This quirky book is set up like a guide to the Victorian era for female time travelers. It tells you what you need to know about clothing, marriage, beauty, socializing, health, and travel. The writing style is irreverent and fun, and I love the old photos and advertisements. I'd make a terrible Victorian lady! It seems like Victorians were afraid to write about the female body, so some of the advertisements for women's health products are so vague that I have no idea what they're selling. Why do I need a product to cure "irregularities and suppressions"? What does that even mean? I hope Victorian women had nice friends and mothers because that's the only way they're going to learn anything useful about their bodies.

I enjoyed this book because it busts some myths and taught me a few things. My biggest issue with the book is how American it is. The Victorian era got its name from Queen Victoria. Why are we (mostly) ignoring the country where she lived? Most of the author's research materials came from the US. I found that disappointing.

For the most part, I enjoyed the author's snarky writing style, but it got on my nerves a few times. When I came across a fact I didn't know already, I wanted information, not jokes! I also think the author glossed over scary things (slavery, eugenics, mental health care, poverty) to keep the book light and fun. If you want to know about those topics, this book is not for you.

I had lots of fun reading this one, but it left gaps that I need to fill with less-fun books about the Victorian era. That being said, I will definitely read the author's other book, Ungovernable: The Victorian Parent's Guide To Raising Flawless Children. Maybe it'll help me with Baby Brooklyn. She's far from a flawless Victorian toddler