When Agatha Griffin finds a colony of bees in her warehouse, it’s the not-so-perfect ending to a not-so-perfect week. Busy trying to keep her printing business afloat amidst rising taxes and the suppression of radical printers like her son, the last thing the widow wants is to be the victim of a thousand bees. But when a beautiful beekeeper arrives to take care of the pests, Agatha may be in … danger of being stung by something far more dangerous…
Penelope Flood exists between two worlds in her small seaside town, the society of rich landowners and the tradesfolk. Soon, tensions boil over when the formerly exiled Queen arrives on England’s shores—and when Penelope’s long-absent husband returns to Melliton, she once again finds herself torn, between her burgeoning love for Agatha and her loyalty to the man who once gave her refuge.
As Penelope finally discovers her true place, Agatha must learn to accept the changing world in front of her. But will these longing hearts settle for a safe but stale existence or will they learn to fight for the future they most desire?
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I liked this f/f historical romance even better than Olivia Waite’s first book. Agatha is a widow in London still looking out for her adult Sydney and trying to keep her printing business afloat, while Penelope is in the small town, Melliton, where she was raised, with her husband in name only at sea most of the time. She’s a beekeeper who essentially takes care of many of the beehives in town, including that of her recently deceased friend.
The two meet and quickly form a fierce friendship based on letter writing, each of them coming to terms with their growing need for the other as they’re able to share parts of themselves they don’t with anyone else in their lives. Their courtship, fraught as much of it is with each woman thinking the other is only interested in friendship, is played out against a political backdrop of government censors trying to limit what Agatha’s print shop can print and, in Melliton, self-righteous townspeople trying to wield “propriety” as a weapon of the law.
This book was such a joy to read, with two women in their forties who are both smart and wise and full of love that’s largely been funneled in other directions, Agatha’s toward her son after the death of her husband, and Penelope’s to her neighbors and town and her precious bees. The way taking care of the bees bonds the two women, how it teaches Agatha not just about beekeeping but about Penelope’s tenderness and devotion to them, is woven wonderfully into the plot.
And the sex! When the women finally go to bed together, all that pent-up desire is unleashed in words that soar off the page. I especially liked that while what they’re experiencing is new for them–not just sex, but love and passion–neither woman is inexperienced in bedding another woman, although Penelope has done so more assuredly. There’s also a fun name for dildos revealed, one that’s actually real.
There’s also a plotline about Penelope’s marriage (her husband is gay) that made this even more poignant. Both Agatha and Penelope are very strong women with strong beliefs, but they are still products of their upbringings and times and struggle with how to claim their rightful place in their communities with their love. This is a memorable page-turner, with lots of interesting social commentary and a gorgeous love story. Highly recommend it!
I just finished Olivia Waite’s The Care and Feeding of Wapish Widows. It took me three days because LIFE (bad life!). But this book is amazing and gave me all the feels. The romance between Flood and Griffin (I love how they call each other by their last names) is definitely a long, slow burn; but one that is so worth the wait.
There is much uncertainty for these two as they develop a wonderful friendship that begins mostly through the exchange of letters. Agatha (as well as the reader) learns all about beekeeping and Penelope (as well as the reader) learns all about printing. Both professions play a strong role in the plot.
At no time does the information about beekeeping or printing feel extraneous. It is deftly woven into the fabric of each character’s lives. I learned quite a bit over the course of this book – and I didn’t even really realize I was learning anything (which is the best way).
Penelope and Agatha are both fully formed characters who have lived full lives. Both are in their mid-40s (which is definitely something I appreciate). Both were married, but for very different reasons: one for love and one for a different kind of duty.
Their pasts are important to each one and their pasts impact the way they see each other – and the way they wonder about their relationship. It definitely takes these two a long time to admit that they feel more than friendship for each other, but it was absolutely right for them
These two are also falling in love during a time of political and societal unrest. There are questions about what is right, what is legal, what is just as the story explores inequality on so many levels. This exploration of inequality is so reflective of our current times.
And I have to say that I was cheering hard as Penelope found a way to win the battle against the Mendacity Society folks. The end has such a positive feel to it, and I am not to proud to admit that I needed this ending so badly right now.
This is my first Olivia Waite book, but I will be reading The Ladies Guide to Celestial Mechanics as soon as I can.
