The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows: Feminine Pursuits

Olivia Waite

Jul 2020 · HarperCollins

About this ebook

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?

Ratings and reviews

Agatha Griffin is a printer. Penelope Flood is a beekeeper. They meet when Agatha finds bees in the wall of her warehouse in Melliton. Both are alone. Agatha is a widow; Penelope’s husband (of convenience) is at sea with her brother on a whaling ship. The women enjoy each other’s company. There is a spark of attraction at first, and as they spend time together in Melliton and London that attraction grows. Could they be falling in love? Can they make a relationship work? Agatha and Penelope (Griffin and Flood to each other) are wonderful characters. Their story takes place amid political upheaval and small-town tyranny. Intelligent, strong, and independent, they weather it all. A little history, interesting side stories, interesting facts about printing and beekeeping, and a heartwarming romance make this an enjoyable read. I received an ARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

About the author

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.