Witty in Pink

by Erica George

The Hating Game meets Bridgerton in this snarky, sexy historical rom-com with a modern voice from the author of The Edge of Summer .

Genres: Romance, Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Historical, Audiobook, Regency

368 pages, Paperback

First published August 6, 2024

Reviews

[Hannah B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨My honeybee come and get this YA histrom 🍯🐝✨

I gain another infinity stone each time I read a new YA historical romance!!! And this one was a lot of fun and reminded me a smidge of Hathor and the Prince (an all time favorite of mine—it’s adult but almost felt like a new adult historical!). Be sure to give this a read if you love YA and want to get into historical romance:

✨YA regency romcom
✨Childhood pining to enemies to friends to lovers
✨Secondary romance
✨Dramatic third act
✨Beekeeping
✨He kept a Matthew Swift-esque token of her in his pocket for years
✨Matchmaking
✨Pride and Prejudice type relationship

I will say I was a bit thrown by some things that happened in the second half of the book…there were just some character developments that were a bit out of the blue and confusing. Then, the third act was pretty dramatic and a combination of several things that just get under my skin: familial duty, choosing the wrong person out of duty, saving the family from debts that they didn’t cause, confusingly spiteful villain. I ended the book having a good time, but I was a bit exasperated.

I’m hoping there will be a second book as I enjoyed the characters and the world. This would be a great intro to historical romance for any age group, but especially teens looking for something a little different. I enjoyed it now, but I know I would’ve LOVED this book back when I was a YA myself.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5


I received an eARC from the publisher. All opinions are honest and my own.

[Muffinsandbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️ COUP DE COEUR ❤️
C’était juste incroyable, drôle, plein d’esprit et d’émotions, de TENSIOOOOON que seule l’ambiance historique comme ça peut apporter… et c’était surtout addictif au possible et très bien écrit. Vraiment j’ai adoré du début à la fin : c’est ce genre de roman que tu aimerai savourer mais tu ne peux pas t’empêcher de le dévorer. Le genre où tu aimeras qu’il ne s’arrête jamais, mais en même temps, tu brûle de savoir ce qui se passe ensuite. Bref une pépite.
Si vous êtes à la recherche d’un roman qui mêle les vibes de Jane Austen et des Bridgerton, vous êtes au bon endroit !

[maya venice · Rating 2 out of 5]

*2.5, maybe 2.75*

I'll write a review later after I talk about it in a video

[ੈ✩‧₊˚ faithreads *ೃ༄ (inactive) · Rating 5 out of 5]

YALL THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD!!!!!!! ok not only is it so dang sweet, but the whole vibe is the book is just so good!!! first let's talk about the cover! like hello! 😍 ngl i mostly bought it for the cover but the inside is even better!! even from the first page i was hooked! the writing is definitely a more modern historical fiction, which is the perfect mix imo! all the characters are awesome! Blythe and Briggs meet cute is literally the cutest!!! she literally watches him fall off the horse and then goes to check on him! and i lowkey loved that they were kinda childhood rivals to lovers 😆 their chemistry and banter is off the chartssss😛 like i said, the aesthetic is awesome!! i always love the old fashioned extravagant dresses, they're just so gorgeous!! i really loved the fact that Blythe is an entrepreneur and literally raises bees! that was such a cool aspect, especially since it was very uncommon and almost taboo for women to own their own business in this time, but Blythe had so much passion and love for her bees that she didn't care! 🤩 and their first kiss man😍 i really loved that Blythe was still her same sweet and kind self to Sabrina, even when she literally sabatoged her TWICE!! i honestly would not have done that lol so that was cool!! and their marriage proposal was GOALS!!!!!! ugh! you could genuinely tell how much Briggs loved her that I was about to cryyyy! 🥺 so yeah! pretty much everything about this book is amazing and i will NEVER stop recommending! the only thing I didn't love was at the beginning with one of the men that seemed to be interested in Blythe was also very into the bible/quoting scripture and stuff. i felt like the author and book was kind of making fun of him because of that, so that was a little icky for me. luckily it was only like 3-4 chapters of light comments max. but anyway: GET THIS BOOK!!!! oh and here's some of my fav quotes:

