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A Lady for All Seasons

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From the acclaimed author of Chef's Kiss and A Gentleman's Gentleman comes a riotous Regency romp, featuring a charming and unforgettable bigender lead.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single noblewoman who has lost her fortune (no thanks to her father’s terrible business dealings) must be in need (not want) of a husband.

It’s the end of the 1820 London season, King George III is dead, and there are no suitable suitors in sight. Beautiful, cunning, formerly wealthy Verbena Montrose must devise a new plan to secure a position for herself and save her odious family from abject poverty. Fortunately, what she lacks in a dowry, she makes up for in the currency of gossip. 

When she hears an alarming rumor about her very dear, very queer friend Etienne that could put him at risk of ruin (or worse), she comes to his aid with a proposal—for a marriage of convenience, that is. But when Verbena discovers that a mysterious poet by the name of Flora Witcombe has been gaining popularity and publishing poems that hint she is onto their scheme, Verbena has no choice but to pretend to be a poet herself to confront her in a local salon. And—unexpectedly—be charmed by her.

Flora agrees to rectify the issue she’s caused, not least of all because she’s terrified by and smitten with Verbena in equal measure. After all, she holds a secret of her she is also William Forsyth, a struggling fiction writer and fifth son of a minor noble family. And if circumstances don’t allow Flora to woo Verbena, perhaps William will. Faced with two suitors and a fiancé, Verbena, who has always had to know everything about everyone to survive in society, may need to learn more about herself to discover whether true happiness actually lies outside of society’s constraints.

304 pages, Paperback

First published March 10, 2026

66 people are currently reading
16341 people want to read

About the author

T.J. Alexander

6 books970 followers
TJ Alexander is an amateur baker and author who writes about queer love. Originally from Florida, they received their MA in writing and publishing from Emerson College in Boston. They live in New York City with their wife and various houseplants.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 244 reviews
Profile Image for Robin.
649 reviews4,824 followers
October 16, 2025
Trying to dual lavender marriage your (unbeknownst to you) genderfluid friend with no such luck because they are in love with you.

Or alternatively: fall in love with someone who has a propensity to hoard gossip and live for the macabre while on an artist retreat in Wales with a bunch of queer people (including Lord Byron who’s just here for the drama).

As your resident historical romance reader I am always on the hunt for new authors or ones pushing the mold in what this genre has to offer. TJ Alexander is here to answer my prayers with their upcoming historical romance, A Lady for All Seasons--featuring an unabashedly queer regency romance between a heroine with a penchant for collecting gossip, and a genderfluid lead trying to make their name as a poet and novelist.

It goes a little like this: Verbena needs a husband. Verbena convinces her queer friend Étienne to engage in a marriage of convenience. A local poet publishes a verse that hints she knows of their plan. Verbena confronts said poet, Flora Witcombe, only to develop feelings for her. But Flora is also William Forsyth, a gothic novelist struggling to make his name. Utterly in love with Verbena, they attempt to win her affections as both William and Flora before time runs out and she chooses the convenience of marriage to Étienne. Also Lord Byron is there (can’t state this enough).

A Lady for All Seasons is an astonishing historical romance juxtaposing the societal expectations of 19th century England with endless possibility and startling moments of queer joy. Encapsulated in winsome promenades, picnics, confessions by candlelight, Lord Byron’s constant presence, and a queer retreat in Wales, A Lady for All Seasons is delightful queer chaos wrapped up in a regency era bow. In their latest historical, TJ Alexander examines the queer lives and loves of this time, with an insightful look into the genderfluid identity. Part of what makes genderfluidity in this time period so interesting—and a driving force of tension in this romance, is the stark gender roles forcing Flora/William into two distinct sides. It makes for an anxious ridden journey where Flora and William are both trying to win Verbena’s affections and they are unable to unite for fear of exposure. Alexander does a fabulous job balancing this reality with moments of community, clarity, and heart. An unforgettable journey and a romance for always!

thank you to emily at penguin random house for sending me an advance review copy.

Bookstagram | Blog
Profile Image for T.J. Alexander.
Author 6 books970 followers
September 9, 2025
This one's for the she/hers, the he/shes, and anyone who has ever been annoyed by Lord Byron. So, you know. Pretty much everyone.
Profile Image for Nenia Campbell.
Author 60 books20.8k followers
March 31, 2026
A LADY FOR ALL SEASONS is for anyone who read Jane Austen's Emma and thought, "Give me that, but make it GAY." Verbena is a force to be reckoned with in English society, but beneath all her fire and bluster, she knows she needs to make a match. She also knows that she's not particularly attracted to men (just women, actually, although she's in denial about this). When she finds out one of her new friends, a French tailor named Etienne, is gay, it appears as if the perfect solution has fallen into her lap: she can have a lavender marriage, get her parents off her back, and NOT sleep with her husband!

