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The Laudanum Ladies’ Society
In a London that insists women remain quiet, dutiful, and dull, two unlikely conspirators discover a secret that awakens everything society tells them to suppress…
Jenny Rosewood – single, clever and nearly thirty, heaven forbid – has long disguised herself as a man to attend nighttime lectures and chase knowledge forbidden to her. But when an accidental alteration of her uncle’s sleeping draught unleashes a dizzying rush of freedom, Jenny sees an opportunity.
Together with Gwen Walters, a pharmacist’s wife hidden in her husband’s shadow, they form a covert sisterhood where London’s ladies gather to indulge in their secret tincture under the guise of afternoon tea.
Soon, society's most proper ladies are sipping their way toward inspiration, rebellion and risk.
Because once women taste freedom, no amount of decorum can force it back in the bottle.
Jenny Rosewood – single, clever and nearly thirty, heaven forbid – has long disguised herself as a man to attend nighttime lectures and chase knowledge forbidden to her. But when an accidental alteration of her uncle’s sleeping draught unleashes a dizzying rush of freedom, Jenny sees an opportunity.
Together with Gwen Walters, a pharmacist’s wife hidden in her husband’s shadow, they form a covert sisterhood where London’s ladies gather to indulge in their secret tincture under the guise of afternoon tea.
Soon, society's most proper ladies are sipping their way toward inspiration, rebellion and risk.
Because once women taste freedom, no amount of decorum can force it back in the bottle.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
353 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 28, 2026
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August 3, 2026
Set in late Victorian London, The Laudanum Ladies’ Society is a story of secrets, scandal, and mild suspense from Elisabeth Hobbes.
Inspired by a challenge from the author’s teenager to write a Victorian ‘Breaking Bad’, The Laudanum Ladies’ Society shifts between the parlours of London’s Society to its seedy back streets when spinster Jenny Rosewood recognises the potential of an accidentally altered sleeping draught by pharmacist’s wife Gwen Walters to raise the funds both women need to secure their future.
Hobbes touches on several serious themes in The Laudanum Ladies’ Society including exploitation, addiction, misogyny, domestic violence, morality, and female autonomy as Jenny and Gwen become increasingly entangled in the consequences of their choices.
There were several elements of this story that I appreciated including Hobbes exploration of women challenging societal expectations, the women’s courage to confront their mistakes, the touches of humour and romance, and the queer representation.
Unfortunately, the execution wasn’t as strong as I hoped for. I struggled to connect with either Jenny or Gwen, whose characterisation felt somewhat underdeveloped. I also found their inner monologues were very repetitive, reiterating the same feelings and concerns.
I also had some issues with the dialogue.There’s a fine line between period-appropriate and stilted dialogue, and often the conversations felt awkward rather than authentic, pulling me out of the story.
With its unusual premise The Laudanum Ladies’ Society is an interesting read, but ultimately didn’t quite reach its potential for me.
Inspired by a challenge from the author’s teenager to write a Victorian ‘Breaking Bad’, The Laudanum Ladies’ Society shifts between the parlours of London’s Society to its seedy back streets when spinster Jenny Rosewood recognises the potential of an accidentally altered sleeping draught by pharmacist’s wife Gwen Walters to raise the funds both women need to secure their future.
Hobbes touches on several serious themes in The Laudanum Ladies’ Society including exploitation, addiction, misogyny, domestic violence, morality, and female autonomy as Jenny and Gwen become increasingly entangled in the consequences of their choices.
There were several elements of this story that I appreciated including Hobbes exploration of women challenging societal expectations, the women’s courage to confront their mistakes, the touches of humour and romance, and the queer representation.
Unfortunately, the execution wasn’t as strong as I hoped for. I struggled to connect with either Jenny or Gwen, whose characterisation felt somewhat underdeveloped. I also found their inner monologues were very repetitive, reiterating the same feelings and concerns.
I also had some issues with the dialogue.There’s a fine line between period-appropriate and stilted dialogue, and often the conversations felt awkward rather than authentic, pulling me out of the story.
With its unusual premise The Laudanum Ladies’ Society is an interesting read, but ultimately didn’t quite reach its potential for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The setup: Jenny is her uncle's housekeeper, sneaking out dressed as a man for lectures. Gwen is the pharmacist's wife, covering for a husband who can't see straight. A batch of altered laudanum turns into a side hustle neither of them planned.
I've spent plenty of time with judgey church women, and I concur with Jenny: they could use some euphoria. That's the pitch that gets their whole plan moving.
The alternating third-person POV gives us Jenny and Gwen as distinct characters, each with her own voice. But it moves fast. Settings are clear enough to place you: a chop house, a pharmacy, a church hall. The book never lingers in any of them. Hobbes gives us enough to understand where we are, not enough to make the setting matter.
Both our main characters are chasing freedom, but it's not an abstract wish. They're desperate for a change in their circumstance. They just don’t realize how desperate. Both have made a kind of peace with their lot in life until the side hustle makes them see they can have more. Jenny wants identity and autonomy: room to be gay, room to be nearly 30 and not just someone's housekeeper, room to sit in a lecture hall without borrowing a man's clothes to do it. Gwen wants out of a marriage that's shrunk her down to covering for her husband's cataracts, and she wants to reconnect with her son, who lives abroad. She wants to be a mother again instead of just a wife (and one who is disregarded and disrespected, at that). Same word, two different fights.
