The Ladies Rewrite the Rules by Suzanne Allain -- Review

About the Book

From the author of Mr. Malcolm's List comes a delightful romantic comedy set in Regency England about a widow who takes high society by storm.

Diana Boyle, a wealthy young widow, has no desire to ever marry again. Particularly not to someone who merely wants her for her fortune. 

So when she discovers that she’s listed in a directory of rich, single women she is furious, and rightly so. She confronts Maxwell Dean, the man who published the Bachelor’s Directory , and is horrified to find he is far more attractive than his actions have led her to expect. However, Diana is unmoved by Max’s explanation that he authored the list to assist younger sons like himself who cannot afford to marry unless it’s to a woman of means. 

She gathers the ladies in the directory together to inform them of its existence, so they may circumvent fortune hunters’ efforts to trick them into marriage. Though outraged, the women decide to embrace their unique position of power and reverse the usual gender roles by making the men dance to their tune. And together… the ladies rewrite the rules.

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About the Author

Suzanne Allain is a screenwriter who lived in New York and Beijing before returning to her hometown of Tallahassee, Florida, where she lives with her husband. Suzanne adapted her novel Mr. Malcolm’s List into a screenplay and it was made into a movie starring Freida Pinto, Theo James, Ṣọpẹ Dìrísù, and Zawe Ashton.

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Review

From the moment readers discover that author Suzanne Allain has written another sweet Regency romance, readers will be completely captivated.  Throughout this period novel, readers will constantly find themselves grinning as they consume this dazzling childhood friendship turned second chance romance novel, a charming addition to Allain’s works.  Period readers of Georgette Heyer and/or Jane Austen will absolutely adore this amusing, sweet, and romantic novel about a group of heiresses that decide they aren’t going to follow the norms of society by following the whims of the men in their lives and write their own rules instead.  Readers will quickly fall in love with not only the female and male main characters, but also the fabulous side characters, whose subplots make this story so much more engaging and fulfilling to read.  Another enchanting read from author Suzanne Allain that readers will be charmed and dazzled with and absolutely will not want to put down.

Genre: Regency, romance
Publisher: Berkley
Publication date: January 9, 2024
Number of pages: 272

Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, authors, and others, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR borrowed from Deseret Bookshelf, OR pre-ordered/purchased for review, including Audible.  A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.