Then she finds a Lady Whistledown-esque poem that appears to be mocking her and Etienne. She marches right down to the little artsy-fartsy club where said poet is known to hang out, and comes face to face with Flora, who she is-- oh no-- attracted to. But she has no idea that Flora is hiding something too. Sometimes Flora, when she's in a certain mood, is also William Forsyth, male gothic novelist.

When I first picked up this book, I mistakenly assumed it was sapphic. It is not. It is a pansexual awakening x gender fluid romance, and it's quite wonderfully done. I also liked T.J. Alexander's choice to be vague about Flora/William's gender, as the vocabulary to describe one's gender was much more limited in Regency times. While LADY FOR ALL SEASONS lacks the urgency of A GENTLEMAN'S GENTLEMAN, which reminded me of Cecilia Grant's angsty social commentary laden romances, this light and fluffy romance feels more like a Tessa Dare "this is my happy place" book.

I hope the author and the publisher continue this series. I love queer regency romance.

Thanks to the author/publisher for the review copy!

3.5 stars
Profile Image for Cristina.
361 reviews204 followers
April 1, 2026
When you plan a two week long artist retreat in a countryside manor owned by two lesbians in order to woo the woman you love who is currently working towards an engament with a very gay man to save herself from destitution, but she only knows you as her dear lady friend the poetress and not the amateur novelist, youngest son of a small nobleman. So you plan to attend the retreat to steal her away from her fiancée, who just so happens to have an obvious crush on the Scottish lord related to one of the lesbian home owners. But your love ruins this entire plan by inviting you (her poetress friend) to come with, not knowing you’re already attending as the novelist! So you’re trying to woo her as the novelist while still keeping up appearances as the poetress, and it’s sort of working. But now she’s now telling you (the poetress) that she wants to set you up with a fiancée as well for protection. And of course she chooses the novelist (YOU) to be your said financée

THIS IS WHY I SUPPORT QUEER STORIES. Because where else could you get such a messy entertaining grand-sweeping romance?? Gays make the miscommunication trope so much more enjoyable. It’s like a Shakespeare comedy but with more lavender marriages
Profile Image for Ashley.
3,621 reviews2,440 followers
April 7, 2026
I thought the ending was unnecessarily elaborate but I continue to love the way this author plays with Regency romance and queerness.

Also I will never get over bathing machines. W the actual F, England.

30 Books in 30 Days—2026
Book 3/30
Profile Image for Leslie.
878 reviews
March 26, 2026
3.5, rounded up for mostly fun. Similar to A Gentleman’s Gentleman, I like the premise/idea more than the execution of it. All the characters were fun, & I did like the way gender was played with, especially with the William/Flora situation. However: I do not love farce, & there was definitely a lot of farcical episodes especially in the middle, requiring quick changes of clothes, etc. Not my fave. Also there was my classic bugaboo of no one actually talking when talking would certainly not be the end of the world. 🙄 however, the ending is perhaps very convenient but I will allow it, I learned about bathing machines (truly insane, look it up), & the sprinkling of Lord Byron was also fun. I do appreciate what TJ Alexander is trying to do with these!!
Profile Image for SJARR ✨.
351 reviews56 followers
August 29, 2025
What a fun and unique story!
I have read quite a few regency romances, many of them having LGBTQ+ themes, but none quite like this one.

Verbena needs to help her family financially, which leads her in search of a husband.
She proposes a marriage of convenice with a friend of hers, but not before she finds herself falling in love with a woman she has recently met, Flora.
Verbena and Flora get on great- and quickly grow closer and closer to one another.
But, there is a secret among them. Flora is sometimes William.
They must jepordize everything to tell Verbena the truth and attempt to court her.

When i started reading this i was having a really hard time getting into it.
Partially because it has kind of a slow start. Partially just because I was tired.
But once i got into it, I really got into it.

I was actually aching for the truth to come out.
The going back and fourth from Flora to William to keep Verbena from finding out? Oh my goodness.
I was getting real anxiety from this. I was pleading for nothing to go wrong.

I love the romance in this!!
They are so good together. The SUPPORT? The UNDERSTANDING? The RESPECT?
Stop. (actually, do not stop.)

