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The Lucky Ladies of London #2
A Lady's Guide to London
An enemies-to-lovers historical romantic comedy between a grumpy Viscount with a rocky reputation and a bright-as-sunshine heiress determined to make something of herself, perfect for fans of Evie Dunmore, India Holton and Bridgerton.
If he won't add her business into his guidebook, she'll make him an offer he can't refuse.
Della Danby is determined to prove she's more than just a flighty heiress riding on her parents' money to get through life. When her closest friend and business partner finds her hands full with a new baby, Della takes the opportunity to shoulder more responsibility at their ladies' gambling club and secure their financial stability, and she has the perfect to drum up new business by adding their club to a popular guidebook of local attractions.
Gambling ruined Viscount Lyman Ashton's life and his marriage. He has no intention of putting a new club in his guide, nor of getting involved with its intriguing and energetic proprietress. But when Della refuses to take no for an answer and approaches his publisher with a plan to write her own book of attractions for ladies, Lyman reluctantly agrees to collaborate with her in exchange for the money he so desperately needs to pay his debts. As they grow closer, Lyman finds himself falling for Della even though his past could jeopardize her reputation. But if they can ever have a future together, Della may have to choose between the club she's worked so hard to build and her chance at love.
If he won't add her business into his guidebook, she'll make him an offer he can't refuse.
Della Danby is determined to prove she's more than just a flighty heiress riding on her parents' money to get through life. When her closest friend and business partner finds her hands full with a new baby, Della takes the opportunity to shoulder more responsibility at their ladies' gambling club and secure their financial stability, and she has the perfect to drum up new business by adding their club to a popular guidebook of local attractions.
Gambling ruined Viscount Lyman Ashton's life and his marriage. He has no intention of putting a new club in his guide, nor of getting involved with its intriguing and energetic proprietress. But when Della refuses to take no for an answer and approaches his publisher with a plan to write her own book of attractions for ladies, Lyman reluctantly agrees to collaborate with her in exchange for the money he so desperately needs to pay his debts. As they grow closer, Lyman finds himself falling for Della even though his past could jeopardize her reputation. But if they can ever have a future together, Della may have to choose between the club she's worked so hard to build and her chance at love.
352 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 2025
26 people are currently reading
7284 people want to read
About the author
Faye Delacour
3 books127 followersFaye Delacour was raised in the Canadian prairies before deciding that she needed a challenge and should move to a place where everybody spoke French. She now lives and works in Montreal with her partner and children, a reformed street cat, and a shepherd who hasn't yet accepted that he can't herd the cat.
Faye writes historical romance featuring strong, feminist heroines and enthusiastic consent.
Faye writes historical romance featuring strong, feminist heroines and enthusiastic consent.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
March 1, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
I did really enjoy this (though not nearly as much as the first book) but there were some things that I really disliked about it, and had it not been the second book in a series I'd like to enjoy, I think I'd have felt differently about the book overall.
The time period, setting, and world building are really well done here. It's familiar, but different (in a more modern way - you can tell these are written in the 2020's) to other late regency/early Victorian romances.
Now for my complaints - these are actually quite spoiler free, but given that this is based on an ARC, I'll leave them behind the tag:
Anyway, definitely still enjoy Delacour as an author, and I'm excited to see where else this series goes, even if this book didn't quite work for me.
I did really enjoy this (though not nearly as much as the first book) but there were some things that I really disliked about it, and had it not been the second book in a series I'd like to enjoy, I think I'd have felt differently about the book overall.
The time period, setting, and world building are really well done here. It's familiar, but different (in a more modern way - you can tell these are written in the 2020's) to other late regency/early Victorian romances.
Now for my complaints - these are actually quite spoiler free, but given that this is based on an ARC, I'll leave them behind the tag:
Anyway, definitely still enjoy Delacour as an author, and I'm excited to see where else this series goes, even if this book didn't quite work for me.
March 31, 2025
I appreciate this series so much for just having a different setting and not adhering to some of the more standard rules of Regency historical romance. This is about women who run a gaming hell for women in Regency era London. (I’m not certain of the exact date, but we are post Napoleon because English people are traveling to Paris.)
The main character, Della, is taking on more responsibilities at the club because the main character from the first book in the series has just had a baby with Eli, her husband and the MMC from that book at the same time, Della is trying to write a lady’s guide to London. Lord Ashton is her writing mentor because he has written similar books. As you can expect, the two grow close. Ashton‘s background is extremely messy and is a significant barrier to them being together.
This book explores arranged marriages, separation, and divorce in the Regency era, but also gambling addiction and the expected role of women at the time. This is done in a very neat package, but in a way that is still insightful.
It’s also interesting that the conclusion of the story is unusual. It’s not exactly a happily ever after. So perhaps a bit closer to a “happy for now” with the promise of more. I expect that we will hear about Della and Ashton in future box as they communicate with secondary characters who will move into lead roles. Della sister, Annabelle, definitely seems poised to be a main character in a book to come.
The main character, Della, is taking on more responsibilities at the club because the main character from the first book in the series has just had a baby with Eli, her husband and the MMC from that book at the same time, Della is trying to write a lady’s guide to London. Lord Ashton is her writing mentor because he has written similar books. As you can expect, the two grow close. Ashton‘s background is extremely messy and is a significant barrier to them being together.
This book explores arranged marriages, separation, and divorce in the Regency era, but also gambling addiction and the expected role of women at the time. This is done in a very neat package, but in a way that is still insightful.
It’s also interesting that the conclusion of the story is unusual. It’s not exactly a happily ever after. So perhaps a bit closer to a “happy for now” with the promise of more. I expect that we will hear about Della and Ashton in future box as they communicate with secondary characters who will move into lead roles. Della sister, Annabelle, definitely seems poised to be a main character in a book to come.
March 31, 2025
2.5 rounded to three stars.
This is a tough review to write, because I think Faye Delacour is a strong writer, and I’m glad she’s writing historical romance. She knows how to write dialogue, create dramatic tension, and move the plot forward. I did not think this book had the pacing issues that the first book in the series did. These are all very good things.
My issue was with the characterization of Della, as well as some of the other characters. Another reviewer noted that these characters did not seem consistent with who they were in the first book in the series. I agree completely. At times, it felt like I was reading a book about brand new characters I had never met before. That’s not a great feeling in a series.
The problem with Della was most likely personal for me. I am a professor and an author. I could not help but cringe every time Della made comments about how easy it would be to write a book, how she could do it in six weeks, etc. The treatment of writing in this book just drove me nuts. I know this is rather a niche problem to have and isn’t something that would bother most readers, but it was really bothersome to me.
I also found it unbelievable that a woman of Della’s time would so easily take up with a married man, with seemingly little to no thought about the consequences to her and her family. It is possible to write a very good historical romance that explores the awfulness of divorce laws, and specifically the treatment of women in divorce cases, during this time. Julia Bennet did this beautifully in The Worst Woman in London. Unfortunately, this book did not take that type of approach. I found the tone of the early chapters of the book to be completely at odds with the plot, frankly.
Della’s sister was also a head scratcher for me. Again, we have a character taking huge risks with something that was absolutely taboo at the time, but treating the whole matter very lightly and as if it was just a fun lark. I’m being a bit vague here so as not to spoil, but it was very difficult for me to reconcile Della and her sister‘s earlier behavior toward this particular person with the actions they took later in the book, which showed a complete disregard for this person. This character’s life was ruined, and that was treated as an inconvenience by Della and especially her sister.
Finally, the ending. As others have said, I turned the page, expecting another chapter or an epilogue, only to say “that’s it?!” I don’t necessarily think that every romance novel has to have a happily ever after, but it does need to have a happy for now, and this book doesn’t even have that. I understand that the future of these characters was difficult, given the issue of divorce, but again, other books have done it. In addition to the other book I already named in this review, Scarlett Peckham’s The Rakess is an excellent example of a book that gives a satisfying conclusion for a couple who will never marry. It is possible to acknowledge and respect the complexity of the characters’ lives while still providing readers at least some resolution, and unfortunately, this book did not do that for me.
Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC via NetGalley.
This is a tough review to write, because I think Faye Delacour is a strong writer, and I’m glad she’s writing historical romance. She knows how to write dialogue, create dramatic tension, and move the plot forward. I did not think this book had the pacing issues that the first book in the series did. These are all very good things.
My issue was with the characterization of Della, as well as some of the other characters. Another reviewer noted that these characters did not seem consistent with who they were in the first book in the series. I agree completely. At times, it felt like I was reading a book about brand new characters I had never met before. That’s not a great feeling in a series.
The problem with Della was most likely personal for me. I am a professor and an author. I could not help but cringe every time Della made comments about how easy it would be to write a book, how she could do it in six weeks, etc. The treatment of writing in this book just drove me nuts. I know this is rather a niche problem to have and isn’t something that would bother most readers, but it was really bothersome to me.
I also found it unbelievable that a woman of Della’s time would so easily take up with a married man, with seemingly little to no thought about the consequences to her and her family. It is possible to write a very good historical romance that explores the awfulness of divorce laws, and specifically the treatment of women in divorce cases, during this time. Julia Bennet did this beautifully in The Worst Woman in London. Unfortunately, this book did not take that type of approach. I found the tone of the early chapters of the book to be completely at odds with the plot, frankly.
Della’s sister was also a head scratcher for me. Again, we have a character taking huge risks with something that was absolutely taboo at the time, but treating the whole matter very lightly and as if it was just a fun lark. I’m being a bit vague here so as not to spoil, but it was very difficult for me to reconcile Della and her sister‘s earlier behavior toward this particular person with the actions they took later in the book, which showed a complete disregard for this person. This character’s life was ruined, and that was treated as an inconvenience by Della and especially her sister.
