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Lucky Lovers of London #3
A Bluestocking's Guide to Decadence
Love can make even the most buttoned-up bluestocking come undone…
London, 1885
A lesbian in a lavender marriage, Jo Smith cuts a dashing figure in pin-striped trousers, working in her bookshop and keeping polite company. But her hard-earned stability is about to be upended thanks to her husband’s pregnant paramour, who needs medical attention that no reputable doctor will provide.
Enter Dr. Emily Clarke, a tantalizing bluestocking working at a quaint village hospital outside the city. Emily has reservations about getting mixed up in Jo’s scandalous arrangement, but her flustered, heart-racing response to Jo has her agreeing to help despite herself.
There’s a world of difference between Jo’s community of underground clubs and sapphic societies and Emily’s respectable suburbs. Perhaps it’s a gap that even fervent desire can’t bridge.
But for those bold enough to take the risk, who knows what delicious adventures might be in store …
Lucky Lovers of London
Book 1: The Gentleman's Book of Vices
Book 2: A Rulebook for Restless Rogues
Book 3: A Bluestocking's Guide to Decadence
London, 1885
A lesbian in a lavender marriage, Jo Smith cuts a dashing figure in pin-striped trousers, working in her bookshop and keeping polite company. But her hard-earned stability is about to be upended thanks to her husband’s pregnant paramour, who needs medical attention that no reputable doctor will provide.
Enter Dr. Emily Clarke, a tantalizing bluestocking working at a quaint village hospital outside the city. Emily has reservations about getting mixed up in Jo’s scandalous arrangement, but her flustered, heart-racing response to Jo has her agreeing to help despite herself.
There’s a world of difference between Jo’s community of underground clubs and sapphic societies and Emily’s respectable suburbs. Perhaps it’s a gap that even fervent desire can’t bridge.
But for those bold enough to take the risk, who knows what delicious adventures might be in store …
Lucky Lovers of London
Book 1: The Gentleman's Book of Vices
Book 2: A Rulebook for Restless Rogues
Book 3: A Bluestocking's Guide to Decadence
304 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 2024
About the author
Jess Everlee
4 books206 followersJess Everlee writes decadent romance from the Northeast Ohio split-level she shares with her small family of furballs and fellow humans. She holds a B.A. from The Ohio State University, where she studied English and Gender Studies, focusing on Victorian Literature and public health topics. While that background resulted in an eclectic resume, her passion for reading and writing has never wavered. She has a deep love of interesting art, offbeat communities, and admittedly pretentious coffee brewing systems.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
September 26, 2024
Passable as a historical lesbian romance with main characters who aren’t fem but are rather feminists— nowhere near as good as some others tho….. such as Perks of loving a wallflower (who said that??)
June 25, 2024
Note: Some of my goodreads shelves can be spoilers
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥 (there’s a scene or two but they aren’t overly long or detailed)
Humor: Yes, a bit
Perspective: Third person with both heroines (split by chapter)
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? slow to medium
When mains are first on page together: It takes a bit of time setting up each heroine first, pg 39 of 237 (about 16%)
Cliffhanger: no, this ends with a happily ever after for the couple
Epilogue: not really, but the last chapter is a bit of a wrap up about a week later
Format: I read an ARC in e-book format through NetGalley
(Descriptions found at end of my review)
“Emily,” she said, just before either of them could catch the eye of those waiting on them in the parlor. “Write to me in the meantime.”
“Write to you?” Emily repeated. “About what?”
About anything, Jo wanted to say.
Should I read in order?
I picked this one up alone and thought it was fine out of order – but the characters are overlapping so you might get more depth if you read the whole series. (I think the first two books are M/M and book 2 features this heroine’s brother.
Basic plot:
Jo is working to find a doctor that will help her husbands paramour and is recommended the starchy Emily...
Give this a try if you want:
- Victorian (1885)
- mix between London and country settings (more London?)
- sapphic romance
- Emily whittles chess pieces in her free time
- Doctor heroine / Bookseller heroine
- animosity to lovers
- opposites attract
- epistolary
- lower steam – there is open door action but it’s very light, vague, and short
Ages:
- Emily is 30, I didn’t catch Jo
First line:
That there was a village hospital at all in such a funny little corner of Surrey was lucky enough; that it boasted eight beds, two nurses, a skilled surgeon within calling distance, and two-and-a-half physicians was a luxury.
My thoughts:
This novel was really sweet! I really enjoyed Everlee’s writing style and want to try more from her.
I did find this one a bit of a slow start. I was intrigued by Jo’s lavender marriage and was into how different Jo and Emily’s personalities were – Jo is the one to bring Emily out of her shell a bit and Emily calms Jo – they are both really lovely characters that I appreciated. The latter half picked up a bit more for me.
I did find myself wanting them together more than they were, especially in the first half. This had a lot of great banter I appreciated and some really sweet scenes as they start to melt for each other.
The steam is a bit lower, with a few open door scenes but nothing too explicit.
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Extra stuff like what my review breakdown means, where to find me, and book clubs
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥 (there’s a scene or two but they aren’t overly long or detailed)
Humor: Yes, a bit
Perspective: Third person with both heroines (split by chapter)
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? slow to medium
When mains are first on page together: It takes a bit of time setting up each heroine first, pg 39 of 237 (about 16%)
Cliffhanger: no, this ends with a happily ever after for the couple
Epilogue: not really, but the last chapter is a bit of a wrap up about a week later
Format: I read an ARC in e-book format through NetGalley
(Descriptions found at end of my review)
“Emily,” she said, just before either of them could catch the eye of those waiting on them in the parlor. “Write to me in the meantime.”
“Write to you?” Emily repeated. “About what?”
About anything, Jo wanted to say.
Should I read in order?
I picked this one up alone and thought it was fine out of order – but the characters are overlapping so you might get more depth if you read the whole series. (I think the first two books are M/M and book 2 features this heroine’s brother.
Basic plot:
Jo is working to find a doctor that will help her husbands paramour and is recommended the starchy Emily...
Give this a try if you want:
- Victorian (1885)
- mix between London and country settings (more London?)
- sapphic romance
- Emily whittles chess pieces in her free time
- Doctor heroine / Bookseller heroine
- animosity to lovers
- opposites attract
- epistolary
- lower steam – there is open door action but it’s very light, vague, and short
Ages:
- Emily is 30, I didn’t catch Jo
First line:
That there was a village hospital at all in such a funny little corner of Surrey was lucky enough; that it boasted eight beds, two nurses, a skilled surgeon within calling distance, and two-and-a-half physicians was a luxury.
My thoughts:
This novel was really sweet! I really enjoyed Everlee’s writing style and want to try more from her.
I did find this one a bit of a slow start. I was intrigued by Jo’s lavender marriage and was into how different Jo and Emily’s personalities were – Jo is the one to bring Emily out of her shell a bit and Emily calms Jo – they are both really lovely characters that I appreciated. The latter half picked up a bit more for me.
I did find myself wanting them together more than they were, especially in the first half. This had a lot of great banter I appreciated and some really sweet scenes as they start to melt for each other.
The steam is a bit lower, with a few open door scenes but nothing too explicit.
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Extra stuff like what my review breakdown means, where to find me, and book clubs
May 31, 2024
This is a charming, sexy, touching sapphic historical romance, and I loved it.
