Queen Bee: An Anti-historical Regency Romp

by Amalie Howard

Joy Revolution, 2023. 352 pages. Young Adult Fiction

Lady Ela Dalvi knows the exact moment her life was forever changed--when her best friend, Poppy, betrayed her without qualm over a boy, the son of a duke. She was sent away in disgrace, her reputation ruined. Nearly three years later, eighteen-year-old Ela is consumed with bitterness and a desire for . . . revenge. Her enemy is quickly joining the crème de la crème of high society while she withers away in the English countryside. With an audacious plan to get even, Ela disguises herself as a mysterious heiress and infiltrates London's elite. But when Ela reunites with the only boy she's ever loved, she begins to question whether vengeance is still her greatest desire. In this complicated game of real-life chess, Ela must choose her next move: Finally bring down the queen or capture the king's heart?

This fast-paced, character-driven historical romance is for all those fans of Regency Era novels, The Count of Monte Cristo, and shows like Bridgerton. Prepare for witty banter, revenge, betrayal, bite-your-hand romance, and diverse characters. In fact, Howard includes minute details about characters that reveal that most of them are BIPOC, only the evil Poppy is white. I think this is what is meant by anti-historical.  Most of these characters would not have the opportunities and affluence during this time period. I appreciate that Howard reveals these details through lush descriptions instead of just saying that Ela is East Asian. It is not heavy handed and done with such wit that readers feel like they are sharing a delicious secret with the author. Those who like anachronistic period pieces, like The Lady Janies books, will enjoy this romp immensely. 

If you liked Queen Bee, you might also like:

Sixteen Scandals

by Sophie Jordan

Houghton Mifflin, 2021. 235 pages. Young Adult Fiction

The youngest of four daughters, Primrose Ainsworth is used to getting lost in the shuffle. But when her parents decide to delay her debut into English society, Prim hatches a plan to go rogue on the night of her sixteenth birthday.

Rosewood: A Midsummer Meet Cute

by Sayantani DasGupta

Scholastic Press, 2023. 306 pages. Young Adult Fiction

Teenage sisters Eila and Mallika Das are attending a summer camp where the campers are trying out for minor parts in a romance/detective television show set in Regency times--but when Eila meets the handsome Rahul it is clear that there is plenty of drama to be had outside of the screenplay.