I was so patiently (impatiently) waiting for them to get together. It felt like forever.
This was quite a short book, but the buildup? Everlasting.
So very worth it in the end.

Thank you to Netgalley, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, and author T.J Alexander for providing me with the eARC of “A Lady for all Seasons”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: March 10th, 2025
Profile Image for Kayla T (kaylabobayla).
146 reviews24 followers
March 11, 2026
Wow wow wow! TJ Alexander is sequel writing royalty, and on my auto buy list when it comes to queer friendly romances!

(Edit to add this is a spoiler free review, but wanted to say this was a wonderful exploration of gender identity!)

Though this is a sequel, it could easily be enjoyed as a standalone. However, the references and hints at the 1st novel were thoroughly enjoyable!

This was a true to form slow burn regency era romance. Chock full of nuanced gossiping, scandalous affairs, historical figures and romps. And a masquerade! I loved watching these characters navigate the harsh world of the ton while finding their authentic selves. Ruinous rumors and using words as a weapon, and the arts!

Know that this really revolves around found family, but miscommunication tropes abound. I’m usually not a fan of miscommunication, however this was executed in a way that I didn’t find frustrating as it truly did further the story. The reveals had me tearing up several times!

In the past I’ve struggled with the verbiage and prose of regency era novels, but not in this case. This was exceedingly easy to consume, and I couldn’t put this down! Thank you to TJ Alexander, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor, and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Profile Image for Aster.
382 reviews169 followers
October 1, 2025
One of my rare full five stars romance read of the year but it's fully deserved since I've stayed up too late because I was reading.

A Lady for All Seasons was so fun and entertaining and I couldn't put it down for fear of enjoying it less if I finished it on my morning train.

I knew of this sapphic book's future existence when reading a Gentleman's Gentleman so I was looking at any woman who appeared to know which would star in the sequel and I'm glad it was Verbena for she became such a strong protagonist. She's smart, she's desperate, she's a victim of abuse, she's a shameless liar, she gets her way, she's a (probably? but I will fight TJ Alexander on the fact thats how she reads) acespec lesbian.

This book is a traditional comedy of errors and miscommunication but in that case the miscommunication is justified by a fear of transphobia and homophobia from all other participants. First you have Verbena from an impoverished fa.uly trying desperately to find her husband when she makes a lavender arrangement with Etienne, respected tailor from the first book, who's moved up by society. Meanwhile, a certain Scottish lord can make for an appealing pretendant but his interest is thoroughly into Etienne. When a famous society poetess writes an embarrassing poem, Verbena makes friends with the intriguing Flora and the attraction is mutual. But Flora knows she can only court Verbena as her man half, the novelist William. My dear reader this is where we end up in a mess where every woman is being paired up with a man when everyone is gay.

Also Lord Byron is here.

It's not without conflict as Verbena tends to lie to both half of the only person who could recognise her lies and yet loves her too much.

As opposed to a recent sapphic Regency romance I've read I always respect and love how TJ Alexander talks about class narratives where it's there, not dismissed, talked over and not of touch or paternalistic.
I've seen TJ Alexander describe it as sapphic-ish and I really hope it's not because they assume sapphic audiences would be hostile to William/Flora/[redacted]'s birth assignment or the fact that she hasn't shed her masculine identity. There are plenty of genderfluid lesbians with lesbian lovers.
Profile Image for brewdy_reader.
274 reviews39 followers
March 20, 2026
4.25⭐️ rounded up

Thank you @ireadvintage + @tjalexandernyc for the ARC + @prhaudio for ALC ♡

https://www.instagram.com/p/DWG5S4Okd-l/

👉🏽 Read if you love: Bridgerton, Emma, or Much Ado About Nothing!

This was such a fun regency romance! It is technically the second in an interconnected standalone series. A Gentleman’s Gentleman was the first, but this installment is my favorite.

Verbena Montrose, our FMC, reminded me of Jane Austen’s Emma, with her flair for meddling, trying to set up everyone around her to allow them to “rise” in the eyes of society. Even if they don’t want to be led there 😆

It was also reminiscent of a Shakespearean comedy with the caricatures and mistaken identity themes. Lord Byron provides comic relief as a side character throughout the book. The use of humor & witty banter was a balm, balancing serious topics.

The meat of the story is about identity and Lady Flora (a gossip columnist not unlike Lady Whistledown)… who is also William Forsythe. Both are vying for Verbena’s affection, disguised of course, but Verbena is set on marrying Etienne, a gay tailor who is in love with Miles, another bachelor. 🤣 let the chaos ensue!

