
First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?
- Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
- Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
- Finally… reveal the book!
First Lines:
Charlotte could listen no more in silence. For several minutes now a young man at the teahouse counter had been abusing a waiter with language that pierced her soul.
Do you recognize the lines?

Here’s a hint:
It’s a the second book in a historical paranormal romance series.

Still not sure? Here’s another hint:
It’s written by India Holton.

The First Lines Friday book is:
The League of Gentlewomen Witches
About the Book:

Title: The League of Gentlewoman Witches
Author: India Holton
Series: Dangerous Damsels #2
Page Length: 352
Publication Date: March 15, 2022
Publisher: Berkley Books
Synopsis: Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the teahouse…
Miss Charlotte Pettifer belongs to a secret league of women skilled in the subtle arts. That is to say—although it must never be said—witchcraft. The League of Gentlewomen Witches strives to improve the world in small ways. Using magic, they tidy, correct, and manipulate according to their notions of what is proper, entirely unlike those reprobates in the Wisteria Society.
When the long lost amulet of Black Beryl is discovered, it is up to Charlotte, as the future leader of the League, to make sure the powerful talisman does not fall into the wrong hands. Therefore, it is most unfortunate when she crosses paths with Alex O’Riley, a pirate who is no Mr. Darcy. With all the world scrambling after the amulet, Alex and Charlotte join forces to steal it together. If only they could keep their pickpocketing hands to themselves! If Alex’s not careful, he might just steal something else—such as Charlotte’s heart.
Have you read The League of Gentlewomen Witches? What do you think of the first lines? Comment below!
I recognized the line, but wasn’t sure what book it was from. I enjoyed it very much. It was a lot of fun.
Yes yes yes!! Knew it was an India Holton book but wasn’t sure which one. This is a fabulous book. I loved it.
Yay! Glad to hear it!
Ooh, I really want to read this one 😍
It’s a fun one!