I'd give this book 10 stars if I could, it was delicious and perfect and hard to put down. I loved the humor (actually laughed out loud at several spots) and I loved the characters. It's modeled after Pride & Prejudice but had enough twists and excitement that it didn't feel like an exact copy. Big fan, highly recommend, and I look forward to other books by this author. ( )

Reputation by Lex Croucher has been dubbed a mix of Bridgertons and Mean Girls.

For me, I am not a fan of aristocratic period pieces of fiction. I thought I would give this one a try, since it had the mean girls edge and I hoped it would change my opinion on a deeper satirical level.

Unfortunately, it didn’t work for me. Although, I can understand why this is an extremely popular genre and a popular book if you enjoy that era. ( )

This period piece with a Bridgerton feel has some wild misbehavior and when class lines get crossed, Georgiana’s summer is like no other before. Quickly captivating, this tale held me through to the end. One caveat however, I was disappointed a bit at the bitter end, as it ended abruptly, but not with an unwanted surprise. In all, a great read that entertained.
*I received an arc from the publisher through NetGalley for an honest review ( )

Not what I expected it to be. Darker than the typical regency romcom, and at times it didn’t feel very historical or romantic. I think after reading it, it’s possibly better aimed at the YA market as there is no graphic sex scene but they do talk about rape and use drugs etc. Not my favourite book of 2021, but definitely memorable. ( )

The Regency “in” crowd—darkly beguiling! Surprising!

I puzzled over what sort of Regency romance I’d wandered into, but the life of Georgiana Ellers goes from a throughly uninspiring season sponsored by her aunt, to rackety doings with bored young things in a nanosecond. This was a delight. Austen like observations combine with commentary that both terrifies and stimulate. I kept waiting for George to come to her senses. I was both shocked and enamoured by her need to be more, her unusualness being led down a potentially ruinous path.
Talk about the “walk of shame”. This has it all. Like the Lost Boys, the lost wealthy children playing often vicious games come as a shock to Georgiana. The daring Frances Campbell—a style setter, both daring, friendly and vicious, hiding unhappiness by attacking. But then when you so want to be part of the “in” crowd, to move in these incandescent heights of society, you join in and dampen your conscience. Which is just what Georgiana did, until she couldn’t anymore. I did feel like I was moving more in the flapper society of the thirties than Regency times. Certainly Wickham would be more at home here than others I could mention. Then we rarely cross into those more debauched places when dealing with sweet young things during the Season. No Almanacks and insipid lemonade here. Rather it’s drugs and cognac. Sapphic encounters and rape. Coming of age sucks, especially when seeking adventure, to be part of the “in” crowd at any cost—sharpened stakes and all.
I know at the end I was standing on a church pew cheering Georgiana’s bravery and the daringness of Miss Betty’s adroitness. And then there’s the hidden hero. Mmm! Thomas Hawksley is a joy!

A St Martin’s Press ARC via NetGalley ( )