The side hustle starts as something almost fun. We read the tincture Gwen creates as enjoyable, not dangerous. Then the stakes climb fast. Augusta is a shady Victorian lady drug dealer running a chop house with some nefarious business on the side. Once she's in the picture, the story jumps from a small tincture operation to something with real stakes. I would've liked a bit more time to move through this process with Jenny and Gwen.
Gwen's arc is the steepest. She finds herself in this process, and along the way reconnects with Danny, a childhood friend who's patient and kind, giving her room to decide what she needs instead of deciding for her. Jenny's arc reads flatter by comparison. She finds who she is, but trades one benign manipulator (her uncle) for another in Miriam. Their feelings move faster than the book takes time to process. The characters comment on this, referencing “infatuation” and the little time they’ve known each other. I don't mind love at first sight, but Jenny gives up ground without much promise of reciprocity from Miriam. Miriam’s “if you do this for me, I might like you again” (paraphrased) did not sit well with me.
I'm thankful, always, for an HEA. I was disappointed that this ending leaves quite a few undone threads. Not every character gets the resolution I wanted, and the tincture operation itself never gets fully accounted for. I suspect Jenny and Gwen are making more money than the book spells out, but that's never made clear. A montage, making the tincture, delivering it, would've gone a long way. I don't have a firm sense of the timeline either, and that matters: the longer this goes on and the more money involved, the harder it should be to walk away from it. Add in a late-breaking thread about Jenny's uncle possibly owing her money, and the book needed more connective tissue to tie off everything it opened.
None of that is a deal breaker, though. Every woman in this book is desperate about something, and underneath it, they're lonely. Gwen's version of that resonated with me most, and her development was the heart of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK/One More Chapter for the advance copy to read.
I've spent plenty of time with judgey church women, and I concur with Jenny: they could use some euphoria. That's the pitch that gets their whole plan moving.
The alternating third-person POV gives us Jenny and Gwen as distinct characters, each with her own voice. But it moves fast. Settings are clear enough to place you: a chop house, a pharmacy, a church hall. The book never lingers in any of them. Hobbes gives us enough to understand where we are, not enough to make the setting matter.
Both our main characters are chasing freedom, but it's not an abstract wish. They're desperate for a change in their circumstance. They just don’t realize how desperate. Both have made a kind of peace with their lot in life until the side hustle makes them see they can have more. Jenny wants identity and autonomy: room to be gay, room to be nearly 30 and not just someone's housekeeper, room to sit in a lecture hall without borrowing a man's clothes to do it. Gwen wants out of a marriage that's shrunk her down to covering for her husband's cataracts, and she wants to reconnect with her son, who lives abroad. She wants to be a mother again instead of just a wife (and one who is disregarded and disrespected, at that). Same word, two different fights.
The side hustle starts as something almost fun. We read the tincture Gwen creates as enjoyable, not dangerous. Then the stakes climb fast. Augusta is a shady Victorian lady drug dealer running a chop house with some nefarious business on the side. Once she's in the picture, the story jumps from a small tincture operation to something with real stakes. I would've liked a bit more time to move through this process with Jenny and Gwen.
Gwen's arc is the steepest. She finds herself in this process, and along the way reconnects with Danny, a childhood friend who's patient and kind, giving her room to decide what she needs instead of deciding for her. Jenny's arc reads flatter by comparison. She finds who she is, but trades one benign manipulator (her uncle) for another in Miriam. Their feelings move faster than the book takes time to process. The characters comment on this, referencing “infatuation” and the little time they’ve known each other. I don't mind love at first sight, but Jenny gives up ground without much promise of reciprocity from Miriam. Miriam’s “if you do this for me, I might like you again” (paraphrased) did not sit well with me.
I'm thankful, always, for an HEA. I was disappointed that this ending leaves quite a few undone threads. Not every character gets the resolution I wanted, and the tincture operation itself never gets fully accounted for. I suspect Jenny and Gwen are making more money than the book spells out, but that's never made clear. A montage, making the tincture, delivering it, would've gone a long way. I don't have a firm sense of the timeline either, and that matters: the longer this goes on and the more money involved, the harder it should be to walk away from it. Add in a late-breaking thread about Jenny's uncle possibly owing her money, and the book needed more connective tissue to tie off everything it opened.
None of that is a deal breaker, though. Every woman in this book is desperate about something, and underneath it, they're lonely. Gwen's version of that resonated with me most, and her development was the heart of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK/One More Chapter for the advance copy to read.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
An accidental error in a sedative potion gives an unusually creative effect. Jenny Rosewood is in the habit of being 'generous' with her uncle's dose on a Thursday so she can escape the house for an evening and enjoy a little freedom, but is surprised this particular night to come home and find him not abed but in a creative frenzy! She tries the tincture herself and realises this is a remarkable and marketable effect! She visits the pharmacy where she discovers Gwen Walters has been making up the medicines to cover for her husband's ailing sight. She convinces her to make more and from there come plans to share it with some society friends to earn a few shillings, and thus is born the Laudanum Ladies Society!
I confess I thought this would be a cosy sort of novel with the ladies reclining placidly together and perhaps languidly investigating a crime in an Osman sort of fashion, but I couldn't have been more wrong! Perhaps someone more familiar with Breaking Bad than I was wouldn't have started out with such a misconception, but as it was I thoroughly enjoyed having the scales pulled from my eyes!
In point of fact the original group of ladies never actually get around to naming themselves a society, because events quickly spiral out of Jenny's social circle as the opportunity to make real money comes their way. Pharmacist wife Gwen is initially reluctant, but wants the money to pay for her (increasingly fractious and unpleasant) husband's cataract surgery.
