Genre: Historical Romance, FF Romance
My Review - 5 Stars
Astronomy, embroidery, and lady love FTW! Olivia Waite writes a marvelous romance column for Seattle Review Of Books so I had high hopes for her FF historical romance. And reader, she more than met my expectations.
I could not handle how good this was. The way Lucy described astronomy was vastly more interesting than the astronomy class I took in college. The way the story explored science and art and what validates each discipline was nuanced and lovely. It was heartbreaking to see how Catherine’s skill with embroidery had been overlooked and downplayed and I loved watching her come in to her own in accepting her talent. Also: I now desperately want a shawl with the whole night sky embroidered on it.
There were so many tender, quiet moments between Lucy and Catherine, really building up the tension and the angst until they decided to act on their attraction. Catherine is healing from a toxic marriage, while Lucy is grappling with not being acknowledged as an astronomer simply because she’s a woman. Their faith in one another was wonderful to see and the evolution of their relationship as they felt the effects of that faith was beautiful.
Plus, the writing was gorgeous and there were some great twists. I am very much looking forward to the next book in this series!
I have read a couple of critiques about the absence of astronomer Caroline Herschel in this story. I point these people to Waite's blog post Historical Fiction Factions written shortly after the book's release, in which she states: "When I was plotting Lady’s Guide, I knew my queer lady astronomer would occupy roughly the same space as Caroline Herschel and Mary Somerville (Lucy pretty much splits the difference, chronologically and scientifically)." I encourage you to read the whole post to learn more about Waite's plotting decisions.
CW: sexism, past emotional abuse, past death of parent, toxic marriage, anxiety
Synopsis
As Lucy Muchelney watches her ex-lover’s sham of a wedding, she wishes herself anywhere else. It isn’t until she finds a letter from the Countess of Moth, looking for someone to translate a groundbreaking French astronomy text, that she knows where to go. Showing up at the Countess’ London home, she hoped to find a challenge, not a woman who takes her breath away.
Catherine St Day looks forward to a quiet widowhood once her late husband’s scientific legacy is fulfilled. She expected to hand off the translation and wash her hands of the project—instead, she is intrigued by the young woman who turns up at her door, begging to be allowed to do the work, and she agrees to let Lucy stay. But as Catherine finds herself longing for Lucy, everything she believes about herself and her life is tested.
While Lucy spends her days interpreting the complicated French text, she spends her nights falling in love with the alluring Catherine. But sabotage and old wounds threaten to sever the threads that bind them. Can Lucy and Catherine find the strength to stay together or are they doomed to be star-crossed lovers?
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