The Ruthless Lady's Guide to Wizardry by C.M. Waggoner -> Starting September 1st, 2023

[Alaina]

A charming historical fantasy with a tender love story at its core, from the author of Unnatural Magic.

Hard-drinking petty thief Dellaria Wells is down on her luck in the city of Leiscourt—again. Then she sees a want ad for a female bodyguard, and she fast-talks her way into the high-paying job. Along with a team of other women, she’s meant to protect a rich young lady from mysterious assassins.

At first Delly thinks the danger is exaggerated, but a series of attacks shows there’s much to fear. Then she begins to fall for Winn, one of the other bodyguards, and the women team up against a mysterious, magical foe who seems to have allies everywhere.

[Andy]

Chapter 1: I like Delly, but the writing style is very weird...

[Andy]

Chapter 4: things are getting interesting! I still don't like the writing style much, but I like almost all the characters. It's difficult to make everyone in a group have a personality!

[Ashlyn]

Started this one, but didn't get far.

[Ashlyn]

I didn't realize this was book 2

[Andy]

Ashlyn wrote: "I didn't realize this was book 2"

I am pretty sure it's a series of standalones in the same world! ;) I haven't read book 1! This one looked more interesting! :P

[Andy]

Chapter 7: (view spoiler)[well, it seemed too easy to catch the bad guy straight away! I still don't love the writing, but I am finding it more quirky than annoying now. I don't want to put the book down, which is good! (hide spoiler)]

[Andy]

Chapter 11: (view spoiler)[It's a bit slow, but I like the "getting to know the characters" aspect of it! (hide spoiler)]

[Andy]

Chapter 14: (view spoiler)[Delly sounds a little bit like Scarlet O'Hara, somentimes doing the right thing for the wrong reasons! :P I enjoy her a lot, and I think she is nicer than she is giving herself credit for... The storyline with the mum is sad. I don't think she should be trusted to make her own decisions, Delly is right. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

So glad you are enjoying it!

Chapter 7 (view spoiler)[ I agree, I’m enjoying this so far. The narrator is good so I’m not noticing the strange writing style. Overall, the audiobook is really good and the story is engaging. I’m excited to see where it leads. <\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

Chapter 11 (view spoiler)[ I love how the group is coming together to find the murderer. I think this will just get even more interesting. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

Chapter 15 (view spoiler)[ This is slowing down a bit for me. The plot just is kind of interesting but not really at this point. Hopefully the ending picks up. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

Finished (view spoiler)[I’m a little disappointed in the ending. I don’t know why, but I was kind of hoping for a little more. But that’s okay. The beginning was super interesting and then it kind of fell flat for me. I did like the character group though. (hide spoiler)]

[Andy]

Ashlyn wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

Sorry you didn't like the ending! I'll let you know what I think when I get there, too! ;)

[Andy]

Ashlyn wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

Finished: (view spoiler)[Sorry you didn't like the ending! I actually liked it a lot! :) (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Read this one today.

Chapter 1-5: (view spoiler)[Delly is an interesting character for sure but I am finding the writing style a bit tiring for my taste. I am guessing a romance between Delly and Winn is to take place? I don't really believe Miss Wexin is going to marry and there might be another reason behind her hiring these guards. Her fiance seems to be interested in someone else as well. I wonder who is trying to murder her and why does her sister faint every time she is needed (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 6-9: (view spoiler)[Yikes Ainette is the murderer after all, I feel so bad for the little girl that had to die for no reason. Her mother is so brave for keeping her calm and focusing on finding Ainette. This drip drug, whatever it is, sounds really fucked up. i am wondering if Delly's mom would be able to help her locate the distributor if and when she wakes up. Meanwhile, I am quite enjoying Delly and Winn's romance (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 10-13: (view spoiler)[This whole segment was dedicated to them developing the red drip themselves in hopes of meeting the Kind Companions and I kinda got tired of waiting, I am so curious to see whether they are really ladies and Dok's classmates at that! The "hard times" everyone keeps talking about might have pushed them in this direction. It was kinda scary when Delly was under the influence and then sobered up by Mrs Totham (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 14-16: (view spoiler)[I am getting so impatient argh!!! This book is moving very slow , the group has already met the Kind Companions and i don't know why the impending bust is being postponed so much by the author. I just want to find out already what the reason is behind Clare and Ainette choosing this line of work. I quite liked the "householder" term for partner in this book. Delly and her mom bonding was a sweet moment as well (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[Hmm i am just a tiny bit disappointed that both the conspirators died without giving us any answers, I had hoped for a full on confrontation. Buttons turned out to be of such great help, it was amazing! Also perfectly happy ending for Delly and Winn , I liked it a lot. There was a lot of scare with the fires but all's well that ends well I suppose (hide spoiler)]