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A Lady for All Seasons
Not yet published
Expected 10 Mar 26From 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.
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
Expected publication March 10, 2026
5 people are currently reading
7484 people want to read
About the author
T.J. Alexander
6 books900 followersTJ 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 44 reviews
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
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
Want to read
December 18, 2025Listen I don't know who's managing ARCs for this book but if you happen to see this, I am a one-woman T.J. Alexander stan account and I am FROTHING AT THE MOUTH for this, thanks
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.
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
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
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.
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.
Want to read
December 12, 2025pfft the way i searched this to add to my tbr and it was already there
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!
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!
December 22, 2025
[ARC review] Can't believe TJ made me feel sympathy for Lord Byron, talk about talent
September 28, 2025
Alexander does it again with this twisty, turny, sweet, and hot book about two characters trying to make their love fit in a society that criminalizes it.
I'm not going to give a summary of this book because it's too hard for me, an amateur reviewer, to do without giving away too much of the plot.
Let's just say if you like pining (so much pining!) you'll enjoy this book. Normally I dont enjoy this much pining--but given the nature of the time, it would have been unbelievable for Verbena and Willa to hook up sooner.
This was a great follow up to A Gentleman's Gentleman!
Thank you to Vintage Books and Net Galley for an advanced copy of this book.
I'm not going to give a summary of this book because it's too hard for me, an amateur reviewer, to do without giving away too much of the plot.
Let's just say if you like pining (so much pining!) you'll enjoy this book. Normally I dont enjoy this much pining--but given the nature of the time, it would have been unbelievable for Verbena and Willa to hook up sooner.
This was a great follow up to A Gentleman's Gentleman!
Thank you to Vintage Books and Net Galley for an advanced copy of this book.
October 16, 2025
Christopher walked so Verbena could run in this second installment of TJ Alexander's Regency rom com universe. I was a huge fan of A Gentleman's Gentleman and was delighted to have the pleasure of reading an ARC for this book! It is so funny and so absurd in a Shakespearean way, like Twelfth Night or Midsummer Night's Dream level shenanigans. Of course, it is more than just wacky hijinks, but also an exploration of gender identity and dynamics, with earnest fumbles and heartfelt make ups along the way.
November 17, 2025
At times deliciously angsty with the (unfortunately understandable) lack of communication, I had a great time reading this, and I sure hope TJ Alexander writes more historical romances.
September 15, 2025
Actual Rating: 4.25 Stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Vintage for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! This comes out March 10th 2026.
A Lady for All Seasons follows Verbena Montrose in 1820 London. Verbena is in desperate need of a suitor after her father’s terrible business dealings. Knowing she likely won’t be able to marry for love, or certainly someone of higher social status, Verbena makes a deal with her friend Etienne who has recently been left a sizable sum of money by his friend Christopher (the MC of the first book in this interconnected series: A Gentleman’s Gentleman). By marrying Verbena, Etienne will be able to hide the fact that he is gay and Verbena will be saved from a life of poverty.
When Verbena hears that popular poetess Flora Witcombe has published a poem that could expose the truth behind her impending nuptials to Etienne, she confronts the woman. Verbena finds herself unexpectedly charmed by Flora and they become fast friends. Flora has her own secret: she is also William Forsyth, a struggling fiction writer and the fifth son of a noble family.
As she finds herself falling for Verbena, Flora decides to woo her as William. Verbena soon finds herself with feelings for both Flora and William - who she doesn’t realize are the same person - all the while being engaged to Etienne. Will Verbena be able to follow her heart?
TJ Alexander is one of my favorite writers and yet again they have stolen my heart with one of their books! I loved how Alexander introduced a genderfluid/bigender lead to 1820 London. Anyone who says it’s impossible to write trans characters in historical romance clearly doesn’t know what they are talking about. Flora/William (who uses both she/her and he/him pronouns throughout the novel) was my favorite character of the book and I loved getting her point of view after only getting only one POV in A Gentleman’s Gentleman. Flora is so kindhearted and I loved that she fell for Verbena not in spite of but because Verbena scared her a bit. Verbena was harder to like but I appreciate that she isn’t a traditionally likable romance heroine.
Flora’s poem likely could have hurt Verbena and Etienne though and Verbena got over it too quickly in my opinion, nearly immediately forming a close bond with Flora. That being said, I did love how casually Verbena accepts the fact that she is attracted to a woman (or so she thinks) after Etienne asks if she is falling for Flora. There is no crisis, no big coming out scene. Instead, Verbena takes her queerness in stride.
When Verbena, Flora/William, Etienne, and other friends of theirs get invited to a fortnight of pursuing the arts at the house of a relative, it quickly turns into a comedic romp as Flora/William slips back and forth between his feminine and masculine sides, trying to hide the fact that he is one person. I thought the humor and hijinks during this part of the novel worked well. It was in the last twenty percent or so of the novel where things fell apart a bit for me. I won’t get into spoilers, but it reached a level of absurdity that I had trouble believing.
I enjoyed the little asides to the readers and that Lord Byron is one of the characters. As Alexander says in the acknowledgements, he was “so fucking weird that everything I wrote here is normal by comparison.”
Overall, this is a very strong 4.25 star novel for me! There were little things that bothered me but they’re honestly negligible in the grand scheme of things. I ate it up over the course of one afternoon. If you’re looking for a fun, queer Regency romance and romp, look no further! Alexander continues to be an auto-buy author for me and I can’t wait to see what they come up with next.
Thank you to NetGalley and Vintage for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! This comes out March 10th 2026.
A Lady for All Seasons follows Verbena Montrose in 1820 London. Verbena is in desperate need of a suitor after her father’s terrible business dealings. Knowing she likely won’t be able to marry for love, or certainly someone of higher social status, Verbena makes a deal with her friend Etienne who has recently been left a sizable sum of money by his friend Christopher (the MC of the first book in this interconnected series: A Gentleman’s Gentleman). By marrying Verbena, Etienne will be able to hide the fact that he is gay and Verbena will be saved from a life of poverty.
When Verbena hears that popular poetess Flora Witcombe has published a poem that could expose the truth behind her impending nuptials to Etienne, she confronts the woman. Verbena finds herself unexpectedly charmed by Flora and they become fast friends. Flora has her own secret: she is also William Forsyth, a struggling fiction writer and the fifth son of a noble family.
