India Holton lives in New Zealand, where she has 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 unconventional women and charming rogues, and drinking far too much tea. You can find more of my reviews of Holton's work here.
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 Wicken League 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 is not careful, he might just steal something else—such as Charlotte's heart.
Alex and Charlotte and the perfect pair (but don't let them hear you say that!). Seriously, I love how Holton crafted this enemies-to-lovers story. My favorite sub-category of enemies-to-lovers is when they have to work together for the Plot, and that's the case in The League of Gentlewomen Witches. Along the way, of course, they uncover one another's vulnerabilities and become something closer to friends than enemies. Holton creates this narrative so masterfully, the book just flies by because you want to find out when they're going to put down their swords and brooms and admit their feelings for each other. Thankfully, the romance genre guarantees this happens, and Holton completes Alex's and Charlotte's story in such a satisfying, adventure-filled way. I'll be thinking about this pair for a long time to come!
This story is seriously the perfect combination of adventure-filled and cozy vibes. Alex and Charlotte, pirate and witch respectfully, have to use their powers and knowledge to complete a quest-like adventure, where they retrieve Black Beryl's amulet. Of course, this brings up questions of the merit of their match (maybe this is a bit forbidden romance, too!) and their place in the witching world. I love how Holton is able to navigate serious conversations of vulnerability and fate and making your difficult life choices in a book that's so fun and witchy. It makes the whole world feel possible, all from the comfort of my favorite reading chair, and that's just something I really treasure in a read.
Holton loves Jane Austen as much as I do, it seems, and because of that (and the romance, of course) I was squealing over the course of the novel. Holton plants so many Austen (mis)quotes, and every single one was done so seamlessly. I was absolutely obsessed, and this book made me want to reread every single Austen novel (and then reread every single Holton novel in quick succession). I also adored the recurring characters! While you absolutely could read The League of Gentlewomen Witches as a standalone, I honestly wouldn't recommend it, because it is so much fun to see how Ned and Cecilia are involved in the story knowing their background. I'm so excited to dive into The Secret Service of Tea and Treason with this one so fresh in my mind because I know it's going to be so fun to see familiar faces in the final book in the trilogy!
Stay tuned for more of my reviews of Holton's work!
*This review can also be found on my Goodreads page*
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