Author: Alison Goodman
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Historical Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Romance, Modern Romance.
Year of Release: 2023
Release Date: 7th June 2023
Rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Synopsis
Welcome to the secret life of the Colebrook twins: unnoticed old maids to most, but unseen champions to those in need – society be damned.
Lady Augusta Colebrook, ‘Gus’, is determinedly unmarried, bored by society life, and tired of being dismissed at the age of forty-two. She and her twin sister, Julia, who is grieving her dead betrothed, need a distraction. One soon presents itself: to rescue their friend’s goddaughter, Caroline, from her violent husband.
The sisters set out to Caroline’s country estate with a plan, but their carriage is accosted by a highwayman. In the scuffle, Gus accidentally shoots the ruffian, only to discover he is Lord Evan Belford, an acquaintance from their past who was charged with murder and exiled to Australia twenty years ago. With Lord Evan injured and unconscious, the sisters have no choice but to bring him on their mission to save Caroline. What follows is a high adventure full of danger, clever improvisation, heart-racing near misses, and a little help from a revived and rather charming Lord Evan.
And so, begin the beguiling adventures of the Colebrook twins …
Review
1812 London, England; twin sisters 42- year-old Lady Augusta and Lady Julia Colebrook might appear to most outsiders to be old maids but to anyone in need they are champions, society be damned. Augusta or Gus as she prefers is a little disinterested by society life and being dismissed by those around her is really getting to be a bore. Gus has much more important things to worry about than the opinions of high society for starters. Julia is still grieving for her dead betrothed and it is clear the only way out of her cloud of grief is with a distraction. An opportunity soon comes calling the sisters must find a way to rescue the goddaughter of a dear friend by the name of Caroline from her violent husband.
The morning of the rescue arrives, and the plan has been put into motion whilst in their carriage.
En route to Caroline’s country estate, the sisters are set upon by a highwayman, their journey is waylaid, and a scuffle soon takes place and Gus opens fire wounding the ruffian. It soon becomes clear that the bandit is an acquaintance from their past Lord Even Belford, something is not right with this scenario.
“Welcome to the secret life of the Colebrook twins: unnoticed old maids to most, but unseen champions to those in need- Society be damned”. Regency era comes to life but there’s mystery, there is knives, guns and a rescue to plan how could I not dive into these pages headfirst I couldn’t.
The novel is broken up into three parts which made it feel like these are women we are going to be spending a great deal of time with rather than just reading about; when we first meet Gus and Julia in the opening chapters, we find them “in the dark walk it was not an ideal arrangement two unaccompanied women confronting a blackmailer in the most ill-lit deserted part of Vauxhall Gardens.”
The opening chapters are the perfect way to get to know the sisters you really get the sense they will go to extraordinary lengths to provide aid to those in need, however when it comes to the plotline it felt at times like a much slower take off then I as a reader am used to. The conflict and resolution chapters take off at a much greater pace and the story feels like it takes on a life of its own.
Gus and Julia Colebrook are strong female leads in this novel, there is no difficulty for any reader to envisage these two women in the roles they play throughout the novel. Author Alison Goodman has brought to life two strong and independent woman that will make you laugh out loud whilst also having a sentimental attachment towards the ladies who make for great dynamic characters.
The Benevolent Society of Ill-mannered Ladies is one of those rare books that this reviewer actually found made them laugh- out- loud at different times as the plotline progresses; that being said there are some heavier themes woven into this book such as blackmail, false imprisonment, death as well as the belief men of that time period held when it comes to woman; that woman were the property of the opposite sex, their only purpose was to be seen and not heard standing beside a man preferably their husbands! I sure am glad some beliefs have changed for the better.
‘Then it is settled. We shall be useful. But just as importantly we shall be defiant, occasionally ill-mannered, and completely indomitable.’
‘Surely not ill-mannered,’ Julia said.
I smiled. ‘That, dear sister, remains to be seen.’”
Minor characters are also woven effortlessly into the plotline that is not to say all characters will bring joy to the reader, in fact, there is room for a little dissatisfaction when it comes to a particular personality they make for a great static character and dare I say a character that gets on any readers last nerve.
A few details had to be researched particularly the outfits worn during the Regency Era however this does not take away from the enjoyment a reader experiences when reading this book, in fact, I think my having to research only highlighted the difference between past and present and goes to show just how much research cand detail the author has put into creating this book.
My only hope for the Colebrook sisters is that there is an abundance of books in this series, I need to know what happens next for the dynamic duo.
Due to the era of the story this made some elements at times are predictable due to clothing, etiquette, and language. There are times throughout this novel where you have a feeling certain details will come to light as the story progresses towards the closing chapters thanks to the author’s skilled writing it didn’t take away from watching it unfold rather it enhanced the reveal in this reviewer’s opinion.
The Benevolent Society of ill-mannered Ladies is one of my 2023 reading highlights such a fun book, what a great way to escape reality even if it was just for a little while.
If I had to describe The Benevolent Society of ill-mannered Ladies, I would say think Charlie’s Angels but make it Regency.
I was pleasantly surprised how much action was amongst these pages but in no way feels unnecessary nor does it make for uncomfortable reading.
Subplots are included in The Benevolent Society of ill-Mannered Ladies:
- Blackmail
- Social classes
- False imprisonment
- Grief
- Health issues
- Loss of faith
- Sibling revelry
- Death
- Men’s attitudes towards, and treatment of woman
- Potential romances
Tropes included in The Benevolent Society of ill-Mannered Ladies:
- Protagonists ahead of their time
- That one religious person
- Marriage of convenience
- Well researched
The Benevolent Society of ill-Mannered Ladies is one of those books that you wish wasn’t ending, I was thrilled with the outcome but as I said above, I need more time with Gus, and I would love the opportunity to get to spend some more time with Julia Colebrook.
Overall, I was delighted that my 5-star- prediction turned out to be true! I am so glad that I read this book it certainly lived up to the hype. if you are considering this book let me tell you will have found a winner.
Calling all Historical Fiction readers new or old I highly recommend The Benevolent Society of ill-Mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman to a mature audience if you’re looking for a Historical Regency with a healthy dose of mystery and a dash of romance look no further this is the book for you.
With continued thanks to HarperCollins Publishers for sending a physical copy of the book to read and review in exchange for my honest opinion.