Unladylike Rules of Attraction

The Marleigh Sisters #2

by Amita Murray

Unladylike Rules of Attraction has descriptive copy which is not yet available from the Publisher.

Genres: Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Mystery, Historical, Fiction, Regency Romance

378 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2024

About the author

Amita is a writer, based in London. She writes in two genres: contemporary mystery and historical mystery romance. Her Arya Winters series of mysteries is published with Agora. The first came out in 2021. Her mystery novel Thirteenth Night won the Exeter Novel Prize in 2022. Her first novel The Trouble with Rose came out with Harper Collins in 2019. Get in touch @AmitaMurray and amitamurray.Wordpress.com

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anya, a gifted sitar player, finds herself thrust into a whirlwind of events when she unexpectedly inherits a fortune with the condition of marrying within four months. The tension escalates as the deceased's family vies for control, adding complexity to Anya's already complicated life.

One of the coolest things about this book is how it's all about representation. Anya, with her Indian background, and Damian, who's got roots tracing back to an enslaved Jamaican woman, bring such fresh vibes to the story and unique perspectives against the backdrop of historical London.

However, while the central romance and dramatic elements are compelling, the pacing leaves much to be desired. At times, the story feels rushed, and the abundance of subplots makes it challenging to fully engage with each character's story. And while the resolution ties up loose ends, it lacks the satisfying depth and nuance that the story deserves.

Unladylike Rules of Attraction remains an intriguing read for fans of historical dramas with diverse casts. With tighter pacing and a more focused narrative, it could have been a truly outstanding tale. But still, it’s an entertaining read, albeit with some room for improvement.

[Andrea ☾ [is inconsistently consistant] · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️ Rounded up because both MCs are POC and because of the anti-colonizer / anti-slavery narrative.
Thank you Net Galley for the eARC!

It's no secret that I loved the first book in this series. It was incredibly well-paced, and the chemistry between the MCs was electric. This book, however...

This story follows Anya, Lila's sister and court musician, and the complicated circumstances she finds herself in as she surprisingly inherits a small fortune from someone she considered an acquaintance. Murder, romance, and music make for a great combination that should have worked more than it did.

There was no real development of feelings between Anya and Lord Ashton. The book is Dual POV, which brings nothing into the narrative other than confusion, since neither character seems adept nor willing to explore their own feelings towards one another, even as their barely non-existent relationship turns to sex. The mystery plot was alright, but it was mostly slow-moving and the resolution fell flat to me.

Overall, I can't say I would pick this book up, especially if given the option to choose between 'Unladylike Lessons in Love' and this one.

[Natasha Leighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

The second instalment in Amita Murray’s richly detailed and refreshingly diverse Regency romance series, is just as fun and unapologetically feisty as the first— I absolutely loved every moment of it!

If you haven’t already, I highly recommend checking out the first book in the series, Unladylike Lessons in love which is a swoonworthy regency romp full of depth that quickly stole my heart when I read it last year.

The writing in its sequel is just as captivating and rich in detail, with settings and descriptions that are not only grand, but also capture the harsh realities of life outside of the royal court and upper class social circles of the era.

As a court musician at the palace, our protagonist Anya straddles the line between wealth and poverty, relying on her skill and favour with the Queen (and the ton) to stay afloat. But her charisma and musical gift cannot change the sexist, racist and classist attitudes that pervade the upper classes.

So when a client, the Dowager Countess Budleigh leaves her a fortune, Anya has the chance to really make a difference—not only in her life but also the life of her young protege, Trixie.

The only caveat being, to inherit she must marry before her twenty fifth birthday or the money will revert to the executor of the will— the maddeningly frustrating (and utterly handsome), Lord Damien Ashton.

But Damien is the least of her worries, as the Budleigh family believe they’ve been swindled and are willing to do just about anything to keep the inheritance for themselves…

Like the first book, I really enjoyed this! The Bridgerton-esque, rivals to lovers romance was really engaging and the depth filled characters really fun to explore.

I really liked protagonist Anya, who like her sister Lila is a clever, compassionate and enterprising young woman who has worked hard for her success. But as much as the ton (and Queen Charlotte) adore her music, she knows (as a the half-Indian, illegitimate daughter of an earl) just how quickly that success can be stripped away. Which has lead to a carefully crafted and guarded persona that few are able to break through.

Damien, much like Anya has suffered his own fair share of prejudice, having grown up in Jamaica as the grandson of a black woman; and inheriting a title and land many (particularly the Budleigh’s) would deem him unfit for. As such, he appears very standoffish and uncaring at first glance. But as we get to know him we discover a caring and loyal character determined to use his position to enact change and advocate for others less fortunate than himself.

I loved his chemistry with Anya, which was sizzlingly swoon-worthy if a little swifter than I anticipated. However, I enjoyed watching their interactions as they steadily let down their guards (and begin to care for one another) even more.

The supporting cast were great too, with Damien’s brother Jeremy and Anya’s protege Trixie completely stealing my heart. Though, I admit it was the cameos from Lila, Ivor and Walsham (Lila’s sassy butler) that I was most looking forward to —and they did not disappoint! I’m definitely hoping we get to see more of them (as well as Anya and Damien) in the third Marleigh Sisters book.

Overall, a delightful, mystery filled romp that Regency Romance lovers and fans of Georgette Heyer or Julia Quinn desperate for more diverse rep definitely need to check out.

Also a huge thank you to author, Amita for the proof copy.

[PlotTrysts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anya works as a musician in Queen Charlotte's court as a sitar player. She unexpectedly inherits a patron's fortune ... if she marries before her 24th birthday. The family of the deceased is not happy, and try to ensure she marries one of them. It features some pretty bonkers stuff, including some suspicious deaths, a disapproving (but very hot) will executor, intense family dynamics (her own and the family she's inheriting from), and a (very sexy) garden hookup.

