I love Regency Romance, but I especially love when Regency Romance moves us a bit away from the ton and gives us characters a bit different, with separate struggles than dukes and earls. So, I was very much looking forward to Amita Murray’s Unladylike Lessons in Love, and I really wasn’t disappointed.

This is a Regency Romance with a mystery at the core, as Lila Marleigh and Ivor Tristram work together, looking to solve a crime and prove the innocence of a Lascar, who will likely be hanged if they can’t find the real culprit. Threaded throughout is a portrayal of the period that strips away some of the romanticism and explores the racism and sexism of the time. Lila is on the outskirts of the ton due to her birth, as she is the illegitimate oldest daughter of an English earl and an Indian woman. Despite this, she’s quite successful running a gaming club, and has forged her own place in this world. Enter Ivor, who accuses her of being his father’s mistress, before the two get pulled into the mystery of a crime committed in Ivor’s own home.

I read this feeling like Murray had really done her research. Don’t get me wrong – I’m no expert when it comes to historical accuracy and facts in historical fiction, but I feel like a good writer can make things feel period-accurate, even when they’re not, whereas a poor writer might end up making accurate things ring false.

As it was, I believed in the characters and the setting; they felt real and I liked how Murray covered such a wide scope within the story, taking us from glittering parties to seedy pubs. As we move through London to uncover the truth of what happened, Lila and Ivor grow closer, and we see more of the characters around them, too. I was completely wrapped up in both the story and their relationship, and if you’re looking for historical fiction that combines romance and mystery really well, this might be what you’re looking for.

Regency romance is a new sub genre for me that I’m loving at the moment! This one was super funny, quirky and the FMC was hilarious! If you love a rom com style book but prefer a regency setting, try this. What I like is that it doesn’t feel historical, but you get all the drama that comes from a regency setting and characters. Highly recommend!

It was cute but nothing really made me want to continue other than it being short. The writing was a bit meh and the FMC annoyed me. Don’t think this book actually was for myself. 2 stars

Unfortunate this book was so not for me. I didn’t like the FMC, the story was quite „modern”, I feel like tho book is for new readers to the historical romance genre, the one that enjoyed Bridgenton TV series and now want to discover more. And I really disliked the message of: we females are so badass, and men are bleh 🥴 I don’t know why it felt so forced.

I adore historical romances and the premise of this novel sounded quite interesting. I found the writing to be clunky at times and it failed to hold my attention. Unfortunately, I don't think this novel was for me.

Yes. The Bridgerton hype made me request this one. And I'm so glad I did. This was such a good book! There's very few Indian protagonists that you see in historical romance, and ones done well are even rarer. Unladylike Lessons in Love falls firmly in the last category with good rep. I really enjoyed reading about Lila. She was probably my favourite character in the story, as she should be! The romance was very good and the leads had great chemistry. I was surprised by the mystery elements in the book because I wasn't expecting something of that sort, but it only enhanced the story more. Overall, a great experience.

3.5 stars!

Well, this was a fun read!

This book came at the perfect time for me. I've been in need of some fun and light escapism and this has ticked every possible box for me. And with season 3 of Bridgerton just about to come out, this has been my much-needed fix as I wait for it with bated breath!

Unlike most protagonists we get in Regency romance, Lila Marleigh could be thought of as a slight outsider of the ton, which made me feel closer to her and more connected to her story. She is a business owner and a very determined one at that, and her desire to make a name for herself deeply resonated with me. Her love interest is deliciously grumpy, but also kind, helpful and loving, and I adored their dynamic.

What made this story really stand out to me though were its elements of cosy mystery as our two love interests must work together to solve a case. I haven't seen much of this done before in romance, and with cosy mysteries being one of my favourite genres to read this was a very welcome surprise!

A massive thank you to Amita Murray, HarperFiction and NetGalley for giving me the chance to review this book.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Lila Marleigh is not a typical society lady. The illegitimate daughter of an English Earl and his Indian mistress, she has lived a privileged life with her father. However, his death left her with her cruel stepmother and half brother, and finally fleeing their abusive home, she is set to make a name and life for herself, not relying on anyone. Embracing her scandalous reputation, she forms a salon out of her drawing room, and the gaming club is enough to survive on. So when Ivor Tristram demands she stops her affair with his father - who she has never met, or slept with - Lila is not about to accept any demands than an aristocrat makes, no matter how handsome he may be. Ivor refuses to take no for an answer, and that is the only reason he finds himself darkening Lila's door again and again, right, not because he wants to see her?

I don't really know how to rate this book. The characters were decent enough, and Lila and Ivor definitely had a strong chemistry and romance, but the story was a little disjointed and confusing. The stepmother hated Lila and Anya, but still accepted them into her home, and saw that they were educated. Maybe that was to keep her husband happy, but it was a bit of a plot hole I didn't understand. I did like that plot line which got Ivor and Lila working together. Lila's friend arrives at her home, pregnant and distraught that her love is set to be executed, and only Ivor can stop it. I think that was the main reason I kept reading, as I hoped the pair would be able to be free and together, as a family. The romance was spicy, and like I said, Lila and Ivor's chemistry wasn't really the problem, it just didn't grip my attention as much as it could've. I'll maybe read Anya's book when that's released, but I don't think I'll be in any rush.