Emily is the bluestocking: she's a doctor who feels like she's spent her whole life doing the hard jobs that need doing, whether you like it or not. She's a doctor because her brother wouldn't take up the family business; she's still living with her father because no one else will take care of him; and she's working at the hospital for pennies on the dollar to what a male doctor would make because someone needs to take care of the ill. Jo is the decadent: she's a typesetter and bookseller who wears men's clothes and belongs to a sapphic club. When her husband's mistress falls pregnant, Jo decides to make herself useful and find a doctor who will assist a mother in such an irregular situation ... and ends up finding Emily.
The interpersonal relationships might be messy, but this is a low angst romance between two adult women who know how to give each other second chances. There's some steam for those who want it, too! The book does not present a fantasy past where two women or two men can live together as spouses, or even a fantasy past where a woman can sell smutty books, but within those constraints the HEA is appropriate, earned, and really sweet. Check this one out.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
Emily is the bluestocking: she's a doctor who feels like she's spent her whole life doing the hard jobs that need doing, whether you like it or not. She's a doctor because her brother wouldn't take up the family business; she's still living with her father because no one else will take care of him; and she's working at the hospital for pennies on the dollar to what a male doctor would make because someone needs to take care of the ill. Jo is the decadent: she's a typesetter and bookseller who wears men's clothes and belongs to a sapphic club. When her husband's mistress falls pregnant, Jo decides to make herself useful and find a doctor who will assist a mother in such an irregular situation ... and ends up finding Emily.
The interpersonal relationships might be messy, but this is a low angst romance between two adult women who know how to give each other second chances. There's some steam for those who want it, too! The book does not present a fantasy past where two women or two men can live together as spouses, or even a fantasy past where a woman can sell smutty books, but within those constraints the HEA is appropriate, earned, and really sweet. Check this one out.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
May 17, 2024
3.75 rounded up because of the supporting cast.
If you like banter, grumpy x also grumpy dynamics, and innuendos disguised as very proper letters, then you’ll enjoy this most recent 1800’s romp from Jesse Everlee!
Joe and Emily were both pretty fun to read, what with their stubborn personalities and constant battle of words, but I did find them to be the least compelling of pairs in this book series. I do think this wasn’t entirely the characters fault themselves, I just felt the plot didn't serve them well. Whilst the other books of this series have stakes that come from outside forces - the threat in this story seems entirely self constructed on both Joe and Emmily’s parts. Sure, their relationship was enjoyable to read, but did I really care/worry about their individual plots/struggles? Not necessarily.
If you are looking for a charming sapphic romance with low stakes and a fantastically queer supporting cast then I recommend this read!
Special thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin - Romance | Carina Adores for the arc of this book! I am leaving this review voluntarily!
If you like banter, grumpy x also grumpy dynamics, and innuendos disguised as very proper letters, then you’ll enjoy this most recent 1800’s romp from Jesse Everlee!
Joe and Emily were both pretty fun to read, what with their stubborn personalities and constant battle of words, but I did find them to be the least compelling of pairs in this book series. I do think this wasn’t entirely the characters fault themselves, I just felt the plot didn't serve them well. Whilst the other books of this series have stakes that come from outside forces - the threat in this story seems entirely self constructed on both Joe and Emmily’s parts. Sure, their relationship was enjoyable to read, but did I really care/worry about their individual plots/struggles? Not necessarily.
If you are looking for a charming sapphic romance with low stakes and a fantastically queer supporting cast then I recommend this read!
Special thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin - Romance | Carina Adores for the arc of this book! I am leaving this review voluntarily!
June 20, 2024
A fantastic addition to the Lucky lovers of London queer historical romance series that sees Emily, a lesbian bluestocking doctor and Jo, a bisexual tailor forced together when Jo takes on the task of finding a physician for her husband's mistress. While this is part of a series it can be read as a standalone and I really appreciated how complex the relationships were.
The author does a great job showcasing how possible love stories might have existed in the past. Great on audio and perfect for fans of books like Erica Ridley's The perks of loving a wallflower or Alexis Hall's A lady for a duke. Many thanks to the publisher for sending me a physical ARC copy in exchange for my honest review!!
Steam level: a couple mild open door scenes
The author does a great job showcasing how possible love stories might have existed in the past. Great on audio and perfect for fans of books like Erica Ridley's The perks of loving a wallflower or Alexis Hall's A lady for a duke. Many thanks to the publisher for sending me a physical ARC copy in exchange for my honest review!!
Steam level: a couple mild open door scenes
May 25, 2024
Dnf at 45%
I’m just not feeling any of the characters or plot.
The writing itself is alright. I just am not connecting with the story.
Thank you netgalley and harlequin trade for the arc. My opinions are my own.
I’m just not feeling any of the characters or plot.
The writing itself is alright. I just am not connecting with the story.
Thank you netgalley and harlequin trade for the arc. My opinions are my own.
March 24, 2024
Thank you to Harpercollins and Netgalley for the free arc in exchange for a honest review!
I've always been a fan of queer historical romances, seeing how each individuals queerness is incorporated into a historical romance context is always really interesting!
Jo and Emily finding a way to be together and the found family trope was really sweet as well.
I didn't feel the characters chemistry overall, but I think it's important to address that everyone spectrums and views of chemistry are totally different. So although it wasn't the perfect amount for me, it could totally be for someone else!
The characters are incredibly interesting and worth reading about if you enjoy reading sapphic historical romances with a hint of humor and forbidness.
I've always been a fan of queer historical romances, seeing how each individuals queerness is incorporated into a historical romance context is always really interesting!
Jo and Emily finding a way to be together and the found family trope was really sweet as well.
I didn't feel the characters chemistry overall, but I think it's important to address that everyone spectrums and views of chemistry are totally different. So although it wasn't the perfect amount for me, it could totally be for someone else!
The characters are incredibly interesting and worth reading about if you enjoy reading sapphic historical romances with a hint of humor and forbidness.
June 26, 2024
“Indulgence isn’t meant to be taken quick like medicine. It has trappings.”
3.5 stars. Yet another one of those 3.5s where I really don't know where I'll round up to 4 or down to 3. I guess I'll know when I finish writing this review. I've really been enjoying this historical romance series, and I was pretty excited for the first sapphic book in it. I liked it more than book 2, but probably not as much as book 1? It's a really sweet read, with a lot of great banter and such well-written chemistry between the women, but hmmmm. I have some thoughts.
Jo is a bookshop owner in a lavender marriage with her dear friend. Emily is a bluestocking, one of the few female doctors in her time. When Jo's husband's girlfriend gets pregnant, Jo helps to recruit Emily to be her physician, and a really cute opposites-attract romance ensues. I think I'll start with the bad, although the things I didn't really like about this book don't actually quality as 'bad', I guess. Just frustrating, to me. When reading any book, you put yourself in the shoes or the mindset of the characters, seeing how they respond and react to certain things. If, for example, a character does something that you wouldn't do, it should hopefully still be written in a way where you as the reader should still understand WHY the character is speaking or reacting in that way. And man, that was not the case here.
Those were a lot of words, lol. Idk, it wouldn't have been such a big deal if the author had just done a better job of selling me on that reaction.
Emily started to really wonder how freeing it might be, to be loved by someone who went about the business of loving with an attitude like that.