Jenny's friend Miriam is very anti-opium, and the two fall out over it, and as events spiral out of control into the darker underbelly of society all the women find themselves asking whether money is really worth the price you pay for it?
Challenging all sorts of gender stereotypes of the age, The Laudanum Ladies Society is a cracking novel with a gripping plot, believable, likeable & daring characters (as well as one you'll love to hate!) fighting to forge themselves a little freedom in a man's world. (If one of them rather churlishly held a grudge slightly longer than I thought was strictly fair, well, I can't complain, and I won't be nursing any resentment towards this frankly embarrassingly talented author! This is my 5th Hobbes and she never disappoints!)
I confess I thought this would be a cosy sort of novel with the ladies reclining placidly together and perhaps languidly investigating a crime in an Osman sort of fashion, but I couldn't have been more wrong! Perhaps someone more familiar with Breaking Bad than I was wouldn't have started out with such a misconception, but as it was I thoroughly enjoyed having the scales pulled from my eyes!
In point of fact the original group of ladies never actually get around to naming themselves a society, because events quickly spiral out of Jenny's social circle as the opportunity to make real money comes their way. Pharmacist wife Gwen is initially reluctant, but wants the money to pay for her (increasingly fractious and unpleasant) husband's cataract surgery.
Jenny's friend Miriam is very anti-opium, and the two fall out over it, and as events spiral out of control into the darker underbelly of society all the women find themselves asking whether money is really worth the price you pay for it?
Challenging all sorts of gender stereotypes of the age, The Laudanum Ladies Society is a cracking novel with a gripping plot, believable, likeable & daring characters (as well as one you'll love to hate!) fighting to forge themselves a little freedom in a man's world. (If one of them rather churlishly held a grudge slightly longer than I thought was strictly fair, well, I can't complain, and I won't be nursing any resentment towards this frankly embarrassingly talented author! This is my 5th Hobbes and she never disappoints!)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Laudanum Ladies' Society by Elisabeth Hobbes is an excellent book that the author describes as a historical fiction take on Breaking Bad. I had not read that description when I picked up the book, but having devoured it from cover to cover I can absolutely see that it is a fitting description in many ways.
Jenny is a spinster approaching thirty and living with her Uncle following the death of her parents years before. She longs for freedom and independence so badly that she resorts to dressing up as a man for the freedom it gives her. When she administers his usual tonic to her uncle one evening only to witness some rather unusual effects she decides to go to the pharmacy to investigate. There she meets Gwen, the wife of the pharmacist, who is hiding the fact that due to her husband's cataracts she is the one who has been making up the medications and tonics, and in the process she has produced a mixture that reduces inhibitions and inspires the creative process. The two women decide to capitalise on their discovery but what starts as a small select gathering of women spirals out of control and soon Jenny and Gwen find themselves dealing with some very shady characters who plan to use their discovery for nefarious purposes.
From the publishing blurb I expected a rather light hearted story of sisterhood and female empowerment but this book went to much darker places, and dealt with subjects like prostitution and addiction. There is a beautifully believable Sapphic romance and the more unlikeable characters get their comeuppance in delightfully satisfactory ways. The main characters were interesting and believable ( though sometimes their actions and decisions surprised me) and I was invested in how their stories would play out.
I read an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own .
Jenny is a spinster approaching thirty and living with her Uncle following the death of her parents years before. She longs for freedom and independence so badly that she resorts to dressing up as a man for the freedom it gives her. When she administers his usual tonic to her uncle one evening only to witness some rather unusual effects she decides to go to the pharmacy to investigate. There she meets Gwen, the wife of the pharmacist, who is hiding the fact that due to her husband's cataracts she is the one who has been making up the medications and tonics, and in the process she has produced a mixture that reduces inhibitions and inspires the creative process. The two women decide to capitalise on their discovery but what starts as a small select gathering of women spirals out of control and soon Jenny and Gwen find themselves dealing with some very shady characters who plan to use their discovery for nefarious purposes.
From the publishing blurb I expected a rather light hearted story of sisterhood and female empowerment but this book went to much darker places, and dealt with subjects like prostitution and addiction. There is a beautifully believable Sapphic romance and the more unlikeable characters get their comeuppance in delightfully satisfactory ways. The main characters were interesting and believable ( though sometimes their actions and decisions surprised me) and I was invested in how their stories would play out.
I read an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own .
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I offer my things to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced readers copy of The Laudanum Ladie’s Society.
This was a very cozy and charming book. I try not to read too much about a book in advance so that I don’t have any preconceived notions. From the name alone, I pictured a group of women taking some concoction together and getting up to no good. Although I suppose that could be true, the plot went in a much different direction than I expected.
My favorite part about this story has to be the female characters. The story has two FMC’s but it doesn’t limit the arc to just the main characters. I think the author does a really fantastic job of showing just how deeply patriarchy and misogyny were ingrained in every single aspect of a woman’s life, particularly in this time. It made me incredibly sad to read about these women who had nothing of their own, how hard they had to fight for their own right to have thoughts even. It’s better now, but it’s still heartbreakingly similar in many ways.
Ultimately, the different women in the story were freed in different ways, but ultimately freedom is a state of mind, and we are often our own oppressors. Women deserve to be unreservedly and unapologetically, who we are regardless of morality or location. We fight in our own small ways.
It’s a good story. It’s a solid story with some mystery and some humor, but I can’t help but feel terribly sad about life‘s inequalities. Honestly, I would recommend this book in a heartbeat to anybody who wants a relatively light mystery. It may be just me who’s reading too much into the plight of women throughly time.