🏳️‍⚧️ This is the first genderfluid character I’ve read about, and I appreciated that perspective and the care with which TJ wrote Willa’s character. I did want Verbena to come to her senses earlier but that’s part of the fun.

Spice level 🌶️ there is one explicit romantical chapter toward the end of the book, but majority is slow burn.

▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||။‌‌‌‌‌|• 🎧 Ian Slater did so many different voices including multiple European accents and I felt were the perfect fit to the role. I recommend audio!
Profile Image for Althea ☾.
733 reviews2,257 followers
Want to Read
December 12, 2025
pfft the way i searched this to add to my tbr and it was already there
Profile Image for Nev.
1,495 reviews223 followers
April 13, 2026
A very charming queer historical romance featuring characters figuring out how to live happily and authentically within society's rigid structures. All of the characters here were so fascinating. I loved seeing how they supported one another and how they were able to express their queerness or transness together, especially in a time where they don't have the labels we do in modern society.

My one complaint about this book is the same one I had about A Gentleman's Gentleman, it takes way too long for all the characters to be on the same page about their identities. I wanted to be able to see a bit more time of them actually, fully being together. But what was present was great, and the steamy scene was excellent!

Overall I'd definitely recommend this for people who enjoy queer/trans historical romances with strong characters and an emphasis on community.

Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Eloise.
783 reviews407 followers
March 27, 2026
Well well well, I didn't expect to enjoy this one THIS much.
There’s something incredibly comforting about reading trans and non binary characters in historical fiction, and I truly think TJ Alexander does it best.
One one hand, A Lady For All Seasons is a genuinely fun read, and on the other, it’s beautifully emotional and layered. It delves into a thoughtful queer awakening (sapphic lead) and a trans (bigender lead) character learning to truly live as themself.
At its heart, this book is about finding the courage to exist outside society’s rules.
It's pure queer & trans joy at its best.
Profile Image for Ella Dawson.
Author 3 books116 followers
November 28, 2025
I don't know to express how beautifully and wondrously queer this book is. The amount of times I squealed, "Girl, ur GAY!" out loud while reading...
Profile Image for Angela Rowan.
439 reviews2 followers
March 26, 2026
My first historical romance by TJ Alexander! I had read one of their contemporary romance books before (Chef’s Kiss) and enjoyed so was excited to dive into their interpretation of historical romance. TJ delivered, with sensitivity and care shown for the protagonists as both Verbena and Flora found ways to be authentic to themselves. I admit I was a little distracted by the presence of actual human Lord Byron as a relatively central figure throughout the book, but ultimately loved the ending!

Thank you to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for gracie.
689 reviews295 followers
March 13, 2026
I always look forward to Alexander's releases because they're one of the authors I trust to always do trans and genderqueer characters justice, and this book is no different.

I loved the complexities of Willa's gender identity in the historical context of the book and I absolutely loved reading about both of them! Verbena was so funny and witty, I loved that she was such a driven, confident and conniving (lovingly) woman and a plus that she's bisexual. I'm always excited to see a bisexual out in the wild.

I have to admit I didn't read the blurb of this before requesting it on netgalley, I only saw T.J Alexander and didn't hesitate, so I was a bit confused as to where the story was going at first. When I got it though, it became such a quick fun read!

I got an arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review<3
Profile Image for Victoria.
251 reviews6 followers
April 20, 2026
Started off as a 5-star read but as the plot went on I started to get really disappointed by the “conflict.” There was zero reason, none, NADA, that the characters couldn't have lavender marriaged their way into a happy ending instead of the angsting about nothing because HOW IS WHAT HAPPENED ANY DIFFERENT? HOW???? Perhaps the worst, WORST part of all this is that neither of our main characters does ANYTHING to solve the conflict. The solution falls into their lap from a secondary character. SERIOUSLY??? It's just so hollow to me. Why would you do that? Why would you have your characters passively get handed what they want? (And the solution is pretty much what one character suggested the entire time just with the tiniest twist. LIKE. ARGH.)
Profile Image for Samantha.
189 reviews
March 22, 2026
Rating: 4.25 stars

This is a charming regency era romance that is unlike any historical romance I've read. Think love triangle but unbeknownst to you, you are being wooed by two halves of the same person (Flora and William). Add in a marriage of convenience to an entirely separate person (a gay man with his own romantic entanglement) and the love triangle starts to balloon into a love pentagon.