As she finds herself falling for Verbena, Flora decides to woo her as William. Verbena soon finds herself with feelings for both Flora and William - who she doesn’t realize are the same person - all the while being engaged to Etienne. Will Verbena be able to follow her heart?
TJ Alexander is one of my favorite writers and yet again they have stolen my heart with one of their books! I loved how Alexander introduced a genderfluid/bigender lead to 1820 London. Anyone who says it’s impossible to write trans characters in historical romance clearly doesn’t know what they are talking about. Flora/William (who uses both she/her and he/him pronouns throughout the novel) was my favorite character of the book and I loved getting her point of view after only getting only one POV in A Gentleman’s Gentleman. Flora is so kindhearted and I loved that she fell for Verbena not in spite of but because Verbena scared her a bit. Verbena was harder to like but I appreciate that she isn’t a traditionally likable romance heroine.
Flora’s poem likely could have hurt Verbena and Etienne though and Verbena got over it too quickly in my opinion, nearly immediately forming a close bond with Flora. That being said, I did love how casually Verbena accepts the fact that she is attracted to a woman (or so she thinks) after Etienne asks if she is falling for Flora. There is no crisis, no big coming out scene. Instead, Verbena takes her queerness in stride.
When Verbena, Flora/William, Etienne, and other friends of theirs get invited to a fortnight of pursuing the arts at the house of a relative, it quickly turns into a comedic romp as Flora/William slips back and forth between his feminine and masculine sides, trying to hide the fact that he is one person. I thought the humor and hijinks during this part of the novel worked well. It was in the last twenty percent or so of the novel where things fell apart a bit for me. I won’t get into spoilers, but it reached a level of absurdity that I had trouble believing.
I enjoyed the little asides to the readers and that Lord Byron is one of the characters. As Alexander says in the acknowledgements, he was “so fucking weird that everything I wrote here is normal by comparison.”
Overall, this is a very strong 4.25 star novel for me! There were little things that bothered me but they’re honestly negligible in the grand scheme of things. I ate it up over the course of one afternoon. If you’re looking for a fun, queer Regency romance and romp, look no further! Alexander continues to be an auto-buy author for me and I can’t wait to see what they come up with next.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A Lady for All Seasons Book Review 🦇
What's your favorite regency book or film?❓
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a woman who has lost her fortune must be in need (not want) of a husband. Beautiful, cunning Verbena Montrose must marry to save herself and 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 Étienne that could ruin him, she comes to his aid with a proposal—for a marriage of convenience, that is. Can Verbana think outside of society’s constraints to find true happiness? 🦇
If A Gentleman's Gentleman was TJ Alexander's first steps into Regency romance, A Lady for All Seasons is an absolute WALTZ! Let's break it down:
I know it's only January, but Verbana may very well be my favorite heroine of the year. 🦇
Waxing poetic about someone's regal chin being as sharp as daggers? Stop it. 🦇
Alexander's framing of a queer Regency world is stunning, flawless, and heartfelt. 🦇
The relationships between Verbana and Flora vs Verbana and William are overlapping, yes, but not interchangeable. Each is a distinct relationship, beautifully executed and built until they collide in the story's climax. 🦇
William's simpy pining is everything. 🦇
There's absolute poetry between Flora and Verbana. You feel Flora's poetic background in her narration, and it casts Verbana in an ethereal glow. 🦇
The dialogue is witty, sharp, and exciting, while the messy hijinks are plucked right out of a Shakespearen comedy. 🦇
I wasn't sure where the story would end (especially as our characters approach the alter alongside the wrong people), but I was delightfully surprised. 🦇
"With a tabby cat on the window ledge." May we all find that ever after. Thank you, TJ Alexander, for such fun, enthralling, and poetically romantic story. 🦇
My Rating 🦇
Characters (5/5) ✨
Plot and Pacing (4/5) ✨
World-Building (4/5) ✨
Romance (5/5) ✨
Mystery/Suspense (5/5) ✨
Tone/Prose (5/5) ✨
Recommended for fans of A Lady for a Duke and Don't Want You Like a Best Friend.🦇
The Vibes ✨
Historical / Regency Era Romance 🥀
Queer / Genderfluid 🥀
Secrets / Hidden Identity 🥀
Shakespearean 🥀
Marriage of Convenience 🥀
Sassy & Clever Dialogue 🥀
Bad-Down Pining 🥀
Playlist 🎶
Shock and Delight - Kris Bowers 🎵
What Women Do Best - Kris Bowers 🎵
Girls Like You - Vitamin String Quartet 🎵
Major thanks to the author and publisher for providing an ARC of this book via Netgalley. 🥰 This does not affect my opinion regarding the book. #ALadyforAllSeasons 🦇
Quotes 💬
Morals and laws, Verbena reasoned, were mostly for show, a set of rules that applied only to some and only when it was convenient to those with power.
This was not some meek society lady wrapped in silks and fine linen, stored away from life’s trials. This woman was terrifying. And Flora was helplessly smitten by her.
You’re clever, though, aren’t you? You may be the cleverest girl in all of London. Please don’t murder me. Or do— but slowly, so that I may at least enjoy your touch.
"I think you are the strongest soul I’ve ever encountered. Before meeting you, I had heard rumors of your wit and grace, but they do not do you justice. You are unparalleled, Verbena.”
To be forever striving does not mean we are forever unhappy; it means we are afire with passion with every breath.
“In a little cottage with a thatched roof,” Willa said between sobs. “With a tabby cat on the window ledge.”
