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The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics

Book 1 in the series:Feminine Pursuits

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In 'The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics' by Olivia Waite, readers are taken on a journey through Regency England where a young astronomer, Lucy, falls for the wealthy widowed countess, Catherine. Together, they learn to trust each other, pursue science, and advocate for women's rights. The book delves into themes of love, friendship, feminism, and the struggles faced by women in male-dominated fields, all while exploring a tender and genuine romance between the two main characters.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed women with distinct backgrounds and ambitions, showcasing resilience and mutual support.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is poetic and focuses on character depth and emotional connections while addressing broader themes.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on the evolving romance between two women in a historical setting, highlighting themes of feminism and women's roles in science.

Setting:

Set in Regency England, the historical context reflects the societal challenges faced by women.

Pacing:

The pacing is generally slow, catering to character development but may feel drawn out to some readers.
Miss Priscilla Carmichael made a lovely bride. Her dress of champagne satin caught all the light and haloed her, making her blond curls gleam and her eyes look as blue as a summer sky. The Honorable H...

Notes:

The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite is a historical romance set in early 1800s England.
The story features a young female astronomer named Lucy and a widowed countess named Catherine.
Lucy struggles with her identity and ambition after her father's death and the end of a significant relationship.
Catherine seeks to support Lucy's scientific endeavors despite facing her own past trauma.
The novel touches on themes of feminism and women's contributions to science and art during a time of systemic prejudice.
Waite's writing includes elements of science and art, showcasing the blend of creativity and logic.
The relationship between Lucy and Catherine is built on mutual support and respect, rather than relying on typical romance tropes.
The book engages in discussions about the devaluation of traditionally female tasks, such as embroidery.
It presents a realistic portrayal of the complexities of relationships and queerness in a historical context.
The story emphasizes the importance of trust and consent in intimate relationships.
The novel includes frank depictions of romantic interactions that are described as tender and sweet rather than overly graphic.

Has Romance?

The romance between the two main characters, Lucy and Catherine, is a central focus of the novel and is described as tender and deeply developed.

From The Publisher:

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?

Ratings (17)

Incredible (5)
Loved It (6)
Liked It (3)
It Was OK (1)
Hated It (2)

Reader Stats (59):

Read It (19)
Want To Read (26)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (13)

2 comment(s)

It Was OK
1 month

3.5 stars. Highly enjoyed this lesbian romance novel, I definitely need more of that in my life. But it seems that gay and diverse historical romance is hard to find.. :( (any one got a tip?) But back to the book, it had a pleasant story line and good level of angst but I didn't fully fell in love with it, wanted more but don't know what

 
Incredible
3 months

4.5 stars. Hidden Figures but make it Regency. And gay.

Take a network of women who want to be astronomers and botanists and zoologists. Surround them by men who won't let them. Have them do it anyway. Stir in a black mathematician and plenty of lesbian lust. And, just to make it perfect, lots of embroidery and dress descriptions. This is a mass-market romance, but it's also about who decides what counts as art and science and who decides who gets to do them.

 
 
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