A Fall from Grace

by Jennie Goutet

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She needs a champion. He needs one less person to worry about.

Selena Lockhart comes with neither dowry nor connections, and she knows better than to expect Society to give her a welcome—especially after her father gambled away his fortune, precipitating the family’s sudden fall from grace and Selena’s betrothed to break off their engagement. It therefore comes as no surprise that her new neighbor, Sir Lucius, treats her with disdain. Why should he look beyond appearances when her own promises so little?

Sir Lucius Clavering is not married, but he may as well be, considering he is expected to escort his widowed mother to watering holes, round out the numbers at his married sister’s dinners, and come to the aid of his scapegrace younger siblings. It doesn’t help that single women and matchmaking mamas jostle each other to claim his face, fortune, and title so that he’s left without a moment’s peace.

When Selena shows up at Lucius’s doorstep looking for help, he is sure it’s another ploy aimed at cutting up his prized bachelor existence. Although his prejudice does not last long, Lucius fears his first reaction might have ruined his chances with her. How can he save her from Society’s teeth when she continues to hold him at arm’s length?

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Book Details

Genre

Historical Romance

Subgenre

Regency (1811–1820)

Series

Clavering Chronicles • Book 1

Audience

Adult

Bell Peppers

🫑

Profanity

1 None

Violence

1 None

Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco

2 Mild

Publication Date

December 4, 2020

Language Versions

English

Narration Type

Human

Fiction Form

Novel

Sensitive Themes

Bullying or humiliation

Editorial Reviews

A Fall from Grace is a sweet Cinderella-story of a Regency romance, with threads of Austen and Heyer. Jennie Goutet's writing admirably evokes the era, giving her characters a romantic—and believable—happily-ever-after. -USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews

A fall from grace

This story kept my interest during the whole book. There are unfortunate happenings to selena in the beginning because of her fathers drinking. Selena is forced to be a governess to have money so we can provide for herself. Selena endures many unkindnesses. I think you will enjoy reading this story.

A Regency romance

Selena Lockhart's life is not at all how she imagined it would be. She, her mother and siblings are still paying for the scandal her father caused, and because of their fall from grace, her fiancé called off their bethrothal. Now Selena has taken a position as a paid companion to Lady Harrowden, a somewhat cantankerous elderly woman. Her carriage has an accident on the way to her employer, and she knocks on the door of Sir Lucius Clavering for assistance. Sir Lucius has come back to his country home for solitude and some peace and quiet, but isn't finding it as young ladies in need keep coming to his door.

This is my first book by the author, and I listened to the audiobook of it. We all love the Regency stories of balls, and falling in love, but society was not kind to those who didn't live up to their standards. Selena and her family are paying the price for her father's sins, which were all his own. No longer attending balls, she's trying to survive and help her mother by becoming a paid companion. Simply put, Selena has swallowed her pride and does what she needs to do.

Lucius, a Baronet, is tired of the matchmaking mamas parading their eligible daughters in front of him at all the social events and has retired to his estate for some peace and quiet. Instead of finding peace and quiet he's drawn into the events going on at Lady Harrowden's home, and slowly falls for Miss Lockhart. I liked the changes that Lucius made over the course of the story.

Selena handled Lady Harrowden a lot better than I would have. She kept giving her more responsibilities, but I don't know how she expected Selena to accomplish them and still be her companion and be at her beck and call. I didn't like Lucius' sister at all. She struck me as very shallow--she wanted to set Lucius up with a young woman who had somewhat questionable morals, but looked down on Selena because of her father's disgrace, and then to invite Selena's former fiancé to her ball was the cherry on top!! I don't see how Selena and Lucius forgave her for that.

Satisfying story

This is the second book I’ve read by this author. Wish I had thought to read this one first because there are three in the Clavering Chronicles. I happened to read the last one first, The Sport of Matchmaking, because the title intrigued me.

A Fall from Grace is a standalone story, but the characters will appear in the next two novels. So, if you decide to read these books, do yourself a favor and read this one first to enjoy the events in order.

The story itself was wonderful. Satisfying plot, easy to picture characters, and a good ending to the tale. Right from the beginning, I felt compassion for the main female character and the situation she found herself in.

A Fall from Grace

This is the first book in the Clavering Chronicles by Jennie Goutet. Selena Lockhart is a young woman whose world is turned upside down when her father gambles away their life’s savings causing the family to fall from grace. With her engagement broken and her future uncertain, Selena takes a position as a governess to Lady Harrowden, knowing that Society will never welcome her again. Her carriage has an accident on the way to her employer, and she knocks on the door of her neighbor Sir Lucius Clavering for assistance. Her new neighbor, Sir Lucius Clavering, initially treats her with disrespect, assuming she is just trying to take him for his wealth. However, as he gets to know Selena, he realizes she is far from the opportunist he imagined. Despite his growing admiration, Selena keeps him at arm’s length, unwilling to trust a man who once judged her so harshly. As the weight of scandal and familial duty threaten their fragile bond, Lucius must declare his devotion to Selena before Society’s merciless gossip tears them asunder. I really enjoyed this wonderful historical Regency romance novel.

Cinderella story…

I was hooked from the first chapter of this story. So entertaining and interesting. Strong characters and a well written story of two people who find themselves at opposite ends of society. Each finding the strengths in the other to adore and lovingly excepting each’s weaknesses. I was easily kept at the edge of my seat throughout this book. Loved it!!!