But everything else, I really loved! They have the kind of slow courtship that made me wanna kick my feet. They start off very prickly and wary of each other, because they're very different, Jo being a big of a dandy and a smut peddler besides, while Emily is very buttoned up, strict and sober. But it was a clash that worked so well. I smiled my head off during their first meeting, with all the little barbs that they threw at each other, while simultaneously being intrigued by each other. I looooove the trope of someone who is super straight-laced finally letting their hair down, so to speak. Emily isn't an innocent or anything, but it was so cute seeing her get flustered and teased by Jo. And then giving as good as she got! I really wish there had been more time spent together, just the two of them; a few more lessons in decadence. They had just the sort of swoony chemistry that's easy to get lost in, and I don't know that the book took full advantage of it. I wish the book had said a bit more about queerness (and the bit that it did say made me tilt my head) but I did love getting a closer look at the Orchid and Pearl and some of its members. The details about doctoring and publishing and books were all really interesting too. The author's writing style can get flowery, but it's always somehow fresh and unique, and I do enjoy it.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Ell Potter, and really liked it! I've listened to a few queer historicals narrated by her and they're always really good. I especially loved her voice for Jo, and how her Irish accent would become more pronounced in certain situations. I really did enjoy my time with this, despite the things that annoyed me. I would love to see more books in the universe. Especially for Miss Withers; the possible hints at romance we saw in this were very intriguing.
“Those things aren’t decadence. They’re life.”
June 15, 2024
Genre: historical romance
London, 1885
Jo Smith has been married for nearly twenty years, but she and her husband, while one-time lovers, are now business partners and roommates. Divorce isn’t really a possibility for either of them. Her husband’s lover is pregnant, which, while cause for some joy is also cause for worry as Vanessa is advanced in age and suffering from complications. A friend of Jo’s has a sister in the country who is a doctor, and Emily Clarke may be the solution to all of their worries. Except Dr Clarke wants respect from her colleagues at the hospital, and not refuses to be pigeonholed into private practice obstetrics. And yet, there’s more than just a spark between Jo and Emily, and as Emily grows more attached to Jo, it’s apparent that treating Vanessa is important as well.
I was initially pretty skeptical going into this - the setup made me nervous - but I shouldn't have been. Emily and Jo’s story ended up being tender with what is likely a very realistic HEA. There's a lot of navigation of societal responsibilities in an insightful and careful way that really works. While I can’t say I spent the book swooning, I truly loved the chemistry between Jo and Emily. They go from short-tongues adversaries to sensing a spark to pen pals to lovers in a way that feels so entirely natural and comfortable for characters all around forty-ish. Gentle and relatable; even if a reader hasn’t found themselves in a lavender marriage with a sapphic lover specifically, the emotional complexity is familiar.
I did read the first book, A Gentleman’s Book of Vices, but haven’t read book two, A Rulebook for Restless Rogues, so I can confirm this can be read out of order, even though the book two characters are prominent (and in fact, provide the introduction between Jo and Emily).
Thank you to Carina Press and NetGalley for an eARC for review. A Bluestocking’s Guide to Decadence is out now!
London, 1885
Jo Smith has been married for nearly twenty years, but she and her husband, while one-time lovers, are now business partners and roommates. Divorce isn’t really a possibility for either of them. Her husband’s lover is pregnant, which, while cause for some joy is also cause for worry as Vanessa is advanced in age and suffering from complications. A friend of Jo’s has a sister in the country who is a doctor, and Emily Clarke may be the solution to all of their worries. Except Dr Clarke wants respect from her colleagues at the hospital, and not refuses to be pigeonholed into private practice obstetrics. And yet, there’s more than just a spark between Jo and Emily, and as Emily grows more attached to Jo, it’s apparent that treating Vanessa is important as well.
I was initially pretty skeptical going into this - the setup made me nervous - but I shouldn't have been. Emily and Jo’s story ended up being tender with what is likely a very realistic HEA. There's a lot of navigation of societal responsibilities in an insightful and careful way that really works. While I can’t say I spent the book swooning, I truly loved the chemistry between Jo and Emily. They go from short-tongues adversaries to sensing a spark to pen pals to lovers in a way that feels so entirely natural and comfortable for characters all around forty-ish. Gentle and relatable; even if a reader hasn’t found themselves in a lavender marriage with a sapphic lover specifically, the emotional complexity is familiar.
I did read the first book, A Gentleman’s Book of Vices, but haven’t read book two, A Rulebook for Restless Rogues, so I can confirm this can be read out of order, even though the book two characters are prominent (and in fact, provide the introduction between Jo and Emily).
Thank you to Carina Press and NetGalley for an eARC for review. A Bluestocking’s Guide to Decadence is out now!
July 3, 2024
I'm not sure if it is just this series or this author in general but their stories are good but they're not memorable. They are fun stories to escape into for a little bit but that's it and there's nothing wrong with that but that doesn't equate a five-star read for me.
I really was looking forward to this book after reading the first two and I did like it and I would bet money that one of the MCs is autistic and that was awesome but I didn't love it. It's a good book. It's cute and romantic but there was nothing gripping about the characters or their relationship that held my attention or care.
I really was looking forward to this book after reading the first two and I did like it and I would bet money that one of the MCs is autistic and that was awesome but I didn't love it. It's a good book. It's cute and romantic but there was nothing gripping about the characters or their relationship that held my attention or care.
July 23, 2024
One of my favorite books of the year so far! This series just keeps getting better and better. Jo and Emily are both absolutely amazing together.They're both strong characters that you can't help but fall in love with.
This book is filled with witty banter, humor, plenty of steam, and simply superb storytelling. With Emily learning to loosen up on her responsibilities and Jo learning to let others in, they ended up with a truly beautiful HEA!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This book is filled with witty banter, humor, plenty of steam, and simply superb storytelling. With Emily learning to loosen up on her responsibilities and Jo learning to let others in, they ended up with a truly beautiful HEA!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
August 1, 2024
*The publisher has provided me with an advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review.*
I've said before, when reviewing Jess Everlee's previous books, that the thing that makes her most interesting as a writer is how in conversation she is with her genre. Lesbians have really struggled in historical romance; while some authors have tried their hand at having two women leading their books, they tend to fall into the trap of assuming that female leads are inherently more mature, more composed, and generally less interesting than their male counterparts. Lesbians in historical romance dispense no-nonsense advice, they wear sensible clothes, and they talk about their problems like grownups (when they have any problems at all, which is rare.) They don't make mistakes, or hurt each other, or struggle to articulate their feelings. In short, they aren't human. And when I come across passages like the one I quoted above, I suspect Everlee knows that, and is consciously working against it.
That being said, Everlee is a low-conflict writer in general, and that bears out here: when Jo and Emily have misunderstandings, they tend to get cleared up within a few pages, and there is very little plot to be found. After the ball gets rolling with Jo telling an impulsive lie (that she knows midwifery), the engine of the story springs from their respective inner conflicts: Jo's tendency to cut and run when she thinks she's about to be left, and Emily's belief that she needs to manage everyone's lives because she's been slotted into that role since she was a child. Their path to happiness is, therefore, largely about them working out these issues for themselves, rather than having to deal with interpersonal problems. It's not my favourite mode of romance, but it is very clearly one done with care, and credit to Everlee: Jo and Emily actually feel like human beings. While I still yearn for a lesbian histrom between two absolute human disasters on the run from the law wearing ostentatious Pre-Raphaelite gowns, that's not really Everlee's style, and it wouldn't be fair of me to expect otherwise. What this book is is an Everlee romance, told exactly the same way as she tells all her romances, and while it's not necessarily to my personal narrative tastes, I cannot fault it on a craft level.
(Except the sex. Needs more sex.)