I had a great time reading this one, but be prepared for some challenging miscommunication. I especially liked the historically accurate inclusion of BIPOC characters: Anya is of Indian descent, and the MMC Damian is the grandson of an enslaved Jamaican woman. This felt like the best of Bridgerton (including the soapy plot twists) without some of the weird historical contortions of the show. This is the second in the Marleigh Sisters series, and I highly recommend starting with book 1.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

[Grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fun premise, unfortunately ruined by bizarre plot turns and awful pacing.

[elise | bookingthroughlife · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!!

honestly?? this book was perfect for what i needed (a lighthearted, easy, tension-filled historic romance) it was sweet, suspenseful, funny and so romantic!! i love that it had an element of mystery and i was definitely stressed at times. also was not expecting some of those plot twists so that was fun!! the characters are easy to love, and the story line is unique. i loved how independent and opinionated anya was. shout out to anya's sister lila and damian's brother jeremy for speaking sense into our two main characters !!! also this book was giving me knives out vibes, so if you like that movie, read this book.

damian = hot! (in case you were wondering)

truly a great palette cleanser in between some heavy books.

thank you so much Avon Books for the gifted copy! this is my honest review.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Release Date: 23rd May 2024
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Content Warning: Attempted Sexual Assault, Racism/Xenaphobia, Minor Misogyny

Unladylike Rules of Attraction is the highly anticipated sequel to Amita Murray's debut Historical Romance series, The Marleigh Sisters. This second novel centres upon the dazzling sitar player and royal court singer, Miss Anya Marleigh.

She meets her match in Lord Damian Ashton at a family game of Pall Mall at the Budleigh Estate. Anya and Damian find themselves linked together when Damian is named as the executor of an inheritance left to Anya.

***
As someone who read the first novel of the series exactly a year ago, I knew exactly what I was coming into with an Amita Murray novel. Ms Murray loves her murder mystery plots. From what I gleaned from Unladylike Lessons in Love, the romance comes secondary. I was well prepared for that and I think maybe some new readers were not. As a blanket disclaimer to new readers and the publishing marketing team, I would like everyone to know that this series is not quite like Bridgerton. In fact, it feels like an antidote to Bridgerton.

While Bridgerton has been heralded as the baseline of diversity in the HR genre, Amita Murray actually takes the care and consideration to write actual people of colour into her books grounded in realism. I especially love and relate to the fact that all the Marleigh sisters are Indian just like me. While some aspects of the books are unflinchingly harsh (see trigger warnings above), that was the reality for people of colour in Georgian/Regency/Victorian England back in the day.

With Unladylike Rules of Attraction, it feels like Amita Murray has finally found a good balance between her thrilling plots and the romance. I definitely enjoyed the chemistry and sex scenes between Anya and Damian in this book more than the previous installment. That being said, I do wish the scenes themselves had lasted longer than most men do 😂. The ideas and acts for the various scenes were inspired but felt as though they were not tapped into their full sexy potential.

On the flip side, I really did like the romantic progression of the two. I think some of the most beautiful lines came from both Anya and Damian when they were being introspective about their lives and each other. Amita perfectly laid out their flaws and where those traits came into conflict. I do love a great grovelling montage from anyone in HR and this book definitely delivered in that respect. I also loved how seamlessly the romantic arc of this book intertwined with the main plot. I really appreciated that it was given focus once most of the loose ends of the book was tied up!

Speaking of the main plot, I loved this particular one very much. Just like Unladylike Lessons, Amita knows how to write a great mystery plot with an inciting event to rival any HR Act 3, high stakes, and a high speed plan that will take place over a week.

The plot was not only well written but the writing of this book was extremely compact - the book was very well structured. It also took me for a joyride. With twists and turns I did not expect them to go the way they did. Yet in true Amita Murray fashion, she did lay some hints early enough for sharp eyed readers to catch. I think this is one of the few books I've read where the inciting incident AND the HR Act 3 both were stressful. They both had me gasping loudly in the best way. While the resolution of the plot may seem controversial to some, I think it was very rooted in realism which honoured the characters and world building.

Of course, it wouldn't be an excellent book without a wonderful set of secondary characters! I admire how she knows how to write a supporting cast that props up their leads well. I adored how Trixie and Jeremy supported their respective leads and how some characters connected back to the first book! I loved how the really lovely callbacks stood well on their own if you hadn't read the first book.

As always, not only are the supportive characters written great, her villains are written all too well in the most horrifying ways. I think what makes them so terrible is that they feel real. We have all met people like this in person. Our very existence of being different threatens them so they do everything in their power to make you feel small. I will always appreciate how Amita holds up a mirror not just to society back then but how people like these villains still exist in this day and age.

The parallels at times really catch me off guard and have me very emotional. It is a very real part of our lives as readers of colour and I like how Amita has all her readers confront with the fact. Some of us don’t get to close the book and move on with our lives from the conflicts present in the book.

Last and certainly not least, I sang all the praises for the last book as well: I absolutely adore that their fractured sisterhood is the thread of this series. It’s such a compelling part of the books. In this novel, the sister scenes really shone on their own alongside the already intriguing story. The mystery of their origins keeps unravelling in the best way and I cannot to read more!

My only complaint for this book would be the fact that I wanted it to be longer overall! Just so the romance could have been explored even more in depth. A few extra scenes here and there to fully illustrate their connection. I could sense and feel it by Act 2, more specific scenes of connections would have made this book stellar! And of course, I would never complain about more descriptive sex scenes 😂.

