Reviews

The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman

culuriel's review against another edition

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5.0

Great and thrilling from start to finish. A set of adventures as two ladies long past any thoughts of marriage seek to aid those the law refuses to protect. What I enjoyed is how much both Gus and Julia have to learn as they go. They’re not perfect rescuers who have every contingency covered, and they often have to scrape their way out of danger along with those they’re saving. Julia is ill, badly so, and she and Gus must find a way to cope with the changes illness brings. Along the way, two men enter their lives just to remind them that while Society considers them too old for love, their own hearts are still beating.

ewhaverkamp's review against another edition

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4.0

*Not for School* Audible*
I enjoyed this audible. The book held together well. A twist on the typical period romance books that was refreshing. A more serious book at times, but I loved that part. The times were not good to all.

jorvos's review against another edition

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5.0

Loved it! A light, fun read. Hoping the author will publish a sequel that picks up on the loose ends.

rhiannonfriend22's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

fairytales's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional informative lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

While I liked this book from the beginning, the increasing stakes and complexity of the plots made this book grow in my esteem over the course of the novel. I loved  Augusta, Evan, and Julia as well as the supporting characters.

I love how this book was both set in upper class regency England and also addressed the realities of the day: lack of women’s rights in and outside of marriages, deportation, underage forced prostitution, and women forced into “mad houses” for being lesbian, experiencing depression, or after being raped by a family member. The terrible realities of  recency era England are not swept under the rug in this book and Lady Augusta is on the case!

sarahkfitz89's review against another edition

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5.0

I read this book in two days. I really liked the main characters and a lot of the side characters. There were a few times I didn't understand what they were saying because it was old timey talk, but that wasn't so bad because it put me in the era with them. Can't wait for the next one!

mandadebbie's review against another edition

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5.0

TW: abuse, child abuse, SA, cancer, non-anesthesia mastectomy surgery, violence, infant death

Please read this!!!! It is so good! An 18th century telling of middle aged women considered “spinsters” who take it upon themselves to make the world a better place and help other women/girls in need! I LOVE this story!!! I hope she writes a sequel omg.

ali_mae20's review against another edition

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4.0

This book was a surprise. I read a lot of low risk murder mysteries, especially historical fiction ones. They usually have characters that you like/disliked but they don’t necessarily draw you in.

This book had several complex characters, and a storyline that was deep and meaningful. The author managed address heavy topics without minimizing the topic but still keeping it light reading.

Was not expecting to shed a tear but this did tug at the heart strings, not like a full ugly cry though. High recommend this and can’t wait to continue the series.

bitteredandblue's review against another edition

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5.0

5 million out of 5 stars. This was perfection. I couldn’t put it down!!!!!

jnl_dayton's review against another edition

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4.0

Well, this was quite satisfying. Looks like beginning of a series, so read the next ones!