This was a very cozy and charming book. I try not to read too much about a book in advance so that I don’t have any preconceived notions. From the name alone, I pictured a group of women taking some concoction together and getting up to no good. Although I suppose that could be true, the plot went in a much different direction than I expected.
My favorite part about this story has to be the female characters. The story has two FMC’s but it doesn’t limit the arc to just the main characters. I think the author does a really fantastic job of showing just how deeply patriarchy and misogyny were ingrained in every single aspect of a woman’s life, particularly in this time. It made me incredibly sad to read about these women who had nothing of their own, how hard they had to fight for their own right to have thoughts even. It’s better now, but it’s still heartbreakingly similar in many ways.
Ultimately, the different women in the story were freed in different ways, but ultimately freedom is a state of mind, and we are often our own oppressors. Women deserve to be unreservedly and unapologetically, who we are regardless of morality or location. We fight in our own small ways.
It’s a good story. It’s a solid story with some mystery and some humor, but I can’t help but feel terribly sad about life‘s inequalities. Honestly, I would recommend this book in a heartbeat to anybody who wants a relatively light mystery. It may be just me who’s reading too much into the plight of women throughly time.
June 20, 2026
Published comment: In a London that insists women remain quiet, dutiful, and dull, two unlikely conspirators discover a secret that awakens everything society tells them to suppress…
Jenny Rosewood – single, clever and nearly thirty, heaven forbid – has long disguised herself as a man to attend nighttime lectures and chase knowledge forbidden to her. But when an accidental alteration of her uncle’s sleeping draught unleashes a dizzying rush of freedom, Jenny sees an opportunity.
Together with Gwen Walters, a pharmacist’s wife hidden in her husband’s shadow, they form a covert sisterhood where London’s ladies gather to indulge in their secret tincture under the guise of afternoon tea.
Soon, society’s most proper ladies are sipping their way toward inspiration, rebellion and risk.
Because once women taste freedom, no amount of decorum can force it back in the bottle.
My Review : I loved this book. The author has painted a rich picture of a different era with two FMC. Both have different reasons for their involvement. As the author herself notes in her afterword ‘ could you write Breaking Bad, but set it in a different era?’ - well, it appears you can!
Highlights the treatment of women in a very different era, and how you should not underestimate what they are capable of.
TW: themes of drug use, prostitution, murder
I was lucky to receive this as an ARC on NetGalley
Jenny Rosewood – single, clever and nearly thirty, heaven forbid – has long disguised herself as a man to attend nighttime lectures and chase knowledge forbidden to her. But when an accidental alteration of her uncle’s sleeping draught unleashes a dizzying rush of freedom, Jenny sees an opportunity.
Together with Gwen Walters, a pharmacist’s wife hidden in her husband’s shadow, they form a covert sisterhood where London’s ladies gather to indulge in their secret tincture under the guise of afternoon tea.
Soon, society’s most proper ladies are sipping their way toward inspiration, rebellion and risk.
Because once women taste freedom, no amount of decorum can force it back in the bottle.
My Review : I loved this book. The author has painted a rich picture of a different era with two FMC. Both have different reasons for their involvement. As the author herself notes in her afterword ‘ could you write Breaking Bad, but set it in a different era?’ - well, it appears you can!
Highlights the treatment of women in a very different era, and how you should not underestimate what they are capable of.
TW: themes of drug use, prostitution, murder
I was lucky to receive this as an ARC on NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As someone who typically reaches for a book with a plot heavily focused on romance and/or magic, I was unsure what to expect from this read, but I thoroughly enjoyed a reflection on the female existence in history. I found myself in a certain degree of suspense throughout the book, wondering where the plot was headed and how these charming and complex characters were going to solve the situation they found themselves in.
When a spinster and the wife of a pharmacist promote a tincture to their friends (with good intentions), all goes awry as their lives are changed forever... Not just by the tincture, but by the ripple effect of seeing women embrace independence and disregard societal expectations. Upon reading the author’s note, I feel it fits the description, “An all-female cast of Breaking Bad takes on Victorian society.” Though I felt there could have been a touch more depth in certain areas, this was an overall fun and easy read that serves as a great reminder of the restrictions women have faced throughout history. This will be a great recommendation for lovers of women’s fiction and historical fiction.
Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for a digital ARC of 'The Laudanum Ladies’ Society.’ All thoughts and opinions are my own and fully human-generated.
When a spinster and the wife of a pharmacist promote a tincture to their friends (with good intentions), all goes awry as their lives are changed forever... Not just by the tincture, but by the ripple effect of seeing women embrace independence and disregard societal expectations. Upon reading the author’s note, I feel it fits the description, “An all-female cast of Breaking Bad takes on Victorian society.” Though I felt there could have been a touch more depth in certain areas, this was an overall fun and easy read that serves as a great reminder of the restrictions women have faced throughout history. This will be a great recommendation for lovers of women’s fiction and historical fiction.
Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for a digital ARC of 'The Laudanum Ladies’ Society.’ All thoughts and opinions are my own and fully human-generated.
July 2, 2026
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4
Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and Elisabeth J. Hobbes for the ARC of The Laudanum Ladies' Society.
Nothing like a historical fiction that takes on Braking Bad. After an accidental error in a sedative potion gives an unusual effect, it causes Jenny to seek further information. Jenny has been a little liberal at times with her Uncle's dose so that she can escape his ever watchful eye for a few hours. Instead of having the intended effect of drowsiness and sleepiness, he seems to be in a creative frenzy.
