A young woman seeking retribution against her backstabbing best friend finds her plans derailed once she reunites with the only boy she’s ever loved—a delightful second chance romance with the vibe of Bridgerton, from a USA Today bestselling author! “A divine dip into Regency waters! What happens when you have to choose between revenge and love? Queen Bee takes flight.” —Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wish You Were Here Revenge is her opening move. Love might be the endgame. Lady Ela Dalvi knows the exact moment her life was forever changed—when her best friend, Poppy, betrayed her without qualm over a boy, Lord Keston Osborn, heir to the Duke of Harbridge. She was sent away in disgrace, her reputation ruined. Nearly three years later, eighteen-year-old Ela is consumed with bitterness and a desire for . . . revenge. Her enemy is quickly joining the crème de la crème of high society while she withers away in the English countryside. With an audacious plan to get even, Ela disguises herself as a mysterious heiress and infiltrates London’s elite. But when Ela lays eyes on Keston once again, she begins to question whether vengeance is still her greatest desire. In this complicated game of real-life chess, Ela must choose her next move: Finally bring down the queen or capture the king’s heart? Gr 8 Up—What was Jane Austen missing amongst her tales of slow-burning love and social satire? Active vengeance, of course (also, people who weren't white). This novel tells the story of disgraced Lady Ela Dalvi and her quest for revenge, delivering on both fronts. This Count of Monte Cristo—influenced tale has scheming and twists a-plenty. It also fills London ballrooms with regal folks influenced by England's colonial history, daring to ask, what if these conquered countries were granted fair status by jolly old England? The result is drenched in African and Asian influence, filling out Regency frills with a richer tapestry of food and fashion. Howard deftly intercuts the story of current Ela against flashbacks to her as a naive, spritely young lady. Delicious morsels of why she is seeking revenge are tantalizingly released one by one. Each bread crumb raises the stakes whenever Ela slips in her plan, most notably in her simmering romance with erstwhile neighbor Lord Keston. She pushes against the boundaries—with help from allies like mysterious mentor Church and spunky banished classmates—while still operating within them. It's a tightrope, but it works. VERDICT A gossipy, vengeance-drenched romance with enough feminist touches to make girl, pardon me, lady-power abound.—Cat McCarrey “A satisfyingly delightful tale of deception, retribution, and romance.” — Kirkus Reviews “Fast-paced, engaging, and a lot of fun, Howard's novel is a true diamond of the first water.” — Booklist "A cathartic and enjoyable read for fans of high-society intrigue and drama." —Publishers Weekly "A gossipy, vengeance-drenched romance ." —School Library Journal “ Amalie Howard delights and captivates—a refreshingly updated historical that has quickly become one of my favorites !” — Jennifer L. Armentrout, #1 New York Times bestselling author of From Blood and Ash   “ Immersive and inclusive. Amalie Howard brings a new twist to Regency romance in this intriguing story about deceit, bitterness, vengeance . . . and finding true love. Readers are in for a treat!” — Brigid Kemmerer, New York Times bestselling author of Defy the Night   “ Amalie Howard brings a much-needed breath of fresh air to Regency romance in this buzzy revenge romp rich with feisty characters and unexpected friendship.” —Stacey Lee, New York Times bestselling author of Reese’s Book Club Pick The Downstairs Girl   “ Funny, smart, and enchanting. Thoughtfully handled moments of grief and friendship and a swoon-worthy romance make this novel difficult to put down.” —Krystal Marquis, New York Times bestselling author of The Davenports   “ A divine dip into Regency waters! What happens when you have to choose between revenge and love? Set within a multicultural, LGBTQ-positive society, Queen Bee takes flight.” —Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wish You Were Here AMALIE HOWARD is a USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of historical romance, including The Beast of Beswick , The Rakehell of Roth , and Always Be My Duchess , and has penned several critically acclaimed young adult novels. She is an AAPI, Caribbean-born writer whose work has been featured in publications such as Entertainment Weekly and Oprah Daily . When she’s not writing, she can usually be found reading; being the president of her one-woman Harley Davidson motorcycle club, #WriteOrDie; or power-napping. She lives in Colorado with her family. Chapter One Lyra Everyone sees what you appear to be, few feel what you are, and those few do not dare to oppose themselves to the op