Olivia Waite

As Lucy Muchelney watches her ex-lover’s sham of a wedding, she wishes herself anywhere else. It isn’t until she finds a letter from the Countess of Moth, looking for someone to translate a groundbreaking French astronomy text, that she knows where to go. Showing up at the Countess’ London home, she hoped to find a challenge, not a woman who takes her breath away. Catherine St Day looks forward to a quiet widowhood once her late husband’s scientific legacy is fulfilled. She expected to hand off the translation and wash her hands of the project—instead, she is intrigued by the young woman who turns up at her door, begging to be allowed to do the work, and she agrees to let Lucy stay. But as Catherine finds herself longing for Lucy, everything she believes about herself and her life is tested. While Lucy spends her days interpreting the complicated French text, she spends her nights falling in love with the alluring Catherine. But sabotage and old wounds threaten to sever the threads that bind them. Can Lucy and Catherine find the strength to stay together or are they doomed to be star-crossed lovers?

The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics

I wish I’d been in the mood to read an historical romance when I started reading this as I know I would have enjoyed it even more. Sadly I wasn’t but as I’d started I committed to finishing. It was a pleasant change to read an f/f historical romance. It was lovely seeing them fall in love, but I really loved the fact we got to see women being girl bosses as well. This was such an excellent read for making me come out thinking women are amazing and wanting to go smash the patriarchy. 

Becky

Lover of Romance 

This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceI received this book for free from Avon in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

The Lady's Guide To Celestial Mechanics is the first book in a new series by Olivia Waite and the first book through Avon Books. First off I am so excited to see this author and what she will do with Avon. I first took notice of this author when I listened to an interview she had on a fellow podcast (I believe it was Wicked Wallflower Pod but I could be wrong) and after listening to her I just knew that I needed to pick this book up and I was so blessed that Avon gifted me this ARC and boy what a cover. ISNT IT GORGEOUS??!! I truly love it so much. It's sexy but tender and packed with all the romance we expect from the books and boy this author DELIVERED on a powerful story. I honestly had such a ball with these ladies and their love story.
I don't think love works like that. You might as well ask the earth whether the sun or the moon is more important. You can't always judge by what came before. Sometimes, there is a revolution.
So our story begins in England in the year 1816 where we have our two lead heroines, Lucy Muchelney and Catherine Kenwick, the Countess of Moth. Lucy has just been hurt when her lover of five years decided to marry leaving their relationship in the dust. Lucy is beyond hurt but then an opportunity arises in which Lucy will get away from the reminders and start a new journey. She receives a letter from the Countess of Moth requesting her aid in translating a French volume of celestial mechanics and since this is Lucy's specialty and what she has worked her whole life with her father, she goes to visit the Countess and they strike a bargain. As they begin to work on this five-volume work, a new relationship forms between Lucy and Catherine, but will this pair find their way to their own happily ever after?
There is no brilliance of though, no leap of logic that can take place without the power of imagination. Our learning requires intuition and instinct as much as pure intelligence. We are not simply minds, trained like lamps on the world around us, producing light but taking nothing in; we are bodies, and hearts, and hopes and dreams. We are men, and we are women. We are poetry and prose in equal mesausre. We are earth and clay, but we are all--no matter our shape--lit with a spark of something divine.
This was truly such a heartfelt love story and I have to be honest from the very beginning I was in TEARS. I so didn't expect the level of emotion that this author displays in her stories but boy did it show here. What you really start feeling though is the pain that Lucy is going through here. But as a friendship forms between Catherine and Lucy, a budding rose of love develops. Catherine and Lucy both have reservations about starting a relationship but they take a chance on each other and it proves to be fruitful for them both. The way these two support each other is truly remarkable and how they really see the deeper sides of each other is beautiful. You never really expect to find such poignant moments but they flowed in and out of the story like ocean waves landing across the shore.
Why would I go anywhere?" She whispered, her mouth hot against Catherine's temple "Everything I want is right here, because YOU are here"
Their relationship is far from perfect and they both make some mistakes along the way to their HEA, however, the mistakes made are human ones and relatable in every way. Through every touch, every kiss, every sweet word the reader is taken across their journey of finding their own strength and the reaffirming power of the love they hold for each other. Its a true delight in every way and I found this book packed with treasures and delights that I never wanted to end! A TRUE JEWEL OF THE REGENCY ERA!
Nothing in the universe stands alone. Everything is connected--in real, mathematical, provable ways--across the span of the entire cosmos. As long as we live, we influence one another. You and these women you've rediscovered...but also you and me. I was wrong to ask you to leave. To say there could be noithing permanent between us. We're already forever...

Natalie

This is an utterly charming f/f romance that doesn’t shy away from the hard conversations. There is a brief section where Lucy and Catherine forget to use their words, but it’s quite short and works in the structure of the story. Looking forward to what Olivia publishes next!