Jenny tries to figure out what had happened, and tries the tincture for herself. This leads her to the pharmacy where the tincture was acquired, to which she finds out a secret. The pharmacists wife Gwen Walters has been making the tinctures for her husband whose eye sight is failing.
Jenny convinces Gwyn to make more in order for them to share it with society fiends in order to make a few shillings. Because what harm could come from this if it creates such desirable effects? Be prepared for some twists and turns that veer towards darkness.
I loved the exploration of women challenging societal expectations and norms, while also including queer representation. There were elements of pacing that at times felt slow at times, but I did find it overall enjoyable.
Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and Elisabeth J. Hobbes for the ARC of The Laudanum Ladies' Society.
Nothing like a historical fiction that takes on Braking Bad. After an accidental error in a sedative potion gives an unusual effect, it causes Jenny to seek further information. Jenny has been a little liberal at times with her Uncle's dose so that she can escape his ever watchful eye for a few hours. Instead of having the intended effect of drowsiness and sleepiness, he seems to be in a creative frenzy.
Jenny tries to figure out what had happened, and tries the tincture for herself. This leads her to the pharmacy where the tincture was acquired, to which she finds out a secret. The pharmacists wife Gwen Walters has been making the tinctures for her husband whose eye sight is failing.
Jenny convinces Gwyn to make more in order for them to share it with society fiends in order to make a few shillings. Because what harm could come from this if it creates such desirable effects? Be prepared for some twists and turns that veer towards darkness.
I loved the exploration of women challenging societal expectations and norms, while also including queer representation. There were elements of pacing that at times felt slow at times, but I did find it overall enjoyable.
August 13, 2026
An unexpected friendship provides a chance to fully be yourself. And my even be a pathway to a second chance of life.
Gwen is a downtrodden housewife and Jenny is a 30 year old spinster reliant on her uncle who manages all her finances. "The Laudanum Ladies’ Society" by Elisabeth Hobbes is set in a time of Victorian London when women were subservient. Inspiration and imagination are squashed. Never mind the feeling of pleasure.
Gwen creates a tincture that takes women away from themselves. They can relax and escape....if only in the mind. Jenny joins her in a partnership distributing the tincture. Sadly they don't have control of how the euphoric tincture is used by the purchasers.
Dark themes take over and decorum goes out the window as feisty businesswoman Augusta's chopshop proves to be a front for her dodgy brothel.
The story builds and so does the confidence of Gwen and Jenny as they rebel against male influences and are forced to take huge personal risks to undo the damage their tincture allowed in the seedy underground.
This story ticks many boxes.....friendship, romance, suspense. Gwen's personal development is the star of the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK/One More Chapter for the advance copy to read.
Gwen is a downtrodden housewife and Jenny is a 30 year old spinster reliant on her uncle who manages all her finances. "The Laudanum Ladies’ Society" by Elisabeth Hobbes is set in a time of Victorian London when women were subservient. Inspiration and imagination are squashed. Never mind the feeling of pleasure.
Gwen creates a tincture that takes women away from themselves. They can relax and escape....if only in the mind. Jenny joins her in a partnership distributing the tincture. Sadly they don't have control of how the euphoric tincture is used by the purchasers.
Dark themes take over and decorum goes out the window as feisty businesswoman Augusta's chopshop proves to be a front for her dodgy brothel.
The story builds and so does the confidence of Gwen and Jenny as they rebel against male influences and are forced to take huge personal risks to undo the damage their tincture allowed in the seedy underground.
This story ticks many boxes.....friendship, romance, suspense. Gwen's personal development is the star of the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK/One More Chapter for the advance copy to read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
I have previously read and enjoyed this author’s work, so I was excited to pick up this book. Unfortunately, I feel a bit on the fence about this one.
There were elements of the story that I appreciated, particularly its exploration of women challenging societal expectations and the inclusion of queer representation. The premise was intriguing and I could see what the author was aiming to achieve with the themes and characters.
I struggled with the execution. The overall pacing felt quite slow, relationships and character decisions seemed to develop very quickly and it left me feeling disconnected from the emotional progression of the story. Due to this, I found it difficult to fully invest in the characters and their motivations.
I also found the casual use of tinctures and other substances to influence people uncomfortable, which made it harder for me to engage with the narrative.
I would still be interested in reading future works from this author based on my positive experience with their previous books.
I have previously read and enjoyed this author’s work, so I was excited to pick up this book. Unfortunately, I feel a bit on the fence about this one.
There were elements of the story that I appreciated, particularly its exploration of women challenging societal expectations and the inclusion of queer representation. The premise was intriguing and I could see what the author was aiming to achieve with the themes and characters.
I struggled with the execution. The overall pacing felt quite slow, relationships and character decisions seemed to develop very quickly and it left me feeling disconnected from the emotional progression of the story. Due to this, I found it difficult to fully invest in the characters and their motivations.
I also found the casual use of tinctures and other substances to influence people uncomfortable, which made it harder for me to engage with the narrative.
I would still be interested in reading future works from this author based on my positive experience with their previous books.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollinsUK for the advanced reader copy.
This book is such an engaging and beautifully written historical story that completely hooked me from the very start. It is an uncomplicated read with no major twists and turns, making it a smooth and absorbing book to sink into.
What I loved most was how deeply I felt for the female characters as they struggled against Victorian constraints. Watching this secret sisterhood form and seeing these constrained women finally take control of their own lives was incredibly empowering. Within that sisterhood, the mild lesbian relationship fit the characters and the story perfectly without feeling forced; it just made sense for who they were and how their lives intertwined.