Thank you Olivia Waite. You absolutely made my week with The Care and Feeding of Wapish Widows. This book made me believe that there is still good in humanity.
Do you ever finish a book and think “This was just delightful”? That’s I how I feel about The Care and Feeding of Wapish Widows. Honestly, I think mainstream publishers are really missing out by not having more f/f historical romances. Quite simply, this book was sweet. And I’m not use saying that because it features a beekeeper! This is a slow burn and follows Penelope and Agatha from meeting to friends both of whom are attracted to each other and finally to lovers. I especially liked that both women have professions that they really excel at. Penelope is a bee keeper while Agatha runs her family’s publishing press. The world around them is changing and the historian in me liked the subplot of Queen Caroline and the influence she had over the time period. It was easily interspersed within Penelope and Agatha’s love story. This was an unique love story about two middle-aged women falling in love and once you finish it, you wonder why it is unique and why not all books are as romantic and cleverly written as The Care and Feeding of Wapish Widows. I think the most glowing thing I can say about this book is as soon as I finished it, I recommended it to my friend who doesn’t read romance because I know she will adore it!
I wasn’t expecting to like this book as much as I did. I expected it to be overly floral and reminiscent of the boddice rippers that you may have found your mother hiding away from prying eyes. Despite the cover, this was an elegant historical romance that made me want to go back and find the first novel in the series.
Agatha Griffin never expected to find a colony of bees in her warehouse, but the woman who would come to her rescue was just as surprising of a discovery. Penelope Flood, bee-keeper extraordinaire spends most of her time taking care of the beehives around town. She floats between the wealthy and the tradesmen.
Through beekeeping, Agatha and Penelope form a bond. Penelope’s letters originally intended to keep Agatha updated on her relocated bees, shifted into companionship. I love when authors include letters between characters. You get a clear picture of their voice, their sarcasm and sense of humor. It feels intimate and genuine.
I melted once they finally gave in to their feelings. I’ll say this, I was not expecting the romance scenes to be written how they were. They weren’t cheesy or unbelievable. These women together were passionate, insatiable, and exciting.
While they were finding themselves as a couple, they found themselves as individual women. Agatha had to be strong, business-minded, and needed to take care of everything around her, found her match with Penelope. Penelope, who had grown used to loneliness found a true companionship with Agatha.
*insert wistful sigh here*
This was a great read, despite the cover, and I hope to read more from Olivia Waite.
Romance. Sedition. Bees.
As far as lesbian romantic fiction is concerned, this book did a much better job of developing the characters. The were both early middle age, so it avoided the 40-ish lesbian reveals to 20-ish woman love between women.
A fun read
Well written..very interesting era taking place in the early 1800’s…..didn’t leap into sex as many lesbian novels do…showed the strength of women during a time when men dominated
Great f/f historical romance is still hard to come by, and this series by Olivia Waite is just so wonderful. Two cranky older businesswomen find each other in this glorious second chance love story about political protest, bees, printing song lyrics and complicated families.
Not to mention, friends-to-lovers via intimate correspondence!! I came to these books because of Waite’s brilliant titles (I actually read the first one in the series because I heard about this title long before the book was released) and they more than live up to the wit and whimsy of the titles.
I went into this book expecting a fun, enjoyable story with interesting characters and wonderful romance. I got all that and so much more. Agatha is very business oriented and pragmatic. Penelope is a beekeeper who runs a little wild herself. Then you add in Agatha’s son and Eliza and Penelope’s husband and her brother and the vicar and Lady Summerville and it all comes together in a way that kept me engaged and wouldn’t let me put the book down. I especially appreciated the social justice aspect of the story. All in all, I loved everything about it!!
Agatha Griffin is a printer. Penelope Flood is a beekeeper. They meet when Agatha finds bees in the wall of her warehouse in Melliton. Both are alone. Agatha is a widow; Penelope’s husband (of convenience) is at sea with her brother on a whaling ship. The women enjoy each other’s company. There is a spark of attraction at first, and as they spend time together in Melliton and London that attraction grows. Could they be falling in love? Can they make a relationship work?
Agatha and Penelope (Griffin and Flood to each other) are wonderful characters. Their story takes place amid political upheaval and small-town tyranny. Intelligent, strong, and independent, they weather it all. A little history, interesting side stories, interesting facts about printing and beekeeping, and a heartwarming romance make this an enjoyable read.
I received an ARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.
AWFUL