What's your favorite regency book or film?❓
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a woman who has lost her fortune must be in need (not want) of a husband. Beautiful, cunning Verbena Montrose must marry to save herself and 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 Étienne that could ruin him, she comes to his aid with a proposal—for a marriage of convenience, that is. Can Verbana think outside of society’s constraints to find true happiness? 🦇
If A Gentleman's Gentleman was TJ Alexander's first steps into Regency romance, A Lady for All Seasons is an absolute WALTZ! Let's break it down:
I know it's only January, but Verbana may very well be my favorite heroine of the year. 🦇
Waxing poetic about someone's regal chin being as sharp as daggers? Stop it. 🦇
Alexander's framing of a queer Regency world is stunning, flawless, and heartfelt. 🦇
The relationships between Verbana and Flora vs Verbana and William are overlapping, yes, but not interchangeable. Each is a distinct relationship, beautifully executed and built until they collide in the story's climax. 🦇
William's simpy pining is everything. 🦇
There's absolute poetry between Flora and Verbana. You feel Flora's poetic background in her narration, and it casts Verbana in an ethereal glow. 🦇
The dialogue is witty, sharp, and exciting, while the messy hijinks are plucked right out of a Shakespearen comedy. 🦇
I wasn't sure where the story would end (especially as our characters approach the alter alongside the wrong people), but I was delightfully surprised. 🦇
"With a tabby cat on the window ledge." May we all find that ever after. Thank you, TJ Alexander, for such fun, enthralling, and poetically romantic story. 🦇
My Rating 🦇
Characters (5/5) ✨
Plot and Pacing (4/5) ✨
World-Building (4/5) ✨
Romance (5/5) ✨
Mystery/Suspense (5/5) ✨
Tone/Prose (5/5) ✨
Recommended for fans of A Lady for a Duke and Don't Want You Like a Best Friend.🦇
The Vibes ✨
Historical / Regency Era Romance 🥀
Queer / Genderfluid 🥀
Secrets / Hidden Identity 🥀
Shakespearean 🥀
Marriage of Convenience 🥀
Sassy & Clever Dialogue 🥀
Bad-Down Pining 🥀
Playlist 🎶
Shock and Delight - Kris Bowers 🎵
What Women Do Best - Kris Bowers 🎵
Girls Like You - Vitamin String Quartet 🎵
Major thanks to the author and publisher for providing an ARC of this book via Netgalley. 🥰 This does not affect my opinion regarding the book. #ALadyforAllSeasons 🦇
Quotes 💬
Morals and laws, Verbena reasoned, were mostly for show, a set of rules that applied only to some and only when it was convenient to those with power.
This was not some meek society lady wrapped in silks and fine linen, stored away from life’s trials. This woman was terrifying. And Flora was helplessly smitten by her.
You’re clever, though, aren’t you? You may be the cleverest girl in all of London. Please don’t murder me. Or do— but slowly, so that I may at least enjoy your touch.
"I think you are the strongest soul I’ve ever encountered. Before meeting you, I had heard rumors of your wit and grace, but they do not do you justice. You are unparalleled, Verbena.”
To be forever striving does not mean we are forever unhappy; it means we are afire with passion with every breath.
“In a little cottage with a thatched roof,” Willa said between sobs. “With a tabby cat on the window ledge.”
October 15, 2025
I received a free copy from Vintage via Netgalley in exchange for a fair review. Release date March 10th, 2026.
I liked Alexander's previous novels, and I thought I'd try their newest venture into the historical romance genre. In A Lady for All Seasons, ruthless society lady Verbena must find a husband before her family is ruined--and has already set up a tidy engagement with gay Etienne to solve her marriage problems. But the scandalous poet Flora and overlooked fifth son William, who are one and the same person, are about to scatter all of Verbena's carefully laid plans...
A Lady for All Seasons was a classic farce with the focus mostly on drawing room antics rather than the bedroom. (It reminded me a bit of one of Heyer's more gender novels, like The Masqueraders.) While there is one (excellently written) sex scene near the end of the novel, most of the plot is about the delightfully absurd plotline. Of course, the nonbinary Flora/William's wooing of Verbena as two entirely different people takes center stage. But the sharp enough to cut herself Verbena also stumbles into trouble from her compulsive lying, whether it's pretending to be a poet or trying to seem more sophisticated by lying to Flora that she hated William's gothic novel. I also enjoyed that although Flora and Verbena first meet in a confrontation over Flora writing scandalous Verbena poetry, their relationship never falls into the tired bickering of enemies to lovers. Flora's initial reaction is wow hot scary woman, and they're bosom friends within fifteen minutes.
I feel as though Alexander's previous novels sometimes got stuck in doing Trans 101 or Poly 101, probably due to the constraints of trad publishing. But A Lady for All Seasons breaks gloriously into the graduate studies, and I never felt like it was overexplained. William/Flora's gender is very well done, and in fact I don't think I've seen the both genders flavor of nonbinary depicted in a book before. Although these Twelfth Night shenanigans may be the most chaotic possible way of being bigender.
Likewise, the historical setting worked better for me here than in Gentleman's Gentleman. I like historical fiction that interacts with the expected norms of the time instead of ignoring them entuirely in favor of sexy cosplay. I greatly enjoyed that Verbena's whole thing is understanding and manipulating social expectations for her benefit. It's also clear that Alexander has brushed up on the period, probably involving at least one biography of Byron and monograph on late Regency wedding norms. Still, I didn't quite gel with the happy fantasy of the ending. Queer characters are certainly not doomed to unhappiness in historical settings, but to me, the constraints of the setting are the point of reading a historical rather than a modern romance or a fantasy novel.
A delight of a queer farce in the line of Twelfth Night, and a sweet sapphic romance to boot. I think this is my favorite Alexander novel to date. Highly recommended for historical romance fans.
I liked Alexander's previous novels, and I thought I'd try their newest venture into the historical romance genre. In A Lady for All Seasons, ruthless society lady Verbena must find a husband before her family is ruined--and has already set up a tidy engagement with gay Etienne to solve her marriage problems. But the scandalous poet Flora and overlooked fifth son William, who are one and the same person, are about to scatter all of Verbena's carefully laid plans...
A Lady for All Seasons was a classic farce with the focus mostly on drawing room antics rather than the bedroom. (It reminded me a bit of one of Heyer's more gender novels, like The Masqueraders.) While there is one (excellently written) sex scene near the end of the novel, most of the plot is about the delightfully absurd plotline. Of course, the nonbinary Flora/William's wooing of Verbena as two entirely different people takes center stage. But the sharp enough to cut herself Verbena also stumbles into trouble from her compulsive lying, whether it's pretending to be a poet or trying to seem more sophisticated by lying to Flora that she hated William's gothic novel. I also enjoyed that although Flora and Verbena first meet in a confrontation over Flora writing scandalous Verbena poetry, their relationship never falls into the tired bickering of enemies to lovers. Flora's initial reaction is wow hot scary woman, and they're bosom friends within fifteen minutes.
