Title: Unladylike Lessons In Love
Author: Amita Murray
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 384
Release Date: 20 July 2023
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Hello fellow booklovers! Today I'm sharing my review for Unladylike Lessons In Love by Amita Murray. A fun, flirty and unapologetically feminist Regency debut that explores a refreshingly diverse (and period accurate) London we don’t often see in Regency Romance.
Synopsis
Not every Regency lady is looking for a husband…
As the daughter of an English earl and his Indian mistress, impulsive Lila Marleigh has already broken the rules of society into tiny pieces.
When a face she never thought she would see again appears and begs for help, Lila must court notoriety once more and pit her wits against the annoyingly handsome aristocrat, Ivor Tristram.
But does she risk opening her heart to the one person who can break it…?
Review
From the opulence and grandeur of the upper classes to the desolate and poverty stricken slums, Amita Murray doesn’t shy way from depicting the eras’ social issues (sexism, racism, class inequality and the exploitation of women), by intricately weaving them into every aspect of the plot to create an immersive and compelling read that I didn’t want to end.
I enjoyed this soo much! The writing was beautifully descriptive and the characters were all well written and full of personality. I was actually surprised by how many characters managed to steal my heart with their antics and sass (besides Lila, that is.)
Especially Hannah (Lila’s maid) and Hector (Ivor’s Valet), whose Alfred Pennyworth levels of intuition, and easygoing bonds with Lila and Ivor made their teasing, humour-filled interactions soo entertaining. Maisie too was an interesting character to explore, her wicked sense of humour was amazing and I couldn’t help but want to hug her for all the hardships she’s endured.
Lila, our bold and clever protagonist, was definitely my favourite. A compassionate and resourceful woman, Lila has worked hard for her success and despite the naysayers who’ve looked down upon her (both for her illegitimate status and half-Indian heritage), she proud of what she’s accomplished. I loved how fearless and determined she was to help those less fortunate, especially Maisie, whose tragic past connects the two.
Ivor, on the other hand, with his Darcy-esque sense of pride definitely took a moment to warm up too. But, his sense of honour and duty definitely helped to win me over.
As did the sizzling chemistry between Lila and Ivor, which was thoroughly addictive and reminded me soo much of Kate and Antony’s steamy/ love-hate dynamics from the second season of Bridgerton.
Overall, a romantic and mystery filled romp that’s perfect for anyone who loves Bridgerton, swoon-worthy Historical Romances or headstrong, Enola Holmes-esque protagonists with depth. Can’t wait to see where the rest of the series goes.
Also, a huge thank you to Amita Murry for the finished copy.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
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