Laura

As Lucy Muchelney watches her ex-lover's sham of a wedding, she wishes herself anywhere else. It isn't until she finds a letter from the Countess of Moth, looking for someone to translate a groundbreaking French astronomy text, that she knows where to go. Showing up at the Countess' London home, she hoped to find a challenge, not a woman who takes her breath away. Catherine St Day looks forward to a quiet widowhood once her late husband's scientific legacy is fulfilled. She expected to hand off the translation and wash her hands of the project--instead, she is intrigued by the young woman who turns up at her door, begging to be allowed to do the work, and she agrees to let Lucy stay. But as Catherine finds herself longing for Lucy, everything she believes about herself and her life is tested. While Lucy spends her days interpreting the complicated French text, she spends her nights falling in love with the alluring Catherine. But sabotage and old wounds threaten to sever the threads that bind them. Can Lucy and Catherine find the strength to stay together or are they doomed to be star-crossed lovers?

Feminine Pursuits

Nicki

I would say this was a 3.5 actually but I decided to round up cause I can.. Hhehehehe. Give us 1/2 stars already dammit.

Flavia Louise

This was a really good book talking about women's place in science in the past and I really enjoyed the romance.

Jude Silberfeld

After the death of her father, Lucy Muchelney’s days as an astronomer seem over. After all, as her brother so delicately put it, who would want a female astronomer? Her lover’s wedding to a man is the last straw for the young woman, who runs away to London. Her not-very-well-thought plan is to convince the Countess of Moth to allow her to translate a famous French astronomer’s groundbreaking book. Catherine St Day, the countess, was content with never having to support another scientist after her self-centred fame-hungry husband passed away. She also never expected to fall for a younger woman.

I listened to the audiobook and I’m in two minds about the narration. I liked the narrator’s voice and pace, and I loved Lucy’s voice. I thought Catherine’s voice sounded too old at first but since she often seems to think herself to be old, it worked. The other female voices were good too, but the men’s voices often sounded oddly high and, for some, downright childish. The narrator offset this by varying accents, which I liked (except for the French accent but that’s on me, French accents make me cringe, even real ones).

I enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters a lot, the mutual respect and admiration. It was nice to see them get together pretty early in the story and watch them navigate the newness of it, their surroundings, the artificial opposition of art and science. The best part was the way each helps elevate the other, believes in her and in her capabilities and that these capabilities should be widely appreciated. I liked that Catherine’s insecurity and Lucy’s well-founded ego weren’t enough to break them. There’s some conflict and miscommunication but both make sense and don’t last too long. The character growth, especially on Catherine’s part, is really heartwarming.

Don’t expect historical accuracy, it’s not that kind of book. The author uses the atmosphere associated with the period the story is supposedly set in and turns it into her own imaginary world. There’s a steampunk energy to it, an almost fantastical feel that makes me think it would make a very enjoyable and empowering movie. Lesbian historical movies seem to be trendy these days and it would be nice to have one with a happy ending for once.

Natalie Sypeck 

Rating: 3.5
I thought I was going to DNF this book for the first few chapters because I wasn't connecting to the characters. I don't read a lot of pure romance, so it was feeling a bit boring to me, but once the romance started I began to enjoy it more. I liked the idea of women in science and liked the descriptions of the embroidery work. This is my first time reading a F/F relationship so I have nothing to compare it to. I thought the steamy scenes were ok, but I think the fact that I was still not super interested in the characters outside of their passions (astronomy and embroidery) made the sex scenes fall a bit flat. I went into this book looking for romance, but stayed for the female empowerment.

Nikki K

Cheryl Hedlund

I loved the characters and I liked the exploration of historical women in science. The intersection of art and science is also discussed with a plot thread about artistic embroidery. The couple and their relationship are very heartwarming. An engaging and enjoyable read.

Lucy

Dnf @ 44% 

Not interested in celestial mechanics and all the science-y talk lol

Taylor McNeely

The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics is the first book I read for Pride Month and it was everything I thought it would be. It's an own voices sapphic novel involving a science nerd and a rich Countess all set place in historical times, sign me up! 
.
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No but really, read this book because it was super adorable, but also talked about important subjects like women’s rights and men taking credit for things that women actually discovered🙄

b.andherbooks

** spoiler alert **
           Everything I could want in a historical romance. Soft glances over luscious dinners, library flirting, embroidered gifts, discussions of the importance of art, science, and why the two aren't always in juxtapositions, women supporting women.

I'm so pleased Avon and Olivia Waite have brought this beautiful story, and I cannot wait to see it on my library's shelves.

Abi Baker

eh more like a 3.5 but parts of it were definitely enjoyable

This book had so many elements I love reading: it was historical romance, it was sapphic, it combined elements of art and science and side characters had so much character growth throughout the story. But unfortunately, it was a book I found that I had to force myself to finish because around the 30% mark I fell out of love. I'm not sure if it's that I found it to be boring, if it maybe just wasn't my kind of writing style or the references to Australia that left me empty rather than happy to see the place I call home mentioned.

Jess Ostrander

3.5!

So overall I really enjoyed this one! I didn't find myself connecting to the characters easily though. I enjoyed the story and there were some great moments. I loved some of the side characters, like Aunt Kelmarsh! It was a good story, with lots of women's empowerment and feminist themes, and I'm always here for that! I did like the characters and was rooting for them, but I found myself not feeling drawn to them. It was a fun and easy read though, and I definitely recommend it, especially if you're looking for an f/f romance! I liked how the characters grew through the book, and they changed for the better. I liked how the theme of women supporting women and sisterhood was shown! Overall, there's lots of elements of your typical regency/historical romance, with a nice LGBTQ twist!

The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics

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