However, don't let the afternoon tea fool you—the plot does not shy away from gritty reality. It dives straight into the darker side of drugs and prostitution in a way that truly felt like a Victorian-era Breaking Bad. Watching their operation grow from a quiet escape into something much heavier was fascinating.
If you love stories of fierce female rebellion, you need to add this to your TBR list immediately.
This book is such an engaging and beautifully written historical story that completely hooked me from the very start. It is an uncomplicated read with no major twists and turns, making it a smooth and absorbing book to sink into.
What I loved most was how deeply I felt for the female characters as they struggled against Victorian constraints. Watching this secret sisterhood form and seeing these constrained women finally take control of their own lives was incredibly empowering. Within that sisterhood, the mild lesbian relationship fit the characters and the story perfectly without feeling forced; it just made sense for who they were and how their lives intertwined.
However, don't let the afternoon tea fool you—the plot does not shy away from gritty reality. It dives straight into the darker side of drugs and prostitution in a way that truly felt like a Victorian-era Breaking Bad. Watching their operation grow from a quiet escape into something much heavier was fascinating.
If you love stories of fierce female rebellion, you need to add this to your TBR list immediately.
August 30, 2026
Set in Victorian London where women were expected to be subservient to the men in their lives. The two main protagonists are Jenny Rosewood a 30 year old spinster whose finances are controlled by her uncle and pharmacists wife Gwen Walters who is working to hide her husband’s failing eyesight.
Briefly, when Jenny notices his regular medication is having a strange effect on her uncle she goes back to the source - Gwen. Gwen has accidentally made a tincture that gives the recipient a feeling of freedom. After trying it themselves the two women set up the Laudanum Ladies Society where, under the guise of enjoying afternoon tea, ladies can sample the tincture and enjoy its liberating effects. However, what they hadn’t banked on was the terrible misuse by a brothel madam.
What started as a bit of a cozy historical drama became quite a bit darker as the book progressed. I was more invested in the character of Gwen than Jenny but there are not a lot of likeable characters in the book. No real twists and turns, more a drama than a thriller with a good original plot. An enjoyable and entertaining story.
Briefly, when Jenny notices his regular medication is having a strange effect on her uncle she goes back to the source - Gwen. Gwen has accidentally made a tincture that gives the recipient a feeling of freedom. After trying it themselves the two women set up the Laudanum Ladies Society where, under the guise of enjoying afternoon tea, ladies can sample the tincture and enjoy its liberating effects. However, what they hadn’t banked on was the terrible misuse by a brothel madam.
What started as a bit of a cozy historical drama became quite a bit darker as the book progressed. I was more invested in the character of Gwen than Jenny but there are not a lot of likeable characters in the book. No real twists and turns, more a drama than a thriller with a good original plot. An enjoyable and entertaining story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When Gwen (a chemist's wife) whips up a tincture with some pretty wild side effects and teams up with Jenny, the owner’s niece, they spot a major business opportunity. Together, they launch The Laudanum Ladies' Society.
Set in an era when men called all the shots, the book follows a bunch of female characters (some you’ll root for, some pretty flawed) as they fight for independence and a life on their own terms.
The premise totally hooked me right away, and I loved the idea of these women bucking societal norms. That said, I did wish the characters and the overall themes had a bit more depth.
Fun fact from the author's afterword: she actually pitched this as Breaking Bad in a different era. I’ve never seen the show, so the vibe flew over my head while reading, but looking back, it's a cool way to think about Gwen and Jenny’s increasingly wild choices!
Huge thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, and One More Chapter for the digital ARC. All thoughts are entirely my own.
Set in an era when men called all the shots, the book follows a bunch of female characters (some you’ll root for, some pretty flawed) as they fight for independence and a life on their own terms.
The premise totally hooked me right away, and I loved the idea of these women bucking societal norms. That said, I did wish the characters and the overall themes had a bit more depth.
Fun fact from the author's afterword: she actually pitched this as Breaking Bad in a different era. I’ve never seen the show, so the vibe flew over my head while reading, but looking back, it's a cool way to think about Gwen and Jenny’s increasingly wild choices!
Huge thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, and One More Chapter for the digital ARC. All thoughts are entirely my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I absolutely loved this. Elisabeth Hobbes has created a wonderfully engaging historical mystery with memorable characters, sharp wit, and just the right amount of intrigue. The friendship between the women was one of my favourite aspects of the story, and I really enjoyed watching them work together to unravel the mystery. The historical setting felt vivid and authentic, bringing the period to life without ever slowing the pace. The plot kept me guessing, and there were plenty of twists to keep me turning the pages. If you enjoy historical fiction with strong female characters, clever mysteries, and a touch of humour, this is a fantastic read. I can't wait to read more from Elisabeth Hobbes. Highly recommended! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
📚I was able to read an advanced copy of title thanks to NetGalley, Elisabeth Hobbes and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter📚
📚All reviews and opinions are entirely my own📚
📚I was able to read an advanced copy of title thanks to NetGalley, Elisabeth Hobbes and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter📚
📚All reviews and opinions are entirely my own📚
July 16, 2026
This was an interesting group of characters that came together in unlikely ways. For the most part the women in the story wouldn’t even be called friends, especially at first. Yet, in the end there’s a bit of a found family theme.
The rich settings and vibrant personalities made this a fun book to read. The heavy undertones of drug abuse, sex work, and potential trafficking drug it back to reality.