The romance is sweet but its development is pretty simple. Instead the tension comes from the plot and how logistically everyone can end up happy and whole, which did keep me invested.
Profile Image for Teresa.
32 reviews
February 25, 2026
Book Review: A Lady For All Seasons, by TJ Alexander
304 pages, Rated ⭐⭐⭐⭐

A Lady For All Seasons was a fun historical romantic romp, and a delightful return to the characters from A Gentleman's Gentleman. I enjoyed Verbena as a character in that book and I was interested to see what her story would be in this sequel.

In summary: the beautiful Verbena Montrose must marry to save herself from poverty. What she lacks in a dowry, she makes up for in gossip. When she hears a rumor about her dear, queer friend Etienne that could ruin him, she proposes they marry for convenience. Enter Flora Witcombe, renowned poet, who unknowingly tangles herself in this scheme and becomes smitten with Verbena. But Flora has a secret of her own: that she is also William Forsyth, a struggling novelist and fifth son of a noble family. Perhaps if Flora cannot woo Verbena, William can?

I really enjoyed the character of Flora/William, and I wasn't so annoyed with Flora to be turned off by the book. I wasn't super into all of her meddling though and a lot of the conversations did hurt, especially because she was lying to Flora when William knew that, or vice versa, and we never really got any closure there. I enjoyed the chemistry between the main characters and how Flora/William's gender fluidity was handled, on the journey they were on, and how that was less of the issue at hand then other things in the end. I wasn't super crazy about how the ending got tied up as it did, though. I felt like the book built with a lot of angst and drama to then be tied off a bit too easily.

Also the will they/won't they did drag out for a long while that I personally was not satisfied with the level of romance we were given after the fact, but that is neither here nor there haha.

All-in-all, I did think that this was a fun book and did a good job of representing William/Flora's character (even if I disliked the name they chose for themselves in the end haha -- but also be more creative, you are a novelist/poet, you have it in you!)

Thank you to NetGalley and Vintage for providing me with the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Publication date: March 10, 2026
Profile Image for Sam.
631 reviews
May 4, 2026
“Miles lives in a fucking castle?!” 😂 Loved this queer regency romance🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Cath.
55 reviews
December 22, 2025
[ARC review] Can't believe TJ made me feel sympathy for Lord Byron, talk about talent
Profile Image for Jane (whatjanereads).
830 reviews268 followers
April 21, 2026
I had such high hopes for this because A gentleman’s gentleman was one of my top 10 favourite books of last year. Sadly it didn’t deliver in the end.

I really loved the idea behind this, Verbena desperately looking for a husband to get away from her terrible parents, making a deal with a fellow gay friend to save him from rumours (we love a good lavender marriage).
William/Flora was such an interesting character and a really sweet and kind person, I immediately loved them. I was so into this when I thought they’d hate each other and then became friends.
But I just didn’t feel the romance at all. Verbena is so hell bent on finding a partner for William and Flora, there didn’t seem to be any feelings coming from her towards them. The constant intrigue and lying made me roll my eyes and it was just overall too much drama going in circles for me.
When the initial conflict that rises again and again throughout the book (Verbena needs to marry, but is in love with Flora. Flora doesn’t want her to be married and also doesn’t want to marry anyone) is the solution in the end somehow (Verbena and Flora both pretend to be married to Etienne and his lover), I wanted to throw the book. I just didn’t see any difference in the end solution to what was suggested the whole book anyway. They could have simply had two wonderful lavender marriages without having to hide from society, but what do I know…

I kinda want a Lord Byron book now though, he was a ridiculous, silly man that would make a great MC!
Profile Image for MarcoPoloReads.
469 reviews11 followers
March 11, 2026
A Lady for All Seasons reunites us with Verbana Montrose, who has absolutely no interest in finding a husband despite what Regency society expects of her. But when her friend Etienne becomes the subject of gossip, she proposes the perfect solution: a lavender marriage that will protect them both.
The plan works… until local poet Flora Whitcombe reveals she knows their secret. What starts as a confrontation quickly turns into an unexpected friendship filled with wit, tension, and undeniable chemistry. But Flora has a secret of their very own, some (including Verbana), also know them under the name of William.
This story is funny, heartfelt, and wonderfully chaotic. Seeing these characters navigate the rigid expectations of society while gradually embracing who they truly are was such a rewarding experience. The inclusion of a genderfluid character added a beautiful and meaningful layer to the story that made it feel even richer. The slow burn here is so worth it, and the found family that forms along the way made my heart ridiculously happy.
If you love historical romance with queer joy, witty banter, and a found family that feels like home, this one is definitely worth picking up.
A Lady for All Seasons is out today, get your copy now friends!
Profile Image for Lindsay.
1,417 reviews267 followers
March 27, 2026
In 1820s London, the newly impoverished Verbena Montrose plans a marriage of convenience to her good friend Étienne who finds himself in need of a wife to stave off accusations of homosexuality. When a gossipy poem alludes to their plan, Verbena confronts the author, Flora Witcombe and the two ladies immediately feel an attraction between them.

