A League of Extraordinary Women #1&2 by Evie Dunmore- GUSH

I absolutely fell in LOVE with these two books, a League of Extraordinary Women is utterly captivating. Starting with Bringing Down the Duke with Annabelle and Sebastian, and continuing into the second book with Lucie and Tristan; I could NOT put them down. Although I don't read a ton of historical romance, I might have to now. This was such a nice break from reality and all of its restlessness- with elections and COVID, and just the craziness of life- it was so nice to escape for a couple of days into this world.

Bringing Down the Duke synopsis:

Oxford, 1879. A beautiful bluestocking is about to teach a duke a lesson . . .

Brilliant but destitute Annabelle Archer is one of the first female students at Oxford University. In return for her scholarship, she must recruit influential men to champion the rising women's suffrage movement. Her first target is Sebastian Devereux: cold, calculating and the most powerful duke in England.

When Annabelle and her friends infiltrate his luxurious estate, she's appalled to find herself attracted to the infuriatingly intelligent aristocrat - but perhaps she's not the only one struggling with desire. . . Soon Annabelle is locked in a battle with rising passion and a will matching her own. She'll need to learn fast just what it takes to bring down a duke.

A Rogue of One's Own synopsis:

A lady must have money and an army of her own if she is to win a revolution—but first, she must pit her wits against the wiles of an irresistible rogue bent on wrecking her plans…and her heart.

Lady Lucie is fuming. She and her band of Oxford suffragists have finally scraped together enough capital to control one of London’s major publishing houses, with one purpose: to use it in a coup against Parliament. But who could have predicted that the one person standing between her and success is her old nemesis and London’s undisputed lord of sin, Lord Ballentine? Or that he would be willing to hand over the reins for an outrageous price—a night in her bed.

Lucie tempts Tristan like no other woman, burning him up with her fierceness and determination every time they clash. But as their battle of wills and words fans the flames of long-smoldering devotion, the silver-tongued seducer runs the risk of becoming caught in his own snare.

As Lucie tries to out-maneuver Tristan in the boardroom and the bedchamber, she soon discovers there’s truth in what the poets say: all is fair in love and war…

SPOILERS

These were both five-star reads for me, which is RARE. The atmosphere of being apart of Victorian London during the suffrage movement was palpable. I swear I could see all the big dresses and feel the ballroom inside my own. It was whimsical, dazzling, and just such a fun experience.

THE CHARACTERS. Omg, I could go on and on about these characters. Specifically, Annabelle and Lucie- I loved every second with them. They were both such strong, independent, stubborn, wonderful women. I loved to watch them figure out how to deal with the emotions and passionate feelings that arise when one is in love. I adored the dynamics they had with their love interests and watching them grow more confident and sure of themselves and their beliefs as well. This was one of the best pieces of feminine literature I've read in fiction in a while. The way the author depicted the REAL struggle of women who refuse to be domesticated, while also trying to find their own way in a very unconventional manner was top tier. As someone who considers themselves a feminists I was very proud of the way Dunmore portrayed it in these books.

Sebastian and Tristan. LETS TALK. These men right here. I loved watching them slowly become more human and vulnerable over the course of both stories. Sebastian comes off very hard and emotionless at first, but the minute he starts to show that beating heart of his, GAME OVER. I was in love with how he loved Annabelle, and how utterly soft and undone he became in front of her. They're relationship was ANGSTY. The sexual tension along with the playful yet scholarly banter was making me literally scream. And, THAT ENDING. ON THE YACHT. BYE.

Lucie and Tristan were a different story, they had the whole childhood friends to enemies to lovers vibe going on...which I LIVE for btw. Tristan grew on me later than Sebastian did, I really didn't care for him at first. He was your typical manwhore…or so you think. The fact that he lived his life so unapologetically really made me appreciate him more as a character. The reality that he had been in love with Lucie basically his whole life without knowing it...TEARS. They were also VERY angsty, the mutual pining, the clear attraction and banter, I was here for it. At the end when you find out he's the one who gave her the cat knowing she'd be lonely on her own...I need a minute to recover.

Also, both men RESPECTING AND SUPPORTING their women and the women's suffrage movement, fighting right along beside them, TURN THAT SHIT UP. Seeing the men of this story understand the depth and desperation of the need for a suffrage movement, and women's rights in general, was done exceptionally. Tristan not pushing Lucie into marriage and allowing and understanding the need to wait until the amendment of the Married Women's Property Act was just the cherry on top. Highest of praises for both of these books, and I'm so excited to read Hattie's story in the next book!!