There’s a definite slant to the male characters, with all but one being pretty much abhorrent. That said, the women weren’t painted as any better, really. Some of the women were cruel, or vapid. The women I think could have been admitted fell victim to their own inability to see what was going on around them.
I wish there had been a stronger character, maybe someone with a better compass.
It’s a great and entertaining book but it left me feeling generally repulsed by society at large.
The rich settings and vibrant personalities made this a fun book to read. The heavy undertones of drug abuse, sex work, and potential trafficking drug it back to reality.
There’s a definite slant to the male characters, with all but one being pretty much abhorrent. That said, the women weren’t painted as any better, really. Some of the women were cruel, or vapid. The women I think could have been admitted fell victim to their own inability to see what was going on around them.
I wish there had been a stronger character, maybe someone with a better compass.
It’s a great and entertaining book but it left me feeling generally repulsed by society at large.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review
3.5 stars
While this was a good read overall, I had a couple of little issues with it that knocked down my rating. I loved having two characters to alternate between, but unfortunately one just seemed way more developed and interesting than the other which effected my enjoyment of their chapters. And while loving the idea of a journey of acceptance and self-worth, watching Jenny go from a controlling situation with her uncle to a slightly too-fast relationship with Miriam left me unsatisfied. However! The clever and well-paced plot (and Gwen) kept me engaged and the whole idea of an underground trade in altered sleeping draughts with women sneaking around London was very fun. Hobbes has a lovely writing style which I really enjoyed in A Dance With The Fae, and look forward to reading again in the future.
3.5 stars
While this was a good read overall, I had a couple of little issues with it that knocked down my rating. I loved having two characters to alternate between, but unfortunately one just seemed way more developed and interesting than the other which effected my enjoyment of their chapters. And while loving the idea of a journey of acceptance and self-worth, watching Jenny go from a controlling situation with her uncle to a slightly too-fast relationship with Miriam left me unsatisfied. However! The clever and well-paced plot (and Gwen) kept me engaged and the whole idea of an underground trade in altered sleeping draughts with women sneaking around London was very fun. Hobbes has a lovely writing style which I really enjoyed in A Dance With The Fae, and look forward to reading again in the future.
June 27, 2026
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for sharing an advanced copy. “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” What a story! Definitely not what I expected when I started reading the book. Dark twists and turns.
Jenny and Gwen are both suppressed in their current lives and are looking for a way to make money, to live a little, and to help other women do the same. What starts out as an innocent plan, quickly becomes a much larger and dangerous enterprise.
Definitely touches on sensitive subjects -Abuse/violence/underage sex work. Once things start to go wrong, everything seems to snowball so quickly. Loved the time period and setting. I also appreciated the theme of women standing up to the patriarchy. I also appreciated the ending. Some closure for all.
Overall, an enjoyable read that transports you to Victorian London and shows the value of unlikely friendships
Jenny and Gwen are both suppressed in their current lives and are looking for a way to make money, to live a little, and to help other women do the same. What starts out as an innocent plan, quickly becomes a much larger and dangerous enterprise.
Definitely touches on sensitive subjects -Abuse/violence/underage sex work. Once things start to go wrong, everything seems to snowball so quickly. Loved the time period and setting. I also appreciated the theme of women standing up to the patriarchy. I also appreciated the ending. Some closure for all.
Overall, an enjoyable read that transports you to Victorian London and shows the value of unlikely friendships
August 12, 2026
The Laudanum Ladies' Society is a fun and interesting read!
I enjoyed the story with its moral quarrels a lot. It is a refreshing and multifaceted take on women standing in their power, but also on overstepping moral boundaries and the struggle their operations bring with it. I personally feel that the book should have committed a little more to these topics, though, as occasionally they felt a bit flat, trying to do much while only scratching the surface.
The pacing was well done, the descriptions in the prose felt neither too much nor too few, and the suspense kept me going. It is overall a really well crafted story, however, I do wish the main characters would have been a little more developed as well.
Overall, a fun and interesting take on a more feminist breaking bad esque story! 3 stars
I enjoyed the story with its moral quarrels a lot. It is a refreshing and multifaceted take on women standing in their power, but also on overstepping moral boundaries and the struggle their operations bring with it. I personally feel that the book should have committed a little more to these topics, though, as occasionally they felt a bit flat, trying to do much while only scratching the surface.
The pacing was well done, the descriptions in the prose felt neither too much nor too few, and the suspense kept me going. It is overall a really well crafted story, however, I do wish the main characters would have been a little more developed as well.
Overall, a fun and interesting take on a more feminist breaking bad esque story! 3 stars
July 20, 2026
This book shows you what happens when you think that starting a drug business is as easy peasy as it was shown by Walter White. This book is Breaking Bad in the past but make the meth, an opium and spices elixir.
I loved this book so much. It all starts with a small error and turns into finding a smuggler, brothels and also friendship and love. This story has it all.
It also makes me really angry to see how women used to be treated in former times. It is sad to realize that all that stuff, like women having no rights, being hit and pure slaves to their husbands, was real for so many women all over the world. The pain they must have suffered is unimaginable.
I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to fans of the show Breaking Bad.
I loved this book so much. It all starts with a small error and turns into finding a smuggler, brothels and also friendship and love. This story has it all.
It also makes me really angry to see how women used to be treated in former times. It is sad to realize that all that stuff, like women having no rights, being hit and pure slaves to their husbands, was real for so many women all over the world. The pain they must have suffered is unimaginable.
