Set in high-society Georgetown, an irresistible family drama about two sisters and the public scandal that just may lead them to rewrite the rules… Named a Best Book of the Month by Good Morning America, Bustle, Popsugar, BookBub, and Frolic “A stellar novel that celebrates sisterhood and the way women can step out of flawed men’s shadows. I delighted in every page.” –Amy Meyerson, … every page.”
–Amy Meyerson, bestselling author of The Bookshop of Yesterdays and The Imperfects
No surprise is a good surprise. At least according to thirty-four-year-old Daisy Richardson. So when it’s revealed in dramatic fashion that her esteemed father had been involved in a public scandal before his untimely death, Daisy’s life becomes complicated–and fast.
For one, the Richardsons must now sell the family home in Georgetown they can no longer afford, and Daisy’s mother is holding on with an iron grip. Her younger sister, Wallis, is ready to move on to bigger and better things but falls fast and hard for the most inconvenient person possible. And then there’s Atlas, Daisy’s best friend. She’s always wished they could be more, but now he’s writing an exposé on the one subject she’s been desperate to avoid: her father.
Daisy’s plan is to maintain a low profile as she works to keep her family intact amid social exile, public shaming, and quickly dwindling savings. But the spotlight always seems to find the Richardsons, and when another twist in the scandal comes to light, Daisy must confront the consequences of her continued silence and summon the courage to stand up and accept the power of her own voice.
“I was absolutely charmed by Ladies of the House. A wonderful debut.” –Allison Winn Scotch, bestselling author of Cleo McDougal Regrets Nothing
“Warm, witty, and whip-smart. Edmondson’s talent shines in her expertly crafted story of two sisters breaking free of their father’s legacy. A sensational debut.”
–Amy Mason Doan, author of The Summer List and Lady Sunshine
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Too often I am attracted to cover art then title and only take a closer look if both are appealing, unless I have somehow encountered a personal appearance by the author which has happened more during these pandemic times. While I love the cover picture, the reference to Sense and Sensibility did not excite me. It was only when the ebook was on sale that I noticed it is set in Washington, DC, a place I once lived and where I enjoy being a tourist years later. My only recollection of S&S is period costumes on PBS, but nothing of the story itself. So I enjoyed this story of 3 women dealing with scandal and romance in modern DC political society without trying to tie it to S&S. I would have given 3.5 stars, so I’ll round up.
I was absolutely charmed by Ladies of the House, a modern retelling of Sense and Sensibility, and a delightful and insightful exploration into finding your own voice, discovering your best self and falling in love, in its many iterations. What a wonderful debut.
A fun and clever take on Sense and Sensibility, Ladies of the House is replete with witty banter and keen social commentary. Like any good modernization, it also stands alone as a stellar novel, one that celebrates sisterhood and the way women can step out of flawed men’s shadows. I delighted in every page of this fast-paced, redemptive novel.
It was interesting asit wasn’t quite a thriller or romance. It was an interesting read
We’ll written, realistic, loved characters, an honest portrayal of a family in crisis and the political maneuvering on all sides.
This was an absolutely delightful reimagining of the Sense and Sensibility concept set in the modern day cutthroat world of DC politics.
I lived and worked in DC for a decade. This was a while ago, but everything about Edmondson’s story resonated nevertheless. It’s an unusual town, in which optics were the name of the game long before social media took over and made them so for the whole world.
Edmondson did a marvelous job capturing the frenetic feel of the political game while never losing sight of the fact that it is people who are caught up in it – both as perpetrators and unwitting victims. The characters are sympathetic and likeable (even the rakes and scoundrels!) and the pacing was spot-on. The plotting was well-managed and utterly believable – even in its most absurd- and over-the-top-seeming moments. Politics really IS that ugly… The story is very easy to fall into and made for an exceptionally entertaining read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.
As a huge fan of Jane Austen this is one of the better reimagined versions of Sense & Sensibility. While I know many JA fans hate retellings this one took a fresh and unique spin on a beloved classic.
Ladies of the House by Lauren Edmonson is for anyone who is a fan of romance with a vast array of the current state of politics, as well as sisterly love as back drop of family dynamics. Some may love, while other hate it. But give it a try it may just surprise you.