Overall, this is the best book of the series to date (and I love Lila dearly!). It is for anyone looking for a more realistic look into the historical side of historical romance novels! If you’re into that, murder mysteries and compelling characters and themes, this book is for us. Happy Reading everyone and I can’t wait for this book to be in everyone’s hands!

Thank you to HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Kimberley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was such a fun and exciting historical read. There was discussion of classism, sexism, racism, grief, and even a murder mystery. It was never hiding anything which I enjoyed. My only issue is I feel the ending wasn’t satisfying. Without spoiling it, it was such a brief encounter and I feel like it should’ve been more developed and should’ve given further insight into how Anya’s future panned out. Perhaps that’s in the next book. I

However if I knew it was the second in a series when I found it at the library, I’d have sought the first book beforehand. I’ll still read the first book, but I feel as though I’ll spoil a bit of the story now. Perhaps it should’ve been labelled as second in a series.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vibes: “must marry or else”, vaaaaague guardian/ward sorta kinda?, two people living on the edge of English society, light mystery

Heat Index: 6/10

Court sitar player Anya doesn’t expect to inherit much, if anything, when her client dies. But the Dowager Countess Budleigh has left Anya half her fortune–with one condition. She must marry by her twenty-fifth birthday… which is four months away. Otherwise? The money will go to Lord Damian Ashton, the family outsider and now trustee. (Oh–and they think he killed his way to the title.) As Anya begins looking for a husband, Damian is there, initially to irritate and then, when she’s accused of murder by the Budleighs, to help. The question is–if they make it out of this, can he bear to see her with someone else?

The second in Amita Murray’s Marleigh Sisters series, I found Unladylike Rules of Attraction faster-paced and more exciting than the first installment, which is always lovely. The chemistry between Anya and Damian had me immediately–and though the relationship unfurled a bit more rapidly than I expected, their back and forth remained a treat. As did the very true reality of them both living on the edges of English society, seen as oddities or fetishized due to their races (Anya had a white father and an Indian mother, and Damian’s grandmother was a Jamaican Black woman).

So while I do have nitpicks here and there, I have to say that this was an engaging romp with serious insights.

Quick Takes:

–If you enjoy romantic leads that snark, you’ll be into this. Damian and Anya are kind of at each other’s throats from the jump, but in, like, a fun way. They both find each other annoying, mostly because they want to bone, and I support that. I also really love the marriage plot setup: she’s supposed to marry, or he gets everything, so maybe the best thing would be for them to marry each other…? But NO, God NO, that would be AWFUL.

Damian also has a lovely younger brother who enters the scene as a supporting character. He initially thinks that his brother is making a play for Anya, and the “I am quietly seething from across a ballroom” content was great.

–But, as I mentioned earlier, there’s a lot of quiet understanding these two have for each other. Anya is seen as an exotic marvel at Queen Charlotte’s court… to an extent. There isn’t much actual real respect there, because women hate her (and let’s be real, are often jealous of her) for who she is and men want to fuck her without offering any legitimacy or respect.

Although Damian didn’t have an identical experience to Anya, he’s also very much an outsider. I mean, people just assume this guy murdered someone to get a title… basically, let’s be real, because he’s of Jamaican descent. The novel is covering, basically, a lot of nasty, racist shit. However, it maintains an optimistic, if realistic attitude, and understanding reality doesn’t mean that Murray is going to keep her leads from falling in love. It’s a tough balancing act, and I think she executed it well.

–That said, these two do move pretty fast. And I’m not someone who loves a slow burn, right? I enjoy reading sex on the page early. It’s not that the sex happens so EARLY in this book. It’s more that I don’t think there was quite enough build up between Damian and Anya. The chemistry was there, but when it began I was pretty surprised.

It’s not a huge issue, but if I had to give a critique, that would be my main one.

–One thing I really appreciated was the way Murray dealt with Anya’s trauma surrounding her separation from her sisters. She knows where they are, she loves them–but she can’t really bring herself to be close to them because of this chasm of years apart. She wants to be! She feels guilty! But that doesn’t make her reluctance built on years of separation go away.

–The mystery and murder stuff here is pretty light; there’s nothing that’s too much to bear here. But I found it entertaining, and I can be a hard sell with mystery, so that’s a good sign.

The Sex:

This is an open door romance. It’s not super explicit, it’s not over the top. There are a few scenes, nothing super wild, and I do think Murray could go into a bit more detail with it. But as it is: if you enjoy a Lorraine Heath level of heat (and I do too, I could always appreciate more though), you’ll enjoy these.

Moving along at a clip, Unladylike Rules of Attraction is both romantic and astute. I see it being compared to Bridgerton, and while I get that on paper… First off, this is a lot smarter in general than that show. Second, it’s certainly more attentive to the issues of race. If you want something fun and different and very much its own thing, check this out.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Yvonne Garside · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unladylike Rules of Attraction was a very enjoyable book to read. The plot was as diverse as the characters. Mistrust, espionage, crime, lies, lust, reunion, betrayal, and loyalty flowed throughout the chapters. You will find Lords, scoundrels, dowagers, a queen, employed staff and more. Some honest, some shifty.

Unladylike Rules of Attraction is the 2nd book in a series. I decided to read the 1st book, Unladylike Lessons in Love. I am glad I did. Anya’s sister, Lila, is the main character in the 1st book. She is introduced about midway into the 2nd book. It is not necessary, but helpful to meet Lila and family background beforehand.

Character development was very good. The plot flowed, however, I felt there were a few instances where the book fell flat as if the author was trying to fill in empty space.

Although historical romance is not my go-to genre, I really enjoyed reading Unladylike Rules of Attraction. If you like historical romance, you will love this book.

Many thanks to the publisher for extending me the opportunity to objectively review this ARC book as a winner of Goodreads Giveaway.

