I got this ex-library hardcover from Better World Books, for another release copy. It's a sequel-of-sorts to The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue, which I liked very much, but this one focuses on Felicity, sister of the protagonist of the previous book.

And it's another enjoyable romp - with some realistic notes; among them, Monty and Percy, while happy together, are barely eking out a living, between Monty's having been disinherited (and being a bit lazy) and Percy's still suffering from occasional epileptic fits that interfere with his job. Felicity takes refuge with them after being frustrated in her attempts to gain admittance to medical school - none of them are willing to accept women as students, and she begins to wonder if she'll ever achieve her goal. (She also foists off the romantic overtures of a sweet-tempered baker, though she briefly considers whether she might as well give up on her own goals, thinking that life with a good-natured hard-working fellow might be better than forever running up against societal barriers. In the end she decides she can't compromise with herself - and doesn't want to be unfair to her friend.)

Felicity's plans take a turn when she finds that the doctor whose work she most admires is engaged to her estranged childhood friend Johanna, and she resolves to try and use that connection to get her a job - of some kind - with her idol. But the truth about that doctor and his motives for marrying Johanna, not to mention the story behind the estrangement with her friend, lead to an entirely new goal, one that includes an alliance with the dynamic and entrancing Sim, daughter of one of the leading pirates in the Mediterranean...

Since Felicity (and her brother and his boyfriend) had been befriended by a different band of pirates in the first book, dealing with pirates-in-general isn't that strange, but Felicity finds that she's caught up in more serious matters than she imagined - including a battle over whether to protect a rare tribe of dragons (yes, dragons!) from exploitation or to study them scientifically.

Lots of adventures, scientific and ethical conundrums, relationships friendly and (possibly) romantic - though Felicity seems to be solidly in the asexual/aromantic zone - and some entertaining last-ditch heroics, not to mention a pitched sea battle; quite the story!

Bonus material includes author commentary on historical women who inspired story elements.

[There's a TV Tropes page on the book with some entertaining tidbits.]

Guidelines for safely visiting and stocking Little Free Libraries during the COVID-19 pandemic, from the LFL site here.

I left this book in this brand-new Little Free Library on this very warm day; hope someone enjoys it!

[See other recent releases in NH here.]

** Released for the 2022 May Royalty challenge. **