I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to fans of the show Breaking Bad.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is basically Breaking Bad set in Victorian London, only with a mostly female cast, and that alone made it a fun read. It's a fast-paced story that kept me engaged from beginning to end.
My only real complaint was the way the characters were referred to. The narration constantly switched between first names and last names, and it felt unnecessary and occasionally pulled me out of the story. Aside from that, this was an entertaining, quick read that fans of historical fiction with a darker edge will likely enjoy.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the ARC.
My only real complaint was the way the characters were referred to. The narration constantly switched between first names and last names, and it felt unnecessary and occasionally pulled me out of the story. Aside from that, this was an entertaining, quick read that fans of historical fiction with a darker edge will likely enjoy.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter.
When Gwen, the wife of a chemist, concocts a tincture with some very special effects and shares it with Jenny, the owner’s niece, they both see an opportunity and start The Laudanum Ladies’ Society.
A story of female characters, some good, some not so good, who pursue their dreams and seek independence by breaking away from the path imposed on them by the men in their lives.
I found the subject matter interesting, but I was hoping for a little more depth.
Certainly an entertaining read, perfect for when you’re looking for something light and uncomplicated.
When Gwen, the wife of a chemist, concocts a tincture with some very special effects and shares it with Jenny, the owner’s niece, they both see an opportunity and start The Laudanum Ladies’ Society.
A story of female characters, some good, some not so good, who pursue their dreams and seek independence by breaking away from the path imposed on them by the men in their lives.
I found the subject matter interesting, but I was hoping for a little more depth.
Certainly an entertaining read, perfect for when you’re looking for something light and uncomplicated.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Laudanum Ladies' Society completely surprised me. What begins as an almost accidental discovery quickly spirals into something much darker, exploring ambition, morality and just how dangerous freedom can become when society leaves women with so few choices.
Historical fiction with strong female characters, clever mysteries, and a touch of humour and romance, that transports you to Victorian London and shows the value of unlikely friendships
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers HarperCollins One More Chapter for giving me the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Historical fiction with strong female characters, clever mysteries, and a touch of humour and romance, that transports you to Victorian London and shows the value of unlikely friendships
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers HarperCollins One More Chapter for giving me the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book was a gentle surprise. I've been quite lucky with female curiosity, independence and bucking societal norms lately in books. I wasn't quite sure what to expect but the premise captivated me and the cover is beautifully done. I love the curiosity and discovery in this book. At times it descended into messy, dark, chaos, but I really appreciated that the author let it go there and I was fully along for the ride.
Thank you to Netgalley, Elisabeth Hobbes and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the opportunity to ARC read in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley, Elisabeth Hobbes and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the opportunity to ARC read in exchange for an honest review.
July 7, 2026
The author describes The Laudanum Ladies’ Society as a historical fiction inspired by Breaking Bad and I can definitely see the inspiration in the novel. I love historical fiction that features women who don’t conform and this novel delivers on that premise. This novel did get a little darker than I expected, but was well done. I wanted a bit more from the ending than was delivered, but enjoyed the story!
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollinsUK for access to an eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollinsUK for access to an eARC in exchange for my honest review!
July 28, 2026
There were so many aspects of this book that I loved: the friendship/partnership between the main characters, the time period / setting, and the theme of women standing up to the norms of the times to find their own voice. I, definitely, see the Breaking Bad comparisons in how the story spirals. But,I wasn't in love with the ending,. With a caveat that I love a neat closing and this was not it across all characters. Overall, this is such a an engaging read and I highly recommend picking it up! 3.8 ⭐ and I felt like rounding down to 3 is not fair.
August 2, 2026
Whilst society expects women to remain quiet, dutiful and dull, Jenny and Gwen find themselves in an unusual partnership in that they set up an enterprise that gives both of them freedoms that they never expected as these women utilise resources at their disposal to circumvent societal norms dominated by the will of men.
The author did a great job of highlighting not just the patriarchy but also the rampant misogyny that was normal in that time frame. All in all it was a fast paced, engaging read.
The author did a great job of highlighting not just the patriarchy but also the rampant misogyny that was normal in that time frame. All in all it was a fast paced, engaging read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
From the description (and without any spoilers) I thought this was going to be all about empowering and uplifting women, and while it was true for our main characters, I felt disappointed with how the tincture was being used/who it was being used on and why. It was an okay read overall; I think I was just expecting something a little bit different.
Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 23, 2026
I love a historical novel, all the more if it has a bit of crime and intrigue going on. Personally I found this book missed the mark a bit though, I think this may be because of my expectations based on the title and the blurb but I’m unsure. The characters were good, the setting was there but the plot, pacing and atmosphere just weren’t how I thought it would be. I would still read more from this author in future. Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.
September 21, 2026
A very easy predictable read, it was a bit mundane which is a shame because the story line had the potential to have been quite gripping. It to me seemed like it was a novel written without much enthusiasm.
I like a story of this era to have some historical research included but it had only one fact that was continually mentioned and that was how women were governed by men !
Would I read this again….No
Would I recommend it….No
A disappointing ⭐ ⭐ rating
I like a story of this era to have some historical research included but it had only one fact that was continually mentioned and that was how women were governed by men !
Would I read this again….No
Would I recommend it….No
A disappointing ⭐ ⭐ rating
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really wanted to enjoy The Laudanum Ladies Society, but I just couldn’t get into it. The setting was interesting but the story felt slow and I struggled to connect with the characters. While I liked the idea behind the book, it didn’t hold my attention as much as I had hoped. Overall it was an okay read but not one that I will say yeah I remember this happened and that happened in the book.
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