Sure, she'd had her share of youthful infatuations at church and school, pointless and distracting though such feelings were. She'd even had what one might call a very close companion at the medical college. But unlike her brother's uncommon attractions, which were associated with bohemian artistry, European exploration, and forbidden passion, there was nothing more ordinary and dull than a couple of overeducated women who couldn't be bothered with the suffocating interest of men. Emily and her friend got their passions out of the way without any nonsense, the same way they approached their work, their dress, their social considerations. They no more needed to cast red shawls over their lamps than they needed to don sparkling jewelry.
I've said before, when reviewing Jess Everlee's previous books, that the thing that makes her most interesting as a writer is how in conversation she is with her genre. Lesbians have really struggled in historical romance; while some authors have tried their hand at having two women leading their books, they tend to fall into the trap of assuming that female leads are inherently more mature, more composed, and generally less interesting than their male counterparts. Lesbians in historical romance dispense no-nonsense advice, they wear sensible clothes, and they talk about their problems like grownups (when they have any problems at all, which is rare.) They don't make mistakes, or hurt each other, or struggle to articulate their feelings. In short, they aren't human. And when I come across passages like the one I quoted above, I suspect Everlee knows that, and is consciously working against it.
That being said, Everlee is a low-conflict writer in general, and that bears out here: when Jo and Emily have misunderstandings, they tend to get cleared up within a few pages, and there is very little plot to be found. After the ball gets rolling with Jo telling an impulsive lie (that she knows midwifery), the engine of the story springs from their respective inner conflicts: Jo's tendency to cut and run when she thinks she's about to be left, and Emily's belief that she needs to manage everyone's lives because she's been slotted into that role since she was a child. Their path to happiness is, therefore, largely about them working out these issues for themselves, rather than having to deal with interpersonal problems. It's not my favourite mode of romance, but it is very clearly one done with care, and credit to Everlee: Jo and Emily actually feel like human beings. While I still yearn for a lesbian histrom between two absolute human disasters on the run from the law wearing ostentatious Pre-Raphaelite gowns, that's not really Everlee's style, and it wouldn't be fair of me to expect otherwise. What this book is is an Everlee romance, told exactly the same way as she tells all her romances, and while it's not necessarily to my personal narrative tastes, I cannot fault it on a craft level.
(Except the sex. Needs more sex.)
June 12, 2024
Rating: 4.5/5
This is my first by Jess Everlee, and I look forward to returning to her earlier books! There is a LOT happening in this premise, and I was pleasantly surprised it all remained coherent. We've got one main character living contentedly - if not exactly happily - in a lavender marriage, discovering in the opening scenes that her husband's mistress is pregnant and her place in her own home could be in jeopardy. She attempts to make herself invaluable by pretending midwifery experience, an absurd decision that is quickly and thoroughly lambasted by all of her friends. Her foil, the uptight, underestimated, overburdened doctor, is the steady presence who will ultimately help her face down her own insecurities (while battling her own). It's laugh-out-loud funny at points, and deeply emotional at others, as each character has childhood trauma (and a complicated family) to unpack.
The through-line in plot and character development is an epistolary sequence that helps our characters cross months of time and find deeper intimacy with each other despite their distance. It's so well done and feels right for both characters. Everlee also nails the found family and the dynamics between each of them as they grow closer, and it added so much to the romance arc for our main characters.
This tiniest quibble - why did Emily make chess pieces? In a plot that already had a lot going on, the occasional mentions of this extremely specific hobby felt unnecessary? But maybe I missed some deeper symbolism here.
Also - audio is narrated by Ell Potter, a fave. Highly recommend this format!
This is my first by Jess Everlee, and I look forward to returning to her earlier books! There is a LOT happening in this premise, and I was pleasantly surprised it all remained coherent. We've got one main character living contentedly - if not exactly happily - in a lavender marriage, discovering in the opening scenes that her husband's mistress is pregnant and her place in her own home could be in jeopardy. She attempts to make herself invaluable by pretending midwifery experience, an absurd decision that is quickly and thoroughly lambasted by all of her friends. Her foil, the uptight, underestimated, overburdened doctor, is the steady presence who will ultimately help her face down her own insecurities (while battling her own). It's laugh-out-loud funny at points, and deeply emotional at others, as each character has childhood trauma (and a complicated family) to unpack.
The through-line in plot and character development is an epistolary sequence that helps our characters cross months of time and find deeper intimacy with each other despite their distance. It's so well done and feels right for both characters. Everlee also nails the found family and the dynamics between each of them as they grow closer, and it added so much to the romance arc for our main characters.
This tiniest quibble - why did Emily make chess pieces? In a plot that already had a lot going on, the occasional mentions of this extremely specific hobby felt unnecessary? But maybe I missed some deeper symbolism here.
Also - audio is narrated by Ell Potter, a fave. Highly recommend this format!
August 12, 2024
I loved this! I really enjoyed Jess Everlee's previous books, though there was always something about them that missed the mark for me. I was a little hesitant about this book because historically, when an m/m author writes a sapphic book it doesn't always live up to its predecessors in quality. This time however, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this surpassed Jess Everlee's previous books. I came away from it thoroughly enjoying the story and without any "but here's where it missed the mark..." qualifications.
I found Emily and Jo instantly endearing. Emily is prim and proper and has spent her life stepping up to do what needs to be done. She strikes me as neurodivergent in her mannerisms and ways of thinking. While she needs encouragement to let her hair down, Jo needs encouragement to stop running and hold on to the life she wants.
Together they instantly had sparks and their banter and innuendos were so much fun. I always love an epistolary love story and this one was perfect. Everlee doesn't shy away from a few sex scenes but also doesn't get too bogged down in them, which I appreciated. I know some people will want more, but thought it was an appropriate amount. (I usually skip or skim them, but that's pretty much impossible to do when listening to an audiobook.)
I was a little disappointed that we skip over the resolution of all the plotlines and go with an epilogue after everything has worked out instead, but it was clear where everything was headed so maybe not strictly necessary to see it happen.
*thanks to Carina Adores for providing an early copy for review.
I found Emily and Jo instantly endearing. Emily is prim and proper and has spent her life stepping up to do what needs to be done. She strikes me as neurodivergent in her mannerisms and ways of thinking. While she needs encouragement to let her hair down, Jo needs encouragement to stop running and hold on to the life she wants.
Together they instantly had sparks and their banter and innuendos were so much fun. I always love an epistolary love story and this one was perfect. Everlee doesn't shy away from a few sex scenes but also doesn't get too bogged down in them, which I appreciated. I know some people will want more, but thought it was an appropriate amount. (I usually skip or skim them, but that's pretty much impossible to do when listening to an audiobook.)
I was a little disappointed that we skip over the resolution of all the plotlines and go with an epilogue after everything has worked out instead, but it was clear where everything was headed so maybe not strictly necessary to see it happen.
*thanks to Carina Adores for providing an early copy for review.
March 10, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Press/HarperCollins for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Absolutely obsessed with this book! From the very first page, I was hooked. A Bluestocking’s Guide to Decadence takes place in Victorian London and follows Emily, or Dr. Emily Clarke, and Jo Smith, a bookshop owner. Jo is in a lavender marriage with her best friend and business partner, Paul, and lives an unconventional but simple and content life. When Paul’s companion, an actress named Vanessa, gets pregnant, Jo’s life is threatened to be upended. She decides the best course of action is to try to be useful, so she writes to Dr. Emily Clarke to request help caring for Vanessa. The two women are immediately at odds and do not get along. The natural way that Emily and Jo progressed from "enemies" to friends to lovers THROUGH LETTER WRITING (!!!) was so well-written. I think my favorite part of this story was the correspondence through letters that captured the unfolding romance between the two. The chemistry between them was undeniable and amazing. It made my heart so full!! I especially liked how communicative Jo and Emily were-- if an issue arose, they figured it out and it made their bond stronger.