🐝 God, she's magnificent. In the four years that have passed since I last saw her, Blythe Rowley has become the most beautiful lady of my acquaintance, with her long, wild brown hair and deep chocolate eyes. She's taller than most girls and moves with a confidence I've rarely encountered- a confidence that makes me weak.
🐝 I must admit to myself in this moment that I've always wanted Blythe Rowley's attention, ever since I was a little boy and have twisted and bent over backward to obtain it in a variety of ways, none of which have been particularly successful. But I have never wanted it as much as I do in this moment.
🐝 "Blythe, do you feel the beat of my heart? Do you feel it's rhythm?" I nod slowly. "This is your heart," he tells me, his voice low and raw as he holds my hand their by my wrist, "this has only ever been your heart."
🐝 It's always been Blythe when I think of home.
🐝 "I love you, Briggs Goswick," she says, her forehead pressed to mine as she bites her lower lip."That's good," I say with a rediculous smile, "that's very good, because there is no one in this world I've ever loved more than you."


《 tw's; lgbtq+ characters, gossip, drinking, gambling, premarital relations (according to book). 》

[Inna]

DNF@ 40% If this is considered witty, I guess I don’t know what witty is. Maybe I’m just too old for the same old trite story? The hero asks the heroine to set him up with a rich lady because he needs money for his family’s estate. He treats the heroine like 💩 pretty consistently for the entire story thus far.

[amarachireads · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a while since I read a YA historical romance and this was well-written and very enjoyable. The banter, and frenemies vibes even though this was YA the main characters had lots of tension, chemistry, and angst. I liked the rom-com vibes along with the fmc being driven and not wanting to be subjected to her parents wanting her to be married. I enjoyed the character growth and the mmc learning about what love looks like despite the relationship his parents had. If you like regency romance, with chemistry, fun, enemies, and hijinks you should check this out. Thank you to Entangled Teen for this arc and for an honest review.

[Nainika Gupta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots and lots of fun!

[mcdbookz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read! I have never really read a historical romance but after this it will definitely be a genre I look out for. I loved our main characters and the plot was fantastic the enemies to lovers trope was also very well written! This book was funny and entertaining maybe a bit long but overall a 4⭐️I have never read anything by this author but I will develop in future.
Thank you NetGalley and Erica George for sending me an arc to review. All opinions are my own

[Ashlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun read! I do feel like this was more of a mature, closed-door historical romance rather than a YA historical romance. I liked the characters and the plot. I thought the book was well written. I did find the book to be unnecessarily long at times, but I really do enjoy it overall. This is one of those books that just put a smile on my face while reading it. The characters were well developed, and I enjoyed how this was an enemies-to-lovers, childhood crush romance. I've never read anything by this author before, but I'm definitely going to check out some of their other books.

Thank you Entangled for the gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful Regency romance from a new to me author, Erica George. Her heroine was all spunk and as spirited as Austen's Lizzy Bennet! Her hero a chip off Mr. Darcy's shoulder. If you are in the mood for an upbeat, witty banter ridden, summer story, this is it. I highly recommend it to young adult readers, and to those us young at heart, who enjoy a well-written comedy of manners that will make you laugh out loud and sigh over the romance.

[Anne-Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming love story that sparkles with wit and warmth on every page. The banter was a delight, the characters so endearing, and the prose perfect. WITTY IN PINK is funny and entertaining--the buzzing romance we all need this summer!

[Bella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very cute read, I really enjoyed it. The banter was very entertaining. It’s perfect for those Bridgerton vibes but if you want a closed-door romance instead. 🩷

[Lesaffairesdelouise · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

Ce roman il s’est construit comme une merveilleuse lecture dans mon cœur au fur et à mesure des chapitres.

Pour l’ambiance, on est rapidement plongé dans un style proche d’Orgueil et Préjugés ou des Bridgerton : bref, les jolies robes, les bals et les mariages.
Ce n’est pas forcément ce qui me happe le plus dans mes lectures, mais je me suis laissée prendre au jeu.

C’est surtout la passion de Blythe pour les abeilles qui m’a tout de suite plu et convaincue dans le roman: elle n’était pas là pour faire un mariage d’amour mais pour construire son projet de ruche.

Et de l’autre côté, on découvre le PoV de Briggs (vraiment le double PoV, ma PASSION), on le découvre maladroit dans ses propos étant rapidement blessant alors qu’il ne sait juste pas s’y prendre.

