The Ladies Rewrite the Rules

My introduction to Suzanne Allain’s work was with her novel, Mr. Malcolm’s List. I read the book in 2022 and watched the movie adaptation immediately after—I thoroughly enjoyed both! Today she is back with her latest historical romance, The Ladies Rewrite the Rules. When a young widow finds out about an offensive directory meant to help poorer men find wealthy women to marry, she gathers up the other women listed so they can take the power back. What she doesn’t expect is the tentative romance that blooms between her and that directory’s author. 

Special thanks to Suzanne Allain, Berkley Romance, Austenprose PR, and NetGalley for the review copy of this book!

Summary

The Ladies Rewrite the Rules is a smart and lighthearted historical romance that flips gender roles around to great effect. After Diana Boyle, a young widow with a sizable fortune, encounters two different fortune hunters in one evening, she knows something is wrong. The source of her problems is a publication listing out all the wealthy ladies who may be in want of a husband—namely, a man with no great income of his own, such as a second son. She confronts the pamphlet’s author, Maxwell Dean, then meets up with the other ladies listed to come up with a plan to utilize their power to their advantage. For once, it won’t be men who have the upper hand, but the women. 

Review

There is so much I loved about The Ladies Rewrite the Rules. The entire premise of it sparkles, starting with a scandalous directory and unwanted fortune hunters, blossoming into a chance for women to take the power back, and finally leading to some unexpected love stories. So often historical romances feature men who are titled or moneyed (or both). Here, we get a look at the second sons and others who have less of a chance on the marriage market. Is it so wrong when Maxwell researches eligible women with money (such as widows and heiresses) and publishes their details so that second sons can pursue them and marry well? Diana, a young widow, certainly thinks so! She doesn’t appreciate fortune hunters showing up at her door, and she doesn’t like her personal information being made public like this. 

This book offers a wonderful “girl power” movement not seen often enough in historical romances. Diana gathers up the numerous women listed in the scandalous directory so they can take back their power. They throw a ball for all the “Ladies of the Registry,” flaunting their knowledge of the book and gaining the upper hand in choosing who and how to court. This is how Diana makes some close friends, Lady Regina and the older Lady Gordon. Both become her allies in this whole mess, as well as trusted confidantes. Their friendship is a highlight in the novel. 

However, Diana also confronts the directory’s author, Maxwell, and he’s not what she expected. He’s a second son who was just looking out for others like him with few prospects. However, he’s instantly remorseful and aims to make up for the directory however he can. He’s also kind and genuine… and maybe worth breaking Diana’s intention to never remarry for. I loved watching their romance unfold. They make for a sweet couple, despite the unpleasant way they meet!

There are a few side romances and some interesting subplots that emerge later on in The Ladies Rewrite the Rules. I enjoyed the different plot points and the themes that arise here—it makes for a unique and charming novel! The secondary romances are cute in their own right, and the themes are thoughtful and heartfelt.

However, as much as I enjoyed The Ladies Rewrite the Rules, my one complaint would be that the book goes by too fast! It’s not a long novel, at only 272 pages, but somehow it flew by even faster than I’d expected. This is one book where I wouldn’t have minded some extra tension, detail, or just time to soak it all in. Especially with so many moving parts, this book would have been even stronger with an extra 50 pages. 

Final Thoughts

The Ladies Rewrite the Rules is a smart and charming novel. I  would have loved to see it expanded to a longer, more detailed, and possibly more climactic story. Nonetheless, this is a diverting and thoughtful read that any romance lover will enjoy.

This is my second time reading Suzanne Allain, and it won’t be the last! I’ll be reading Miss Lattimore’s Letter soon and will look out for upcoming books from her for years to come.

Get the Book

You can buy The Ladies Rewrite the Rules at the links below – it’s available as a paperback, ebook, and audiobook.

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | PUBLISHER | BOOKSHOP | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS

The Ladies Rewrite the Rules by Suzanne Allain
Audience	Adult
Genre	Historical Romance
Setting	England
Number of Pages	272
Format I Read	Ebook (NetGalley Arc)
Original Publication Date	January 9, 2024
Publisher	Berkley Romance

Official Summary

From the author of Mr. Malcolm’s List comes a delightful romantic comedy set in Regency England about a widow who takes high society by storm.

Diana Boyle, a wealthy young widow, has no desire to ever marry again. Particularly not to someone who merely wants her for her fortune. 

So, when she discovers that she’s listed in a directory of rich, single women she is furious, and rightly so. She confronts Maxwell Dean, the man who published the Bachelor’s Directory, and is horrified to find he is far more attractive than his actions have led her to expect. However, Diana is unmoved by Max’s explanation that he authored the list to assist younger sons like himself who cannot afford to marry unless it’s to a woman of means. 

She gathers the ladies in the directory together to inform them of its existence, so they may circumvent fortune hunters’ efforts to trick them into marriage. Though outraged, the women decide to embrace their unique position of power and reverse the usual gender roles by making the men dance to their tune. And together…the ladies rewrite the rules.