Finally, the ending. As others have said, I turned the page, expecting another chapter or an epilogue, only to say “that’s it?!” I don’t necessarily think that every romance novel has to have a happily ever after, but it does need to have a happy for now, and this book doesn’t even have that. I understand that the future of these characters was difficult, given the issue of divorce, but again, other books have done it. In addition to the other book I already named in this review, Scarlett Peckham’s The Rakess is an excellent example of a book that gives a satisfying conclusion for a couple who will never marry. It is possible to acknowledge and respect the complexity of the characters’ lives while still providing readers at least some resolution, and unfortunately, this book did not do that for me.
Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC via NetGalley.
Read
March 9, 2025DNF
June 26, 2025
Read if you like:
Historical romance
Enemies to lovers vibes
Unconventional storylines
Neurodivergent representation
My thoughts:
A Lady’s Guide to London is a thoroughly unique historical romance that I was so excited to read. I enjoyed the first book in this series and I was eager to see what Faye Delacour would do with this one. Unfortunately, I struggled quite a bit with Della’s story and had to push myself to finish it.
There was nothing about A Lady’s Guide to London that made it a bad book, there were just so many little things I didn’t like about it and they all started to add up.
These characters did absolutely nothing for me. Della was fun and vibrant in book one but none of that personality seemed to be present in this one. I understand that she was forced to take more responsibility at the club but it ended up taking over her life and everything fun about her personality got lost along the way. Add in Lyman and it got even worse. Because of mistakes he’d made in his past, he became rather judgmental and self-righteous. It felt like he judged everyone who drank or gambled or did pretty much anything for entertainment. I get where he was coming from but just because he made a mistake, it didn’t mean everyone else would make the same one. It felt like he snuffed out what little light remained in Della and made her question everything she’d done with her life.
The storyline was non-existent for much of the book and the pacing was off. There didn’t appear to be any kind of conflict until midway through the book. The first half of the story didn’t feel like it was leading anywhere. It dragged on in the beginning and then the ending came across rather abrupt. I was bore for most of the book and then left feeling like I was missing something at the end.
I do want to give credit to the many unique and unconventional aspects of this story. While not directly mentioned, I believe Della had ADHD. I’m basing that solely on my own experience with ADHD but the way Della described things in her head was very reminiscent of my own experience. I could relate to her and I loved seeing that, especially in a historical setting.
I also loved the female-owned gaming club idea. I enjoyed that aspect of the first book but I liked it even more in this one. Faye Delacour did a great job showing the business side of things, both their wins and their struggles. I have a feeling this will feature again in the next book.
Overall, I don’t think Faye Delacour’s books may be for me but there are so many things I can appreciate about them. A Lady’s Guide to London is a fresh take in the historical romance genre but had a few too many flaws for me.
TL;DR
A Lady’s Guide to London did not measure up to my expectations. There were some really original and unconventional aspects to it but altogether, things didn’t work. The romance felt lackluster, the characters were quite infuriating at times, and the story bored me a bit. It wasn’t badly written or even a bad story, it just wasn’t for me.
Historical romance
Enemies to lovers vibes
Unconventional storylines
Neurodivergent representation
My thoughts:
A Lady’s Guide to London is a thoroughly unique historical romance that I was so excited to read. I enjoyed the first book in this series and I was eager to see what Faye Delacour would do with this one. Unfortunately, I struggled quite a bit with Della’s story and had to push myself to finish it.
There was nothing about A Lady’s Guide to London that made it a bad book, there were just so many little things I didn’t like about it and they all started to add up.
These characters did absolutely nothing for me. Della was fun and vibrant in book one but none of that personality seemed to be present in this one. I understand that she was forced to take more responsibility at the club but it ended up taking over her life and everything fun about her personality got lost along the way. Add in Lyman and it got even worse. Because of mistakes he’d made in his past, he became rather judgmental and self-righteous. It felt like he judged everyone who drank or gambled or did pretty much anything for entertainment. I get where he was coming from but just because he made a mistake, it didn’t mean everyone else would make the same one. It felt like he snuffed out what little light remained in Della and made her question everything she’d done with her life.
The storyline was non-existent for much of the book and the pacing was off. There didn’t appear to be any kind of conflict until midway through the book. The first half of the story didn’t feel like it was leading anywhere. It dragged on in the beginning and then the ending came across rather abrupt. I was bore for most of the book and then left feeling like I was missing something at the end.
I do want to give credit to the many unique and unconventional aspects of this story. While not directly mentioned, I believe Della had ADHD. I’m basing that solely on my own experience with ADHD but the way Della described things in her head was very reminiscent of my own experience. I could relate to her and I loved seeing that, especially in a historical setting.
I also loved the female-owned gaming club idea. I enjoyed that aspect of the first book but I liked it even more in this one. Faye Delacour did a great job showing the business side of things, both their wins and their struggles. I have a feeling this will feature again in the next book.
Overall, I don’t think Faye Delacour’s books may be for me but there are so many things I can appreciate about them. A Lady’s Guide to London is a fresh take in the historical romance genre but had a few too many flaws for me.
TL;DR
A Lady’s Guide to London did not measure up to my expectations. There were some really original and unconventional aspects to it but altogether, things didn’t work. The romance felt lackluster, the characters were quite infuriating at times, and the story bored me a bit. It wasn’t badly written or even a bad story, it just wasn’t for me.
June 1, 2025
I enjoyed the premise, and Della’s spirit of writing her own guide to London when Lyman won’t include her ladies club in his guide (for men). But this was a bit all over the place for me, and a lot of the plot points just didn’t match up including when scandal was an issue vs when it wasn’t. I didn’t feel much chemistry between the MCs or from the writing in general.
Thank you to Sourcebooks for an ARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to Sourcebooks for an ARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
December 6, 2025
Review originally posted on Overflowing Shelf
I don’t think I’ve read a book quite like A Lady’s Guide to London before. This book may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I like how unconventional it is. It’s genuinely a romance that could only work in a historical romance.
The romance may be an instant NO for some people because Viscount Lyman Ashton is married the whole time, which you find out right in the beginning. But trust me, it works. Lyman hasn’t spoken to his wife in 9 years, and the only reason they are not divorced is because of how difficult it was to end a marriage. Divorce required an Act of Parliament, a ton of money, and there were very limited grounds for granting one.
The fact that he’s married adds a really unique layer to the romance. It creates a lot of tension, as Lyman can never be with Della the way he wants. He feels like he’s not good enough for her and has nothing to offer her, when he wishes she could have the world. I appreciated that his internal monologue, a lot of the time, was “What are we doing?” because it didn’t brush aside the challenge of their situation.
But the romance was just so dang sweet. It’s so clear that Lyman and Della like each other, and she knows how to get under his skin in a way that no one else does. I appreciate how they really had time to get to know each other and form a relationship before they realized there was something more between them. It’s a slow build, with many obstacles standing in the way of a happily ever after. But they do get a happily ever after, even if it is not the most conventional. But it felt right for them and the story. I do wish they had said “I love you” out loud in the book, but it’s clear from their actions that they do feel that way.
The characters are one of the major reasons this unconventional romance worked for me. I absolutely adored Cordelia “Della” Danby – it’s hard not to! She’s so passionate about the things and people she loves. She’s not afraid to be herself and wears her heart on her sleeve. She’s bold, spunky, and full of gumption. But she also doesn’t want to let those she cares about down and is her own worst critic. Della definitely felt like she had ADHD, but I appreciated that it didn’t take away from her being successful. I felt for her as her relationship with her best friend Jane felt a bit strained in this book, but I’m glad she had other people in her corner. Unlike Lyman, Della is determined to see the good in everyone, while he’s stuck in the past.
Viscount Lyman Ashton was the complete opposite of Della in so many ways. He’s so stoic and serious. He royally messed up when he was young and has been unable to let it go. He’s so focused on his own failings and trying to atone for them that he seems to have forgotten how to just enjoy life. Della is a shock to his system, in the best possible way. He is constantly shocked and exasperated by her, but it awakens something inside him. I appreciate how this man, who was such a stick in the mud at first, becomes absolutely infatuated with Della and stands up for her when it matters most.
I loved the premise of how Della and Lyman meet. Della is trying to get her ladies’ gambling club in the prestigious guidebook The Discerning Gentleman’s Guide to London, authored by Lyman. However, he says no. But Della doesn’t let that stop her. To promote her business, she decides to write her own guidebook catered to women. The publisher forces Lyman to mentor her because she’s never written anything, which leads to a delicious setup for them to spend time together. There is a lot of animosity and frustration at the beginning over their situation, but as they get to know each other and spend time researching the book, that develops into something more. Having that guide as the story’s backdrop worked really well in advancing the relationship.
I really enjoyed Faye Delacour’s writing. I love how different this book and the characters feel from The Lady He Lost . That’s a good thing, as Della and Lyman are SO different from Jane and Eli. The writing really brought Della and Lyman to life and captured their voices perfectly. Even though it had a slightly different vibe from the first book, it still felt natural that they work together as a series.
I’m very much looking forward to the next book in the series, as I loved the setup for the two characters in this one. I can already tell the third book is going to have a romance that I will thoroughly enjoy, based on what we’ve seen of Hannah Williams in this book.
While A Lady’s Guide to London may not work for everyone, I loved how different it was from other historical romances out there! The characters are at the heart of the story and truly shine. It’s an unconventional romance for sure, but it still delivers on the feelings and the happily ever after in the end.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca/NetGalley for the ARC. All thoughts, ideas, and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I don’t think I’ve read a book quite like A Lady’s Guide to London before. This book may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I like how unconventional it is. It’s genuinely a romance that could only work in a historical romance.