I feel as though Alexander's previous novels sometimes got stuck in doing Trans 101 or Poly 101, probably due to the constraints of trad publishing. But A Lady for All Seasons breaks gloriously into the graduate studies, and I never felt like it was overexplained. William/Flora's gender is very well done, and in fact I don't think I've seen the both genders flavor of nonbinary depicted in a book before. Although these Twelfth Night shenanigans may be the most chaotic possible way of being bigender.
Likewise, the historical setting worked better for me here than in Gentleman's Gentleman. I like historical fiction that interacts with the expected norms of the time instead of ignoring them entuirely in favor of sexy cosplay. I greatly enjoyed that Verbena's whole thing is understanding and manipulating social expectations for her benefit. It's also clear that Alexander has brushed up on the period, probably involving at least one biography of Byron and monograph on late Regency wedding norms. Still, I didn't quite gel with the happy fantasy of the ending. Queer characters are certainly not doomed to unhappiness in historical settings, but to me, the constraints of the setting are the point of reading a historical rather than a modern romance or a fantasy novel.
A delight of a queer farce in the line of Twelfth Night, and a sweet sapphic romance to boot. I think this is my favorite Alexander novel to date. Highly recommended for historical romance fans.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy!
I'm taking a full star off because #JusticeForBetsy!
About 1/3 through the story, to fully establish 1) how bad the financial situation is for Verbena and 2) how awful her parents are, Verbena comes home after being out for the space of afternoon and finds the ladies maid, Betsy, who has worked for the family for years, done an excellent job, and provides a VERY needed service dressing Verbena, has been summarily fired and forced out of the house without even being able to say goodbye to Verbena.
Verbena is devasted and the stakes are now fully set that she has to get out of her parents' house before the money situation gets worse or her parents make even more spiteful decisions. Fine, all well and good - helps with narrative tension, characterization, ticking clocks and all that. Also, it works to get rid of the character who, by the rules of that society, would have been required to follow Verbena everywhere, making it harder to have many of the private scenes that follow.
BUT.
Throughout the rest of the book Verbena - despite the fact Verbena claims Betsy was "like a sister" - doesn't look into at all where Betsy went, if she landed on her feet, if she's in trouble. Verbena doesn't even try to get a message to her, and never thinks to ask any of the MANY people she knows who could afford it if they could hire Betsy, at least temporarily. And at the end, when she has the money and independence to hire a dozen ladies maids - still no Betsy!
The book wants to push the message of equality for all genders and sexes - but as is it smacks of "equality for all the _rich_ people of all genders and sexes." Grrrrrr.
As for the rest, I loved how Alexander takes the bones of a typical 1980's comedy of a character constantly switching costumes to try and "have it all" - but, instead of an accidental reveal followed by a lot of anger, I was VERY relieved that Verbena figured out what was going on herself, gave it some thought, and then took actions to show she was supportive - and managed to come up with a master plan that saved everyone's bacon. (Except Betsy. Grrrrrrrr.)
Also, great use of real historical figures. Lord Byron is a supporting character here - he is an absolute clown, firmly put in his place as not as awesome as the myth makes out, which shows what Alexander thinks of him. Also, loved seeing the fictionalized versions of the Llangollen ladies - here they are Scottish instead of Irish, and slightly less classist. (They could have hired Betsy!) and I love that they call Lord Byron by his fist name of "George," treating the mad and bad Ur-rake like a toddler.
Loved it, and recommend it - but so mad over Betsy that I honestly hope she gets her own book!
I'm taking a full star off because #JusticeForBetsy!
About 1/3 through the story, to fully establish 1) how bad the financial situation is for Verbena and 2) how awful her parents are, Verbena comes home after being out for the space of afternoon and finds the ladies maid, Betsy, who has worked for the family for years, done an excellent job, and provides a VERY needed service dressing Verbena, has been summarily fired and forced out of the house without even being able to say goodbye to Verbena.
Verbena is devasted and the stakes are now fully set that she has to get out of her parents' house before the money situation gets worse or her parents make even more spiteful decisions. Fine, all well and good - helps with narrative tension, characterization, ticking clocks and all that. Also, it works to get rid of the character who, by the rules of that society, would have been required to follow Verbena everywhere, making it harder to have many of the private scenes that follow.
BUT.
Throughout the rest of the book Verbena - despite the fact Verbena claims Betsy was "like a sister" - doesn't look into at all where Betsy went, if she landed on her feet, if she's in trouble. Verbena doesn't even try to get a message to her, and never thinks to ask any of the MANY people she knows who could afford it if they could hire Betsy, at least temporarily. And at the end, when she has the money and independence to hire a dozen ladies maids - still no Betsy!
The book wants to push the message of equality for all genders and sexes - but as is it smacks of "equality for all the _rich_ people of all genders and sexes." Grrrrrr.
As for the rest, I loved how Alexander takes the bones of a typical 1980's comedy of a character constantly switching costumes to try and "have it all" - but, instead of an accidental reveal followed by a lot of anger, I was VERY relieved that Verbena figured out what was going on herself, gave it some thought, and then took actions to show she was supportive - and managed to come up with a master plan that saved everyone's bacon. (Except Betsy. Grrrrrrrr.)
Also, great use of real historical figures. Lord Byron is a supporting character here - he is an absolute clown, firmly put in his place as not as awesome as the myth makes out, which shows what Alexander thinks of him. Also, loved seeing the fictionalized versions of the Llangollen ladies - here they are Scottish instead of Irish, and slightly less classist. (They could have hired Betsy!) and I love that they call Lord Byron by his fist name of "George," treating the mad and bad Ur-rake like a toddler.
Loved it, and recommend it - but so mad over Betsy that I honestly hope she gets her own book!
October 14, 2025
I was pleasantly surprised by this book, I expected to like it but I really adored this!
Verbena is such a compelling main character, she is driven and headstrong and deeply flawed, but in a way that makes perfect sense given the hand she’s been dealt. The core romance does a really lovely job encouraging her to grow into herself, while still staying sharp and wicked. I love her interest in the macabre and gossip, truly a true crime girlie in the wrong era. Flora/William is also so incredible, I adored the way gender was handled here, both in Flora and William’s exploration of it and Verbena’s eventual experimentation with men’s fashions. I love love love how the Big Reveal was handled, I was worried we would veer into transphobia between the protags but rest assured none of that.