This is a wonderful comedic romp through the queer history of the period with lots of direct inclusions and nods to real LGBTIQ history. The famously bisexual Lord Byron features, as do stand-ins for the Ladies of Llangollen (a lesbian couple who lived in Wales together*). There's also a major plot point around what we would refer to as gender fluidity and a transgender person.

Overall I would say this was a 4.5 star book, with a pip off because I thought the central drama was carried on too long considering how easy it was to resolve, but I'll raise it to 5 stars simply because of how much fun it was from a history point-of-view. It also has a rare sympathetic treatment of Lord Byron as well who does get a poignant moment of self-reflection that I'm not sure the real man was capable of.

* At the end of the book a pair of maids at a queer haven are named Sarah and Eleanor which were the first names of the Ladies of Llangollen. I'm sure there were other Easter eggs I missed, and anyone with an eye for history would have fun with this book.
Profile Image for Nikki (awallflowerreads).
346 reviews25 followers
February 25, 2026
I thought the way T.J. portrays William/Flora was so well done and touchingly honest. While A Gentleman’s Gentleman was made stronger by the single pov, I think this one packs a powerful punch by giving us Verbena and William/Floras perspectives. It provided for a few giggles, but mostly, this really powerful opportunity to experience both sides of this individual falling in love with Verbena. And be subsequently heartbroken as Verbena herself has trouble navigating her feelings for William and Flora separately. It lent to so many moments of confusion and angst.

Verbena is trying to mold her life into what she wants it to be while still living in the confines of society’s expectations. And in trying to do so, she ultimately ends up hurting both sides of William/Flora. Her motivations aren’t cruel; she’s trying to keep all her friends safe in the only way she knows how. But part of Verbenas' growth in this book is realizing that’s not always the best way. That feelings matter sometimes more than practicalities. She’s such a complex character (honestly, they both are!), that could have been really one-note if not done correctly. Thankfully, this author Knows What They’re Doing, and this “mean girl” was so much more.

I really loved this one and went on such an emotional journey with our MCs. I wasn’t sure how this happy ending was going to work out, even with so many possibilities; none of them felt quite satisfying. But the ending delivered on such a sweet and lovely ending for our pair that felt so perfect! This also felt nicely steamy, too, with our pair having so much tension that ended up paying off well. I’m also a sucker for a second love story, and Miles & Etienne added a great touch to this story. Both as supportive friends for our leads, and with their own side love story.

5/5
Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for an eARC of this novel.
Profile Image for Kelly✨.
67 reviews
January 14, 2026
Thank you netgalley for this ARC!

This was very cute! I enjoyed the chance to learn and see more of Étienne and Verbena after loving them both in the first book in this world. Verbena was such a fun and interesting character to get to focus on. I loved all of the gossip and her point of view of “the ton” and this world. The other MC (no name to avoid spoilers) was just as interesting, if not more so, and I loved the duality of this character and seeing how that played out in the story and with character development. This was a very sweet love story and a treat to get so much representation and delicious queer love! I’m grateful to have gotten to get my hands on it early!
Profile Image for Robin (DocRobReads).
496 reviews11 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 3, 2026
TJ Alexander always (pleasantly) surprises me with the way they form an unexpected story! I went into this thinking I was going to get one story, and got something completely different and infinitely entertaining and thought provoking. I don't want to say anything specific because it's best of you go in with zero expectations. Just know that it is a unique love story and may zig when you expect it to zag.😍
4.25🌟
Profile Image for Debbie Mitchell.
564 reviews18 followers
March 19, 2026
I love a romance novel where I don’t know how we are going to get to the HEA.

I really enjoyed this!

Book #1 for the 2026 Trans Rights Readathon
Profile Image for Viv (vivianneslibrary).
238 reviews87 followers
April 14, 2026
I love a good queer historical romance and this one delivered. The queer joy was bursting from the pages. It was messy and drama filled.
3.75⭐️
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