The romance may be an instant NO for some people because Viscount Lyman Ashton is married the whole time, which you find out right in the beginning. But trust me, it works. Lyman hasn’t spoken to his wife in 9 years, and the only reason they are not divorced is because of how difficult it was to end a marriage. Divorce required an Act of Parliament, a ton of money, and there were very limited grounds for granting one.
The fact that he’s married adds a really unique layer to the romance. It creates a lot of tension, as Lyman can never be with Della the way he wants. He feels like he’s not good enough for her and has nothing to offer her, when he wishes she could have the world. I appreciated that his internal monologue, a lot of the time, was “What are we doing?” because it didn’t brush aside the challenge of their situation.
But the romance was just so dang sweet. It’s so clear that Lyman and Della like each other, and she knows how to get under his skin in a way that no one else does. I appreciate how they really had time to get to know each other and form a relationship before they realized there was something more between them. It’s a slow build, with many obstacles standing in the way of a happily ever after. But they do get a happily ever after, even if it is not the most conventional. But it felt right for them and the story. I do wish they had said “I love you” out loud in the book, but it’s clear from their actions that they do feel that way.
The characters are one of the major reasons this unconventional romance worked for me. I absolutely adored Cordelia “Della” Danby – it’s hard not to! She’s so passionate about the things and people she loves. She’s not afraid to be herself and wears her heart on her sleeve. She’s bold, spunky, and full of gumption. But she also doesn’t want to let those she cares about down and is her own worst critic. Della definitely felt like she had ADHD, but I appreciated that it didn’t take away from her being successful. I felt for her as her relationship with her best friend Jane felt a bit strained in this book, but I’m glad she had other people in her corner. Unlike Lyman, Della is determined to see the good in everyone, while he’s stuck in the past.
Viscount Lyman Ashton was the complete opposite of Della in so many ways. He’s so stoic and serious. He royally messed up when he was young and has been unable to let it go. He’s so focused on his own failings and trying to atone for them that he seems to have forgotten how to just enjoy life. Della is a shock to his system, in the best possible way. He is constantly shocked and exasperated by her, but it awakens something inside him. I appreciate how this man, who was such a stick in the mud at first, becomes absolutely infatuated with Della and stands up for her when it matters most.
I loved the premise of how Della and Lyman meet. Della is trying to get her ladies’ gambling club in the prestigious guidebook The Discerning Gentleman’s Guide to London, authored by Lyman. However, he says no. But Della doesn’t let that stop her. To promote her business, she decides to write her own guidebook catered to women. The publisher forces Lyman to mentor her because she’s never written anything, which leads to a delicious setup for them to spend time together. There is a lot of animosity and frustration at the beginning over their situation, but as they get to know each other and spend time researching the book, that develops into something more. Having that guide as the story’s backdrop worked really well in advancing the relationship.
I really enjoyed Faye Delacour’s writing. I love how different this book and the characters feel from The Lady He Lost . That’s a good thing, as Della and Lyman are SO different from Jane and Eli. The writing really brought Della and Lyman to life and captured their voices perfectly. Even though it had a slightly different vibe from the first book, it still felt natural that they work together as a series.
I’m very much looking forward to the next book in the series, as I loved the setup for the two characters in this one. I can already tell the third book is going to have a romance that I will thoroughly enjoy, based on what we’ve seen of Hannah Williams in this book.
While A Lady’s Guide to London may not work for everyone, I loved how different it was from other historical romances out there! The characters are at the heart of the story and truly shine. It’s an unconventional romance for sure, but it still delivers on the feelings and the happily ever after in the end.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca/NetGalley for the ARC. All thoughts, ideas, and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
April 7, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC of A Lady's Guide to London.
I really enjoyed Faye Delacour's debut, The Lady He Lost, so I was looking forward to her next outing. Della was such a strong character in the previous novel– a real girl's girl– so I was looking forward to her HEA.
Della Danby has taken on more and more responsibility at the ladies gaming hall she runs with her best friend, Jane Williams, since Jane had her baby a few months ago. She is trying to figure out how to drum up more business so they can expand and hire help when she comes on the idea to approach Lord Ashton, a Viscount who publishes a gentleman's guide to London, to see if he would include Bishop's in his list of gaming establishments. When Della and Ashton meet, he's shocked to find that his correspondent is a woman and he dismisses her. Della won't take this lying down so she approaches Ashton's publisher with an idea: she should write a lady's guide to London. The publisher will only agree if she works with Ashton, because he is a known quantity, so Della is forced to collaborate with him despite their rocky start.
This book is special because of its heroine. Like I mentioned above, I loved Della in the first book and was really looking forward to being in her head. At the beginning of A Lady's Guide to London, Della comes off as a chaos agent. She's disorganized and bouncing from thing-to-thing without much structure. But over the course of the book, you realize that Della is not inherently a chaotic person; she's someone who can't say no to the people she loves. She's a little disorganized but that's not a blocker to productivity. Her friends and family are. Della's journey in this book is to realize that she needs to say no and advocate for herself, especially to those closest to her.
Faye Delacour took a big swing in this book with the hero. Ashton has an estranged wife, who is estranged for a very good reason. Ashton blew through his inheritance, her dowry and then lost everything in a card game, leaving them destitute. They then separated and he's had several discreet affairs in the intervening years. It's been nine years, but Ashton is still married (this was before divorce became a civil issue– it was still litigated in the ecclesiastical courts and then required an act of parliament) so this whole relationship is technically cheating. Getting a romance reader on board with a man who is being unfaithful to his wife is a monumental task, but I think Faye Delacour accomplished it. We see that Ashton was a very different person in his marriage than he is now and he is prepared to confront all of the consequences of his actions.
This book is definitely setting up Della's sister, Annabelle, to be the heroine of the next story. Annabelle is a 19-year-old lesbian who behaves like an adolescent idiot throughout much of this book, getting others into trouble with her actions and then refusing to accept the consequences. I actually found it hard to deal with her at times because she's so inconsiderate, but then I had to remember she is 19 and her frontal lobe isn't fully formed. She's going to be an insufferable idiot for a few more years. I hope she grows up before her book or at least has to finally deal with the impact of her actions on others.
I won't spoil the end of this book because I think it's really unique in a romance novel, but again, Faye Delacour was taking a big risk with it. I think she mostly stuck the landing, but I'll be intrigued to see if we catch some of Della and Ashton in a future book so we can check in on their unconventional HEA.
I really enjoyed Faye Delacour's debut, The Lady He Lost, so I was looking forward to her next outing. Della was such a strong character in the previous novel– a real girl's girl– so I was looking forward to her HEA.
Della Danby has taken on more and more responsibility at the ladies gaming hall she runs with her best friend, Jane Williams, since Jane had her baby a few months ago. She is trying to figure out how to drum up more business so they can expand and hire help when she comes on the idea to approach Lord Ashton, a Viscount who publishes a gentleman's guide to London, to see if he would include Bishop's in his list of gaming establishments. When Della and Ashton meet, he's shocked to find that his correspondent is a woman and he dismisses her. Della won't take this lying down so she approaches Ashton's publisher with an idea: she should write a lady's guide to London. The publisher will only agree if she works with Ashton, because he is a known quantity, so Della is forced to collaborate with him despite their rocky start.
This book is special because of its heroine. Like I mentioned above, I loved Della in the first book and was really looking forward to being in her head. At the beginning of A Lady's Guide to London, Della comes off as a chaos agent. She's disorganized and bouncing from thing-to-thing without much structure. But over the course of the book, you realize that Della is not inherently a chaotic person; she's someone who can't say no to the people she loves. She's a little disorganized but that's not a blocker to productivity. Her friends and family are. Della's journey in this book is to realize that she needs to say no and advocate for herself, especially to those closest to her.
Faye Delacour took a big swing in this book with the hero. Ashton has an estranged wife, who is estranged for a very good reason. Ashton blew through his inheritance, her dowry and then lost everything in a card game, leaving them destitute. They then separated and he's had several discreet affairs in the intervening years. It's been nine years, but Ashton is still married (this was before divorce became a civil issue– it was still litigated in the ecclesiastical courts and then required an act of parliament) so this whole relationship is technically cheating. Getting a romance reader on board with a man who is being unfaithful to his wife is a monumental task, but I think Faye Delacour accomplished it. We see that Ashton was a very different person in his marriage than he is now and he is prepared to confront all of the consequences of his actions.
This book is definitely setting up Della's sister, Annabelle, to be the heroine of the next story. Annabelle is a 19-year-old lesbian who behaves like an adolescent idiot throughout much of this book, getting others into trouble with her actions and then refusing to accept the consequences. I actually found it hard to deal with her at times because she's so inconsiderate, but then I had to remember she is 19 and her frontal lobe isn't fully formed. She's going to be an insufferable idiot for a few more years. I hope she grows up before her book or at least has to finally deal with the impact of her actions on others.
I won't spoil the end of this book because I think it's really unique in a romance novel, but again, Faye Delacour was taking a big risk with it. I think she mostly stuck the landing, but I'll be intrigued to see if we catch some of Della and Ashton in a future book so we can check in on their unconventional HEA.
April 18, 2025
Della Danby co-owns Bishop's, a gaming hell that caters exclusively to women, with her best friend Jane. Now that Jane has an infant, Della is taking on more responsibility at the club. And she's decided to write a book. The book in question: a Lady's Guide to London, because Viscount Ashton's version of the book leaves out her own establishment, but also many of the places she and her friends would want to visit. (If it seems like Della is taking on too much, you're right, and this feels like classic ADHD to this neurodivergent reader...) The main hitch is that the publisher won't publish Della's guide unless it's co-authored by Ashton, which means Della needs to work closely with a man she finds maddeningly attractive...but who is also married (but separated!!).
