What a fun book this was. I should disclose up front that I love Regency romances, and the trend of Regencies for teens (The Luxe, La Petite Four, etc.) that’s been happening lately has made me very happy.

Twins Persephone and Penelope are about to make their debut in London Society, and also trying to keep a very big secret: they are practicing witches, studying under a governess to control and hone their magical powers. If word got out in society they would be shunned (if not hung), so they are trying to carry on as normal teenagers would in the Regency period. Unfortunately, their governess is kidnapped as part of a plot to gain control over Princess Victoria (soon to be Queen Victoria) and Persy and Pen must risk their reputations and their very lives in order to save her from death and England’s throne from corruption.

Tied up with this is a lovely little romantic subplot – smartypants Persy fell in love with their childhood friend Lochinvar years ago, and now he is back – older, taller, and one of the catches of the Season. How will she bear it if he falls in love with prettier, more outgoing Pen instead? And would it be wise to use magic to help herself to a husband?

It’s a delightful piece of summertime fluff – just what I want to read while lying by the pool with a lemonade – but that’s not all it is. Smartly written and tightly plotted, Bewitching Season is a romp in every sense of the word.

Publisher: Henry Holt

Pub date: out now, in hardcover