I really enjoyed how this book inspects the trope of lavender marriage that is often presented as an easy solution and digs into how difficult it may be, especially when you still have to interface with society and have love interests outside of that marriage. The way the issues resolve at the end is a litttttle too neat and tidy for my liking but its sweet and after grappling with some bigger questions and putting the characters through the emotional wringer I don’t mind it too much.
Also, I love that there isn’t a villain in this book, its just the social forces that they have to contend with. Nothing to vanquish, just internal growth and communication and lord isn’t that challenge enough. (There is some drama via miscommunication, but it’s driven by the fact that character feel that they need to keep secrets for their own wellbeing, so it didn’t annoy me the way miscommunication often does.
Also also, thrilled that Lord Byron Was There. Just. Being Lord Byron. You go to cry in a corner and Lord Byron is already there, having a Worse Day Than You. I love him, ten out of ten use of history’s favorite bisexual chaos gremlin.
Note: I did read the previous book in this series, but I don’t think its necessary to understand or enjoy this one, they’re very peripherally related.
All in all, 4/5 stars from me. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC
Verbena is such a compelling main character, she is driven and headstrong and deeply flawed, but in a way that makes perfect sense given the hand she’s been dealt. The core romance does a really lovely job encouraging her to grow into herself, while still staying sharp and wicked. I love her interest in the macabre and gossip, truly a true crime girlie in the wrong era. Flora/William is also so incredible, I adored the way gender was handled here, both in Flora and William’s exploration of it and Verbena’s eventual experimentation with men’s fashions. I love love love how the Big Reveal was handled, I was worried we would veer into transphobia between the protags but rest assured none of that.
I really enjoyed how this book inspects the trope of lavender marriage that is often presented as an easy solution and digs into how difficult it may be, especially when you still have to interface with society and have love interests outside of that marriage. The way the issues resolve at the end is a litttttle too neat and tidy for my liking but its sweet and after grappling with some bigger questions and putting the characters through the emotional wringer I don’t mind it too much.
Also, I love that there isn’t a villain in this book, its just the social forces that they have to contend with. Nothing to vanquish, just internal growth and communication and lord isn’t that challenge enough. (There is some drama via miscommunication, but it’s driven by the fact that character feel that they need to keep secrets for their own wellbeing, so it didn’t annoy me the way miscommunication often does.
Also also, thrilled that Lord Byron Was There. Just. Being Lord Byron. You go to cry in a corner and Lord Byron is already there, having a Worse Day Than You. I love him, ten out of ten use of history’s favorite bisexual chaos gremlin.
Note: I did read the previous book in this series, but I don’t think its necessary to understand or enjoy this one, they’re very peripherally related.
All in all, 4/5 stars from me. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2025
Thank you Vintage for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily
ARC Review; A Lady for All Seasons by TJ Alexander
Pub Date: March 10, 2026
Verbena Montrose is in need of a husband - after not finding a better option, she proposes a marriage of convenience with her friend Etienne who is at risk of being outed. It solves both of their problems and though neither will grow to love each other, they begin courting. But when Verbena finds out that lauded poetess Flora Witcombe is the one that is spreading rumors through her poetry, Verbena is determined to confront her. What she doesn't expect is to be absolutely intrigued by Flora. But Flora is hiding secrets of her own - namely, that she is also failed author William Forsythe. Though she can't court Verbena as Flora, perhaps he can as William....but truthfully the last thing Verbena needs at this point is another suitor!
I love TJs books so much - the characters are so well fleshed out and complex. The queer representation is obviously absolutely perfect and I love seeing Flora and William be so understood by their friends. This is a slowwww burn but it fits the story so so well. There's a lot of excellent humor and an odd amount of Lord Byron to be honest, but it was so good!
This book started off a bit slow for me personally, it really took until about 30-40% for me to be pretty invested. I think there's a lot of (necessary) set up here which if I had been able to get through it a little more quickly probably would have worked a little better for me. I think if I had listened to the audio this probably wouldn't have been as much of an issue for me.
ARC Review; A Lady for All Seasons by TJ Alexander
Pub Date: March 10, 2026
Verbena Montrose is in need of a husband - after not finding a better option, she proposes a marriage of convenience with her friend Etienne who is at risk of being outed. It solves both of their problems and though neither will grow to love each other, they begin courting. But when Verbena finds out that lauded poetess Flora Witcombe is the one that is spreading rumors through her poetry, Verbena is determined to confront her. What she doesn't expect is to be absolutely intrigued by Flora. But Flora is hiding secrets of her own - namely, that she is also failed author William Forsythe. Though she can't court Verbena as Flora, perhaps he can as William....but truthfully the last thing Verbena needs at this point is another suitor!
I love TJs books so much - the characters are so well fleshed out and complex. The queer representation is obviously absolutely perfect and I love seeing Flora and William be so understood by their friends. This is a slowwww burn but it fits the story so so well. There's a lot of excellent humor and an odd amount of Lord Byron to be honest, but it was so good!
This book started off a bit slow for me personally, it really took until about 30-40% for me to be pretty invested. I think there's a lot of (necessary) set up here which if I had been able to get through it a little more quickly probably would have worked a little better for me. I think if I had listened to the audio this probably wouldn't have been as much of an issue for me.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you PRH and Vintage for the gifted ARC. All opinions are my own.
TJ, you've done it again! I didn't think anything would top a Gentleman's Gentleman for me but here we are. A Lady for All Seasons is just what the doctor prescribed for all my yearning, pining, Biblically down-bad needs.
Described as Sapphic-ish by TJ, Verbena and Flora+William's romance is boundless and unique much like the characters themselves. Flora/William/Willa's character is my first experience reading about someone with genderfluid identity and I think TJ framed her character arc in a way that was both authentic and relatable. His infatuation with Verbena was entirely relatable because I, too, am in love with Verbena's quick-wit and whimsy.
This romance is unlike anything I have read before and I loved the dynamic between Verbana and Flora as well as Verbena and William. I loved that they would have done anything for each other, I love that they had each other's best interests in mind no matter the consequence, and most of all I loved the antics they got into with their found family. Of the many things I admire about this series, I think Alexander does an excellent job at framing Queer history through a working class lens despite the characters being members of the ruling class. Worker issues are always at the forefront and none of our protagonists hoard wealth.
I'd recommend A Lady for All Seasons to folks who admire sassy and clever characters, fans of re-Queering the narrative, and to those who think love is always worth it.