First of all, I liked but didn't love Faye Delacour's debut The Lady He Lost last year, but I listened to an ALC of it. The narration was fine for TLHL, but drained of the humor that friends who read with their eyes delighted in. I intentionally used my eyes for A Lady's Guide to London, and those friends were right. Delacour's writing has a lighthearted humor infused throughout that I thoroughly enjoyed. (This book does have a different audiobook narrator, but I wasn't going to risk it.)
This is an unconventional romance novel, but one that works really well. The MMC is married to someone else for a large majority of the book. Lyman, Viscount Ashmont, has been separated from his wife for years because of a gambling debt (he gambled away the country house and all their money), but in honesty it wasn't a marriage of love and companionship before that either. Della is so unlike his wife, and Lyman is drawn to her energy and her wit and passion, and Della is drawn to this grumpy viscount who dwells on his past mistakes and won't move on with his life. While the structure of their love story remains unconventional, I love the way Delacour brings us to an HEA that truly works for both of them, given their circumstances.
Thank you to Sourcebooks for an eARC for a review! The Lady's Guide to London is out 4/15/25.
First of all, I liked but didn't love Faye Delacour's debut The Lady He Lost last year, but I listened to an ALC of it. The narration was fine for TLHL, but drained of the humor that friends who read with their eyes delighted in. I intentionally used my eyes for A Lady's Guide to London, and those friends were right. Delacour's writing has a lighthearted humor infused throughout that I thoroughly enjoyed. (This book does have a different audiobook narrator, but I wasn't going to risk it.)
This is an unconventional romance novel, but one that works really well. The MMC is married to someone else for a large majority of the book. Lyman, Viscount Ashmont, has been separated from his wife for years because of a gambling debt (he gambled away the country house and all their money), but in honesty it wasn't a marriage of love and companionship before that either. Della is so unlike his wife, and Lyman is drawn to her energy and her wit and passion, and Della is drawn to this grumpy viscount who dwells on his past mistakes and won't move on with his life. While the structure of their love story remains unconventional, I love the way Delacour brings us to an HEA that truly works for both of them, given their circumstances.
Thank you to Sourcebooks for an eARC for a review! The Lady's Guide to London is out 4/15/25.
April 16, 2025
I really enjoyed this book and didn’t want to put it down.
Della and Ashton start off on the wrong foot and their instant attraction to one another starts the tension early. When they’re forced to work together, they have to figure out how to bypass the initial friction so both can achieve what they’re wanting out of the business arrangement. From the beginning they are both aware that any personal public relationship is forbidden.
Della is a strong heroine that is confident in her self and what she wants. She also has a lot on her shoulders and adding one more thing, writing a guidebook, puts her in a situation that makes it hard to manage her time.
Ashton is an impoverished viscount that has tried to make amends for his past by holding his desires in check and keeping a proper appearance. He works hard to not fall into temptation and denies himself even when it comes to Della.
This is one of those books that had great storytelling and pulled me in to where it wasn’t until after I finished and reflected back that I’d glazed over few parts that wasn’t my favorite. I wasn’t a big fan of Della’s little sister and the way her side plot tied back to the MC, I felt that could’ve been accomplished another way.
As a whole though it evoked a passionate response, was immersed the whole book, and I was rooting for the MC; but wanted just a bit more. This story stood out more to me than the first book and am looking forward to what comes next.
A Lady’s Guide to London is the second book in the Lucky Ladies of London series.
This takes place about 3 years after book and could be read as a standalone.
There are three encounters with some stern hero talk.
I received an advance reader copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Della and Ashton start off on the wrong foot and their instant attraction to one another starts the tension early. When they’re forced to work together, they have to figure out how to bypass the initial friction so both can achieve what they’re wanting out of the business arrangement. From the beginning they are both aware that any personal public relationship is forbidden.
Della is a strong heroine that is confident in her self and what she wants. She also has a lot on her shoulders and adding one more thing, writing a guidebook, puts her in a situation that makes it hard to manage her time.
Ashton is an impoverished viscount that has tried to make amends for his past by holding his desires in check and keeping a proper appearance. He works hard to not fall into temptation and denies himself even when it comes to Della.
This is one of those books that had great storytelling and pulled me in to where it wasn’t until after I finished and reflected back that I’d glazed over few parts that wasn’t my favorite. I wasn’t a big fan of Della’s little sister and the way her side plot tied back to the MC, I felt that could’ve been accomplished another way.
As a whole though it evoked a passionate response, was immersed the whole book, and I was rooting for the MC; but wanted just a bit more. This story stood out more to me than the first book and am looking forward to what comes next.
A Lady’s Guide to London is the second book in the Lucky Ladies of London series.
This takes place about 3 years after book and could be read as a standalone.
There are three encounters with some stern hero talk.
I received an advance reader copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
June 5, 2025
I just finished A Lady's Guide to London - Faye Delacour and here are my musings.
Della is a force of nature. She wants to prove she is more than just an heiress who can spend her parents money. Taking on a bigger role in the ladies gambling club, she has this idea to add the club to a local guidebook of attractions.
Viscount Lyman doesn’t want her club in his tour book as gambling ruined his life but the money would help pay off his debts. The closer they get the more they have to fight their feelings to protect their reputations but what’s more important than love?
I have to say.. this enemies to lovers grumpy/sunshine was just what the doctors ordered.
Della is tenacious. I love that. Won’t take no for an answer and is a force to be reckoned with. One of my biggest problems is I didn’t love her as much in this installment as I did in the first book.
The book was really deep this time. Lots of struggles and it wasn’t as light hearted as the first book in my opinion. I like Lyman though which was much better for me. The world building was just as great and I loved the time period.
Again, the ending.. What is up with the speedy endings? I hate rushed endings. That’s a major flaw for me. I also didn’t think the chemistry was as powerful between Lyman and Della but there was a lot more going on and the substance of the book was definitely better. The pacing was better but I think I like book 1 just slightly better.
Still I’m intrigued to see where it will go next.
3.75 stars
Thank you @sourcebooks for my gifted copies
Della is a force of nature. She wants to prove she is more than just an heiress who can spend her parents money. Taking on a bigger role in the ladies gambling club, she has this idea to add the club to a local guidebook of attractions.
Viscount Lyman doesn’t want her club in his tour book as gambling ruined his life but the money would help pay off his debts. The closer they get the more they have to fight their feelings to protect their reputations but what’s more important than love?
I have to say.. this enemies to lovers grumpy/sunshine was just what the doctors ordered.
Della is tenacious. I love that. Won’t take no for an answer and is a force to be reckoned with. One of my biggest problems is I didn’t love her as much in this installment as I did in the first book.
The book was really deep this time. Lots of struggles and it wasn’t as light hearted as the first book in my opinion. I like Lyman though which was much better for me. The world building was just as great and I loved the time period.
Again, the ending.. What is up with the speedy endings? I hate rushed endings. That’s a major flaw for me. I also didn’t think the chemistry was as powerful between Lyman and Della but there was a lot more going on and the substance of the book was definitely better. The pacing was better but I think I like book 1 just slightly better.
Still I’m intrigued to see where it will go next.
3.75 stars
Thank you @sourcebooks for my gifted copies
March 21, 2025
ARC Review: A Lady's Guide to London by Faye Delacour
Pub Date: April 15, 2025
Della is part owner of a women's only gambling club. She's shouldering more responsibility there and has come up with a few ways to help drum up membership - including writing a guide to London for ladies after the author of a similar guide refuses to include her club due to it only being for women. Viscount Lyman Ashton has nothing against Della, really, but thinks that it's not good business to write about her club. However since Della won't take no for an answer, he offers to help her write her own guide, for a price of course. As they spend more and more time together, Della realizes that she may have judged Lyman harshly. But when scandal threatens to ruin them both, what will they do?
I really enjoyed this book! It's pretty rare that I can get to 90% of a book and really not know how the characters were going to get their HEA. It kept me incredibly invested in the book and I love that we get a sort of untraditional HEA. I really like how Della and Lyman get to know each other and come to a much better understanding of each others motivations. There are a few subplots but I don't think they detracted from the main relationship - and I was really glad to have a queer subplot with Della's sister!
I just really have no complaints about this book! I'm super excited to see what Faye writes next. Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Pub Date: April 15, 2025
Della is part owner of a women's only gambling club. She's shouldering more responsibility there and has come up with a few ways to help drum up membership - including writing a guide to London for ladies after the author of a similar guide refuses to include her club due to it only being for women. Viscount Lyman Ashton has nothing against Della, really, but thinks that it's not good business to write about her club. However since Della won't take no for an answer, he offers to help her write her own guide, for a price of course. As they spend more and more time together, Della realizes that she may have judged Lyman harshly. But when scandal threatens to ruin them both, what will they do?
I really enjoyed this book! It's pretty rare that I can get to 90% of a book and really not know how the characters were going to get their HEA. It kept me incredibly invested in the book and I love that we get a sort of untraditional HEA. I really like how Della and Lyman get to know each other and come to a much better understanding of each others motivations. There are a few subplots but I don't think they detracted from the main relationship - and I was really glad to have a queer subplot with Della's sister!
I just really have no complaints about this book! I'm super excited to see what Faye writes next. Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 20, 2025
It started out strong but then just became kind of a recitation of the same conflict and ended super abruptly? Didn’t feel complete
October 22, 2025
I absolutely loved the first book. What happened? Why was this one so boring?
June 15, 2025
i remember really enjoying The Lady He Lost, so i don’t understand how this was so boring. It just dragged, until a really abrupt ending that i couldn’t even complain about, because i was just glad to be done.
On top of that, our FMC was annoying, and felt like a bit of an insult to my adhd siblings. And our MMC was insufferable. I agree with everyone else in their lives - they shouldn’t be together, actually!