I loved Jess Everlee's writing style and the way she brought every character to life. Every line of dialogue was well thought out and so realistic. I felt like I was living their lives alongside them and the other characters that made up their unconventional families. Speaking of families, the found family in this book was amazing. I can’t stop thinking about this story! It is definitely now one of my comfort stories.
Absolutely obsessed with this book! From the very first page, I was hooked. A Bluestocking’s Guide to Decadence takes place in Victorian London and follows Emily, or Dr. Emily Clarke, and Jo Smith, a bookshop owner. Jo is in a lavender marriage with her best friend and business partner, Paul, and lives an unconventional but simple and content life. When Paul’s companion, an actress named Vanessa, gets pregnant, Jo’s life is threatened to be upended. She decides the best course of action is to try to be useful, so she writes to Dr. Emily Clarke to request help caring for Vanessa. The two women are immediately at odds and do not get along. The natural way that Emily and Jo progressed from "enemies" to friends to lovers THROUGH LETTER WRITING (!!!) was so well-written. I think my favorite part of this story was the correspondence through letters that captured the unfolding romance between the two. The chemistry between them was undeniable and amazing. It made my heart so full!! I especially liked how communicative Jo and Emily were-- if an issue arose, they figured it out and it made their bond stronger.
I loved Jess Everlee's writing style and the way she brought every character to life. Every line of dialogue was well thought out and so realistic. I felt like I was living their lives alongside them and the other characters that made up their unconventional families. Speaking of families, the found family in this book was amazing. I can’t stop thinking about this story! It is definitely now one of my comfort stories.
June 10, 2024
This sapphic historical romance tells the story of Emily, a buttoned up bluestocking doctor who makes her own chess pieces, and Jo, a city bookseller who runs with a fun crowd (including Emily’s brother) in a lavender marriage.
Initially brought together to help with Jo’s husband’s lover’s pregnancy*, the two don’t start off on the best foot. Eventually attraction and interest get the better of them both and they find themselves writing letters back and forth over weeks. At an eagerly anticipated visit Emily and Jo add physical intimacy to their relationship and it’s hot. Plus there is a hair braiding scene so gently intimate I reread it immediately.
There are some tense moments over the months that make up this story but mostly it is a cozy, joyful, sexy, love story between two women figuring out their careers and families and how best to live well.
Also they make apologies and give second chances.
*Yes, this is complicated but it works so well in this story and makes for a great found family.
This is book 3 in a series but can definitely be read as a stand alone.
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.
Initially brought together to help with Jo’s husband’s lover’s pregnancy*, the two don’t start off on the best foot. Eventually attraction and interest get the better of them both and they find themselves writing letters back and forth over weeks. At an eagerly anticipated visit Emily and Jo add physical intimacy to their relationship and it’s hot. Plus there is a hair braiding scene so gently intimate I reread it immediately.
There are some tense moments over the months that make up this story but mostly it is a cozy, joyful, sexy, love story between two women figuring out their careers and families and how best to live well.
Also they make apologies and give second chances.
*Yes, this is complicated but it works so well in this story and makes for a great found family.
This is book 3 in a series but can definitely be read as a stand alone.
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.
March 30, 2024
I have really liked the first two books in this series and was so excited for the third, especially since it was sapphic! There were some things I liked a lot - I liked the relationship between Jo and Emily most and loved seeing cameos from the characters from the other books.
Some of my issues with this book are probably on me - I'm struggling eye reading right now which is an uphill battle. But ultimately at some point, I really lost the plot of this book and just...didn't care enough to find it. I couldn't tell you what happens from the police raid to the end of the book - I feel like there was just far too much going on (though again, that might be my current reading issues.
3.5 Stars. Thank you to Harlequin and Netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Some of my issues with this book are probably on me - I'm struggling eye reading right now which is an uphill battle. But ultimately at some point, I really lost the plot of this book and just...didn't care enough to find it. I couldn't tell you what happens from the police raid to the end of the book - I feel like there was just far too much going on (though again, that might be my current reading issues.
3.5 Stars. Thank you to Harlequin and Netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 20, 2024
4. This series and author were brand new for me. Yes, I started with the third book. This was a random pickup from a regional authors section at my local indie bookstore. To say it was a pleasant surprise is an understatement. I struggle with regency/victorian queer romances. Between the prose choices and the time-period story limitations, I am often left frustrated. Not so here. The prose feels Victorian through and through and the story is very aware of its period. However, it manages to treat the central romance with hope and playfulness. I actually loved the side stories for each character as much, if not more, than their romance with one another. My only complaint is I wanted more! It felt lacking due to page count. This could have easily been 100 pages longer and that much more satisfying. I’ll be keeping the author on my radar for sure.
June 20, 2024
sadly i was pretty disappointed by this one
July 14, 2024
This was so fun! So much banter and back and forth and I loved the way things developed between Emily and Jo, and the found family elements of this one are so good.
July 29, 2024
A perfect book to read in London :) A good mixture of quaint and sensual, with a fun enemies-to-lovers plot
August 4, 2024
Delightfully mindless Bridgerton era queer romance. Nothing to write home about but I did enjoy it!
May 9, 2024
This was a sweet, sapphic grumpy/sunshine historical romance that reminded me quite a lot of Cat Sebastian's writing style in the way the plot becomes more of a character study and interpersonal conflict rather than anything much external, and the main characters seem to delight in the absurd.
What really struck me was despite the cartoon cover and the dry humor that carries throughout, this book is *quite* serious and that feels immediately apparent. Both Emily and Jo are dissatisfied with their lives in a way you feel weighs on them and comes across in every action they take. Even Jo's relative lightheartedness belies a deep fear that the life she built for herself as a queer woman in a lavender marriage and a printer will be destroyed by a husband who might not want his child to live with the stigma of illegitimacy, and therefore he could divorce Jo to marry his girlfriend. And the thing is, her husband isn't a malicious person at all— he's easy-going but naive enough to suddenly change his mind without considering the ramifications for Jo.
Emily, on the other hand, is all grim earnestness and duty (very nuch the bluestocking of the title). She is determined to have a career as good as any male doctor's; Interestingly, a part of that is refusing to go into obstetrics, a field she feels pigeonholed into as a female doctor, thus her initial refusal to help Jo and co. And that's tough to stomach as a reader— both women are radical in ways that don't line up as easily as you may assume, and that's much of the conflict between them.
That being said, Emily and Jo get together around midway through the book after a cute epistolary courtship and setting most of their differences aside. What follows is the slow process of them making space for each other in their lives and creating a found family between themselves— re-found in some senses after coming to better understandings with their respective, supportive family members.
The sex:
There is an on-page masturbation scene (with a toy!), and while we see kissing and some of the build-up to sex, the actual sex scenes are either less descriptive or glossed over. That doesn't mean we don't see them, they're just written in a way that is less explicit, if that makes sense.