Et puis l’amitié entre les deux se construit et bien avant quelconques sentiments amoureux. Et je pense que c’est ça que j’ai aimé. On a pris le temps de les connaître, de les apprivoiser et de les voir succomber l’un à l’autre.

Le roman avance et les papillons dans le ventre débarque alors que les deux commencent à réaliser leurs sentiments. Le cœur se brise comme je l’aime à certains instants et je réalise tout simplement que je suis tombée amoureuse de l’histoire et de ses personnages.

Une lecture comme je l’espérai en somme !

[Grumpy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

Est-ce que ce livre est bon ? Non
Est-ce que je l'ai aimé ? Carrément ❤️ À quand une adaptation sur Netflix please ?????


Lisez si vous aimez :
✔️Romance historique
✔️Un style d'écriture simple et accrocheur
✔️Les ennemies to lovers
✔️Les livres pas prise de tête et addictif qui vous plongent dans une romance historique pas prise de tête et addictive
✔️ Les récits écrits à la 1ère personne

Attention si vous n'aimez pas :
❌ Un style d'écriture trop simple voire contemporain
❌Les romances YA et sans smut
❌Les abeilles 🐝
❌Les romances qui manquent de tension
❌Les livres qui restent globalement en surface et qui manquent légèrement de profondeur (dans tous les points ci-dessous)
❌ Les chapitres avec double point de vue
❌ Les récits écrits au présent



Voici mon avis plus détaillé sur :

❌ ❤️ La romance : Elle était mignonne, et j'ai beaucoup apprécié les premiers chapitres. Mais je trouve que les personnages tombent très rapidement amoureux. Les chapitres sont alternés donc on sait, arrivé avant la moitié du livre que les personnages sont très attires l'un par l'autre. Et pour quelle raison ? Vous l'avez deviné : LEUR PHYSIQUE (help me....). Le genre  « oh, je ne l'avais pas vu depuis longtemps, elle est devenue une femme, elle a des courbes, elle est trop belle »,  « Oh, c'est homme beau, grand et brun, regard de braise et cheveux incroyables, je vais défaillir ». Bon.... Oui le physique c'est important mais à part ça ? Le charisme ? L'intelligence ? Les points communs ? On nous le dit mais on ne le montre pas suffisamment à mes yeux. Le ennemies to lovers est de loin mon trope préféré (depuis que je suis enfant très clairement), mais je le trouve rarement bien exécuté (selon moi, hein, ne me jetez pas la pierre 🙈). Je trouve cela exagéré de comparer ce livre à Orgeuil et Préjugés, on en est loin (mais je sais qu'il s'agit d'un argument marketing, mais bon...),ou alors il faudrait considéré qu'il s'agit d'une version junior ? Je ne sais pas. Mais pour moi, il n'y a pas

❌ ✒️ L'écriture : elle est très simple, peut-être un peu trop ? C'est ce qui fait à la fois le charme du livre et sa faiblesse. Son charme car le livre est fluide, addictif, et on a tout le temps envie de tourner les pages. C'est le genre de livre qui se lit très rapidement et cela fait un bien fou. Mais pour autant c'est trop simple, cela manque de description, de métaphore et de poésie dans la narration. Pour résumé mon avis sur l'écriture, j'ai eu l'impression de lire une romance contemporaine mais qui se passait à une autre époque. Tout était contemporain en fait : les descriptions, la narration, voire même parfois les dialogues. Tout était très moderne dans l'ensemble. Ce n'est pas une mauvaise chose, mais je pense qu'il ne faut pas le lire pour le côté historique. A plusieurs moments, je suis sortie de ma lecture car j'ai trouvé que ce côté contemporain cassait trop avec le côté ambiance historique que le livre cherchait à apporter.
Autre chose concernant l'écriture , c'est le choix de raconter cette histoire au présent. J'ai trouvé que cela ne collait pas vraiment avec l'histoire et accentuait le côté « trop simple » de l'écriture

✔️ 💐 L'ambiance et l'univers : on a clairement un côté bridgerton, c'est vrai. Mais globalement, cela manque de profondeur et de description pour être totalement immergé. Pour autant, j'ai apprécié être dans l'univers du livre, je m'y sentais bien. Je pense qu'il ne faut pas être trop difficile avec le genre pour apprécié l'ambiance. Je me suis prise au jeu car je n'en attendais pas trop.