On top of that, our FMC was annoying, and felt like a bit of an insult to my adhd siblings. And our MMC was insufferable. I agree with everyone else in their lives - they shouldn’t be together, actually!
April 13, 2025
I joined NetGalley and this was one of the first ARCs I was approved for. It’s been awhile since I’ve read a historical romance but loved jumping into this even though it’s book 2 of the series.
Cordelia Danby is the sunshine to Lord Ashton’s grumpy straight and narrow nature. She’s co-owner of a Ladies only gambling club in London and he’s a Lord who lost it all due to gambling and avoids any of his old vices. She decides she wants to write a guidebook to get their club more recognition and he’s her mentor. Bless poor Della who doesn’t realize she’s got ADD and that’s why she had a hard time focusing - I appreciated this insight although during the time period they wouldn’t have a name for it or recognize it for what it is and she just thinks she doesn’t have her life as put together as others.
Cordelia Danby is the sunshine to Lord Ashton’s grumpy straight and narrow nature. She’s co-owner of a Ladies only gambling club in London and he’s a Lord who lost it all due to gambling and avoids any of his old vices. She decides she wants to write a guidebook to get their club more recognition and he’s her mentor. Bless poor Della who doesn’t realize she’s got ADD and that’s why she had a hard time focusing - I appreciated this insight although during the time period they wouldn’t have a name for it or recognize it for what it is and she just thinks she doesn’t have her life as put together as others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2025
I did not like this book at much as I remember liking the first one which is a shame because as a curvy girl myself I love a curvy heroine. One of the first things that was off putting for me is that the way Jane, the heroine from the last book was written, I kind of didn't like her in this book. Like I understand that she has a new life with a baby, but she was kind of a bad friend and business partner, she tries to fix it in the end but I didn't feel like it was fully resolved. The second thing that comes to mind is that Dela comes off a lot differently in this book than in the last. Granted it's been a while since I've read that book, but I remember her coming off as a meek mouse, but in this book she's all worldly, and not even a virgin, which they never mention how that happened which is crazy considering it's a historical romance. That's a pretty moot point, because I think that the third and final issue I had with this book contributed to that factor which is it gave the vibe of a modern book set in the 1840's some of the language didn't feel accurate, plot points felt off, it just didn't feel like a real historical romance to me. I think there's like a 10% possibility the way the book was narrated contributed to this but I can't even be certain. I just wanted a nice historical romance, and I got this instead...We also don't get an epilogue and given where the book leaves off I feel like one is both needed and deserved
July 29, 2025
I appreciated the high stakes and conflict for our characters in this one—and the more complicated than usual HEA (even if I would have appreciated an epilogue). Still, I like Delacour’s writing. This maintains some of the comedy of the first in the series, but definitely feels heavier in terms of conflict. Additionally, while book 1 had two inexperienced love interests (which I appreciated especially for the representation from Eli), here we are dealing with more experience protagonists.
If I had read this closer to pub, I would have probably had a clearer recollection of the characterizations, as Jane especially felt changed by her new motherhood. Della felt a little flightier here—but it also just could have been the fact of her taking center stage. I thought the gradual build of tension as she took on more and more for everyone else and tried to juggle multiple projects in an effort to be useful to those she loved was well done. I also appreciated the portrayal of navigating friendship after marriage and babies, and how both Jane and Della are trying while still acknowledging things are different and Della may be feeling left behind in some aspects, while still being happy for her friend. And I enjoyed watching Della operate within the context of the club, in addition to her idea to write a lady’s guide to London which puts her in contact with Ashton. Or, the idea comes to her after being in contact with Ashton. And I very much enjoyed the more unconventional MMC—a peer who has lost his entire fortune due to a gambling debt and has been estranged from his wife ever since.
This is not a typical setup but the historical setting makes the stakes of this clear, and I appreciate Delacour for tackling it (again, the lack of epilogue, which I think was probably a publisher decision may have helped ease us out of this as well as it felt a little quick considering the stakes). It was interesting seeing these stakes contrasted against Annabel, Della’s sister who had a secondary plotline in the background that has just as high stakes that are handled with a lot less gravitas, especially as Annabel is not the one paying the price of the scandal. I do wonder if there is a future book planned for Annabel and it this will come back up. I did keep waiting for Della to make a little more of a stand on it as part of her people pleasing arc.
I will say, I read a finished ebook copy and there is seemingly an incorrect word in the very final sentence, which did kind of take the air out of the balloon a bit. And I am not one to usually make a big deal about copywriting errors (and I am certainly not blaming the author on it) but you’d think that’d be a sentence to pay attention to. So much so that I read it over many times thinking I must just not be comprehending it right.
If I had read this closer to pub, I would have probably had a clearer recollection of the characterizations, as Jane especially felt changed by her new motherhood. Della felt a little flightier here—but it also just could have been the fact of her taking center stage. I thought the gradual build of tension as she took on more and more for everyone else and tried to juggle multiple projects in an effort to be useful to those she loved was well done. I also appreciated the portrayal of navigating friendship after marriage and babies, and how both Jane and Della are trying while still acknowledging things are different and Della may be feeling left behind in some aspects, while still being happy for her friend. And I enjoyed watching Della operate within the context of the club, in addition to her idea to write a lady’s guide to London which puts her in contact with Ashton. Or, the idea comes to her after being in contact with Ashton. And I very much enjoyed the more unconventional MMC—a peer who has lost his entire fortune due to a gambling debt and has been estranged from his wife ever since.
This is not a typical setup but the historical setting makes the stakes of this clear, and I appreciate Delacour for tackling it (again, the lack of epilogue, which I think was probably a publisher decision may have helped ease us out of this as well as it felt a little quick considering the stakes). It was interesting seeing these stakes contrasted against Annabel, Della’s sister who had a secondary plotline in the background that has just as high stakes that are handled with a lot less gravitas, especially as Annabel is not the one paying the price of the scandal. I do wonder if there is a future book planned for Annabel and it this will come back up. I did keep waiting for Della to make a little more of a stand on it as part of her people pleasing arc.
I will say, I read a finished ebook copy and there is seemingly an incorrect word in the very final sentence, which did kind of take the air out of the balloon a bit. And I am not one to usually make a big deal about copywriting errors (and I am certainly not blaming the author on it) but you’d think that’d be a sentence to pay attention to. So much so that I read it over many times thinking I must just not be comprehending it right.
April 10, 2025
Tired of historical romances that merely serve up glittering ballrooms and afternoon teas? A Lady's Guide to London could be for you!!
Della is the type of heroine I love to see in historical romance: self-employed, witty, and take-charge. She's fearless, knows what she wants, and willing to do anything to protect the people she cares about. She's the co-owner of a woman's gambling club in 1800s London, which, as you can guess, is very unusual! She decides that one way to drum up more business is to get her club published in the gentlemen's London guidebook. After the author, Ashton, refuses to include her club in the latest iteration of the guide, Della decides to write her own guidebook just for ladies! Almost immediately, Ashton finds himself, against his will, helping Della create The Ladies Guide to London. These two rivals will have to work together, and tour London, without losing their heads, or their hearts!
I loved the ensemble cast in this book! Annabelle, Della's sister, provides a unique look at what London may have been like for a 19th century queer woman. Ashston's roommate Clarkson provided a warmth as well. I do enjoy a good cookie cutter regency romance, but this book, set often in either a women's gambling club, or Ashton's humble flat complete with obnoxious roommates, was a breath of fresh air. Ashton, though a member of the aristocracy, is down-on-his-luck, which was a refreshing change as well. I found Della's devil-may-care attitude to be the perfect complement to Ashton's reserved, cautious outlook. Each of them has a reason for approaching life in such wildly different way, which is explored in this text.
I was hoping, some of the time, to have more fun than I did. The plot is rife with struggles and frustrations, which I felt deeply...probably due to the author's great writing. The pacing was fantastic, right up until the end, when the bow that tied everything together came on a big too quickly for my taste. The open door spice felt true to the characters' demeanors, but left me wanting more in terms of whimsy and emotion. Overall, I can say that I enjoyed this story, and will most certainly circle back to read the first book in this series!
Trigger warnings: person dealing with the aftermath of a gambling addiction
I'd like to thank Faye Delacour for the ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Della is the type of heroine I love to see in historical romance: self-employed, witty, and take-charge. She's fearless, knows what she wants, and willing to do anything to protect the people she cares about. She's the co-owner of a woman's gambling club in 1800s London, which, as you can guess, is very unusual! She decides that one way to drum up more business is to get her club published in the gentlemen's London guidebook. After the author, Ashton, refuses to include her club in the latest iteration of the guide, Della decides to write her own guidebook just for ladies! Almost immediately, Ashton finds himself, against his will, helping Della create The Ladies Guide to London. These two rivals will have to work together, and tour London, without losing their heads, or their hearts!
I loved the ensemble cast in this book! Annabelle, Della's sister, provides a unique look at what London may have been like for a 19th century queer woman. Ashston's roommate Clarkson provided a warmth as well. I do enjoy a good cookie cutter regency romance, but this book, set often in either a women's gambling club, or Ashton's humble flat complete with obnoxious roommates, was a breath of fresh air. Ashton, though a member of the aristocracy, is down-on-his-luck, which was a refreshing change as well. I found Della's devil-may-care attitude to be the perfect complement to Ashton's reserved, cautious outlook. Each of them has a reason for approaching life in such wildly different way, which is explored in this text.
I was hoping, some of the time, to have more fun than I did. The plot is rife with struggles and frustrations, which I felt deeply...probably due to the author's great writing. The pacing was fantastic, right up until the end, when the bow that tied everything together came on a big too quickly for my taste. The open door spice felt true to the characters' demeanors, but left me wanting more in terms of whimsy and emotion. Overall, I can say that I enjoyed this story, and will most certainly circle back to read the first book in this series!
