This was a splendid clean romance with so many historical tidbits in the mix! I enjoyed learning about phrenology that was popular at that time. I felt the characters were likable and relatable. This wasn't a stereotypical romance, rather an unconventional one!

Thank you so much for the ARC selection!!

My thanks for the audio ARC goes to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction. I'm voluntarily leaving a review, and all opinions are my own.

Genre: Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Regency Romance, Romance, Sweet Romance
Spice Level: Kissing
Peril: Nothing gets too serious

AN UNCONVENTIONAL LADY tackles the world of frauds and their victims, and I was in every step of the way.

Love is central to this story along with finding your place in the world. Ella is educated and determined. But she is also gossiped about because of her mother's views and death, and again because she was jilted. She is in a tight spot because if she doesn't marry a man who can run the school that her family has run, she loses her spot at her home. Once again, the unfair laws affect what a woman can do in this era.

But then a phrenologist is at the symposium at her home, and he is prickly and is part of the source of the rumors about Ella's mother. And there is a barrister, Gabriel, who is following the phrenologist. These two are trying to get to the bottom of the deceptions. And oh, those deceptions run deep.

The slight mystery aspect to this novel, keeps it fresh and interesting. I highly recommend this for a fun read.

Happy reading!

I have enjoyed Sarah Ladd's books in the past and was excited about the premise of this new Regency romance from her. An Unconventional Lady has really unique main characters and a setting that felt original to me. Ella is a bluestocking determined to help educate other girls while in hopes to use her father's school for young men to do so. I had never heard of phrenology before and thought it was a fascinating choice for the author to use in the plot, it really opened up a different side of the Regency era to me and I found it educational to glimpse that while it also made for an interesting story thread.

I really liked the mystery of this book and how unexpected a lot of the turns were. Gabriel and Ella were sweet together and I enjoyed the way their romance played out amidst the happenings at the Society gathering. The ending was very well-paced and I enjoyed the epilogue and that view of these two.

I listened to the audiobook version of this novel. For the most part I enjoyed the narrator, though there were a few occasions it took me a moment to realize which POV the chapter was in. I'd listen to the audiobook again and recommend it.

I received an advance reader copy of this novel from Thomas Nelson, Zondervan Fiction, and Netgalley as part of the Uplit Reads tour. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I recommend this book. I also find it a great book for fans of authors like Joanna Barker and Erica Vetsch.

Historical novel aficionados will want to immediately pick up An Unconventional Lady , by award winning, bestselling author, Sarah E. Ladd. The regency period is fascinating to those of us who have studied the Regency period, and Ladd has done her homework to capture the nuances and traditions of the day; the scenarios, background, and historical facts are right on. She has simply inserted characters into a factual premise and has woven a story that will keep readers on the edge. Ella Wilde, who has grown up at a prestigious boys school, cannot inherit the estate unless she is married (according to the rules of the time) and the school will go to a distant cousin since she has no brothers. She is headstrong and determined to open a girls school on the property, but the suitors aren’t appealing to her; one suitor broke off the engagement, and the other is a boring old man who wants to be the headmaster of the school. Her father agrees to hold a symposium regarding the latest “scientific” trend, phrenology, which is the belief that an individual's personality and dispositions were predetermined by the shape of their heads. The guest lecturer has debts, and a lawyer comes to the symposium to try to get him to pay up; he and Ella team up to get to the bottom of what may end up being scandalous.

Ladd’s story flows, and the scenarios are believable according to the period. Ladd is able to tell a viable story while building suspense with a bit of romance thrown in. She does an excellent job of developing the characters, and Ella, the protagonist, is very likeable. Ladd does a good job with the supporting characters, and the twists and turns of the story will keep readers happy until the surprising, but dangerous end. Those who choose the audio version of the book will enjoy the English accent by the narrator, and that adds to the charm.