✔️✨ Les personnages : Ils sont attachants dans l'ensemble, surtout les deux protagonistes. Quant aux personnages secondaires, ils manquent cruellement de profondeur. Mais pour un livre pas prise de tête, cela fait le taff, et cela ne m'a pas dérangé pour autant.

Avis global : j'ai passé un très bon moment avec ce livre, c'était pile ce dont j'avais besoin. Mais ce n'est pas la romance historique coup de cœur tant espérée. Je recommande ce livre malgré tout si vous voulez une romance historique addictive avec une écriture simple et fluide, et qui dans l'ensemble ne prend pasb trop la tête. C'est la lecture parfaite pour un week-end de printemps 💐

[Sarah | The Marsies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rafraîchissant comme lecture même si ça ne révolutionne pas le genre. J’ai trouvé ça addictif avec le double pdv et les chapitres courts. On se trimballe de bals en pique-nique, en garden party et en fête du village. Que de mondanités qui donnent envie de mettre une robe à fleurs et organiser une tea party. Le banter entre Blythe et Briggs était aussi drôle qu’électrique, ils ne peuvent pas se blairer et l’évolution de leur relation se fait subtilement. J’ai pas très bien compris le personnage de Sophie que j’ai trouvé inconstante dans son écriture comme si elle avait plusieurs personnalités et les événements de fin m’ont paru traîner un peu en longueur avec quelques manques de communication qu’on aurait pu éviter. Mais dans l’ensemble j’ai pris énormément de plaisir à ma lecture

[Taleah Ushendibaba · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5/5 This book is absolutely so boring. I kept getting the characters confused because there weren't any distinguishing characteristics. They all seem the same. And the poshness was super annoying. I did finish the book though. Even though it was super slow and the burn was burning hard.

[Momo-Lune Momo-Lune · Rating 5 out of 5]

« La seule personne que je serais vraiment capable de blesser si je devais m’accrocher à ma rancune, c’est moi-même, et je m’aime beaucoup trop pour cela. » 💅

Aaaaah quel plaisir ce roman 🦋
J’ai adoré l’assurance de Blythe, ses répliques aiguisées, son humour rafraîchissant, sa détermination à toute épreuve et son mindset de femme d’affaires. Je me suis également prise d’affection pour Briggs, qui tout au long du roman faisait de son mieux pour affronter ses responsabilités alors que tout s’écroulait autour de lui. Ensemble, ils font des étincelles ✨

Mention honorable pour le petit plot-twist de fin, que je n’avais pas anticipé mais qui m’a fait changer d’avis sur un certain personnage (même si ça n’excuse pas tout).

Les personnages m’ont parfois frustrée, contrariée, mais au bout du compte, je les aime tous. Pour leurs défauts et leurs qualités. Pour leurs failles et leurs secrets. Je me souviendrai de cet été à Wrexford Park & Mistlerush Hall ☀️🫶

[Gaïa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,25⭐️ - Bonne lecture
Romance à l'Anglaise est une romance historique qui est comparée aux Bridgertons, et comme c'est clairement mon plaisir coupable de lectrice, je me devais de vérifier qu'il tenait la comparaison !

Au final, j'ai complètement retrouvé cet aspect regency romance, avec ses conventions et des tournures de phrases si spécifiques et j'ai bien aimé ma lecture. L'intrigue se lit plutôt bien et j'ai aussi beaucoup apprécié l'humour qui est parsemé tout au long du récit.
J'ai quand même eu quelques petites réserves au cours de ma lecture : il y a un ventre mou au milieu où le récit s'allonge un peu trop à mon goût et j'ai trouvé, contrairement aux Bridgertons, que le récit était un peu anachronique par moments, même si cela reste léger.

Les personnages sont très attachants, ils m'ont pas mal rappelé la première histoire des Rokesby, avec une héroïne forte et indépendante qui a une belle évolution. J'ai trouvé que la romance était plutôt crédible et ils étaient mignons comme tout !

[starryeyedjen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this, despite it not really being anything new in the historical romance category, but it did it well, nonetheless. I do take umbrage that it’s apparently marketed as YA because nothing about these characters felt young or immature to me. I mean, yes, when we see where their animosity began FIVE years ago, sure. But they are both busy trying to save their respective families from would-be ruin. And it shows. I’d definitely read more from this author but I’d like to see it marketed better.