[Ritu Bhathal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the first book in this series and was excited to read the second, as I wanted to know what happened to the other sisters from book 1.
This book centres around the middle sister, Anya. She is a sitar player in Queen Anne's court and finds herself inheriting a large sum of money, with conditions attached, such as marriage, and a rather prickly executor, Damien.
What follows is some amateur sleuthing, as the family she inherits from tries to discredit both her and her executor, and Anya and Damien find themselves in increasingly hot water.
There is mild spice, and though I knew, romance-wise, exactly where it would go, it was fun reading the lead-ups to it and the little mysteries to solve!
I enjoyed reading Anya's story and can't wait for Maya's!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for an ARC.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book for free via Goodreads giveaway. This has not impacted my final rating of this book.
CW: sexual assault, sexual violence, racism, classism, murder, gun violence, (discussions of) death of a parent, (discussions of) slavery, (discussions of) child abuse, (discussions of) child abandonment

Actual rating: 2.5 stars

This book was such a disappointment. The premise was excellent - an unexpected inheritance, under the guardianship of someone the main character hates.
But she never really hated him, as far as I could tell.

The characters individually were (mostly) a lot of fun! I loved the diversity of ethnicity and the inclusion of a gay character. But I never felt any spark between the FMC and the MMC. There was a lot of sex, but very little romance.
Any time they were on page together, it felt like such a slog.

[Therese-Libn · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this Georgian era novel Anya is a musician and member of Queen Charlotte’s court. One of her patrons/clients, a Duchess, has left her a fortune- with the proviso that she marry before her next birthday. Oh, and there’s a trustee who must approve of the marriage. Of course, that trustee, Damian, has reason to dis-approve of any marriage as he will keep the fortune should she not wed. He has much to lose should she marry. The dastardly Damian!


But then there’s Damian’s perspective. Who is this scheming mercenary that conned her way into the good graces of the duchess? Well enough to inherit the fortune that should have gone to the current duke? She must be a sly devious one. Foul play! Ultimately, though, it was not his business and he didn’t have time for the drama. He hoped she would marry soon and he could wash his hands of the mess. For if she didn’t marry, the fortune would revert to him which would look criminally self serving of him. There are already rumors of suspicious deaths leading to his inheritance from the earldom. He does not need more gossip.

Damian and Anya are amazingly likable and endearing given how shut down and emotionally isolated they are. Both are imperfect yet yearn for one another. For the trust and closeness with each other. This is also an intriguing murder mystery. Overall it is a charming and engrossing tale.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Mehwish Nayani]

dnf 😅

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unladylike Rules of Attraction is the second book in the Marleigh Sisters series by Amita Murray. I really enjoyed the first installment, but I LOVED this one! I sped through it as fast as I could, not wanting to put it down. Thank you, boss, for being on vacation! I started it on the 13th, and finished it on the 14th. It was an entertaining story, but it was the characters who made the book for me. They weren't always likable, but I couldn't help but adore them.

Anya Marleigh plays the sitar and sings in Queen Charlotte's court. She doesn't make much money, but she's extremely talented and it's a living. Anya discovers that Dowager Countess Budleigh, an elderly woman who hired her to entertain at her home, has left her a fortune, with one stipulation...she must marry before her next birthday (which is only months away!) if she is to receive the funds. Lord Damian Ashton, a horribly insufferable man, has been appointed as the trustee for this matter. If he doesn't approve the marriage, the fortune is then his! To add to the fun, the Budleigh family is furious, believing that they money should have gone to them. They will do all they can to accuse Anya of murder (unless she submits to their blackmail demands) and accuse Damian of criminal or underhanded dealings unless the funds are handed over. As Anya and Damian band together to save their reputations - and perhaps lives - the two become increasingly attracted to each other. Is Damian only trying to get the money? And will Anya lose both a fortune and the man she's falling for?

This is one of those books that had me sitting on the edge of my chair in suspense, snorting with laughter AND crying my eyes out! I loved the hero and heroine, warts and all. Anya Marleigh had an Indian mother and a British lord father. When her parents died, she and her two sisters were sent to live with their deceased father's wife! How awkward for three young girls! The sisters were sent to separate school and basically had separate lives, so they grew apart. Anya was a talented singer and sitar player, and she played for Queen Charlotte and her court. She was admired for her beauty and artistic abilities, but looked down on due to her mixed birth. Anya could be sweet and caring, but she also had a spine of steel and wouldn't be pushed around; she could also be untrusting. She had a young protégé whom she helped; all she wanted was a nice little cottage for the two of them. When Anya heard she was the heir to a fortune, she was totally stunned; the getting married part she wasn't thrilled with. She figured she could just marry one of her admirers - or perhaps an old man on his death bed - and no longer have to worry about the future. Lord Damian Ashton was the spanner in the works. Damian was another diverse character; he was parts Jamaican and British, and he spent much time on the streets of Jamaica as a child, avoiding his abusive stepfather. Damian was a self-made man, and was a successful businessman. He did not expect to become a Lord, but it was thrust upon him when the previous Ashton heir was killed. Damian could be very unfriendly and aloof. He was rather snarky, but Anya could be as well. I wasn't fond of him at first. When he arrived for the reading of the will at the Budleigh estate, Anya and the Budleigh children were playing cricket. Showing the children how to properly toss the ball (or whatever you do playing cricket...I'm clueless!), he broke a window...and he let the children take the blame! He acted amused to be involved as the trustee of Anya's fortune, and he didn't care about the money for himself. He always held himself back from others, except his brother Jeremy. At first Anya and Damian mixed like oil and water; I didn't see how they would ever get together! When there's a death at a gathering and Lady Budleigh has evidence linking Anya to the crime location, Anya and Damian get together to try to get the information back, and then Lord Budleigh tries to implicate Damian during Parliament of being involved in the death of the former Ashton heir. When Damian and Anya gave into their temptation for each other, they were incendiary! The Kindle got hot in my hands. It was obvious to me that they should be together, but there was still distrust. But this was a romance, so I was confident of a happy ending. Ok, I was HOPING for a happy ending! The supporting characters were great, especially Jeremy, Damian's military brother. He was a sweet and kind man with a secret. Damian was very hurt when Jeremy shared it with Anya instead of him. I enjoyed Trixie Cleaver, Anya's 16-year-old protégé, who was whip smart, but her life was being held back because she was illegitimate. Lady Budleigh, the horse-faced wife of Lord Budleigh, was a great character to hate. And boy, I hated her! I admit my favorite supporting characters, however, were Sally and Prinny, Damian's two pygmy goats. So cute and funny! Anya's sister, the heroine of the first book in the series, and her husband were also part of this story, and I was glad to see them again. I love Ms. Murray's writing - her characters have such a sense of humor, but their inner feelings can break your heart. I can't wait until we get to know the third Marleigh sister in the next book. I really don't want to wait a year!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

[Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, not as good as the first but I’ll read the next

[Krys · Rating 2 out of 5]

My Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5

The main thing that I have to point out is that they meet each other for the first time at the reading of the Dowager's will, and as soon as they are alone, he's already kissing the inside of her bare wrist showing that this will indeed be a case of insta-lust, something I hate with a passion. And it may be because of this that I simply did not enjoy these two together. Sure, they occasionally exchanged some witty barbs with one another, but I never saw them actually falling into anything other than lust. In fact, I barely thought they were friends, and then they were sleeping together.

Secondly, I don't think I have ever met a couple with more bad luck than Anya and Damian. These two were very seriously the epitome of "if it can go wrong, it will."

First there are attempts made on Anya's life starting right after it was announced that she would inherit (although they were so odd at first you have to wonder if the person behind them was serious or not). When that doesn't work, she is then accosted (on the palace grounds nonetheless), and someone ends up dead. Now, I know there were other more important things happening at that same time, but it still seems odd that Anya would have missed a crucial piece of what might be considered evidence when she was checking the body for a sign of life. But she does. And thus, she is blackmailed even more.

Which somehow leads to Damian, his brother, his brothers friend and Anya's own sister not only getting involved but coming up with a scheme that while brilliant in some aspects, is also rather dumb in others. And yet, despite there being an actual brilliant story-line within that scheme, it is tossed aside for, you guessed it more blackmail! Only this time they are going to go after Damian and the old rumor that he killed his predecessor just to inherit a title he didn't want.

Now while our rag-tag group of amateur sleuths are busy trying to figure out how to extricate Damian from this mess, something big happens. And Damian automatically assumes the worst of Anya (do you see what I mean about it only being lust)? Lots of angst happens, Anya does some dumb shit (like literally accosting a highwayman she suspected of murder and expecting him to openly admit it)? She gets rescued, Damian realizes he's in love with her, but of course she is much too prideful to admit she feels the same (especially since you know he entrusted her with information on one else knew, and once that truth was brought to light he rightfully assumed she had given the information since she didn't like his valet in the first place, and he was too stupid to realize it might be a set up).

Ah heck, I am rambling. Much like this novel tended to do. In fact, I do hope before it gets published, someone does some edits because honestly, how many times do we have to read that Damian is mad because Anya is talking to a potential suitor when he has this dimwitted plan to propose to her?

And please don't get me started on the ending, and how not only did things not actually get resolved, but Anya goes and does one of the stupidest things I've ever seen a character do (although maybe that's just me and Anya is a better person than I am who knows at this point).

All things considered, I don't think I will continue on with this series, although I may give this author another chance down the road.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

[reading historical romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

He kissed her like his life depended on it. Maybe he always kissed her like that. Or maybe it was her life that depended on it. Maybe it always felt like that to her. An agony of a kiss.

Anya Marleigh is a singer and sitar player in Queen Charlotte’s court, who dreams of being independent in the world and freed of the attentions of lecherous men who only want her for a mistress. Her dream appears to be within reach when she learns that she has inherited a fortune from a deceased patron, until the conditions of her inheritance are revealed. The money is being held in trust by the estate’s executor, the arrogant Lord Damian Ashton, who will release the funds only if she marries by her twenty-fifth birthday. And he must approve of the match.

I’m so glad that I stumbled upon this one as an ARC! I had not read Amita Murray before, and her writing is wonderful! This book utilizes several familiar hist-rom tropes, but puts them together with enough variation – and pairs them with a murder mystery subplot -- that it felt fresh and kept me engaged through the end.

There are exquisite moments between Anya and Damian that cement their chemistry and the reader’s buy-in to their relationship, including some delicious sexual tension, fun flirtation, and hilarious banter. Damian is so sexy in his reserved, stoic, “I’m in charge and I am never wrong except when I am absolutely totally wrong” arrogance, and then he totally lets himself go and melts into this sweet, tender man that had me all in the feels.

The major theme of the novel is the unintended consequences of hiding one’s true feelings due to fear of vulnerability, even from family members. I loved that this theme was explored not only throughout Anya and Damian’s relationship, but in the subplots of Anya’s estrangement from her older sister, Damian and his brother Jeremy’s relationship, and even with the friendship between Anya and her young teenage protegee.

I like the author’s style which is prosy, but in more of a narrative conversational way. There are really poignant moments with beautiful lines, so I found myself annotating quite a bit. Like these:

“He was in love with Anya, or in pain with her. That was it, he was in pain with Anya Marleigh.”

“Without Anya, it would all be pointless. Without her, it always had been pointless. He just hadn’t known it.”

SQUEEEEE.