All told, this is a great historical novel. Readers will want to pick up any subsequent novels by Ladd, since this one is well-written, historical, and suspenseful.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction novel, set in the era and society of social scientists and patrons debating the validity of phrenology. I kept cringing, anticipating the heroine of the story to hold back from saying or doing things because of others’ perceived feelings or expectations, since that’s such a pervasive plot device, and found it refreshing that she rarely did so. She was honest and intellectual and kind. The love story was straightforward, but the overall plot had some interesting twists and turns. Highly recommend. 4.5⭐️

Outstanding narration. Sarah E. Ladd is an amazing author. She transports the listener to the center of the story. I loved that Ella and Gabrielle teamed up to right the wrongs. This was a gentle, inspiring story. Wonderful, light faith content. The pacing was perfect. I’m looking forward to back reading this author and her next release. She truly never disappoints. Highly recommend.

I was blessed with an ALC. Thank you Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio. Plus NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.

I’m so honored to have been allowed early access to this book by the publisher and NetGalley.
I will tell you up front that I’m not ever going to choose a book that centers around rich, privileged, “royal” characters. That’s just not my thing. I like everyday people doing extraordinary things and having a happy ending. So, going into this book I kept saying “give it a chance”. But I had heard great things and had never read the author so I wanted to give it my all.
I have to say, I was hooked from the beginning. Anytime there is a historical fiction where women are being belittled, ignored or dismissed….I’m all in because this female main character better come out swinging! And OH BABY did this one ever!!!!
The mystery aspect of the book also drew me in. I love a good “who’s the real bad guy” storyline and I got it with this read.
All good things for AN UNCONVENTIONAL LADY by Sarah Ladd!

Such an enjoyable story. Ella is a strong and confident woman who knows what is right and wrong. In the era she lives in, being a headstrong woman is frown upon and makes the story even better. Look forward to having more stories from this author in the future.

Sarah Ladd has done it again!! This was a heartwarming story. I loved the characters and their development and growth. The plot was well-paced and captivating from start to finish. The narration was fantastic. I highly recommend this clean and wholesome read. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

A classic Regency romance steeped in intrigue. And what an interesting subject matter. Phrenology? Ladd brings all the fascinating details to light in this riveting mix of history and mystery….and romance, of course!

I love the refreshing approach the author brings to this genre. Our unconventional lady is part of the upper working class instead of nobility and a house party setting is replaced with an educational symposium. Still lots of opportunity for socializing and banter, just coming from a different angle.

And Ella has something to prove among the elite supporters of the man who has ruined her life. She finds an unlikely champion in a childhood friend who is now a barrister. Gabriel and Ella work together to expose the charlatan, with unexpected results. Intrigue, betrayal, danger….and a healthy dose of romance…combine to make this a compelling Regency read.

Well, listen in my case. I thoroughly enjoyed Fiona Hardingham’s narration. Her voice lends authenticity to the dialogue as she brings a variety of characters to life. I was was completely charmed. Made for a pleasant listening experience.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson, Zondervan Fiction Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio edition of this book.

An Unconventional Lady by Sarah E. Ladd was a thoroughly enjoyable listening experience that brought the story to life in a fresh and engaging way.

The narrator did an excellent job capturing the tone of the Regency setting and the distinct personalities of the characters. Each conversation felt clear and expressive, with strong vocal variety that made it easy to follow dialogue and remain fully immersed in the story. The pacing and delivery complemented the slow-burn romance beautifully, enhancing both the emotional moments and the lighter, witty exchanges.

Overall, this ALC was a pleasure to listen to from start to finish. I truly enjoyed the performance and would gladly listen to other audiobooks narrated by this performer in the future. I’m grateful to have received this ALC through NetGalley.

This was my first Sarah E. Ladd book, and what an introduction! This story struck the perfect balance between intrigue, romance, and action—all against the beautiful (and often equally infuriating—for our FMC anyway) backdrop of the late regency period.

Gripping from the start, and perfectly paced throughout, this was an enchanting glimpse at the life of a fiercely independent woman out to clear her mother’s (and her own) name, while constantly battling the misogyny and bigotry of the time. I loved that Ella (our FMC) was intelligent, courageous, and beyond capable, and that she never cowed to others, no matter how much pressure weighed down on her to do so. And don’t get me started on her perfect match—the MMC, Gabriel Rowe. His unwavering support for her, his ability to see her when no one else could—it was all swoon-worthy! They were teammates from the jump, and I loved that Ella finally had someone firmly in her corner.