I really like reading historical romances and this book was a nice easy read. It was a fun and flirty romance, and kept me intrigued enough to keep turning the page. I liked the chemistry between the main characters and could definitely feel the romance. I enjoyed the overall concept of the plot.

I feel like there was a bit of repetition in some parts. I didn’t enjoy the third-act break up.

This book is perfect for fans of Bridgerton or anything to do with Regency England. There was more spice than I was expecting, but it made the story that much more enjoyable. It was quite easy to read and I am very much looking forward to the next book. I also loved that it was multicultural.

This book had me hooked from the beginning, I fell in love with the main characters and I was rooting for them from start to finish!
The plot was fast-paced and once I began, I struggled to stop! I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend to all my fellow rom-com lovers.
Thank you to NetGalley for this novel in exchange for an honest review ◡̈

I unfortunately couldn't get into this book as much as I would have liked but it has a really fun premise and will be enjoyed be many others.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I requested this one on the back of the Bridgerton hype and it definitely has the same look and feel when reading the description of the book. And that definitely translated well into the book itself. I loved the exploration of each of the characters and the representation they held. However, at parts, I did feel as though the pacing was a little slow.

I did really enjoy the writing style from this author and would love to explore more of their work.

3.5 to 4 stars

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Harper Collins for this ARC

I love historical romances and enjoyed this book!

Full review tbc.

I had the privilege of meeting @amitamurray at @itsthebookparty earlier this year and was beyond thrilled to be given a copy of Unladylike Lessons in Love after talking to her with her about historical romances and the sheer joy they bring me.

And this book has definitely bought me a lot of joy as I’ve read it this week. In a time where women were seen as a possession rather an a person, I could help but fall in love with Lila, the eldest child of an Earl and his Indian mistress. I adored her independence, her ability to create her own path and not shrink away from it.

Lila and Ivor gave regency enemies to lovers vibes. Ivor was refreshing and also not one to conform fully to the expectations of women (there are moments). I was totally absorbed in their relationships development throughout.

Not just a typical romance, there’s also a crime to be solved, with Ivor’s cousin Tiffany being attacked and the wrong man accused!! There’s so much to keep you engaged with this story: romance, a crime to be solved and a horse race is just some of them and I am extremely enviable of Lila’s clothing.

Overall, I adored this book and desperate to read about Lila’s sisters 😍😍

I must say, that I did not enjoyed this one.
Not really my cup of tea.

I did not liked MCs in this book. Just 2.5 stars.

"Unladylike Lessons in Love" by Amita Murray is a captivating exploration of love and self-discovery. The story revolves around Tara Malhotra, a strong-willed protagonist who embarks on a journey of personal growth and transformation. Murray's storytelling is rich and emotionally charged, offering a refreshing perspective on relationships and societal expectations. This book is a compelling and thought-provoking romance with memorable characters.

I love a historical romance book where the female is so not what is expected of that time period. I imagine that is how I would act if I was in the upper class during that time.

I love women who go out of the way to help friends no matter what others think of them, esp when they go into the areas where "women" are not allowed.

This was a fantastic read.

There are books that set up a premise well and introduce characters who will later on become more central to the ongoing plot and sometimes overshadow the existing narrative. I must admit to liking the author's writing style and feeling a sense of anticipation for the other two sisters mentioned in the book and their futures/love lives even more than enjoying the current narrative. Basically, I will be continuing with the series if I get the opportunity.
Our lead protagonist is a woman of mixed heritage at a time when such a thing was both common as well as frowned upon in 'civilised society'. Lila's British(white) father and Indian mother lived happily in India, and a chance accident kills both of them and has their daughters realise that their father had a family already on the mainland. Lila has a tough upbringing from that point on, as we are informed slowly over the course of the book, with information being trickled down to us, leaving a tantalising closing reveal for the very end.
Lila is running a respectable gambling house, one where she takes care to skirt around the edges of actual trouble. It is when she becomes involved with an accusation that happens at the same time as a man approaching her for other reasons that Lila turns investigator. The mystery in the story and the chasing down of clues takes some time and effort on everyone's part.
The love story is slow and gradual, with both behaving a little pigheadedly before the very end. The investigation reveals the ultimate culprit quite early on, but getting the facts enough to convict or at least threaten the man in question is where the bulk of the story focuses on. This was a welcome change because it seemed like a hopeless endeavour, given the way things must have worked at the time.
I would recommend this book as a quick read for fans of the genre, and as the first in a series which should have more than a couple more books.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

Thanks to the Bridgerton series and its enormous popularity among readers and Netflix series viewers, there seems to be a flood of regency novels right now.

The main selling point of this book is that the protagonist is a half-English, half-Indian girl, rather than the usual white British. Other than that, there isn't much to say about it. This is innovative in and of itself.

It was a novel that you could pick up and read, and I didn't love it or dislike it.

An ARC was sent to me by NetGalley.