Feminine Pursuits was the perfect series for our sapphic book club, and the worst part is that it’s over! The Hellion’s Waltz had us all in a tizzy.

The Roseingrave family revolves around music, and Sophie is no exception. When a con man exploits Sophie and her family’s passion, the Roseingraves are left practically penniless. Leaving their London home for slow-paced countryside, Sophie vows to never be swindled again. Or let anyone else be, if she can help it. Which is great, until she falls in instant lust for Madeline Crewe, who is neck-deep in the swindle of the decade.

The Hellion’s Waltz was a breath of fresh air after The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows. While both books center level-headed women who err on the side of practicality, Agatha and Penelope’s story was the wrong kind of slow-burn agonizing. Sparks fly instantly for Madeline and Sophie, and they communicate well to boot. Most of The Hellion’s Waltz conflict is external to the romance, and this change of pace was quite welcome. Waite included just the right amount of fun facts about pianos, weaving, and con artistry. There were more characters of color and casually queer people, whose lack were our major quibbles with the first two books. Literally the only critique we could muster the strength to utter was we missed fuller cameos of Lucy, Catherine, Agatha, and Penelope. Our former protagonists more haunt the background—Sophie tutors Lucy’s little cousins; Agatha’s yellow dress and Penelope’s honey make appearances. These details were pretty tiny.

The first two Feminine Pursuits books establish Waite’s great prowess as a writer, and The Hellion’s Waltz is where she seems to truly find her rhythm. Thought I wish the series was longer (where is my beer brewer romance??), I’m eager to see to where Waite goes next.