Thanks to the author, HARLEQUIN – Trade Publishing (U.S. & Canada), and NetGalley for the review copy.
Adjectives to describe this book include: delightfully witty, engaging, entertaining, clever, insightful and fast-paced. To break it down, the book is touted as a “Modern Retelling of Sense and Sensibility” by Jane Austen. Gasp! I never read that entire book, so I can’t tell you whether this one was an accurate re-telling, but I do know that Austen did not dabble into loose morals, so this modern story definitely left the trail provided by Austen in many ways. However, I actually enjoyed this book, which was one of the reasons I did not enjoy Austen’s dry book. This book captured me from page one, with the dilemma of Cricket (the mom), and her two daughters Daisy and Wallis. Senator Gregory Richardson died of a heart attack with another woman and his family left behind has to survive the scandal. Unfortunately, the man who lost his reputation also lost his money and the family has to sell the family home. I felt bad for what each of them had to face in the judgmental society of D.C. The characters were well-developed and the conversations that took place between them was unexpectedly humorous. Daisy was the main character and the one who was determined at all costs to salvage the family’s name. With acerbic social commentary on the life and politics of D.C. this book was like reading an extended gossip column, with some PG rated details. My favorite character was Daisy’s best friend Atlas, a newspaper columnist tasked with writing an exposé of the disgraced senator. He was totally charming and seemed to be there to rescue Daisy from herself. He was also the one who was intelligently insightful into what was actually happening with the family. As the debut novel of this author, this book impressed me with its brilliantly crafted and uniquely relevant to our times social commentary on life among the rich and powerful. The author has done a magnificent job of representing the family drama genre!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
I admit I was excited to find a new writer but was a little skeptical about the description as I’m not much of a political person. I was so far off with this one.
This book isn’t just about politics. It is about redemption, growth, love, and finding yourself in a world that only sees you as one thing.
The characters in this book are complicated especially, Daisy. Having been raised in a home where appearances are more important truth Daisy learns quickly not everything is as it should be.
When Daisy’s father dies she learns that her family holds many secrets. That the farther she loved had many secrets ones that went deep and far beyond what Daisy knew of him. When she learns the truth everything Daisy knows s turned upside down. She has to decide which is more important the truth or what people think.
With the help of her family Daisy learns to recent herself and comes to terms with the truth. Along the way she finds strength in Cricket, Wallis, and the man she loves.
What an amazing story of strength, growth, and standing up for the truth. A must-read.
Washington D.C.
Senator Gregory Richardson, a longtime personage of Washington D.C. has died…unfortunately in bed with his 27-year-old girlfriend. He leaves behind his wife Cricket, and his two daughters, Daisy and Wallis. Shortly after his death, it was revealed that Gregory has been using government money to pay his girlfriend’s bills. We soon learn that he has done this a lot for much of his career.
Cricket and the sisters are having a memorial service for Gregory, followed by a reception at their large home on P Street. The Richardson family has lived in the house for generations. At the service, the Richardsons were given dark stares and no one showed up for the reception. The next day, the Feds arrived and removed computers and paperwork to investigate Richardson’s sheanigan..
Daisy has worked as chief of staff for a senator for a number of years. Following in her father’s footsteps, she has always loved politics and enjoys being in the middle of it. Her younger sister, Wallis, is not as involved as Daisy. Cricket is the perfect politician’s wife.
The story follows the girls and the men they love – unrequitedly. So much angst for both of them. We also see behind the scenes of how politics really works, quite frankly with its dirty games and waste of money. It is oneupmanship on both sides of the house.
I probably read Sense and Sensibility years ago but I don’t recall the plot, so I can’t make a comparison to the two books here. I felt that Daisy had some intelligence, capability, and drive but it’s wasted in the world of politics which is simply a game of power. Wallis didn’t really have much to offer me, but Cricket is somewhat humorous and staid. Politics is so dirty, especially now, that I really didn’t care all that much for this book. Perhaps it should come with a disclaimer that says: Must read Sense and Sensibility first.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I enjoyed this retelling of Sense and Sensibility, loved how the author modernized everything. It was interesting to see the story within American politics. Make sure to not compare both books, just enjoy the story as it is. Definitely, the love triangle is a must within this story and one you will enjoy. The characters and world-building were interesting, the writing was good, a good pacing, and definitely liked the banter.