Tropes: enemies to lovers, inheritance clause, family drama, wicked matriarch,

Thank you NetGalley and Avon for the opportunity to read and review this novel. All opinions are my own.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-written book with unique characters…that I just didn’t enjoy much

I really wanted to like this book. The main characters are not your typical Georgian/Regency very-white, very-proper people. Anya seems like she is going to be strong and fun as we meet her competently playing cricket with a group of children.She is quick with a quip and setdown. Damian is smart and confident. But I just didn’t enjoy the book very much.

Both Anya and Damian have had traumatic upbringings and are in a society that gives them no slack. I guess how they react to difficult events in the story makes sense and I appreciate that. But I read romances for escapism and, yes, fantasy. Do I really think the lovers in this genre have 20 orgasms the first time they have sex? No, I do not. Do I think every pair will really live happily ever after? No, I do not. Do I really think that someone who has had multiple traumas and lives with racism, classism, etc. would just be strong and plucky with just one or two quirks? No, I do not but Anya dithers and folds while retreating or lashing out too much for me to enjoy the story or the romance. Damian retreats emotionally and doesn’t communicate much. The main thing that seems to be going well for these two is that the sex is very, very good.

Amita Murray is a good writer and I felt the anxiety of the danger Anya, Damian, and others are in acutely while reading. So I felt all these negative emotions, but the romance didn’t counterbalance that feeling of dread. While Anya begins to repair her relationship with her sister, she starts to learn better communication and forgiveness of herself and others. Damian has a bit of realization of how to be open and forgiving of human frailty, as well. But it seems like too little of a fix and I really don’t see these two having a happy relationship from here on out.

Another quibble I had with this book is that I was under the impression there is also a mystery to solve. I guess there is, technically, but it is only really presented about halfway through the story and I (who rarely guess the whodunit) immediately said, “Duh, it’s so-and-so.” And, yes, it was.

Overall, the book was well-written and the characters were unique but it was not a pleasant experience for me. If you enjoy more angst and conflict in storybook relationships than I do, you may find this captivating so it might be worth a look.

I received an ARC of this book, but all opinions are my own.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the The Marleigh Sisters series, but it is a standalone.

Anya is a singer and sitar player in the Queen's court in early 19th century England. Her father was an English Earl while her mother was from India, Anya and her sisters were born in India but when her parents were killed, they were taken in by their father's wife in England. From there the sisters were sent to different seminaries until they were old enough to make their own way in the world.

Being employed by Queen Charlotte, Anya was known to many of the English nobility and became particularly close to a dowager who left her half her fortune upon her death. The other half was left to her grandchildren but no money was left to her own children, the Budleigh's - who she apparently didn't like very much.

Lord Damian Ashton was born in and raised in Jamaica but was a distant relative of the dowager and her family and inherited the Ashton estate that bordered the Budleigh estate. He had also become close to the dowager who was his great-aunt.

Of course there are stipulations to the inheritance, Anya must marry before her 25th birthday in four months before she can inherit the money and Lord Ashton would be her trustee. He would have to approve anyone she chose to marry.

This book was not what I thought it was going to be! I expected a fairly tame Regency England romance between a lowly court singer and someone from the elite - which it was, but it was so much more. There was murder, mystery, drama and action as well as romance. Lord Ashton is being framed for a murder he did not commit and they must work to find out who the murderer was before the Runners find any way to pin it on him and have him hanged. Then there is Anya's plight to find a husband in time as well as trying to reconnect with one of her sister's at the same time she is trying to save Lord Ashton.

I didn't find that the characters were completely developed though. We learn a little about Damian and Anya's past but not a huge amount to really explain, particularly Damian's actions. There might be more information about Anya's background in the first book and the next book but at this stage we still don't know a huge amount. I would like to know what happened to her mother, why she disappeared for a year before coming back pregnant with triplets, and what happened to the triplets? Where are they now? Maybe this will be explained in another book later in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley & HarperCollins UK for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

[Bethan · Rating 3 out of 5]

|| : She had been worried sick. ‘I have no idea why he has given me his address. It's not as though he's inviting me to go there to speak to him. And he hasn't bothered to come here to speak to me.” She read the note again. Did the man care at all about the agonising minutes they shared. When they were binding Jeremy’s shoulder? And what of the rose garden? She flushed, avoiding Trixie's eyes. Of course, he didn't care about that. Well, that was just wonderful. She was a woman of the world. A court singer. She wouldn't care either. It was clear it was nothing to me. It didn't need to be anything to her either. She was pacing her room again. : ||


Anya has always had to fend for herself especially after that woman and her son had split up her and her sisters and.. the others. It was her father's fault really but since, she has found it hard to trust, keeping her circle small, allowing them in only enough to reamil cordial. Except Trixie of course, her ward, or as good as. She had made a promise to herself to look after the girl but how could she do that when she had been thrown into the messy business that the Budleigh's always seem to be in. 


Preston and Cara especially despised her, Anya preferred their kids who were ever so sweet and thoughtful. So unlike their parents. Even Dowager Budleigh agreed but now she was gone there was no one to protect her from the direct sneers and taunts of the Budleigh children and their partners. 

And if that wasn't enough. She had to deal with Ashton aswel. She liked Dowager Budleigh.. she was kind to her but had left her in an awful predicament.. and a very dangerous one.


A wonderful enlightening tale from beginning to end. It reminded me of old romance stories with a twist of sauciness. Loved this so much. I was in love with the heartache and beautiful heritage that came with each character. It made a change from traditional English. Like a breath of fresh air honestly! Cannot wait to read more of Amita Murray’s work 


Thank you so much to Amita Murray, Harper Collins publishers and Netgalley for allowing me to read this for honest voluntary feedback x

[Helen Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unladylike Rules of Attraction is the second book in the Marleigh Sisters series and follows middle sister Anya Marleigh as she navigates palace life as a singer and sitar player to the royal court.

