The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows

Sapphic historical romances are few and far between, especially ones as intelligently written and historically grounded as Olivia Waite’s. My favorite moves beyond the typical Regency ballroom setting with its slow-burn romance between two 40-something women. Penelope’s a rural beekeeper, and Agatha a London printer, one whose worrisomely politically radical son might be putting her business in danger.

I admire both the lovely writing and the intelligently grounded historical setting (the story takes place against the backdrop of the Queen Caroline affair and the post-Napoleonic repression of the English press). Above all, I appreciate Waite’s deftly crafted and utterly appealing… show more.

This book has two business-minded heroines! And both are fascinating. Agatha runs a printing business, which is embroiled in the scandal of the day, the Prince Regent trying to divorce his wife. Unfortunately, the book warehouse is infested with bees, who must be removed by local bee expert Penelope. Agatha’s and Penelope’s careers and expertise bring them together—and each finds the other’s competence very attractive—until their hearts bind them together.