The twisty, action-packed third act kept me glued to my seat, unable to put the book down ‘til the very last page!

Listening to the audiobook was an absolute experience of its own. Its narrator, Fiona Hardingham was just as capable as our FMC, bringing nuance and personality to every character, as well as a range of accents and voices, making it easy to decipher who was speaking at any given time, and even which head we currently occupied (whether FMC or MMC) with subtle but important differences in timbre and speech patterns.

Truly, a fantastic, extremely well-written story that I can’t wait to read (or listen to) again.

I'm always drawn to books written by Sarah E. Ladd. I've been reading her books since her first couple of books. I love the bits of mystery within her stories, the great character development and the sweet love story woven throughout it all.

I enjoyed listening to the audiobook of this one. Fiona Hardingham is the narrator and she did a fantastic job. I kept thinking that her voice sounded familiar so I went searching to see what other books she's narrated. I have listened to a handful of the books she's narrated. Katherine Reay's, Pepper Basham's, Gabrielle Meyer's, and I recognized several other books that she's narrated. I've really enjoyed her style and how she brings the stories to life!

Ella and Gabriel are childhood friends and they are brought back together after many years in trying to find answers to some mysteries they've both encountered. They keep uncovering things that are slowly helping them move forward to solving their questions. They are both questioning the workings of one person and the lies and uncertainties surrounding him. Bring in several other characters and they have to navigate many unknowns and polite society and Ella appeasing her dad in his plans for her future, and Gabriel and Ella are trying to understand the growing feelings between them.

Lots happening that flows together nicely and leads to some shocking revelations! An adventure for sure awaits these characters. Be careful who you trust. Everyone could be a suspect. Ella and Gabriel need to watch their steps and hopefully stay alive!

Content: Clean. Some talk of death. Some mild moments of peril. Nothing more than a few sweet kisses.

I received a digital copy from Thomas Nelson Fiction, and an audiobook copy from Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading & Listening!!!

Sarah E. Ladd has mastered telling a well-crafted story in a well-researched setting with incredible characters. She stays true to the descriptions and nuances and effectively transports the reader into the story. I love that Ella is non-conventional and non-traditional. She is brilliant, passionate about science (applied correctly) and seeing justice done to uphold her family legacy as well as the integrity of the scientific process. Gabriel enters the story and the connection to Ella is genuine, providing a natural segway to the work he is pursuing. I love how he sees and appreciates Ella, just as she is without the need to be “more” or different. It was a good mystery to solve, and I enjoyed all the characters who played a role in bringing the truth to light. It was convincing and captivating, from start to finish. Another brilliant win for Sarah, in my honest opinion. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley, and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given. Additionally, I was able to listen to an audiobook version and found the narration very well done. The narrator did an excellent job of capturing the multiple characters and roles and kept an engaging pace.

I just finished listening to the audiobook of An Unconventional Lady by Sarah E. Ladd. It was simply marvelous. She wrote yet another twisty-turny mystery that had me staying tuned to the end with bated breath. Fiona Hardingham was the narrator and the many voices she portrayed was exquisitely Regency. I highly recommend this book!!

I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from the publisher. The opinions expressed are completely my own.

This book was harder for me to get into, but once I did, I was hooked. With its low-angst mystery, drama between friends and so-called friends, and the romance, this book has it all. I loved the mysterious past that was revealed in the prologue it really set the tone of the rest of the book. I loved the various characters and moving parts to this story. And, of course, the romance was my favorite part, even though it isn't a prominent plot line in the book.

There are no swears, level 1 low-level alcohol consumption, and Level 1 kisses only. Dual POV.

I listened to the audiobook, and the female narrator did do great male and female voices, but the male voices all sounded the same to me. It was easy to listen to, and easy to know who was speaking.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I feel like my love for Regency-era historical fiction grows with every book I read. This one added to my love for the period!

Ella Wilde has been on a mission to find out the truth about phrenology—the study of the skull that links its size and shape to character traits and mental abilities—since her mother’s mysterious death.

When she finds out that phrenologist Thomas Bauer is the featured speaker for a symposium hosted at her family’s estate—and her childhood friend, Gabriel Rowe, writes to warn that Bauer may have ill intent, she’s even more determined to expose him as a fraud.

