Ladies of the House

This debut novel is a modern-day story loosely based on Jane Austen's classic, Sense and Sensibility. Those are some big, charming shoes to fill but Edmondson brings her own twist by addressing interesting topics as she sets her story within American politics.

Ladies of the House is a story about the Richardson family, a political family whose patriarch made some horrible choices before his sudden and untimely death. Told through the eldest daughter, Daisy's POV, the reader sees the impact of the scandal on the women in the family and shows how they come together to rebuild their lives. 

The story has a good premise and I particularly enjoyed the issues Edmondson raises issues relating to women. How, despite the changes made in society, we continue to be judged by the actions of the men in our lives. Great topics for sure and I loved the focus on the bond of sisterhood, female strength, and tenacity. But the story falls short in a few places with its weak romance, its strong focus on American politics (I've had quite enough of that for awhile) and its pacing that falters midway through and never quite gets going again.

All in all, this was a good but not wow read for me. It has a great message and issues, making it a good pick for book clubs, but it was too drawn out and lacked the charm and humour of the original Austen story. 

Disclaimer: I received this advanced copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

My Rating: 3 stars

Author: Lauren Edmondson

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Type and Source: eBook from publisher via NetGalley

Publisher: Graydon House

First Published: February 9, 2021

Opening Line: The brick went through the window on P Street 

on what would've been my father's sixty-fifth birthday.

Book Description from GoodReads: An irresistible family drama that puts a modern spin on Jane Austen's classic, Sense and Sensibility.

No surprise is a good surprise. At least according to thirty-four-year-old Daisy Richardson. So when it’s revealed in dramatic fashion that her esteemed father had been involved in a public scandal before his untimely death, Daisy’s life becomes complicated—and fast.

For one, the Richardsons must now sell the family home in Georgetown they can no longer afford, and Daisy’s mother is holding on with an iron grip. Her younger sister, Wallis, is ready to move on to bigger and better things but falls fast and hard for the most inconvenient person possible. And then there’s Atlas, Daisy’s best friend. She’s always wished they could be more, but now he’s writing an exposé on the one subject she’s been desperate to avoid: her father.

Daisy’s plan is to maintain a low profile as she works to keep her family intact amid social exile, public shaming, and quickly dwindling savings. But the spotlight always seems to find the Richardsons, and when another twist in the scandal comes to light, Daisy must confront the consequences of her continued silence and summon the courage to stand up and accept the power of her own.