The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows: Feminine Pursuits

By Olivia Waite

When Agatha Griffin finds a colony of bees in her warehouse, it’s the not-so-perfect ending to a not-so-perfect week. Busy trying to keep her printing business afloat amidst rising taxes and the suppression of radical printers like her son, the last thing the widow wants is to be the victim of a thousand bees. But when a beautiful beekeeper arrives to take care of the pests, Agatha may be in danger of being stung by something far more dangerous…

Penelope Flood exists between two worlds in her small seaside town, the society of rich landowners and the tradesfolk.  Soon, tensions boil over when the formerly exiled Queen arrives on England’s shores—and when Penelope’s long-absent husband returns to Melliton, she once again finds herself torn, between her burgeoning love for Agatha and her loyalty to the man who once gave her refuge.

As Penelope finally discovers her true place, Agatha must learn to accept the changing world in front of her. But will these longing hearts settle for a safe but stale existence or will they learn to fight for the future they most desire?

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Jul 28, 2020
• ISBN: 9780062931801

Olivia Waite

Olivia Waite writes historical romance, fantasy, and science fiction. She is currently the romance fiction columnist for the New York Times Book Review. To learn more and sign up for her newsletter, please visit www.oliviawaite.com.

Reviews for The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows

[managedbybooks · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

When Agatha Griffin finds a colony of bees in her warehouse, it’s the not-so-perfect ending to a not-so-perfect week. Busy trying to keep her printing business afloat amidst rising taxes and the suppression of radical printers like her son, the last thing the widow wants is to be the victim of a thousand bees.

[jennybeast · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Distaff side printing house and beekeeping -- what is not to love here? Adored it -- loved the irascible main characters, the romance centered on older ladies, the print shop, the very well done explanation of the political landscape and the role of pamphlet printers before the free press, the sweet and sizzling romance (did I say that already?), learning more about beekeeping, and the small village shenanigans -- from gossip to late night pranks to negotiating with hostile men in power. It's just full of great stories, and the printing side was accurate, which is an achievement in its own right.

[bibliovermis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Do not judge this book by its cover, okay, it's about a couple of middle-aged ladies who wear a lot of trousers while they maintain bee hives and/or are covered in ink while they run successful printing companies, fight against the strictures and machinations of the local aristocracy, discuss the rights of women in marriage (or lack thereof) and political and historical events in 1820s London that I absolutely had to Wikipedia, and also pine for each other, and it rules.

[addictofromance · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows was a delightful read! It definitely had great promise and I had some high expectations after loving the first one ( I five starred it) so I was expecting some things with this one and I will be honest while it had some factors that I did enjoy, it just didn't quite work for me. The biggest issue that I had with this one here is that there is cheating. One of the protaganists is married, and even though he is a ocean away, they are still legally married so I did struggle with that aspect all the way through the book. In fact, it really put me off. I just don't care for cheating at all no matter the circumstance. Then another factor is the modernisms in this book. There were some situations in here that are not historically authentic at all. Like for example, the situation with Agatha's son and refusing to marry and the fact that so many people that Agatha talked to agreed with her son and his girl. I am sorry but that wouldn't have been the case in historical times when marriage would be expected or they would practically be shunned by society. This would even be the case even 20-30 years ago let alone a couple hundred years lol And there were some phrases here and there that just wouldn't have been said back then. So while I did enjoy this story as a whole, it just didn't quite do it for me. I still plan on reading the third book though, I am hoping that it is much better than my experience with this one here. I did enjoy the actual romance between these two though, and this author definitely knows how to write sensuality in such a beautiful way. I absolutely loved those moments and seeing the small moments between these two that was so tender and sweet!