunately, he is her guardian and has the legal right to do so. The Duffield ladies rescued her at the end of the first book in this series, along with Hester's other brother, Evan. They are also trying to keep Evan safe, as he is on the run from the law after his false conviction of murder twenty years ago. Gus is also worried about her sister's health, their brother's insistence in micromanaging their affairs, and how she can clear Evan's name.

The best describer of this book is adventurous. Is you love strong female characters in your historic mysteries, you'll enjoy this series!

Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book.

Delightful, comical, and absolutely charming! The Colebrook sisters are at it again—defying the expectations of high society, causing just the right amount of chaos, and bravely taking matters into their own hands to protect their friends. Their wit, heart, and knack for finding trouble make this story a total joy to read. It’s a perfect mix of humor, mischief, and sisterhood. I adored every page and sincerely hope there's a third installment on the horizon!

The Ill Mannered Ladies are back! Twins Augusta and Julia are 42 year old spinsters with a penchant for helping other women get out of trouble. And in 19th century patriarchal London there is no shortage of women who need their help. This series is simply fabulous!

Though there are certain humorous aspects to the story, Goodman doesn’t shy away from giving a full picture of the women’s vulnerability in this era. TLRGTUR takes Gus and Julia into the underbelly of secret clubs in London, and how women were preyed upon and exploited without the protection of respectability and family money. It’s an ugly reality that I appreciated as books set in this time generally romanticize the period to a degree that can erase these horrible trusts that coexisted with a Bridgerton backdrop.

I love it when Authors mix up genres and that is what we have here. It is part historical fiction, part suspense mystery and part romance. It all comes together in a thoroughly enjoyable balance. I can’t wait to see what these two badass women ( and the men that fall for them) have ahead in future books.

4.5 rounded up.
Welcome to the Colebrook sisters, the protagonists of The Ill-Mannered Ladies series who live gloriously independently of both societal expectation and fear of family reprisal in the face of doing what’s right by their loved ones and society. The Ladies Road Guide to Utter Ruin is book 2 in the series featuring these dynamos and I thoroughly enjoyed this ARC read from Berkley. My biggest advice-read book 1 first! It took me awhile to catch up but once I got through about the first 1/3 I picked up on enough to get back up to speed to appreciate the story. The Colebrook sisters are dynamos, and it’s refreshing to read a story about older women during this period of time. The central mystery is intriguing, but I think a reread/listen of book 1 is the best plan to fully immerse yourself in this plot. This is a must read for historical fiction fans who like a dash of romance and a whole lot of justice. Thanks to Berkley for the ARC-I can’t wait for book 3!

A fun adventure story, set in Regency England, starring a brave, impulsive, and intelligent woman. I thought the author did a good job balancing historical fiction, romance, thrills, violence, and feminism in a story that reminded me of how it felt to read The Wolves of Willoughby Chase when I was nine. I hadn't read the first book in this series, and while I was able to figure out what was going on, it would be wise to start with the first of the Ill-Mannered Ladies adventures, as this one drops you right into the middle of an ongoing story.

The Ladies Road Guide to Utter Ruin is the second in Alison Goodman’s Ill-Mannered Ladies series and follows directly on the action of the first book, The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies. And what an action packed story this turns out to be. Lady Augusta and Lady Julia are once again united in offering assistance to Lady Hester, sister of the beleaguered Lord Evan, and her close friend, Miss Grant, protecting them from the other brother that would return Hester to an asylum. And there is the continuing struggle to find proof of Evan’s innocence of a 20 year old crime. This series follows on traditions established years ago for regency era romances but does push the limits well beyond the days of Georgette Heyer.

What a romp this book is! So much happens and there are surprises and cliffhangers around many corners. Gus and Julia flaunt codes of their time to help those in need as they are able. And love appears to have entered each of their lives. Goodman provides historical background on some of the real characters used fictionally in this novel in a helpful and interesting afterword I recommend reading.

The ending of this book guarantees a third installment…I’m looking forward to reading it! And I recommend this book to readers of historical fiction, historical romance and period dramas.

Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. This review is my own.