Trigger warnings: person dealing with the aftermath of a gambling addiction
I'd like to thank Faye Delacour for the ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
April 13, 2025
Faye Delacour’s A Lady’s Guide to London is the second book in her debut series, but it works just fine as a standalone. I didn’t read the first book and had no trouble following along. Set in what appears to be the Victorian era (there’s a reference to The Pickwick Papers), the story unfolds in London and proved to be a mixed experience for me. While there were some enjoyable moments, overall, the book landed squarely in “meh” territory. I was frequently bored, with the final 10% offering the most engagement—only to be let down by the abrupt ending.
What the novel has going for it is older main characters who largely act their age. Della is 26, and Lyman is 35. The writing itself is solid, with well-crafted dialogue and steamy scenes that hit the mark. There’s also a commendable effort at diversity the inclusion of queer characters. I appreciated that Lyman’s scandal—his abandonment of his wife after a gambling addiction leaves them ruined—was introduced early on and later became a key plot point.
While the book is touted as an enemies-to-lovers romance, the dynamic between Della and Lyman felt more like a rivalry that quickly escalates into instalust rather than any slow-burn tension. Adding to my confusion, the novel is also marketed as a romantic comedy, but I didn’t get that vibe at all—humour, if it was intended, simply didn’t land.
What I didn’t enjoy was the inconsistency in plot and character motivations. At times, characters fret over scandal, yet at others, they behave as if their actions carry no consequences. This lack of cohesion felt symptomatic of weak world-building. The characters never quite felt fully realized, making it harder to connect with them emotionally. Della’s sister, Annabelle, stood out in particular as frustratingly careless—her role in ruining a friend’s life lacked remorse, which made her difficult to tolerate. The writing, while competent, often felt flat, and I had to push myself to finish the book.
And after all that effort, I was disappointed by the lack of a satisfying ending. Instead of a well-earned HEA, we barely get a tenuous HFN. An extra chapter or even a short epilogue would have gone a long way in providing the closure this story needed. 2.5 stars rounded to 3.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy; all opinions are my own.
What the novel has going for it is older main characters who largely act their age. Della is 26, and Lyman is 35. The writing itself is solid, with well-crafted dialogue and steamy scenes that hit the mark. There’s also a commendable effort at diversity the inclusion of queer characters. I appreciated that Lyman’s scandal—his abandonment of his wife after a gambling addiction leaves them ruined—was introduced early on and later became a key plot point.
While the book is touted as an enemies-to-lovers romance, the dynamic between Della and Lyman felt more like a rivalry that quickly escalates into instalust rather than any slow-burn tension. Adding to my confusion, the novel is also marketed as a romantic comedy, but I didn’t get that vibe at all—humour, if it was intended, simply didn’t land.
What I didn’t enjoy was the inconsistency in plot and character motivations. At times, characters fret over scandal, yet at others, they behave as if their actions carry no consequences. This lack of cohesion felt symptomatic of weak world-building. The characters never quite felt fully realized, making it harder to connect with them emotionally. Della’s sister, Annabelle, stood out in particular as frustratingly careless—her role in ruining a friend’s life lacked remorse, which made her difficult to tolerate. The writing, while competent, often felt flat, and I had to push myself to finish the book.
And after all that effort, I was disappointed by the lack of a satisfying ending. Instead of a well-earned HEA, we barely get a tenuous HFN. An extra chapter or even a short epilogue would have gone a long way in providing the closure this story needed. 2.5 stars rounded to 3.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy; all opinions are my own.
January 24, 2026
4.5 stars. I have never seen so much of myself in a character before. At every turn of the page, I saw different scenes from my own life being played out in a parallel world. Della is impulsive, joyful, naughty, and kind. She loves trying new hobbies, but often gets bored of them and moves on to something else. She knows what needs to get done and plans her day accordingly, but then life gets in the way. She pushes off tasks that are more tedious until later, even when they're important. Della is a wonderful friend and she is always willing to help by taking on extra responsibilities. She thinks she can manage everything herself but when it all comes crashing down, she is terrified that people will think she isn't good enough. I can't tell you how much Della made me feel seen and understood, she might be my favorite historical romance heroine ever 🥹
Now Lyman is such a fascinating character in his own right. He is someone who has truly experienced rock bottom because of his own actions and weaknesses. He has made such grievous mistakes that would definitely disqualify him as your typical HR male lead, but somehow, I still felt myself falling in love right alongside Della. He is very strict with himself, he doesn't indulge in frivolous pursuits, he lives humbly, and denies himself joy. His character growth is beautiful to see, finally choosing to be happy, while still being true to his principles. 🩷
The spice was soooooo freaking good 😍 I loved how Della takes charge, knowing what she wants and not being ashamed of asking for Lyman's surrender. She teases and provokes him, hoping to slip beneath his cool exterior and make his resolve melt away 🫠 Lyman's self-control and rigidity serves as a foil to Della's carefree existence, making them seem like a very strange couple. But what I loved is how they start to rub off on each other. Lyman loosens his cravat and Della learns how to set limits for herself.
If all of the above wasn't enough, I loved the plot for this book! So much more happened than in book 1 and the stakes felt much higher. Della trying to juggle everything and the inevitable moment when it all crashed to the floor was epic (I mean, as epic as you can get with a historical romance 😅).
Loved pretty much everything about this book and I can definitely see myself rereading this in the future 🥰
Now Lyman is such a fascinating character in his own right. He is someone who has truly experienced rock bottom because of his own actions and weaknesses. He has made such grievous mistakes that would definitely disqualify him as your typical HR male lead, but somehow, I still felt myself falling in love right alongside Della. He is very strict with himself, he doesn't indulge in frivolous pursuits, he lives humbly, and denies himself joy. His character growth is beautiful to see, finally choosing to be happy, while still being true to his principles. 🩷
The spice was soooooo freaking good 😍 I loved how Della takes charge, knowing what she wants and not being ashamed of asking for Lyman's surrender. She teases and provokes him, hoping to slip beneath his cool exterior and make his resolve melt away 🫠 Lyman's self-control and rigidity serves as a foil to Della's carefree existence, making them seem like a very strange couple. But what I loved is how they start to rub off on each other. Lyman loosens his cravat and Della learns how to set limits for herself.
If all of the above wasn't enough, I loved the plot for this book! So much more happened than in book 1 and the stakes felt much higher. Della trying to juggle everything and the inevitable moment when it all crashed to the floor was epic (I mean, as epic as you can get with a historical romance 😅).
Loved pretty much everything about this book and I can definitely see myself rereading this in the future 🥰
March 5, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Della Danby is determined to prove herself as co-owner of London’s first (and only) gambling club for ladies. Nothing will stop Della from achieving financial success, especially not a grumpy viscount-turned-writer who thinks he’s too good to include her business in his precious guidebook. But when Della sets out to write her own guidebook to London geared towards the ladies of the ton, she finds herself closer to Viscount Ashton than ever.
A Lady’s Guide to London is Faye Delacour’s second installment in The Lucky Ladies of London series. I enjoyed the push and pull of their relationship throughout the book, drawn apart by their fears and insecurities and forced back together by their shared project (and undeniable chemistry). I love when two characters think they’ve got their feelings under control and don’t realize they’re doomed until it’s already too late.
Some Miscellaneous Positives
♣️ Something I love about reading historical romances is all the tiny details you learn about life at the time that you’d never encounter otherwise. I’d never heard of chocolate houses before this book, and I definitely thought that “gambling hell” was an ironically apt spelling error.
♣️ I related to Della’s struggle with her newfound responsibility at the club, even if I got a lot of secondhand anxiety from her procrastination.
♣️ The spice was well balanced, not so much that it distracted from the plot and not so little that we lost the tension. The dialogue really shines in these scenes as well, especially from our hero.
♣️ There was a very transparent conversation about contraceptives in this book that I appreciated. I think a lot of romances skip these discussions because they don’t want to lose the scene’s momentum, but here it felt organic and realistic.
As for the negatives, I’d say that this book handles the pacing much better than the first, but it still feels like too many subplots for my personal preference. As a standalone, I think Delacour did a great job creating a believable and engaging relationship, but I don’t think I’ll continue on with the series just because I’ve ran into that issue in both her books. I also wish that I connected with the side characters more, but I found a lot of them either unlikeable or unremarkable. Lastly, I really felt like this book needed an epilogue. It’s not that the conclusion is unsatisfying, but I expected one last moment to truly bookend the story and was surprised we didn’t get one.
Overall, this book tackles a lot and succeeds in crafting a compelling connection between the main characters. I said it with the first book too, but I would really recommend this series to readers that are trying to get into historical romance. I think the fast pace and the number of subplots would appeal to readers that normally find historical romance slow or boring. Ultimately, I didn’t fall in love with their love enough to get to 5-stars, but I appreciate the ways it improved on the first book and enjoyed myself a lot.
Della Danby is determined to prove herself as co-owner of London’s first (and only) gambling club for ladies. Nothing will stop Della from achieving financial success, especially not a grumpy viscount-turned-writer who thinks he’s too good to include her business in his precious guidebook. But when Della sets out to write her own guidebook to London geared towards the ladies of the ton, she finds herself closer to Viscount Ashton than ever.
A Lady’s Guide to London is Faye Delacour’s second installment in The Lucky Ladies of London series. I enjoyed the push and pull of their relationship throughout the book, drawn apart by their fears and insecurities and forced back together by their shared project (and undeniable chemistry). I love when two characters think they’ve got their feelings under control and don’t realize they’re doomed until it’s already too late.
Some Miscellaneous Positives
♣️ Something I love about reading historical romances is all the tiny details you learn about life at the time that you’d never encounter otherwise. I’d never heard of chocolate houses before this book, and I definitely thought that “gambling hell” was an ironically apt spelling error.