Overall:
There is a lot I appreciated about this book— the portrayal of a vibrant queer community, the politics of prenatal care and how discriminatory it was in the nineteenth century that feels very pointed to our current situation here in the United States, as well as the anti-censorship themes. The romance itself was sweet and quite tender, though I wish there was more conflict overall because to me, most of it fell away around midway save one situation but even that was far less dramatic than I would have imagined. While this book was not for me, I would recommend it to anyone looking for a softer, more introspective sapphic historical romance.
Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: 3.75/5
Heat Level: 2/5
Publication Date: June 4th
What really struck me was despite the cartoon cover and the dry humor that carries throughout, this book is *quite* serious and that feels immediately apparent. Both Emily and Jo are dissatisfied with their lives in a way you feel weighs on them and comes across in every action they take. Even Jo's relative lightheartedness belies a deep fear that the life she built for herself as a queer woman in a lavender marriage and a printer will be destroyed by a husband who might not want his child to live with the stigma of illegitimacy, and therefore he could divorce Jo to marry his girlfriend. And the thing is, her husband isn't a malicious person at all— he's easy-going but naive enough to suddenly change his mind without considering the ramifications for Jo.
Emily, on the other hand, is all grim earnestness and duty (very nuch the bluestocking of the title). She is determined to have a career as good as any male doctor's; Interestingly, a part of that is refusing to go into obstetrics, a field she feels pigeonholed into as a female doctor, thus her initial refusal to help Jo and co. And that's tough to stomach as a reader— both women are radical in ways that don't line up as easily as you may assume, and that's much of the conflict between them.
That being said, Emily and Jo get together around midway through the book after a cute epistolary courtship and setting most of their differences aside. What follows is the slow process of them making space for each other in their lives and creating a found family between themselves— re-found in some senses after coming to better understandings with their respective, supportive family members.
The sex:
There is an on-page masturbation scene (with a toy!), and while we see kissing and some of the build-up to sex, the actual sex scenes are either less descriptive or glossed over. That doesn't mean we don't see them, they're just written in a way that is less explicit, if that makes sense.
Overall:
There is a lot I appreciated about this book— the portrayal of a vibrant queer community, the politics of prenatal care and how discriminatory it was in the nineteenth century that feels very pointed to our current situation here in the United States, as well as the anti-censorship themes. The romance itself was sweet and quite tender, though I wish there was more conflict overall because to me, most of it fell away around midway save one situation but even that was far less dramatic than I would have imagined. While this book was not for me, I would recommend it to anyone looking for a softer, more introspective sapphic historical romance.
Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: 3.75/5
Heat Level: 2/5
Publication Date: June 4th
March 6, 2024
A Journey of Forbidden Love and Intrigue in "A Bluestocking's Guide to Decadence" In the heart of London, amidst the vibrancy of 1885, Jess Everlee takes readers on a captivating journey through the pages of "A Bluestocking's Guide to Decadence". The narrative unfolds around Jo Smith, a lesbian navigating the complexities of a lavender marriage, where appearances deceive and secrets abound. Clad in pin-striped trousers, Jo exudes a captivating aura as she tends to her bookshop and mingles with a less-than-conventional crowd. However, Jo's world is soon thrown into disarray when her husband's pregnant lover seeks medical aid beyond the reach of reputable doctors. Enter Dr. Emily Clarke, a striking bluestocking serving at a rural hospital on the outskirts of the bustling city. Initially hesitant to entangle herself in Jo's scandalous predicament, Emily finds herself captivated by Jo's enigmatic presence, prompting her to offer assistance despite her reservations. As the narrative unfolds, the contrasting worlds of Jo's underground haunts and sapphic societies and Emily's prim and proper suburbs come to light. The societal chasm that separates them appears insurmountable, even in the face of their burgeoning desire. Yet, as the allure of the forbidden beckons, both women are propelled towards unforeseen adventures and undeniable risks. Everlee masterfully weaves a tale of forbidden love, societal constraints, and the tantalizing allure of the unknown in "A Bluestocking's Guide to Decadence". Through Jo and Emily's entwined fates, readers are transported to a realm where love knows no bounds and passion defies societal norms. With each turn of the page, the novel invites readers to explore the depths of human desire, the intricacies of love, and the transformative power of embracing one's true self. In conclusion, "A Bluestocking's Guide to Decadence" stands as a testament to the enduring power of love in the face of adversity. Jess Everlee's evocative prose and nuanced characterizations breathe life into a tale of love and intrigue that will linger in the hearts of readers long after the final chapter has been turned.
May 31, 2024
A Bluestocking’s Guide to Decadence is the third book in the Lucky Lovers of London series. This was a new to me author and wanted to give this a try as it was a sapphic romance and looked intriguing. It was definitely intriguing and had me thinking about it long after finishing it. I didn’t realize it was part of a series until afterwards. It isn’t necessary for the plot and only a time or two was I left wondering who this person was and why were they showing up now.
It took a minute to get used to the writing style but was easy to enjoy once I did. The author left some parts vague which was a little frustrating at times but it did allow a few details in the ending (HEA) to be left open for interpretation which I enjoyed.
Both MC was lovable and I was able to connect with each. They’re both older and somewhat experienced, secure in who they are. Emily is strait laced and a bit obsessive with cleaning-which is understandable growing up in a doctor’s household and becoming one yourself. She holds so much on her shoulders that she has a hard time finding joy for herself. Jo has been able to find a way to be true to herself and find stability and contentment after always having to start over.
A lot of Emily’s vulnerabilities appeared to be resolved a bit easier because she didn’t have trouble communicating them. Jo wasn’t as open and liked to be mysterious. I got emotional a few times about the situation Jo was placed in. For someone who is finally in a stable environment to suddenly not having a lot of control about her circumstance, it re-opened vulnerabilities for her that was understandable and could have empathy for. I also liked that while Jo is a lot more cynical about life than Emily, she’s not when it comes to love.
Overall, there was so much to love about this book and while there was parts that was frustrating or not as clear, it has made for more self-reflection and thinking, which is always great response.
There are three encounters that are more sensual than detailed.
An advance ebook was provided by Harlequin Romance via NetGalley.
It took a minute to get used to the writing style but was easy to enjoy once I did. The author left some parts vague which was a little frustrating at times but it did allow a few details in the ending (HEA) to be left open for interpretation which I enjoyed.
Both MC was lovable and I was able to connect with each. They’re both older and somewhat experienced, secure in who they are. Emily is strait laced and a bit obsessive with cleaning-which is understandable growing up in a doctor’s household and becoming one yourself. She holds so much on her shoulders that she has a hard time finding joy for herself. Jo has been able to find a way to be true to herself and find stability and contentment after always having to start over.
A lot of Emily’s vulnerabilities appeared to be resolved a bit easier because she didn’t have trouble communicating them. Jo wasn’t as open and liked to be mysterious. I got emotional a few times about the situation Jo was placed in. For someone who is finally in a stable environment to suddenly not having a lot of control about her circumstance, it re-opened vulnerabilities for her that was understandable and could have empathy for. I also liked that while Jo is a lot more cynical about life than Emily, she’s not when it comes to love.
Overall, there was so much to love about this book and while there was parts that was frustrating or not as clear, it has made for more self-reflection and thinking, which is always great response.
There are three encounters that are more sensual than detailed.
An advance ebook was provided by Harlequin Romance via NetGalley.
Read
June 10, 2024 disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
This was such a wonderful way to end this series (I'm guessing this is the end, right? Usually, these kinds of interconnected series of standalone romances are 3 books, so correct me if I'm wrong <3
Thank you to Netgalley for the e-ARC; I think this may be my favorite romance of the trilogy.