When Anya is summoned to the will reading of a wealthy friend she finds herself the recipient of a large inheritance. The money would grant her her independence and allow her to live a life away from the palace. But the will stipulations mean that to receive the money Anya must marry before her twenty-fifth birthday which is only a few months away. Any match Anya makes must be approved by the wills trustee Lord Damian Ashton.

Lord Ashton is young, opinionated and progressive, and sees his role as Anya’s marriage overseer as nothing but an inconvenience. He’s pulled back into the circle of his extended family the Budleighs. The Budleighs are an entitled, money-hungry bunch and when the inheritance they thought would be theirs goes to Anya instead they immediately start scheming to get their hands on it by any means necessary.

Anya faces both physical and verbal attacks from the Budleighs and Damian cannot let them berate her. When she is implicated in the death of Charlie Budleigh and Clara Budleigh decides to blackmail her, Damian steps up and helps Anya reclaim the evidence that could be used against her. This brings the two together and soon their feelings for each other have changed from loathing to something more like love.

I enjoyed that these books have a little bit of mystery and suspense about them rather than being just straight Regency romance. The romance itself to me borders on insta lust/love which I don’t usually enjoy but the setting and tension in the storyline make it fun to read.

Overall I’ve enjoyed both books in the series so far and look forward to the last book which will follow the youngest sister Mira, a society gossip writer who has remained estranged from her older sisters.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anya Marleigh is an Anglo-Indian sitar player in Queen Charlotte's court. She was a particular favorite of Dowager Countess Budleigh, and in a surprising twist of fortune, Anya, inherits much of her wealth upon her death. The money comes with strings attached: Anya must marry before her 25th birthday with the approval of the trustee, Damian Ashton, or the money reverts to him. The Budleighs have always seen Damian as an usurper, since he inherited lands adjacent to theirs and a title they felt belonged to them, and now they see Anya as one as well. They'll stop at nothing to get the money back, whether it means forced marriage or accusations of murder.

I enjoyed Unladylike Rules of Attraction. It's a nice balance between intrigue, inheritance schemes, and romance. I enjoyed how early on Anya and Damian admit attraction to one another, though it takes a much longer time for them to recognize that the solution to Anya's inheritance problem is for the two of them to marry. Despite their attraction, they vehemently deny this path, which is a classic historical romance problem. I ultimately enjoyed how Amita Murray wrapped up the conflicts, but I felt like the resolution of the relationship for the HEA felt rushed and less emotional than the rest of the book.

Amita Murray takes the opportunity to explore racial and cultural identities and Othering with her two main characters. Anya is Anglo-Indian, and most of the court considers her exotic, and because of her seductive beauty, a wanton. Damian grew up in the Caribbean, never expecting to inherit a title, and had a much different experience growing up than his peers. Damian's younger brother, Jeremy, is in love with a man, which risks his status in the military in a position where he thrives. These embedded identities shape Anya, Damian, and Jeremy, and Amita Murray ties them directly to her plot. It's well done.

[Kimberly]

bookscoffeebrews
Book Review: THE UNLADYLIKE RULES OF ATTRACTION
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Amita Murray @amitamurray
Publisher: Avon @avonbooks @harpercollins
Thank you to Avon/Harper Collins for my gifted copy of this book.

Anya is a musician and Queen Charlotte‘s Court. She is a sitar player and yes I had to look up what the sitar is. It’s a musical instrument from India, a pluck and string instrument. It was invented in the 18 century and it’s perfect for this historical fiction. Anya is left a large inheritance by an old aristocratic woman who she befriended and has recently passed away. There are some stipulations that come with this inheritance. Anya must find a husband by her next birthday. If she does not she forfeits the inheritance and her birthday is only four months away. There’s problem— Damien, who’s the trustee of this state must approve of the marriage. Also, if Anya doesn’t marry Damien gets the money. Then there are the lady’s greedy children who are also snobby and will do anything to stop Anya from getting the inheritance. As you can imagine Anya and Damien have to work together but the don‘t have to trust each other. As Damien and Anya start to work together they start to have feelings for each other. There is much deception and lying among all the characters and Anya has to decide who to trust. Will she chose love and money in the end. This was very much a Bridgertonesque book but written so more eloquently. I am usually not a big historical fiction reader but I did really enjoy this book.

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#HistoricalRomance #RomanticHistory #LoveInThePast #HistoricalLoveStories #PeriodRomance #VintageRomance #TimeTravelLove #EpicLoveTales #ClassicLoveSaga #HistoryAndHeart

[AlienRosey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Avon Books for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

3.75 stars 💞

This book was a lot of fun!! I don’t usually read historical/regency romances but this one was really easy to get into and I found myself laughing out loud sometimes.

Anya is a court singer who has gotten in the good graces of a dowager who had recently passed and in her will, a large sum of money has been left to Anya and not the family! The catch is that she has to marry before her 25th birthday (which is in 4 months) and the marriage has to be approved by Lord Damian Ashton, a grumpy and harsh (but very attractive) cousin of the family.

Something I enjoyed from this book was the diverse characters. Anya is of Indian descent and Damian is of Jamaican descent and that is made clear in the text and woven into the story. We get little bits of backstory about their respective cultures and it really enhanced the reading experience for me. Damian uses his influence to fight for slavery abolishment and equal rights, we love Damian in this house even if sometimes he is a lil silly about romance lol

There’s some twists and turns and spicy times and discussion of race and class and justice. This book kinda has it all! I felt sometimes the romance was a bit rushed but I did feel for the characters and wanted them to be together so I don’t mind it. Some plot details fell flat but overall I had a great time. This is the 2nd book in the series but can be read as a standalone. I have not read book 1 and I didn’t feel lost but there are some characters from book 1 that show up, so keep that in mind.