Gus and Julia are back in another adventure, using their skills and resources to help women and children find a better, safer life. This is book #2 in the series. While it could be read as a stand-alone, it's much more enjoyable if you've read the first book. As the sisters help the Belford family, they will investigate the accusations that placed Lord Belford in prison.
If you love Regency mysteries, especially those with a little romance mixed in, you'll love the Colebrook twins and their adventures.

The Ladies Road Guide to Utter Ruin is the second book in the Ill-mannered Ladies series, and it’s as much fun to read as the first book (The Benevolent Society of Ladies).

Goodman’s writing immerses the reader into the world of Regency England with its rigid gender and societal roles. Lady Augusta (Gus) Colebrook, and to a lesser degree her twin sister, Julia, are at odds with these expectations. They are independently wealthy, which sets them apart even more. Gus is forever butting heads with their brother, Lord Duffield Colebrook and his wife, Harriet, much to the despair of Julia. But what the contemporaries of the Colebrook twins don’t know is they’ve made it their life’s work rescuing and protecting the women and children on the edges of society. In this novel, Goodman sets the reader among the Georgian gentlemen’s clubs, a dark, seedy, and at times violent world.
But the women don’t work alone. Lord Evan is an escaped convict and the love of Gus’s life. And Julia has fallen for Mr. Kent, a Bow Street agent (policeman). Neither relationship falls into acceptable standards for the two women. They are also supported by their loyal staff. Weatherly is their unflappable butler. Tully is Gus’s loyal lady’s maid. Their close friend Charlotte, Countess Davenport, supports Gus and Julia’s unconventional choices.

A well-written cast of characters live in these books; people I wish existed in real life. In addition to the characters, the book also has snappy dialogue and humor throughout. Goodman has written a book that is just fun to read, with a well-paced plot, spunky characters, and mysteries not easily solved.
5/5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for a free e-copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

Lady Julia and Lady Augusta (Gus) Colebrook are forty-two-year-old unmarried twins. The hot-tempered Gus had a serious falling out with her brother, Lord Duffield, who treats his sisters with maddening condescension. Fortunately, the women have their own income and live in a comfortable home with devoted servants who attend to their every need. Whereas Julia prefers not to call attention to herself, Augusta is an outspoken and impulsive individual who risks her life to help victims of injustice.

In "The Ladies Road Guide to Utter Ruin," by Alison Goodman, someone has sent a ruffian to track down and execute Lord Evan Belford, a fugitive who refuses to leave England until he can ensure the safety of his sister, Hester. When she decided to set up house with the woman she loves, Hester's other brother and legal guardian, Lord Deele, had her confined to an insane asylum. Thanks to the efforts of Lady Augusta and others, Hester escaped, but Deele is determined to recommit her.

This multifaceted story has humorous dialogue, satirical passages, violent confrontations, and biting social commentary. The author explores such themes as the gulf between the idle rich and working poor; the hypocrisy, misogyny, and arrogance of certain members of the nobility; and the scandal generated when a high-born person falls in love with a person deemed unsuitable by society. Although the novel is weighed down by one too many plot lines, "The Ladies Road Guide to Utter Ruin" is, on the whole, an entertaining and action-filled tale of good vs. evil that will please fans of Regency-era romantic fiction.

This is a fun and sassy historical romance book! This is the first book I’ve read from this author and uh didn’t disappoint. It was funny, whitty and had a mystery vibe to it. It also had strong and force FMC’s that women who support women.

I really enjoyed another adventure of the spinster twins!! They really know how to entertain🤣 I would definitely suggest to read the first book in the series…there is not a lot of background info. Definitely recommend this book!!

Lady Augusta and her twin sister Julia may be dismissed as old maids by society, but they’re secretly rescuing women society forgets. When Lord Evan’s sister needs protection, the sisters step in—only to be pulled into a dangerous mystery tied to Evan’s past. Murder, bounty hunters, and buried secrets threaten everything—including new love and fragile freedom.

I made the mistake of jumping into book two without reading the first—and while I could follow along, I wouldn’t recommend it. This is absolutely not a standalone. It gives away the entire plot of the first book (which now I might skip—oops) and assumes you already know everyone and everything.
That said… the writing? Phenomenal. Clever, quick-paced, and layered with wit. The twin sisters, Gus and Julia, are an utter delight—sharp-tongued, strong-willed, and constantly getting into the kind of trouble that makes for a wildly entertaining read. Honestly, the characters are just as much the draw as the plot itself.

