★ 08/02/2021
Don’t judge this book by its title—bluestocking Philippa York may be bookish, but she’s no wallflower, and master of disguise Tommy Wynchester is no demure miss in pearls. Bestseller Ridley’s second Wild Wynchesters romance (after The Duke Heist ) arguably touches the holy grail for Regency fans: like Georgette Heyer, but with sex. Lesbian sex, in fact, which pairs deliciously with classic Heyer elements like Shakespearian gender bending and exquisitely delineated fashion. “Tommy” is short for Thomasina, and she’s infatuated from afar with Philippa. A sibling dare to act on her feelings and hold a conversation with Philippa launches her on a masquerade as Baron Horace Vanderbean, guardian of the madcap Wynchester clan and aspirant to Philippa’s hand. Then the perfidy of a friend’s uncle leads the pair into a complicated collaboration to expose him. Along the way, the women uncover truth after truth about themselves and each other, until they can no longer deny what they want. While Ridley does not have Heyer’s skill with minor characters, she has the very great virtue of making her protagonists’ confrontation with the status quo believable. Compromise here is a dragon to be slain, not an inevitable bargain with society. It’s a feminist fairy tale readers will rejoice in. Agent: Lauren Abramo, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. (Oct.)
"Erica Ridley is a delight!"—Julia Quinn Publishers Weekly, Starred Review Kirkus, Starred Review exquisitely written, utterly transcendent romance that perfectly captures the joy of being loved for who you truly are. Distinguished by a generous measure of buoyant wit, insightful characterization, luscious sensuality, and just the right dash of whimsy (homing kittens, anyone?), this is pure reading bliss .”—Booklist, Starred Review Library Journal, Starred Review New York Times Entertainment Weekly radiates all the good, fuzzy feelings readers want in a romance . … In a sea of recent feminist historical romances, The Perks of Loving a Wallflower BookPage Salon Eloisa James
★ 10/01/2021
The saga of a group of quirky orphans adopted by a foreign baron continues in delightful fashion in this second book of Ridley's "Wild Wynchesters" series (after The Duke Heist ). Tommy, who is excellent at disguising herself, takes on the mantle of the baron's reclusive and handsome heir, to help bluestocking heiress Philippa find a groom that meets her parents' approval and correct an injustice. As the two women work together, their feelings for each other grow and make their lives increasingly complicated. The cute central romance is propped up by fantastic side characters, particularly the other Wynchesters (readers will hope to see the siblings get their own happily-ever-afters) and a cat named Tiglet who steals the show and furthers the plot. VERDICT This clever novel will delight readers looking for queer historical romances and or a series featuring a group of unconventional romantic leads.—Jenny Kobiela-Mondor, Midwest Collaborative for Lib. Svcs., Lansing, MI
★ 2021-08-18
Miss Philippa York’s mother is determined to find a titled man for her daughter to wed. Philippa would rather focus on conducting her reading circle of bluestocking women, one of whom wants proper acknowledgment for creating a wartime cipher that her uncle stole credit for. Thomasina Wynchester and her siblings may not be Polite Society, but their various skills make them the perfect team to help seek justice in this case, which becomes far more complex, as secrets are found hidden inside illuminated manuscripts. Little does Philippa know, but Tommy has been enraptured with her for a year without finding the courage to approach her. A master of disguises, Tommy finally finds confidence when disguised as the charming, flirtatious, fictitious Baron Vanderbean. Philippa is delighted when Tommy reveals her true identity, but as their friendship develops into romantic yearnings, she's torn between society's expectations and her own desires. Funny and sexy, this second installment of the Wild Wynchesters series showcases the empowerment that comes when people find total acceptance from their families, lovers, and themselves. The lead characters' identities are realistically nuanced: Philippa has never been interested in men but hadn't found herself sexually attracted to women before Tommy ignited her passion. Tommy only desires women, but her own gender is more fluid, feeling sometimes feminine and sometimes masculine. They are both caring, smart, and lovable, which makes their relationship journey completely enchanting.
Sapphic bliss.
Narrator Moira Quirk brings an easy charm to a queer Regency romance between bluestocking Philippa York and rakish master of disguise Thomasina “Tommy” Wynchester. Tommy always sounds full of confidence—except when she’s around Philippa. When a case of plagiarism brings the two together, Tommy dons the disguise and bravado of Baron Vanderbeen, which gives her the courage to finally approach Philippa. Quirk's lively voice smoothly shifts between each character, bringing life to the clever women of Philippa’s treasured reading circle and Tommy’s remarkable family. Listeners will shudder at the oppressive tones of Philippa’s mother’s endless urgings that she land a titled man. Quirk amplifies the humor and romance as the two work together and slowly discover a deep attraction that sparkles on audio. E.E.C. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2021 Best Audiobook © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
NOVEMBER 2021 - AudioFile
Narrator Moira Quirk brings an easy charm to a queer Regency romance between bluestocking Philippa York and rakish master of disguise Thomasina “Tommy” Wynchester. Tommy always sounds full of confidence—except when she’s around Philippa. When a case of plagiarism brings the two together, Tommy dons the disguise and bravado of Baron Vanderbeen, which gives her the courage to finally approach Philippa. Quirk's lively voice smoothly shifts between each character, bringing life to the clever women of Philippa’s treasured reading circle and Tommy’s remarkable family. Listeners will shudder at the oppressive tones of Philippa’s mother’s endless urgings that she land a titled man. Quirk amplifies the humor and romance as the two work together and slowly discover a deep attraction that sparkles on audio. E.E.C. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2021 Best Audiobook © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
NOVEMBER 2021 - AudioFile
