Victoria era historical romantasy about a witch and a pirate. Heisting, badass old ladies, enchanted houses, and mutual kidnapping within.

Takes the world from The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels and lets a couple lovable characters run rampant among the dueling ladies' associations bent on precise manners and skullduggery.

2 POVs (w a couple one-off interludes), 3rd person past tense, medium spice, characters are early and mid 20s.

Charlotte the witch and Cecelia the pirate (from the first book) have a similar depth and starting experience with strict social structure without Holton making them feeling identical. Charlotte is also more of an Austen fangirl, which is a fun running commentary.

O'Reilly felt like more of a fleshed out protagonist than Ned, probably bc Ned stacked scams and identities, while Alex exclusively pirates and puts up fronts. And alludes to a things he's unhealthily learned to gloss over. Overall, something about letting him breathe works really well.

Holton balances character growth/acceptance and growing romantic intimacy that's silly and serious with just a full on bonkers world. It's fucking great.

Book Order: I initially tried to read this on its own- don't. You absolutely need to start at Book 1 for this series.

Narrator: Elizabeth Knowelden slaps. Her prim, rapid fire delivery makes the 19th Century British lit inspired prose light up.