Tea & Strumpets: A Regency Romance Review

We all know the reformed Rake trope. He’s out doing his thing with the ladies but suddenly he meets THE ONE and he opens his heart to love and marriage. It’s a classic and a favorite of many a romance reader. The Rakess is not that book. Our rake is our Heroine and while she meets a man who makes her rethink her party-hardy lifestyle, she is not about to turn away from her core values. Also, our hero is not a virgin and he likes it spicy in the bedroom. For your hosts, this book was akin to a revelation so we had to talk to the author herself and get the inside scoop! We had a fantastic afternoon chat with Scarlett Peckham and we deep-dived into her world of the Society of Sirens. We spoke all about her new book and what makes it the game changer we are embracing with arms open wide. **if you don’t like SPOILERS, you may need to do some homework**

In the small town of Yarlcote, the bad blood between the Rookwoods and the Frisbys is everyone's favorite kind of gossip. And that says nothing of Sir Phillip Rookwood's black reputation itself - with such rumors about what he gets up to, the Frisby siblings must stay clear. So what happens when fate intervenes forcing Guy and Amanda to reside at Rookwood Hall with not only Sir Phillip but also his friends who are in a club called The Murder!? Well, it turns out Phillip is actually a thoughtful person, and Guy has his sheltered mind blown after stumbling across a tryst between Phillip and Lord Corvin! Yet, despite the legal and moral ambiguities, Guy finds himself thinking more and more about it. Plus, because Phillip is all about transparency, he offers Guy a chance to explore a connection he did not even think it possible to have. Can the Frisbys and the Rookwoods make up at long last? There is no fighting attraction in Band Sinister by KJ Charles! **Let’s be frank. Spoilers**

Lady Calpurnia Hartwell may be named for an Empress but she certainly doesn’t feel the part. She’s not exactly sure when she became a plain, boring spinster of the ton, but somewhere along the way she lost herself. After Callie overhears a conversation where she is described as “passive” it lights a fire in her to become just the opposite. Armed with a list of things she would do if she were truly wild, she heads out into the night to complete item one: kiss someone - passionately!That someone is the handsome Lord Ralston, who just happens to be in need of spinster with a sterling reputation. He did not realize that one kiss from Callie would have him looking for more. Sarah MacLean's debut romance novel Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake is all the fun and drama you want from the genre! Plus it's a little hot to the touch with all that glorious spinster/rake chemistry!

Evie is looking to start a new life away from London and its nasty nicknames. She has been left a house in Pennyroyal Green by her late husband and this is just the place to start fresh. News travels fast though, and the town quickly learns of her infamous past but not before she meets the local Vicar. Adam Sylvaine may be a man of God but he's single, handsome, and seems to actually empathize with Evie's situation. While there is an instant attraction, they both need to be on their best behavior, after all, every pair of female eyes is on the Vicar and they're worried about the immoral former courtesan. Can Adam and Evie find a way to be together that does not require one or both of them to run out of town? Today we're reading A Notorious Countess Confesses, which means we are now in the second half of this series by Julie Anne Long! **We know you want to taste these Spoilers!**

This week we got together with some of the fabulous Frolic Network podcasts for an hour of mayhem and merriment! Kelsey and Zoë hung out with Sarah Wendell from Smart Podcast, Trashy Books, Laura Von Holt from The Mermaid Podcast, and Kelly Reynolds from boobies & noobies and talked about life in quarantine and what makes us smile right now. It's a mash-up extraordinaire and an hour of feel-good fun! We'll be back next week with our regularly scheduled episode on A Notorious Countess Confesses - but this week, we hope we can put a smile on your face and a laugh in your belly.

Beth Ackerley is a widow who has recently inherited a fortune. Ian Mackenzie is the “Mad Mackenzie” of the infamous Mackenzie family. However, Beth cannot fight her instant attraction to this intriguing man. Ian has never really been able to read people’s emotions, cannot help but feel drawn to this woman. She grounds him in a way nothing else can. However there are secret’s to Ian’s past and loved ones to protect, will this budding romance make it through such adversary? We loved this book from beginning to end so cannot wait to share with you The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley. **Spoilers are being uncovered**

TW: child abuse

Eloise has a secret and she's on her way to meet him for the very first time. However, our quiet country gentleman is not prepared for the hurricane that is coming his way. Despite him neglecting to tell her of his "rambunctious" twins, the two begin to see that there may be something more between them. Can a relationship that started via correspondence between two strangers blossom into a love that neither expected? Well, with time, understanding, and a push from our favorite brothers, To Sir Phillip with Love by Julia Quinn, has both your co-hosts signing with longing. It may have been a reread, but as with many good things, it's gotten better with age.

TW: Suicide, depression, postpartum depression, child abuse.

This week we've remastered one of our less-listened-to, but no less fabulous episodes! With some better editing know-how, we do hope you'll enjoy this second chance at loving our second-ever episode! Now, on to the synopsis!

This week, we continue our journey into Pennyroyal Green with Like No Other Lover by Julie Ann Long! While this book is less jam-packed, it is no less delicious. Our characters positively sizzle when they're near. Also, can we just talk about how nice it is that the main characters are actually honest with each other and do not make dumb decisions based on unnecessary misunderstandings?! **Spoilers are thing, just FYI**

In honor of the author's birthday, we’re diving deep into Tender Rebel by the great Johanna Lindsey this week! A Scottish heiress is on the run from her abhorrent cousin and in search of a husband! While she does have a few standards, love doesn't have to be part of the equation. Enter Anthony Malory - an exceedingly handsome rake of first order - who cannot stop his pursuit to see the lovely Roslynn Chadwick in his bed. In fact, he’ll even go so far as to marry the girl himself! But despite his noble intentions and his complete transparency and honesty, Roslynn just keeps Anthony at arm's length, leading to more drama than either of these hosts have the patience for. **Spoilers and misunderstandings ahead!**

This week, we've got a heartbreaking yet heartwarming tale of adventure, treasure, fate, and fighting! Our two main characters seem destined for each other - but after their first meeting, while they shared an epic love, they didn't share their names with each other! Will they even ever cross paths again? It seems fate is ready to intervene eight years later, as these two lethal lovebirds meet again many, many miles away. Sherry Thomas weaves a magical tale between China and England in My Beautiful Enemy, and she gives us a truly badass heroine to rave about! Plus we've got an extra special treat for our listeners today - which we'll announce in the parlor! Stay tuned, and stay on your toes! **Sword fightin' Spoilers in this one!**