TJ, you've done it again! I didn't think anything would top a Gentleman's Gentleman for me but here we are. A Lady for All Seasons is just what the doctor prescribed for all my yearning, pining, Biblically down-bad needs.
Described as Sapphic-ish by TJ, Verbena and Flora+William's romance is boundless and unique much like the characters themselves. Flora/William/Willa's character is my first experience reading about someone with genderfluid identity and I think TJ framed her character arc in a way that was both authentic and relatable. His infatuation with Verbena was entirely relatable because I, too, am in love with Verbena's quick-wit and whimsy.
This romance is unlike anything I have read before and I loved the dynamic between Verbana and Flora as well as Verbena and William. I loved that they would have done anything for each other, I love that they had each other's best interests in mind no matter the consequence, and most of all I loved the antics they got into with their found family. Of the many things I admire about this series, I think Alexander does an excellent job at framing Queer history through a working class lens despite the characters being members of the ruling class. Worker issues are always at the forefront and none of our protagonists hoard wealth.
I'd recommend A Lady for All Seasons to folks who admire sassy and clever characters, fans of re-Queering the narrative, and to those who think love is always worth it.
September 16, 2025
Ohh, a queer regency romance from T.J.Alexander? Yes, please. After devouring “A Gentleman’s Gentleman” I knew I would love this book before I even picked it up.
Technically, not the Regency Era, since the Prince Regent is now King George IV when the story opens, but let’s not quibble. Verbena still has the same problems as women of that era. She must find a husband, because that’s what is expected of her. She finds that a friend, a wealthy tailor, who is queer as a three dollar bill, also needs to marry, so they decide to wed as a marriage of convenience.
Then a infamous poet, Flora Witcombe, points out what they are doing, and Verbena must confront her, only to be smitten by her instead, and she as well. And as devastating as that might be in this era, it is even harder than that, because Flora is also William, sometimes.
As expected, high jinks ensue, as Verbena wants her friend Flora to wed William, because they seem as though they were made for each other. Throw in Lord Byron, who, as the author says, anything they could write about him are not as f*cking weird as what the historic Lord Byron did.
Beautifully written. Logical for the times, and I kept trying to guess how this would all be solved, because, after all, it is a romance, and you want everyone to end up happy at the end.
All the stars. This book will be published on the 10th of March 20225. Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
Technically, not the Regency Era, since the Prince Regent is now King George IV when the story opens, but let’s not quibble. Verbena still has the same problems as women of that era. She must find a husband, because that’s what is expected of her. She finds that a friend, a wealthy tailor, who is queer as a three dollar bill, also needs to marry, so they decide to wed as a marriage of convenience.
Then a infamous poet, Flora Witcombe, points out what they are doing, and Verbena must confront her, only to be smitten by her instead, and she as well. And as devastating as that might be in this era, it is even harder than that, because Flora is also William, sometimes.
As expected, high jinks ensue, as Verbena wants her friend Flora to wed William, because they seem as though they were made for each other. Throw in Lord Byron, who, as the author says, anything they could write about him are not as f*cking weird as what the historic Lord Byron did.
Beautifully written. Logical for the times, and I kept trying to guess how this would all be solved, because, after all, it is a romance, and you want everyone to end up happy at the end.
All the stars. This book will be published on the 10th of March 20225. Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
September 30, 2025
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC from Netgalley. The following opinions are my own.
What a follow up to A Gentleman's Gentleman: an absolutely precious Regency romp (there's just no other word for these two books) with ridiculous comedy inherent in the very silly and earnest plot, sweet as can be characters, and enough country house party manners to delight any fan of Bridgerton or Jane Austen.
I absolutely LOVED this book and devoured it in a little more than a single setting. Flora/William is just about as delightful a character as one could ever hope for, and the pure comedy of having to be two different people in the same place at the same time was absolutely as hilarious and charming as possible for such a frankly ridiculous proposition. Every character, side characters included, is wildly well developed, funny, and distinctly flawed. Verbena is obviously a favorite, with her information hoarding and constant need to manipulate social settings to her best advantage...and then she falls for Flora and everything comes crashing down around her.
I felt like this was of a kinship with Alexis Hall's Mortal Follies and Confounding Oaths (minus the supernatural elements). So funny, so self aware, and a delight for anyone who wants to see a stuffy period piece turned on its head with a cast of relatable, complex, and queer as hell characters. And Lord Byron is here! For some reason! And he's relevant to the plot! What a legend!
What a follow up to A Gentleman's Gentleman: an absolutely precious Regency romp (there's just no other word for these two books) with ridiculous comedy inherent in the very silly and earnest plot, sweet as can be characters, and enough country house party manners to delight any fan of Bridgerton or Jane Austen.
I absolutely LOVED this book and devoured it in a little more than a single setting. Flora/William is just about as delightful a character as one could ever hope for, and the pure comedy of having to be two different people in the same place at the same time was absolutely as hilarious and charming as possible for such a frankly ridiculous proposition. Every character, side characters included, is wildly well developed, funny, and distinctly flawed. Verbena is obviously a favorite, with her information hoarding and constant need to manipulate social settings to her best advantage...and then she falls for Flora and everything comes crashing down around her.
I felt like this was of a kinship with Alexis Hall's Mortal Follies and Confounding Oaths (minus the supernatural elements). So funny, so self aware, and a delight for anyone who wants to see a stuffy period piece turned on its head with a cast of relatable, complex, and queer as hell characters. And Lord Byron is here! For some reason! And he's relevant to the plot! What a legend!
October 13, 2025
A Lady for All Seasons is a fabulous queer historical romance. Our intrepid heroine Verbena Montrose must spend the summer navigating a planned marriage of convenience despite her unanticipated feelings for her new friend Flora Witcombe, who happens to also be, unbeknownst to her, potential suitor William Forsyth.
I loved the queer aspects of this book. Flora/William's identify is handled with consideration and care and Verbena's own journey of discovery of her queerness was well done. The star of this book is, unquestionably, Flora/William. Her understanding of herself, willingness to be brave and vulnerable and the PINING, absolute perfection. I loved Flora/William with all of my heart. I did find Verbena to be an incredibly frustrating and stubborn character who is willfully ignorant and unwilling to listen. I know this made sense to further the plot but god she was annoying at times but, in the end, you still root for her.
