A Fall from Grace - Review

A Fall from Grace (Clavering Chronicles, # 1)

By: Jennie Goutet

Publication: April 7, 2020

244 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Clean Romance

Source: YouTube Audiobooks

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Selena Lockhart comes with neither fortune 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 the 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 for 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?

Nearly 3 months have passed since I finished this book. I've been utterly terrible about writing book reviews this year, and I'm sure you guys are tired of me saying this nearly every review. Unfortunately, I don't remember a ton of the details when it comes to this book. Here's what I do remember.

Selena's family has fallen out of the good graces of the ton. Her family is no longer wealthy enough to be part of higher society. She has gone to live with her aunt, I believe, to work as a companion. I can't remember if she was only to be a companion to her elderly aunt or also working as a governess/companion to her aunt's charge/ward. And, of course, I can't remember the girl's name. Regardless, she is nearly wanton. She throws herself at Sir Lucius Clavering every chance she gets, but he isn't the only one. Selena is run almost ragged trying to balance both tasks set before her. And her aunt holds her responsible for what her charge does even when Selena is at her aunt's side helping her. How she can be in two places at once is beyond me, but it seems to be expected of her.

Also living with them is the new duke/earl (sheesh, I can't remember). He inherited when Selena's uncle passed away. He's a man who lives above his means and gambles away whatever funds he has left. And if he's not careful, what happened to Selena's family is going to happen to his also.

Debutantes and their mothers have been trying to lock Sir Lucius into a marriage for years. He hasn't been interested, but Selena shows herself to be different from all those who are trying to ensnare him. She doesn't seem to want anything from him beyond friendship, and even that is not something she's actively pursuing, given the difference in their social standings now. But he can't help but be pulled towards her.

The side characters were rich and came off the page. Lucius's sister Miranda with her snobbery, Philippa with her easygoing and sincere nature, George who still needed to grow up a bit. I would say I look forward to their stories, but I've already listened to them and have reviews to come for them as well.

Overall, A Fall from Grace was such an enjoyable listen. I wanted to smack Lucius in the head a few times. I felt so bad for Selena having to face her old life and society in their brutality. Plus Selena's aunt had unattainable expectations of her. But of course, I loved their happy ending. I really enjoy the narrator, Stevie Zimmerman. A Fall from Grace gets 4 Stars. Have you read (or listened to) A Fall from Grace by Jennie Goutet? What did you think? Let me know!