The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels - India Holton

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⭐ 8.0/10

(Originally written by Magdalene)

This book is a fantasy/historical/romance all wrapped up into one ridiculous and silly package. It's obviously trying to be as bonkers as possible, and it delivers! Cecilia is a high society woman who is also a lady scoundrel. She was raised to both drink tea properly and steal valuables from royalty. Life is just fine until an assassin hired by her father is after her, except it doesn't seem like he's trying very hard to kill her. Also everyone is able to fly houses using an incantation.

It's all very over the top, so I can see why that wouldn't be everyone's thing, but I was in the mood for something this light. It's very funny, but the jokes and asides also serve as cutting commentary about society in the past and today. Also there are lots of references to famous people of the time (for example, Cecilia's elderly aunt isn't sure if the father of her child is Branwell Bronte or Charles Darwin), and it was fun to spot them. There's lots of action but with a large dose of romance. To be honest I didn't care much about the romance, since it had a few tropes I don't care for (instalove and irresistible heroes). But it was a very enjoyable read overall, and I've never read anything quite like it. Heads up for an open door sex scene if you want to read this but that's not your thing.

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