This book is full of heart, hijinks and laugh out loud funny moments. And, strangely, Lord Byron is here?
One note - this is an interconnected stand alone/sequel to Alexander's March 2025 publication A Gentleman's Gentleman. I read and loved that book this year so it was a fun surprise revising these same characters.
Thank to you Vintage Books and Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I loved the queer aspects of this book. Flora/William's identify is handled with consideration and care and Verbena's own journey of discovery of her queerness was well done. The star of this book is, unquestionably, Flora/William. Her understanding of herself, willingness to be brave and vulnerable and the PINING, absolute perfection. I loved Flora/William with all of my heart. I did find Verbena to be an incredibly frustrating and stubborn character who is willfully ignorant and unwilling to listen. I know this made sense to further the plot but god she was annoying at times but, in the end, you still root for her.
This book is full of heart, hijinks and laugh out loud funny moments. And, strangely, Lord Byron is here?
One note - this is an interconnected stand alone/sequel to Alexander's March 2025 publication A Gentleman's Gentleman. I read and loved that book this year so it was a fun surprise revising these same characters.
Thank to you Vintage Books and Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was another fun read by TJ Alexander! Verbena Montrose finds herself in need of a husband. As she has never had the desire or love that seems to plague others, she decides instead to marry practically. She proposes a solution to her recently-rich friend Étienne. While they start the process of a “courtship” things seem to be going to plan, until a poem by Flora Witcombe is published, mocking their relationship. When Verbena goes to confront Flora, she is shocked to find the most dear friend she’s ever had. Flora, who secretly also is the writer William Forsyth, is immediately attracted to Verbena.
After a Mrs. Doubtfire-esque back and forth between his two personas, it will take a lot of charm and maneuvering to get the two of them together.
This was very funny, insightful, and charming. I enjoyed all the main and supporting characters and felt there were some very good parts of this novel. It’s a good one for those who enjoy queer historical romance especially. The part I found frustrating was the time it took for the truth to come out. Because this takes so much time, I began to feel that Flora and William were a bit unfair to Verbena. They wanted her to see something that would’ve been difficult to see given the circumstances. Plus at the end, it wrapped up so quickly, largely because we spent so long in the fun and games section. Overall though, I think it was a wonderful and interesting read.
After a Mrs. Doubtfire-esque back and forth between his two personas, it will take a lot of charm and maneuvering to get the two of them together.
This was very funny, insightful, and charming. I enjoyed all the main and supporting characters and felt there were some very good parts of this novel. It’s a good one for those who enjoy queer historical romance especially. The part I found frustrating was the time it took for the truth to come out. Because this takes so much time, I began to feel that Flora and William were a bit unfair to Verbena. They wanted her to see something that would’ve been difficult to see given the circumstances. Plus at the end, it wrapped up so quickly, largely because we spent so long in the fun and games section. Overall though, I think it was a wonderful and interesting read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2025
Okay, this book is quite ridiculous, plot wise. But in the best way, that has you laughing at the characters along with the author, eagerly awaiting the catastrophes that the plot is sure to inflict upon the poor hapless victims. So much miscommunication, so much ridiculousness, so many tropes thrown into each scene that it ends up being more a comedy of manners.
This book excels where the first one failed (at least for me.) The pace is quick and bright, the characters are foolish but not stupid, and while it is firmly a historical — where acting outside of the rules society has set for itself (and others) holds consequences — it never gets too bogged down in reality. The characters are sympathetic, the plot is fun, the writing is fun and I enjoyed a lot of this book.
I did not, however, care for the fourth wall breaks. I don’t think they added much of to the story other than to ask readers to not vilify a character that the author was painting as a villain in a scene. Which is unnecessary in my opinion because Verbena goes on to be far more cruel in the paragraphs after in her revenge. The second one is just the author saying, in effect, heads, up, here’s where Verbena figures things out.
Thank you so much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.
This book excels where the first one failed (at least for me.) The pace is quick and bright, the characters are foolish but not stupid, and while it is firmly a historical — where acting outside of the rules society has set for itself (and others) holds consequences — it never gets too bogged down in reality. The characters are sympathetic, the plot is fun, the writing is fun and I enjoyed a lot of this book.
I did not, however, care for the fourth wall breaks. I don’t think they added much of to the story other than to ask readers to not vilify a character that the author was painting as a villain in a scene. Which is unnecessary in my opinion because Verbena goes on to be far more cruel in the paragraphs after in her revenge. The second one is just the author saying, in effect, heads, up, here’s where Verbena figures things out.
Thank you so much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Queer historical romance with fake marriages, artists going wild, unreliable narrators, and so much identity porn.
Verbena Montrose needs to find a rich husband to escape her family, who are about to fall into poverty. She is very practical. With a good name and no money, her currency is secrets. She collects any and all gossip she can find in case she needs to blackmail someone in the future. When she hears a nasty rumour about a friend, Verbena comes up with a cunning plan.
She will marry her friend Etienne, who is newly wealthy and very, very gay. Soon after, Verbena meets Flora Witcombe, poetess, and William Forsyth, a struggling novelist. Both of them intrigue her and complicate her plans. What she does not realize is that Flora and William are the same genderfluid person. Hijinks ensue.
Also features Lord Byron as an agent of chaos.
Stand alone novel; you do not need to read A Gentleman's Gentleman beforehand. However, it is an awesome book, so you should read it anyways.
***Read an eARC from Netgalley***
Verbena Montrose needs to find a rich husband to escape her family, who are about to fall into poverty. She is very practical. With a good name and no money, her currency is secrets. She collects any and all gossip she can find in case she needs to blackmail someone in the future. When she hears a nasty rumour about a friend, Verbena comes up with a cunning plan.
She will marry her friend Etienne, who is newly wealthy and very, very gay. Soon after, Verbena meets Flora Witcombe, poetess, and William Forsyth, a struggling novelist. Both of them intrigue her and complicate her plans. What she does not realize is that Flora and William are the same genderfluid person. Hijinks ensue.
Also features Lord Byron as an agent of chaos.
Stand alone novel; you do not need to read A Gentleman's Gentleman beforehand. However, it is an awesome book, so you should read it anyways.
***Read an eARC from Netgalley***
September 9, 2025
ARC provided by publisher:
I really wanted to like this one especially since I loved the author’s previous historical romance. This doesn’t seem to be marketed as a direct follow up but it is!