Jo's husband (they're in a lavender marriage) has news: his girlfriend is pregnant, and needs a doctor to oversee her pregnancy & birth. However, in current society, not many "respectable" doctors would see her as a client because of the scandal of infidelity & having a baby out of wedlock. Jo does not want her husband to divorce her for his girlfriend, as their 20-year-long marriage has provided security for her as a lesbian. She aims to seem useful to the couple, instead of being kicked out of her home & workplace that she adores, so Jo pretends to have midwife experience. However, this can only last so long without putting the girlfriend in danger, so Jo seeks out the help of her friend's sister, Emily, who is a bluestocking doctor. Though they are quite opposite, tension begins to build as they spend more time together, and write letters to one another over the length of the pregnancy.
Read if you like:
opposites attract (Jo wear's men's clothes, sells smutty books, & is unbothered; Emily is a prim & proper bluestocking doctor who is initially scandalized by Jo's current situation)
historical romance with sapphic representation
chosen family (I love The Curious Fox as their meeting grounds lol)
low-stakes plot; the characters and their relationship really are the star of the show here, and conflicts are resolved quite quickly
letters as a form of getting to know one another
unserious dialogue - I love the dynamics between every single character in this series!
steam rating: 2 out of 5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Homophobia
This was such a wonderful way to end this series (I'm guessing this is the end, right? Usually, these kinds of interconnected series of standalone romances are 3 books, so correct me if I'm wrong <3
Thank you to Netgalley for the e-ARC; I think this may be my favorite romance of the trilogy.
Jo's husband (they're in a lavender marriage) has news: his girlfriend is pregnant, and needs a doctor to oversee her pregnancy & birth. However, in current society, not many "respectable" doctors would see her as a client because of the scandal of infidelity & having a baby out of wedlock. Jo does not want her husband to divorce her for his girlfriend, as their 20-year-long marriage has provided security for her as a lesbian. She aims to seem useful to the couple, instead of being kicked out of her home & workplace that she adores, so Jo pretends to have midwife experience. However, this can only last so long without putting the girlfriend in danger, so Jo seeks out the help of her friend's sister, Emily, who is a bluestocking doctor. Though they are quite opposite, tension begins to build as they spend more time together, and write letters to one another over the length of the pregnancy.
Read if you like:
opposites attract (Jo wear's men's clothes, sells smutty books, & is unbothered; Emily is a prim & proper bluestocking doctor who is initially scandalized by Jo's current situation)
historical romance with sapphic representation
chosen family (I love The Curious Fox as their meeting grounds lol)
low-stakes plot; the characters and their relationship really are the star of the show here, and conflicts are resolved quite quickly
letters as a form of getting to know one another
unserious dialogue - I love the dynamics between every single character in this series!
steam rating: 2 out of 5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Homophobia
June 20, 2024
I really wanted to like this one, but I am baffled by some of the stylistic choices that were made here.
The first two books in this series were slightly madcap MM romances, and I loved the characters, so I was thrilled to see that we were getting a sapphic third book. With Jo! I love Jo! Until this book, we don't know Emily all that well, but once I got into it, I liked her, too. She's prim and buttoned-up and perhaps ND-coded. Glorious. The first 50% of this book, I was all in.
This one is a slow burn. I know some other people have complained about insufficient steaminess in the other books, but I have loved the tension. Charlie and Monty? Hello??? Sparks were flying from *before* the moment they met! Noah and David were friends to lovers and there is literally not a moment on-page in which they were not smoldering for each other.
The spicy scenes in here were literally a couple of paragraphs long and described in strange terms that made everything feel very rushed. I liked the leadup, but there was almost no description of their physicality, even in scenes where they're doing things like braiding each other's hair (in other words, intimate moments of a non-sexual nature). I am not exaggerating when I say that their first spicy encounter consisted of two paragraphs, and takes place almost 2/3 of the way through the book.
I've commented on the other books that things get a bit hectic toward the end; Gentleman's Book specifically has a truly bonkers twist. By contrast, most of Bluestockings' action and tension happens off-page, especially in the latter half of the book. The main tension in Jo's storyline both escalates and is resolved off-page. The main tension of the overall BOOK also plays out off-page. It made the latter half of the book feel rushed. Now, admittedly, I was reading an ARC copy, so it's possible that something has changed between this and the final version, but it would have had to change a lot to be satisfying.
If this had been a closed-door romance, I think I would have preferred it, because I do like the characters, and the actual plot is quite good. I really enjoy this author's work, and I'm glad we got to spend more time with Jo. I enjoyed Emily's character arc, that doesn't require her to change who she is in order to find happiness, but to relinquish some of her need for control. The exploration of the difference between achillean and sapphic issues at the time is pretty interesting, as well as the complexities of the kind of relationships Jo has established for herself. I did, however, want more from the story. Specifically, more passion (more footwork, more energy... lol) and more closure.
—-
Edited this review because I realize that something I said could be misread as a statement regarding the author’s identity or experiences. That was not my intent, and I’ve adjusted my phrasing in an attempt to reflect that.
The first two books in this series were slightly madcap MM romances, and I loved the characters, so I was thrilled to see that we were getting a sapphic third book. With Jo! I love Jo! Until this book, we don't know Emily all that well, but once I got into it, I liked her, too. She's prim and buttoned-up and perhaps ND-coded. Glorious. The first 50% of this book, I was all in.
This one is a slow burn. I know some other people have complained about insufficient steaminess in the other books, but I have loved the tension. Charlie and Monty? Hello??? Sparks were flying from *before* the moment they met! Noah and David were friends to lovers and there is literally not a moment on-page in which they were not smoldering for each other.
The spicy scenes in here were literally a couple of paragraphs long and described in strange terms that made everything feel very rushed. I liked the leadup, but there was almost no description of their physicality, even in scenes where they're doing things like braiding each other's hair (in other words, intimate moments of a non-sexual nature). I am not exaggerating when I say that their first spicy encounter consisted of two paragraphs, and takes place almost 2/3 of the way through the book.
I've commented on the other books that things get a bit hectic toward the end; Gentleman's Book specifically has a truly bonkers twist. By contrast, most of Bluestockings' action and tension happens off-page, especially in the latter half of the book. The main tension in Jo's storyline both escalates and is resolved off-page. The main tension of the overall BOOK also plays out off-page. It made the latter half of the book feel rushed. Now, admittedly, I was reading an ARC copy, so it's possible that something has changed between this and the final version, but it would have had to change a lot to be satisfying.
If this had been a closed-door romance, I think I would have preferred it, because I do like the characters, and the actual plot is quite good. I really enjoy this author's work, and I'm glad we got to spend more time with Jo. I enjoyed Emily's character arc, that doesn't require her to change who she is in order to find happiness, but to relinquish some of her need for control. The exploration of the difference between achillean and sapphic issues at the time is pretty interesting, as well as the complexities of the kind of relationships Jo has established for herself. I did, however, want more from the story. Specifically, more passion (more footwork, more energy... lol) and more closure.
—-
Edited this review because I realize that something I said could be misread as a statement regarding the author’s identity or experiences. That was not my intent, and I’ve adjusted my phrasing in an attempt to reflect that.
March 21, 2024
A Bluestocking's Guide to Decadence is one of those books that is so good that it makes it hard to read, because you simply don't want it to end. It's one of those five star books that gives you the urge to go and lower the rating of a bunch of other books, because there's simply no way that they can be on the same level of this one.