♣️ I related to Della’s struggle with her newfound responsibility at the club, even if I got a lot of secondhand anxiety from her procrastination.
♣️ The spice was well balanced, not so much that it distracted from the plot and not so little that we lost the tension. The dialogue really shines in these scenes as well, especially from our hero.
♣️ There was a very transparent conversation about contraceptives in this book that I appreciated. I think a lot of romances skip these discussions because they don’t want to lose the scene’s momentum, but here it felt organic and realistic.
As for the negatives, I’d say that this book handles the pacing much better than the first, but it still feels like too many subplots for my personal preference. As a standalone, I think Delacour did a great job creating a believable and engaging relationship, but I don’t think I’ll continue on with the series just because I’ve ran into that issue in both her books. I also wish that I connected with the side characters more, but I found a lot of them either unlikeable or unremarkable. Lastly, I really felt like this book needed an epilogue. It’s not that the conclusion is unsatisfying, but I expected one last moment to truly bookend the story and was surprised we didn’t get one.
Overall, this book tackles a lot and succeeds in crafting a compelling connection between the main characters. I said it with the first book too, but I would really recommend this series to readers that are trying to get into historical romance. I think the fast pace and the number of subplots would appeal to readers that normally find historical romance slow or boring. Ultimately, I didn’t fall in love with their love enough to get to 5-stars, but I appreciate the ways it improved on the first book and enjoyed myself a lot.
April 4, 2025
A Lady's Guide to London
by Faye Delacour
This captivating novel is the second installment in the Lucky Ladies of London series, though it is the only book I have read in this collection so far. I found the story to be engaging and richly woven, following our determined heroine as she confidently navigates the vibrant and often treacherous social landscape of Regency London.
Della Danby, is a spirited young woman who becomes a part-owner of Bishops, a unique gambling club exclusively for women. In a bold move to elevate her establishment, she decides to write a guidebook intended for the ladies of London, aiming to enlighten them on their gaming options and empower them in what was often a male-dominated society. Della comes to the decision to write the guide because the illustrious Viscount Ashton has found success with his own guide for gentlemen, and refuses to recognize the existence of Della’s women-only club in the second edition of his publication.
Throughout the book, Delacour explores a range of pressing issues reflective of the era, including the complexities of arranged marriages, the harsh realities of separation and divorce, and the often-overlooked struggle with gambling addiction that some individuals faced. Additionally, the narrative provides a thoughtful commentary on the restrictive roles assigned to women during the Regency period, bringing to light their challenges and the societal expectations placed upon them.
The conclusion of the story takes an unexpected turn, leaving me yearning for a more definitive resolution, as it feels somewhat abrupt and lacks a proper epilogue to grant readers the much-desired happy ever after. Despite this, I am eager to delve into more works by Faye Delacour in the future, as her writing provides an enjoyable and insightful glimpse into this fascinating historical era.
by Faye Delacour
This captivating novel is the second installment in the Lucky Ladies of London series, though it is the only book I have read in this collection so far. I found the story to be engaging and richly woven, following our determined heroine as she confidently navigates the vibrant and often treacherous social landscape of Regency London.
Della Danby, is a spirited young woman who becomes a part-owner of Bishops, a unique gambling club exclusively for women. In a bold move to elevate her establishment, she decides to write a guidebook intended for the ladies of London, aiming to enlighten them on their gaming options and empower them in what was often a male-dominated society. Della comes to the decision to write the guide because the illustrious Viscount Ashton has found success with his own guide for gentlemen, and refuses to recognize the existence of Della’s women-only club in the second edition of his publication.
Throughout the book, Delacour explores a range of pressing issues reflective of the era, including the complexities of arranged marriages, the harsh realities of separation and divorce, and the often-overlooked struggle with gambling addiction that some individuals faced. Additionally, the narrative provides a thoughtful commentary on the restrictive roles assigned to women during the Regency period, bringing to light their challenges and the societal expectations placed upon them.
The conclusion of the story takes an unexpected turn, leaving me yearning for a more definitive resolution, as it feels somewhat abrupt and lacks a proper epilogue to grant readers the much-desired happy ever after. Despite this, I am eager to delve into more works by Faye Delacour in the future, as her writing provides an enjoyable and insightful glimpse into this fascinating historical era.
May 30, 2025
*** I received a free copy of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for an honest review ***
5 Stars - Absolutely loved it! This is exactly the type of historical romance I like. Della, the main character, goes against the constrictive rules of proper society and her love interest, Lyman, is an alluring yet socially unacceptable match. I found Della to be charming and witty. Her banter with her sister, Annabelle, was very entertaining. I loved all the antics Annabelle got up to.
I felt like the development of their relationship was well paced and believable. I think the “love at first sight” type relationships are a little too common in the genre, so I was pleasantly surprised to find their relationship was built over a significant amount of time spent together. Some of the strongest writing was in the early chapters where Della, Lyman, and Annabelle were going on their adventures. The three of them had a fantastic dynamic and it was delight to read. The main conflict felt realistic and substantial.
The ending came a bit abruptly and I would have liked a little more closure. I try to avoid including spoilers in my reviews, so I’ll just say I was hoping for a more concrete ending. Even an epilogue set a while in the future would have worked. Maybe because of that I should rate it 4 stars, but I just loved Della and Lyman so much that I think it made up for it.
This was a book that took me a couple of chapters to really get into, but once I did I could not stop reading. Now it’s a book I’m planning to read again. I did not read the first book before starting this one and I found it was fine as a stand-alone.
Thank you so much for the copy of this book. It was a wonderful read.
5 Stars - Absolutely loved it! This is exactly the type of historical romance I like. Della, the main character, goes against the constrictive rules of proper society and her love interest, Lyman, is an alluring yet socially unacceptable match. I found Della to be charming and witty. Her banter with her sister, Annabelle, was very entertaining. I loved all the antics Annabelle got up to.
I felt like the development of their relationship was well paced and believable. I think the “love at first sight” type relationships are a little too common in the genre, so I was pleasantly surprised to find their relationship was built over a significant amount of time spent together. Some of the strongest writing was in the early chapters where Della, Lyman, and Annabelle were going on their adventures. The three of them had a fantastic dynamic and it was delight to read. The main conflict felt realistic and substantial.
The ending came a bit abruptly and I would have liked a little more closure. I try to avoid including spoilers in my reviews, so I’ll just say I was hoping for a more concrete ending. Even an epilogue set a while in the future would have worked. Maybe because of that I should rate it 4 stars, but I just loved Della and Lyman so much that I think it made up for it.
This was a book that took me a couple of chapters to really get into, but once I did I could not stop reading. Now it’s a book I’m planning to read again. I did not read the first book before starting this one and I found it was fine as a stand-alone.
Thank you so much for the copy of this book. It was a wonderful read.
April 4, 2025
When it comes to Regency Era romance, I am automatically biased to give a good rating. I love reading romances of this era.
Meet Della, a headstrong woman who is quite progressive compared to her society. She runs a gambling house and pays her own bills. She is smart and witty and aims to empower women, as they are considered minor in society.
Then comes Lord Ashton, a grumpy viscount who loathes gambling (since he had a bad experience in the past) and has lost all his wealth in this habit. He is a successful writer who writes guidebooks of London, aiming to help men find the right places to shop and be entertained.
Della proposes that Lord Ashton include her gambling house in his book, but he refuses since the house does not cater to men, and he would not support a gambling house.
Flustered, Della decides to write her own guidebook, which aims to help women find good places to visit, shop (modiste, drapers, tea houses), and even find places where women can be entertained just like men.
When Lord Ashton agrees to help Della in return for good money, sexual tension builds between them as they explore places that were completely unknown to Della.
I loved Della's relationship with her siblings, her bonding with her friends and her feelings for Viscount, despite him having so many flaws and red flags.
When Lord Ashton spends time with Della, he realizes that she is no ordinary woman and is enthralled by her intelligence and her vision to mark her name in the society.
I didn't know it was the second book of the series, but I'd love to read the first one now.
Note: ARC was provided by NetGalley.
Meet Della, a headstrong woman who is quite progressive compared to her society. She runs a gambling house and pays her own bills. She is smart and witty and aims to empower women, as they are considered minor in society.
Then comes Lord Ashton, a grumpy viscount who loathes gambling (since he had a bad experience in the past) and has lost all his wealth in this habit. He is a successful writer who writes guidebooks of London, aiming to help men find the right places to shop and be entertained.
Della proposes that Lord Ashton include her gambling house in his book, but he refuses since the house does not cater to men, and he would not support a gambling house.
Flustered, Della decides to write her own guidebook, which aims to help women find good places to visit, shop (modiste, drapers, tea houses), and even find places where women can be entertained just like men.
When Lord Ashton agrees to help Della in return for good money, sexual tension builds between them as they explore places that were completely unknown to Della.
I loved Della's relationship with her siblings, her bonding with her friends and her feelings for Viscount, despite him having so many flaws and red flags.
When Lord Ashton spends time with Della, he realizes that she is no ordinary woman and is enthralled by her intelligence and her vision to mark her name in the society.
I didn't know it was the second book of the series, but I'd love to read the first one now.
Note: ARC was provided by NetGalley.
April 5, 2025
Let me just say it—I LOVED this book. A Lady’s Guide to London is an absolute breath of fresh air in the world of historical fiction. It ditches the typical prim-and-proper narrative for something far more fun, grounded, and real. If you’ve ever wanted a heroine who’s clever, bold, and just a bit mischievous (in the best way), this book delivers.
This is the second book in the series, but trust me, you don’t need to read the first to jump right in. The story stands confidently on its own while still giving a nod to the world built in book one.