Unfortunately, the quality here felt jarringly different. For one, the prose read like a thesaurus was always open, which wasn’t the case in the earlier book.
The story itself relies completely on miscommunication and hidden identity tropes, two characters are actually one and the same! Hijinks ensue! It was frustrating that all conflict could have been solved instantly with honesty. That’s a personal least favorite trope for me, and it made the whole reading experience frustrating. The ending didn’t help, it relied on a resolution that everyone involved was closed to for the whole of the book!
That said, there were parts I enjoyed. Parts of the book felt like a 5-star read, while other parts were instead a 2-star level. Instead of averaging out, it just swung wildly between extremes.
I’ll definitely pick up more from this author, especially in this series since I think there’s a m/m story still to be told. I just hope it’s closer in quality and style to the earlier book I loved.
I really wanted to like this one especially since I loved the author’s previous historical romance. This doesn’t seem to be marketed as a direct follow up but it is!
Unfortunately, the quality here felt jarringly different. For one, the prose read like a thesaurus was always open, which wasn’t the case in the earlier book.
The story itself relies completely on miscommunication and hidden identity tropes, two characters are actually one and the same! Hijinks ensue! It was frustrating that all conflict could have been solved instantly with honesty. That’s a personal least favorite trope for me, and it made the whole reading experience frustrating. The ending didn’t help, it relied on a resolution that everyone involved was closed to for the whole of the book!
That said, there were parts I enjoyed. Parts of the book felt like a 5-star read, while other parts were instead a 2-star level. Instead of averaging out, it just swung wildly between extremes.
I’ll definitely pick up more from this author, especially in this series since I think there’s a m/m story still to be told. I just hope it’s closer in quality and style to the earlier book I loved.
September 1, 2025
3.5/5
I really liked A Gentleman's Gentleman, so I was excited to read another book by this author.
This a Regency era, LGBTQ+ story full of societal and political drama, schemes, and chaotic relationship dynamics (you can blame society for that).
Sometimes you need a husband (for his money, of course), so you set up a marriage of convenience situation, but then you fall in love with another woman who is sometimes not a woman. And this is obviously a secret.
This was fun and dramatic and I sped through it so fast. And I liked how respectful their relationship was, they felt like real people dealing with all aspects of their lives, not just a relationship.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
I really liked A Gentleman's Gentleman, so I was excited to read another book by this author.
This a Regency era, LGBTQ+ story full of societal and political drama, schemes, and chaotic relationship dynamics (you can blame society for that).
Sometimes you need a husband (for his money, of course), so you set up a marriage of convenience situation, but then you fall in love with another woman who is sometimes not a woman. And this is obviously a secret.
This was fun and dramatic and I sped through it so fast. And I liked how respectful their relationship was, they felt like real people dealing with all aspects of their lives, not just a relationship.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
October 16, 2025
Verbena plans a marriage of convenience for her financial security and to protect her husband-to-be from rumors that he is gay. Though a marriage of convenience is a familiar premise, this book had some unexpected twists and wasn’t predictable. I loved the ending because it explored a non-traditional HEA in this context (England in 1820). Verbena’s love interest is bigender; I appreciated the exploration of gender expression in a society with strict gender norms. I also appreciate that the book explored how gossip is often denigrated but can be a form of social currency for women without traditional power. (I also love that they have a fat tabby cat named Sappho!)
Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy of this book!
Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy of this book!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really enjoyed this latest queer historical romance from TJ Alexander! I barely remembered the first one outside of knowing that I liked it but thankfully the context given within this book was enough to get by without feeling like I was missing anything.
The shenanigans were high, with the circumstances of the plot lending themselves well to full-blown farce, and I thought they were done well. It felt like this book took a little while to really get off the ground, but once I was hooked I was in all the way. The stakes feel real, the characters are vibrant, and queerness abounds (there's also plenty of Lord Byron being, well, himself). Definitely recommend!
Thanks to NetGalley and Vintage for the arc ✌️
The shenanigans were high, with the circumstances of the plot lending themselves well to full-blown farce, and I thought they were done well. It felt like this book took a little while to really get off the ground, but once I was hooked I was in all the way. The stakes feel real, the characters are vibrant, and queerness abounds (there's also plenty of Lord Byron being, well, himself). Definitely recommend!
Thanks to NetGalley and Vintage for the arc ✌️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC
I really loved this. When I read a Gentleman for a Duke, I enjoyed the premise, but was let-down by the pacing. But TJ Alexancer is a always-read author for me, so I was excited for this one, and it was fantastic. My favourite kind of regency romance is queer characters coming up with a marriage scheme that'll suit their needs, and this did that greatly.
I loved all the characters. Verbena got on my nerves at times with how she'd lie to William and Flora, and some of her jealousy, but I totally understood why she felt it was necessary to lie and scheme. William and Flora were both lovely characters, as is Willa, and I also really loved Etienne and Miles.
Overall, great historical romance with fun nonbinary rep.
I really loved this. When I read a Gentleman for a Duke, I enjoyed the premise, but was let-down by the pacing. But TJ Alexancer is a always-read author for me, so I was excited for this one, and it was fantastic. My favourite kind of regency romance is queer characters coming up with a marriage scheme that'll suit their needs, and this did that greatly.
I loved all the characters. Verbena got on my nerves at times with how she'd lie to William and Flora, and some of her jealousy, but I totally understood why she felt it was necessary to lie and scheme. William and Flora were both lovely characters, as is Willa, and I also really loved Etienne and Miles.
Overall, great historical romance with fun nonbinary rep.
November 26, 2025
A Lady for All Seasons is delightful queer Regency story, and I couldn’t put it down. Verbena is a fantastic heroine: clever, desperate, messy, and shaped by a difficult past. Her connection with Flora/William, a brilliantly written genderfluid lead, gives the story a unique emotional depth.
The book leans into comedy of errors, mistaken identities, and secret romances, all while everyone involved is very queer whic i loved, and yes, Lord Byron shows up purely for the drama. TJ Alexander handles class, queerness, and identity with nuance while keeping the story fun and fast-paced.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
The book leans into comedy of errors, mistaken identities, and secret romances, all while everyone involved is very queer whic i loved, and yes, Lord Byron shows up purely for the drama. TJ Alexander handles class, queerness, and identity with nuance while keeping the story fun and fast-paced.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
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