Oh, and the narrators were delightful! :)

[Renaissance Kate]

dnf @ 45%

not a bad read—includes a fun cast of characters and some great banter between our leads—but sadly the overall pacing is a bit slow and the story simply didn't click with me.

thank you to entangled via netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. all opinions expressed are my own.

[Christy Bath · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨”I will myself not to admire her. I clamp my mouth shut, trying to hold my breath, but it's soon too overwhelming a task to maintain. I tilt my head to the side, allowing myself a deep breath of her scent, and I'm dizzy with her sweetness. I should have walked away when I had the chance— I shouldn't have allowed myself this intimacy with Blythe Rowley, because I know she will be the only thing on my mind tonight as I pray for sleep.”✨💖

4.5 ⭐️ rounded up

“Witty in Pink” is so cute! This is an 1800s setting, enemies to lovers tale focusing on families that have known each other for generations. A guy (Briggs) and girl (Blythe) have grown up always teasing each other but it grew sour as they got older. Despite their long standing feud as children, they eventually need each other’s help, but along the way realize what they REALLY want is each other. However, there are many social and economic hurdles keeping them apart.

So many great quotes and beautiful storytelling/verbiage. I loved the way the main characters’ emotions and attraction for each other were expressed!
Highly recommend for those who enjoy:
💖rivals/enemies-to-lovers banter
💖dual pov with mutual pining
💖forbidden love due to societal difference
💖family driven drama
💖coming of age hurdles & self-recognition
💖modern YA romance (with a time period twist) that feels very classic and mature
💖Jane Austen inspiration/vibes

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Entangled Publishing, and author, Erica George, for the opportunity to read an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher; the review is my own.*

I would love to give this book 5 stars, but I think it's more like 4.5. So close, though. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will quite likely borrow the audiobook from my library at some point so I can enjoy it again. It's definitely taken some inspiration from Jane Austen, though it's less polite and proper. (I saw a nod to Mr. Knightley in a dancing scene, and he is my absolute favorite Austen hero.)

Blythe (18) and Briggs (20) couldn't have been more perfect for each other. Yes, they spent much of their adolescence pranking each other, and one went too far (wait for the explanation). But their relationship with each other (regardless of the phase--friends, frenemies, nemeses, partners, lovers) was genuine, and each was able to truly see the other in a way that the rest of society couldn't. They could be raw with one another, even when they weren't being entirely forthcoming. Blythe and Briggs challenged each other in a way that made them better. I adored them individually, too. Were they perfect? Absolutely not. But their strength and vulnerability made them very easy to like even when I was irritated with them.

I think all of the characters were written well. Nobody struck me as flat, even those I assumed were (not saying I liked a certain character any more by the end of the book--that would be a lie). Even though I didn't want him for Blythe, Lord Colchester stole my heart a little bit.

And of course I cannot omit Blythe's bees. I absolutely love that she was so focused on apiaries and establishing them throughout the county.

This is my first Erica George book, but I'm interested in looking into her other books now.

How it ends: Four years ago, Briggs lured Blythe into the hayloft with the promise of showing her some puppies. She believed he was going to kiss her, which he knew, and so he was going to have her close her eyes and kiss the puppy. Instead, she fell through the hayloft and landed in the pigsty, then returned to the party thinking that's what the intended, refusing to listen to him when he came after her. He was severely reprimanded by his father, and Blythe never forgave him after that.

Now, Briggs's father has died, leaving his family with almost nothing because he gambled it away. Briggs also discovers that his father had a mistress in London, though she had nothing to do with the loss of his money (she actually is the one who brought to his aunt & uncle's attention because she was concerned). He refuses her request to meet with him and instead chooses to allow everyone who knows even a small part of their financial troubles to think that he is the cause of it.

Briggs's younger brother, August, has enlisted Blythe to build an apiary on their property; however, Briggs shuts it down (he doesn't have the money for it, but he doesn't explain that). Eventually, he suggests to Blythe that she can build an apiary on his property (for free) so that she has somewhere to show potential investors, and she will help him secure Sabrina Dixon (and her 50,000 pounds). She agrees.

It will come as no surprise that, although Blythe and Briggs poke at each other the whole time, they start to change their feelings for each other. In some ways, it's like uncovering feelings that were already there.