Set against the bustling backdrop of Victorian London, the novel follows a fiercely independent woman navigating high society on her own terms. She’s witty, daring, and refreshingly aware of the constraints placed on her—but she’s not afraid to bend, twist, and occasionally break the rules to carve out a life she actually wants. And honestly? Watching her do it is so satisfying.
There’s romance (of course), but it’s not the delicate, demure kind—it’s passionate, messy, and realistic. The relationships feel grounded in chemistry and choice, not just fate and fan fluttering. Add in a touch of scandal, a dash of clever dialogue, and a heroine who actually feels like someone you’d want to be friends with, and you’ve got a historical novel that doesn’t just entertain—it empowers.
If you’ve grown tired of historical fiction that feels more like a museum exhibit than a living, breathing world, A Lady’s Guide to London is exactly what you need. It’s smart, sexy, and subversive in all the right ways. I already can’t wait to read whatever comes next in this series.
This is the second book in the series, but trust me, you don’t need to read the first to jump right in. The story stands confidently on its own while still giving a nod to the world built in book one.
Set against the bustling backdrop of Victorian London, the novel follows a fiercely independent woman navigating high society on her own terms. She’s witty, daring, and refreshingly aware of the constraints placed on her—but she’s not afraid to bend, twist, and occasionally break the rules to carve out a life she actually wants. And honestly? Watching her do it is so satisfying.
There’s romance (of course), but it’s not the delicate, demure kind—it’s passionate, messy, and realistic. The relationships feel grounded in chemistry and choice, not just fate and fan fluttering. Add in a touch of scandal, a dash of clever dialogue, and a heroine who actually feels like someone you’d want to be friends with, and you’ve got a historical novel that doesn’t just entertain—it empowers.
If you’ve grown tired of historical fiction that feels more like a museum exhibit than a living, breathing world, A Lady’s Guide to London is exactly what you need. It’s smart, sexy, and subversive in all the right ways. I already can’t wait to read whatever comes next in this series.
April 16, 2025
I didn't realize when I received an advanced copy that this was the second in a series, so I have been listening to book one as I read this one.
Della is best friends with Jane as they start a women's gambling club. In this book, Della is pretty much in charge, and she is in way over her head. To attract more members, she sets out to meet a man who has written a successful guide book to ask him to add her club, but he refuses, so she decides to write her own. The publisher says she must work with the other writer. He is Viscount Ashton, and he has a very big secret.
Della her sister, and brother have been raised by very neglectful parents, (hence the very well to do Della has been allowed to run a gambling club).
The attraction between Della and Ashton is very strong, but he is married, though officially separated for 9 years.
I couldn't decide whether I liked Ashton or not. Although he had been atoning for 9 years, he really should have stayed away from Della. However, she certainly did not make it easy. He took a very long time to tell her the truth.
What I did like about the book was that Della was really a very good person, everyone liked her and she brought joy wherever she went. Though disorganized and messy, she did keep the club running, took care of her sister and brother, and did actually write a guidebook.
There is a lot of discussion about arranged marriages, gambling problems, and divorce laws.
The ending is very abrupt and not exactly an HEA, but I hope we hear more in the next book, which I will definitely read.
I will write my review of the first book soon.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the EARC. The opinions are my own honest thoughts.
Della is best friends with Jane as they start a women's gambling club. In this book, Della is pretty much in charge, and she is in way over her head. To attract more members, she sets out to meet a man who has written a successful guide book to ask him to add her club, but he refuses, so she decides to write her own. The publisher says she must work with the other writer. He is Viscount Ashton, and he has a very big secret.
Della her sister, and brother have been raised by very neglectful parents, (hence the very well to do Della has been allowed to run a gambling club).
The attraction between Della and Ashton is very strong, but he is married, though officially separated for 9 years.
I couldn't decide whether I liked Ashton or not. Although he had been atoning for 9 years, he really should have stayed away from Della. However, she certainly did not make it easy. He took a very long time to tell her the truth.
What I did like about the book was that Della was really a very good person, everyone liked her and she brought joy wherever she went. Though disorganized and messy, she did keep the club running, took care of her sister and brother, and did actually write a guidebook.
There is a lot of discussion about arranged marriages, gambling problems, and divorce laws.
The ending is very abrupt and not exactly an HEA, but I hope we hear more in the next book, which I will definitely read.
I will write my review of the first book soon.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the EARC. The opinions are my own honest thoughts.
April 16, 2025
Why do I love historical romance with divorce as a plot point so much? I think it's the high stakes coupled with courtroom drama (bc yes, all divorces went through the courts in historical romance times [tm]!). I will say that this romance in particular may toe the line for some readers, since the MMC is married as the relationship develops.
Della is the co-owner of a ladies' gaming club. When Lord Ashton, the author of A Gentleman's Guide to London, refuses to add her club to his guidebook, she decides to write her own. Ashton is convinced to be her mentor and they're thrown into close proximity thanks to their weekly meetings. Ashton has made some truly awful choices in his past, including an ill-advised marriage followed by social and financial ruination. He's reacted to these choices by becoming an outwardly starchy-as-all-get-out kind of guy.
Reading an MMC living with the consequences of youthful indiscretions was a welcome change for me as a historical romance reader. This gambling rakehell doesn't just decide one day to settle down and immediately find a perfect wife. No, he's basically trapped in an ascetic life without respectable companionship or the hope of ever redeeming himself. Della's role as the pursuer in their romantic relationship, despite knowing most of his circumstances, also made their romance both more complex and (dare I say) more palatable.
This is a great followup to The Lady He Lost. I think it will appeal to experienced historical romance readers looking for something a little different and has good crossover appeal for contemporary readers.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
Della is the co-owner of a ladies' gaming club. When Lord Ashton, the author of A Gentleman's Guide to London, refuses to add her club to his guidebook, she decides to write her own. Ashton is convinced to be her mentor and they're thrown into close proximity thanks to their weekly meetings. Ashton has made some truly awful choices in his past, including an ill-advised marriage followed by social and financial ruination. He's reacted to these choices by becoming an outwardly starchy-as-all-get-out kind of guy.
Reading an MMC living with the consequences of youthful indiscretions was a welcome change for me as a historical romance reader. This gambling rakehell doesn't just decide one day to settle down and immediately find a perfect wife. No, he's basically trapped in an ascetic life without respectable companionship or the hope of ever redeeming himself. Della's role as the pursuer in their romantic relationship, despite knowing most of his circumstances, also made their romance both more complex and (dare I say) more palatable.
This is a great followup to The Lady He Lost. I think it will appeal to experienced historical romance readers looking for something a little different and has good crossover appeal for contemporary readers.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
May 30, 2025
A Lady's Guide to London is the second book in the Lucky Ladies of London series, following two friends as they work to establish and run a gaming hell for women in 1830s London. In this book, Jane is busy as a new mother, leaving Della Danby to keep Bishop's running almost single-handedly, despite its rapid growth from an informal ladies' card game to a full time operation with its own brick-and-mortar establishment. Della wants to prove that she is up to the task, although she finds herself overwhelmed by all of the plates she must keep spinning. She decides that a mention of Bishop's in a popular tourist guidebook would be just the exposure Bishop's needs to sustain its growth, leading her onto a collision course with the guidebook's author, the delightfully starchy and handsome Viscount Ashton.
I enjoyed the romance in this book! I love a heroine who knows what she wants, both out of life and from her lovers, and is unabashed in her pursuit of both. Viscount Ashton is a recovering gambling addict who writes guidebooks to support his estranged wife after losing his entire inheritance in a gambling debt. I really believed the stakes working against their budding romance, and I appreciated the tension. I found the final act to have a few too many obstacles—so many scandals swirling around them, in addition to their initial task of co-authoring a companion ladies' guidebook—leaving the resolution to be a bit rushed. Even so, the tropes and setup worked better for me than the first in this series. It's cute enough that I'll probably keep reading the series.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed the romance in this book! I love a heroine who knows what she wants, both out of life and from her lovers, and is unabashed in her pursuit of both. Viscount Ashton is a recovering gambling addict who writes guidebooks to support his estranged wife after losing his entire inheritance in a gambling debt. I really believed the stakes working against their budding romance, and I appreciated the tension. I found the final act to have a few too many obstacles—so many scandals swirling around them, in addition to their initial task of co-authoring a companion ladies' guidebook—leaving the resolution to be a bit rushed. Even so, the tropes and setup worked better for me than the first in this series. It's cute enough that I'll probably keep reading the series.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 27, 2025
This book is messy, like drama messy. Or maybe Della, our heroine, is messy.
Set in London 1842, Della is a 26 year old, unmarried, co-owner of a ladies gambling club. She’s independent, doesn’t care about society rules, and seems to get away with it. There’s some hints about being scatter brained, maybe ADHD coded. She wants to get her club listed in a London travel guide, but the author Viscount Lyman Ashton, grumpy, strait laced, isn’t interested. Ashton is married, broke, separated from his wife, and clearly is going through something.
Ashton does get roped into mentoring Della on her own book, A Ladies Guide to London. So a begrudging working relationship begins. Slowly Della chips away at Ashton’s rule following, broken heart.
What follows is Della basically not caring about any consequences, taking on way too much between the club and her book, getting into hi-jinx, being late for everything, kissing a man that begs her to stay away from him for her own good, and general shenanigans.
I really struggled through the middle of this book. Just tell us what Ashton did! And Della is so messy, which is a personal thing for me, but if you like a messy character that can’t help herself, this is for you!
I felt left a little hanging at the end. What happens with the sister, and brother, and Jane’s SIL? And Ashton’s ex wife? I believe the two main characters can have an HEA, but what about all these other characters are left hanging.
4 stars for me. I was won over by the heroine in the end.
Arc provided by the publisher
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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