The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy (Montague Siblings 2)

While there was nothing in particular to dislike about The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue, this follow-up is even better, perhaps because it allows author Mackenzi Lee to address issues closer to her heart and experience. It helps that the lead character is one you root for more from the off, although Felicity Montague is still flawed, like her brother Monty, and realising and addressing this forms a major part of the story. Which itself is another ripping yarn that spans continents, although this time with a distinctive element of fantasy thrown in to offset the more quotidian (but no less riveting) drama. Overall it's a deceptively easy, very enjoyable read that has a lot to say about friendship, loyalty and ambition that's worth listening to. Whilst revelling in the outlandish fiction of it all.

This is a story of women fighting back. This is a story about how there is no right way to be a woman. This is a story about powerful women who could slit you open with a marlinespike, sew you back shut, and throw a party with cream puffs and cakes the next minute.