One investor Briggs introduces her to is Lord Colchester, who is only a few years older than they are. Except he is interested in Blythe herself, right from the beginning, and does what he can to be interested in her apiaries and to court her. He's really such a good man, and I genuinely like him a lot. Blythe tries to like him, but she ultimately isn't able to because of her feelings for Briggs.

Sabrina, who wasn't even remotely interested in Briggs (and knows about his finances--she says it's basically known by everyone), changes her mind when she realizes that marrying Briggs will help her escape the ridicule she's experienced since her failed elopement with a solicitor she was in love with. (We find that part out later.) When Briggs's and Blythe's feelings start becoming obvious to everyone around them, Sabrina puts forth a lot of effort to establish herself as the one Briggs will marry.

While in London at a party, Lord Colchester introduces Blythe to several people who would be influential investors for her. However, Sabrina then undermines that and tells them all that Blythe isn't being honest with them. Despite Blythe's insistence that she hasn't been dishonest, most of them abandon her and think poorly of her.

On their last night in London, everyone is gathered together around a fire. Gradually, people leave until it's just Blythe and Briggs. The two of them talk and then end up kissing . . . a lot. And are interrupted by Sabrina, who tells Briggs that Westley needs him urgently. Briggs promises Blythe that he'll return, except Sabrina then tells Blythe that there's no reason to wait because Briggs won't be coming back--he left with Westley for a boxing match. Blythe ends up following after him to see for herself and finds Briggs in the ring.

Here's what happened: Westley told Briggs that August had convinced Blythe's father to bet on one of the boxers (btw, by this point, Briggs had told August about their family's finances and what actually happened). Briggs knows that Sir Anthony (Blythe's father) cannot afford to lose any more money, and so he went to try to talk them out of it, knowing that the boxer they were betting on would lose. They'd already made their bet, so Briggs knocked the boxer out himself and took his place, hoping that he'd at least have a chance. But Blythe calls out to him, and he's knocked out. She leaves and returns to Awendown without speaking to him.

Lord Colchester visits and proposes to Blythe; she asks for some time to think about it. Ultimately, she turns him down, and he's very gracious about it, wishing her happiness.

Briggs visits Blythe, and she believes that they can find a way to make a marriage between them work even though both of their families are broke. However, Briggs cannot see a way and doesn't want her to be miserable when he can't provide her with everything that Colchester could. He will lose Mistlethorn and fail his family unless he marries Sabrina, which he believes is the brave thing to do. Blythe walks away from him because she cannot bear it.

Back in London, Briggs talks himself into proposing to Sabrina. Lady Tinsdale (the potential investor who did not turn her back on Blythe, and who may or may not be his late father's mistress) approaches Briggs about Blythe, talking about how much she enjoyed her company and how highly she thought of her--and she hopes he remembers that. When he takes Sabrina into another room to propose, he can't bring himself to do it. She is distraught and desperate, finally explaining why she decided she needed to marry him. And it turns out that the solicitor she had tried eloping with is Sebastian, Briggs's boxing instructor. Briggs takes Sabrina to see him, and the two of them elope.

Lady Tisdale visits Blythe and apologizes for not standing up to her against the things Sabrina said. She also says she still wants Blythe to build her apiaries; even more, she would like to be involved in the business herself, like a partner. She tells Blythe to close her eyes and imagine where she would like to be and what she pictures for herself (Blythe pictures Mistlethorn). Then she asks Blythe how much it would take to make that happen. Lady Tisdale's late husband left her a lot of money, and they had no children, so she wants to use her money to help Blythe.

Briggs and his family have two weeks before they have to leave. The estate has been purchased, and the new owner arrives to inspect it. It's Blythe. She explains what happened with Lady Tisdale and that she doesn't want Briggs's family to move. However, she will not move in--at least not yet. She wants to get her apiary business up and going before they marry and will let him know when she's ready. He says he will wait for her.

In the spring, the apiaries at Mistlethorn are set up, and everyone is present except Briggs, who is helping the tenants build a wall. Blythe walks to where he is to deliver drinks and to give some of her honey to the tenants. She answers every question he asks her with "yes," and he comments on it. She replies that she believes she'll respond that way to anything he asks her that day. It takes him a moment, but then he catches on. He takes her to the hayloft and proposes; she accepts.