The concept of this novel is hilarious, yet compelling: what if a butch lesbian in a lavender marriage fell in love with her husband's girlfriend's obstetrician when the girlfriend accidentally becomes pregnant? In all my rambling to friends, family, coworkers, and random booksellers about town that I've done while reading this, that description has always brought about a laugh. It's ingenious, really, and I salute Jess Everlee for not only coming up with the idea, but for following it through in a delightful romp that I'm never going to be able to stop thinking about.
This novel is the perfect example of what I look for in queer historical fiction. Homophobia and transphobia are a part of the story, yes, and don't go unacknowledged, but they're not the focus of the internal or external conflict of the novel. Emily and Jo's families and friends are endlessly supportive, and the novel shows such an intriguing and fun view into the queer subculture prevalent in England in this time. Noncomformity comes in all sorts of different ways in this book, and each and every one of them is a delight to read about.
I cannot shout this book's praises enough. I've not read the first two in this loosely connected series, but I need to, right this second. Everlee's writing is engrossing, exciting, and shimmers with chemistry between our two leads. It may be only March, but I anticipate that this will be one of, if not the, best romance novels of 2024.
An eARC was provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The concept of this novel is hilarious, yet compelling: what if a butch lesbian in a lavender marriage fell in love with her husband's girlfriend's obstetrician when the girlfriend accidentally becomes pregnant? In all my rambling to friends, family, coworkers, and random booksellers about town that I've done while reading this, that description has always brought about a laugh. It's ingenious, really, and I salute Jess Everlee for not only coming up with the idea, but for following it through in a delightful romp that I'm never going to be able to stop thinking about.
This novel is the perfect example of what I look for in queer historical fiction. Homophobia and transphobia are a part of the story, yes, and don't go unacknowledged, but they're not the focus of the internal or external conflict of the novel. Emily and Jo's families and friends are endlessly supportive, and the novel shows such an intriguing and fun view into the queer subculture prevalent in England in this time. Noncomformity comes in all sorts of different ways in this book, and each and every one of them is a delight to read about.
I cannot shout this book's praises enough. I've not read the first two in this loosely connected series, but I need to, right this second. Everlee's writing is engrossing, exciting, and shimmers with chemistry between our two leads. It may be only March, but I anticipate that this will be one of, if not the, best romance novels of 2024.
An eARC was provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 9, 2024
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy!
I rated it 3.75/5 stars, which rounds up to 4.
Dr. Emily Clarke is tired of being seen as half a physician and treated as a nurse after years of training in the hospital. When a friend of her brother's shows up, with a pregnant unmarried woman in tow, she is vehemently against taking on an obstetric patient, in fear of being stuck in the specialty moving forward.
When Jo Smith finds her husband's mistress is with child, she fears she will be cast out of her home and divorced. In an attempt to prove useful, she sets about finding a doctor who will take in a woman pregnant under unusual circumstances, but when she meets the doctor in question, she is more excited to ruffle some feathers.
This was an adorable, historical sapphic romance novel. I was not aware of the politics and social movements occurring in the 1880s in England, but they played a hefty role in the inter-workings of the relationships in this novel, as well as the climax; though the climax felt a little underwhelming. I did not expect the end to be the end, and the moment I expected to be the tipping point to the resolution was a brief conversation on both counts, one of which did not occur on page. (This book does not contain the miscommunication trope between the two main characters, nor a third-act breakup.) Thankfully, the conflict occurs separately for the two main characters and focuses on issues with the other people in their lives rather than one another, which I always find refreshing in a romance novel. Though Jo was rather childish at times, I think that she and Emily balanced one another in terms of their personality traits and flaws.
All in all, I enjoyed the read. I recently found historical romance and it is so lovely to read one with a cast of queer characters.
I rated it 3.75/5 stars, which rounds up to 4.
Dr. Emily Clarke is tired of being seen as half a physician and treated as a nurse after years of training in the hospital. When a friend of her brother's shows up, with a pregnant unmarried woman in tow, she is vehemently against taking on an obstetric patient, in fear of being stuck in the specialty moving forward.
When Jo Smith finds her husband's mistress is with child, she fears she will be cast out of her home and divorced. In an attempt to prove useful, she sets about finding a doctor who will take in a woman pregnant under unusual circumstances, but when she meets the doctor in question, she is more excited to ruffle some feathers.
This was an adorable, historical sapphic romance novel. I was not aware of the politics and social movements occurring in the 1880s in England, but they played a hefty role in the inter-workings of the relationships in this novel, as well as the climax; though the climax felt a little underwhelming. I did not expect the end to be the end, and the moment I expected to be the tipping point to the resolution was a brief conversation on both counts, one of which did not occur on page. (This book does not contain the miscommunication trope between the two main characters, nor a third-act breakup.) Thankfully, the conflict occurs separately for the two main characters and focuses on issues with the other people in their lives rather than one another, which I always find refreshing in a romance novel. Though Jo was rather childish at times, I think that she and Emily balanced one another in terms of their personality traits and flaws.
All in all, I enjoyed the read. I recently found historical romance and it is so lovely to read one with a cast of queer characters.
June 5, 2024
Another trip to the historical setting of Jess Everlee’s universe and a chance to learn more about Miss Jo. She’s been an interesting character when meeting her in previous books and there was always a feeling that there was more to her story. When we meet with her in the beginning of book 3 of the Lucky Lovers of London, she’s found herself smack in the middle of quite the predicament. She is involved in a lavender marriage and her husband, Paul, has a pregnant mistress, actress Miss Vanessa Garcia.
That is where the tight bun wearing Dr. Emily Clarke comes into the story. She is the sister of Noah from book 2 and is currently practicing medicine alongside her father at the hospital. The time being what it is, she doesn’t get the pay she deserves nor the respect she deserves from her patients and their families so she is at a difficult place in her career. This opposites attract romance partners her up with bookshop seller/illegal printmaker Miss Jo who is more comfortable wearing trousers than corsets and they butt heads at the very beginning. Their banter and back and forth letters spark an interest on both sides.
These opposites grow to compliment one another and both come to truths about themselves and the situations that they are currently dealing with or actively not dealing with and I enjoy seeing that in a book. Given the Victorian time frame, there are limitations that these characters come up against and with one another’s support, Emily and Jo find themselves at a much different place than where they started.
I can’t speak for how close the details for historical accuracy were but I felt the ending was fitting for the all the characters involved under what my understanding of the time period was and I enjoyed reading Emily and Jo’s story. I read a complimentary copy and this is my honest and fair review.
That is where the tight bun wearing Dr. Emily Clarke comes into the story. She is the sister of Noah from book 2 and is currently practicing medicine alongside her father at the hospital. The time being what it is, she doesn’t get the pay she deserves nor the respect she deserves from her patients and their families so she is at a difficult place in her career. This opposites attract romance partners her up with bookshop seller/illegal printmaker Miss Jo who is more comfortable wearing trousers than corsets and they butt heads at the very beginning. Their banter and back and forth letters spark an interest on both sides.
These opposites grow to compliment one another and both come to truths about themselves and the situations that they are currently dealing with or actively not dealing with and I enjoy seeing that in a book. Given the Victorian time frame, there are limitations that these characters come up against and with one another’s support, Emily and Jo find themselves at a much different place than where they started.
I can’t speak for how close the details for historical accuracy were but I felt the ending was fitting for the all the characters involved under what my understanding of the time period was and I enjoyed reading Emily and Jo’s story. I read a complimentary copy and this is my honest and fair review.
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