As Ella and Gabriel team up to discover the truth about the esteemed phrenologist, a story that was captivating and unputdownable unfolded. Both were main characters to root for! There were elements of surprise woven throughout that made for a good read.

As a former psych major, it was also extremely interesting to read about phrenology. Now deemed a pseudoscience, it’s incredibly wild to even think that this was actually once seem as a valid indicator of character and intelligence.

This is my first Sarah Ladd book, but it won’t be my last! Be sure to add this to your TBR if you enjoy the Regency era, sweet romance that isn’t the main focus, and unraveling secrets.

Thoroughly enjoyed An Unconventional Lady! Sarah Ladd is always a must read author who brilliantly weaves together a cleaver whodunit with a sweet romance & fascinating historical details. In this Regency novel, she explores phrenology, the once-popular pseudoscience claiming a person’s character could be determined by the bumps on their head. With engaging characters, a twist-filled mystery, & delightful childhood-friends-to-more romance, I was hooked from start to finish.

Ella Wilde’s a unique Regency heroine, strong, outspoken, and independent, raised by scientifically minded parents who educated her alongside the boys at their school. After her mother’s tragic death and posthumous slander by phrenologists, Ella is determined to restore her mother’s reputation & protect her dream of opening a girls’ school. When a prominent phrenologist attends a symposium at her father’s school, Ella seizes the chance to expose him & phrenology. She enlists the help of childhood friend & attorney Gabriel Rowe who’s investigating a missing girl linked to the prominent phrenologist.

With plenty of twists, mounting complications, and a room full of suspects, this mystery kept me guessing. Add in Ella’s best friend falling for the phrenologist and a lackluster potential suitor recommended by her father, and the tension only grows. I loved Gabriel! He truly listens to Ella and values her insight. They make a great team, and I enjoyed watching their romance unfold.

The ending had me on pins & needles as surprising revelations take the story in an unexpected direction. I enjoyed learning more about the strange ideas of phrenology & the way the author wove those details into the story. With a pulse-pounding conclusion, all the pieces come together leading to a satisfying end.

I listened to the audiobook version & loved the narrator! She did a fantastic job bringing each character to life. I appreciated the emotion she infused into her narration which made it a captivating book to listen to.

Highly recommend! I received an advanced listener copy from the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are completely my own & provided voluntarily.

I received an advance copy and listened to the audio. I enjoyed this book set in a long ago time period. A time when a Lady was not believed to be equal to a Gentleman. This unconventional Lady shows her strength and character to be not only equal to but greater than the men trying to deceive her friends and family. A mix of detective work and romance combine to make this an intriguing and enjoyable story.

#sarahladd #giftedbyuplit

After her mother dies mysteriously, Ella is determined to uncover the truth and debunk the pseudoscience of phrenology. At a scientific symposium, she joins forces with Gabriel, a barrister searching for a runaway girl, to expose a charlatan.

Fun and intriguing, this heartfelt mystery romance is full of twists. The setting and well-developed characters immersed me in the story. I enjoyed the audiobook narration.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Thank you Partner @uplitreads @tnzfiction for the #gifted copy.

This is my first book from this author and I loved it. The story is so good. Ella is absolutely fantastic. I loved her bravery, outspoken nature and how she didn’t take no for an answer. Gabriel is well done too. I enjoyed the POV changes. It brought so much to the story.

I enjoyed the mystery of Ella’s mother and how she and Gabriel work together to brings truths to light. The story has many excellent twists and turns and hidden villains.

The audio narrator, Fiona Hardingham was excellent. I loved her beautiful voice and accent. She does a great job with all the characters.

I’m excited to read another book from Ladd.

I’m always excited to hear when a new Sarah E. Ladd book is going to be published! This story kept my attention to the very end. It delved into a subject I had never really known much about, no matter how strange it seems now in these times. I loved Ella and her strong ways to fight for the truth to protect those around her, especially her family and friends. Thank you so much NetGalley, the author and publisher for allowing me to read and review this book. I look very much forward to the next Sarah E. Ladd book!