TW: racism, sexual assault, rape (attempted and mentioned but no on page description of the act)

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anya Marleigh gets the surprise of her life when she discovers that she is the heir to the Dowager Countess Budleigh’s fortune. The condition: she must marry before her 25th birthday, which is only months away. If she doesn’t, the money will revert to the executor, black sheep Lord Damian Ashton.

Although Anya and Damian are opposites and can’t stop arguing, they do have one thing in common: the rest of the Budleigh family hates them both. When “incidents” keep happening to Anya, one of the family members ends up a corpse, and rumors about Damian start to circulate, Anya and Damian have to work together to keep both of their necks out of the noose. When they find their mistrust of each other softening, they wonder if they’ll be able to stay alive long enough to see if it goes anywhere.

While not as dynamic as Unladylike Lessons in Love, I liked this addition to the Marleigh Sisters series. Anya is a more mild personality, and this storyline showcased her different facets well. Both Anya and Damian have had trauma in their lives, and it was very obvious that it affected their abilities to care for each other. Thank goodness for their well-meaning, helpful siblings!

Murray is good at adding a layer of intrigue on top of a romance plot (see Unladylike Lessons in Love, if you’re interested), and this was no exception. Everything was quite tense for a while, but the Marleigh sisters are nothing if not resourceful. You can read this as a standalone book, but I’d recommend starting at the beginning of the series so you can catch the dynamics of the sisters’ relationships.

Read my full review at samiamreading.com.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Unladylike Rules of Love, so I was really looking forward to catching up with the Marleigh sisters again. This book focusses on Anya, a singer and sitar player in Queen Charlotte’s court.

When she unexpectedly inherits a fortune, it comes with a condition. She must marry before her 25th birthday and that’s only a few months away. Even worse, she has to have the approval of her trustee, Lord Damian Ashton. Damian may be very attractive but he’s also really annoying and it was fun watching these two strong personalities clash!

If you are a fan of Regency Romance, and Bridgerton in particular, you will enjoy this book. All the glamour of the court, with the genteel society expectations and the beautiful clothes are here but there’s also drama and danger. There are those who want to make sure that Anya doesn’t inherit and will do anything to stop her! On the other hand, with her inheritance, she is also now a very attractive marriage prospect and again this makes life difficult for her.

The enemies to lovers attraction between Anya and Damian is strong and it’s obvious that they would be perfect for each other. There are some rather spicy scenes between the two as well as a very compelling slow-burn romance.

Unladylike Rules of Attraction is a very intriguing read and I particularly enjoyed the diversity of the cast. It’s an entertaining novel with romance, drama and peril. I am looking forward to reading about the final sister Mira and I do hope at some point we might find out what has happened to their younger triplet sisters.

[Noemi Proietti · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third season of Bridgerton left me in quite a reading slump and I couldn’t settle on anything to read until I started Unladylike Rules of Attraction, which kept me so engrossed that I read it in one sitting without even noticing it was the middle of the night by the time I finished it.

This is the second book in the Marleigh Sisters series which revolves around the three illegitimate daughters of an Earl and an Indian woman. After the death of their parents in India, the three sisters were brought to England to be raised by their evil stepmother and stepbrother and, when they grew up, they went their separate ways.

Now, Anya is a singer at the court of Queen Charlotte. She’s been left a huge inheritance by Dowager Countess Budleigh who preferred her to her own children. The only problem is that she will inherit the money only if she marries before her twenty-fifth birthday, which is only four months away. Until then, the money will remain in the hands of a trustee, lord Damian Ashton, a distant cousin raised in Jamaica, who came into title only after the sudden and mysterious deaths of his other relatives, and who will need to approve Anys’s choice of a husband. Anya is not short of suitors, but she and Damian don’t exactly get along, despite their attraction to each other. Also, the Budleigh family has no intention of standing by as someone else inherits the money that they feel should go to them and are determined to do anything, including accusations of murder, to get it.

I really like the characters of Anya and Damian. Both must deal with their own share of prejudice because of their origins and both have created their own fortune. Anya is clever and compassionate. She could use the inheritance to earn independence for herself and her protégée Trixie, but can she marry someone she is not remotely attracted to? And why does she keep thinking about Damian? Damian cares only about one person in his life, his brother Jeremy, but he intends to make sure that Anya gets what it’s hers.

Unladylike Rules of Attraction is a delightful and witty mix of romance and intrigue with a cast of fantastic characters and I am looking forward to the next book!

[Nessa’s Book Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: Unladylike Rules of Attraction by Amita Murray

Release Date: May, 23rd, 2024

3.5 Stars

Anya Marleigh finds herself facing a challenging predicament. As a singer and sitar player in Queen Charlotte’s court, Anya unexpectedly inherits a fortune from Dowager Countess Budleigh, with the condition that she must marry before her next birthday to claim it. Complicating matters, the executor of the will, Damian Ashton, holds the power to consent to her marriage, and the Budleigh family is determined to thwart her inheritance. Accusations of murder and criminal dealings further complicate Anya's situation as she strives to protect her fortune and resist her growing attraction to Damian. Caught in a web of deceit and intrigue, Anya must navigate treacherous waters to secure her future and unravel the truth about her inheritance.

The romantic development between Anya and Lord Ashton feels lacking, hindering the emotional depth of the story. Some parts of the plot seem rushed, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the book. I was also not a big fan of the ending.

However this was a cute story, and if you are into historical/regency romances, this is a good read.

Tropes:

Regency
Dual POV
Enemies to Lovers
Marriage of Convenience
Mystery and Suspense



Thank you to The Publisher HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction | HarperCollins, The Author Amita Murray & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.