A modern Sense and Sensibility set in the politics of Washington, DC. This engaging debut novel has witty and complicated characters along with scandal, dirty politics, and unrequited love. Redemption once the women stepped out of the shadows of flawed men and seek love and happiness. A truly wonderful bond between sisters. A good book club pick as I think there’s so much to discuss from this engaging debut novel.
Fresh, uplifting, and witty!
Ladies of the House is a charming, engaging tale that takes us to Washington, DC, and into the lives of three, strong, unique women as they each learn in their own way to cope with the death of their patriarch, Senator Gregory Richardson, and the subsequent trail of adultery, deception, controversy, scandal, and corruption he left in his wake.
The writing is clever and sharp. The characters are complex, angry, insecure, and loyal. And the plot unfolds and unravels quickly into a tender tale of family, friendship, trust, reputation, financial ruin, unrequited love, independence, happiness, and finding one’s true self.
Overall, Ladies of the House is an enjoyable, entertaining, modern retelling of Austen’s Sense and Sensibility that’s an outstanding debut by Edmondson with its endearing characters, heartfelt moments, contemporary storyline, and ending that will leave you with a smile.
This book is about a family who is left to pick up the pieces after finding out some unsavory things. I enjoyed the story and how the women rebounded and came out better than they were.
Definitely recommend! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy
Ladies of the House by Lauren Edmondson is an excellent fictional novel that recreates the story of (one of my favorites) Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility into a contemporary and fascinating narrative. It is a purposeful modern rendition of a timeless classic that shows there will always be fundamental ideas, relationships, and concepts that will forever be relatable, no matter the generation or the location.
I really enjoyed the modernization of one of my favorite books of all time. I enjoyed the new location: Washington DC. I enjoyed the addition of the political landscape and the inclusion of the family matriarch that is found to be embroiled in controversy and shadiness as an after fact after his death.
His two daughters: Daisy and Wallis Richardson are the main characters, and the main benefactors of the above mentioned controversy. What they choose to do upon the less then stellar discovery, and how this molds their decisions on who they are, what they are to one another, what their morals and places are in society, and what they want for their futures are some of the fundamental concepts that hold true for women today and also for the sisters Marianne and Elinor Dashwood in S&S. They find, like their predecessors, that their identity, current state and affairs seem to be an extension of the male relations within their lives. Is it fair? Nope. Is it surprising? Nope.
They find however, especially Daisy, that there is so much more that defines them. They have the choice on how they respond, how they carry themselves as women in the face of disappointments and obstacles, and in the more modern world, they have the ability to mold and adapt for their futures.
This was an excellent book that gave me a lot to think about: how far, and how not so far, we as women have come from previous generations. The similarities and stark differences that these sisters have to the Dashwoods, and how I myself might react in a similar situation.
A great adaptive retelling of an age old classic that evidently never really ever goes out of style. Very unique and very entertaining.
Well done! 5/5 stars
Thank you EW and Graydon House for this ARC and in return I am am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR, Instagram, and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 2/9/21.
Media sparks flew when Senator Gregory Richardson was found dead of a heart attack with his twenty-seven-year-old mistress. His wife Cricket along with his two daughters, Daisy and Wallis do their best to regroup in the aftermath but their lives will never be the same. Their long time affiliations quickly evaporate, and they become unwelcome by friends in their social circles. They soon discover that their father left them in a precarious financial situation and are forced to sell the family home in Georgetown.
While trying to rebuild their lives, Daisy’s main concern is protecting her family and keeping them out of the public spotlight. When additional unsavory information is revealed about her father, she must make decisions on how to salvage what is left of her family name.
Ladies Of The House by Lauren Edmondson is an engaging modern retelling of Sense And Sensibility. This current take is refreshing as the women take matters into their own hands and forge a new path for themselves. I look forward to more works from this debut author.
This is a warm, witty, and whip-smart modern spin on Sense and Sensibility.
Ladies of the House pulled me in on page one and didn’t let me go until the last, satisfying scene. Edmonson’s talent shines in her expertly crafted story of two sisters using their brains and hearts to break free of their father’s legacy and voice their desires, despite the sexist double standards that would keep them quiet.
A sensational debut.