The League of Gentlewomen Witches by India Holton: Book Review

The League of Gentlewomen Witches

BY India Holton

Rating: 4.5/5 
Genre: Historical Fantasy Romance
Steam: Explicit
Publisher: Berkley Romance
Pub Date: March 15, 2022
Thank you Berkley Romance and NetGalley for my Advanced Copy! You're the best!
Available: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop

The League of Gentlewomen Witches synopsis:

Miss Charlotte Pettifer belongs to a secret league of women skilled in the subtle arts. That is to say—although it must never be said—witchcraft. The League of Gentlewomen Witches strives to improve the world in small ways. Using magic, they tidy, correct, and manipulate according to their notions of what is proper, entirely unlike those reprobates in the Wisteria Society. 
 
When the long lost amulet of Black Beryl is discovered, it is up to Charlotte, as the future leader of the League, to make sure the powerful talisman does not fall into the wrong hands. Therefore, it is most unfortunate when she crosses paths with Alex O’Riley, a pirate who is no Mr. Darcy. With all the world scrambling after the amulet, Alex and Charlotte join forces to steal it together. If only they could keep their pickpocketing hands to themselves! If Alex’s not careful, he might just steal something else—such as Charlotte’s heart.

The League of Gentlewomen Witches Review:

This book is so flipping cute. It’s quirky and just an incredible amount of fun to read. The League of Gentlewomen Witches is a beautiful combination of historical romance, fantasy, and so much wit. Don’t go into this expecting a super serious, high angst novel because this is decidedly not it. But it is a joy to read and once you get into the flow of the prose it is hilarious. I really don’t know how to describe it but if Monty Python and the Princess Bride included witches and flying houses and a lot more romance.

Loves:

Look, I’m all about that forbidden romance. The setup between witches and pirates being sworn enemies and then with Charlotte and Alex, I’m sold. This was done incredibly well by Holton. I loved the insta-lust situation and “we’re only doing this to get over this” mentality. AND THEN THE FALL!

Charlotte has been raised strictly and her overcoming that was so enjoyable to watch. I know that Holton writes in her acknowledgements that she wasn’t supposed to be likable but I loved Charlotte. Plus all of the Jane Austen moments? LOVED IT!  Don’t even get me started on how much I loved Alex. Attractive Irish pirate that is rogue-ish. Please sign me up for that.

The plot was over the top and bananas fun. I seriously ADORED the whole setup once I got into the story and started to understand everything.

Meh:

This isn’t a me issue, more of just be aware that the writing style is very different. I ended up loving it, but it did take me a bit to get used to. Expect humor and absolute joy. 

Long Story Short:

I ended up loving this book and read it within a day. And it’s been almost a month since I’ve last done that so… I recommend it if you want something a little over the top and FUN to read. I NEED to go back and read the first one (yes, I skipped) because I adored Cecilia and Ned in this book.

If You Liked This One…

For a similar written style book I highly recommend Not Your Average Hot Guy by Gwenda Bond as it is also incredibly fun and definitely matches with the style of the prose. This book is more on the biblical side of things but definitely crosses that fantasy line! For a regency rom-com that’s also sorta similar I would do Never Fall For Your Fiancée by Virginia Heath as it just feels like a similar style with the characters and writing. It does not have any witches or pirates though.

India Holton lives in New Zealand, where she’s enjoyed the typical Kiwi lifestyle of wandering around forests, living barefoot on islands, and messing about in boats. Now she lives in a cottage near the sea, writing books about uppity women and charming rogues, and drinking too much tea.