While the mystery kept me intrigued, I did find myself losing steam a few times. Still, the themes—especially the value and vulnerability of women in Regency society—are handled with depth and boldness. There’s a thread of romance, too, but make no mistake: this is a mystery through and through, not a love story.

If you enjoy historical fiction with a dash of danger, dry humor, and daring women who don’t wait to be rescued, you’ll have a great time. Just promise me you’ll start with book one.

Perfect for you if you like:
Regency sleuths
Women who refuse to stay in their place
Dry humor
Sister-led chaos

Similar to:
The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton
The Ladies Rewrite the Rules by Suzanne Allain

⛔️closed door romance
⚠️mild-moderate language, brutality of women, disturbing violence

High drama indeed!

Firstly bother! This was such a great read I’m going to have to add the first in the series to my already teetering TBR pile!
Lady Augusta Colebrook and Lady Julia, her twin sister had previously enacted the rescue of Lady Hester Belford (along with Harriet’s convict brother Lord Evan Belford and Bow Street runner Mr. Michael Kent) from an asylum where she’d been incarcerated and treated dreadfully. She’d been placed there by her brother Lord Deere who’d inherited the earldom when his older brother was sentenced. Hester had refused to give up her relationship with Miss Grant and marry as the new Earl saw fit.
Lady Augusta already has a somewhat troubled relationship with her brother Lord Duffield, who keeps trying to make her moderate her behavior into what he sees as more suitable.
Now Gus is totally focused on getting Hester to safety and proving Evan’s innocent of murder.
Their lead is a club call Exalted Brethren of Rack and Ruin. There they discover truly heinous happenings.
Put that together with a menacing, renegade thief taker being after them, Hester’s brother also in hot pursuit, Gus and Julie becoming more involved, and we have a fast paced, dangerous regency read that left me wanting more on the shores of a smuggling community!

A Berkley Group ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Plot: This is a great follow-up to book one, and IMHO, better structured as it focuses on Lord Evan's exoneration versus chopping up the book into parts highlighting the Ladies Augusta and Julia's adventures. It also gave us more information about what happened 20 years ago as well as the characters involved with led to Lord Evan's eventual exile and imprisonment. This part of the arc is still developing, and I'm wondering if it will conclude in book 3.

I also enjoyed that the story went a little darker here, introducing us to a nefarious secret society that victimizes women after brutalizing them first. I'm sure we're going to learn more and I hope AGoodman explores this piece of the puzzle more.

Characters: Needless to say, I love the twins! I also love that they're in their 40's (we really need more books featuring older heroines), ballbusters, and know how to wield their femininity and influence to help those that are in need. I love that Lady Julia has a bigger voice here and have finally asserted herself against her brother and Lady Julia's overwhelming protectiveness of her. Some of the secondary characters are back and it's cool that we have the opportunity to know (and hate) them better.

Romance: Oh but I love a slow-burn! Not only is Lady Augusta paired up, but Lady Julia as well! I'm definitely looking forward to how this is all going to conclude because their obnoxious brother, Duffy, has a lot to say about their selection, but the twins are standing strong and will not abandon their beaus.

Summary: I'm a fast fan of this series. I love stubborn, difficult, and competent women especially if they're set in a historical setting. I want to see the twins triumph, especially against their brother, Duffy, and see them reshape the bon ton's opinions about spinsters, rank, and the like.


Review for The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6979982745
Fable: https://fable.co/review/5d3b4907-b0ba-4b45-875c-ad498085a8d9/share

I received this book for free from Netgalley. That did not influence this review.

The Ladies Road Guide to Utter Ruin by Alison Goodman will be released in 4 days. I’ve been waiting for this impatiently since reading book 1 in the series, The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies.

Book 2 continues the Regency-Era adventures of Lady Augusta (Gus) Colebrook and her sister, Julia. They are 42-year-old twins of genteel birth and modest fortune. But they are spinsters, which puts them in an odd place in Society. They have some independence, but are not expected to use it.