Side note: Westley and Julian (Blythe's cousin) have a secret relationship. Briggs's discovery of it causes a lot of drama between him and Westley, but not because Briggs thought poorly of him. Although I didn't particularly like that aspect of the book, I did like Westley and Julian as characters.

Note: Some swearing. Some sensuality. Two LGB side characters.

[Shani’s Shelves · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so fun, so cute, and just a joy to read! It’s got excellent banter, a sharp tongued heroine, mutual pining, and lovely chemistry. It was a refreshing take on a regency romance with a heroine who is ahead of her time and wants to start her own business. The cast of characters were lively, interesting, and charming. It’s a quick read, and if you want a light hearted historical romance that feels like Jane Austen but with modern sensibilities, this is the one for you.
🐝
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️
🐝
Read if you like:
▫️historical romance
▫️sassy heroine
▫️enemies to lovers
▫️I hate you
▫️reluctant allies
▫️great banter
▫️dual POV
🐝
Thank you to Entangled Publishing, Turn the Page Tours, NetGalley, and Erica George for the ARC. I received an advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
🐝
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[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Confidence, wit, and unparalleled beauty? I didn’t prepare for that kind of amalgamation, so I did what any self-respecting person would. I teased her. Better that she hates me than ignores me, I suppose.”

If you’re a fan of Bridgerton and verbal sparring, then you need to read this YA historical romance!

Blythe and Briggs are childhood nemeses who are surprised to discover how well the other grew up when they meet again for the first time in 4 years. But of course they still hate each other…right? Their clever arguments and insults were so funny, they constantly had me laughing.

They fall into an uneasy alliance, with Briggs agreeing to help introduce Blythe to investors for her beekeeping business if she helps him secure a wealthy wife to save his ancestral house. As they continue to work together, they’re surprised by each other’s thoughtfulness and care. Watching them go from assuming the worst of each other to realizing who they actually were was so lovely!

The setting was wonderfully described, with just the right amount of beautiful dresses, manors, and balls that you’d expect from a regency story. The romance was swoonworthy and at times heartbreaking as obstacles stood in their way. And both main characters were so detailed, I really enjoyed both of their POVs.

Overall, this was such a fun romantic read, and any fan of Bridgerton is sure to love it!

Thanks to the author for the copy of the book. This review was left voluntarily and all opinions are my own.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witty in Pink by Erica George surprised me in so many ways, all of them positive!

I am usually hesitant to read YA/New Adult romances, because at 43, I don't feel like the stories will resonate with me as much. However, this book was so smart and sweet that I was hooked from the first page!

I loved the rivalry between Blythe and Briggs, and the ever-present tension between them. The incident that occurred between them years ago is a wedge between them and the tension between them builds as their growing affection blossoms. Blythe's reticence to accept that Briggs is now a man who doesn't resemble the boy who once hurt her is believable. There's no point in which I thought Blythe was being overly stubborn or precious about her memories of the event.

Brigg's journey from a boy to a man is depicted so well His eventual determination to become involved in his estate and tenants is borne from a desire to be a better man overall, and is inspired by Blythe.

I was truly rooting for the two of them, both individually and as a duo. The author writes the characters so authentically, and I was absolutely swooning by the end. While this is definitely not an adult romance, there was just enough warmth to satisfy my spice-loving heart.

A really excellent read by a new-to-me author that I will definitely read again!

Thanks NetGalley and Entangled for the ARC!

[mikaela (spinebreaker)]

I give up embarrassingly fast these days. She keeps calling him a man-child and by his full name whenever she refers to him ("Not altogether the worst meeting with Briggs Goswick, actually."). Maybe it would be different if his name wasn't so jarringly terrible.

Anyway, I should know better than to read YA. Teens will find it a relatable and accessible intro to historical romance.

[Chloé · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 4,5

C’était vraiment sympa, j’ai adoré ! Un petit roman à la Jane Austen avec des femmes fortes, des dialogues drôles et la campagne anglaise, je ne vois pas ce qu’on pouvait faire de mieux ! Parfait comme lecture printanière 🤩

[lilly :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 this book had me straight up giggling and kicking my feet

[Bérénice · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dnf
C'est pas si pire mais c'est un peu plat. Ça reste sympa à lire mais pas mon truc

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Livre historique et tres amusant ...
J'ai beaucoup apprécié cette lecture