They have already caused a stir by their rescuing of Lady Hester Belford from an insane asylum, where she had been imprisoned by her brother. Now they are hiding the lady so that her brother, Lord Deele, can’t try again to have her locked away elsewhere. (For the record, Hester is not insane.) The only reason Deele (a second son) has control over his sister is that their eldest brother, Lord Evan Belford, is supposed to be in exile for a murder he did not (he didn’t think) commit. Evan has sneaked back from exile to try to clear his name. In book 1, he and Gus met and fell in love. Unfortunately, he’s on the run from the law and they can’t be together. Awkwardly, the law includes Mr. Kent, a Bow-Street Runner, who is pursuing Evan, and who is enamored with Julia—the feeling is mutual.

Gus and Julia have to protect Lady Hester, Evan, and their own reputations while also dealing with their brother, Lord Duffield, who is mortified by their behavior and determined to make them behave so they’ll stop bringing shame upon the family name.

Along the way, they encounter a “thief-taker,” who is determined to catch Lord Evan and kill him. Someone, they don’t know who, wants Evan dead. They uncover a secret club devoted to sexual violence and depravity. And they become involved with government plots. All the while, they have to accept that their own sisterly relationship is changing.

This book is a worthy successor to book one. While entertaining in its own right, you should really read book one first to help keep all the players straight. If you enjoy historical adventure with a strong dose of romance, this series is not to be missed.

This series is just so much fun! I hadn't read book one yet when I got this ARC, so I immediately got it from the library and dove in. The book covers and titles were enough to draw me in!

Reading historical fiction with women who break the traditional and "proper" mold is always my favorite. Gus and Julia are brave, selfless, kind, smart, and witty. I especially love Gus' fire, and how she's stubborn to a fault. This book was one big adventure, and the romance that's been going on in the background is so sweet and a perfect addition to the story! I will definitely be continuing the series.

The Ladies Road Guide to Utter Ruin is a fast paced, thrilling, romantic historical fiction. When I saw that I had been approved for an ARC copy of this book I was ecstatic! Not only is it my most anticipated 2025 release, it is the sequel to one of my top reads of 2024.

This book picks up right where book 1 leaves off putting our characters right in the heart of conflict. To speak on these amazing characters, I deeply enjoy the individuality of each character. Their motivations and emotions are so real. They pull you right into the story and really make you care about the stakes.

And did this book have stakes. We’ve got murderers, we’ve got debaucherous clubs, we’ve got carriage chases. And just when you think the characters have been through enough the story grips us again with another conflict. The weaving of the plot line and reveals was masterfully done.

Now to my favorite part of any book, the romance. It was extremely well done. The pining, the subtle glances, the interrupted moments. I’m a sucker for historical romances so this one hit the spot.

Overall, an amazing read! I couldn’t recommend this series more. And I’m already anticipating book three!

I would like to thank Berkeley Publishing Group and Penguin Random House along with NetGalley for the e-ARC.

I like to thank NetGalley and the publisher allowing me a chance at reading this.

I've been waiting so long for this book and it was worth the wait! All the characters have returned and more Heyer inspired romps - masquerades, kidnapping, secret meetings, hidden identities.

The brother and sister-in-law THANKFULLY did not show their faces all too much, but good god do they drive me nuts on how they treat Gus. Which is apt for the period, but still - eye rolling and absolute ''I want them gone" vibes.

Mr. Kent was a treasure and his slow bromance with Evan is what has me delightfully engaged. Both of them going from enemies to "I guess we'll work together" to "welp, we're now wanted men, lets be awesome friends for our ladies".

Talk about that ending! It has me HERE and SEATED. The fact the group is heading THERE and to do THAT is awesome, and I am sure we'll get more action / suspense.

Alison Goodman has me happy that I'm reading story about women in their early 40's finding romance, saving lives, and being outspoken in their own ways.

Spinster sister Gus and Julia make me so happy. Their respective romances make me happy, their sleuthing makes me happy, and their fighting for what’s right (even when unconventional) makes me happy. I could read about their escapades forever. Thanks to Berkley for the ARC.